Video Lesson: Listening to God Instead of Identity Groups - Beth Moore

What should you do when you feel the Holy Spirit’s nudging to step away from your entanglement with a certain group of people or organization?

Our culture is so full of identity groups: Whether faith-based, political, school, hobby, career…the list goes on. But sometimes we can get too entangled in these groups and passions, and we cease listening to God.

©Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Beth Moore teaches on stepping back when you feel the prompting of the Spirit so you can hear His voice, which is the most important of all.

Enjoy!

~Eve

Lean Into Scripture | Let Us Pray | Part 1

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer” - Psalm 17:6

One of the basic fundamentals of Christian faith is prayer, yet many find it confusing to understand. Some of this unsureness about prayer and praying may be attributed to a number of different reasons.

Common contributors to prayer doubt can be: an overabundance of written material about the subject, bad habits acquired over the years, media misinformation, and just plain old bad advice. 

Hopefully, I can provide some clarity, assurance, and encouragement to your prayers. That being said, no discussion about prayer can begin without stressing the importance of it in our daily lives. 

Think of it as a direct link to God, and vice versa. Through prayer we can: communicate with Him, praise Him, and strengthen our relationship with him. We are never alone with God. Day or night, He is always there. (Matthew 28:20)

However, I need to explain some things that prayer is not. It definitely is not: negotiating or haggling with God; asking for something in a forceful manner; using God only when needing something; or as a means of "posing" before others. (Matthew 6:7)

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. God isn't a genie in a bottle to be used at our whim, nor is he a powerless God that can be manipulated through prayer. Sadly, this is exactly the view that too many have of God and prayer. (James 4:3)

The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once quoted, "Although prayer is native to man, there is the danger that he will misuse it. Although it is a natural outpouring of his spirit, there is the danger that he will use it in an unnatural way."

What then..? Is there a magic formula to prayer? Is there some secret to prayer? We sometimes have a tendency to make things far more complex and complicated than they need to be. 

When we resume this discussion next time, we'll pick-up what we started here, and also examine some other aspects of prayer that, God willing, will broaden, enlighten, and strengthen your daily prayer life.

Scripture: Psalm 69:30; Psalm 150:6; James 5:13; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 5:13

Prayer: "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”  - Isaiah 12:2

In His glorious name, 

Sophie

Weekend Message: Visibility Zero | Billy Graham Classic Sermon (1988)

 Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

As always, it's my pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video presentation can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

In over 55 years of ministry, Billy Graham preached the Gospel message to more than 215 million people in over 185 countries around the world.  - Source: The Billy Graham Library

Here, we proudly present a teaching by Dr. Graham in 1988 while visiting Ontario, Canada. Rev. Graham uses Mark 10:46-52 (Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus) as the starting point of his message.

© Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

 

Wind down from a busy week; sit back, and give yourself a spiritual boost with Billy Graham! There's no better time than the present to watch this classic video segment from one of the most respected preachers of the 20th century. 

Have a blessed weekend!

~Eve

The True Light of the World

"The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."  - Plato

The Bible is very clear that Jesus Christ is the the light of life, and the one and only great, true light, (Matthew 4:12-16; John 1:9, 4; Isaiah 9:1-5 ). The apostle John recounted that John the Baptist himself was only a witness, while Jesus was the true light (John 1:6-9).

What is the true light? When we think of light, we might think of things such as: warmth, comfort, clarity, and being unafraid. After all, who among us doesn't feel more secure walking around in the light than in darkness?

Furthermore, there are certain things that are critical to our existence. Including light, we require air to breathe, food to eat, and water to drink, among others. However, of all these, one is most important to life itself.

The essential resource of which I am referring to is Jesus Christ. He is the true light and the spiritual air that we breathe. As without the light from the sun there would be no life here on earth. Without His light, we are spiritually dead (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Jesus Christ "is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being." From him bursts forth several things, including: the light, truth, and enlightenment of God into the hearts of all of us. Jesus even proclaimed this of himself in John 8:12 and John 9:5.

By declaring that Jesus Christ is the true light, the apostle John was also undeniably proclaiming that Jesus Christ was the utmost, incomparable, true revelation of God to all men. 

Thus, here was irrefutable evidence that the Word of God became human. And that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, sent here to to penetrate the darkness. By way of his ministry, message, and life, Jesus spread the light and being of God to everyone he met. (1 John 1:5; Psalm 27:1).

Scripture: Psalm 18:28; Isaiah 60:1; John 12:36; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, the unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Amen.  - Psalm 119:130-132

With you in Jesus Christ,

Kacey

For That All Have Sinned!

"Sin is a plague, yea, the greatest and most infectious plague in the world; and yet, ah! how few are there that tremble at it, that keep at a distance from it!"  - Thomas Brooks (1608–1680)

Is it possible that a single action, by an individual could cause devastating worldwide damage? In the case of sin, it is! Scripture tells us that, "by one man sin entered into the world." Romans 5:12 (KJV)

Sin is the transgression of the law. And the one man held responsible for its introduction into the world is Adam. He committed a violation of the trust that was bestowed upon himself from God. 1 John 3:4-6 (KJV)

However, Adam was not the mastermind of sin. Satan was the instigator of the transgression that led up to the actual act. Quickened by his intense dislike for God, Satan became the tempter, that he might usher sin into the world.

We, too, are aware that the transgression performed by our first parents (Adam and Eve) had an immense impact on humanity. The affect of their potent offense is manifested in some of the associated sins listed below.

For example: (1) unbelief, in that they ignored God's instructions and the penalties that were; (2) ambition, in that they wanted to be like God, and be able to distinguish right from wrong; (3) carnality, because they wished to satisfy sheer, animal desires; and (4) ungratefulness, in that they rebelled against God who had provided them with all that was good.

Thus, was the dispersal of sin triggered. And though theirs was the "original sin," we all pay the price by being "born into sin," and must carry this original sin within us (Isaiah 48:8).

To make matters worse, the penalty of death was imposed on all mankind because of this horrendous infraction (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:17, 19). Besides physical death, spiritual and eternal death were included, as well.

But all is not lost! As sin was brought into this world by the action of one man, "so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people" (Romans 5:18; John 3:16). 

This came by the grace and mercy of God, and the free gift of righteousness and salvation, through Jesus Christ, the man (Romans 5:19). Sadly, some still choose to live under the authority of sin and death. Even so, Christ will never turn anyone away who is willing to come to him (John 6:37).

Scripture: Genesis 2:17; Psalm 53:3; Psalm 14:2-3; Romans 3:23; Ecclesiastes 7:29

Prayer: Lord, I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. I pray for Your help and forgiveness. Amen  - Romans 7:18-19

Grace and peace,

Alexis

Because We All Belong to Christ

"Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family."  - Ellen G. White

There is a pervasive and harmful element tainting our society. It is driven by hate, ignorance, and xenophobia, or a fear of the unknown. This consistent enmity fades only to reappear with each subsequent generation.

Perhaps you are more familiar with it under the guise of ugly and distasteful thoughts or actions, such as: prejudice, discrimination, racism, or even oppression. It is a sad fact that it is part of what comprises, or makes up, humanity.

Any Christian, who is worth his or her salt, should know that Jesus commands us to love one another as He loves us. In fact, impartiality is one of the traits God demonstrates towards us. And we are expected to show this toward one another. (John 13:34)

Matthew 25:31-46 does an excellent job of illustrating this point. Here, in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, Jesus edifies that God’s people will love others. Including, treating others with kindness; serving them as if it was Christ Himself they were serving.

Spitefulness or maliciousness toward others (you may choose whatever adjective you wish), is not condoned by God in any way, shape, or form. If we treat someone with contempt, we are unfairly abusing them.

We are all created in God's image (Genesis 1:27). Thus, when we focus our maltreatment on someone else, we are in essence hurting another created in God's image. Like us, God loves them and Jesus died for them, as well.

Why is this so difficult for some to grasp..? We, as in every one of us, are of one race; the human race. There is a definite difference between race and ethnicity. The entire human race is composed of many varying ethnicities. (Romans 2:11)

Even John 3:16 shares this point by use of the word "world." The "world" is an obvious reference to all of the ethnic groups around the world. Some may disagree, but it is written there in the Bible, for all to read and ponder.

In closing, it is of great importance to know that by his death on the cross, Jesus Christ put an end to "the dividing wall of hostility" built by animosity towards others. (Ephesians 2:14)

The best thing we, as followers of Jesus, can do is to love and respect each other for who we are and not what we are. If we are guilty of these infractions against others, we must repent. If we are victims, we should offer forgiveness. (Ephesians 4:32)

Scripture: Leviticus 19:34; Galatians 3:28; Acts 10:34-35; John 7:24; James 2:9

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me not be partial in my judgment of others, and to love my neighbor as myself. May Your mercy and grace lead the way. In Your name I pray. Amen.

May your days be blessed,

Bev

For All Have Sinned!

"Sin has turned the world from a paradise into a thicket, there is no getting through without being scratched."  - Thomas Boston  (1676–1732)

Oswald Chambers, an early-twentieth century Scottish evangelist and preacher, had this to say about sin: "Remember what sin is: the fundamental independence of God; the thing in me that says, I can do without God, I don’t need Him."

We can safely say that sin is what happens when we turn our backs on; declare our independence from; and neglect God. Any of these are considered a violation or defiance of God's law, and are deemed as sin.

How foolish the individual who thinks this doesn't apply to them! The Bible describes sin as transgression, or the actual act of violating God's law (1 John 3:4), and disobedience towards it (Deuteronomy 9:7).

There is no way of getting around the fact that sin is part of our life here on earth. Having said that, one naturally wonders about the degree of severity that sin might bring about. 

In comparison to the holiness of God, all sin is equal. Thus, every kind of sin, including anger to murder; the smallest lie to infidelity, is a sure and clear pathway to eternal condemnation (James 4:17; Romans 6:23). 

There are a couple of things I'd like to clarify about the equality of sins, however. First, one has to consider the earthly consequences. There are some sins that will produce worse outcomes than others, such as jealousy and robbery, for example.

Hence, even though all sin is bad, not all will incur the same earthly penalty. Viewed in this way, there are sins that are worse than others. Secondly, not all sins suffer equal degrees of earthly justice. 

A good illustration of this can be found in the parable of the servant waiting for the master to return (Luke 12:47-48). Though it may appear, in these examples, that some sins carry a heavier weight than others, sin is sin, and it is all wrongful.

Dear reader, by now you're probably thinking that all is lost and hopeless. On the contrary, nothing could be further from the truth! Thankfully, we have a forgiving and loving God. 

Yes, we've all sinned and deserve punishment (Romans 3:23). But, it matters not what we've done, we could never out-sin His power and capability to forgive us. God opened a way of forgiveness, not just for certain sins, but for all of it.

How do we know this? It's presented to us in John 3:16-18. It matters not how many nice things you do, or promises made to God. Forgiveness of sin can only be obtained one way, and one way only. 

No! God will only forgive you because of the penalty His Son Jesus paid for your sin. He paid the ultimate price! Jesus willingly accepted all of our sin, then sacrificed his life on the cross so that you and I would not have to bear it. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Scripture: Isaiah 59:2; James 4:17; Psalm 51:5; John 8:34; 1 Peter 2:24

Prayer: "Dear Lord, create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  - Psalm 51:10

In grace and peace, 

Betsy