Walking By Faith | He Is a God of Mysteries

"A 'mystery' in Scripture is a previously hidden truth now divinely revealed, but in which a supernatural element remains unknown despite the revelation."  - Billy Graham, American evangelist (1918-2018)

"God Moves in a Mysterious Way," a Christian hymn written by William Cowper in 1773, inspires us to trust in God even when His plans seem vague, promising that His reasons are ultimately good and will become clear in His own time. 

The word "mystery" is frequently used in Scripture, most commonly in reference to "mysteries of God" or "God's mysteries" (Ephesians 3:9; 1 Corinthians 4:1). They are considered unfathomable divine truths and plans, revealed only by God through His Word and Spirit.

The generalized idea of divine mysteries is based on the biblical narrative where God slowly uncovers His designs to humanity. Amos 3:7 provides a good example of this concept in the OT.

In this particular verse, the use of the Hebrew word (סוֹד, sôḏ), "secret" or "counsel," alludes to a divine secret that is recognized and perceived only if disclosed by God to His people through the prophets.

Divine secrets are also mentioned in the NT. There, the Greek word for “mystery” or (μυστήριον, mystērion) is used. It refers to a hidden or secret thing not obvious to the understanding. 

During the ancient Greek civilization, “mysteries” were traditional religious ceremonies or rituals known only to newcomers. They were often related to different mystery religions that assured religious insight and experiences.

The term is used regularly by Paul when speaking about the mysteries of God, especially in regard to the gospel and the church, as in 1 Corinthians 2:7. This too, indicating divine secrets or truths once hidden, but now divulged by God.

At this point, I’d like to speak briefly about something that could be perplexing to many. Deuteronomy 29:29 speaks of the "secret things of God." How does this differ from "mysteries of God?"

Although both indicate characteristics of God’s nature and plans that are unseen and incomprehensible, they are not necessarily alike. The difference lies in their relationship with one another.

"Secret things" are what God determines to keep hidden. In other words, it concerns certain things belonging only to God and aren’t meant to be revealed to us yet. This implies that some things are better left to His wisdom and divine plan.

In contrast, “mysteries” are truths that are acknowledged, but demand a more thorough grasp and/or interpretation. Such as the gospel, the plan of salvation, and the essence of God’s kingdom.

Finally, I’d like to leave you with a few points to consider:

• Mysteries are made manifest through the Holy Spirit. Our comprehension of them is both a privilege and responsibility.
• The focal point of these mysteries is Christ. He is the realization of God’s plan and the root of all wisdom and knowledge. 
• Despite lacking the ability to fully understand the mysteries of God, it in no way diminishes the Christian faith. Rather, it reinforces our belief.

I hope that our discussion here will inspire you to investigate this topic further. By the discernment of these mysteries, believers can better grasp the measure and width of God’s love, grace and intentions for us.

Scripture: Matthew 13:11; 1 Corinthians 4:1; Ephesians 1:9; Colossians 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Prayer: Dear God, may I find peace and comfort in the unknown, knowing that you are with me, always. Amen.

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane

Weekend Message | I Struggled Reading the Bible Until I Learned These 5 Things | Maryl De Milo

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

As always, it's our 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.

This week we present a video presentation by spiritual transformation coach Maryl De Milo who shares some insightful information on a topic that many can relate to: Reading the Bible.

Let's be honest, the Bible can be bewildering and unclear even to a mature believer; even more so for the new believer! And there certainly is no shortage of advice or methods as to how to read the Bible correctly, and/or gain the most benefit from it.

© Maryl De Milo

In this video, Maryl shares 5 ways of approaching reading Scripture that have helped her to understand and stay consistent reading it. 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or disconnected during Bible reading, these workable solutions of coming to God's word will help you to understand Scripture and grow in the love and knowledge of God.

From a religious standpoint, God provided us with the Bible in order to reveal Himself, direct humanity, and offer a means to salvation, including history, poetry, philosophy, and personal letters. That, ultimately teach us about His plan for humanity. 

Make some time to watch and listen to this wonderfully enlightening presentation. I pray that it may enhance the enjoyment of reading and studying your Bible!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Remember God's Faithfulness in Your Life

"The glory of God's faithfulness is that no sin of ours has ever made Him unfaithful."  - Charles Spurgeon, English Particular Baptist preacher (1834-1892)

Most of us lead very busy lives. Practically, every minute of the day is consumed with work, family, and other activities. After that, there is precious little time to spare. No one would argue that!

Still, we may be missing something. Something that has practical implications for any believer in Jesus Christ. What I'm implying is that we need to devote time to remember God's faithfulness.

Remembering God's faithfulness means recognizing and thinking about past instances where God has revealed his love, grace, and provision, developing trust and hope for the future, despite hardships and obstacles.

In fact, the concept of remembering God's faithfulness is deeply embedded as an essential part of Scripture. It serves to reaffirm our faith in God's unchanging (immutable) nature, promises, and acts of deliverance and provision. 

This alone would probably be sufficient, but remembering His faithfulness is more than just food for talk. Recalling God's faithfulness is spiritual training that builds faith and instills discipline.

As this is a consistent theme throughout the Bible, we should examine a few examples of some practical uses there. For instance, in the OT, the Israelites are implored time and time again to remember God's faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9).

The Passover itself is another important event that stands as a tribute to God's faithfulness. It honors God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, bringing to the forefront His faithfulness in delivering on His promises (Exodus 12:14).

Proceeding to the NT, we see God's faithfulness manifested in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:9 points out the faithfulness of God inviting believers together with Christ, thereby assuring their salvation and being made holy.

Remembering God's faithfulness can be extremely helpful, especially to us in this "always-on world" in which we live. For believers, many benefits can be derived from this, including: 

• providing the capability to confidently face trials head-on;
• the assurance that the same God who has been trustworthy in the past, will faithfully be available in any future events (Philippians 1:6).

Lastly, the biblical appeal to recall God's faithfulness is a key feature of the Christian faith. It provides believers with a solid foundation for trust, praise, and discipline. 

Scripturally, God continuously reminds us that His faithfulness is steadfast and true, inspiring us to live joyfully by His promises and previous actions of deliverance. I encourage you to pause and remember God's faithfulness in your life! 

Scripture: Psalm 33:4; Lamentations 3:23; Romans 3:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 10:23

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your steady faithfulness. Help me always remember your love and goodness, even in difficult times, and to have faith in your promises. May I always remember your faithfulness. Amen.

Yours in Christ,

Ashleigh

We Must Acknowledge Our Need for God

"A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God’s power that he is upheld and provided for, and that he needs God’s wisdom to lead and guide..."  - Jonathan Edwards, American revivalist preacher and philosopher (1703-1758)

It is widely acknowledged that food, water, air, and shelter are needed in order to survive. The lack or removal of any of these critical "needs" greatly diminishes our chances of living on.  

However, there is another "need" which is equally as important, but doesn't attract as much attention. And it is the concept of this "need" that will be the topic of discussion here: the acknowledgment of our need for God. 

This concept of acknowledging one's "need", or dependence on God, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It underscores the significance of acknowledging our inherent need for His guidance, strength, and provision in all aspects of life.

Thus, we can subsequently understand that we are unable to solve everything on our own and require divine guidance and support. To get a better idea of how this looks, it might be beneficial to check out some examples. 

The acknowledgement of "need" in the OT is frequently connected to the Israelite's relationship with God. A prime example is the narrative of the Exodus where the enslaved Israelites cried out to God for liberation from the Egyptians (Exodus 2:23-25).

As noted in the passage above, God recognized their distress and recalled His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The acknowledgment of their desperate situation and plea for help was decisive in God's freeing them from bondage.

Prophetic insights were also important as they invoked the people of Israel to recognize their spiritual needs. Isaiah 55:1-3 highlights the need to acknowledge our spiritual hunger and thirst to acquire God's plentiful resources.

A quick look at Matthew 5:3 in the NT, demonstrates how Jesus personified the ultimate provision for fulfilling the spiritual longings and needs of humanity. This principle is further illustrated in Luke 18:9-14.

The Apostle Paul regularly dealt with the theme of human need and the adequacy and fullness of God (2 Corinthians 12:9). Unlikely strength can be found through acknowledging our weaknesses and relying on God's grace, as indicated in this passage.

Finally, real-world effects can be gained by the acknowledgment that our needs are not simply due to thoughtful and rational recognition, acknowledgment, and understanding. They also require us to seek God in prayer and faith (James 4:10).

The biblical impulse to acknowledge our "need" signifies a deep understanding of our limitations and the adequacy of God's grace. It is an inducement to experience the richness of life that comes from an interdependent relationship with Him.

Scripture: Psalm 14:2; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 10:10; Hebrews 2:10; 1 John 4:15

Prayer: Dear God, I stand before you today, acknowledging your presence and your greatness. Thank you for your unshakable love, your limitless grace, and the infinite blessings you have given me. I humbly seek your guidance and wisdom in every way. Help me live a life that honors you and reflects your love. Amen."

May God richly bless you always,

Leia

The Essentials with Sarah | The Atonement for Sin (Conclusion)

"Therefore, when we were perishing and, alienated from God, were hastening to hell, Christ took upon Himself the filthy depths of our sins, to rescue us from eternal destruction."  - John Calvin,  French theologian, pastor and reformer (1509-1564)

Hello, and welcome back! Atonement is deemed a foundational belief within both Judaism and Christianity, which maintain that humans must "atone for" (reconcile) their sins against God.

Previously, we examined atonement in the OT and its deep connection with the God-established, sacrificial system of the Israelites. Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) was the most important day for atonement in the Jewish Calendar.

In this session our focus will turn to atonement in Christianity, or otherwise known as the belief that human beings can be reconciled to, or reunited with, God through the sacrificial suffering and death of Jesus Christ. 

As you may remember, to atone for sins means to make amends or reparations for wrongdoing, seeking to reconcile with God after transgressing His laws or expectations. 

This commonly includes repentance, remorse, and actions that reveal a change of heart and behavior. In the NT, the Greek word for "atonement" is καταλλαγή (katallage), which means "reconciliation" or "restoration of relationship." 

Jesus Christ is presented in the NT as the ultimate accomplishment of the OT sacrificial system. His death on the cross dramatically illustrates the perfect and final atonement for sin. 

The NT often uses the Greek word "hilasterion" (ἱλαστήριον) to describe Christ's atoning work, signifying a propitiation (the turning away of God's wrath), or expiation (the cleansing of sin and removal of its guilt).

Romans 3:25 emphasizes that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ fulfills the requirements of God's justice, thus allowing God to forgive sins while maintaining His righteousness. 

The superiority of of Christ's atonement compared to the OT sacrifices is detailed in Hebrews 9:12. This underscores that the atonement of Christ is final and absolute, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant (Mosaic covenant).

Atonement is fundamental to Christian theology in that it calls attention to the problem of sin, and the method by which we can be reconciled to God. It also reveals the holiness and justice of God, who can't ignore sin, and His love and mercy, which makes redemption possible through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

Additionally, the concept of "substitutionary atonement" is illustrated here in the doctrine of atonement. This is where Christ takes the place of sinners and endures the penalty they deserve (Isaiah 53:5).

Let's quickly examine some practical implications of this for Christian believers. The atonement of Christ is essential to salvation and the promise of forgiveness. It demands a declaration of faith, repentance, and gratitude.

The atonement also provides a model for faithful, Christian living. Believers are inspired to live unselfishly, and to restore and repair damaged relationships with others (2 Corinthians 5:18).

On a final note, as we saw in our discussion, atonement is a powerfully, sophisticated, and consequential doctrine (principle) that makes manifest the magnitude of God's love and the gravity of sin.

Through the sacrifice of Christ we are offered hope, redemption, exoneration (forgiveness), declared righteous, and are even adopted into God's family. One can confidently assert that it is impossible to sufficiently summarize the spiritual benefits and gifts received through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Exodus 29:36; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 4:5; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 10:12 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I approach you with a humble heart, acknowledging my sins and shortcomings. I confess that I've strayed from your path, and for that, I'm truly sorry. I ask for your forgiveness, your cleansing, and your grace to renew my spirit and restore me to your love. Amen.

May you always feel God's love,

Sarah

Weekend Message | Chrystal Evans Hurst: God is Not Disappointed in You | FULL EPISODE | Better Together on TBN

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

As always, it's our 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.

This week we present another full episode of Better Together on TBN! Bestselling author Chrystal Evans Hurst reveals why we should never worry about being a disappointment to God. 

Maybe you're afraid to express your true feelings to the Lord because someone said that it's wrong to be angry with Him? Or perhaps you're hesitant to bring your struggles or sinfulness to him fearing that you might make him angry or disappoint him?

© Better Together on TBN

Some of the topics discussed in this video presentation are:

• Changing Roles As You Follow God's Direction
• Disappointment Leads to Spiritual Maturity
• What Happens When We Feel Like God Let Us Down
• Giving God Full Control
• Prayer for Trust and Contentment as God Leads Us

Join the conversation as Laurie Crouch, Christine Caine, Lisa Harper and Christy Wright join Chrystal Evans Hurst to discuss trusting God and understanding His faithfulness.

Even if you aren't experiencing this today, there's still lots of great and insightful information that can be put to use if and when you need it!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Don't Let Mistakes Define You!

"Don't be bound by the past and its failures. But don't forget its lessons either."  - Billy Graham, American evangelist (1918-2018)

The phrase "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" is often attributed to the Spanish-born American author and philosopher George Santayana. 

The phrase underscores the significance of understanding past events in order to avoid repeating mistakes. It in turn helps us make better decisions in the present and future. 

Learning from the past is also a motif or pattern that can followed throughout Scripture. We'll examine some examples and teachings demonstrating the importance of acknowledging mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and pursuing growth.

The incident with Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 is probably the most well-recognized mistake in the history of the world. It led to their banishment from the Garden of Eden and the introduction of sin and suffering into the world.

Moving forward, King David's sin with Bathsheba, and the ensuing murder of Uriah (Bathsheba's husband), provides a potent illustration of moral failure. It was only when confronted by the prophet Nathan that David repented (2 Samuel 12:13).

King David pens Psalm 51 after his sin with Bathsheba. There he pleads for God's mercy, forgiveness, and a renewed spirit, admitting his wrongdoing and seeking purification (Psalm 51:1, 2).

In Matthew 26:69-75, the apostle Peter's denial of Jesus (three times) is a moving and affecting example of human weakness. After he came to understand his mistake, Peter grieved deeply, expressing sincere anguish.

It's essential to understand that redemption and growth after failure is possible by Jesus as shown in John 21:15-19. The Book of Proverbs frequently deals with "learning from mistakes." 

Proverbs 12:1 stresses the value of being amenable (open) to change, and the gaining of wisdom along with it. The author of Hebrews explores the seriousness of divine discipline in Hebrews 12:5-11. 

There, we are taught that God's discipline is a form of devotion intended to foster righteousness and peace (Hebrews 12:6). Finally, the NT heavily influences believers to confess sin and seek forgiveness. No where is this more pronounced than in 1 John 1:9.

This verse establishes the promise of forgiveness and serves as a foundation for learning from setbacks, and gaining wisdom from failures. All while we move ahead in faith.

As we've seen, we all make mistakes, some worse than others, but we are all guilty of committing them. With that in mind, we are encouraged to repent of and seek forgiveness for them from God (Romans 4:7-8). 

Only by owning up to our mistakes can we proceed toward growth and healing. The worst thing we can do is sit and dwell on the past. Learn from your mistakes, dust yourself off, get up, and get moving!

Scripture: Psalm 37:24; Psalm 145:14; Proverbs 24:16; Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:12

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I humbly confess my mistakes and pray for forgiveness. Help me learn from them and grow in wisdom and compassion. Amen"

May God be with you,

Sophie