Weekend Message | Is God a Safe Place for You? | Beth Moore | Safe Harbor Part 1

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's always 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 weekend, we start a new series by American evangelist and author Beth Moore. In this session, Beth Moore explores the concept of God as a "safe place" by comparing hiding from God with hiding in God, suggesting that while the world presents many dangers, faith offers a haven.

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Scriptural References: Psalm 31:19-32:11, Psalm 62:7-8, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 91:1-4, Hebrews 6:13-20, Galatians 2:20

The message recognizes that suffering occurs even for believers, framing the Christian journey as a high-stakes adventure, but in the end emphasizes finding peace through trust in a loving Heavenly Father.

Core concepts presented in this teaching lesson are:

• Hiding from God vs. hiding in God
• The reality of suffering
• Finding peace in trials
• Overcoming fear

Find a comfortable spot and spend a little time with Beth Moore this weekend, won't you? Watch and learn from this Spirit-filled teacher of the Word. It's definitely worth the time!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Living With an Eternal Purpose (Psalm 90)

"For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step."  - Thomas à Kempis, German-Dutch Catholic canon regular of the Augustinians and the author of "The Imitation of Christ" (1380-1471)

Many of us are living life just spinning our wheels without a clear plan after the end of our temporary and fleeting lives. Psalm 90 contemplates the themes of our mortality, God's timeless nature, and intentional living with an eternal goal. 

The authorship of this psalm has traditionally been assigned to Moses, who wrote it from the perspective of Israel's wanderings. This period of roaming was characterized by the brevity of life and the consequences of sin.

Before going further, I would strongly encourage you to read Psalm 90. Having a good idea of what Moses is speaking about will help your comprehension of the subject and aid in its application to your own life.

In Psalm 90:1-11, Moses begins his prayer (psalm) by drawing a distinction between between God and humanity. This first section discusses the eternal God and human frailty. Read Psalm 90:1-2 and answer the following questions:

• What is the significance of God being our "dwelling place" in all generations?
• The psalm conveys the nature of God's existence as "from everlasting to everlasting." How does reflecting upon God's eternal nature affect your view on your own life and the rest of the world?

The second section discusses human weakness and sin. First, read Psalm 90:3-6 and answer the following question:

• Compared to God's eternity, Moses describes humanity as brief and delicate. How do the images he provides help us understand the shortness of our lives?

Next, read Psalm 90:7-11 and answer the following questions:

• Verse 8 states that, "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence." What does this verse teach us about the holiness of God and the way He sees our sin?
• Psalm 90:1-11 connects human mortality directly to God's judgment on sin. How does understanding the significance of sin affect how you face each day?

The third section presents a prayer for wisdom and favor. Despite the brevity of life and God's holiness, Moses looks to prayer, not to escape this reality, but to find purpose within it. Read Psalm 90:12-17 and answer the following questions:

• It is highly likely that the most famous verse from this psalm is verse 12, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." What is meant by "to number our days," and how do we gain wisdom from this?
• This psalm transitions from lament (expressing deep sorrow or grief) to a request for mercy. What does Moses ask for in verses 13-15?
• In the last verse, Moses prays, "establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands." What is the importance of this repeated plea? How does God's favor provide enduring and significant meaning to our efforts?

Psalm 90 serves as a reality check of our own mortality and the end result of our sin, but it is not a psalm of hopelessness. It is a powerful prayer of an individual whose hope is fixed not in the temporal (earthly) but in the eternal, everlasting God.

Finally, think about your work or daily efforts. How can you devote your work to the Lord so that he may establish (confirm) it and give it eternal meaning?

 

Prayer: "Dear God, You are our eternal dwelling place, and we are only temporary. Teach us to live with purpose, striving for Your steadfast love every day. Gratify us, and bless the work of our hands with your mercy, and for Your glory. Amen."

Grace be unto you,

Lamai

Video Lesson | Are You Blind to Your Sin?

In this short video lesson, Dr. Jeff Louie, Th.M. and Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary and Associate Professor at Western Seminary in Santa Clara, California, takes us deeper into the subject of repentance. 

Here, he explores three subtle but serious types of sin that often go unnoticed in our spiritual lives:

👁️ Blindness to our inner flaws

🪞 Hidden attitudes masked by surface-level behavior

💔 Hardness of heart & desensitization to sin

© Radical Honesty

Scriptural References: 📖 Matthew 7 : 3, Ephesians 4 : 17–20, and more guide us toward the kind of change that truly reflects life in Christ.

Jesus calls us to more than discipline—He calls us to transformation. 💥

💬 Are you ready to confront what’s beneath the surface? Are you blind? Are you hiding? Are you blind to yourself? Are you desensitized?

If you want to follow Christ, it's not just about praying more while letting these things slide by. It's about really changing and transforming the inner self through the mercy and the power of God.

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Walking By Faith | Forgiveness Enables the Fear of the Lord

"But what is this fear of the Lord?  It is that affectionate reverence, by which the child of God bends himself humbly and carefully to his Father’s law."  - Charles Bridges, Anglican preacher and theologian (1794-1869)

The "fear of the Lord" is a response to God's grace and mercy, in particular, the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is a must-have for a restored relationship with God. When we are forgiven, we are delivered from the bondage of sin and death; obstacles to intimacy with God.

It is important to emphasize that forgiveness is an act of God's grace, and it is a gift that enables us to live a life of joyful devotion to God. However, this gift of forgiveness does not give us the go-ahead to to commit more sin. It instead provides a deep, motivating gratitude to lead a godly life.

Let's now clarify what is meant by the "fear of the Lord." Contrary to what many think, it's not a debilitating terror of Him but rather a deep and humble respect for His holiness, power, and authority.

When all is said and done, the fear of the Lord is the proper, worshipful response to recognizing one's own sinfulness in the light of God's boundless mercy. This has beneficial results for believers, such as:

• Recognizing God's supreme power and holiness: Knowing God's character and power inspires respect, not terror. Through God's grace, his greatness is made visible.
• Loving compliance: It is a dutiful or child-like fear that loves and honors the Father, making us intimidated of offending Him, not out of trepidation, but out of a desire to cooperate with God's will.
• Detestation of evil: This reverential, or respectful fear motivates a person to turn away from evil and strive for understanding.

What's more, having acquired a restored relationship with God through forgiveness, believers are compelled to glorify God through service. This is a joyful privilege, not a burdensome obligation! This service encompasses:

• Reverence and devotion: A heart surrendered to God.
• Living a life of service: Serving God by demonstrating love and compassion to others, especially the disadvantaged, underserved, underrepresented, and oppressed.
• Loving obedience: Living a lifestyle that is pleasing to God. That is, with our whole heart, not as a way to earn forgiveness, but in response to having received it.

In conclusion, God's forgiveness is the spark that transforms a heart from one that is fearful of retribution or that of assumptive mercy to one that is filled with "worshipful admiration" and a hearty willingness to serve.

Scripture: Job 28:28; Psalm 33:8; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 14:26

Prayer: "Dear Lord, the fear of You is the beginning of wisdom. Create in me a pure heart that respects Your holiness and power, that I may trust in You above all else and live a life that is true to Your name. Amen."

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane

Weekend Message | Becoming Who We Are - Session 5 of 5 | Beth Moore

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's always 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 weekend, we complete a 5-part series by American evangelist and author Beth Moore. These are full presentations of one of her teaching sessions, not video clips, so be prepared to receive lots of great information!

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

In this final session, Beth tells us that although this series is coming to an end, "there is still work to be done. Learning to 'become who we are' is a life-long commitment, because there is always going to be an 'impostor' in our lives." 

This "impostor" wants to hide that part of our natural man that wants to spring up, or arise from time to time, causing new circumstances, situations, temptations, or whatever else it might be. And they can return furiously!

There is so much more great teaching included in this finale that you don't want to miss. Make yourself comfortable and spend a little time with Beth Moore this weekend, won't you? It's definitely worth the time!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Effective Prayer Aligns Our Hearts with God's

"We are trying not so much to make God listen to us as to make ourselves listen to Him; we are trying not to persuade God to do what we want, but to find out what he wants us to do."  - William Barclay, Church of Scotland minister, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow (1907-1978)

Many pray under the misconception that prayer changes things. This misunderstanding focuses the power on the act of praying itself, instead of the one who is being prayed to.

In reality, the power is in God, with prayer being the manner by which we invite him to act and come together in spirit. Placing our primary focus on prayer rather than the God who hears and reacts to us, can transform it into a superstitious ritual, at the expense of a true connection with Him.

Effective prayer is grounded in understanding that it's a conversation with God that aligns our hearts with His will. Let's examine what this looks like when we earnestly put it into practice.

1. Draw near to God in faith

• Trust in God's desire to act. The foundation of prayer is to believe that God hears you and that "he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
• Pray without doubting. "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." - Mark 11:24 (NIV)
• If you struggle with unbelief, be transparent with God and ask him to help you with it. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" - Mark 9:24 (NIV)

2. Yield control of your life to God's will and wisdom

• Seek God's glory, not your own desires. "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." - James 4:3 (NIV) The most effective prayers are those that are in line with God's perfect will.
• Submit to God's plan. Like Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, sometimes the most effective prayer is to submit to God's will, though it is difficult: "yet not my will, but yours, be done." - Luke 22:42 (NIV)

3. Prioritize a God-centered life and loving others well

• Confess your sins. Unconfessed sin is a hindrance to prayer (Psalm 66:18 - NIV). Confessing your sins and rejecting immoral behavior allows God to hear you, forgive your sin, and heal your life (2 Chronicles 7:14 - NIV).
• Humble yourself. "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" (James 4:6 - NIV). Humble prayer acknowledges your dependence on God.
• Forgive others. If you pray with unforgiveness in your heart, your heavenly Father will not forgive you (Mark 11:25–26 - NIV). Make amends with others before worshiping and praying (Matthew 5:23–24 - NIV).

Some essential elements of a more powerful prayer life also include: 

• Heartfelt commitment: This means that prayers should be sincere and from the heart, rather than being indifferent and weak. Effective prayer is often tied to its passion and intensity.
• Determination: Press on even when prayers aren't immediately answered. Jesus encouraged unceasing prayer, so keep asking, seeking, and knocking. Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
• Gratitude and Thankfulness: Come before God with an attitude of gratitude for all He has already done and what He is doing. Thankfulness helps with peace of mind - Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
• Faith and Expectation: Pray believing that God can and will answer. Submit your petition, believe you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24 (NIV)
• Prayer from Scripture: Pray using the Bible. You can pray through a psalm, use Scripture to direct your requests, or ask God to help you better understand His Word.
• An intimate association: Regard prayer as a conversation, not a monologue. Pray with the same honesty and sincerity as you would have with a close friend or spouse. 

Some practical steps you can incorporate into your daily prayer life are: begin each day with prayer, pray for others, be honest with God, make a conscious effort to turn away from sin, end your day with prayer, keep a prayer journal to record your prayers and God's responses.

Effective prayer is based on a foundation of faith, righteousness, and in sync with God's will, necessitating sincerity, persistence, and humility. Developing a powerful prayer life involves an unceasing, relational conversation with God that is heartfelt, honest and indebted.

Scripture: Psalm 100:4; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1

Prayer: "LORD, fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may pray not just with my own words, but with a spiritual understanding of what you desire. Help me to be quiet and listen for your voice, knowing that our conversation involves both of us. Amen."

May God bless you always,

Liana

Bible Studies To-Go | The Kingdom of God: A Present Reality and a Future Hope

"Greatness in the kingdom of God is measured in terms of obedience." - John Stott, British Anglican pastor and theologian (1921-2011)

The ©Bible Studies To-Go series presents abridged Scripture studies that are tailored for the contemporary believer who desires to enhance their Bible learning, but is limited by a demanding daily routine. 

Our concise studies focus on themes, topics, and in some cases are even developed by questions we gather from our work with others. In-depth Bible studies can easily be obtained from other sources, if one prefers that.

Opening Prayer: "God, we are grateful to be here together. Please speak to us through your Word and help us to listen with open hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Background Information: The idea of the Kingdom of God is a central message throughout the Bible, and was at the core of Jesus' ministry. "Kingdom of Heaven" was used by Matthew out of respect to Jewish customs and to avoid the use of God's name directly. Both are equivalent.

The kingdom is not specified as being situated in the physical world, but rather as the dynamic and supreme authority of God, initiated by Jesus and revealed through his life, teachings, and miracles. Related scriptures are: Psalm 103:19 (NIV); Mark 1:14-15 (NIV); Matthew 12:28 (NIV)

Topic for Study: The concept of the Kingdom of God. 

As mentioned above, the principle of the Kingdom of God is a central idea throughout the Bible, and was essential to the ministry of Jesus. For example:

• In Matthew 3:2 (NIV), John the Baptist announces the immediacy of the "kingdom of heaven."
• Jesus launched his public ministry with the message, "The time has come... The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" - Mark 1:15 (NIV)
• In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he instructed his disciples to emphasize this reality, saying, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Thought-Provoking Question: What are some common misunderstandings you have heard about the Kingdom of God?"

Section One: The Bible informs us that the Kingdom of God is both in the present moment and a future hope. In other words, it is "already" present now, but "not yet" fulfilled, as seen below. 

The Kingdom is already here as demonstrated in:

• Jesus' presence - Luke 17:21 (NIV)
• Jesus' demonstration of power - Luke 11:20 (NIV)
• A spiritual rebirth - John 3:3 (NIV)
• One's inner transformation - Romans 14:17 (NIV) 

The Kingdom is not yet complete: 

• Matthew 6:10 (NIV) - Jesus taught his disciple to pray for the kingdom to "come" and for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
• Matthew 13:24-30, 47-50 (NIV) - The final separation of the righteous and wicked will occur at the end of the age as portrayed in the parables of the wheat and tares and the fishnet.
• The full establishment of the kingdom will occur upon the return of Jesus. - Revelation 11:15 (NIV)

Thought-Provoking Question: How does understanding the kingdom of God as "already" and "not yet" affect your view of everyday life and the future?

Section Two: Parables were used by Jesus to illustrate the Kingdom of God, utilizing everyday images to reveal its nature.

• Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV) - The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl underscore the tremendous worth of the kingdom, requiring total commitment.
• Matthew 13:31-33 (NIV) - The parables of the mustard seed and yeast demonstrate that the kingdom begins small but develops into something immense and powerful.
• Mark 4:26-29 (NIV) - The parable of the growing seed highlights that God is the one who starts and produces this growth.

Thought-Provoking Question: How do these parables provide encouragement for spreading the gospel and spiritual leadership, especially when the results are not immediately visible?

Section Three: Being a citizen in the Kingdom involves a transformation of values and obedience to God. We are asked to testify to Christ's kingship by personifying kingdom principles in our daily lives, such as service, mission, and love.

• Matthew 28:18-20
• Acts 1:6-8
• John 13:34-35

Thought-Provoking Question: How can our actions and attitudes reveal God's kingdom in our families, workplaces, and communities?

Conclusion:

What is the Kingdom purpose? All Kingdom citizens are entrusted to proclaim the gospel and live righteously, exhibiting "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 24:14 (NIV); Romans 14:17 (NIV)

Key Question: "How can I access the Kingdom of God?" Access to the Kingdom requires a self-effacing (humble) and submissive attitude, rather than temporal (worldly) success. This means that one must:

• Be born again - John 3:3-5 (NIV)
• Repent and believe - As John the Baptist preached - Matthew 3:1-2; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3 (NIV) and Jesus stated - Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15 (NIV)
• Accept it like a child - Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)
• Give precedence to it - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Checking for Understanding:

• What is the Kingdom of God? What is the difference between the "Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of Heaven?"
• Define the "already" but "not yet" concept of the Kingdom of God.
• What must a person do to enter the Kingdom of God?

I hope that this condensed study format serves to motivate and inspire you to incorporate additional activities, methods, and reflections in deepening your understanding and retention of God's Word, the Bible. 

I'm excited for our next Bible study, and eagerly look forward to our next meeting!

The Lord Jesus bless you,

Danielle