The Faith of Hannah

The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary describes “faith” as follows: belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.

Regarding the subject of faith, the Old Testament contains many role models for us to examine. There were great men of faith like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Daniel. Great women of faith such as Sarah, Ruth, and Esther also played important parts in the Bible, as well.

One such woman who is a wonderful role model for women of faith today is Hannah. She was the mother of Samuel, who happened to become one of the greatest prophets of Israel. If you are interested in more information regarding Samuel, his story is told in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel.

From just a simple reading of these first two chapters we can learn some important lessons about faith from Hannah. For example in 1 Samuel 1:1-8, we learn that women of faith endure real problems. In Hannah’s case, her womb was closed by the Lord (1 Samuel 1:1-5). And because her womb had been closed, her rival Peninnah kept provoking her for years. Think about how this must have bothered her immensely. Yet despite this, Hannah continued praying to the Lord for help. (1 Samuel 1:6-8)

What can we learn from Hannah? We understand that women of faith are not without problems in this life. The righteous often suffer (remember Job?) Similarly, Sarah suffered ridicule from her handmaiden Hagar (Genesis 16:3-5). Even so, we should not let others deter our trust in the Lord. Hannah could have used her misfortune and mistreatment as an excuse. But that didn't stop her from worshipping the Lord (1 Samuel 1:7).

Unquestionably, women of faith can and do have problems just like other women. What distinguishes them as women of faith is what they do when faced with their problems. To see what I am talking about, read 1 Samuel 1:9-18.

Scripture readings: Matthew 8:26; Matthew 15:28; Mark 5:34; John 3:36; Acts 16:31; John 16:27

Let's Pray:

Lord, I believe:
I wish to believe in Thee.
Lord, let my faith be full and unreserved,
and let it penetrate my thought,
my way of judging Divine things and human things.
Lord, let my faith be joyful
and give peace and gladness to my spirit,
and dispose it for prayer with God
and conversation with men, Amen.

Bless you,

Summer

God's Message Even In Tragedy

It has been said that, "God brings men into deep waters not to drown them but to cleanse them."

Why does God allow tragedy in this world? Is it possible that He is trying to tell us something? Is there a message from God to be found somewhere in tragedy?

There are many things about this world that make it a place where tragedy might happen at any time. We know that God gave us freedom of choice. Unfortunately, in many instances this can lead to human selfishness. In this case, it is possible that our very own decisions can either lead to, or cause tragedy. Also, there is natural law. These are things in which we have no control over. An example might be being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It seems that far too much tragedy has been in the news lately for comfort. The recent earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, etc., have all captured our interest in recent weeks. In these terrible situations lives have been cut short; homes and families have been destroyed. The end result of this is that lives have been changed forever.

But out of all of this tragedy could it be possible that God is trying to tell us something? And if so, what might it be? There is the possibility that perhaps He is trying to warn us. After all, we tend to think that we can do whatever we please without suffering any consequences. If you doubt this, remember how Israel suffered repeatedly in the Old Testament for defying God's word? Then there is the motivation in tragedy. Sometimes this can hit us like a cold slap in the face. Tragedy can make us change direction very quickly, especially if our survival depends on it.

Certainly there is also remembrance in tragedy. Specific incidents such as 9/11 in the United States, or the recent earthquake and nuclear power plant disaster in Japan can persuade us to change what we do for the better.

Let's pause for a moment and think about what God is trying to tell us by allowing tragedy to happen? What point (or points) might He be trying to get across?

Life is fragile. It is like a vapor, or grass. We have no idea what tomorrow may bring. We cannot control the length of our days. See: James 4:14; 1 Peter 1:24; Proverbs 27:1; Luke 12:19, 20.

Our time for service to God is limited. Have you been using the talents and opportunities that God has given you. In other words, have you dealt faithfully with what the Lord has entrusted you? See: Matthew 25:14, 19, 20, 21.

Our time to deal with sin is limited. The Bible tells us that we must deal with sin. All have sinned. Sin separates us from God. There are terrible consequences for failing to deal with sin. The good news is that a plan for dealing with sin has been given to us. See: Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2; Rev. 20:11-15; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 22:16.

There is a life to come in which there is no tragedy. Instead, there is victory. See: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; John 14: 1-3; Rev. 21: 1-7.

In conclusion, how we are affected by tragedy depends on us to some extent. But, are we hearing the message of God in the midst of all of this tragedy? That is what really matters in the end.

Let's pray.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
I believe that I shall see
the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Joan

No Excuse for Complaceny

Ronald Meredith, in his book Hurryin' Big For Little Reasons, describes one quiet night in early spring: Suddenly out of the night came the sound of wild geese flying. I ran to the house and breathlessly announced the excitement I felt. What is to compare with wild geese across the moon? It might have ended there except for the sight of our tame mallards on the pond. They heard the wild call they had once known.

The honking out of the night sent little arrows of prompting deep into their wild yesterdays. Their wings fluttered a feeble response. The urge to fly--to take their place in the sky for which God made them-- was sounding in their feathered breasts, but they never raised from the water. The matter had been settled long ago. The corn of the barnyard was too tempting! Now their desire to fly only made them uncomfortable. Temptation is always enjoyed at the price of losing the capacity for flight.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "complacency" as: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.

In Amos Chapter 6, he brings an indictment against his nation, Israel. Amos indicts the people with being guilty of apathy and indifference toward God and toward the state of the nation. They were a chosen nation and they knew God's law. This made their sin greater.

So what are the conditions and causes of this calm contentment by the people that had Amos so upset at them? Let's take a look...

Conditions of complacency described in (Amos 6: 1-6).
a. Their customs , dress, and perfumes were the richest (ver.4).
b. They enjoyed the richest foods and delicacies available ( ver. 4).
c. The pursuit of pleasure was their chief objective (ver. 5).
d. They were given over to drunkeness (ver. 6).

The causes of this complacency.
The people were living in a postwar period when their nation enjoyed unrivaled national power and prosperity. Religious activities were popular.
a. They placed great trust in military resources for security (Amos 6:1)
b. They had a tendency to dismiss all serious thought concerning the possibility of peril for their nation (Amos 6:3)
c. The pursuit of profit and prosperity was of supreme importance (Amos 6:4)
d. Their hard-heartedness was indicated by the lack of grief and compassion for the sickness of their nation (Amos 6:6)

Calamity and captivity were to befall the nation.
Amos was probably considered as a radical, pessimistic, religious fanatic who did not know what he was talking about. He warned the nation concerning the judgment of God and the advance of the enemy. (Amos 6:1, 7, 9-11, 14)

Some people look upon the prophets as prophets of doom who offered no hope to their nation. The fact that God was using them as his spokesmen would indicate that there was at least a little hope.

Let's pray:

Father, help me to overcome complacency through the power of the Holy Spirit. May my life be a testimony to Your greatness and power. Help me to know the Truth more and more each day and allow the Truth to set me free--free from pretense, free from ego, free from the flesh, free from "me". Amen

Have a blessed day,

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry

Bible Study Snacks, Romans 2:12-29

Hello everyone,

I hope that all is going well with you! As always, I thank you for joining me in another bible study session. We have been studying the Book of Romans for the past few weeks. Today, our focus will be on Romans Chapter 2, verses 12 thru 29.

I know I have said this before, but it is my sincerest hope that you find these Bible Study Snacks both helpful and spiritually enlightening. Before we move on with our study, we should briefly review the scripture that was covered during our previous meeting.

In our last study we learned:

Everyone will be prosecuted. Even the self-righteous are liable for their sins before God. (Romans 2: 1-4). The self-righteous exclude themselves from Godʼs judgment. They do not feel they are that ʻbadʼ and therefore do not see any need of salvation for themselves. They are okay without a savior. They pride themselves on how good they are and have no time for standards in their lives.

Obviously there are many self-righteous among the Gentiles, but Paul chiefly aims his argument so that the Jew would seek Christ. The arguments and applications adequately reveal the sins of all mankind.

Everyone will be justly prosecuted. Everyone is judged according to his or her works.(Romans 2:5-11). The principle of “works” is explained starting in verse 5. Everyone will be impartially rewarded for what he has stored up. They will reap what they have sowed.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Carefully read through Romans 2:12-29. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. This week we will exposing three (3) excuses of the self-righteous who mistakenly think they are exempt from God's standards.

This week’s study questions:

I. Not Through the Knowledge of the Law (Romans 2:12-16)

Generally (Romans 2:12-16)

1. How will those who sinned without knowing about the Law God revealed to the Jewish people be judged (Romans 2:12)?
2. Those who have sinned under the Jewish Law will be judged by _______________________ (Romans 2:12).
{Please fill in the blank}.
3. How do we know those who have not heard of the Jewish Law have the work of the Law written on their hearts (2:14-15)?
4. What is it that one day God will judge through Jesus Christ (16)?
5. Is it possible to sin and perish without a knowledge of the Law (i.e. God’s standards)?
6. Is it possible to sin and perish with a knowledge of the Law (i.e. God’s truth)?
7. What reason does Paul give in Romans 2:13?

Gentiles (Romans 2:14-16)

1. Some say, because the Gentiles do not know what was expected of them that they couldn’t be held accountable for their actions. This sounds good, but Paul says they are accountable. Why?
2. What does this conscience do?
3. Who will judge the invisible conscience (Romans 2:16)?

II. Not Through One’s Heritage (Romans 2:17-24)

1. Write down some general characteristics of the Jews as described in verses 17-18.
2. In verses 19-20 how does Paul describe some of the negative traits of some of the Jews?
3. Write down the specific problems some of the Jews had as mentioned in Romans 2:21-24?

III. Not Through Rites (Romans 2:25-29)

1. Read Genesis 17:9-14 to discover the origin of circumcision in Judaism? Who started it?
2. What is the significance of circumcision (Genesis 17:11)?
3. Put the last phrase of Romans 2:35 in your own words, “your circumcision has become uncircumcision.”
4. Is keeping the law or being physically circumcised more important (Romans 2: 25-26)?
5. A person who _________________is not necessarily a Jew (Romans 2:28)?
6. How does Paul positively redefine a Jew in Romans 2:29?
7. List at least three changes you desire to take place in your life because of these verses.

Finally, after answering the study questions, read Romans 2:12-29 again. Pause and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around. As we go along in our studies together, I will pray that God’s message will continue to come through loud and crystal clear to you! Until next time...

God bless you!

Sheri

The Significance of the Resurrection

The pyramids of Egypt are famous because they contain the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian rulers. Westminster Abbey in London is famous because in it rest the bodies of many English notables. Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., is revered because it is the final resting place of many American heroes. But the Tomb of Jesus is notable because NO body lies in it! There is no epitaph on Jesus' tomb that begins with the words, "Here lies. . ." There is no epitaph inscribed in gold or cut in stone. Rather, Jesus' epitaph is that which the angel spoke: "HE IS NOT HERE. HE IS RISEN!"

Three of the greatest trio of words in the Bible are these three words, "He is risen." What marks Christianity from all the religions of the world is that we have a resurrected, living Savior. We do not follow someone who just was, but someone who is and ever shall be.

How does the resurrection validate Jesus of Nazareth as God's only Son? Before his resurrection the apostles believed Jesus to be the Son of God. Following his resurrection and many appearances to them, they knew he was the Son of God. In fact, they felt so strongly about this that they were willing to risk their lives to tell others of his saving grace. Jesus' resurrection proved that his crucifixion was an acknowledgement of divine love for sinners.

When Jesus was crucified, the apostles considered it a personal disaster. For their leader it was a public disgrace. For all of them it was tragical political disappointment.Only through the doorway of an empty tomb from which Jesus had been raised could God reveal that his Son's death on the cross was a revelation.

How did the resurrection enable Jesus to intercede for us in God's presence? The apostle John wrote in (1 John 2:1-2) that, "if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."

The author of Hebrews tells us that Christ is a mediator who acts on our defense (Hebrews 9:14). The writer further declares that Christ has offered himself and continues to offer his sacrificial death a an atonement for the sins of those who accept him as Lord and Savior (Hebrews 10:10-14).

How did the resurrection give believers a living Lord and companion for the road of life? Jesus Christ is much more than an inspirational memory of One who lived in the past. In the forty days between his resurrection and his ascension, he gave the disciples many indisputable proofs that he had conquered death and the grave (Acts 1:3). He repeatedly encouraged them to wait for a precious gift from the Father God (Acts 1:4-5).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus had promised at a time when his disciples could not fully understand his words, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you" (John 14:18). He was to fulfill this promise on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would come to reside in the church.

May you always remember that the believer must never lose sight of the significance of the resurrection. Ask your self these questions. Do our lives demonstrate that we serve a risen Lord and Savior? Do we possess the hope, peace, and strength that the reality and power of His resurrection gives to the Christian?

Everyone who has ever lived will be raised from the dead, some to eternal life with Christ and others to eternal separation from God. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that death has no power over those who put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Scripture references:

Romans 1:4; Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:36; John 14:6; John 14:2; Matthew 26:28; John 5:28-29; John 12:48; Acts 17: 30-31.

Let us pray:

God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

May God bless you,

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry

Jesus, Was The Ultimate Sacrifice

On the Christian Holy Day known as Good Friday, observed the Friday before Easter, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Many believers spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony of Christ on the cross.

Jesus Christ, died on a Roman cross as recorded in Matthew 27:27-56, Mark 15:21-38, Luke 23:26-49, and John 19:16-37. Christian theology teaches that Christ's death provided the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins all mankind, thus making the crucifix, or cross, one of the defining symbols of Christianity.

The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.

Jesus clearly understood his mission on earth involved laying down his life as a sacrifice. Jesus knew it was His Father's will for him to die. He proves his anticipation and understanding of his death in these passages from Scripture: Mark 8:31; Mark 10:32-34; Mark 10:38; Mark 10:43-45; Mark 14:22-25; John 10:17-18

The professional religious leaders - the chief priests, elders and scribes - were the driving force behind the death sentence. Judas, Pilate, the crowd of people who called for Jesus to be crucified, and the Roman soldiers all played a part.

He angered His opponents with a bitter denunciation (Matthew 23). Some of the Jewish leaders hated Jesus because He condemned their sins. They did not want to believe the truth He preached, as He urged them to repent and turn back to God.

He offered no resistance when the chief priest's mob came to arrest Him. He refused to defend Himself before Pilate. Jesus, Himself, said those responsible for His death were doing God's will, even though they didn't know it (Matthew 26:53-54, Mark 10:33-34, John 12:24-28, 18:11, 19:10-11).

Jesus' death was an essential part of God's plan for our salvation. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice to atone for the sins of all people. Through His death, we are freed from the deadly grip of sin. Death on the cross was Jesus' destiny. Once the right time had come, Jesus did what was necessary to be sure it happened as planned.

Additional Scripture: Isaiah 5:16; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 35:8; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 2:14-17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Let us pray:

Lord, by the suffering of Christ your Son
you have saved is all from the death
we inherited from sinful Adam.
By the law of nature we have borne the likeness of his manhood.
May the sanctifying power of grace help us to put on the likeness of our Lord in heaven who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

God bless you,

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry

Jesus' Last Supper

During Passion, or Holy Week, the Thursday before Easter is observed as Maundy Thursday. You might be familiar with it as Holy Thursday, or Great Thursday. On this day, Jesus shared the Passover meal, or the "Last Supper", with His disciples. The Last Supper is the last meal Jesus Christ had with his disciples prior to his arrest and crucifixion.(Luke 22:7-20).

The Passover meal abounds with symbolism relating to God's salvation, both for the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and for us from bondage to sin. Perhaps I can help clarify the symbolism of the meal for you below:

The unleavened bread shows the haste of the people's leaving. The bitter herbs reflect the bitterness of slavery. Savory chutney has a mortar-like texture, reminiscent of the brick-making and hard labor in Egypt. Red wine embodies joy. Most importantly, the roasted lamb, sacrificed before the meal, illustrates redemption.

Paul explicitly called Christ "our Passover lamb" (1Cor. 5:7).
After washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus celebrated the Feast of the Passover, instituting the Sacrement of Holy Communion. He ate His Last Supper with His disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:7-38), then went to the garden of Gesthsemane to pray as He waited for His hour to come.

It was here the Jesus, having been betrayed by Judas, was arrested and taken to several sham trials before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and Herod (Luke 22:54).

So, what is the significance of the Last Supper? It is described in three of the four New Testament Gospels; Matthew, Mark and Luke. Listed here are some of the highlights of the Last Supper taken from Luke:

I. In Luke, Jesus predicts He will suffer soon after this meal and it will be His last meal on Earth before finishing His work on behalf of the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16).
II. Jesus gives his disciples symbols of remembrance for His body and and His blood sacrificed on behalf of all mankind. (Luke 22:19)
III. Jesus provides a very important principle for living a Christian life. It is this: "the greatest are those who serve others, not those who expect to be served". (Luke 22:26)
IV. Jesus provides hope to his followers. (Luke 22:29-30)

In conclusion, the Last Supper reminds us of Christ's sacrifice, and that by faith in Him, we can partake of Christ for all eternity.

Additional scripture referring to the significance of the Last Supper:

The Supper is a remembrance of Him. [Luke 22:19]
The Supper is our communion with Him. [1 Cor 10:16]
The Supper is our fellowship with the body of Christ and especially the local body. [1 Cor 11:18-20]
The Supper is a commemoration of His death. [1 Cor 11:26]

Let's pray:

Help me, O God, to be rightly prepared to receive the Supper. Take away any unbelief and overcome any doubts that I may have. Lord Jesus, give me a believing heart that the words "for you" truly are for me. Amen.

May God bless you,

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry

He Died for Our Sins

We have heard many sermons on the sufferings of Christ on the cross. Words do not have the capacity to communicate the suffering Christ experienced as he died for our sins. The loneliness of the cross was terrible. Jesus was forsaken by his friends, and in the midst of his agony he even felt forsaken by God and cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Order of the Events of the Crucifixion:

Arrival at Golgotha (Calvary), Mt 27:33; Mk 15:22; Lk 23:33; Jn 19:17
Offer of a benumbing drink, Mt 27:34
The crucifixion, Mt 27:35
Cry, 'Father, forgive...', Lk 23:34
The parting of Christ's garments, Mt 27:35
Jesus mocked, Mt 27:39-44; Mk 15:29
The thieves rail on Him, but one believes, Mt 27:44
Second cry, "Today you will be with me...', Lk 23:43
Third cry, 'Dear woman, here is your son,' Jn 19:26-27
The darkness, Mt 27:45; Mk 15:33
The fourth cry, 'My God, my God...', Mt 27:46-47; Mk 15:34-36
Fifth cry, 'I am thirsty,' Jn 19:28
Sixth cry, 'It is finished,' Jn 19:30
Seventh cry, 'Father, into thy hands...,' Lk 23:46
Jesus dismisses His spirit, Mt 27:50; Mk 15:37

The shame of the cross is frequently forgotten by modern-day Christians. Crucifixion was the ultimate in insult and public contempt for a criminal. It is impossible for us to even begin to understand the horror of the cross to the sinless soul of the divine Son of God.

The writer of the book of Hebrews says that part of our Lord's motive for enduring the agony of the cross was for "the joy that was set before him." Hebrews 12:2 Is it possible that one could endure such agony, such loneliness, such shame, such horror and yet experience joy in doing so? The writer of Hebrews says yes. There were at least three joys that led Jesus to the cross.

1. The joy of glorifying God. In his great prayer, Jesus prayed, "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy son also may glorify thee" (John 17:1) Jesus came to the earth to make known (or glorify) the nature, character, and purpose of God.

2. The joy of the highest possible personal achievement. Jesus rejected Satan's temptations and endured the cross because there was no other way to save people. In doing so, he was to achieve the highest possible destiny for his life.

3. The joy of saving souls. Jesus endured the cross to experience the joy of saving you and me from sin. We were slaves and he came to set us free. We were guilty and he came to cleanse us. We were helpless, and he came to rescue us. We were in a hopeless condition, and he came to give us life. He makes forgiveness possible. He gives new life, eternal life, spiritual life, divine life.

Was the death of Christ on the cross a waste as far as you are concerned? If you have rejected him, then as far as you are concerned, he died in vain. Let his death on the cross be your death to sin. Let the life he revealed on the first Easter morning be your life.

Let his example challenge you to give your life completely to the divine plan. Determine to live so as to glorify God in your daily life that others might come to your Savior and be saved by his death on the cross and be transformed by his living presence.

Prayer:

Of all of God's gifts
Easter shows us our fate
Forgiven we will rise
And pass through Heaven's gate

This Easter remember
The sacrifice of a Son
And through His resurrection
Eternal life we have won

This Easter I pray
That the love of God
Is resurrected
Reborn, renewed
Inside your heart.

God Bless You!

Cami

Passion Week (Jesus' Final Week)

Passion Week is a very special time of year for Christians. We, at The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, thought it might be helpful to present a basic chronological view of this week for our guests. Please keep in mind that the following is intended only to be a useful guide to reading through, and reflecting upon the Passion Week.

The final week of Christ’s life is notoriously difficult to accurately reconstruct, so this is intended to be more of a prayer guide than a precise history. Our recommendation is to read through the daily Scriptures (choose one gospel account, or read all versions) and spend a few moments in prayerful reflection in preparation for Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey colt while crowds welcome him as the anticipated Messiah which to them meant “king” as opposed to the 2nd member of the Trinity.
Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

Monday
Jesus clears the temple.
Scriptures: Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48

Tuesday
Jesus engages the priests and authorities in debate and evades their verbal traps. By afternoon he begins teaching in parables which, among other things, warn the people against the Pharisees and predict the temple’s destruction.
Scriptures: Matthew 21:23-24:51; Mark 11:27-13:37; Luke 20:1-21:36

Wednesday
The gospels do not specifically mention the events of this day. We recommend you make a special emphasis on prayer this day. Set aside extended time to be in conversation with God. Work through either the 22nd Psalm (quoted by Christ from the cross) or the Lord’s Prayer to guide you.Recommended Scriptures: Psalm 22, Luke 11:1-13

Thursday
Here Jesus celebrates the Passover meal a day early and in the process charges it with new meaning and significance. He prepares the disciples for his death and institutes the Lord’s Supper. Following the meal, they sing a hymn and depart for the Garden of Gethsemane where he spends time in solitary and agonizing prayer.
Scriptures: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30.

Good Friday
Following his betrayal, arrest, desertion by the disciples, false trials, condemnation, beating and mockery, Jesus is forced to carry his own cross to Golgotha where he is crucified.
Scriptures: Matthew 27:1-66; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:28-19:37

Saturday
Jesus body is placed in the tomb on Friday night where it lies throughout this day. All work is stopped in honor of the Sabbath. We recommend that if possible everyone take a purposeful Sabbath break from their regular routines. Take an hour or more and spend it in solitude and silence. Go for a walk; shut the door to your room – anything that provides quiet space to be alone with your thoughts. Consider the silence and solitude of a tomb as you reflect on the death of your savior.

Easter Sunday (Resurrection Day)
The Father raises the Son from the dead sometime early Sunday morning, possibly before dawn. I doing so, He fulfills the Old Testament typology of the Firstfruits. Through His death believers are justified, that is, the perfect righteousness of the Son is attached to sinners, and through His resurrection we can be assured that the sacrifice of the Lamb of God was accepted by a Holy God, and therefore, our resurrection is certain.
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:23; Matthew 28: 1-3

We pray that this information will be beneficial to you!

Let us pray...

Please, Lord, guide my mind with your truth. Strengthen my life by the example of Jesus. Help me to be with Jesus in this week as he demonstrates again his total love for me. He died so that I would no longer be separated from you. Help me to feel how close you are and to live in union with you. Amen

Bless you,

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry

Be Rich In Jesus Christ

One of the founding fathers of the United States, Patrick Henry, was a native of Virginia, of which state he became Governor. He was eminent through life as a statesman and an orator.

A little before his death, he remarked to a friend, who found him reading his Bible, "Here is a book worth more than all the other books which ever were printed; yet it is my misfortune never to have, till lately, found time to read it with proper attention and feeling."

This excellent man left in his Will the following important passage;—

"I have now disposed of all my property to my family: there is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is, the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one shilling, they would, be rich; and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor."

So many of us traverse through our entire lives in the endless search for worldly riches. Some of us acquire what we believe to be the riches that were sought after, but either through time, greed, illness or death, they soon vanish from our grasp.

After reading the above quotation by Patrick Henry, it reminded me of the bible passage 1 Corinthians 1:5. This one powerful passage can be looked at as three distinct parts which describe the true source of the riches that are found only in Jesus Christ. Let's take a look:

1. The source of these riches is found in Jesus Christ. God wants the best for his children. His promises are riches for us all. Phillipians 4:19 says,"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

2. The promise of these riches is that a person is enriched in everything. Christ makes a difference in every facet of life. In other words, He makes a difference in what you or I want. Even more importantly, Christ also makes a difference in what one does with what one has.

This enrichment is "in all utterance and in all knowledge." "All utterance" is the outward expression, and "all knowledge" is the outward. These apply to such areas as husband-wife relations, parent-child relations, and relations with friends and acquaintances.

They also apply to one's physical welfare, such as blessings and privileges of health and the sufferings and sorrows of illness. Enrichment can also apply to one's economic life, which would include earnings and expenditures. Most of all, enrichment applies to one's spiritual life.

3. To have this enrichment, certain conditions must be met. One must surrender all aspects of one's life to the Lord Jesus. Ones must have an abiding faith in Jesus and his promises as set forth in God's Word. One must be obedient to God's will after first determining what it is.

So what is the main idea of all of this? It is this; that in order for you and I to appreciate the riches of Christ in our lives, we must focus our attention on his promises and not on ourselves. A simple concept for sure, but one that is very difficult for most of us to follow.

Scripture readings:

Romans 2:4 "His kindness and forbearance and patience"
Romans 9:23, Ephesians 1:18, 3:16 The riches of God's glory
Romans 11:13 The riches of God's wisdom
Ephesians 1:7,2:7 The riches of his grace
Ephesians 2:4 The riches of his mercy
Ephesians 3:8 The riches of Christ are unsearchable
Romans 10:12 "Abounding in riches for all who call upon Him"
I Timothy 6:17 The world offers uncertain riches
Luke 16:11 Jesus gives "true riches"

Let's Pray:

O God, who resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble: grant us the virtue of true humility, where of Your Only-begotten son showed in Himself a pattern for Your faithful; that we may never by our pride provoke Your anger, but rather by our meekness receive the riches of Your grace. Amen

God bless you,

Adele

The Attitude of Pride

There’s an old saying that, “God pickles the proud and preserves the foolish.”

Tancredo Neves ran for the presidency of Brazil in the 1980s. He boldly declared that if he got 500,000 votes from his own party, not even God could keep him from being president. Well, he won the election, but one day later he got sick and died. There is no way to know if God accepted his challenge, but what we can know for sure is that human beings ought not to make such bold, arrogant pronouncements. Remember the Titanic. People said God couldn't sink it, but it sank on its maiden voyage.

The world may see pride as a sign of respect and dignity, a sign that our worth as human beings is supreme, that we deserve respect and even worship for ourselves. The world may take pleasure and satisfaction with pride as it represents achievements that we have accomplished. But, our conceit is the source of pride. When we are filled with conceit, we have a vastly exaggerated opinion of ourselves.

Our self-esteem must come from who we are in Christ and what Christ has done for us. This should give us an enormous satisfaction and sense of worth. The King and Creator of the universe cares for us and loves us. He is living within, guiding, loving, and holding us. There is no adequate substitution for that! But, it is sad that we try so hard to substitute the wonders of the truth of what Christ did for us with senseless, insignificant lies.

Christ is calling us from an over-exaggerated opinion of ourselves, calling us from our vanity and from our delusions of conceit. Christ calls us out of conceit, which is faith in ourselves, and into Himself.

Let’s not fall into the trap of putting on a performance, of acting out the Christian life. Let’s not play a Christian, but let us be a Christian. Let our actions be in response to the transformation of Christ's grace by living honest lives. We must allow Christ’s amazing grace to root out all the evil within us, especially the hypocrisy that causes so much destruction. Those who won’t listen to advice cannot be helped. More souls are ruined by pride than by any other sin whatever.

God wisely designed the human body so that we can neither pat our own backs nor kick ourselves too easily. Here are a few things that we can we do to avoid entertaining the attitude of sinful pride in our lives. They are:

1. Avoid the attitude of pride in our lives. (Because of its consequences) Proverbs 13:10; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 15:25; Proverbs 16:5

2. Avoid the attitude of pride in our lives. (By practicing its alternative) Proverbs 16:19; Proverbs 25:6-7; Proverbs 26:12; Proverbs 27:1; Proverbs 18:12

Scripture readings:

Proverbs 21:24; Isaiah 16:6; Isaiah 25:11; Jeremiah 48: 29-30; Amos 2:1; Obadiah 1:3; Zephaniah 2: 8,10

Let’s pray:

Father, Your love is pure, and Your motives are for our good. We ask forgiveness for walking in pride and letting this false strength and reliance on our flesh guide us, defend us, and sustain us. We turn over to Jesus this pride, its causes and effects, and all its inordinate desires. Father, we ask You to renew and create in us a clean heart, and to purge us of all pride that blocks us from being like Jesus. Help us to set our will on You, Father that Your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Help us defeat pride and all its roots by Your love. And Father, help us to be at one with You in Jesus. For this we pray and give thanks, in Jesus’ name. Amen

May God bless you,

Myree

Saturday Scriptures with Sahara - Palm Sunday

In Christian tradition, the Sunday before Easter has come to be known as Palm Sunday. This was because people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem by spreading leafy branches on the road before his donkey as he was entering the city at the time of Passover (in the spring) (John 12:13). The cutting of palm branches was usually practiced in the fall, at the Festival of Tabernacles, as part of the construction of the booths (Leviticus 23:40-42).

In Matthew 21:8, we read that some of the crowd showed the same respect by throwing their garments before him; others by cutting down branches of trees, and casting them in the way. John says, (John 12:13), that these branches were branches of the palm-tree. The palm was an emblem of joy and victory. It was used by the Roman soldiers as well as the Jews, as a symbol of peace.

This was the way in which conquerors and princes were often honored. To cast flowers, or garlands, or evergreens, before a warrior who was returning from victory, or a king entering into his kingdom, was a common way of testifying joyful and triumphant feeling.

Many hundreds of years before any of this came to pass, the Scriptures foretold of a Ruler who's Kingdom would never end, One who would bless all nations and lead all nations. Everyone expected a military ruler, like the Judges of old, who would protect Israel and defeat all her enemies.

Instead, Jesus comes out and attacks the existing rulers of Israel, the religious leaders, the Priests, Pharisees and the religious Lawyers. He flaunts His credentials as the true King of Israel, and attacks at the heart of the religious leaders' stronghold…the money.

I don’t think that Jesus’ entry was necessarily a "humble" one as many would like to portray it, but a Royal Entry as the new King of Israel. No one at that time missed the prophetic symbol represented by Jesus' entry on a donkey's colt. He was proclaiming Himself the Messiah, the promised King, who would free Israel and bring everlasting peace.

Although He came meek, full of kindness and compassion to those who were plotting his destruction! He came to deliver up himself into their hands; their king comes to be murdered by his subjects, and to make his death a ransom price for their souls!

The people recognized His gesture and began to shower the road with their blankets and branches. They began to yell praises to Him, which the religious leaders protested. Why would they protest their Messiah? Because they had lofty positions of honor and authority, allowed them by the existing power structure. They enjoyed a good lifestyle and they didn't want a new work of God to mess things up. Jesus' very existence threatened their whole way of living.

Upon his arrival, Jesus removed any doubt the religious leaders had about killing Him. He ushers in a whole new kingdom, a Spiritual Kingdom… but first, He has some unfinished business with the worldly kingdom of Israel.

Scripture readings: Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9; John 12:4

Let's Pray:

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

May God Bless You,

Sahara

Bible Study Snacks, Romans 2:1-11

Hi, everyone!

I hope that your week has gone well. As always, I thank you for joining me in another bible study session. We have been studying the Book of Romans for the past few weeks. Today, Our focus will be on Romans Chapter 2, verses 1 thru 11.

It is my sincerest hope that you find these Bible Study Snacks both helpful and spiritually enlightening. Now, before we move on with our study, I’d like to briefly review the scripture that was covered during our previous meeting.

Last week we learned that: The mention of salvation naturally leads to the need for all men to be saved. Paul began to demonstrate this need on the part of the Gentiles. He explained that because of the Gentiles failure to acknowledge the eternal power and divine nature of God as revealed in the world around them, and for their subsequent pride and idolatry, they were exposed to God’s wrath from heaven (Romans 1:18-23).

This wrath manifested itself in God simply letting them reap the fruits of their vanity. By giving them over “to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts,” “to vile passions,” and “to a debased mind,” the result was such corruption that even those who knew better were caught in its clutches (Romans 1:24-32).

Allow me to point out that Romans 2: 1-11 can be divided into two sections:
I. Everyone will be prosecuted. Even the self-righteous are liable for their sins before God. (Romans 2: 1-4)
II. Everyone will be justly prosecuted. Everyone is judged according to his or her works.(Romans 2:5-11)

Let’s pray:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Carefully read through Romans 2:1-11. I must stress the word “carefully” here because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. Paul is continuing to reveal the great need of righteousness among all mankind; Gentiles and Jews. His underlying argument is that all men need the righteousness of Jesus Christ. False teaching enables people to believe they are righteous and do not need the Savior.

This week’s study questions:

1. How does a man condemn himself? (Romans 2: 1-3)
2. What happens to a person who acknowledges (literally: judges) another person’s wrongdoing and then does it to himself? (Romans 2:3)
3. What is the proper response to God’s kindness and patience? (Romans 2:4)
4. How do some people wrongly respond to God’s kindness, forbearance and patience? (Romans 2:4)
5. What are the stubborn and unrepentant people storing up to? (Romans 2:5)
6. How is the Day of Judgment described in verse 5?
7. Please write verse 6 down. It is the standard principle of justice among man and God.
8. What will those doing good and seeking immortality receive? (Romans 2: 7)
9. What will those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth obtain? (Romans 2:8)
10. Does God as Judge treat people differently; for example, because of their background? (Romans 2: 9-11)
11. List at least three changes you desire to take place in your life because of these verses.

Finally, after answering the study questions, read Romans 2:1-11 again. Pause and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around. As we go along in our studies together, I will pray that God’s message will continue to come through loud and crystal clear to you! The next time we meet, we will study Romans 2:12-29.

Until next time...may God bless you!

Sheri

Always Be Thankful

In the midst of the storm, when the storm-battered vessel was plunging at its four anchors off the coast of Malta, Paul "gave thanks to God in presence of them all" (Acts 27:35). He could do that because he had faith in the word and promise God had given him.

Paul's reasons for gratitude to God cover the whole territory of human life and experience. He gives thanks for:
1) His daily bread (Acts 27:35)
2) Men who have faith in Christ (Rom. 1:8)
3) Deliverance from anxiety (II Cor. 2:14)
4) Deliverance from temptation (Rom. 7:25)
5) The memory of his friends (Phil. 1:3)
6) Kindness in the day of trouble (Acts 28:15)
7) The "unspeakable" gift (II Cor. 9:15)

The Christian should always be thankful, because if he does all in the name of Jesus, the Lord will always be with him, and work out all for good. God is continually loading us with his benefits; we deserve nothing of his kindness; therefore let’s give him thanks for his unearned bounties. That is, that we should be grateful.

This is what God is pleased to require us to perform in the name of the Lord Jesus. In the gift of that Savior he has laid the foundation for that claim, and he requires that we should not be unmindful of the obligation.

For what types of things should we be giving thanks for..? For things temporal, for our beings, and the preservation of them, and for all the mercies of life; for things spiritual, for Christ, and for all spiritual blessings in him; for electing, redeeming, sanctifying, adopting, pardoning, and justifying grace; for a suitability for heaven, and for eternal life itself; for the Gospel, promises, truths, ordinances, and ministry; and this is to be done always, at all times, in times of adversity, desertion, temptation, affliction, and persecution, as well as in prosperity. What is the bottom line here? Thanks should be given to God in every circumstance of life!

I think about the story of the ten lepers whom Jesus met on the way to Jerusalem. These men met him at a distance and asked for pity. Jesus asked them to go show themselves to the priests; curing them of their leprosy as they went along. Of the ten, only one cleansed leper returned to thank Jesus? Why? (Luke 17:11-19)

The following are nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Any rabbi could have done it." One said, "I was already much improved."

Similarly, a sense of our spiritual leprosy should make us very humble whenever we draw near to Christ. After all, only one of those men who were healed returned to give thanks. It becomes us, like him, to be very humble in thanksgivings, as well as in prayers. Christ noticed the one who distinguished himself in this way, he was a Samaritan. The others only got the outward cure; he alone got the spiritual blessing.

If you have learned anything from all of this, it should be to: ALWAYS be thankful for God's benefits, and ALWAYS express your thanks!

Scriptural readings: Acts 27:35; 2 Co 1:11; Acts 28:15; Eph 5:20.

Let us pray... Lord, there are marvelous things that I do not know nor can I comprehend. Lord, things that happen in my life, and things that happen in my friends lives. Lord, I desire to be thankful, to appreciate everything that comes across my path. Lord, I thank You for mercy, for the hunger for righteousness, for forgiveness, for purity, for providing for my needs. Lord, so often life hurts, I get angry -- upset, I do not understand, yet Lord You ask me to be thankful for everything, and have faith; thank you. Amen

Bless you always!

T.J.

Anger Is Not An Option!

You've heard of road rage, but have you heard of "sidewalk rage"?

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that, apparently "fast-walkers" feel hostility towards "slow-walkers" (which includes smokers, cell phone users, people with bags, children, and pregnant women). At its most extreme, sidewalk rage can signal a psychiatric condition known as "intermittent explosive disorder"—as in "get out of my way, or I'll plow you over."

On Facebook, there's even a group called "I Secretly Want to Punch Slow Walking People in the Back of the Head." (It's not worth visiting the site, but in case you're curious, as of 3-7-11 it had over 18,000 members.)

Signs of a "sidewalk rager" include muttering or bumping into others; hogging a walking lane; and giving a "mean face" to slow walkers.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is centered around God's love for, and through us. We can’t tolerate anger in our lives. Anger brings physical, emotional and social damages. These affect not only our own lives, but others as well. All these serious consequences point to our urgency of the gospel of Christ's love.

Does anger play a significant role in your life? Ask yourself the following questions:

When was the last time you lost your temper?
Did you ever physically hurt someone through your anger?
What are some of the phrases that you use when angry?
Have you ever apologized for your anger?
What relationships are being stressed because of unresolved anger?

Perhaps an examination of some consequences of anger might help motivate those with a spirit of anger to rid themselves of it. Let’s take a look:

Anger is unacceptable before God. We can never accomplish God's ways with anger. James 1:19-20
Anger leads to more anger. If you think your anger is bad now, it will get worse unless you take a strong course of action. Proverbs 10:12
Anger becomes addictive. Angry people don’t simply change. Proverbs 19:19 Anger leads to hostility and potential lawsuits. Anger easily leads to stressful situations and extra expenses that otherwise could have been avoided. Matthew 5:25
Anger always needs reconciliation. Anger produces strained relationships which must be solved before we go on in our spiritual lives. Matthew 5:23
Anger always needs restoration. Angry people are constantly hurting people and causing offenses. Proverbs 14:17

Any way you look at it, anger is simply not good for us. The American Tract Society Bible Dictionary describes anger as "a violent emotion of a painful nature, sometimes arising spontaneously upon just occasion, but usually characterized in the Bible as a great sin." (Matthew 5:22; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8)

An author for Reader's Digest writes how he studied the Amish people in preparation for an article on them. In his observation at the school yard, he noted that the children never screamed or yelled. This amazed him. He spoke to the schoolmaster. He remarked how he had not once heard an Amish child yell, and asked why the schoolmaster thought that was so. The schoolmaster replied, "Well, have you ever heard an Amish adult yell?" Ecclesiastes 7:9 tells us, "control your temper, for anger labels you a fool." This might be some pretty good advice for some of us to follow!

Let’s pray...

Lord God, please forgive me when I have not used self-control because of my anger. In my life and in the lives of those I love, please bring healing and restoration to the areas which have been damaged or hurt because of anger. Search my heart! Speak to me! Help me become still when my emotions feel out of control. Help me not to sin in my anger, but use this energy instead to work through problems in a constructive way. Likewise, help these others on my heart learn to manage their anger in a godly way. In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Sarah

A Basket of Plenty

You might not give a lot of thought to the simple basket. Baskets have been used through the centuries by countless people for a variety of reasons. Although it is basic in design, its functional usefulness has left an indelible mark on human lives. The Bible also gives us many examples of how various types of baskets were used in ancient times.

Four kinds of "baskets" come to view in the Old Testament under the Hebrew names, dudh, Tene', cal and kelubh. They were variously made of willow, rush, palm-leaf, etc., and were used for various purposes, domestic and agricultural, for instance, in gathering and serving fruit, collecting alms in kind for the poor, etc. Some had handles, others lids, some both, others neither.

Dudh was probably a generic term for various kinds of baskets. It was probably the "basket" in which the Israelites in Egypt carried the clay for bricks (compare Psalm 81:6 where it is used as a symbol of Egyptian bondage), and such as the Egyptians themselves used for that purpose, probably a large, shallow basket, made of wicker-work.

The commonest basket in use in Old Testament times was the cal. It was the "basket" in which the court-baker of Egypt carried about his confectionery on his head (Genesis 40:16). It was made in later times at least of peeled willows, or palm leaves, and was sometimes at least large and flat like the canistrum of the Romans, and, like it, was used for carrying bread and other articles of food (Genesis 40:16; Judges 6:19).

The Tene' was a large, deep basket, in which grain and other products of garden or field were carried home, and kept (Deuteronomy 28:5,17), in which the first-fruits were preserved (Deuteronomy 26:2), and the tithes transported to the sanctuary (Deuteronomy 26:2 f).

The term kelubh, found in Amos 8:1 for a "fruit-basket," is used in Jeremiah 5:27 ("cage") for a bird-cage. But it is not at all unreasonable to suppose that a coarsely woven basket with a cover would be used by a fowler to carry home his feathered captives.

In the New Testament interest centers in two kinds of "basket," distinguished by the evangelists in their accounts of the feeding of the 5,000 and of the 4,000, called in Greek kophinos and spuris.

The kophinos (Matthew 14:20; Mark 6:43; Luke 9:17; John 6:13) may be confidently identified with the kuphta' of the Mishna which was provided with a cord for a handle by means of which it could be carried on the back with such provisions as the disciples on the occasions under consideration would naturally have with them.

The sphuris or spuris (Matthew 15:37; Mark 8:8) we may be sure, from its being used in letting Paul down from the wall at Damascus (Acts 9:25, etc.), was considerably larger than the kophinos and quite different in shape and uses.

Finally, there is yet another kind of basket that I have not mentioned, but is important in our daily lives, I am sure that it is quite familiar to all of you. It is the wastebasket. Wastebaskets are numerous. You find them in school, in the office, at home and at church. They hold the things we don't want, or are through using. Once in a great while we might unintentionally throw something valuable into the wastebasket.

A lowly wastebasket probably wouldn't have received as much attention as the previously mentioned baskets in Biblical times. After all, that's where garbage or trash is placed before being disposed of. But, let me leave you with this thought... Wouldn't it be nice if we could throw some of our words, acts of unkindness, and even many of our bad habits into the wastebasket and never use them again?

May God bless you!

Myree

The Spirit of Apathy

What would you say is the greatest enemy of the Christian faith? Many of us would point to Satan, or to the moral decline of our nation, or to society's influences that diminish the role of God, as our greatest enemies. However, I believe that our most dangerous threat doesn't come from outside the faith. Instead, our greatest enemy is complacency and apathy in the hearts of believers. Apathy is the enemy that is destroying the church.

A man once sat down with a pastor and said, "I'm considering joining your church. I want you to know I don't have time to attend regularly or do any work for the church. My talents are kept busy elsewhere, and I won't give any specific amount of money. The pastor said, "Sir, the church you want to join is down on the corner." The man said, "But there's no church on the corner." The pastor said, "Yes, there is. It's the old First Church." The man said, "But it's been closed for years." The pastor said, "That's the only kind of church that needs your kind of commitment."

The spirit of apathy has to be the most destructive thing I can think of when it comes to our daily lives. It causes us to be depressed, stunts our spiritual growth, and drains our energy. It is one of those things where if we are not careful it can completely take over our lives.

Apathy can affect all areas of a person's life, from the value placed on health, nutrition and exercise, to time spent with family, to cleanliness of the home, to the condition of ones financial state, to ones responsibility to their fellow man, the church and to God Himself. We have become apathetic towards the one person who gave us life, hope and a reason to live. We have forgotten whom we are to be pleasing.

So, what can we do to change this feeling of "church complacency and apathy?" If I may, I would like to offer a couple of suggestions:

First, to avoid living complacent and apathetic spiritual lives, we must make a commitment. As Christians, we must not only make a decision to follow Jesus, we must commit our lives to Him. When a person makes a commitment in the New Testament, it is a fully devoted commitment. We cannot be partially committed, or sort of committed. We are either committed or not committed.

Second, to avoid living complacent and apathetic spiritual lives, we must recapture our zeal for spiritual living. Zeal is an enthusiastic and diligent pursuit of God and His will. We should be so excited and thrilled to be children of God, that we crave and desire to fervently serve Him every day of our lives. Amen! In (Jn. 2:12-25), Jesus became upset with some people who were turning God’s House into a market place, so He drove them all out of the temple courts. He got rid of the sin and corruption that were polluting God’s House. It was Jesus' Zeal for God and spiritual living that motivated Him to cleanse the temple.

I wonder how many of us, after seeing the sin and corruption in the temple courts, would have just walked on by and did nothing? I wonder how many of us would have just ignored the situation because we didn’t have an interest or a desire to deal with it? Just as Jesus was zealous for spiritual living and for the things of God, we must be zealous as well.

Scripture Readings: Acts 5:42; Romans 12:11; Psalm 42:1,2; John 2:17

The Bible says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Have a blessed day!

Jennifer

Keep Knocking!

When William Carey had succeeded in establishing his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent him an assistant, a Mr. Ward, who was a printer by trade. Soon they were turning out printed portions of the Bible for distribution among the natives. Carey spent many years learning the language and wrote grammars and dictionaries for the use of his successors.

One day while Carey was away from his station, a disastrous fire broke out and completely destroyed the building, the presses, many printed Bibles and, worst of all, the manuscripts, grammars and dictionaries on which Carey had spent so much time.

When Mr. Carey returned, his servants told him of the loss. Without a word of despair or anger he knelt down and thanked God that he had the strength to do the work all over again. He started immediately, not wasting a moment in idle despair and before his death he duplicated his first achievements and produced far better work than he had done formerly.

Thousands, in this world, have lost all—including the very house over their head—and many who know the Lord have gone on, in faith, seeking to serve Him in and through it all. When sudden disaster and loss come to God's people, He again proves His all-sufficiency. Having Him, all else is as rubbish. Let us be completely occupied with Him and His glories.

God encourages us to come to him for our every need. We shouldn't despair if God does not answer our prayers immediately, he will in due time, if we continue to pray. He often hears prayers and grants blessings even "long after" they appear to be unanswered or withheld. He does not promise to give blessings "at once." He promises only that he will do it, or "will answer" prayer.

Why does He often cause us wait? He tries our faith. He might leave us to persevere for months or even years, until we "feel" entirely our dependence on him, until we see that we can obtain the blessing in no other way, and until we are "prepared" to receive it.

Often we aren't prepared to receive it when we ask for it at first. We may be proud, or have no just sense of our dependence, or we would not value the blessing, or it may "at that time" not be best for us to obtain it.

However, all of these blessings our heavenly Father is more than ready to give to every one that asks for them, like an indulgent parent gives food to a hungry child. And this is the advantage of the prayer of faith, that it quiets and establishes the heart in God. We should go to Him again and again, until the prayer is heard, and God grants what we ask of him. (Luke 11:9-10) Perserverance in prayer, and persistence in faith will always get God's attention!

Scripture Readings: 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; Luke 11:8

Let us pray:

Father, You bless those who revere Your name and delight in Your commands. In the midst of inner turmoil or outer conflict I will not be shaken for my heart remains steadfast trusting in You and Your overall plan for my life. I want to remain firmly grounded as I overcome the daily obstacles common to all who live on earth. Help me to learn the valuable lessons along the way as I press on toward the goal for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen.

May God Bless You,

Robyn

Saturday Scriptures with Sahara - Jonah Chapter 4

Jonah is an example of how the character of a good and a great man can be tarnished by anger, and his usefulness impaired. The purpose of this book is to show that God is a merciful and gracious God. Although the wicked city of Nineveh deserved to be crushed immediately, God was patient towards them. A reluctant prophet, Jonah originally ran from God before delivering a message of repentance to the nation of Nineveh. His story suggests the irrationality, the danger, and the injury of anger.

In chapter 4, God deals with Jonah and teaches him about His love and compassion. Unfortunately, when a man feels anger and gives unrestrained expression to it, as Jonah did, his fellowman is not as patient and long suffering as God was and does not always return the soft answer which God returned to the angry and petulant Jonah.

Anger is one of the most common sins, yet one of the most dangerous and harmful to the peace and well-being of man. More than any other sin, it blasts the flower of friendship, turns men out of Eden, destroys peace and concord in the home, incites to crime and violence, and turns love and affection into hatred.

In Psalm 4:1-4, David contrasts the “sons of men” (vs.2) and the “godly” (vs.3). He says that it is characteristic of the godly to “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Thus we ought not to sin as the world does when they become angry, but sin not.

It is not necessarily a sin to be angry. Certainly God does not expect us to rejoice when people do wrong. We must be angry at sin. “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11).

However, when we are angry, we want to make sure that our anger does not venture into sin. So, let us look at a few Bible principles that will help us control our “righteous indignation.”

First, we should not be quick to anger. Many sins committed in the wake of anger are like a hot water geyser. They build up and spew out without any control. It is the anger that causes us to say things that later we wish we had not said. This kind of anger strikes out at others and does not help anyone.
Second, when provoked, think before you become angry. Ask yourself a few simple questions. Is this a situation over which it is worth becoming angry? Am I angry because of this situation, or am I angry because something bad in another part of my life is affecting my judgment? (In other words, am I “kicking the cat”?) Is my getting angry going to affect people in a negative way to hinder good relationships? These are questions that we should ask ourselves when provoked to anger.
Third, when we do get angry, we must control ourselves. No problems have ever been solved by losing control. Loss of control builds problems. Although it is sometimes very difficult, when we become angry, step away from the situation, cool down, and come back and confront the problem in an adult-like fashion.
Finally, we must resolve our anger within the same day it is provoked. A sore left untreated will fester and fester until it becomes infected; it can then cause major complications with serious consequences. Anger is much the same way. If we allow it to continue it will intensify and our anger will become bitterness. Soon it is not simply a small mistake we made which irritates us, but the whole world.

Once more, always remember that anger is one of the most intense emotions God has given to us. However, we can use anger for a good purpose. Let us resolve: (1) not to become angry hastily, (2) to think before we become angry, (3) to control our anger should we become angry, and (4) to resolve our anger before the end of the day. I definitely have not mastered anger. Nevertheless, I still want to learn God’s principles on the subject or on any subject he has! –thanks to Kevin Cauley

For further reading and study:

Ephesians 4:26; James 1:19-20; Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:31-32; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 19:11; Proverbs 10:12; Psalm 4:4

Have a blessed day!

Sahara

Bible Study Snacks: Romans 1:18-32

Hi, everyone!

Thank you for joining me again as we continue our journey through the Book of Romans. As always, I sincerely hope that you find these Bible Study Snacks helpful and spiritually enlightening. So far, we have studied Chapter 1, verses 1-17. Before we move on today, I’d like to briefly recap, or review the scripture that we have discussed up to this point...

As is the custom in most of his epistles, Paul begins by extending greetings and offering thanks. Identifying himself as a bond-servant of Christ, he mentions his apostleship and its mission in the gospel of God concerning His Son; to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles (1-6).

Addressing the recipients of his epistle as “all who are beloved in Rome, called as saints,” he extends to them the popular two-fold greeting of that day: “grace” and “peace” (7). He is thankful for their well-know faith and reveals his desire to visit Rome and to proclaim the gospel there (8-13). The motivation behind that desire is his sense of obligation and bold conviction that the gospel is God’s power to save (14-17).

Let’s pray:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Today, we will be looking at Romans, Chapter 1:18-32. The main idea is God's wrath against mankind. Take a some time to read these verses if you haven’t already (it will be helpful!)

Paul begins Romans 1:18-32 speaking of God's wrath. Then, builds his case that everyone deserves it. He begins with those who reject God and what He has revealed. We often wonder how God judges someone who has never heard of Jesus? In Romans 1:18-32 Paul answers that question more clearly than it is addressed anywhere else in the Bible. He explains why even those who have never heard of Jesus are guilty before God, deserve His judgment, and need to be rescued.

Study Questions:

1. Read verses 18-19. What meaning do you see in the phrase "the wrath of God is revealed?
2. Whom does Paul mark as deserving that wrath?
3. What reason does Paul give for their deserving God's wrath?
4. From Romans 1:20, identify how and to what extent God has made himself evident to those who haven't heard the gospel.
5. How could intelligent people turn to idolatry?
6. Looking at Romans 1:21-23, make note of how Paul says these people have rejected God and why they are guilty.
7. What does Romans 1:24 give as the consequence of the rejection of what God has revealed?
8. Identify the judgment of Romans 1:26-27 and the results of it.
9. Identify the judgment of Romans 1:28 and the results of it in the verses that follow.
10. Describe the holy opposite of the immoral person depicted in Romans 1:18-32.

After answering the study questions, read Romans 1:18-32 again. Pause and read the question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. You might see something new that you missed the first time around. As we go along in our studies together, I pray that God’s message will continue to come through crystal clear to you! The next time we meet, we will study Romans 2:1-11.

Until next time...may God bless you!

Sheri

Got Creation?

A British astrophysicist known for his theories on the origin and the destiny of the universe was recently honored with one of the world's leading religion prizes. Martin Rees, a 68-year old expert on the extreme physics of black holes and the Big Bang, was the recipient of the 2011 Templeton Prize which is awarded by the John Templeton Foundation.

The $1.6 million award is among the world's most lucrative. Rees, who professes no religious belief, was chosen because of the nature of his research, which he said he invites everyone "to wrestle with the most fundamental questions of our nature and existence," said Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr.

In an interview at a London hotel ahead of the prize announcement, Rees told The Associated Press that he was attracted to "big questions which we can't answer." One of the biggest has been posed by scientists who wonder why it is that the physical laws of the universe seemed perfectly calibrated to support human life. Even a slight tweaking of what scientists call universal constants could so alter the cosmos as to make it inhabitable.

In one of his many books, Ree's argued that the perfect tuning was neither a mere accident nor the act of a benign, or benevolent creator. Instead, he said, "an infinity of other universes may well exist" where the constants are set differently. Some would be too sterile to support life, others too short-lived. Ours happens to be just right.

How important is it that Christians appreciate creation as a miracle? Should we take the Genesis record and the days of creation as symbol, myth, or legend in order to harmonize with science? If we weaken faith in creation as a miracle, what effect does that have on the evidence for the all-wise, all-powerful, true and living God and in Jesus as His Son and in the Bible as His revelation?

Miracles are used throughout the Bible as evidence that God exists, that Jesus' claims were true, and that apostles and prophets were sent by God. This, in turn, constitutes proof that the Bible is the word of God.

This explains why unbelievers, atheists, agnostics, liberals, modernists, skeptics, and believers in evolution continually deny or undermine Bible accounts of miracles. It likewise shows why true believers must recognize and defend Biblical miracles.

There is no denying that creation is a controversial topic. We couldn't even begin to touch on everything that has been written or said about the topic here. I will, however, leave you with some things that you could use in your own personal study of the subject; with your bible study group, or religion class. It is my most sincere hope that you will find these scriptural references helpful and reassuring in your journey with God.

The Bible repeatedly affirms that no one but God could create the universe. Psalm 72:18; Psalm 95:1-7; Isaiah 40:25-28; Nehemiah 9:6; 1 Chronicles 16:25-27; Jeremiah 32:17; Job 38:4-11; Heb. 11:3; Jer. 10:10-12; Psalm 100:3; 86:8-10; Job 9:8-10; Ecc. 11:5; Rom. 11:33-36

Specifically, living things were created supernaturally, not by natural reproduction. Genesis 1:11,12; Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7,21-23;

The Bible uses various descriptions to refer to miraculous works of God. Job 9:8-10; Psalm 139:13,14; Psalm 33:6-9;

Let's Pray:

Holy Father, we praise you and give you glory; we bless you for calling us to be your holy people; remain in our hearts, and guide us in our love and service. Help us to let our light shine before others; and lead them to the way of faith. Holy Father, we praise you now and for ever. Amen.

Bless you!

Paige

Money Can't Buy His Love

Austrian millionaire Karl Rabeder is giving away all of his $4.7-million fortune. He said, "My idea is to have nothing left. Absolutely nothing. Money is counter productive—it prevents happiness to come." He will sell his six gliders, his 42-acre estate in France and his luxury villa in the Alps. He plans to move into a small wooden hut in the mountains or a studio apartment in Innsbruck. In selling everything, he says, he felt free.

I am sure most would agree that the above illustration describes some pretty extreme measures regarding material possessions. The point is that this man obviously has what many think would bring happiness and peace of mind. Yet, for this gentleman, all of his material riches did not bring him the type happiness he seeks.

This brings to mind the story of the rich religious leader who asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. (Luke 18:18-29) After Jesus told him the price he would have to pay, the Bible says he became very sad. We can assume that he could not bring himself to pay the price by giving up all of his material possessions. He was never mentioned again after this.

In 1 John 2:15, John tells us, "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you." The Bible has many references regarding this theme: Material wealth and possessions will not bring you true happiness. Don't get me wrong. God is not denying us his blessings, if we are truly sincere about our faith. When it all starts to go wrong is when we begin to believe in the world more than Him. We see examples of this almost everyday in the media.

You see, it's not all about money, wealth, and fame. As mentioned before, the Bible teaches us this lesson. It is difficult sometimes for us to understand that nothing in this life is really ours. The world deceives us into thinking so. The Greek adjective aphilaguros is defined as without love of money; or not loving money; without covetousness. Having faith in Jesus Christ doesn't cost a thing. All He asks is for you and I to believe in Him for all our needs. That's it! He offers this to everyone. And what do we receive from Him? Eternal life! Try buying that someplace! (John 3:15)

Have a blessed day!

Debi Lynn

Living a Purposeful Life in Christ

John W. Gardner, founding chairman of Common Cause, said it's a rare and high privilege to help people understand the difference they can make -- not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of others, simply by giving of themselves.

Gardner tells of a cheerful old man who asked the same question of just about every new acquaintance he fell into conversation with: "What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?"

He never asked conventional questions such as "What do you do for a living?" It was always, "What have you done that you believe in and are proud of?"

It was an unsettling question for people who had built their self-esteem on their wealth or their family name or their exalted job title.

Not that the old man was a fierce interrogator. He was delighted by a woman who answered, "I'm doing a good job raising three children;" and by a cabinetmaker who said, "I believe in good workmanship and practice it;" and by a woman who said, "I started a bookstore and it's the best bookstore for miles around."

"I don't really care how they answer," said the old man. "I just want to put the thought into their minds. "They should live their lives in such a way that they can have a good answer. Not a good answer for me, but for themselves. That's what’s important."

There are many today who are living their lives without purpose. We wake up, maybe go to work or school, come home, go to bed, and then do the same thing again the next day, and the next, and the next, etc. Before you know it, we find ourselves living a routine, but without any real purpose. Of course, I am being very simplistic here but you can see how easy it would be to get so caught up in the daily course of living that we just go robot-like through the motions.

The good news is that God wants so much more for us than to simply pass aimlessly through this life. In the book of Ephesians, Paul writes to the Gentiles, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 3:10-11)

This epistle was written to encourage believers to walk as fruitful followers of Christ and to serve in unity and love in the midst of persecution. Paul knew that in order for the church to survive the followers needed to be reminded of their purpose. What purpose was he talking about?

In chapters 1-3, Paul teaches about the unity of believers. These are the truths and blessings that all believers have in common. He wrote that all Christians are “adopted as sons through Jesus Christ” (1:5). All believers are, “redeemed through His blood” (1:7), and “sealed by the Holy Spirit” (1:13). Paul continues on to clear up one of the most misconceived and/or often ignored subject even to this day, “Salvation by Grace”. He wrote that salvation is by the “Grace” of God and that it is through “Faith”, and that no one can contribute to salvation, in any way, even with good deeds.

In chapters 4-6, Paul encourages the believer to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling”. Every believer has a responsibility to live as servants of Jesus Christ. In these chapters, Paul teaches that it takes hard work to be in unity with others; and that we are to be “imitators of God” (5:1). He mentions imperative truths and advice for well functioning families, including husbands and wives who upon the oath of marriage become as “one flesh” (5:31). In chapter 6, Paul instructs believers how to prepare for spiritual battle by dressing in the “full armor of God” (6:11). Prayer is the key weapon of the Christian soldier. He emphasizes his principle with the repeated statement “stand firm”.

As you can see, Paul made certain that the believers were well aware of their purpose for being true followers of Jesus Christ. These were very dangerous and trying times for Christians. It would have been easy, especially under the constant threat of persecution, for them to become disillusioned and lose focus. Paul was well aware of this, and his reassuring words were just what they needed to hear. So, only one thing yet remains to be asked here. Do you have a clear purpose for living in Christ? Perhaps it’s time to perform a “purpose” checkup of your life? It’s never too late, and no time is better than now.

Scripture Readings: John 11:52; John 18:37; Acts 2:23; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:11

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that I am living my life with the purpose of faith that you have intended for me; and that I am not just going through the motions without rhyme or reason; but with the clear intention of fulfilling my purpose and responsibility of living as your faithful servant. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Sarah