Is It All About Me?

You may have heard the story of two friends who met for dinner in a restaurant. Each requested filet of sole, and after a few minutes the waiter came back with their order. Two pieces of fish, a large and a small, were on the same platter. One of the men proceeded to serve his friend. Placing the small piece on a plate, he handed it across the table. "Well, you certainly do have nerve!" exclaimed his friend.

"What's troubling you?" asked the other. "Look what you've done," he answered. "You've given me the little piece and kept the big one for yourself." "How would you have done it?" the man asked. His friend replied, "If I were serving, I would have given you the big piece." "Well," replied the man, "I've got it, haven't I?" At this, they both laughed. -Daily Bread, August 11, 1992

As Jesus went about His earthly ministry, people either wanted to follow Him, or were invited by Him; yet some desired to do so on their own terms (Luke 9:57-62).
"Lord, let me first go and bury my father." "Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."

This "me first" mentality was fundamentally opposed to Jesus' concept of following Him. The Bible tells us that He demanded that one "deny himself" to follow Him (Luke 9:23). And, that He required that one "hate...his own life also" (Luke 14:26). How many of us would be up for this challenge even today?

After all, living in a culture that praises putting self first and then "Looking Out For #1", it's easy for Christians to adopt this "me first" mentality. Let's consider some ways we can be guilty of the "me first" mentality," shall we?

A good starting point is IN OUR ATTENDANCE. The Scriptures reveal the example and value of assembling together with other Christians (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Hebrews 10:25). Yet, many will often put personal interests before opportunities to attend services, such as:
a. Recreational outings
b. Family gatherings
c. Elective work or school related activities
d. Staying home to read or watch TV
Haphazard attendance is a sure sign of the "me first" mentality!

Another way is IN OUR CONTRIBUTION. Christians are instructed to give of their prosperity to meet certain needs (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7-9).
Yet many will give sparingly because:
a. They want to spend as much as possible on things for themselves
b. They have failed to properly budget their contribution to the Lord
c. They are burdened with bills for things that are not necessities, but actually luxuries
Negligent giving of our prosperity is a sign of the "me first" mentality!

We can also exemplify a "me first" attitude IN OUR SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER. God has blessed each of us with gifts to serve one another (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
Yet many make little effort to do their part in the work of the local congregation:
a. They do not learn the names of the other members
b. They do not seek to find their "gift" or ability God has given them
c. Men do not attend the business meetings; women do not teach classes
d. They may attend church, but only to receive, not to give of themselves
Lack of involvement in the local church is a sign of the "me first" mentality!

As a final example, we need look no further than IN OUR FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS. Christians have duties to members of their physical families (Colossians 3:18-21; Ephesians 5:22,25,33). Many families suffer when people seek their own interests above another, as in:
a. When husbands and wives are selfish in their dealings with each other
b. When parents divorce without regard to the impact on their children
c. When children fail to honor and obey their parents
Dysfunctional families abound where the "me first" mentality exists!

As we have just seen, our service to the Lord, His church and our families is greatly hindered by the "me first" mentality, and is detrimental to our souls and those around us. Instead of a "me first" mentality, how much better would it be for us to learn and practice an "others first" principle!

How about one AS EXEMPLIFIED BY CHRIST? He came to this earth because He put others first (2 Corinthians 8:9; Mathew 20:28). We are called upon to adorn the same mind or attitude (Philippians 2:3-8:
a. To do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit
b. To esteem others better than ourselves
c. To look out for the interests of others
Jesus exemplified the principle of "others first" that He desires in us as well.

Or, we can turn to the example AS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE MACEDONIANS. Note their great liberality despite their own poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). Note also why they were able to be so gracious in thinking of others first (2 Corinthians 8:5):
a. They first gave of themselves to the Lord, then to others!
b. The mentality of "Lord first" instead of "me first" enabled them to put "others first"
Their liberality continued in supporting Paul to preach the gospel (Phlippians 4:10-18). Putting God and others first ensured that their needs would be met (Philippians 4:19). It is clear that the Macedonians exemplified the true value of putting "others first!"

In closing, let's first ask ourselves, "Do we have the 'me first' mentality?" If we do, we cannot be Jesus' disciples. If we do, the church and our own spiritual lives will suffer. Secondly, "Do we want to be rid of the 'me first' mentality?" The "me first" mentality will be destroyed when we adopt the "others first" principle. The "others first" principle will be developed as we make "the kingdom of God first" (Matthew 6:33).

Hopefully, you have seen that when we truly put the kingdom of God and others before ourselves, then the Lord will see to it that we have the things that we need! (Matthew 6:30-33; Philippians 4:19).

Prayer:

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones. Shield Your joyous ones. And all for Your love's sake. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Gina

Coffeehouse Bible Ministry: Weekend Edition

Welcome to the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry:
Weekend Edition!

In the Weekend Edition of our blog, we hope to present Bible-based material to you that is educational, enlightening, and blessed.

Are you disappointed in the direction your life is going? Perhaps you feel lost? Do you feel that something is missing in your life? This week, Rev. Billy Graham has a powerful, informative message for you. This video presentation is a portion of a sermon that was presented in Tallahassee, Florida on November 4, 1986.

Title of this week's message: Timeless Truth: Change

(Video) Take Heart

Justeina Brownlee presents a devotional about the trials you may be facing now, and in the future. But don't lose heart, instead take heart. God will help you get through them!

Bible Study Snacks, Romans 15:14-33

Hi, everyone!

Thank you for joining me this week as we continue our journey through the Epistle of Romans. I hope that all in your life has been going well! I also sincerely hope that you'll find these Bible Study Snacks helpful and spiritually enlightening in your walk with God. In this session, we will study Romans 15:14-33

Here is this week's bible study in summary...

At this point, Paul begins to draw this epistle to a close by making remarks concerning his apostleship and plans to see them. Recognizing their own abilities in the faith, he still felt it appropriate to write to them as he did. Speaking of his design not to preach where Christ had already been received, Paul tells of his plan to come to Rome on his way to Spain. But first, he is going to the poor saints in Jerusalem with a contribution from the saints in Macedonia and Achaia. Realizing the danger such a trip entails, he asks to be remembered in their prayers.

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 15:14-33. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. Let Paul speak to you through his writings as if he were right there with you, sharing his story in person.

This week’s study questions:

1. Does Paul have a negative or positive attitude toward the brothers and sisters (Romans 15:14)? Why do you say that?
2. List the three characteristics Paul is convinced that his brethren possess (15:14)?
3. Why did Paul write so boldly in the book of Romans (Romans 15:15a)?
4. Where did Paul’s authority to do this come from (Romans 15:15b)?
5. Write in your own words the concept (analogy) Paul had toward his ministry (see Romans 15:16).
6. Is it right to be boastful? Explain Paul’s attitude toward this and his ministry (Romans 15:17-18).
7. How was Paul faithful to the test he mentioned in Romans 15:18 (see 19)?
8. What was Paul’s aspiration as a minister of the gospel (Romans 15:20-21)? Why was this particularly appropriate as an apostle?
9. Does Paul want to visit Rome (Romans 15:22-24)? Why? What other intention does he have?
10. What is Paul’s explanation for delaying his trip to Rome (Romans 15:25-26)?
11. Did Paul think it was appropriate for the Gentiles to make an offering to the Jews (Romans 15:26-27)? Why?
12. Does Paul then expect to be able to visit them (Romans 15:28-29)?
13. Describe how Paul wanted them to pray for him (Romans 15:30)?
14. What did Paul ask prayer for (Romans 15:30-32)?

Finally, after answering the study questions, re-read Romans Romans 15:14-33. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri

A Faith With God In It!

It is not the quantity of faith, but the quality of faith, that is important. A grain of mustard seed and a pellet of dust are similar in appearance, but the difference is immense. The one has no life burning at the heart of it, while the other contains life as God kindled it. Faith that has in it the principle of life is a faith with God in it. —F. B. Meyer

In (John 4:23-30), Jesus displays His love for the lost sinner and shows potential witnesses how to go about the business of sharing the faith. One clear-cut way to learn how to tell others about Jesus is to observe how the Master Himself did it.

The main character in this passage, other than Jesus Himself, is a woman with low morals and a bad reputation. How do we suppose this about her? We notice that she came to Jacob’s well to get water at noon, during the hottest part of the day. The other women would have come early in the morning or late in the evening to get water.

History tells us that those gatherings were often opportunities for the women to catch up on their gossip. Verse 18 tells us why she didn’t come with the other women. In fact, she was probably the subject of their gossip on many occasions.

On this day, when she arrives at the well, she meets a man named Jesus. He tells her about an everlasting well of water from which she can take one drink and never thirst again, (John 4:13-14). She hears about the true path of salvation and she is saved by the grace of God. What a truly life-changing event it must have been for this woman!

Today, I'd like to do something a little different with this story. I want to skip ahead to the end of this account. This woman has heard the Gospel and she has believed. She is saved by grace and is as a newborn in Christ. Here is a woman who is freshly saved. Her faith has not had time to become jaded. Her faith hasn’t yet become tarnished.

Right now, we have the opportunity to look at faith as it appears fresh from the womb of grace. The kind of faith this woman had in her life is the same kind of faith you and I need to have in our lives. I would like to share with you the qualities of this woman’s faith, a new faith.

We can call the first quality SIMPLE FAITH, if you'd like. Jesus had come to His Own people and had demonstrated His power and His identity through many miracles and signs. He had perfectly fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah, and yet they had rejected Him (John 1:11).

But, here is a woman, a child of the hated race of the Samaritans. She hears the word of God and she believes. There are no miracles. No water is turned to wine. No demons are cast out. No multitudes are fed with a little bread and a few fish. No one walks on water. No one is raised from the dead. Jesus simply tells her the truth and she believes it and is saved. We can say that her's is a simple faith!

This is the kind of faith that saves the souls! Jesus said that we had to come to Him as little children (Matthew 18:1-5). That is, we are to lose all pretense. We are to be open and honest. We are to simply believe Him by faith. Saving faith is a simple faith! Grace works in the heart of the sinner, and shows him his condition. Grace shows the sinner where to look to be saved and grace provides the faith to look. That is saving faith and it's so simple!

Turning to the next quality of faith, let's call it SINCERE FAITH. After the woman meets Jesus and believes in her heart that He is the Messiah. She forgets everything but Him! She drops her waterpot (John 4:28), and heads back into the city to tell the others that He is here! This man Who moments before had meant absolutely nothing to her was now the focus of her thoughts and her actions. What an amazing transformation!

This is how it works for everyone who meets Him. One moment He is the Lord Jesus Christ, some holy, distant man who died on a cross. But, when faith is exercised in Him, He instantly becomes a personal friend and the absolute focus and center of your being. His salvation is amazing because it brings about such an immediate depth of change (1 Corinthians 5:17).

Think about all the things that changed for you when you received Jesus as your Savior. This woman left town that day a dirty, vile, hated sinner. The women hated her because she was an easy mark for the men. The men used her body, but didn’t care a thing about her. She left town a nobody, but she returned to town a new born child of God! Everything had changed in an instant! When simple faith is exercised in Jesus Christ, and a soul is saved, sincere faith quickly develops in the heart of the believer.

We can call the next quality of faith, SHARING FAITH. After she is saved the first thing this woman wants to do is go and tell somebody, anybody! She ran back to town to the crowd who knew her best and told them about Jesus (John 4:28-29). Not only did she tell them about Him, she invited them to come and meet Him for themselves. She said, “He’s still out there and what He did for me He will do for you if you will come to Him!”

It must have done some good too, because several of those men believed because of her witness and others came to know Jesus because of her invitation. Suffice it to say, this woman was responsible for a town turning to God (John 4:39-42). This woman had the kind of testimony we like to parade across the platform and show off. She had one of those spectacular testimonies of a life saved from the bottom. In this case, the Lord took one of the most despicable citizens of that town and used her to bring many souls to Jesus.

However, you don't have to go to the bottom to have a great testimony! You don’t have to be filthy, dirty to know how good it feels to be clean! What I'm saying is this: "If you are saved, you have a testimony!" As long as you can say, “I have met the Lord Jesus and He changed my life and He can do the same for you, and here’s how you can know Him.”, the Lord can use your life!

There’s just something about meeting Him that makes you want to tell others about Him! It’s hard to keep to yourself. It is comforting to know that as we attempt to witness to others, we have the promises of God in this matter (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 13:5). Let’s ask the Lord to develop within us a sharing faith.

There is yet another quality of faith that I'd like mention. We can refer to this one as SHINING FAITH. Something about this woman was different when she went back into town. It's a pretty good bet that they had never heard her talk about “religion” before. Now, here she is talking to them about the Lord and inviting them out to meet Him. She was a new person; a totally changed person. The change in her life was very plain to see by all!

When the Lord is truly in your life, it will get out on you! You won’t be able to keep Him a secret when He lives in your heart. I guess it’s the whole “light and candle” thing. When He puts His light within your heart, you will stand out from the darkness around you (Matthew 5:13-16).

You’ve probably met these kind of people, haven’t you? You know which ones I am talking about. They're always praising the Lord in public. They pray over their food in a restaurant. Sometimes they will have a New Testament or tracts in their pocket. You know...that loud crowd! Friends, I pray that the Lord would do that to every one of us! Let’s ask the Lord to give us a shining faith that glorifies Him before the world!

This leads me into the last quality of faith that I'd like to mention today. I will call it SAVING FAITH. This woman certainly had saving faith. She went to the well that day to get enough water to last the day, she returned with enough spiritual water to last an eternity! She got more than she bargained for, she got saved! You can see her in this passage as she attempts to out maneuver the Lord (John 4:9-25). But when she hears His claim to be the Messiah (John 4:26), she loses her will to fight and she believes in Him by faith. The best thing you will ever get out of life is saving faith!

In closing, have you ever been to the well and left with more than you came after? If you are saved, you sure have! Let’s ask the Lord to do within us what He did within this woman. Let’s ask Him to give a simple faith, a sincere faith, a sharing faith, a shining faith, and a saving faith. Let’s ask Him to take us and use us like He did this lady. He can and He will if we are saved and have yielded to Him.

Let's pray:

Father in Heaven,
ever-living source of all that is good,
keep me faithful in serving You.
Help me to drink of Christ's Truth,
and fill my heart with His Love
so that I may serve You in faith
and love and reach eternal life.
You give me the joy of sharing Your Life.
Keep me in Your presence.
Let me never be separated from You
and help me to do Your Will. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Abbey

(Video) Peace and The Holy Spirit, Part 1

You can have power over anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, or anything that would come to destroy your life. None of these things belong to you as a believer in Christ! Let the Holy Spirit bring you comfort, peace, and joy.

Are We Under Grace or Law? (Part 2)

Welcome to Are We Under Grace or Law?, Part 2! If you recall, last week in Part 1 we discussed "...the fact that we are under grace does not mean that we are not subject to law, and that it is not essential for us to keep divine law." Grace does not mean we are not subject to law, rather, it means that we have a way of forgiveness when we violate that law, if we meet the divine conditions. This week we will wrap up our discussion on this subject by beginning with Paul's teaching in Romans.

It is obvious from the Scriptures previously cited that Paul, in Romans 6:14-15, does not mean that we are not subject to law nor obligated to strictly observe it. His teaching is that we are not under a system of mere law without grace as a means of justification.

Allow me to elaborate a little on this. Depending on mere law as a means of justification would mean that we would have to keep that law perfectly. Such dependence on "perfect law-keeping" would nullify grace for our justification and would be earned by our sinlessness. This would mean that the one who kept the law perfectly would need no grace! It would also mean that the one who depended on "perfect law-keeping" for justification would be a legalist.

This would be a good time to look at an example of Paul's teaching in Romans 3-4. We can read that none are "justified" by the Law of Moses (Romans 3:19). In order to have been justified by that law, people would have had to keep it perfectly, never violating it because once a person violated it, he became guilty and was condemned by it (Galatians 3:10-12). Paul also tells us that those under the law did not keep it perfectly---all violated it (Romans 3:23).

Since justification is not earned by "perfect law-keeping," there is no reason to boast (Romans 3:27). Our justification is on the basis of faith rather than the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28). The "faith" in justification by faith, is an obedient faith (James 2:17-26). The works of obedience, works of righteousness, which eminate from faith do not earn justification, rather, justification is given because of the faith which produces the works of obedience. Thus, faith is "accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). In other words, one's faith is credited to him.

As a result he is righteous in God's sight. This only occurs when one's faith is made perfect by works (James 2:26). Because of his obedient faith he is graciously forgiven and cleansed of his sins and made righteous before God. And as long as he maintains an obedient faith, he will continue to stand righteous before Him.

In his teaching in Romans, Paul is contrasting justification by grace on the grounds of an obedient faith against justification; by keeping law perfectly in which the reward is earned and there is no grace involved. There are a couple of points that I would like to repeat here to you.

1. Although we are under law, we are not under law as a means of justification.

2. We do not depend on "perfect law-keeping" for justification. Without God's gracious forgiveness when we violate the law of Christ, we would all stand guilty and have no hope.

In closing, we cannot receive that gracious forgiveness if we persist in violation of God's law, for forgiveness is conditioned on repentence. Since we are under divine law, we must submit to the will of the Lord. At the same time, we should be thankful that we do not have to depend on keeping that law perfectly in order to stand justified in the sight of God. My dear friends, how thankful we should be that God has provided a means of forgiveness when we violate His law, and for God's grace!

Let's close this message in prayer:

O everlasting God, let the light of Thine eternity now fall upon my passing days.
O holy God, let the light of thy perfect righteousness fall upon my sinful ways.
O most merciful God, let the light of Thy love pierce to the most secret corners of my heart and overcome the darkness of sin within me. Amen

May God bless you,

Beverly

(Video) A Wise Woman - Lisa Bevere

Watch as Lisa Bevere talks about what The Bible means when it says, "A wise woman builds her house."

Why Can't We All Just Get Along? (Part 1)

I hope I won't shock, or upset you when I tell you that Christians, yes, even good Christians, do not always get along. How is this possible? How can this be? There's an old saying that says, "Where there is light there will be bugs. Where there are dogs there will be fleas." In regards to us (people), where there are humans, there will be misunderstandings and differences of opinion, even if those humans are Christians, even if they are good Christians (Acts 15:36-40).

The question here is not “If Christians disagree, what should we do?” but “When Christians disagree, what should we do?” As an example of this, we will refer to two sisters in Christ at Philippi who were not getting along: Syntyche and Euodia.

Earlier, Paul emphasized the importance of being united (Philippians 1:27; Philippians 2:2). Some think these general admonitions, or warnings were leading up to this specific case of disunity. Whether this is true or not, the first three verses of chapter four highlight the importance of living in harmony with fellow Christians. Simply put, getting along with one another!

The way Paul handled this situation can help us know what to do when brothers and sisters in Christ are at odds. I truly believe that this is worth taking a closer look. A good place to begin a discussion of this topic is with SINCERE COMMENDATION.

Paul first establishes a positive atmosphere. He assured all the Christians at Philippi, including the two troubled sisters, of his love. What he did was pretty basic. Before he commanded he commended (Philippians 4:1).

No verse in the Bible is filled with more warmth and affection than (Philippians 4:1). Let's break this verse into smaller, more easily understood parts:

a. “Brethren” – they were family

b. “Beloved” – AGAPH … used it twice for emphasis

c. “Longed for” – homesick to see his friends

d. “My joy and crown” – he thought of them as his crowning [STEPHANOS] achievement

This question then can be asked of yourself, "Do you want to help two Christians to be reconciled?" Whatever you do, do not start by pointing out their short comings! First, affirm your care for them, or if I may, before you influence their wills, you must touch their hearts.

Now knowing what we do from the above discussion, we can talk about SENSITIVE CONFRONTATION. The Philippians church was Paul’s crown – the laurel wreath of victory – but there was a “thorn” in the crown: two sisters who had a serious disagreement; Syntyche and Euodia. In direct fashion, Paul said… (see: Philippians 4:2).

“Syntyche” can mean “pleasant” and “Euodia” can mean “sweet fragrance.” At the time, however, they were anything but pleasant; and they were spreading the unpleasant aroma of discord. I think a little background on these two women is necessary here for clarification.

Euodia and Syntyche were two women who are mentioned briefly in the book of Philippians 4:2. They were members of the church in Philippi and, as Paul described them, they were loyal believers who had fought along with him for the cause of the gospel. Anyone that knew them could see that they were good Christians. But somewhere along the way they lost their focus. In his letter to Philippi, Paul pleaded with them to agree with each other.

Here are some things we know about them:

a. Euodia and Syntyche had worked for the cause of the gospel.

b. They had their goal firmly in mind when Paul was with them.

But what might have gone wrong when Paul wasn't around? In his absence, maybe they were still doing the work they were called to do but forgetting to spend quiet time with God. There may have been so much to do that the work seemed too important to put off. Or, they may have skipped one day of prayer with the expectation of making it up the next. I think we can agree that none of these things is difficult to do. Right?

But you see, this is often the way these things start. Good, hard-working Christians forget that the source of life and their source of peace is Jesus and we can do nothing without Him.

In his letter, Paul asked other members of the church at Philippi to help Euodia and Syntyche to resolve their differences and restore harmony in the church. After all, it is the responsibility of the members of the family of Christ to help resolve such situations with peaceful solutions and not take sides or add fuel to the fire.

So what DID Paul do next..? We shall continue our discussion on Christians getting along with other Christians next week in Part 2 of: "Why Can't We All Just Get Along?" I hope that you will join me then. Until next time, have a blessed week!

Scripture reference: Philippians 4:1-3

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I ask forgiveness for doing things I should not have done. You are a loving and forgiving God, and I will not dwell on feelings of guilt for the things I have done. Amen.

God bless you,

Billie

(Video) The Beauty of Repentance

Watch this powerful video testimony about the beauty of repentance!

Have I Truly Repented?

In his book I Surrender, Patrick Morley writes that the church's integrity problem is in the misconception "that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior." He goes on to say, "It is revival without reformation, without repentance."
-Quoted by C. Swindoll, John The Baptizer, Bible Study Guide, p. 16.

Sometimes our translations are not helpful enough. We read a word like “repentance” and wonder if we have a clear conception of the meaning. It is pretty safe to say that we don’t use the word "repentance" much in conversation, either. Why? Maybe it's because we are acutely aware that the modern meaning of a word may not convey the meaning of the original.

This is a word that is essential to understand. Paul associates it with salvation in our text. Luke 13:3, 5 makes us understand that the lack of repentance brings destruction. Repentance and repent are used in pivotal passages, such as Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38. Okay, but what if you don’t understand it? What if you think it is the feeling of sorrow? If this is what you think, you’d be wrong! What if you mistakenly think that it is good deeds? Again you’d be wrong!

What I hope to do today is to show you, using Bible examples, just what it is to repent. Perhaps then, when you examine yourselves and ask, “Have I truly repented?” you’ll know.

Let's take a look at our first example. We can call this "The Case of the Ninevites" (Matthew 12:41; Jonah 1:1-2; ch. 3). The Ninevites heard the preaching of Jonah and were challenged with the truth. They came to understand that the God of Heaven condemned their lives. They believed God, Jonah 3:5. We know that they were convinced that Jonah’s message was real. Maybe they learned about Jonah being in the fish. Or, perhaps Jonah had been confirmed a prophet many other ways.

Whatever we might think, one thing is for sure. Their lives changed. From pride to humility (sack cloth). From satisfaction to self-denial (fasting). From idolatry to true worship (Jonah 3:8). From evil to righteousness (Jonah 3:8). Even the temples closed their doors, the night-life shut down, no drinking, no carousing. Peace and calm enveloped the city.

As good as this all sounds, in none of the points outlined above can you find repentance proper! You can’t see repentance, only its effects. Our text (2 Cor. 7:9-10) tells us it’s not godly sorrow. Matthew 3:8 tells us it’s not fruits or works. Yet, Jesus told us that the Ninevites repented. Matthew 21:28-30 illustrates this word "repentance" nicely. It is the difference between “I will not” and “I will.” Repentance is a change of mind, of will.

The Ninevites, having heard Jonah and believing God, changed their minds and then changed their lives. One can say that at the point of changing their minds they "repented."

Moving along, let's call our second example, "The Case of the Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:10-24). We see in the context (Luke 15:10) that the subject is repentance. What tells us so? How about these following facts:

He remembered from whence he had fallen, (Luke 15:17).
He made a determination, (Luke 15:18). “I will arise…”
He brought it to action, (Luke 15:20; He began his journey; He confessed his fault.

So, where did the repentance come in? It certainly was...

Not when he came to himself.
Not when he started for home.
Not when he confessed to his father.

No, it wasn't any of the above! It was at the moment he determined to make a change, Luke 15:18 (“I will…”). You see, there is a point after godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) and before fruits or good works (Matthew 3:8) where repentance is found.

We shall call our final example, "The Case of Your Repentance." Since the day of Pentecost God has proclaimed through the Gospel that all men everywhere MUST repent. We see this in: Peter’s pronouncement, Acts 2:38 and Paul’s pronouncement, Acts 17:30. Friends, you must ask yourselves if you’ve truly repented. This is of grave importance!

Did you just go through the motions of obeying the gospel? (peer pressure, emotionalism, to please parents, to get the girl). Or, was there a moment in time when you determined that you were going to do things God’s way? Even Christians sometimes need to repent when we find ourselves in sin. In fact, we are commanded to repent, Acts 8:22.

In conclusion, what is "repentance?" The main idea of today's message is to show that "repentance" is a change of mind and of will that follows godly sorrow; and that is shown by works of obedience.

I realize that you have just been given a lot of information to process. Read through it again, referring to the scripture and verses. Let it set in your mind for a bit, discuss it with others. Then ask yourself this question, "Having heard the call of the Gospel, have I repented?"

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Prayer: Almighty God, who does freely pardon all who repent and turn to Him, now fulfill in every contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace; forgiving all our sins, and cleansing us from an evil conscience; through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

May God be with you always,

Adina

Coffeehouse Bible Ministry: Weekend Edition

Welcome to the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry:
Weekend Edition!

In the Weekend Edition of our blog, we hope to present Bible-based material that you will find educational, enlightening, and blessed.

This week, Karen True presents an informative Bible study segment to you. According to Karen, no one disputes the role of women in the lineage of a king. But no one listed them in the genealogy either. It's just wasn't done...until Jesus came.

Among the listing of patriarchs in Matthew 1, Jesus' family tree includes a quintet of ordinary women who left uncommon legacies. Tracing their footsteps leads us on a journey where we discover God's similar intentions for us.

Title of this week's message: Five Ordinary Women - Bible Study #1

Bible Study Snacks, Romans 14:13-15:13

Hi, everyone!

I'd like to thank you for joining me this week as we continue our journey through the Book of Romans. I hope that all is going well in your life! I also most sincerely hope that you'll find these Bible Study Snacks helpful and spiritually enlightening in your walk with God. In this session, we will study Romans 14:13-15:13

Here is this week's bible study in summary...

The emphasis in the last half of Romans 14:13-23 is about the importance of being true to one's own conscience, and not encouraging the weak brother to violate his own. Things harmless within themselves can destroy those whose consciences do not permit them, so those who understand the true nature of the kingdom of God will be willing to forego personal liberties to maintain peace and build up their weaker brethren.

In Romans 15:1-13, Paul continues his discussion on how those who are strong are to receive and bear with the infirmities of the weak. Encouraging the strong to be concerned with uplifting the weak, he reminds them of Christ and His unselfishness.
Reminding them of the value of the Old Testament Scriptures, he pleads for patience so that with one mind and one mouth they may glorify God.

Lastly, he calls for them to receive one another to the glory of God, just as Christ served both Jews and Gentiles in fulfilling the prophets of old. Paul then offers a prayer that God might fill them with joy and peace in believing, so that they may abound in hope with the help of the Holy Spirit.

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 14:13-15:13. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. Let Paul speak to you through his writings as if he were right there with you, sharing his story in person.

This week’s study questions:

1. Instead of judging one another, what are we asked to do in Romans 14:13?
2. What is Paul so sure of in Romans 14:14?
3. What allowance does he build into his certainty of what is right (Romans 14:14)?
4. What law am I breaking when I make an issue of food to the point I hurt my brother (Romans 14:15)?
5. Write down a few synonyms for the word ‘destroy’? Why might Paul use such a strong word in Romans 14:15 to describe the situation?
6. Romans 14:16 is a powerful and practical principle for our lives. Write this verse down.
7. If eating and drinking are not the most important things about the kingdom of God, what is (Romans 14:17)?
8. What things are we to pursue (Romans 14:19)?
9. What does Paul ask us to refrain from doing if it causes our brother to stumble (Romans 14:21)?
10. Romans 14:22-23 also lists a very important principle for our Christian faith. Write it in your own words.
11. Instead of criticizing those who are weaker than ourselves, how are we to treat them (Romans 15:1-2)?
12. Why should we go out of our way to help others (Romans 15:3)?
13. What can we look forward to find in the Old Testament Scriptures (Romans 15:4)?
14. Instead of looking down on different individuals, what should our attitude be (Romans 15:5)?
15. What is our purpose of being of the same mind (Romans 15:6)?
16. The principle set out in verse 7, “Accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God,” is elaborated in verses 8-13 among two different groups. What are those two different groups called (Romans 15:8 & 9-12)?
17. Through what power are they able to really love those who have different views (Romans 15:13)?

Finally, after answering the study questions, re-read Romans Romans 14:13-15:13. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through our studies together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri

(Music Video) Blessings - Laura Story

God's Blessings...Our Benefits!

When the subject of blessings is brought up, have you ever paused to think about the word "blessing," or how many times blessings are spoken of in the Bible? If not, maybe now is a good time for us to take a further look at blessings. F.E. Marsh recounted some of God's blessings and listed them. I gladly present them to you here:

An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).

Perhaps a good place to start this discussion is by taking a look at Ephesians 1:1-14. If you'd like, we can choose the central text of Ephesians 1:3 as the main idea of this particular selection. "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ." Notice that Paul says all spiritual blessings. We have been given all the blessings that we need in Christ. Man is totally blessed by God, beyond all measure. All of these blessings spring from His grace and love towards us.

Take notice here of what the blessings are these verses (Ephesians 1:1-14). In verse 4, "We have been chosen." The word "chose" means " to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one's self. "We were chosen by God before the world was ever made. He thought of each one of us thousands of years before we were born and picked us to be His own. We were chosen to be holy and blameless "in His sight." Holy means to be "set apart to, or by God, consecrated; holy, morally pure, upright." Blameless, or "without blame" means to be "faultless; without fault." God's people are called "saints" (Ephesians 1:1). In the eyes of God, a saint is one who has been set apart for and by God and is without fault."

In Ephesians 1:5, "We have been adopted". Not just "taken in," but adopted. Adoption means "to be given sonship, or placed as a natural son." By adoption, we become the children of God. We are heirs to God; we will inherit what He has. A sinner who has been saved by grace and adopted as a child of God is equivalent to the proverbial "rags to riches" senerio. No sinner could ever have a hope of inheriting what God has unless he could be adopted.

Ephesians 1:7 tells us that, "We have been redeemed." Redemption means "to be released upon payment of a price." When we redeem something, we always give something for what we are getting. In releasing us from the bondage of sin and the life of eternal punishment that goes along with that bondage, God gave His Son's life, so that we would not have to give ours. We were helpless to redeem ourselves; we had nothing to give. But Christ had what the Father demanded in payment for sin: He was perfect. The death of His perfect life was the only thing that could purchase us from the bondage of sin.

We should never forget what Christ did for us. He willingly paid for our sin, dying in our place; suffering the pain and agony of not just the physical pain of dying, but the spiritual pain and agony of receiving the wrath of God.

In the same verse (Ephesians 1:7) we also learn that, "We have received forgiveness." Forgiveness means that we have been pardoned of our sins. Even more than that, it means that God looks at us as if we had never sinned. When God forgives our sins, He doesn't even remember them anymore. They are gone. He will never bring them up before us again. We will never be accused by God of our past sins. Men and Satan will, but God never will! The same way that God forgives us is the way that we should forgive others.

Ephesians 1:9 announces that, "We have been enlightened." "Having made known" is one Greek word which means " to know, to gain knowledge of, have thorough knowledge of." This word is in the active tense, which means that the subject, God, is the one doing the action. God Himself makes Himself known to His children. To those who are not children of God, He is a total mystery. Everything about Him, including His Will, are incomprehensible to those that are not saved.

One of the greatest blessings that we can have in this life time, is to know God. We can know what He likes and dislikes; we can know what He expects of us; we can know His love and His plan for eternity. The rest of the world does not know God in this way. This kind of "knowing" is in fact a relationship.

I appeal to you to take notice that these "blessings" are benefits of his purpose (Ephesians 1:11). God has a definite purpose that we will see completed in "the fullness of times." (Ephesians 1:10). We are part of that purpose and should never lose sight of this great truth. When life gets complicated and hectic, we need to remember that there is a purpose for everything, and that God controls everything. We must never lose trust in Him!

Closing Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for prayer, That I can come before You and call You Father. That I can cast my burdens on You. Lord, I thank You for my heart, the treasure and light You placed in there, the Holy Spirit. Amen

Bless you,

Connie

(Video) Women In Ministry - Lisa Bevere

Lisa Bevere answers the question - "How does a woman get started in ministry?"

Are We Under Grace or Law? (Part 1)

Some might ask, "What is the relationship of grace to law?" Understandably, it can be a very confusing question. Some have mistakenly concluded from the statement in Romans 6:14-15 that we are "not under law but under grace"; that law and grace are mutually exclusive. In other words, if you have one you cannot have the other.

Allow me to point out, the fact that we are under grace does not mean that we are not subject to law, and that it is not essential for us to keep divine law. As you can see, it can be somewhat confusing to understand. I will try to explain the relationship between grace and law to you in two separate installments; the first one I will present today.

We will begin with this strong statement,"We are subject to Divine Law" followed by some scriptural references to support this. The teaching of Jesus is called "law." 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 2:5; 1 John 3:4; Isaiah 2:1-3. We are required to obey that law. 1 John 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 4:24; 1 Peter 4:11; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 John 9. In this last chapter and verse (2 John 9), the context used indicates that John used the expression "doctrine of Christ" to mean the doctrine taught by Christ (His doctrine, His teaching).

I remind you that it is Christ's teaching, His commandments, and "truth," that is emphasized from the beginning of 2 John (see verses 1-2,4,6). It appears that the point of highest priority in John's mind when he wrote this epistle was "walking in truth," meaning "walking according to Christ's commandments." John 8:31 tells us that we must continue in His word to be His disciples.

Whenever God has spoken to man or given a law, He has expected strict obedience and the utmost respect for His word (see: Deuteronomy 4:2; Leviticus 10:1-2; Revelation 22:18-19). All of this tells us that grace does not mean we are not subject to law, rather, it means that we have a way of forgiveness when we violate that law, if we meet the divine conditions.

I know that I have just given you a lot to think about. Hopefully, you will go back and re-read today's message and scripture as many times as you feel is needed. Don't forget to pray to God for understanding of His word. Next time, I will discuss another way to explain the relationship between grace and law using Paul's teaching in Romans. I do hope you will join me for that!

Let's close this message in prayer:

May the grace of Christ our Savior,
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favor,
Rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.
Amen.

May God be with you always,

Beverly

(Video) Bible 101 With Dr. Craig Evans - Part 2

Acadia University Professor Dr. Craig Evans sits down with Denise Lodde to give an overview of the Bible, what it is, who wrote it, its historical accuracy and message and why it's a book that matters to all whether they believe in it or not.

Produced By: Denise Lodde, featuring: Dr. Craig Evans - New Testament Scholar, Professor, Acadia University

Send Me!

In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."

"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."

"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient." When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where he puts us, and when he returns, we'll rule together with him.

Are you, or have you felt the calling from God? Are you prepared if you should get the call? If you are like most of us, the thought has probably never occurred to you. Therefore, I have listed some reasonable items below for your consideration in order to help you make a good and sound decision. They are:

What we are called from and called to:

I. Called from labor to rest (Matthew 11:28)
II. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14)
III. Called from bondage to liberty (Galatians 5:13)
IV. Called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9)
V. Called from bondage to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15
VI. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Corinthians 1:9)

What we are made by obeying the call:

I. We are made sons of God (John 1:12)
II. We are made the children of God (Galatians 3:26)
III. We are made the servants of God (Matthew 25:21)
IV. We are made God's saints (Colossians 1:1)
V. We are made God's witnesses (I Thessalonians 2:10)
VI. We are made workers together with God (2 Corinthians 6:1)
VII. We are called to a high calling (Philippians 3:14)
VIII. We are called to a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9)
IX. We are called to a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)

Throughout Bible history God has chosen individuals to do His work and to perform His tasks. When He does this He doesn’t ask for resumes. He doesn’t ask how prepared you think you are. He doesn’t care about perceived obstacles. He just says to get it done. If God has called you (and he has) what provision, or the supplying of means, has God given to make up for all of our perceived deficiencies?

Perhaps it is help from other church members. For Moses it was someone to help him speak (Exodus 4:14). Like Moses, we all need help from time to time. On big tasks it takes a little more help. Such was the case when Paul paired up with others to gather disciples while going throughout the world (as The Great Commission instructs us to do).

To assist us in our endeavors you should ask help from God, He will be with you (Matthew 28:20; Joshua 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:17; 2 Kings 6:17). Also keep in mind when asking for help from God, that God answers your prayers (Matthew 21:22; Matthew 7:7-11).

So, if you are asking yourself who will go? Say, "Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8) Yes, you might be thinking: "I don’t feel qualified, surely others are more so," "I might fail," or "I might mess up." However, nothing could be further from the truth! Because of God’s mighty provision you can confidently say, “Send me!”

Prayer:

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
-St. Richard Chichester (1197-1253)

God bless you,

Sherry Ann

Is the Gospel You've Heard True?

As soon as Paul began his epistle to the Galatians, he expressed some concern. A couple of things bothered him. He was marveled as how they were turning so soon to a different gospel (Galatians 1:6), and how they were letting themselves be troubled by some who were perverting the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7).

It is important to know the difference between the pure gospel and perverted gospels. The Bible tell us that to accept a different gospel is to be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). To not obey the true gospel is to face condemnation (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 1 Peter 4:17). Today, in our time, we need to be just as concerned about "Perversions Of The Gospel". Are we aware of how some have perverted the gospel of Christ? There has been at least four such perversions.

Let us call the first one THE GOSPEL OF FAITH PLUS THE LAW. This particular perversion can be explained this way. This 'gospel' was the problem Paul faced in his day. Some Jewish Christians demanded that Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses as well as obey the gospel of Christ (Acts 15:1-5; Galatians 2:1-5).

Upon further study we find that this perversion was refuted, or proven false at the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-31), in the epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 5:1-6), and in other epistles of Paul (e.g., Romans, Colossians). Note carefully that those who seek to be justified by the Law fall from grace (Galatians 5:4). This illustrates the danger of accepting a 'perverted gospel'.

Another such 'gospel' is THE GOSPEL OF WORKS WITHOUT FAITH. This perversion can be explained this way. This 'gospel' developed later in the course of church history. It exalted the efficacy of certain ordinances to the exclusion of faith.Thus some believed you could baptize others without the need of faith, such as infant baptism or infidel baptism (e.g., at the point of a sword).

This perversion can be refuted in a couple of ways. First, faith is essential to pleasing God and our salvation (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Mark 16:16). Secondly, repentance of sins and faith in Christ are prerequisites to baptism (Acts 2:38; 8:35-37). Thirdly, it is faith in the working of God that results in rising to a new life (Colossians 2:12-13).

Additionally, there is a popular perversion of the gospel, which will become quite clear to you in a moment. It is what we will call THE GOSPEL OF GOOD WORKS ONLY. This perversion can be explained this way. Many have the idea that as long as you are a basically 'good person', you will be saved. Especially if your 'good deeds' outnumber or outweigh your 'bad deeds'. Thus, a good moral person, especially if religious, is assumed to be saved.

Of course we can find some examples in the Bible to disprove this line of thought. We should know that good moral people, even devout, are in need of salvation. For example, Cornelius was a good, moral, devout man (Acts 10:1-6), yet he needed to be saved (Acts 11:14).

Need more convincing? We can find some other examples of conversion in Acts that involved religiously devout people. How about the 3000 on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5); the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27); Lydia of Thyatira (Acts 16:14); even Paul himself (Acts 22:3)! All of these examples are proof that we cannot be saved by our good works alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7).

Finally, sometimes a perversion of the gospel leads others to overreact with another perversion. Let's call this perversion the THE GOSPEL OF FAITH ONLY. This perversion can be explained this way. This 'gospel' proclaims that one is saved by "faith only". For example, no obedience is required, especially not baptism. It is an overreaction to salvation by works without faith, or to the gospel of good works.

This perversion can be refuted citing numerous examples, such as the following. The gospel of Christ requires obedience. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Paul proclaimed what he called "the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5; 16:25-26). Paul and Peter warned of those who obeyed not the gospel (2Thessalonians 1:7-9; 1 Peter 4:17).

Keep in mind that we are not saved by "faith only". See: James 2:17,20,24,26. There are many who fail to distinguish between different kinds of works. What kind of you works? There are: works of the Law (of Moses), by which one is not justified (Galatians 2:16); meritorious works, done to earn salvation, which is impossible (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7); and works of God, commanded of us to please Him (John 6:28-29).

Always remember that works of God are done, not to earn salvation, but to receive God's grace. Here are some examples of these works which you can check out for yourself:
a. Faith in Jesus is a work of God (John 6:29)
b. Repentance of sins is a work of God (Acts 17:30)
c. Confessing Jesus is a a work of God (Romans 10:9-10)
Again, keep in mind that such works in of themselves do not save us (Luke 17:10).

Baptism is a work of God, not a work of man. It was commanded by Jesus and His apostles (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16). In this case, God does the work of saving (Colossians 2:11-12; Tit 3:5) in which we put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). Which, when obeyed, causes others to thank God (Romans 6:3-7; 6:17-18).

Of course, there have been other perverted gospels such as Gnosticism, which denied Jesus coming in the flesh, and Mormonism, which proclaims a different gospel based upon 'angelic revelation' to name just a few. That is why we need to be careful to receive the gospel preached by the apostles. Even angelic revelations are to be rejected if different from what the apostles' preached, otherwise we will be accursed!

My dear readers, the pure gospel of Christ may not be popular, but who are we trying to please? If it is men, then we are not true servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10). If it is the majority, then we are definitely on the wrong path (Matthew 7:13-14). In closing, ask yourself this question, "Is the gospel you heard, received, and obeyed, the same gospel proclaimed by the apostles of Jesus Christ?" (Acts 2:36-41; 8:35-38).

Let's pray:

Dear Lord, thank you for all that you do. The love of life, the peace in my heart all comes from your grace. Please help me to show your love and grace to others as you have done for me. Thank you Lord for being a part of my life. Amen

May God bless you,

Elise

Coffeehouse Bible Ministry: Weekend Edition

Welcome to the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry:
Weekend Edition!

In the Weekend Edition of our blog, we hope to present Bible-based material that you will find educational, enlightening, and blessed.

This week we would like to present an introduction to the Gospel of John by the late Dr. Vernon McGee. Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970.

Title of this week's message: Introduction to John - Part 1



Dr. J. Vernon McGee © Thru the Bible Radio Network, www.ttb.org

(Video) I'm a Failure, Can God Use Me?

Don't let fear, doubt, and self-loathing rob you of God's blessings. God can still use you!

Bible Study Snacks, Romans 14:1-12

Hi, everyone!

I'd like to thank you for joining me again as we continue our journey through the Book of Romans. I hope that all is going well in your life! I also most sincerely hope that you'll find these Bible Study Snacks helpful and spiritually enlightening in your walk with God. In this session, we will study a new chapter. The chapter is Romans, Chapter 14, verses 1-12.

Here is this week's bible study in summary...

Paul discusses the relationship strong and weak brethren are to have towards each other. He admonishes the strong to be careful in their dealings with those whose faith and knowledge is weak, and for the weak not to judge those who are doing what God allows.

In such matters, each brother should be true to their conscience and do what they do as service rendered to the Lord. There is no place for condemning or despising one another in these matters, for Jesus will be the judge. Of primary concern is not to put stumbling blocks in a brother's way.

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 14:1-12. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. Let Paul speak to you through his writings as if he were right there with you, sharing his story in person.

This week’s study questions:

1. What kind of people are we told to accept (Romans 14:1)?
2. What condition is put upon the way we accept them (Romans 14:1)?
3. Describe the two kinds of people and their faith as mentioned in Romans 14:2.
4. What does Paul ask both groups to do in Romans 14:3?
5. What is the main point of his question in Romans 14:4?
6. Paul goes from speaking about foods to what topic in Romans 14:5?
7. Describe the two views Christians have toward treating certain days as holy days (Romans 14:5).
8. What is the most important principle both groups need to remember (Romans 14:5)?
9. What makes a person’s views “holy” and acceptable to the Lord (Romans 14:6)?
10. The NASB translation of Romans 14:7 is more accurate: “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself.” If we don’t live or die for ourselves, for whom do we live (Romans 14:8)?
11. What was the overall purpose of Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 14:9)?
12. Paul asks two questions in Romans 14:10. Write them in your own words.
13. Why are we not to judge our brothers and sisters (Romans 14:10)?
14. Are Christians exempt from the need to give an account of ourselves? Why (Romans 14:11-12)?
15. List at least two changes you desire to take place in your life because of these verses:
16. Why is the one which limits what he eats weak in faith rather than the other person?
17. A holy life is one which does what pleases God. How does this apply if there is no particular right or wrong way
18. Have you ever seriously thought about giving a final account of your life? What do you think you will need to give an account for? How are you fairing? List one way to improve.

Finally, after answering the study questions, re-read Romans Romans 14:1-12. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through our studies together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri

(Video) Bible 101 With Dr. Craig Evans - Part 1

Acadia University Professor Dr. Craig Evans sits down with Denise Lodde to give an overview of the Bible, what it is, who wrote it, its historical accuracy and message and why it's a book that matters to all whether they believe in it or not.

Produced By: Denise Lodde, featuring: Dr. Craig Evans - New Testament Scholar, Professor, Acadia University

Do You Find Yourself Lost?

I recently came across a story about a Massachusetts family who became lost in an elaborate corn maze and had to call 911 to be rescued. The corn maze was located on a farm and usually attracts thousands of visitors each season. The family apparently entered the maze shortly before nightfall and panicked as darkness fell. They were worried that the farm had closed so they called 911, an emergency dispatch number, for help. The farmer said staff members had not left the farm when the family called police. They knew there were people in the maze, but did not hear anyone call for help. The husband, wife, and two children, one, a three-week-old baby, were all safely rescued by the local police.

This is not such an uncommon story. Many of us find ourselves lost, as well. But instead of a corn maze, we are lost in life. We become so wrapped up in our daily lives (i.e., work, school, home, etc.) that we soon find ourselves drifting further and further away from God. We, in essence, become lost, or separated from Him in the great Maze of Life.

In Jeremiah 50:6, God tells the children of Judah that they have been like lost sheep. They, like many of us, were led astray by their shepherds. We worship our television sets, cell phones, the internet, food, celebrities, etc. We find ourselves worshipping these things over God himself. These items have become our shepherds, and we find ourselves paying the spiritual price for it. We have allowed these things separate us from Him.

Genesis 3:7-10 illustrates how no one is ever quite the same after sinning with knowledge. Notice Adam and Eve's sin occurs after God had instructed them (Genesis 2:16-17). Nobody had to tell them they had done wrong—they knew! Now they looked at things differently than they had before; a sense of wrong rushed in on them immediately. Just moments before, all had been friendly and joyful. All of nature seemed obedient to their every wish, and life was good.

Suddenly, however, they felt guilt and fear, and it seemed as if every creature in the Garden had witnessed their act and condemned them. Feeling exposed, they sought to hide, illustrating that separation from the purity of God began immediately. The virtue of their innocence began to lose its luster.

Another tragedy resulted from what happened in Genesis 11. All of these people who were scattered over the face of the earth were also separated from the holy line—a family through which God almost exclusively worked, that began with Shem. Actually, the line began after the death of Abel with Seth, the son of
Adam, and came down through Enoch to Noah and from Noah to Shem. From Shem the descent finally produced Abraham. After Babel, the scattered people were, in fact, not only separated from that holy line, but also from God's Word, which this family preserved and passed down. This was another tragic result of their sin!

Psalm 22:1 begins with perhaps the most heart-rending cry in history: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” As Matthew and Mark attest, Jesus Himself spoke these words as He was about to die: "And about the ninth hour [mid-afternoon] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46; see also Mark 15:34).

Our Savior's cry of abandonment marks His awareness that His Father had indeed turned from Him, being burdened and defiled by all human sin (Isaiah 53:6; II Corinthians. 5:21; Hebrews 2:9). As Isaiah 59:2 informs us, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Because He had never been sinful, Jesus had never known separation from the Father, and His feeling of desertion and rejection may have been the deepest cut of all.

Like the family in the corn maze we suddenly find ourselves lost, or separated from God and don't know what to do about it. The separation is not real in the sense of distance. It exists because like the Israelites, we have offended Him through acts of disloyalty in our breaking of His commands. This separation therefore has to be rectified. Thus, He can hear, but He will not hear because His mind is made up. We are giving no indication that, even though we are practicing aspects of His way, we want to be reconciled. Does it not seem logical that, if we really wanted to be reconciled, we would submit to Him? That we would be obedient to Him? That we would come to Him in an attitude of humility, seeking forgiveness?

As with Ephesus, we are looking at a people (us) who have not so much drifted from the doctrines but have changed in the way that they respect and apply them. The book of Hebrews was written to the Hebrew people in the first century who were drifting. Paul's Ephesus letter applies directly to them (Hebrews 2:1). The letter to Ephesus shows that they had let them slip or were in the process of doing so (Hebrews 2:2-3). The Ephesians had become neglectful losing their devotion to this way of life. This is a very stern warning: "I will remove your candlestick." He advises them, "Repent. Go back."

Keep in mind that one cannot go back to something that he did not previously have. This is a key to our separation from God. It will be a major key in re-unifying us-going back to what we had before: repenting, turning, going back. We must never forget that we are involved in a relationship with a real live Being, and He is not just any being but the One that we are to marry.

Would we want to marry someone who could take us or leave us? That is what happened to these people: They had lost their devotion to the relationship. They still had the doctrines, but their devotion was gone. They did not cherish Him anymore. They did not cherish the relationship, even though they had not walked away from the doctrines. Does this sound familiar? So He says, "Turn. Go back."

The power to love was still residing in them, but they would have to stir themselves up and use it. Love is what one does out of consideration for making the relationship better than it had ever been before. They needed to stir up the Spirit within them and return to the same zeal and devotion that they had shown at the beginning of their conversion. I am here to tell you that is exactly what we need to do. The Spirit is still there, as it always has been. We just need to rouse ourselves to action and find our way back home to God. Why not do it today?

Scripture: Leviticus 16:20-22; 2 Samuel 12:9-14; Psalm 22:3; Psalm 69:1-3; Isaiah 1:4; Ezekiel 20:12-13; Ezekiel 34:11-12; Luke 15:1-7; 1 Peter 2:25.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me find my way. I long for the light and only see darkness. Dear Lord I humbly ask that you guide me on my journey and be my light when I am lost. Amen

Praise God,

Edie

Adam and Eve: A Man, Woman, a Garden and Sin

Adam and Eve were the first people to populate God's new creation. They were placed by God in the Garden of Eden. It was a utopia unparalleled by human invention. Though the location of the Garden of Eden is a debatable topic, the description of it in Genesis leaves no question as to the beauty and extravagance of God's garden.

This was the perfect home for man. It was created before sin. Its beauty was perfect. The lush vegetation contained fruit trees never before known to man. This garden was full of color, a beautiful array of flowering colors, pleasing to the sight. The aroma was surely one of sweetness, and the food brought healing to Adam and Eve's mortal bodies. It was pure paradise.

Because of sin, they were driven from the garden and began a life that would end in physical death in a hostile environment. Their sin was the beginning of sin in God's creation, and human history from that day has felt its effects. Through the "seed" of the woman we see the first glimmer of hope for man, an answer for his sin.

In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we discover some important principles pertaining to the God’s creation of the world. First, that man is distinguished from the rest of God's creation (Gen. 1:1, 26). Secondly, that life comes from God (Gen. 2:7; Gen. 2:18, 21-22). And, that the role of women in marriage is determined by the purpose and order of her creation (1 Tim. 2:12-15). We also see some principles that pertain to marriage. These are, that marriage establishes a close union (Gen. 2:23); marriage creates a new home (Gen. 2:24); and that marriage is permanent (Mathew 19:4-6).

The main idea that most people to take away from the story of creation is how sin entered the world through Satan’s deception of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1, 6). As a result of their sin the consequences were: physical death; banishment from the tree of life (Gen. 3:19; 1 Cor.15:22; Rev. 22:2); woman's submission to her husband (Gen. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:11-15); pain in childbirth (Gen. 3:16); man will toil in order to eat (Gen. 3:17-19); spiritual death, "for all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12-14).

Put into simpler terms it means: Satan deceives (2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Pet. 5:8); Satan's deception includes the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17); sin causes pain and suffering; women are to submit to men; man must work; and spiritual death is a consequence of personal sin.

Now as bad and depressing as all of this might sound, God does offer a glimmer of hope. He offers a promise of forgiveness (Gen. 3:15; Rom. 16:20). What did this mean for sinful, disobedient man? It meant that God devised a plan for man's redemption (Eph. 1:4; Rom. 8:28-30), and that Satan will be crushed (Rev. 20:10).

Questions:

1. How is man different from the other forms of life in the world?
2. How is man created in the image of God?
3. In what ways is a wife to be a helper to her husband?
4. What was Jesus' answer when questioned about divorce?
5. What kind of influence should parents have on their married children?
6. What is the meaning of the statement, "Cursed is the ground for your sake" (Gen. 3:17)?
7. Is sin something we inherit? Prove your belief with scripture.
8. How was the temptation of Eve similar to the temptation of Jesus (Mat. 4)?
9. Why is there pain and suffering in the world?
10. When did God plan man's redemption? Cite scripture.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all that you do. The love of life, the peace in my heart all comes from your grace. Please help me to show your love and grace to others as you have done for me. Thank you Lord for being a part of my life. Amen

God bless you,

Team CHBM

Does Bitterness Rule Your Heart?

“I’ve had a few arguments with people,” comedian Buddy Hackett once confessed, “but I never carry a grudge. You know why? While you’re carrying a grudge, they’re out dancing!”

Are you carrying bitterness around in your heart? Bitterness is resentful cynicism that results in an intense hostility towards others. The Bible tells us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31) How? This is accomplished by being “kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

You see, bitterness is the most dangerous of all attitudes to healthy Christian living! If not checked, it will eat away the vitality of your spiritual life until your testimony is in shambles. Think of bitterness as a cancer of the soul, claiming millions of victims each year. It spreads faster than the common cold and, if left to its own devices, will destroy families and churches.

The problem with bitterness is that you can’t hide it, nor contain it! It spreads like a plague until it affects everyone around you. Some of you may be so bitter that you can’t talk about your husband or wife, parents or children, friends or relatives, pastor or church without expressing bitterness about how much they’ve hurt you. The reality is that life is full of hurts! Jesus himself warned, “it is impossible but that offences will come:” (Luke 17:1). Life is full of hurts and it always will be!

As long as you live, people are going to hurt you, offend you and disappoint you. But you don’t need to be the victim of their offenses. You can learn to rise above life’s disappointments. A good place to start is Ephesians 4:25-32. Here, the Apostle Paul gives us several keys to overcoming bitterness. Let’s take a look, shall we?

1) Stop lying and start telling the truth (Ephesians 4:25). Honest communication depends on honest conversation. Telling the truth builds bridges; lying builds barriers.

2) Stop hating and start loving (Ephesians 4:26-27). In this passage we are warned not to stay angry, because anger destroys communication. Anger will lead either to aggressive or depressive behavior. It causes us to strike out at others or to put ourselves down. Either way, its destructive force hurts us and those whom we are angry.

3) Stop stealing and start giving (Ephesians 4:28). Stealers are takers and selfish by nature! In personal relationships ask yourself, “Am I a giver or a taker?” Givers tend to see the worth and importance of other people and therefore are apt to bring out the best in others. Takers, on the other hand tend to see the world solely from their own standpoint.

4) Stop cutting people down and start building up (Ephesians 4:29-30). Some people excel at cutting down everything and everybody! This passage warns that such negative communication grieves the Spirit of God.

5) Stop overreacting and start acting like a Christian (Ephesians 4:31-32). Paul reminds us not to handle our problems like pagans. Don’t blow up, it only makes things worse! We start with bitterness, which soon leads to wrath and anger. This in turn leads to yelling at each other, which takes us on to evil speaking, blasphemy, or slander. And finally, we are led to malice which can result in a deliberate attempt to do bodily injury! Such behavior is not of God. It is a worldly response to problems, not a Christian response.

6) Stop retaliating and start forgiving (Ephesians 4:32). True Christians are know by their forgiving spirit. (Luke 17:5) Selfish and insecure people get angry quickly. They can never figure out why God’s world does not revolve around them and their plans, therefore they suppose that God doesn’t really care for them. In order to learn to forgive others effectively, we must ultimately see ourselves for what we really are...unprofitable servants, yet unconditionally loved by God. Only then are we in a proper position for God to work in our lives. Remember...forgiveness is the key!

Why not release the power of God in your life today! The scripture clearly states that wrong attitudes grieve the Holy Spirit and hamper work in our lives. We must put away all wrong feelings that stem from bitterness. We must learn to forgive others just as completely and totally as God has forgiven us. If you don’t know Him as your Savior, you can come to Him right now. If you do know Christ as your Savior, but you have let hurt turn to bitterness, ask God to forgive you and set you free!

Scripture: Numbers 14:19-21; Proverbs 20:22; Micah 7:18-19; Matthew 5:24; Matthew 5:44-45; Acts 10:43; Colossians 3:13; 1 John 1:9-10

Prayer:

Lord, grant me the strength to forgive others, and to excuse their transgressions against me, so I may truly reflect this spiritual fruit; to obliterate any persistent feelings of malice, to let each trespass end as a closing chapter, to continue on the road of righteousness, and forgive my sins as I aspire to forgive others. Amen

Peace be with you,

Heather

Have You Prayed Today?

Doctor Charles Parkhurst, distinguished preacher and reformer of New York, in an address in which he dealt with his early religious life related how he had often heard his father pray in the church, at the family altar, and at the family table. But it was only when he heard him praying aloud on his knees in the barn that he knew the reality of prayer and the deep reality of the religious life.

The Bible urges us to pray. Yet too many of us complain that prayers are not being answered. We have not received the results that we were looking for. Has God failed to keep his promises? Are Jesus' words empty and meaningless? If there is no answer to our prayers, the fault lies with us. We need to persistently search the Bible and, like the disciples, ask the Lord to teach us how to pray. God has laid down certain principles of prayer, which, if followed, assure us of God's answer to every humble request we make. Let's take a look a some of these principles now and the rest next time...

First, we are to pray according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15). We must not forget to recognize that God is Lord of all things. Who are we to tell the almighty, all-wise God what he must do and how he must do it? God knows better than we know! Too often we think that we cannot live unless we have our way. In everything we need, let us always pray that the will of God be done.

Secondly, when we go to the Lord in prayer, sins may form a barrier between us and him. Therefore, it only makes sense that these sins need to be removed. There's just one catch. We can't remove them ourselves. Jesus must remove our sins! Fortunately for us, He has done this by the blood of the cross. Because of this unselfish act, in the name of Jesus we can approach the prayer-answering God. If we come to God through Christ, in other words, pray in the name of Jesus, we will find a loving Father who can lift our burdens or give strength to bear them (John 14:13-14).

Lastly, sometimes, for various reasons which are too lengthy to list here, we just don't have it in us to pray as we should. In those times of weakness, or where we can't find the right words to say, the Holy Spirit will pray on our behalf. The Holy Spirit, who knows our thoughts and what is in our hearts, helps us by stepping in and praying for us (Romans 8:26). Now that's an extremely comforting thought!

Dear friends, what I want you to take away from this message is not that you feel guilty about your lack of a prayer life. I want you to feel hungry for a greater prayer life. I want you to come to see prayer not as a duty but as a privilege. I want you to pray not because of our battle with Satan, or because of the pain of those around you. I want you to pray because of the sweetness that comes from spending time with the Father!

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7; Ephesians 6:18; Mark 11:22-25

Prayer:

"Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, understanding to know thee, diligence to seek thee, wisdom to find thee, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee." -Thomas Aquinas

May God bless you always,

Ginger

Bible Study Snacks, Romans 13:1-14

Hi, everyone!

I'd like to thank you for joining me as we continue our journey through the Book of Romans. I hope that all is going well in your life! It is also my most sincere hope that you'll find these Bible Study Snacks helpful and spiritually enlightening in your walk with God. In this session, we will study a new chapter. The chapter is Romans, Chapter 13, verses 1-14.

Here is this week's study in summary...

Continuing to instruct concerning the "transformed life," Paul now discusses the Christian's responsibilities to governmental authorities. Understanding that all governments are in power due to the providence of God, and that they serve as ministers of God to avenge the evil doer, Christians are admonished to submit to "the powers that be." This submission involves payment of taxes and having respect for those in authority.

Paul's next message deals with the importance of love and moral purity. Christians are to be indebted to no one, save to love one another. When love is properly demonstrated, even the requirements of the Law are adequately met. This admonition to love, however, is carefully balanced with the reminder that time is short and it is imperative that Christians maintain moral purity. This is done by Christians putting on the Lord Jesus and not making provision for the fulfilling of the lusts of the flesh.

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 13:1-14. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. Let Paul speak to you through his writings as if he were right there with you, sharing his story in person.

This week’s study questions:

1. Who are we to subject ourselves to (Romans 13:1)?
2. Why is it that we are to subject ourselves to them in this way (Romans 13:1)?
3. When a man rebels against this authority, who else is he resisting (Romans 13:2)?
4. What happens as a result of this rebellion (Romans 13:2)?
5. How do we get rid of our fear of the governmental authorities (Romans 13:3)?
6. What are the governmental authorities called in Romans 13:4?
7. What therefore is the responsibility of the governmental authorities (Romans 13:4)?
8. Besides fearing what the government might do to you if it catches you doing something wrong, what is the other reason we are to submit to the government (Romans 13:5)?
9. According to Romans 13:6, what are taxes for?
10. What does Paul say about all the preferential treatment the government might expect (Romans 13:7)?
11. What does Romans 13:8 say about debt?
12. What command summarizes the others (Romans 13:8,9)?
13. Complete this sentence from Romans 13:10, “Love is the ___________ of the law.”
14. According to Romans 13:11, what are we to be doing now?
15. List the behaviors he tells us to avoid (Romans 13:12-13)?
16. Memorize Romans 13:14. Put a check here once you have completely memorized it.
17. How are we to respond to those people who would encourage us to rebel against a wicked and corrupt government (Romans 13:13:1-7)? Does our response change if our own constitution mandates a rebellion against evil rulers?

Finally, after answering the study questions, re-read Romans Romans 13:1-14. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through our studies together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri