Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Be Patient, God Has it All Under Control!

A woman, after suffering many losses, went to a great doctor for sympathy. After being in his study for some time, she suddenly exclaimed, "I've got it! I've got it!"

The surprised doctor immediately asked what she had got. Instead of answering directly she pointed to a text over the mantelpiece, on which were the words "THOU REMAINEST," and said, "I see now that no matter how much I lose, God remains, and He is all I need."   -Gospel Gleaners

There are always those times when it seems that Satan is getting the best of us. Sometimes it’s a little hard to maintain your faith and trust in God when everything is going against us, and we are in the middle of one of the greatest battles of our life.

But, it is in those times that we need the Lord more than ever. It is in those times that our faith, and trust in God is really put to the test. This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, in our walk with the Lord.

It is easy to live for God and trust in Him when all is going well. It is not so easy to do so when the weight of the whole world is upon our shoulders. Too many Christians bail out on God as soon as the storms get rough.

If your life is in the middle of turmoil, and the waves of temptation are about to swamp you, look up and put your trust in God. For that is the moment that He is really putting your faith to the test; to see if you will pass or fail. That is the moment when your trust is built. That is the moment that your relationship with God will really show its true depth.

Without God’s loving correction, and faithful discipline, we would never develop spiritual strength and endurance. If the Lord didn't permit threatening conditions to come into our lives, we’d soon succumb to feelings of self-sufficiency and overconfidence.

We must not forget that God has promised us that we would never be tempted above what we are able to bear. But with every temptation, every trial, every test, every trouble, He will make a way for us to escape and win the victory. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Nor did God ever promise that we wouldn't have hard times. He never promised that we would sail through life without troubles. What He did promise is that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He promised that He would supply our every need. He promised in Psalms 55:22, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

The longer I live, the more I realize that everything is in God’s hands. When I was younger I was more inclined to solve everything with my own ability. Now, after many years of trials, tests and troubles, I am just beginning to get a real glimpse of what living by faith really means.

Faith says that everything will work out, when it seems that everything is crumbling around me. Faith says that my bills will be paid, when I can’t see how they will in the natural sense. Faith says that God will take care of me, and that I must force myself to stop being overly concerned with the future. Faith says that I know, that somehow, God will work it all out. And that when He does, I will be so greatly blessed for having faced all that is happening right now.

If you are facing great trials and tests right now, then lift up your head. Look to Jesus because your answer is already on the way. Don’t allow Satan to destroy your victory. Don’t allow him to convince you that all is lost. Don’t listen to his deceiving, lying voice. Listen to voice of the Lord and the Word of God and lift up your head for your redemption is closer than you think.

Wait upon the Lord. Put your faith and trust in Him and He will let your spirit soar above this world. He will lift your spirit upon eagle’s wings, and you will be strengthened for the journey ahead. Only by patient waiting, placing your whole-hearted faith in Jesus, and trusting in Him totally, will you have your strength renewed.

God has it all under control. If you are a Child of the Most High God, then look up; for your Father sees your need and your answer is already on the way! 

Scripture: Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 21:22;  Ephesians 2:8; Luke 1:37

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi

Video - Beth Moore: The Devil's Threats

Beth Moore discusses how trusting God means rejecting the threats of the enemy. Powerful message here!  ~Eve

Bible Study Snacks, Acts 23:1-10

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks! I hope everyone had a nice week! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Twenty-three, Verses 1-10.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

"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"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

 1) Consider the events of Paul before the Sanhedrin.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 23:1-10...  

When Paul is before the Sanhedrin council, he states that he has lived in "all good conscience before God." Ananias, the high priest, commands that he be struck on the mouth. Paul responds, not knowing that he is the high priest, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" Those standing nearby ask Paul if he would "revile" the high priest. Paul then quotes the scriptures, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people."

Paul recognizes that there are Sadducees and Pharisees present in the Sanhedrin. He makes it known that he is a Pharisee, and that he is being judged concerning "the hope and resurrection of the dead." This causes a dissension among the Sanhedrin, as the Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection and the Pharisees do believe in the resurrection. The scribes of the Pharisees speak out that they find nothing evil in Paul. The Roman commander becomes afraid that harm will come to Paul, so he orders the soldiers to take Paul back to the barracks. (1-10)

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) How did Paul begin his address to the Sanhedrin? (Acts 23:1)
2) How did the high priest Ananias respond? (Acts 23:2)
3) Why did Paul take issue with that action? (Acts 23:3)
4) Did Paul know that Ananias was the high priest?  (Acts 23:4-5)
5) What did Paul recognize (or "perceive") about the council? (Acts 23:6)
6) For what did Paul say he was being judged? (Acts 23:6)
7) What was the noted difference between the Sadducees and Pharisees? (Acts 23:7-8)
8) Who said, "We find no evil in this man?" What was their recommendation? (Acts 23:9)
9) Why did the commander order that Paul be taken to the barracks? (Acts 23:10)
 

After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just 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

Where Are You in Your Relationship to the Shepherd?

"Objects are lost because people look where they are not;  instead of where they are."   -Henry L. Miller

Luke 15 has been called God’s Lost and Found Department. In these 32 verses, Jesus uses no less that 4 illustrations dealing with the lost and with God’s desire to see them saved and restored to fellowship with Himself. Luke 15:3-7 records the Illustration of the Lost Sheep. Luke 15:8-10 records the Illustration of the Lost Silver. Luke 15:11-24 gives us the Illustration of the Lost Son. And, Luke 15: 25-32 relates the Illustration of the Lost Sibling.

The backdrop for these “heavenly stories with earthly meanings” is found in Luke 15:1-2. In these verses, Jesus is seen reaching out to the lost and dying. We are told that “publicans and sinners” came to hear Him preach. Publicans were also known as “tax collectors."

These people worked for the Roman government and were despised by the Jews because they were friendly with the enemy and they placed on the people harsh and unfair tax burdens. Sinners, on the other hand, referred to the Jews who did not keep the Mosaic Law, and were looked down on by the Pharisees and other religious peoples.

It was these poor people who no one cared about that Jesus reached out to! In fact, He stated that as His very reason for coming into the world (Luke 19:10; Mark 2:17). Yet, when these people gathered themselves around Jesus, to hear Him teach, the religious establishment went crazy and began to criticize Jesus for “receiving” sinners.

The word “receiveth” means “to allow access to oneself”. The very people the religious world should have been reaching out to, were the very ones they shunned. Jesus, on the other hand, came to the world for lost, hurting, sinful people, and He reached out the them.

Jesus, knowing the hard hearts of these religious people, told them the parable that makes up the verses of this chapter. In this parable, Jesus uses four illustrations to teach them the value of every lost soul. He even uses this parable to teach them that they themselves might not be as secure as t hey thought they were.

Today, let's examine Luke 15:3-7, otherwise known as the Parable of the Lost Sheep. One day a shepherd counts his sheep. He expects to find 100 in his flock, but is dismayed to discover that one of the flock is missing. Motivated by the danger to the sheep and the loss to himself, the shepherd takes immediate action to restore this sheep to its proper place in the fold.

In this vivid account of searching, saving and shouting, we can see a clear picture of the love, longing and labor of the Lord Jesus for the lost. Starting with Luke 15:4 we see an emerging picture of the shepherd's compassion. We see his compassion for: a lost sheep, a lone sheep, a loved sheep.

This little sheep is in great danger! It is headed for ruin. It is headed for destruction. The shepherd knows this and is concerned about the condition of the sheep. He is moved to do something to save this lost sheep. By the way, this sheep is lost because it wandered away. It is lost by its own fault!

This sheep may have wandered away from the shepherd, but it was still precious to Him. There was value in that sheep and the shepherd wanted it returned to his flock. He cared about that one little lost sheep.

We know that only one sheep was missing, yet the shepherd still went. Another shepherd might have counted the personal cost and decided to let that one sheep go and be lost forever. But, this shepherd saw the value in just one sheep and he went after it.

Next, in Luke 15:5 we see the shepherd's commitment to his sheep. This was a two-fold commitment. It was a sacrificial commitment. For the shepherd, the search was dangerous and death was a possibility. And it was a successful commitment. The shepherd did not stop until his mission had been completed and the sheep had been found!

Finally, in Luke 15:6-7 we see the shepherd's conquest. It involves rescue  The sheep has been found and is rescued from the danger in which it had been! It involves rest. The sheep is not responsible for getting itself home. It may have wandered away, but the getting home is the responsibility of the shepherd! It involves rejoicing. This shepherd was able to rejoice with his friends and neighbors because his lost sheep was found. He was overjoyed with the rescue of this one, lost sheep!

So, where are you in your relationship to the Shepherd? Are you lost out on the dark mountains of sin? Do you need to be rescued today? If so, then you can be saved if you will come to Jesus! Others are saved, but are you as close to Him as you need to be today? If there is a need in your walk with Jesus, talk to Him about it.

Scripture: Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:12-14; John 10:11; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:17; James 5:19-20

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray in Jesus' name that You would draw to Your son Jesus Christ those who do not know Him as Savior. We pray, Father, that they would be drawn in true repentance and by faith and by hearing Your Gospel of truth they would come to know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Kelsee

When Nothing Short of a Miracle Will Do!

Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote: "Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning. He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years."

"We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all. Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."  -Our Daily Bread, May 16, 1992

What do you need more of? What is it this morning that you find you have a shortage of? Maybe you don’t have a shortage of water or food, but you do have a shortage of patience, maybe you’re in a "hope" drought. You've lost all hope in the situation you find yourself today.

Or, maybe you’re saying, "I need more strength, I’m worn out, exhausted." For some of you, you’re greatest shortage, is a shortage of time. Perhaps, you’re greatest drought is in the area of finances. And, nothing short of a miracle will do!

Well, whatever the greatest area of drought in your life is today; whatever it is that you’re experiencing a shortage of; I want you to listen very closely. Because through the drought that Elijah experienced (see: 1 Kings 17:8-16), God wants to show us how He’s able to turn the little you have into a lot!

The miracle that I'm talking about today is strikingly similar to the miracle Jesus performed not once, not twice, but 3 different times when he took a few loaves of bread and a few fish and multiplied them for over 5000 people. Because this miracle is repeated so many times in the bible, I’m convinced that it’s not just something that God meant for us to read about and then put on a "shelf" somewhere; to be admired and dusted off occasionally.

In fact, I believe this miracle is meant to be repeated over and over again, in the lives of needy believers; to meet the problems and shortages that God’s children are faced with.This miracle keeps popping up in scripture, to emphasize a point! And the point is this, God is able to meet your impossible need!

If you’re facing a drought today, I want you to see 5 instructions the Lord gave to Elijah in order to provide for his need…(or 5 instructions to get out of your drought!) God tells Elijah, if he's going to survive, he's going to have to do the following:

1) Leave your comfort zone. Let's be honest here. Too many times, we've become passive with our pain. And until we realize how big the problem is, and how drastic the drought is in our lives, we won’t search for a solution. In other words, if you don’t think you have a problem, you don’t need a miracle! On the other hand, listen, the bigger the problem, the bigger the need; and the bigger the miracle God will provide to meet it!

2) Let go of your fear. When the fear of change overwhelms you, you need to remember these 3 things: God knows where you are, God knows where you're going, God has already prepared a place. Wherever God tells us to go, He’s already there taking care of all the "what if's." So, if you want God to perform a miracle in your life, you can’t try and position yourself by doing what you think will get you to your goal. You just have to go! Replace your fear with the faith that God has already taken care of the details!

3) Look for God's provision. If you’re going to get out of a drought, you need to know that God has already provided for everything you need. Just as God spoke to the widow ahead of time, God is speaking to someone right now about your need. And, at the proper time He’ll use them to meet it! But, it may not necessarily be in the way you think!

4) Lose your pride. Somehow (and I haven’t got this all figured out yet), God puts people together who need each other’s different gifts. Thus,  they help each other find a solution to one another’s personal droughts. Elijah and the widow needed each other. Elijah needed food, this woman needed faith. This woman had food, but it wouldn't last very long without Elijah’s faith!

5) Lend what you have left, to God. If you want a miracle in your life, you can’t hold anything back from God! You might think, "God, I’ll give you anything, except this relationship!" "God, I’ll give you everything, but this activity is mine!" "God, you can have it all, but I reserve this one little thing for me!" Know what? That "one little thing" may be keeping God from working a big thing in your life!

Jesus said, "All things are possible to him who believes, and with God, all things are possible!" So no matter how big your need, don’t worry about God, He can handle it. He’s not intimidated by it! Now, He won’t do what you can do for yourself, but He will pick-up where our human limitations end. Simply put, the point of today's message is: "What we want God to do for us… He waits to do through us!"

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7-8; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 10:17; Ezekiel 22:31; James 1:27; Isaiah 45:8

Prayer:  Lord, do not lessen any of my sufferings, Only give me strength to bear them. Do with me as You please, Lord, Only give me the grace to be able to love You, In every event and circumstances. Lord, do not lessen my cup of bitterness, Only give me strength That I may be able to drink it all. Amen.

God bless you all!

Heather

There Is No Easy Answer to "Why?"

"You never know how much you really believe anything, until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong, as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it?"    -C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Why? The question rings across the centuries and through every generation. All of us ask it sooner or later. If you haven’t yet, you will. It’s a question that does not admit of an easy answer. Yes, the most godly believers have sometimes wondered about the ways of God. And if Job never got a complete answer, what can I expect?

Honestly, as I read the Bible I don’t think there is one single answer to that question. But there are answers. And men and women of faith have found them true throughout the centuries. One answer tucked away in the Bible may surprise you. It's found in a New Testament book we don’t read very much: Second Corinthians.

In the first verses of the first chapter, we discover a perspective on the heartaches of life that may help us. After a brief greeting to his readers (2 Corinthians 1:1-2), Paul (along with Timothy) wishes grace and peace to his readers in Corinth and throughout the surrounding region.

He immediately begins to talk about the comfort he had received during the hardship he had endured as an apostle of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, set the stage for the whole book by plainly saying that no matter what he had suffered, it was more than worth it.

Here we learn right up front an important principle for all of life. It’s not what happens to us that matters; it’s how we react that makes all the difference. In other words, when hard times come, be a student, not a victim!” Think about that for a moment.

A victim says, “Why did this happen to me?”
A student says, “What can I learn from this?”

A victim believes his hard times have come because God is trying to punish him.
A student understands that God allows hard times in order to help him grow.

A victim believes God has abandoned him.
A student sees God’s hand in everything, including the worst moments of life.

That’s the true Christian position.We believe so much in the sovereignty of God, that when hard times come, we know, that God is at work somehow, somewhere, in some way for our good and his glory. Paul says as much in Romans 8:28. As he begins this second letter to the Corinthians, he spells out the same truth in a slightly different way. Here we discover how affliction works four positive benefits for us.

First, it draws us closer to God. There is a divine purpose at work in your life and in mine, and that divine purpose begins with God. Paul calls him the “Father of compassion.” We never discover the depth of God’s compassion until we get in a place where we need God’s compassion desperately. You don’t receive mercy until you are in real trouble!

Second, it equips us to minister to others. In 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, Paul looked at his sufferings– the hardship, deprivation, imprisonment, the unrelenting opposition he faced, and he concluded, “This isn't just for me. God is doing something in me for the benefit of others." We never suffer alone.

Third, it empties us of all self-reliance. We don’t know the exact nature of the hardships Paul suffered in Asia (modern-day Turkey). It might have been extreme opposition from the Jewish leaders. It might have been some sort of serious physical ailment. Whatever it was, the Corinthians knew about it and they understood that Paul thought during his ordeal that he was going to die. He writes to tell of God’s deliverance and to ask the Corinthians for their prayers. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

Fourth, it reveals the true power of prayer. Many times we view prayer as the last resort when it ought to be the first resort. I know that prayer sometimes seems futile because we think we need to “do something.” Praying is fine, but how about if we bake a cake? Well, that’s fine too.

But don’t fall into the trap of separating life into the “spiritual” and the “practical.” As if baking a cake is “real help,” while prayer is just something spiritual we do when we can’t do anything else. Very nearly the opposite is true. Through prayer we unleash the power of heaven for the problems we face on the earth. So we ought to pray more, not less in times of trouble. Our prayers do matter!

My friends, no one is exempt from the trials of life. Becoming a Christian is wonderful but it does not free you from the burdens of life. In many ways becoming a Christian may increase your troubles because of spiritual opposition you face. When hard times come, we only have two choices: we can suffer with God, or we can suffer without God.

Some believers never discover this truth. They are perpetual complainers when things get difficult. Life is never fair, they always get the short end of the stick, God has singled them out for punishment. They constantly fight against God’s perspective on their trials and remain tough and hardened when they ought to be soft and tender. As a result, they have nothing to pass along to anyone else. I ask each and every one of you, "What kind of believer are you?'

Scripture: John 14:12-14; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:15; Mark 9:24; John 8:24; Ephesians 2:8

Prayer: Dear Lord Almighty, I come to you as a Humble Child, You know what I seek before I say, You what I need before I could even ask, I ask you Dear Father to be with me in these hard times.When all my hope, faith and strength are fading Father lift me up. Make me see your light. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Cyndi

In This World, Disappointments Will Come

"Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment;
Trust in money and you may have it taken from you;
But trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity."   -D.L. Moody

Everyone knows disappointment sooner or later. Friends break their word, marriages end in divorce, our children move away and never call us, colleagues betray us, the company lays us off, doctors can’t cure us, our investments disappear, our dreams are shattered, the best-laid plans go astray, other Christians disappoint us, and very often, we disappoint ourselves. We live in a world of disappointment, and if we do not come to grips with this truth, we are doomed to be unhappier tomorrow than we are today.

Unfortunately, disappointment is an inevitable fact of life. For as long as we are alive, there will be highs and lows, ups and downs, laughter and weeping, happiness and sadness. Our lives can sometimes feel like a roller coaster ride. All of us battle feelings of disappointment when life goes wrong. When our dreams become shattered and our hope and expectation fails, disappointment is the natural result. Pain is inevitable. Why? Because we live in this world and as long as we are in this world, disappointments will come.

English author Joseph Addison declared, “Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and disappointments.” We have all heard the story of Alexander the Great who wept because there were no more worlds to conquer. Hugo Grotius, the father of modern international law, said, “I have accomplished nothing worthwhile in my life.”

John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the U.S.—wrote in his diary: “My life has been spent in vain and idle aspirations.” And this is the epitaph written by famed author Robert Louis Stevenson: “Here lies one who meant well, who tried a little, and failed much.” Cecil Rhodes opened up Africa and established an empire, but what were his dying words? “So little done, so much to do.”

Dr. Jerome Frank at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore talks about “our assumptive world.” He means that we all make certain assumptions about life. Often our assumptions are unstated. Deep down, we believe that if we do certain things, others will treat us in a certain way.

We assume that we have earned certain things out of life. If those expectations are not met, we are disappointed. There is a strong correlation between good mental health and having assumptions that match reality.

And there is a high correlation between misplaced assumptions and a variety of emotional problems, including depression. Put simply, we are disappointed when things don’t go the way we thought they were going to go. Wrong expectations lead to disappointment, and disappointment leads to despair.

There are times when we all need a new beginning with God. Sometimes we need a new beginning because of our own sin. Sometimes the circumstances of life have so defeated us that we need a fresh start. Sometimes we feel that hope is gone forever. And in those moments, we must do what the Jews did. We must return to the altar of sacrifice (Ezra 3:5-6).

For Christians, that means returning to the cross of Jesus Christ where his blood was shed for our sins. That’s why I often say, “Run to the cross!” And not just for the unsaved but for Christians, too. We all need the healing that comes from the cross of Jesus Christ. And we need it every day.

It is a great advance in the spiritual life if you can praise the Lord even when things are not going well. In the midst of the devastation of Jerusalem, with only the foundation of the temple relaid, with rubble on every hand, after returning to find their homeland controlled by their enemies, still the people said with one voice, “God is good.” That’s true faith.

Anyone can praise God when the sun in shining, all the bills are paid, your marriage is strong, your kids are doing well, you just got a raise, and the future is bright. It’s something else to praise God when things are far from perfect. It’s a great thing to be able to look at your life and say, “It’s not what I wish it was, but God is still good to me.”

Disappointment may cause us to become bitter, and bitterness may make us lethargic toward the duties of life. We may find a thousand excuses not to do the things we know we ought to do. And little by little things begin to slide, jobs are not done, chores are not finished, projects are left uncompleted, phone calls are not returned, appointments are not met, messages are not answered, papers are not written, goals are not met, and down we slide into a bottomless pit of despair.

The answer is so simple that we often miss it. Resolve in your heart that you will obey God right where you are. No excuses. No delays. No hoping for better days, happier times, or more favorable circumstances. If things aren't what you wish they were, roll up your sleeves anyway and go to work. Who knows? Your willingness to do what needs to be done may change the way things are.

And even if the situation does not improve, you can hardly make it worse by doing what needs to be done. And if you somehow make it worse, at least you have the satisfaction of knowing that you made it worse by doing your duty, not by giving up and throwing in the towel. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10a).

Certainly, disappointment is a tricky emotion. It’s not wrong to remember the past and it’s certainly not wrong to grieve over what you lost. If our loss was caused by our own stupid choices, then grieving may keep us from making the same mistakes again. But eventually there comes a time when we must move on. At that point our beginnings are likely to be small and insignificant.

In closing, do not despair! From tiny acorns mighty oaks someday grow. When God wanted to save the world, he started with a baby in a manger. Small beginnings are no hindrance to the Lord. Go ahead and get started. You never know what God will do.

How long are you going to allow your future to be defined by your past? How long will you choose to stay in your disappointment? Don’t despise your present because it’s not what you wanted it to be or because it’s not what your past used to be.

Lay your disappointments at the foot of the cross. Let Jesus have them. Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Give thanks for all your blessings. Then by God’s grace, move forward with your life, determined to serve the Lord.

Scripture: Romans 8:28; Colossians 3:23-25; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 John 5:13-14; Matthew 6:6; Mark 11:24; Romans 5:5

Prayer: Heavenly Father, get me through the desert of disappointment. Send an oasis time, and then nudge me forward until I reach the end of the desert and can once again drink at the joyful spring. I pray in the matchless, compassionate name of Jesus, Amen.

May God be with you,

Alexis

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Are You Stuck in a Valley of Dry Bones?

If you could buy a cure-all pill that was guaranteed to heal any sickness, how valuable would it be to you? Wouldn't you guard it? Keep it close? Think of it as very precious? God's Word has solutions to all mankind's ills, and yet sometimes Christians don't even bother to read it!

I have a question for you this week: "Can dead, dry bones live?"

Let's begin, by looking at Ezekiel 37. God had called His people, the Jews, out of captivity in Egypt. For over 100 years, they had been in Egyptian captivity. God brought them into the Promised Land, and gave them a land and a King, and made them a nation. But, they turned against God, and God allowed them to go into captivity once again.

Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian army invaded Israel. They had reduced Solomon’s Temple to ashes, and had taken many of the Jewish people back to Babylon as captives. This is the condition that Ezekiel is in. The nation of Israel is dead. But, God has a vision for Ezekiel.

(Ezekiel 37:1-2) Ezekiel is carried to a valley full of very dry bones. I want you to imagine this scene with me. These bones are scattered everywhere, very white, very dry. Bones are all over the place, scattered by the wild animals so that there is nothing but miscellaneous bones as far as the eye can see.

For Ezekiel, this is a vision of the nation of Israel (Ezekiel 37:11). There was no way that Israel could get themselves out of Babylonian captivity. They were like these dead, dry bones, in a graveyard, dead in a hopeless situation.

Maybe this describes some of you today. You look around you, and it seems hopeless. Everything seems to have gone wrong. Your life is a mess, or at least it’s not what you want it to be. You see yourself in a valley of dead, dry bones.

(Ezekiel 37:3a) Look at the question. Ezekiel is looking at millions of dead, dry bones scattered about 100’s of square miles, and God asks him, “Can these bones live?” How would you answer that question?

When you look at your situation, and all you see is a valley of dead, dry bones, you don’t see much hope, do you? It’s hard to imagine those dead, dry bones having life. It’s hard to imagine your situation ever getting better. It’s hard to imagine life, beyond our present circumstances.

Israel has been taken captive by Babylon. Ezekiel can’t see much hope for his people. But, he answers God’s question (Ezekiel 37:3). “Can these bones live?” “I don’t see how, if they do, it will be up to You, Lord!”

Ezekiel is telling God that God is in charge, in control. God can do whatever He wants to do. With God, nothing is impossible. If God wants these dead, dry bones to live, they’ll live! How? Ezekiel gives us the 2-Fold Plan Of God, to bring life to these bones.

1) The Word (Ezekiel 37:4). Ezekiel is told to preach to these dead, dry bones. Can you imagine, preaching to a bunch of bones? Ezekiel begins to preach to these dead, dry bones, and says, “Dry bones, listen to what God has to say.” He must have felt rather foolish! But, Ezekiel continues to speak to all these bones (Ezekiel 37:5-6).

Then, something begins to happen  right before his eyes (Ezekiel 37:7-8). The bones came together (imagine the noise); muscle, flesh, and skin began to surround the skeletons. Laying before him were 1000’s of corpses! Bodies, but no life. What is the key here? It is the Word of God (Ezekiel 37:4).

Dear reader, if you are struggling, if your Christian life seems dry and dehydrated, if you are spiritually thirsty, then dive into the Water of God’s Word. That’s where you’ll find spiritual refreshment!

2) We can see that Ezekiel had 1000’s of corpses laying on the ground with no life in them. Something more is needed than just the preaching of the Word of God. What is it? The Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 37:9-10)! Remember (Genesis 2:7). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” 

It’s the Holy Spirit who takes the Word of God, and gives it the power to give life to a dead soul. It’s our responsibility to give it out so the Holy Spirit can use it to give life. Do you know someone who is struggling, who is discouraged, who is all dried up, who is in need of a friend, or a word of encouragement? God is calling YOU to be the tool, or instrument for the Holy Spirit to use to bring life to their thirsty soul.

Do you know someone who is lost, who is going to spend eternity in Hell, who is without eternal life, without hope, without Christ? God is calling YOU to be the tool, or instrument for the Holy Spirit to use to bring His Word, and life, to their lost soul.

So in closing, I ask you: "Can dead, dry bones live?" With God, nothing is impossible. Sometimes we look around us, and all we see is a valley of dry, dead bones. It looks pretty hopeless, it looks pretty devastating, it looks pretty grim. 

But, God has a plan. Get into His Word, and He’ll speak to you. Yield to the Holy Spirit, and He will give YOU a new life. Can dead, dry bones live? With God, nothing is impossible. 

If you have never trusted Jesus to save you, you are still living in the graveyard of dead, dry bones. God has a plan. Believe His Word, when it says that Jesus paid your sin-debt on the cross. Trust Him to save you, and the Holy Spirit will give you a new life!

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi

Bible Study Snacks, Acts 22:24-30

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks! I hope everyone had a nice week! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Twenty-two, Verses 24-30.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

"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"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

 1) Understand how Paul uses his Roman citizenship to avoid scourging.
2) Observe Paul being taken before the Sanhedrin council.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 22:24-30...  

The Roman commander orders Paul to be brought into the barracks. The commander wants to know why they shout so against Paul. He orders that Paul is be examined under scourging. The soldiers bind Paul with thongs. Paul asks the centurion standing nearby, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?" The centurion tells this to the commander.

The commander asks Paul if he is a Roman citizen, and Paul affirms that he is. The commander then indicates that he has purchased his citizenship at a great price; however, Paul notes that he is a Roman by birth. The soldiers are frightened by this. They are afraid because they had just bound a Roman citizen, and they are about to scourge him.

The commander still wants to know why he is accused by the Jews. The next day, Paul is released from his bonds. The chief priests and the council are commanded to appear, and Paul is brought before them. (24-30) 

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Why did the commander want to bind and scourge Paul? (Acts 22:24)
2) What did Paul ask the centurion, as they were binding him? (Acts 22:25)
3) What was the reaction to Paul's question? (Acts 22:26-29)
4) Who was Paul set before next and why?  Was he still bound? (Acts 22:30)
 
After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just 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

Video - Beth Moore: Questioning God

Beth Moore explains why God sometimes allows us to walk through difficult circumstances, so that we ask Him the right questions!  Enjoy!  ~Eve

May the Holy Spirit Guide Us

"May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God's presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of my self as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love."   -Andrew Murray

Throughout the centuries there have been debates and misunderstandings concerning the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Some think of The Holy Spirit as an “it”, an impersonal being or a “divine force.” He is neither. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity—just as much God as the Father and the Son.

Gregory of Nazianzus writes, “The deity of the Holy Spirit ought to be clearly recognized in Scripture. Look at these facts: Christ is born; the Spirit is His forerunner. Christ is baptized; the Spirit bears witness. Christ is tempted; the Spirit leads Him up. Christ ascends; the Spirit takes His place.

What great things are there in the character of God which are not found in the Spirit? What titles which belong to God are not also applied to Him? He is called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the mind of Christ, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of adoption, of truth, of liberty; the Spirit of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge, of godliness, of the fear of God. This only begins to show how unlimited He is."

In order to consider the unlimited power, and work of the Holy Spirit, let's look at the various works of the Holy Spirit that Jesus told us He would accomplish in our lives. First, the Holy Spirit convicts the heart (John 16:7-8). Thus, the Holy Spirit removes all doubt of our guilt from our heart.

Three major aspects of the ministry of the Holy Spirit are described in John 16:8-15:

1. To the world—conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
2. To the disciples—direction and truth.
3. To Jesus—revealing him more perfectly to and through those who represent him.

The key to this first aspect of the Spirit’s ministry is the word "convict" (elencho). The KJV translates it "reprove," but that rendering is not strong enough. The word is a legal term that means "to pronounce a judicial verdict by which the guilt of the culprit at the bar of justice is defined and fixed." The Spirit does not merely accuse men of sin, he brings to them an inescapable sense of guilt so that they realize their shame and helplessness before God.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit reveals to us our inability to save ourselves. He has come to convict a sinful, unbelieving world that is consequently lost and unable to save itself. As He reveals our sin He reveals our shortcomings. Romans 3:22-23 says, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

Secondly, the Holy Spirit convinces the heart (John 16: 9-15). In other words, the Holy Spirit convinces us of our need to believe. How?

1. The Holy Spirit reveals the evil of rejecting God’s message. “…in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;

2. The Holy Spirit reveals the holiness of God. “…in regard to righteousness because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;…”

3. The Holy Spirit reveals the victory over Satan. “…and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”

According to the Expositor’s Bible Commentary, "the Cross was the utter condemnation and defeat of the "prince of this world." "Condemned" is in the perfect tense (kekritai), which expresses a settled state. Satan is already under judgment; the sentence is fixed and permanent."

The Holy Spirit convinces us of our present and future victory (John 16:12-15). Jesus said, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”

Put into simple terms:

1. The Holy Spirit guides us.
2. The Holy Spirit speaks to us.
3. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s glory to us.
4. The Holy Spirit gives us all things.

Finally, the Holy Spirit is able to move upon the human heart in ways that we often would not believe, prior to seeing it take place. But He does so in a powerful way to make us aware of His presence, and of our own needs.

Scripture: Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Luke 11:13; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Isaiah 11:2; Luke 4:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17

Prayer: Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. Amen
-Saint Augustine 

May God bless you,

Regina

God Can Help Us Change for the Better!

"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be."  -Thomas a'Kempis

I am here today to talk about change. Change is a tough thing to swallow. Whether you’re being asked to deal with some new policy changes at work, or you’re being replaced by something newer and better… change is no fun.

Lots of things may change during the course of our lives… and not all of them good! But, whether we like it or not… things change! It’s inevitable and unavoidable. Think about it, without change, life would quickly become dull and unbearably boring. Can you imagine wearing the same clothes, and having the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday?

Change is also a necessary part of life… it’s essential to our growth. I like what a famous inventor once said, “The world hates change, yet it’s the only thing that’s brought progress.” That’s true. But many of us fight change tooth and nail. When life drops unexpected changes in our laps… our first reaction is to fight them!

Let me tell you why. We fight change for at least 3 reasons:  First, change changes routines. Let’s face it… we like things to remain the same. Change messes with our carefully constructed routines and traditions.

Second, change changes commitments. It’s a fact of life that a change costs! It costs time, it costs money.  That’s one of the reasons I don’t change my car's oil when I’m supposed to. I don’t have either! Some people are open to change as long as it doesn't inconvenience or cost them anything. (In other words, they’re not open to change!)

And thirdly, the #1 reason that we resist and fight change, is because change changes us! That’s a scary thought! Nobody likes to admit that they might have to change. My goodness! That’s like admitting that we might be wrong, or admitting we might not be perfect! The hardest thing in the world to change is a habit. First we form our habits and then our habits form us. 

Seriously, it’s not easy to change our attitudes, our bad habits, our marriages, and our lifestyles. So naturally, what do we do? We fight change. And here’s how we do it! First of all, by delaying. We delay from making the changes we know God wants us to make.

How many times can you think of when you should have dealt with a problem, but just didn't? When are we going to learn that with procrastination problems only grow bigger… not smaller!

Secondly, we deny our need for change. Now, I've found that most of us don’t change unless 1 of 3 things happen. Either, we learn enough that we want to change; we receive enough that we’re able to change. Or, we hurt enough, that we have to change. 

However, be careful when you’re resisting change in your life because you might just be resisting God! Have you ever thought that God might be allowing a particular situation to occur in your life order to bring about the change He requires? 

Third, not only does delaying and denying keep us from making the changes that we need to make in our live, but we fight change by deceiving. In a last ditch effort to hold onto our stubbornness, we begin to deceive not only others, but ourselves.

Change is tough, and it’s never fun… but remember, it’still the only thing that brings progress in our lives. So in closing,  let me leave you with suggestions on how to deal with it. First, fight your fear. Realize that change, (of any kind), whether it’s around you (or in you)… always creates a fear of failure. Fight that fear!

In reality the greatest mistake you can make is to be afraid of making one. It’s true, all change isn't necessarily an improvement, but without change there can never be improvement. Realize that there’s no such thing as success without sacrifice, and with every gain, you have to lose something. In other words, You have to give up to go up! But in the end, it’s worth it!

Next, view life vertically. I've never seen a habit just lie down, surrender and die. If we’re going to make the changes in our lives that God is wanting to make, we’re going to have to force ourselves to get a “vertical focus”. What that means is when faced with a difficult situation you ask God, “Lord, are you in this? Are you trying to get through to me?” Or, “Lord, I’m not sure what you want me to do, so I invite you to help me deal with this!”

And then lastly, stay open to opportunity. Ever heard of Cornfields Law? Well, Cornfields Law states that: “Nothing is ever done until everyone is convinced that it ought to be done, and has been convinced for so long that it’s now time to do something else!”

My advice, ‘Don’t wait that long!” The sad truth is, most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions. The more you change, the more you become an instrument of change in the lives of others. If you want to become a change agent you also must change!” 

God has (and is) providing all kinds of opportunities for us to change in positive ways. We simply have to be willing and open to them.  

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8; Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6; Proverbs 19:2; Jeremiah 29:11; Malachi 3:6 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, allow me to have the courage to change my life for the better. Allow all my burdens to be risen up to you as I know that You will see me through. Take time for me today to help with all the trials you have set out for me and allow me the strength and energy to follow you. Amen

God bless you,

Sondra

God Always Stands Ready to Receive Us!

"Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."   -C.S. Lewis

Have you ever been in a situation where you have tried to help someone and they just continued to reject your help? Or, take what you want to be help and instead use it to enable them for further destructive behavior?

Maybe a friend, or family member has had a problem with alcohol or drugs. You have covered for them and sat down with them to help them overcome this problem, but they continue to do the same thing. Yet, they continue to expect your “help” in avoiding the consequences.

Maybe you have a friend, or family member that had massive amounts of debt. You have helped them to get out of it, and sat down to get them on a budget they can sustain, but then they return to racking up the credit card debt again, living outside of what they can afford. Then, they come to you again and expect you to help them, if you love them.

At some point, as we have tried to help people as they continue to reject the help we offer, or use our help to enable their behavior, we are no longer helping them. We need to let them deal with the consequences of the lifestyle they are choosing.

This doesn't mean we stop loving, or caring about them. In fact, it usually means we care for them greatly to no longer enable their destructive behavior. We stop enabling them in hopes that they will hit a bottom and realize that the course they are following has got to change, or it will continue to bring destruction.

Now, as God has revealed Himself to man, and man rejects Him, or replaces Him with false gods and lives godlessly and wickedly; God usually “gives them over” to their sinful lifestyle. But giving them over does not mean that God gives up on them. God stands ready to forgive and receive into His family those who repent and turn from their wickedness.

God’s wrath is against the godlessness and wickedness that is rampant in a society that rejects and replaces the true, personal and holy God, with either no god or false gods. The reality is that men who do not believe in God, or replace Him with false gods, have no excuse for not believing. God has faithfully made Himself known to all men through creation and our conscience. 

And as men continue to reject God, it will lead to God letting them walk down the path they are choosing. When we begin to reject God, or reject His truth as revealed in his word, we begin to rationalize sinful behavior because we believe the lie that life is about us and our pleasures.“God loves me and wants me to enjoy life, doesn't He? Why would he want to deny me the pleasures of sex, drugs, or alcohol?” God wants me to be happy, doesn't He?

When we start to rationalize away the truths of God’s word and follow our immoral passions and behaviors, we are harming ourselves in ways that will leave long term scars and effects in our lives. But, the Lord offers us opportunity to repent, to turn from these ways and receive His forgiveness. 

When we come to the point of realizing our sin, and the destructive lifestyles we choose, and repent, our gracious and merciful heavenly Father, is willing to forgive us. And it is through the gospel, through the sacrifice that has been made for us, the power to overcome these sins, and addictions and perversions, becomes available. It is not easy nor does it happen overnight.

But just as the father of the prodigal son stood waiting for his son, our heavenly Father stands ready to receive us as we repent.

It is by His mercy and grace that we can recover; and find hope and joy through a relationship with the Lord.

Scripture: 1 John 1:9; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Hebrews 10:26; Romans 6:23; Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3; Ephesians 2:8 ESV

Let's pray...

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I realize that as a believer, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. My acknowledgment of His presence on a daily basis makes my faith in Him effectual. I believe that You, heavenly Father, are leading me and guiding me by the Holy Spirit through my spirit and illuminating my mind. Amen

God loves you! 

Jerri

Do You Truly Thirst for God?

David Harrell wrote a book telling the story of his father, Edgar Harrell. Edgar was one of the 300 survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the last U.S. ship sunk by enemy contact in World War II. 600 of the 900 men who survived the ship's sinking were stranded in the water for five days - many with only a life vest - all facing thirst, hunger, injuries, dehydration and sharks. They all came face to face with fear and their own mortality.

Edgar testifies of those days alone in the ocean, "Clearly there were no atheists in the water that day. Gone was that damnable attitude of pride that deceives men into thinking that there is no God, or if there is, they don't need Him. When a man is confronted with death, it is the face of Almighty God he sees, not his own. We were all acutely aware of our Creator during those days and nights."   -David Harrell, “Out of the Depths,” Xulon Press, 2005, 112-113

Jacob was blessed in the place where he was earnest and hungry for God. "I will not leave you," he cries out, "until you bless me" (Genesis 32:26). God had waited for twenty long years to hear those words from Jacob. He, who had spent his life grabbing the birthright, women, money and property, now lets go of them all and grabs hold of God. This was the point towards which God had been working in Jacob's life all along.

It must have delighted God's heart when Jacob at last lost sight of the temporal things of earth and longed and thirsted for God Himself and for His blessing. We are told in Hosea 12:4, that Jacob wept and pleaded for a blessing that night at Peniel. What a different man he was that night compared with his earlier years when he desired only the things of this world. God's dealings with him at last bore fruit!

Before God blessed Jacob fully, He tested Jacob's earnestness. He said to Jacob, "Let me go," testing whether Jacob would be satisfied with what he had got or whether he would yearn for more. It was just as Elijah tested Elisha in later years. Elijah said, "Let me go," again and again, but Elisha refused to be shaken off - and so got a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2).

Jesus, likewise, tested the two disciples walking to Emmaus (Luke 24:15-31). When they reached their house, Jesus made as though He would go further. But the two disciples would not let Him go - and they got a blessing as a result.

God tests us too. He can never bless a man fully until the man is in dead earnest for God's best. We need to thirst like Jacob, saying, "Lord, there is more to the Christian life than I've experienced thus far. I'm not satisfied. I want all Thy fullness at any cost." When we come to that point, it is but a short step to the fullness of God's blessing.

Notice in the incident at Peniel, that it was when Jacob was in a state of weakness (after his thigh had been dislocated), that he said, "I will not let you go, God." God could easily have left him and gone, but He didn't. For it is when a man is most weak in himself that he has greatest power with God.

As the Apostle Paul said, "I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities...for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9,10).

God's power is most effectively demonstrated in human weakness. And so with Jacob, it is when he is defeated, broken and utterly weak, that God tells him, "You have now prevailed." One would think that God should have said, "You have at last been defeated." But no. The word is, "You have prevailed. You shall henceforth have power with God and with men" (Genesis 32: 28).

We prevail, when God has shattered us of our own strength and self-sufficiency. As the hymn says, "Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free." This is the glorious paradox of the Christian life.

Scripture: John 4:14; Isaiah 44:3; John 19:28; John 7:37; Matthew 25:35; John 7:38; Isaiah 49:10; Romans 10:13

Prayer: Lord, restore to me the joy of knowing You. Renew in me the commitment to spend time letting Your word soak into my heart and mind. Refresh me with new understand of Your goodness and mercy in my life. Refuel my soul with the filling and power of Your Holy Spirit. Keep my heart thirsty for You, Lord and help me to seek you with my whole heart. I love You Lord and I thank You for Your loving hand on my life. Amen

Have a blessed day! 

Athene

Video: Lisa Bevere - Scary Prayers

Lisa Bevere challenges believers to live out their faith, despite intimidating circumstances. ~Eve

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Let Jesus Help Carry Your Burdens

I found a little poem by an anonymous author that sounds so familiar, it’s as if I could have written it. It says: “Lord, I’m so discouraged, I don’t know what to do; I have so many burdens, And I gave them all to you. But you didn't take them, Jesus, will you tell me why that’s so? The answer’s simply, ‘Little one, because you won’t let go.’ ”

In this day and age when it seems all of us have some sort of burden to bear, some sort of troubles and problems to carry with us, Matthew 11:25-30 brings us some assurance that we are not alone with these burdens. There are many of us who face the burden of bodies that don’t do exactly what we want them to do. Others face the prospect of living life alone after the death of a loved one. Certainly, the burden of coping with this world all alone can be a very large one to bear.

Still others have the burden of broken relationships with either their children, their spouses or their relatives. When one is in tension with someone one cares about, that burden can be extremely heavy to carry. Still others face the burden of making choices in this world. Wondering what they will do with their lives, wondering when they do make a decision if it is the right one.

There are other kinds of burdens we face, burdens of sin, or temptation, burden of guilt, burdens of conflicting loyalties, burdens of providing for our families, this life is filled with stress, with cares, with worries, with situations that call for us to make choices that sometimes are not pleasant to make.

Jesus is saying in our language, come to me all who who are struggling with life in any way. And those of you who have burdens that you cannot carry alone, and I will help you with your struggles. Jesus knew that all people have a difficult path to follow in life. Life is not easy because we live in a world that is filled with sin. 

Sin makes life difficult for us, because it has put into our world, all those things that God would have kept from us. You see, He knew these things would make life difficult. But we want to be like God, to know what he knows. So, now we have to know all the ways in which life will make us carry burdens, will load us down with problems, guilt, broken relationships, not so perfect bodies, and a whole host of other things.

But Jesus says he will help us, he will walk besides us, he will help us carry our load. Jesus uses in Matthew 11:25-30, an illustration from his day and age to explain his helping carrying loads. He says that the yoke that is used on the oxen is similar. He puts the heavy part of the yoke on the stronger oxen, and the lighter part on the oxen that is not quite as strong. In a like manner, his yoke is made after the same pattern, the heavy end is upon his shoulder, and the lighter one is upon ours. 

Our father bears the most weight of our problems in life, our burdens, our cares, and our struggles that we have. Jesus tells us loud and clear today, right now, we don’t have to live life alone, we don’t have to live life with all of our failures, with all of our frustrations, with all of our burdens; but we must bring them to him! And then he will shoulder them with us, in fact, he will take most of the weight of our burdens upon himself. He will carry our burdens, he will lighten our loads.

Jesus goes on further to say mat he will not make our load heavy by adding other things in place of those he has taken away. No, He tells us he is gentle and kind and he will give rest for our souls. Jesus tells us he doesn't replace our burdens with any of his. He won’t put demands upon our lives. He won’t give us things we have to do. 

It seems though that a lot of people have a view of Christianity in in which Jesus will replace one set of burdens with another life of always doing good, of living a perfect live, of being somber, or being a person who walks with their head hung down, not smiling, not enjoying life.

But on the contrary, Jesus relieves our burdens so that we can smile, so that we can enjoy life, so that we can live in his love, so that we can walk with heads held up tall, looking around and enjoying all the creation that God has made for us! He carries our burdens and replaces them not with the strictness of the law of do this and don’t do that, but he replaces it with the security of love, with the gentleness of compassion, with the tenderness of forgiveness. 

And when our lives are filled with that, with love, with compassion, with forgiveness, then we will be free to look around us and reach out with Jesus’ love to those who are hurting, to those who need our help in carrying the burdens of life. Jesus helps us carry our burdens because he wants us to be free to enjoy life, to reach out to others, to share with others his great gift of love.

In closing, Jesus takes our heavy burdens of brokenness from us, and replaces them with the burden of caring for someone out of love. The amazing thing is that a burden carried out of love, will seem much lighter than one that is carried because of all the brokenness of this world.

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-3; Matthew 11:28-29; Galatians 6:2; Psalm 55:22; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:18 

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi

Bible Study Snacks, Acts 22:16-23

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks! I hope everyone had a nice week! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Twenty-two, Verses 16-23.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

"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"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

 1) Explore Paul's address to the Jerusalem mob.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 22:16-23...  

Ananias tells Paul what to do to be forgiven of his sins. He asks Paul, "Why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Next, Paul describes how the Lord had sent him to the Gentiles. Paul returns to Jerusalem. He is praying in the temple, and is in a trance. The Lord appears to him and tells him to quickly depart from Jerusalem for the Jews would "not receive your testimony concerning Me."

Paul attempts to explain to the Lord that he can make the Jews understand. He responds that the Jews know of his persecution of those of the Way. He adds that he had even consented to the death of Stephen, holding the killer's clothes. The Lord tells Paul of His plans for him.  Paul is to depart. He is sent far away to the Gentiles. The Jews listen until the Gentiles are mentioned. When the Jews hear that he was sent to the Gentiles, they raise their voices, "...he is not fit to live!" They tear their clothes and throw dust in the air. (16-23) 

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) At this point, did Paul still have his sins? What did he need to do to have them forgiven ("washed away")? (Acts 22:16)
2) While in a trance in the temple, what did the Lord say to him? (Acts 22:17-18)
3) At what word did the Jewish mob stop listening to Paul? (Acts 22:21-23)

After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just 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

Beth Moore: Why So Downcast, O My Soul?

Watch Beth's humorous rendition of a lamenting Psalm as she delves into the meaning of praise. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Jesus Honored Women, Too!

On the morning of October 2, Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, the wife of the U.S. president, found her husband unconscious on the bathroom floor of their private White House quarters, bleeding from a cut on his head. Wilson had suffered a stroke - a massive attack that left his left side paralyzed and impaired his vision.

She immediately summoned Dr. Grayson. Then the conspiracy began. The two of them formed a bulwark between the invalid President and the rest of the country, simultaneously shielding Wilson from intrusion, and hiding his condition from outsiders.

For seventeen months the enfeebled President lay in his bed on the brink of death, barely able to write his own name. The outside world knew none of this. All communication with the President went through his wife.

She entered the sick room with messages and emerged with verbal instructions or the scrawl of a signature on a piece of paper. Edith Wilson called the period her "stewardship." Later, others called her the Secret President, or the first woman President.   -From Bobby Scobey’s Sermon: Daniel #4 – At the End I Understood

Often, religions have been criticized for their view of women. And they should be! You can easily find illustrations of religious abuse of females in the United States and internationally.

What many women don't know is that Jesus was one of their greatest allies!

Jesus Christ lived 2,000 years ago, in today's Israel. His perspective toward women ran entirely against his culture in the Middle East. There, women were sometimes treated as property more than as persons. And often, the woman's role was confined to meeting the needs of her husband and children.

In terms of women's rights, it wasn't even a topic.

Jewish rabbis comfortably began every temple meeting with the words, "Blessed art thou, O Lord, for thou has not made me a woman."

All women were excluded from public religious life. It was rare that women were taught the Torah, even in private.

Jewish law allowed a husband to divorce his wife for any reason. The wife had no legal rights to object, or to be cared for. The husband simply handed her a bill of divorce and she was sent away. Imagine the insecurity and cruelty that this law brought to women. And, of course, a wife could never divorce her husband, on any grounds.

In certain Arab countries even today, we see cultural and religious restrictions, where women are required to wear full or partial coverings. Women are not allowed to leave their home alone or with friends. They can only be in public with a proper male escort. Women are not allowed to drive. Or have any say in whether their husbands take other wives.

In contrast to the Middle East culture that viewed women rather dismissively, we see Jesus giving great honor to women. Constantly.

Jesus publicly included many women as his disciples. He taught crowds of both men and women. And he healed and performed miracles as readily for women, as for men.

Author Philip Yancey comments, "For women and other oppressed people, Jesus turned upside down the accepted wisdom of his day.... Jesus violated the mores of his time in every single encounter with women recorded in the four Gospels."

Massive crowds followed Jesus, partly for his miracles, partly to hear him teach. His popularity, at the beginning, made it difficult for the religious authorities to know how to respond. So they came up with a plan.

They, and all the people, had heard Jesus' teachings about love and kindness. The religious leaders thought they could capitalize on this, and trip him up in their laws.

One of their more severe laws against women required stoning to death any woman caught in adultery. So they instigated a mob and dragged a prostitute before Jesus, making her stand alone in the seething crowd ready to stone her. They said to Jesus:

"Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" (John 8:4) They had Jesus in a no-win situation. If he gave her mercy, he was condoning adultery and proved to be an enemy of their law. If Jesus stoned her, then so much for his uniquely respectful treatment of women, and all his teaching about mercy and forgiveness. Here's what happened.

Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. (John 8:6-8) One by one they walked away, "beginning with the oldest" until it was only Jesus left with her. Jesus asked her,

"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you, " Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:10,11)  It makes sense that women who loved Jesus stood waiting at his cross while he died, when most of the male disciples fled for their lives.

Jesus so honored women that when he rose from the dead, he chose to appear first to women. This is remarkable. Women had such little standing in that culture that they had no religious or legal authority as spokespersons. Jesus gave them the role of being the very first to inform others of his resurrection.

Why? Maybe Jesus wanted to solidify that it was for the sins of women, and for men that he came to die. Maybe Jesus wanted women and men to know that he offers them complete forgiveness, and can also give them direction, peace, and eternal life.

In fact, Jesus proved this in a conversation he had with a woman who likely dealt with shame and constant criticism. She had been married (and divorced) five times. Can you imagine her humiliation to be rejected by five men? Jesus looked at the water she had drawn from the well and told her,

Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." (John 4:13,14) This was always Jesus' desire. That we would experience his life in us. Eternally.

Scripture: Judges 4:4-5; Proverbs 31:26; Proverbs 31:20; Acts 18:26; Matthew 27:55; Proverbs 3:15-18; Galatians 3:26-29

Prayer: God, it makes me feel so good to know that no one can replace me in your heart. No one could ever be so special to you or important to you that you wouldn't still yearn for my company. The truth is that I am incredibly important to you. I will believe that truth.

You love me just the way I am. You think I am awesome. You are eager to help me become even more than I am right now. You are eager to guide me to become even more joyful, more contented, more mature, and more blessed. Amen

May God bless you always!

Brandi

Is Your Relationship with God Growing or Going?

God's mercy ... goes before the unwilling to make him willing; it follows the willing to make his will effectual. -Augustine of Hippo, Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love

We all know that relationships change. It doesn't matter whether it's the relationship with your spouse, your children, or your friends. This is also true of your relationship to God. Your relationship to Jesus is like any other relationship.

If you want a strong healthy relationship with Jesus, it has to be maintained. No relationship ever stays the same. Relationships take work. Relationships take time. You’re either growing closer to a person, or you are getting further away. This is true in any relationship, including your relationship with the God.

You never just stand still. You don’t just become a Christian and that’s it. You’re either having your heart grow warmer every day or it’s growing colder. Relationships get hot or they can get cold.

Certainly, we all have “up days” and we have “down days”. We face temptations – sometimes we win – sometimes we fail. The good news is that God always offers to us His Restoring Grace. King David sinned against God when he had his affair with Bathsheba – yet he prayed this prayer:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (Psalms 51:10-12)

When we blow it – when we walk away – when we stumble – God says, "You can come back to Me. I will restore you." Folks – that is God’s restoring grace. Once you have grown cold – once you have let yourself down and God down – why is it that God is willing to take you back? How can we ask Him to “Restore the joy of salvation” in our lives? How can He be so forgiving?

First of all, God’s love is unconditional. God doesn't say, "I will love you if you are – good – perfect – handsome, or holy.” He doesn't say, "I will love you because you are intelligent – gorgeous, or gracious." He just says, "I love you and that’s it – period!"

Secondly, our salvation isn't based on our performance. Our salvation is based on God’s grace – not our goodness. I could never be good enough to earn God’s forgiveness. God offers forgiveness to me and to you freely.

Thirdly, Jesus has already taken our punishment. Friends, if you are a believer in Christ, your sins have been dealt with. God does not ignore them. God does not hide them. God does not sweep them under the rug. God sent Jesus to deal with them. Jesus paid the punishment for our sin. Because of this fact, God does not reject you when you sin. Jesus has already taken the punishment for our sin. If you have accepted Him as your Savior.

Fourth, Jesus understands our human weakness. Jesus is sympathetic. He knows our frailties. He knows our faults. He knows what makes us tick. He knows how we're wired. He understands us through and through.

One of the most beautiful truths you are going to need to learn in the Christian life is: God understands what you are going through. He knows the thoughts that go through your mind. He knows the temptations that you are dealing with. He knows because He lived just like one of us, yet He did not sin.

Finally, God doesn't hold on to grudges. Many of us hold a grudge against someone, don’t we? How can I say that? Because there are some people I hold a grudge against. I find it hard to let things go, too. But look at what the Bible tells us about God: “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12)

Always keep in mind that  God is in the forgiving business. As far as the east is from the west – God removes our sins from us. When God forgives us – He forgives us completely. The forgiveness of God is displayed through Jesus. Even when Jesus was being put to death on the cross He said, "Father forgive then - for they know not what they do." When we let God down - He forgives us over and over again.

This is God’s restoring grace. He takes me back. He cleans me up – because He loves me and He loves you too. God’s love is unconditional, and my sins have been paid for. He shows His love to me, even when I still sin against Him. Why? Because He is full of mercy, and wants to show me His restoring grace!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 11:6; Acts 20:24; Hebrews 4:16; John 1:12; Romans 10:9; 1 John 4:19; Romans 1:16

Prayer:  Lord, I come close to You seeking to renew a relationship that seems to have grown cold. Show me those ways that I have become proud. Help me to turn to You with a humble heart. I want to spend time with You today. Amen

God bless you! 

Nikki