Good-bye for the Summer!

 Hi, everyone!

Every summer, the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry takes a well-deserved hiatus from the production of our blog. The time off allows us to refresh our batteries spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. 

Our wonderful ladies utilize this time in a variety of productive and fulfilling ways. Like many of you, we spend vacation time with families and friends, attend conferences and retreats, teach classes and volunteer for worthy causes, catch up on projects, and just enjoy some personal time with God!

To our loyal readers/friends, we thank you for following our posts throughout the year. As of right now, we plan on returning in September. In the meantime, please feel free to use our archived posts, as the Lord moves you. I pray that our posts are as inspirational to you, as they are for us. 

On behalf of the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, we hope that you have a safe and fun summer. And, we look forward to seeing you again in September! 

May God always bless you!

~Eve

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: With God's Direction, We Are Never Lost!

A certain guide in the deserts of Arabia never lost his way. He carried a homing pigeon with a fine cord attached to his leg. If he doubted which path to take or if he was caught in a sand storm, he would release the bird. The pigeon would fly in the direction of home. The guide was always able to return safely.

God also directs us home by means of his "dove," the Holy Spirit. When we follow his direction we will arrive safely, as well.

The days of Jeremiah's ministry to the people of Israel were days of deep spiritual wickedness. The people had sinned against God to the point where He was ready to give them up into captivity. And, in fact, they did go into captivity in just a few short years. Yet, even while they perched on the edge of judgment, the Lord desires to see them turn back to Him.

In Jeremiah 6:16, we are given the image of a traveler who come to a fork in the road. He has the opportunity to go anyway he desires, but God tells him to ask for the "old paths, where is the good way". Instead of just traveling blindly on, this traveler is to stop an ask directions. We know how that goes. Many are too filled with pride to stop and ask, and as a result, they waste much valuable time seeking their way.

Of course, this is all in a religious context. The Lord wants His people to travel the right path. He wants them on a path that will lead them in His direction. While this word of correction was spoken to the Jews many years ago, there is a lesson in this verse for the modern church today.

It is my opinion that the Lord would still have His people to ask for the old paths. Let's take a moment this week to consider three elements of this verse as we think on the thought, "Ask For The Old (Ancient) Paths." I want you to know that there is a right path and there is a wrong path. We must be sure we are walking the one which God has ordained, the one that He can bless, the one that honors Him. How can we tell the difference?

First, there is a requirement. The command that God is issuing to His people is for them not to allow themselves to be lead astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day. They are to look back to men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and others who walked the path of obedience and holiness before the Lord and they are to seek that path for themselves.

God's command is that they not just go anyway, but that they take the time to find the right path, that old, well-worn path that represents the best way.

The problem Israel faced is a problem people have faced down through the ages. As and example, during World War II, during the Battle of the Bulge, there was a group of German soldiers who dressed themselves in the uniforms of the Allies. These German soldiers used American military vehicles and went through the German countryside changing the road signs.

When the American troops came to the various crossroads, they were often fooled and lead off in the wrong direction. This deception by the Germans almost gave them the victory in this very decisive battle from the Second World War.

Just like those German soldiers caused confusion and death by changing a few signs, so many in our day are leading millions off into Hell because they are changing some of the road signs of the faith. Allow me to share a few of the road signs that are being changed in our day. There is...

1. Salvation Through The Blood (Hebrews 9:22)
2. Belief In The Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:89. The Bible contains 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 41,173 verses; 774,746 words; and 3,566,480 letters. It is every ounce the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God!
3. Love For The Church (Hebrews 10:25)
4. The Reality Of Heaven And Hell (John 14:1-3; Psalm 9:17)
5. The Value Of The Human Soul (Mark 8:36-37)
6. The Soon Return Of Jesus (Revelation 20:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
7. The Holiness Of God. In other words, we try to bring God down to man's level. He is holy (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:16)

Therefore, regardless of which signs the world changes, it does not change the road! The Word of God is still settled in Heaven. We still know the "old paths". There is no question about what way is the right way. And, God's requirement has not changed: ask for the old and walk therein!

Secondly, there is a reward. God's promise to those who walk in His paths is that they will find rest for our souls. That is, in His paths, we can be assured of three great truths:

1. We can be sure that we will arrive at the proper destination! When we take the Lord's highway, we can be sure that it will end in His presence!

2. We can travel in safety knowing that the Lord is guarding our way. Not only will we end up where we want to be, but we will get there in the safest, most peaceful manner possible.

3. We can know that while we are on the Lord's path, the deepest needs of our soul will be met! There will be fellowship with Him and joy in His presence at the end of the way!

However, those who fail to ask for the old paths will find themselves walking in the ways of destruction and misery. When we turn our backs on the way God has chosen as the right way we will find that the way is difficult, there is no peace or safety and the destination is ever in question. There is a reward for those who will walk in the Lord's pathway!

Thirdly, there is a refusal. Jeremiah 6 tells us that some decided that they would not walk in the Lord's will and in the Lord's path. The results of their choice is chastisement and destruction (Jeremiah 6:17-30). There is a high price to pay for refusing to walk in the Lord's will!

We are living in a day when many are refusing to walk in the old paths. Either the old way is too narrow, or they feel that God just doesn't know that what He is talking about. Yet, no matter what the world does, let us, the people of the Lord, stand tall in the old way.

Let us be unashamed of who we are. Let us hold our heads high and walk in the way God has ordained without apology and without backing down. Let us be everything the Lord commanded us to be in His Word (1 Corinthians 15:58).

In summary, the old way isn't the popular way! It is being abandoned daily by people who have decided that new is better. They are leaving the Bible, the old songs of the faith, old fashioned worship, praising the Lord, and preaching. Seeker services are replacing old time worship of the Lord.

Yet, God has not changed (Hebrews 13:8). I can find no room to change myself. I think I'll ask for the old paths and walk in them. How about you? The enemies are changing the signs, but the Lord will knows the way. Let's ask Him and He will lead!

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 12:7; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; Romans 12:1-2

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 23:23-35

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 23-35.

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) Review the plot by the Jews for Paul's life.
2) Examine Paul's transport to Caesarea to appear before Governor Felix.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 23:23-35...  

Paul is to be sent to Felix at Caesarea by night. The commander has two centurions prepare the men to take Paul.  200 Soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen are readied. They are to take Paul to Caesarea at the third hour of the night.  Paul is to go before governor Felix. The commander writes a letter to Felix to accompany Paul. The commander, Claudius Lysias, addresses the letter to "the most excellent
governor Felix."  The letter summarizes the situation with Paul. The Jews seize Paul and are about to kill him.

Troops are sent to rescue Paul. In an attempt to learn of the Jews' accusation of Paul, he takes him before the Sanhedrin council. He learns that Paul is accused "concerning questions of the law," but nothing deserving death or imprisonment. The commander learns of a plot to ambush and kill Paul. Due to this discovery, he sends Paul to Felix and orderes his accusers to appear before Felix to state their charges against him. The letter gives Felix the background.  The soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen take Paul by night to Antipatris.

The next day, the horsemen continue, and take Paul to Caesarea, while the soldiers and spearmen return. They present Paul and the letter to Felix.The governor inquires where Paul is from and understands that he was from Cilicia. He agrees to hear Paul when his accusers arrive.  Felix has Paul held in Herod's Praetorium.  (23-35)

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What did the commander do after learning of the plot? (Acts 23:23-30)
2) What question did Felix ask upon receiving Paul and the letter? (Acts 23:33-34)
3) When did Felix agree to hear Paul's case? (Acts 23:35)
4) Where was Paul kept, while waiting for the accusers? (Acts 23:35)
 
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

You Can Count On the Lord!

When Hugh Latimer was preaching one day in the presence of King Henry VIII, he reports that he said to himself, “Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the king is here; be careful what you say.” Then he said to himself, “Latimer! Latimer! Remember that the King of kings is here; be careful what you do not say.” For such unflinching faithfulness Latimer was eventually burned at the stake. But He feared failing God more than he feared offending men.

The faithful disciple values his soul immeasurably more than he values his body, and he will gladly sacrifice that which is only physical and corruptible for the sake of that which is spiritual and incorruptible.

The book of Lamentations is a series of dirges, or songs of mourning, that were written against the backdrop of the Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. In the verses of this book, we can see the awful sufferings endured by the people of that city at the hand of their enemies.

Still, even in the midst of all the pain and the turmoil, God had His man in Jerusalem to record the events and to bring honor to His Name. The writer of the book of Lamentations is believed to be Jeremiah. He was known as the Weeping Prophet. A study of Jeremiah’s life reveals a portrait of unending sadness and deep depression. Allow me to give you some of the background for this precious man of God...

1.  Received an unwanted call to minister (Jeremiah 1:5-6).

2.  Called to a ministry of preaching nothing but judgment (Jeremiah 1:9-10).

3.  He was forbidden to marry so that he might give himself more fully to his ministry of proclaiming the impending judgment of God (Jeremiah 16:1-13). As a result he was very familiar with loneliness.

4.  He was a man of deep sadness and he wept openly about the sins of his people (Jeremiah 9:1).

5.  He endured depression as the result of his message going unheeded for so long. He even came to the point where he tried to get out of the ministry (Jeremiah 20:9). His pain is understandable, because in a ministry that spanned some 50 years, there is no record of even one convert.

6.  He suffered imprisonment by King Zedekiah because the king did not approve of Jeremiah’s preaching  (Jeremiah 32:5). Even while the Babylonians are invading the city in fulfillment of his prophet declarations, Jeremiah is sitting in the dungeon (Jeremiah 32:2).

7.  After Jerusalem falls and many have been killed or taken captive, the prophet does not gloat or take an “I told you so” mentality. Instead, he becomes broken with the remnant and enters into suffering with them (Lamentations 1-5).

After enduring a life like this; after being rejected, hated, mocked, imprisoned, ignored; after seeing his beloved Jerusalem ransacked, desecrated and destroyed; after experiencing the horror of war, the brutality of the enemy and the pangs of hunger, Jeremiah was still able to stand forth amid the rubble of the city and the bodies of the dead and lift his voice in praise to God for His great, unfailing faithfulness to His people.

How was this possible? Despite his trials and his troubles, Jeremiah had gotten a good grasp on the reality of just Who God is! Jeremiah knew that whether things went well, or whether everything fell apart, God would still be God and that God would be eternally faithful to His people (Lamentations 3:21)! Jeremiah was still able to find hope in a hopeless situation because he believed in the faithfulness of His great God.

Just like Jeremiah, we all go through times when life seems to fall apart at the seams. When these times come we also need the blessed assurance that God is faithful! Thankfully the Bible gives overwhelming evidence of the unchanging faithfulness of our great God.

We can be sure that as we face the storms, trials and valleys of life, God will ever prove Himself to be steadfast and faithful to you and me. To put it very simply, you can count on the Lord!

Scripture: Deuteronomy 7:9; 2 Timothy 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 33:4; 1 Corinthians 1:9

Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for this day. I come to you to ask for wisdom and guidance to help someone I love who is in need. Please help them as well. Let them know you are there with them and wll always be there for them. Amen

May God bless you!

Amaris

Video - Beth Moore: Seeing Danger

Beth uses a humorous illustration to demonstrate how Christians must learn to see the dangers that try to ensnare us. Enjoy!   ~Eve

God Always Has the Best Plan!

Babbie Mason wrote these words, "God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. When you don't understand and can't see His plan, when you can't trace His hand, TRUST HIS HEART."   -(From a sermon by Jerry Watts, God's Gifts To Us, 6/24/2010)

In James 4:13-17, James councils men against the foolishness of making plans without consideration for the will of God in the matter. All James is saying is that you and I can make any plans we wish to make, but God always has the final say in the matter. Then, when we learn His plans for the situation, and we make our plans based on His plans, we find out that He had the best plan all along!

However, we humans like to make our plans, don’t we? We want things to go the way we want them to go. But, have you ever thought that God might have a better plan? For example...

1) When Peter and the others had fished all night without catching a fish, Jesus told them to out into the deep water and they would catch fish (Luke 5:4-8). Peter’s plan was to forget fishing for that day and go home. But, when he obeyed the Lord, he found out that God had the best plan!

2) When Jesus told His disciples that He was going to die, Peter rebuked the Lord (Matthew 16:21-23). Peter thought he had a good plan, but when Jesus went to the cross and paid for sins forever, Peter found out that God had the best plan.

3) When Goliath saw David coming to meet him for battle. He had plans to kill David and feed his carcass to the scavengers of the field (1 Samuel 17:41-49). But, when that stone sank deep into his forehead and he fell to the earth dead, he found out that God had the best plan!

4) When Israel sent spies into Canaan and saw the giants that lived there (Numbers 13-14); they made plans to find themselves a new leader to go back to Egypt. But, over the next forty years, as they died one by one in the wilderness, they learned that God has the best plan.

Now, I could go on giving you example after example from the pages of God’s Word, but this truth is fleshed out really well in Judges 7:1-23. When Gideon and his army went into battle, they must have had a plan, but before the battle was joined and the victory was won, they found out that God had the best plan.

I would like for you to consider that thought today: God has the best plan. As we do, let's learn the lesson that God’s plan may not be the easiest plan; it may not be the most popular plan; it may not even seem like the smartest plan; but God always has the best plan!

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 16:9;  Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 5:4; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12

Prayer: Dear Lord, I love you with all my heart. Sometimes I feel as if there are people who do not want me to love you, please help me show them how loving and wonderful you truly are. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Danielle

Don't Fret, God's Peace Can Be Yours!

An old legend has it that a wealthy merchant of the 1st Century who wanted to meet the Apostle Paul encountered Timothy, who arranged a visit for him with Paul who, at that time, was a prisoner in Rome.

Stepping inside the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose serenity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for hours. Finally the merchant left with Paul’s blessing.

Outside the prison, he asked Timothy, "What is the secret of his serenity and power? I have never seen anything like it before." "Did you not guess?" replied Timothy. "Paul is in love."

The merchant looked bewildered. "In love?" "Yes," Timothy answered, "Paul is in love with Jesus Christ." The merchant looked even more bewildered. "Is that all?" Smiling, Timothy replied, "Sir, that is everything."

I know it's hard for some of us to admit there are many things that we can't change. And, no matter how hard you try, some people resist change; some organizations refuse to admit problems; and some leaders refuse to listen to advice. Instead, of consistently beating one’s proverbial head up against a wall, Christians have a better option.

Paul wrote, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace shall be yours." (Philippians 4:6,7) The following are few guiding principles for appropriating that powerful promise:

1) Remember your primary responsibility is to obey God’s will. Jeremiah wrote, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) Ask the Lord for the wisdom, grace and calm to learn, accept and obey His primary will for your life. Do not try to run ahead of the Lord’s plans for your life.

2) Remember Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus accomplished 100% of the will of God even though He did not heal everyone. Jesus did not even spend time trying to change the political climate of Roman oppressors. Instead, Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." (Mark 4:31,32) Look at life through the eyes of Jesus and see what can become through your efforts.

3) Remember the promises of God. Paul writes, "For no matter how many promises of God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ." (2 Corinthians 1:20,21) Take an inventory of all the precious promises you have in Christ and confidently know that He will fulfill everyone.

4) Remember God’s priorities. There are many good things we can do, but ask the Lord for wisdom in being able to contribute to His priority ministries. There are many activities that are not essential. However, God’s priorities include worship, evangelism, disciple-making and planting and growing churches. When you are seeking first His interests, other problems seem to take care of themselves.

The Lord is eager to fight your battles for you. Remember God’s training program for your life. The Lord allows many things to come into your life for purposes that are greater than our minds can comprehend. Isaiah wrote, "His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8,9)

Remain open, teachable and flexible to allow the Lord to mold your character a~er the image of Christ. He is the potter and we are the clay. The clay has no right to say to the Potter, "Why did you make me like this?" (Romans 9:21)

5) Remember Godly men and women who have endured much worse. The writer of Hebrews eleven recalls, "Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:36-40) Not all heroes of the faith experienced immediate gratification. Some fell victims to their circumstances in the will of God. Yet, all of them were blessed of God. And finally...

6) Remember God’s grace is sufficient for any problem. Paul writes, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take the thorn in the flesh away from me. But he said to me, ’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9,10) When we let the grace of God be our sufficiency, we will enjoy sweet rest of mind, body, and in our emotions!

Life is stressful enough. But, the good news is that you don't have to go at it alone. God is right there with us, if we allow him in. So, stop banging your head against that wall! Try following these principles, and see if they can help you have the serenity to accept the things you cannot change! 

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews 11:6; Micah 6:8; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 119:89

Prayer: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.   -Proverbs 3, 5-6

May God bless you always,

Mindee

God Watches Over Us In Love

"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

Sometimes, we do need to be watched. Sometimes, somebody needs to keep an eye on us to supervise us. Many of us will not do what we are supposed to do without somebody looking over our shoulders. In other words, watching is good for us.

So, what do you think about God watching us? Do you feel that God sees what we are doing? My guess is that most of us forget about that. Most of us are oblivious to God’s oversight. We are not conscious of God watching, unless and until things get tough. But let stressful times come, and then, suddenly, we are aware that God is watching.

In the Bible, Job, after all his calamities, and after listening to the windy speeches of his supposed friends, is suddenly aware that God is watching. After all his losses, after his prayers and his pleas seemed to find no answer, suddenly Job is aware that God is watching. And he’d just as soon God not watch, for he finds the eye of God oppressive. He is troubled at what it means for God to watch him.

Job considers three possibilities: First, Job thinks that maybe God is not only watching, but is against him! Job wonders whether God no longer cares, but just wants to make him miserable. Is it possible that God wants the powers of evil to win? Job is becoming paranoid. God is watching, but Job wonders if maybe God is out to get him. 

So Job asks God a question: “Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the schemes of the wicked?” Simply put, "Lord, are you now on the other side?" "Are you about to destroy your own handiwork?" "Lord, are you like the potter who is not satisfied with his craftsmanship, and so breaks it up before anybody can use it?" Job’s question is a pointed one: “Oh, God, does it seem good to you to oppress?”

Job’s fear that God may want to destroy him actually came from the vibes he was getting from his friends. Job’s friends took a special delight in watching him suffer. They enjoyed his misery. It took their minds off their own deficits if they could see somebody else in trouble. And so they tore Job down and led him to wonder if God was out to get him.

Yes, God watches us, but it's not because He wants to destroy us. So, be careful who you listen to!

Secondly, Job thought a little more, and this time Job wondered whether God was watching just to catch him in a fault, just to trap him in a mistake, sort of for recreation. Job said to God, “I know you are watching”. Is it this, Lord, that you just enjoy “gotcha”? That you just take great pleasure in my mistakes?

“Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as humans see? ... that you seek out my iniquity and search for my sin, although you know that I am not guilty.” But, Job is mistaken. When God watches us, it is to love us into obedience and not to humiliate us.

Thirdly, we’d like a God who would reach out His arms and scoop us up when He sees us in trouble; just as we’d like a God who would watch us and fix everything. That’s what Job wanted and hoped for. “Lord, you are watching me. I know you are. Do for me what nobody else will do.”

“You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.” Lord, you've taken care of me all along. Can’t you do it again? Can’t you rescue me? Can’t you just lift me and let me stand on higher ground? 

We would love a safety net, so that no matter what foolishness we visit, no matter what blunders we make, God would step in and take charge. But, Job discovered that God does not do that. God does not rescue us from our own mistakes. 

God watches but does not step in on our timetable, at our command. God watches us, yes, but God does not rescue us from our own foolish pride or our own selfish arrogance. God does not override our freedom. Instead God equips us. He empowers us. He provides for us resources to use. God refuses to violate our freedom, but puts at our disposal the things we need for a productive life.

Don't expect God to reach out of heaven and do for you what you would not do for yourself. Don't sit back and dare God to rescue you when He has already provided you with resources. Yes, God is watching. He is watching in love, and is watching to see if you will be responsible with what He has given you. 

Scripture: Psalm 32:8; Ephesians 2:1-22; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Peter 1:2-4; Philippians 1:23; Romans 1:20 

Prayer: Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Amen

God bless you,

Joelle

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Live Your Life With God's Blessing!

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it."   -Richard L. Evans, Bits & Pieces, March 4, 1993, p. 2.

The Book of Genesis is a book of life, but it is also a book of death. In some ways, the Book of Genesis is a graveyard. It tells us how death started. From the mutilated body of Abel, to the unbroken litany of death in Chapter 5, to the destruction of the world in Chapter 6, the Book of Genesis is a book of death. Every one of the heroes introduced in the book, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph also died in its pages. It is a book of death.

Genesis, chapters 48 and 49 chronicle the death of the great patriarch Jacob. He lived for 147 years on this earth, but eventually the hour of his death came. For most of us, we don't like to talk about death. It's a subject that we do our best to avoid. Still, death is stalking each of us, and one day, we will leave this world (Hebrews 9:27).

What we learn as we watch Jacob finish his life can help us as the day of our own death approaches. What we learn here can help us live life knowing that death is coming. This week, I'd like to talk about the reflections of a life. I want you to see that Jacob reflected on the past; he reflected on providence; he reflected on the present; and he reflected on the promises. Let’s examine these four areas that held the mind of Jacob as he died.

First, Jacob reflected on the past. As Jacob approached his date with death, the past was on his mind. He remembered three high places that stood out on the landscape of his past.

a) In Genesis 48:3-4,  he remembered a spot. Jacob remembered a night when he met God, he remembered an encounter at a place called Bethel, (Genesis 28). Jacob remembered what happened that night. He remembered the covenant the Lord made with him. He remembered the promises God gave to him. Even as he was dying, Jacob remembered the place and the time when he met God.

b) In Genesis 48:7,  he remembered a spouse. Jacob remembered the greatest love and the greatest heartbreak of his life. He thought of his beloved wife Rachel. He remembered how he felt when he saw her. He remembered their love. He remembered how he had to work fourteen years just to have her as his wife. He remembered all the happy years they shared together.

He also remembered how she died. He remembered the love, and he remembered the loss. Jacob saw his Rachel as the high point of his earthly existence. She has been dead for two decades, but Jacob has never forgotten her! As he looked at Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim standing before him, he was reminded of his Rachel and of her legacy.

c) In Genesis 48:16,  he remembered a spirit. As Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, he remembers a an Angel. He remembers a divine encounter with God that forever changed his life (Genesis 32). Jacob wrestled with the Lord one night and when the sun rose on the new day, he walked different for the rest of his life. He remembers the day that Jacob became Israel. Jacob was He remembers the amazing, life-changing work of God His life.

Secondly, Jacob reflected on providence. As Jacob was dying, he looked back over the years of his life and remembered the times when God blessed him along the way. Let’s see what he remembered. I am sure a lot of it will dovetail with our own experience.

a) In Genesis 48:3, 11, 21,  he remembered God’s providence. Jacob remembered the times God moved in his life to accomplish His will and to lead Jacob in the right path.

b) In Genesis 48:15,  he remembered God’s provisions. He spoke of the God “which fed me all my life long unto this day.” Jacob remembers the past, and as he does, he remembers the provisions of the Lord. He remembers the God Who always came through for him

c) In Genesis 48:2,  he remembered God’s power. Do you see the transition in verse 2? At the beginning of the verse he is called “Jacob”. At the end of the verse, he is called “Israel”. “Jacob” means “Trickster, supplanter, heel grabber”. Israel means “Prince with God.” As he lays dying, Jacob takes time to remember the God Who changed his life. He remembers the awesome power of God working in him and through him, changing him from what he was to what the Lord wanted him to become.

Third, Jacob reflected on the present. As Jacob was dying he knew that all his blessings were not in the past. The Lord had placed some things right in from of him that reminded him of God’s blessings today. He has placed...

a)  In Genesis 48:8-11,  the evidence of grace. Here, Jacob embraces the two sons of Joseph. There was a time when he thought Joseph was dead and that there would be no offspring from that son. Now, by the grace of God, Jacob not only sees Joseph again, but he also sees Joseph’s two boys. That is grace in action.

b)  In Genesis 48:5-6,  the expansion of grace. Jacob adopts the two sons of Joseph and gives them an inheritance among Joseph’s brothers. He is, in effect, giving Joseph the double portion of the firstborn. When the inheritance of the nation of Israel was given our many years later, there was no tribe of Joseph, but there were the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim.

c) In Genesis 48:12-20,  the economy of grace. In these verses, Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons. But, Jacob gives the blessing of the firstborn to Ephraim instead of Manasseh. Joseph tries to intervene, suspecting that Jacob just couldn't see what he was doing, verse 18. But, Jacob was carrying out the will of the Lord and he knew exactly what he was doing, verses 14, 19. In the kingdom years, Ephraim became the most powerful and populous tribe in Israel, with Manasseh being second. God gave the blessing to whom He chose.

When we see another person being blessed more than ourselves, there is a human tendency to become jealous. We should praise God for the simple fact that He even blesses us at all. We certainly do not deserve it! Any blessing of God on our lives is pure grace. Anytime the Lord uses us at all, it is pure grace. I look around today and I thank God for His grace!

Fourth, Jacob reflected on the promises. Jacob concludes his reflections on his life by remembering and restating the promises of God in his life and to his offspring. These promises belong to us as well today.

a)  In Genesis 48:21, the promise of their heritage. God had a plan for Israel. He led them into and one day He would lead them out and back to the land of Canaan. They had a heritage! God had made certain promises to their fathers, and He would keep those promises to His people.

b) In Genesis 48:21, the promise of their helper. “God will be with you.” Jacob dies by reminding Joseph that God will never forsake His people. He will walk with them and stand with them until we leave this world for Heaven.

c)  In Genesis 48:21,  the promise of their hope. One day God would visit His people and He would, deliver them from Egypt and carry them home to Canaan. That was their blessed hope, and that was just what God eventually did for them.

In conclusion, I praise God that I can remember some great things the Lord has done in my life. I praise Him that I can look around today and see His hand at work right now. I bless His name that I have some promises for my future.

Like Jacob, I can go to my death knowing that I have been blessed by my Lord. What about you? Are you saved? Can you see the providential work of God in your life? Are you surrounded by His blessings today? Are you “standing on the promises”?

If these things are true of you and your life, you are a blessed individual. And, you should take the time to thank the Lord for His blessings and His grace in your life.  

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9; Genesis 2:7; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16;  Romans 10:13

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 23:11-22

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 11-22.

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.
2) Review the plot by the Jews for Paul's life.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 23:11-22...  

The following night, the Lord appears and speaks to Paul. He is to be the Lord's witness in Rome, as he had testified for Him in Jerusalem. Some Jews then plan to kill Paul.  More than forty Jews band together and take an oath to kill him before they eat or drink anything. The plotting Jews go to the chief priests and elders to present their plan. They request that the chief priests and elders contact the commander, and have Paul appear before the council again for further inquiry. The forty or more Jews will lie in wait to kill him along the way.

Paul's nephew hears of the ambush plot.  He goes to Paul in the barracks and tells him what he heard.  Paul has his nephew taken to the commander. The commander takes him aside and hears the plot. The commander tells the young man to tell no one that they had spoken about the plot. Paul's nephew then departs from the commander.  (11-22)

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Who appeared to Paul the following night?  What did He say? (Acts 23:11)
2) What did some of the Jews band together to do?  What was their oath? About how many banded together?  (Acts 23:12-13)
3) Describe the plot to kill Paul. (Acts 23:14-15)
4) Who heard about the ambush?  Who did he go tell?  What did he do next? (Acts 23:16-22)
 
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

Jesus Christ Is God!

"There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express."    -Billy Sunday in a sermon, "Wonderful," quoted in The Real Billy Sunday

In the Book of Acts Jesus is referred to as Lord more than 90 times while along being called Savior only twice (Acts 5:31; 13:23). It seems to me if there is that big of an emphasis made in Scripture, then we ought to be looking at it as well.

Here is the most important building block in understanding the Lordship of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is God. Let's look at Colossians 1. The Apostle Paul clearly revealed that Jesus is God. He was God before He came to earth. He was God while He was on earth. And He is still God today! Jesus was, is, and always will be God (Colossians 1:15-20). 

Jesus is God. He reveals God to us in human form, but that does not diminish His deity in any way. Jesus is revealed as the Creator, and the Head of the Church, as the Savior of the world, all of those are expressions of the fact that He is God. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is built on this foundational truth: Jesus is God.

Look at Hebrews 1. In the opening verses of the Letter to the Hebrews we see a powerful expression of the deity of Jesus Christ in connection with both His Lordship and His saving work (Hebrews 1:1-3). Jesus is the exact expression of God’s nature because Jesus is God in human flesh. Again we see Him revealed as Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and the Heir of all things, enthroned in Majesty which clearly portrays His Lordship.

Jesus identified Himself as God, a fact that was not lost on the religious leaders who hated in so much. In John 5:18 it says: the Jews began trying all the more to kill Him: not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. 

Jesus didn't leave any doubt when He boldly proclaimed in John 10:30: I and the Father are one. Because He was God, Jesus had authority over all things. In Matthew 12:8 he responded to the assaults of the religious leaders by saying: The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath.

Ask yourselves if you truly believe that Jesus Christ is God. Because if He is, then He has the divine right to your love and obedience. And if He isn't God, then all of this is nothing more than religion, and religion cannot guarantee you life in heaven when this life is over, only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God can do that.

The most important reason that Jesus has to be God is that, if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). A created being, which Jesus would be if He were not God, could not pay the infinite penalty required for sin against an infinite God. Only God could pay such an infinite penalty. Only God could take on the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21), die, and be resurrected, proving His victory over sin and death. 

Do you believe that Jesus is who He said He is, and that He did what only He could do, so that you could receive what only He could give? Jesus Christ is God; and as God He became man and paid the price for your sins on the cross and then rose again to offer you eternal life. What are you going to do with the offer?

Scripture: John 10:30; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:2; Mark 12:29; Isaiah 41:4

Prayer: Dear Father, please be with me today. Please give me the strength to show kindness and mercy to those whom are mean and cruel. For they are the ones who need it the most. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Elise

Bring Your Doubts to Jesus

When the now famous Jean-Henri Merle d'Aubigne (Swiss Protestant minister and historian of the Reformation) was a student he was oppressed with doubts, and went to an old, experienced teacher for help.

The old man refused to answer them, saying, "Were I to rid you of these others would come. There is a shorter and more effective way of destroying them. Let Christ be to you really the Son of God, the Savior, and His light will dispel the darkness, and His Spirit will lead you into all truth." That is still the only way to dispel our doubts.   -Bowes

I'd like to talk about a topic that is not discussed very often: Doubt. As such, it is an unfamiliar topic to most people, even though there are whole books of the Bible that deal with the issue of doubt in various ways — Job, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Habakkuk. Many of the psalms touch on the theme of doubt, and feeling abandoned by God.

I don’t know how a person can be a Christian and not have doubts from time to time. Faith requires doubt in order to be faith. If you ever arrive at a place where all your doubts are gone, and all your questions are answered, take a deep breath and relax because you've arrived in heaven!

We all doubt from time to time. Doubt itself is not sinful or wrong. It often can be the catalyst to new spiritual growth. As I have pondered the matter, I have concluded that our doubts tend to fall into three categories:

First, there are intellectual doubts. These are doubts most often raised by those outside the Christian faith. Is the Bible the Word of God? Is Jesus the Son of God? Did he really rise from the dead?

Second, there are spiritual doubts. These tend to be the doubts of those inside the church. Am I really a Christian? Have I truly believed? Why is it so hard to pray? Why do I still feel guilty? Why is it taking me so long to get better?

Third, there are circumstantial doubts. This is the largest category because it encompasses all the “whys” of life. Why did my child die? Why did my marriage break up? Why can’t I find a husband? Why did my friend betray me? Where was God when my uncle was abusing me?

These are the questions we meet at the intersection of biblical faith, and the pain of living in a fallen world. In my experience these are toughest doubts of all, and we tend, sometimes, to sweep them under the rug and to put down those in the church who struggle with these issues.

But, when we refuse to deal with circumstantial doubts, they soon become spiritual doubts, and those spiritual doubts eventually become intellectual doubts. And then people start leaving the church altogether.

Doubt is not sinful but it can be dangerous. It can also be a spur to enormous spiritual growth. It’s what you do with your doubt that matters. Here are some suggestions about how to handle your doubt.

1) Admit your doubts and ask for help. That’s what John the Baptist did. God is not fragile. He can handle your doubts, your fears, your worries, and all your unanswered questions. He’s a big God. He runs the universe without any help. Your doubts won’t upset him. Tell him your doubts, cry out and ask for his help.

2) Don’t be afraid to “borrow” some faith. When you find yourself filled with doubts, go find someone filled with faith and “borrow” some of theirs. It works!

3) Act on your faith, not your doubts. That’s what Noah did when he built the ark.That’s what Abraham did when he offered Isaac. That’s what Moses did when he marched through the Red Sea on dry ground. That’s what David did when he faced Goliath. They took a deep breath, decided to trust God, and they acted on their faith and not on their doubts. Do the same thing and your faith will continually grow stronger.

4) Doubt your doubts, not your faith. This simply means that you should not cast away your faith simply because you are in the deep valley of darkness. All of us walk into that valley from time to time. Some of us spend a great deal of time there. But when you find yourself in that valley where all is uncertain and you are sorely tempted to give in to your doubts, fears and worries, remember these two words.

Keep walking. Just keep walking. Nothing is gained by camping out in the valley of darkness. The only way out is to keep on walking. Every step forward is a way to “doubt your doubts.” Soon enough the light will shine again.

5) Keep going back to what you know to be true. In times of trouble, keep going back to what you know to be true. Life has a way of knocking us down a few pegs. Obviously, we don't know all the answers. But what I know, I really know. I have a handful of convictions that cannot be shaken. I would include in that short list these truths:

God is good, Jesus is Lord, the Bible is true, life is short, every day is a gift, people matter more than things, fame is fleeting, this world is not my home, and even hard times are meant for my benefit. And at the core of my faith is an unshakable belief in the sovereignty of God. He’s God and I’m not. He is sovereign over all the details of my life, and I can trust him completely even when those details seem to be spinning out of control.

Whatever you take with you from this message, I hope you understand this: God never turns an honest doubter away. Never. Come to him with your doubts, your skepticism, your unbelief, your hard questions, your uncertainties. He welcomes your hardest questions.

Doubt is not a sin. It’s what you do with your doubt that makes all the difference. Don’t let your doubts keep you from Jesus. Come to him just as you are—and bring your doubts with you. He will not turn you away.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8; James 1:6; Matthew 21:21; Jude 1:22; Matthew 14:31; Luke 24:38; Proverbs 3:5

Prayer: Lord, in every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, "Jesus, help me." In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations, Jesus, help me. In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials, Jesus, help me. Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, help me and never forsake me. Amen

May God bless you,

Eileen

Suffering is Not God’s Direct Will!

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."

Where does suffering come from? First of all, I think it’s important to state the obvious. Suffering is real. There are some ways of thinking that would deny this, that would say that suffering occurs in our minds only. We need only to look to the cross of Christ, to see the reality of His suffering for you and for me. Suffering was so real that our Lord Himself came to live in it, experience the full depth of it, conquer it, and redeem it. His suffering was real. So it ours!

We need to say that God’s Word makes it super clear that there is a lot of suffering in this world, and that it is not an illusion. Way back in Exodus 3:7-8 “The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians...”

Suffering came into the world because of man’s fall. The world God created was perfect, and the life God created for humanity was perfect. Part of that perfection, I would suggest, is that God did not create people to be robots. Instead, He gave us wills to use so we’d make choices ourselves, and so that we would truly live free.

God is free, and He made us in His image likewise to be free. But history makes it painfully clear that we have chosen to use our freedom in ways that bring pain to others. We have chosen to exercise our freedom to live selfishly. Nations have warred against other nations, always, always with innocent civilians taking the worst hits as kings fought it out for more land, or more wealth or power. So death, pain, grief, loneliness, and all other types of suffering were not part of God’s original world (Genesis 1:31; 3:17-19; 5:29; Romans 5:12,14,18; 8:20-22; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Revelation 21:3-4).

But God also has a permissive will. He permits things to happen, things that are definitely outside his plans, and He permits them to happen, frankly, as a very clear way of honoring the fact that He has created another will other than His own in the universe. It is the human will. God gave you your will, your ability to think for yourself, to make up your own mind, to choose good over evil, or, as we too often do, to choose the selfish over the good.

Let me tell you something. God  permits us to screw up! Very often these are in small ways that for believers help us to grow and learn to follow Jesus more closely. But also in big ways. So, if there must be suffering what meaning might it have? How can we understand the suffering in our own lives?

I know that many of us body of believers have suffered terribly; such as the loss of those dearest to us. Physical and emotional pain that no matter the deep healing God is doing and has done in us, remains at least a reminder of the brokenness of our lives.

When we say to a person who is really struggling and suffering, it is God’s will that you suffer, and you just need to accept His will, we need to be really careful. Because to a hurting person, that can sound an awful like God wants them to suffer, and means them to suffer.

However, nothing could be further from the truth! God may be permitting them to suffer, but it’s simply not His desire that they suffer. ot only does God not want us to suffer, He has done what no human could have ever imagined. Many people view God as distant, unapproachable. There are many religions in the world that understand holiness as a kind of aloofness from the world, being untouched by pain.

So, how do we then live as people of God? We can live in the knowledge that we serve a good and gracious God who loves us truly with an everlasting love. We serve a God who does not want bad things to happen. God’s way of exercising his sovereign control is in giving us a will and a responsibility. Your will is yours to do with what you choose. 

We can have a lot to say about what the suffering does to us. We can determine what sort of people we become because of it. Pain makes some people bitter and envious. It makes others sensitive and compassionate. It is the end result, not the cause, of pain that makes some experiences of pain meaningful and others empty and destructive. It is left up to us and our relationship with our God. 

In closing, we need to remember and walk in the reality that God calls us, and equips us in Jesus Christ. He enables us to do the good over the bad, the right thing over the wrong thing, the loving thing over the selfish thing.

Resolve to love God who loves us enough to let us create and get into messes. Suffering is not God’s direct will. It results more often than not from us abusing the gift of free will. Such a God does not deserve our judgement, caution or our dismissal. Such a God, entering in as he does into our suffering in Christ, deserves our whole-hearted acceptance and embrace. Our worship.

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:10; Romans 8:18; John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:12

Prayer: Jesus, speak to me in these days of suffering to reveal to me, the will of God. "You have kept count of my tossing; put my tears in your bottle." (Psalm 56:8). "This I know, that God is for me" (Psalm 56:9). Come to my help soon. Cut short the days of suffering. Deliver me from the present adversities. Grant me long life and health to praise You in peace. Lift me up to become a witness for You. Amen

May God bless you always,

Joanne