Father, May You Grant Us Humility

"The first test of a truly great man is his humility. By humility I don't mean doubt of his powers, or hesitation in speaking his opinion; but merely an understanding of the relationship of what he can say and what he can do."   -John Ruskin,  leading English Victorian era art critic, and prominent social thinker

We may applaud the modern perception of the “self-made” man. Certainly, the idea  of someone pulling himself up by his own bootstraps and, by the sweat of his own brow, climbing to the zenith of success; is so deeply fixed in our consciousness that any other possibility seems totally ridiculous.

However, it's quite humbling to recognize that God is more responsible for the achievements of our lives than we are. And, that we are people who have been given our abilities, time and opportunities. These things are not our possession; they're gifts from God. And, ultimately we are accountable for what we do with what we have been given. So, how does one develop humility? C. S. Lewis once said that the first step is to admit that you are a proud person. Easier said than done? For a lot of folks it really is.

I like to think of humility as an attitude, or quality of mind (Acts 20:19); whereby a person holds low esteem or opinion of his own goodness and importance. Spiritually, one abases, or humbles himself because he realizes his sinfulness; and therefore he is willing to depend on God to meet His needs. It's the opposite of pride, snobbery, and self-exaltation.

For example, looking at Philippians 2, we learn about Christ's self-emptying servant nature. Here we find an important principle in Scripture: before honor comes humility. The cross comes before the crown; the person who seeks honor will ultimately be humiliated, but the person who humbles himself will later be honored (Matthew 23:12). What does this teach us in regards to humility in our Christian lives?

Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves..." There's no denying that this can be very difficult for many of us to execute in our daily lives. Today's world tells us to look out for "number one." It glorifies those who have power and know how to use it. Yet, Jesus said, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35). Luke 18: 14, and Job 22: 24 encourage this powerful teaching, as well!

Looking at Jesus as our "role model," we see three main areas that display the humility of Jesus:

1) His focus was on the Father’s will, not his own. And here lies the essence of Christian faith. Whether or not we have entered into the Christian faith, and become a disciple of Jesus, is determined by whether or not we are doing our will, or God’s will. It boils down to this: You can know that you are Christian if you are no longer living by your own will; but have totally surrendered to and are seeking to live out God’s will in your life (John 6:38; Matthew 26:39).

2) His focus was away from himself, not on himself. He came to do his Father’s will, not his own. He came to serve, not be served. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Proud people are self-focused people. They can't stop talking about themselves. Somehow, these people never ask how someone else is doing, or what is going on in others’ lives. It is all about them. They are the most important person in their universe.

3) His focus was on serving, not being served. Imagine the King of heaven coming down to save the people of earth. Imagine the One who ruled and reigned in glory washing his disciples’ feet. Imagine the One who had the power to destroy the world being willing to suffer at the hands of men, and then die for them! In other words, humility means that our focus is away from ourselves, not on ourselves.

In conclusion, the key to living our best Christian lives is living our lives in humility. I am talking about humility that focuses on the Father’s will, not our own; that focuses away from ourselves, rather than on ourselves, and focuses on serving rather than being served.

Scripture: Galatians 5:26; Proverbs 25:6; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 Peter 5:3; Proverbs 15:33; Psalm 73:22; Proverbs 10:8  

Prayer: 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 thy name's sake. Amen

-special thanks to William Barclay

May God bless you always,

Mindee

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: An Inspiring Life of Service and Leadership

"Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."   -Source Unknown.

I thought it might be fun to briefly examine one of the many unknown characters in the Bible whose names and faces we may not recognize, but whose stories are significant in God’s plan and purpose in history. This week, let's take a look at a woman named Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron.

Miriam was a key leader in the story of the Exodus; of the nation of Israel from Egypt; one who often goes unrecognized as she led alongside of Moses and Aaron. But, her leadership had one dark moment in which she lost sight of who she was, and what her role was. Thankfully, she was restored by God, and returned to her role as a leader, and remembered in subsequent years as one who had a significant role in the identity of the nation of Israel.

We first learn about Miriam in Exodus 2:3-10, when Moses' mother could hide the infant no longer after the Pharaoh had ordered that all of the male Hebrew newborns were to be slaughtered - "But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of The Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Then Pharaoh's daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the river bank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her slave girl to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said. Then his sister asked Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?" (Miriam had left her distant hiding place and ran right up to the princess - no one tried, or could, have stopped her) "Yes, go," she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother."

The incident illustrated two of Miriam's qualities that stayed with her through her adult life - boldness, and intelligence. While at the time being only about 10 or 12 years old, with her baby brother's life at stake, she managed not only to see the infant saved from the river and Pharaoh's death sentence, but to have him adopted by the princess of Egypt (the deliverer that the Pharaoh feared became his adopted grandson); all while being safely returned to his own mother!

God was of course responsible for the saving of Moses' life, but He chose to do it by means of a little girl who wasn't afraid to go where she was needed, and who could think fast when she got there. Years later, at the time of the Exodus, after the crossing of the sea, when Pharaoh’s Chariots were destroyed in the waters, Miriam had developed her leadership qualities as a prophetess, and leader of songs (Exodus 15:20-21).

When we think of the most significant event in the Old Testament, we would have to say that the Exodus out of Egypt into freedom in the wilderness (and eventually into the Promised Land), rates as the most significant story. It is a story that parallels the New Testament story of Christ’s crucifixion to deliver us out of the slavery of our sin; into the freedom of Christian living; and eventually into Heaven where we will live eternally with Him.

Now, when we think of who it was that led this Exodus, we would certainly think of Moses. We may also think of his brother, Aaron. But, notice that the Lord, through the prophet Micah, also affirmed the leadership of Miriam in this story of the Exodus. God didn't just say, “I delivered you through the leadership of Moses…” He also said, “I delivered you through the leadership of Moses, Aaron and Miriam.” The Lord Himself affirmed the leadership of Miriam, alongside of Moses and Aaron (Micah 6:4).

In fact, this passage affirmed that the Lord called each one to a significant leadership role in the Exodus. Moses was the Deliverer and the Lawgiver; Aaron was the High Priest; but, Miriam was the Prophetess and the Poet. She was the expression of the Arts in the story of the Exodus.

If the power of Moses’ leadership was in the Law, and the power of Aaron’s leadership was in religion, the power of Miriam’s leadership was in music and poetry ('Exodus 15:20-21). Hers was the power of the heart. Her music and poetic inspiration spoke to the heart and soul of Israel. It shaped its consciousness. It became a rallying point this nation as it emerged from a nation living in slavery into a nation living in freedom.

However, as mentioned at the beginning of this message, Miriam had a dark moment in her career. You see, one thing that impresses me about the Bible is its stark honesty about the faults, and sins of some of its heroes. Miriam is displayed with all her faults and flaws. In time, she faced a test that confronts every leader. It was the test of success!

Now, many people have withstood tests of opposition, conflict, bankruptcy, divorce, and death of a loved one. And, they have faced these tests with great fortitude, and strength. But, I wonder how many of us can withstand the test of success? Miriam had one such point in her career where she did not pass the test of success.

One day, she allowed the bitterness and rebellion that she had been nursing in her heart to come out into the open. What is most disturbing is that her fall came where we should not have expected it. She rebels against Moses! The very man whom she had protected now was the one she rebelled against (Numbers 12:1-2) “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses… ‘Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?’ they asked. ‘Hasn't he also spoken through us?’”

At first, we may think that her act was simply one of blind ambition; but it seems to have been more than that. I believe that, again, she was trying to protect Moses’ identity as a Hebrew. What does the Bible say was the reason for their criticism? “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.” Moses’ wife was a non-Jew- a woman of Ethiopia.

That would not have been a problem in and of itself; but, his wife (Zipporah) had a period of time in which she also rebelled against Moses and against the Lord by resisting one of the most important of religious rites; the circumcision of their firstborn son. When it became apparent that this made the Lord angry, and the Lord threatened to kill their son (along with the Egyptian sons), Exodus 4:25-26.

It was beyond question that the marriage of Moses had been a foolish one. There was bitterness and division in his own household; especially about the most important area of Moses life; the true worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Miriam may have seen this bitterness and division and so, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Being 12-14 years his senior, she may have taken the role of Moses’ “mother” at times; but, this time she went too far. In trying to do God’s work, she did not do it in God’s way. She did it in a spirit of rebellion and bitterness and divisiveness. What was the result? Miriam was struck with leprosy. In the Bible, leprosy was a symbol of sin!

Although Miriam became a physical and moral leper through her rebellion and bitterness, she did not die this way. She was cured and restored to health, and restored to her position as a leader. But, there was a consequence that was borne not only by her, but by the entire nation of Israel. All forward progress was halted for seven days. Remember, when we succumb to bitterness and rebellion, it stops all forward progress- not only for ourselves, but also for others that we love and care about.

How was she cured? Through the prayers of Moses! Moses could have had a good reason to be bitter and angry; instead, he forgave her, and proved his forgiveness by his prayers, “O God, please heal her!” Because of the prayers of Moses, the one who was wronged, the one who was hurt by this act of bitterness and rebellion, Miriam was restored to health, and restored to her place as a leader alongside Moses once again. In doing so, he took the way of Christ (1 Peter 2:23-24).

In closing, Miriam's life had been one of service and leadership. She expressed all the robust qualities that are best: courage and ingenuity in a dangerous situation, loyalty to her family, a love of music, story-telling and dance, and an intellectual inquiry into questions about authority and social responsibility. Thus, she remains a model for women and men today.

May the story of Miriam be an encouragement to you to use those gifts for the glory of God, and the building of His kingdom!

Scripture: Philippians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Timothy 2:2; Mark 10:42; Proverbs 16:9; 2 Timothy 2:15

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 - Janie Burkett: The Harsh Realities of Resenting God

Janie Burkett, a preacher's daughter, struggling for a sense of identify and purpose, goes off the deep end and faces a 40 year prison sentence. Listen to her inspiring testimony. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Why Would A Christian Choose To Sin?

Why would Christians choose to sin rather than choose what they know God wants them to do? Four answers are commonly given today.

1. Some would point to Romans 8:16 and explain that Christians who willfully sin have forgotten their true identity as "children of God." While it is true that Christians can forget who they are and sin as a result, Christians can also be well aware of who they are and sin anyway.

2. Some say Christians choose to sin because they have lost sight of what God has done for them. 2 Peter 1:9 indicates that Christians can be "blind or short-sighted, having forgotten [their] purification from [their] former sins."

3. Some wisely state that Christians consciously choose to sin because they have forgotten that God will severely discipline disobedient believers.

4. Some have said that Christians who consciously sin have lost their focus on the future. These Christians have forgotten that God will reward in heaven only those who have lived faithfully for Him here on earth (1 Corinthians 9:24). Christians who fail to keep eternity in mind often sin in the here and now.   -J.Kirk Johnston, Why Christians Sin, Discovery House, 1992, p. 31.

One might consider sin this way: Sin is kind of like getting a suntan (which later causes your skin to peel). It may look great today, it may be fun or exciting today, but tomorrow’s a different story! How many times have we heard others say something like this: "It seems like everything that is fun is sin." And sometimes, sad to say, we convey that. Maybe we've set our sights too low in terms of fun and pleasure? Maybe we've accepted a much cheaper imitation of fun?

Psalm 16:11 declares, “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.” I don’t about you, but “fullness of joy” sounds pretty good to me. It's a lie from Satan to believe that sin is fun and godliness is boring. The truth about sin as it is revealed in the Bible, and in human experience, is far different from the bill of goods Satan tries to sells us. The devil is a liar! The truth about sin is that it is deceptive, destructive, and deadly.

Sin is a very popular topic (for obvious reasons), so I thought it might be instructive, as well as interesting, to take a brief look at three truths about sin in our message today. First, did you know that sin will take you further than you want to go? How is this possible? Let’s consider Jacob (son of Isaac; brother of Esau).

I’m sure Jacob never envisioned the lengths, and literally distance, sin would take him when he first started harboring wrong feelings toward his brother and trying to get the best of him. I mean, after all, all it was was a little sibling rivalry and a little competition between brothers. But, you never escape the truth that sin will take you further than you want to go; even when that sin is simply a wrong attitude toward someone.

Funny thing about sin. It may seem so small and insignificant at first, but it continues to gnaw away at your spiritual life and grows until, if left unchecked, leads to your downfall. The next truth about sin is that it will keep you longer than you want to stay. Jacob probably didn't realize when he first started harboring wrong feelings toward his brother; wishing he could have some of the blessings that were Esau’s through being the first born. And, how that would get a grip on him and gnaw at him over the years. In fact, so much so, that he would end up doing some pretty despicable things toward his brother (Genesis 25:31-34), and even towards his father (Genesis 27:30-37). But sin, if it is not dealt with will keep you longer than you want to stay.

Yes, sin will keep you longer than you want to stay. But, there is one other truth about sin that I'd like to touch on today, and it is this: Sin will cost you more than you want to pay!  What did it cost Jacob? Twenty-one years of being separated from his family. Twenty-one years of a break in his relationship with his only brother, Esau. When Rebekah originally came up with the scheme to send Jacob to her relatives, she told Jacob to go to them for a few days “until your brother’s anger against you subsides...then I shall send and get you.” (Genesis 27:42-45)

But, word from Rebekah never came. I wonder what Jacob thought during all those years of waiting? I wonder what mental anguish he endured whenever he thought back to what he had done, and why no word came from his mother? What else did it cost him? He never saw his beloved mother again. She died before he could get back home.

Here are some final thoughts for you regarding sin. Sin in the heart is like rust on metal. At first, nothing appears to be wrong, and we may even consider it of no consequence. But, our love for the Lord wanes; interest in God’s Word declines; prayer becomes less important. Soon spiritual progress comes to a creaking, screeching halt.

It may be some "bad sin" you are tempted to do, or it may be what we would call "just a little thing." But that little thing is still sin; and if it is sin, it will take you further than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. Remember: Sin must be rejected, no matter whether it is something "big" or "small!"

Scripture: James 4:17; Romans 6:23; 1 John 1:8-10; 1 Corinthians 10:13;  Galatians 5:16; 1 John 3:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask that you help me remember that forgiveness begins in the heart; and is shown in how I treat others. Amen

God bless you!

Lori

Video - Beth Moore: Pressing Past Our Fears (Pt. 5)

In the fifth installment of the series, Beth Moore continues her discussion on how God is calling us to bravery. He can set us free from from a stronghold of fear! Enjoy!  ~Eve

Foolishness or Wisdom...Which Do You Choose?

"A wise man learns by the experience of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by nobody's experience."  -Source Unknown.

In the Bible, King Solomon (a king of Israel, and son of David) was known for his wisdom, his wealth and his writings. He became ruler in approximately 967 B.C.E.; and his kingdom extended from the Euphrates River in the north to Egypt in the south. His crowning achievement was the building of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Almost everything we know about him is taken from the biblical books of Kings I and Chronicles II. In fact, even people from surrounding nations came to hear Solomon’s wisdom. He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. (Incidentally, he wrote the Song of Songs, the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.)

What better way to lead up to today's message, taken right out of the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 9. What is the Book of Proverbs? What is it noted for? I like what Charles R. Swindoll says..."Proverbs accomplishes something no other biblical book does: it simply compiles numerous short instructions for living an effective life on earth. While other books articulate profound theological truths, lengthy narratives of triumph and failure, or prophetic preaching to a disobedient people, Proverbs concerns itself completely with instructing people in the path of wisdom."

That tells me that we could use some direction in life! I don't know about you, but I know I can use extra doses of wisdom from time to time. Probably more often than I care to admit! And the Book of Proverbs fits the bill! Obviously, the writers of Proverbs were aware of all the different situations, ups and downs, emotional confusion, etc., that happen in our lives. So, they were kind enough to provide principles that we can apply in a variety of circumstances; instead of directives suited  for only a few.

Now, if you have your Bible handy, turn to Proverbs 9. That's where we will begin today. In his discussions on the value of seeking after wisdom, Solomon has shaken up his approach. He makes his own appeal as a father to his son and children (cf. Proverbs 1:8; 4:1). In this chapter, He personifies wisdom as a lady who invites people to take note of (cf. Proverbs 1:20; 8:1).

His final conversation presents a picture of two women, both extending invitations. One woman personifies wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-12; the other personifies folly, or foolishness (Proverbs 9:13-18). What Solomon is asking here is: Whose invitation will we accept?  That of Lady Wisdom, or that of Woman Folly?  But, before you choose, consider the following...

Beginning with the invitation of Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-12), specifically her preparation. Her beautiful home is a large house with seven pillars (Proverbs 9:1). The number seven suggests to many the idea of completeness. Compare the seven-fold qualities of wisdom described by James (James 3:17). Also, her sumptuous feast; including meat and wine, a furnished table (Proverbs 9:2). This was carefully prepared, and beautifully presented. Yes, Lady Wisdom has made great effort in making provisions.

Then, of course, there's her plea. She wants to be heard (Proverbs 9:3). She has sent out her maidens (reminding us of Jesus, sending His apostles). And, she cries out from the highest places of the city. She also invites the simple, and those who lack understanding (Proverbs 9:4-6); to eat and drink of her prepared feast; to forsake foolishness and live, to go in the way of understanding.

So, why she won't invite scoffers (Proverbs 9:7-9)? Well, she has a couple of reasons. Correcting a scoffer only shames and harms the one doing the correcting. The wise and just, however, appreciate and will learn from correction. You see, Lady Wisdom makes great effort to reach those who will listen!

But what about her (Lady Wisdom) promise? Looking at (Proverbs 9:10), she promises: wisdom and understanding to those who fear the Lord, and to those who know the Lord. She also promises long life (Proverbs 9:11; cf. 3:2,16). In other words, your days will be multiplied, and years will be added (not a bad deal)! And, her wisdom will benefit you in other ways (Proverbs 9:12), too. However, if you choose to be a "mocker" then you will have to pay the price. Lady Wisdom does all of this because she wants you to have the best life possible!

Certainly, the invitation of Lady Wisdom is really quite tempting (in a good way). Especially when we carefully consider the alternative. On the opposite end, let's examine the invitation of woman Folly (Proverbs 9:13-18). Remember the preparation of Lady Wisdom, mentioned above? Here's how woman Folly (or foolish woman) makes her preparation.

She really makes no preparation, at all! Instead, she is "loud; she is seductive and knows nothing" (Proverbs 9:13). The Believers' Bible Commentary describes her as "loudmouthed, empty-headed, and brazenfaced." Go back and compare her lack of preparation with that of Lady Wisdom. See what you think!

Then there is her plea. She sits at the door of her house (Proverbs 9:14a). At least, Lady Wisdom sent out her maidens to be heard. She sits on a high seat by the highest places of the city (Proverbs 9:14b); the same place where Lady Wisdom also cries out (cf. Proverbs 9:3).

However, notice that Woman Folly cries out from a seated position (is she lazy)? She calls to those who pass by (Proverbs 9:15-16); especially the simple-minded, and those who lack understanding. This is how Woman Folly competes with Lady Wisdom for the souls of men.

Let's look at the promise of woman Folly. She tells us that stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant (Proverbs 9:17); which is an allusion to illicit intercourse (cf. Proverbs 5:15). But it's a false promise (cf. Proverbs 20:17; 5:3-5)! The true promise is unknown to the unintelligent who lack understanding (Proverbs 9:18).

What is it? Her home is the house of the dead (cf. Proverbs 2:18-19). Her house is the way to hell (cf. Proverbs 5:5; 7:27). Here's the real story. Woman Folly, known best for her adulterous ways, promises much but delivers the worst life possible!

To conclude today's message, whose invitation shall we accept...? That of Lady Wisdom, who has prepared much and delivers what she promises? Or that of Woman Folly, who promises much and delivers the opposite? The choice should be pretty obvious, even to the simpleminded, and those lacking understanding!

Scripture: James 1:5; Ephesians 5:15-17; Proverbs 12:15; Colossians 3:16; Luke 21:15; 2 Timothy 2:7; Proverbs 3:5

Prayer: Holy Father, I bend my knee and receive Your truth; I open my ears to receive Your counsel; I open my heart to receive Your eternal wisdom. Amen.

May God be with you always!

Elayne

We Shouldn't Be Afraid of Being Used By The Lord!

C. S. Lewis once said: "it is easier to be enthusiastic about humanity with a capital "H" than it is to love individual men and women, especially those who are uninteresting, … exasperating, depraved, or otherwise unattractive. Loving everybody in general may be an excuse for loving nobody in particular."

Imagine for just a moment that you are God. You are the Creator of the Universe and you possess all power within yourself. All right, your people are being held as slaves and the time has come to deliver them. Who would you choose to do this great work? Perhaps you would send a great military leader? What about sending a skilled politician? Maybe you would send some great orator; a man who could give heart-stirring speeches that would grip the hearts of men.

If you had the population of the world at your disposal, would you have sent Moses? Probably not! After all, he was 80 years old. He was a fugitive from justice, wanted for murder in Egypt, the very place you wanted to send him! Yes, he was well educated, but that was over 40 years ago. Yes, he had been well connected in the political circles of the day, but that too had been a long time ago. Yet, when it came time for God to send a deliverer to Israel, this is exactly the person He chose for the job. To us humans, it doesn't make much sense, but to God it was all part of a great plan.

While you think about all of this, consider this as well. We are living in the midst of a world that is literally going to Hell. We are surrounded by people who are perishing daily, and need desperately to be reached with the message of Jesus Christ. If you were God, whom would you send to reach them? Wouldn't you raise up some kind of super saints?

Maybe you would ordain a few angels to get the job done right. But, surely you wouldn't send a bunch of old sinners, saved by grace to tell other old sinners about that grace. If we were God, we would want the brightest minds and the most skilled individuals we could get our hands o, right? Yet, when God chose to reach this world for himself, He looked around and decided that saved sinners made the best candidates for His work.

He hasn't changed His mind! He has saved every one of us to be workers for His glory (Ephesians. 2:10, James 2:18). But, when that realization dawns on us, we begin to drag out the excuses. We try and find every reason under the sun why we can’t be the one He wants for the job. This was Moses' problem. And, that's what I'd like to examine in today's message. As we look into how the Lord handled Moses’ excuses, we find that He pretty skillfully handled ours as well. In Exodus, chapters 3 and 4, there's a wealth of encouragement for the Christian who wants to serve God but doesn't feel that he, or she is capable. Let's take a look...

A good place to begin our discussion on "excuses" is with the excuse of inability. In  Exodus 3:11, Moses’ first concern is that he is a "nobody and is therefore unqualified to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the Lord’s people. Many of us feel this same way! We feel that we aren’t as qualified as someone else, or that we just don’t have the ability to get the job done properly. Yet, in a hurry to give up before we ever start, we forget one important truth – God chose us! To say we aren’t able to do the job says that God doesn't know what He is doing! After all, who knows best, you or God?

We see, in Exodus 3:12, God’s response to Moses, and to us, is to give a pair of precious promises. First, He tells Moses, "I will go with you." This is the promise of His presence. Secondly, He says, "After you accomplish what I have sent you to do, I will meet you here." This is the promise of a glorious reunion someday. With these truths in mind, there is application that can be made to our lives today:

1) If God has called us, He has done so with full knowledge of our weaknesses and inabilities (Psalm 103:14).
2) If God has called us, He knows that we can accomplish the task through His power (Philippians 4:13).
3) When He sends us out into His work, He never sends us alone (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; John 14:16-18; John 16:13).
4) After the work has ended, He will gather us unto Himself where we will experience His great presence for eternity (John 14:3; Revelation 22:3).

So, if your excuse is one of inability, then just send that thought right back to wherever it came from! In and of yourself, you're incapable of anything godly and good, but through the power of God, you can do anything!

Next up, is the excuse of inadequacy (Exodus 3:13-22). After telling God of his inabilities, Moses moves on to talk of his inadequacies. In these verses, Moses is saying to the Lord, "I just don’t know enough about who you are!" Honestly, many of us are in the same shape as Moses right now. Not only do we feel that we are incapable of serving the Lord as we should, we also feel that we are just inadequate, that somehow, we just don’t know enough about God, His Word, etc, to get the job done.

God’s response to Moses is to remind him that He is the "I AM!" While Moses may be inadequate, the God who calls him and equips him certainly is not! God is in essence saying to Moses, "Just do as I say, and I will show you who I AM as you need me to."

This is how the Lord works in our lives. He leads us out to follow Him by faith and we know very little about Him or His ways, but as the needs arise, God proves Himself adequate and faithful to every challenge. His great Name, I AM, becomes and open ended statement of fact. In those 2 words, God tells us that He is what we need to Him to be at every moment of our lives. There isn't a situation you will ever find yourself in that God doesn't hold the solution to. He is able and He enables us as we go through life!

I realize that following the Lord by faith can be scary to some. When we look at the size of the task and compare our abilities to it, we often see ourselves lacking what is needed for true success. However, in figuring these things out, we always leave God out of the equation! When God is factored in, 2 + 2 doesn't necessarily equal 4!

Never allow a lack of an education, a lack of money, a lack of skill or any other thing stop you from being everything God wants you to be. Even if you can’t see within yourself the resources needed, just be faithful to obey Him who has called you and placed you in His work. Above all, when you are measuring yourself against the task always remember to measure him who is above all others and obstacles (Ephesians. 3:20).

Truth be told, Noah probably didn't feel adequate beside that Ark. David must have felt pretty small next to Goliath. The Three Hebrews probably felt inadequate against that furnace. Daniel must have looked pretty pathetic beside that Lion’s Den. All through the Bible, God’s people have been placed alongside obstacles against which they looked and felt incapabpe, but with the power of God working through them, they were able to overcome them all. If God will do it for them, He will do it for you too (Romans 2:11).

Now comes the excuse of inferiority (Exodus 4:1-9). After the Lord handles all of Moses’ other excuses, Moses decides that if he tells people that he has had a personal meeting with God Himself, they will decide that Moses is lying. In other words, no one will believe what he tells them.

Many believers feel this exact way when it comes to serving the Lord without fear. Many seem to have the impression that others will think they are crazy when they begin to talk of a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, or of they say they talk to God and that He talks back. The truth is, we often feel that we are inferior to the world around us. We have had this wonderful, life-changing event and we are sure that they will never believe us, when we tell them about it.

God’s response to Moses is to let him know that when the Lord gets through working in and through him, there will be no doubt in the minds of others as to the truth of Moses’ story! In fact, God makes it plain in verse 9 that no matter what they skeptics say, He will keep working in Moses until they are sure that his story is genuine!

This is true in the lives of God’s children as well. When the Lord comes in saving power, He also comes in life changing power. No life can be touched by the salvation that is in Jesus Christ and remain like it was! He will recreate the new believer in His image (2 Corinthians 5:17). That's not to say that there won’t be lapses from time to time. However, the child of God will be unmistakably changed.

Let's allow the Lord the right of way in our lives. Let's give Him the room to work in us so that others may see that there is power in the Blood, that Jesus still does save souls, and that there is hope for their souls too.

Lastly, let's look at the excuse of infirmity (Exodus 4:10-17). In a last ditch effort to escape the yoke God intends for him, Moses appeals to some sort of a speech impediment. It may be that Moses just thought and therefore responded slow, or it may be that he stuttered. Whatever the infirmity, Moses tries to use it as an excuse for not doing the will of God.

Many Christians are just like Moses. They look at their lack of education, a physical handicap, their age, their income, you name it, in an effort to stay out of the Lord’s field. In truth, these aren't legitimate excuses for not serving the Lord. There are none! Whatever your hold up may be, God was well aware of it before He chose you for His work. Therefore, our duty is to yield to His hand and allow Him His free reign in our lives.

God’s response to Moses is that He made man’s mouth and He made man’s mind, and He was able to give man what he needed when he needed it! (Notice Moses’ attempt to put God off (Exodus 4:13), at this God gets angry and promises Moses a helper. He will send Aaron his brother along as a spokesman. But, it's worthy to note that Aaron was always leading the people into sin (Remember the Golden Calf, and speaking against Moses because of his wife?)

Dear reader, You and I have no need to fear being used of the Lord. He is still God, and He can still take those whom He has saved and fill their minds and their mouths for His glory (Luke 2:11). We too, have been given a helper in the Person of the Holy Spirit! He is ever with us and will teach us what we need to know along the way (John 16:15). However, unlike Aaron, He will never cause or lead us into trouble. His plan is to help us along the way so that we might be the best Christians we can be for the glory of the Lord.

If your excuse today is infirmity, then toss that thought aside. God used a jackass to speak to Balaam, He used a rooster to speak to Peter, He used an old sheep hide to speak to Gideon, and He can use you. All He asks is that you be available, and that you be usable.

In closing today, it appears to me that regardless of the excuses that we might come up with for not doing the will of God, God always has an answer. Here is the bottom line. If you have missed everything else, then get this: God wants to use YOU. He has saved you by His grace and He has made something out of your life.

The best thing you and I can do is throw out our excuses and realize that God is able where we are not. Our heart’s desire should be, and must be, to serve Him at all costs, regardless of what He asks from our lives. After all, He gave His all, and He asks no less from us!

Scripture: Genesis 3:12-13; 1 Samuel 13:11-12; Judges 6:15; Proverbs 22:13; Jeremiah 1:6; Matthew 22:2-3; Romans 1:20

Prayer: Forgiving Father, please forgive me today for my lack of passion to love and forgive others in the way you have so graciously forgiven me. Create in me a heart like your own: faithful, forgiving, and gracious. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Joyce

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Do YOU Have What It Takes to Walk With Jesus?

One of the greatest military victories of all time was when Henry V and his troops went into France to face the enemy at Agincourt. Although the French army greatly outnumbered the English army, the French lost the battle and suffered approximately 10,000 casualties to only 400 English causalities. This battle has been immortalized by Shakespeare.

On the morning of the battle, Henry's men grabbed the dirt beneath them and placed the dirt in their mouth to symbolically pledge they were prepared to die on that ground. What level of commitment are we willing to pledge our King?

Is it possible to encounter Jesus, but miss who he really is, because of our preconceived notions of who he is, or who we think he should be and what he should be like? I think it is possible to become so comfortable in our beliefs about Jesus and the Christian faith that we settle for the inferior version of what other people have told us, rather than the reality of who he really is.

And, that additionally it's possible to be so influenced by our modern culture, that we miss the radical, and exciting person waiting to be discovered in the New Testament. We, like the people in the scripture that I will refer to today, have so accommodated our faith to what we want it to be (an easy and comfortable perversion of truth), that we have been lulled to sleep, and live in complacency.

We really think we understand it all, and that is precisely the problem. We are content with shadows and we are uncomfortable with light. Light means we will have to think new thoughts, and see things in new ways. We will have to stop wanting Jesus to just be a part of our comfortable lives, and begin to seek first his kingdom. We will have to give up our cozy Christianity that has been adapted to the ways of this world, and be true Christians after the calling and model of Jesus.

Our Christian life has become a play thing, a good luck charm, rather than a radically new way of living. It means that we will have to stop preferring shadows to reality and see life through new eyes. But, that may mean that we have to face the challenges that Jesus brings. It may mean changes in our priorities and values.

This week, I will use John 6 as the basis of our discussion. Jesus had just fed the five thousand. He had proven that He could meet man’s physical needs. Now the crowds began to gather around Him. Truthfully, they cared little about Him, only what He could do for them.

They weren't interested in Him as a Savior, they simply wanted something for nothing. So Jesus preached a sermon to them; a sermon in which He appealed for them to surrender their lives; a sermon in which He demanded that they give instead of receive.

These people were willing to follow Him as long as He was feeding them and requiring nothing in return. But, when He began to tell them what would be required and expected of them if they continued to follow Him; the great crowd turned away and went back to the world (John 6:66). Unfortunately, it’s the same way today. Here's what I mean.

Just let a pastor, or preacher sermonize about the free grace of God; let him tell of all that a man receives as a Christian; let him tell of Heaven and the joy therein, and men will follow Him and call him a great preacher. But... let him call upon people to forsake the world and follow Jesus; let him ask for money for the work of Gospel.

Let him ask them to go out into the world to witness for Christ; and the majority will turn their backs and walk away. It's easy for some people to say "Amen" when the pastor speaks about what Christ gives us, but they are strangely silent when he speaks of what we should give Christ, or the pastor. 

Yes, as the crowd began to leave, Jesus sadly turned to His disciples and said, "Will you also go away? And bold Peter, who often say the wrong things, said the right thing this time. He said, "Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words to eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God! (John 6:68-69)

So, what does it take to follow Jesus? What it doesn't take is treating Jesus and his teachings as a religion which is added to one’s life like an extra room is added to one’s home. This isn't about having your normal life and having Jesus too. It is about tearing down the old house and following him. It isn't about having Jesus as a part of your life, it is about seeking him as life itself.

The Bible says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). This growth in our pursuit of Jesus leads to joy and thankfulness, but sadly it is a life that not everyone is willing to live, even those calling themselves Christian.

Therefore, what it means to follow Jesus is: abandonment of our worldly lives. Allow me to briefly expound on this. Do you remember the stories of people coming to Jesus wanting to follow him? Here is how the Scripture relates it: “As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’ (Luke 9:58; Matthew 8:20)

He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’” (Matthew 8:22; Luke 9:57-62). Jesus calls for us to abandon our worldly lives to follow him.

Dear readers, no human being, no matter how great they are, can meet every need in our lives. But, there is One who can meet our every need. His name is Jesus Christ! He truly is an adequate, and all-sufficient Savior. He only can profoundly meet our every need in life. In Him, and with His help, we can face whatever problems life might serve up.

I say that there are essentially two types of followers of Jesus: Those who want bread, and those who want The Bread; Those who are disappointed and offended with Jesus and follow him no more, and those who, even in their confusion, say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Which one of these is you?

Scripture: Colossians 3:17; Romans 12:1; Galatians 2:20; Romans 3:23;  Romans 12:2; Luke 14:27; Mark 12:30  

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

Acknowledge God By Living For Him

"Being filled with the power of the Spirit begins with an honest acknowledgement of our own weakness. The truth is that most of us go to great lengths to disguise our weaknesses."  -Kyle Idleman, "Not a Fan" (p. 93)

I was going through some of my notes the other day when I came across something that I had jotted down a while back. The words "Acknowledging God" glared back at me from the sheet of paper. It got me thinking, we all understand the concept of trusting God, right?. We understand that trusting means "to hope in God; to put your confidence in God; to find your security in God; to rely on God." But, maybe the concept of acknowledging God is a little more vague than that.

Webster defines "acknowledge" as: "to admit knowledge of or agreement with; to recognize the rights, authority or status of; to express gratitude or obligation for; to make known the receipt of; to recognize as genuine or valid." We're told to "acknowledge God in all our ways." How do we do that? What does that mean as applied to our daily lives? To what does "acknowledging" God mean reduced to its simple essentials?

To begin with, to acknowledge God means to take notice of Him. Here's an example. When you walk down the street and see someone; you can ignore them, or take notice of them. If you notice them, and greet them, you have acknowledged them. When you consider someone else's needs and feelings, you notice them and acknowledge them. Similarly, we can ignore God, or notice and acknowledge Him.

To take notice of God means:

• Take Him into account when you are making decisions.
• To remember Him throughout your day and to consciously, deliberately turn your mind to God.
• To never push Him out of the picture, or put Him on the back-burner.
• To recognize His hand at work in all our affairs and credit Him for our benefits.
• To see His hand in creation, providence and guidance.
• Keep God in mind; notice Him in your daily affairs; notice Him as you enjoy the beauty of creation; notice Him and acknowledge Him.

Many of you do that regularly. You have a God consciousness. But unfortunately, many think of God only when they need something. In all your ways, in all your days, acknowledge Him. Don't be like the little boy who, going on vacation with his parents, yelled out the car window as they passed the church building, "Bye, bye, God! We're going on vacation! See you in a couple of weeks!" Evidently they wouldn't notice, or acknowledge God for two weeks!

Next, to acknowledge God means to obey Him. When you comply with someone's directions, you acknowledge their right to direct. To acknowledge God is to concede that He is the ultimate authority; He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; Simpy put, He is to be obeyed. Certainly, there are many influences vying for our obedience. There are many forces attempting to move us this way or that: "Do this!" "Do that!" "Go this way!" "Go that way!" So, to which will we accept? Which will prevail? Which will wield ultimate influence? Which will we obey? Obeying Christ is crucial.

Additionally, to acknowledge God means to give Him praise. When someone does something noteworthy, and we express our gratitude and commendation to them, we are "praising them" and we are acknowledging them and their work. We are saying, "Good job! We acknowledge your accomplishment!" God clearly deserves to be praised as we acknowledge Him and His works.

Here are some good reasons to give God our praise:

• He is the Creator and Sustainer of all that is! We're not descendants of some single cell; we're not accidents of nature.
• He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. All that we have and are we owe to Him.
• He is the Savior of our souls. Our heavenly destiny is owed to Him.
• He is pure, holy, majestic, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.

Finally, to acknowledge God means to confess Him before others. Look, if we know someone and say to others, "See that woman over there? She's a really good friend of mine!" we're acknowledging her to that person. In like fashion, we are to acknowledge our relationship with, and belief in Jesus Christ. Jesus adds a warning and a blessing to the matter of confessing, or acknowledging, Him:

"Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38).

Acknowledge Him by confessing Him to others. I'm not talking about being offensive and shoving Jesus down other people's throats. I'm talking about sharing your faith in a friendly, humble and yet confident manner with others.

Let me sum this all up for you. In all your ways acknowledge Him. In all your ways: your relationships, your employment, your recreation, your attitudes, your possessions, your music, your reading matter, your television, your desires and aims and goals. In all your ways. Then the path He sets before you will lead straight to the heart of His will for you. Then the way He establishes will be the way to life.

There are two ways open before us: the wide way leading to destruction which many find; and the narrow way leading to life, which few find. If you acknowledge Him, it is this narrow way, the way to life, that He will establish for your path.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 115:16; 1 Peter 3:15; Psalm 14:2; John 1:12; John 3:16

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Give me the wisdom to know that even the smallest effort can produce big results. Amen

May God be with you always!

Albany

God Wants YOU...Not Your Excuses!

The next time you think you have an excuse why God can't use you remember: Noah was drunk, Abraham was too old; Isaac was a day dreamer; Jacob was a liar; Leah was ugly; Joseph was abused; Moses, David and Paul were murderers, Gideon was afraid; Samson had long hair; Jeremiah and Timothy were too young; Elijah was suicidal; Isaiah preached naked; Jonah ran away; Naomi was a widow; Job lost everything; John the Baptist ate locusts; Peter was hot tempered; John was self-righteous; the disciples fell asleep; Martha was a worrier; the boy with the loaves and fish was unknown; Zacchaeus was too short; Peter was too impulsive; Timothy had a stomach ulcer … There is no excuse. God can use anyone in His time, and in His way!  -White Ribbon Signal

We're pretty good at making excuses, aren't we? In the Christian world, we can find all sorts of excuses not to obey God's voice. It's been said, "Excuses are tools of the incompetent, and those who specialize in them seldom go far." Ben Franklin wrote, "He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." Gabriel Meurier stated, "He who excuses himself, accuses himself."

Here's a question for you: What if God came to you and said...“Listen I have an awesome mission for you to accomplish. It will be part of my plan to redeem the world to myself. It will involve miracles, signs, and wonders. It will involve the splitting of the Red Sea, and the leading of a couple of million people out of bondage to freedom—all of whom you will lead." How would you respond?

Would you jump at the chance, or would you come up with a few excuses as to why you weren't necessarily God’s best choice? I'd like to use Moses as an example. In Exodus, Chapter 3, the intimate relationship between God and Moses begins as God confronts Moses with a mission.

So, how did Moses accept the mission? Did he do it with bold faith and valiant courage? No! This intimate relationship began with excuses. He didn't waste any time, when chosen by God to lead His people. Moses basically said, “Look, I’m not your guy.” It began with excuses that needed to be replaced with actions.

Let me clarify, before moving forward, that not all excuses are bad. They can be valid and reasonable if our intentions and motives are pure; and if they’re genuinely based upon what we believe to be the truth in that given circumstance.

Nevertheless, we seriously need to examine ourselves and determine the motive and content of our excuses. Why? Because we could be losing out on God’s desired plan for our lives, and that always leads to, at the very least, frustration on our end as we move out of God’s desired will for us.

If our desire is to go deep and wide in our relationship with God, we need to lose the excuses and grab hold of the faith He asks us to take. Also, we can’t get around the fact that relational intimacy grows deeper as the parties involved go through difficulties together, as they endure pain together, share tears together, and overcome together.

We can’t run from God in the bad, or trying times and hide behind excuses. Excuses can be incredible roadblocks that inhibit our relational depth with God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. God says, “Go this way…" and we say, “No, I don’t think so.” Then again, “Go this way…," and we say, “No, I don’t think so." Then he says, “fine have it your way.”

None of us want it that way, because we want to be walking where He wants us to walk. And, that’s where the blessings are, that’s where the joy is, that’s where most importantly His presence is. So what do we need to do? We need to replace the excuses with steps of faith. That’s how we open the window to the future that God desires for us; a future filled with fulfilled promises and not fallen dreams.

So, what is the unshakable Good News for us today? That same all-powerful God that has control over all people and their senses has assured us that His power can work in our lives when we’re doing His will and surrendering to His spirit (Ephesians 3:20).

In closing today's message, remember this: There’s nothing that can separate you from the intimate love and presence of God; which leads to the peace, persistence and purpose to fulfill God’s desired destiny for your life. Apply this today by not only considering what your excuses are, but also by deciding to toss them away as you follow God.

Scripture: Genesis 3:12-13; Exodus 4:10; Jeremiah 1:6; Matthew 7:21; Isaiah 43:10; Deuteronomy 6:5; John 9:41

Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask for wisdom and guidance as I face a day that is full of unknown trials and challenges. I know you are with me and with you all things are possible. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Bonnie

Video - Beth Moore: Pressing Past Our Fears (Pt. 4)

In the fourth installment of the series, Beth Moore continues her discussion on how God is calling us to bravery. He can set us free from from a stronghold of fear! Enjoy!  ~Eve

God Loves Working With the Impossible!

Someone once wrote, "When God is going to do something wonderful, He begins with difficulty. If it is going to be something very wonderful, He begins with impossibility!"

Oh, yes...God is full of surprises! In fact, God seems to specialize in surprises, but especially the impossible. Many times we expect Him to do one thing, and He does another. We anticipate His movement in one direction, but often it is in another.

Sometimes we trust Him to handle something immediately, and He waits and it seems to take forever. Then other times we anticipate waiting for a long time, and almost overnight He has solved what appeared to be the impossible. God loves to do the things that we have absolutely no power to do, and that's the way He has planned our lives. His solutions are better than what we could ever devise. And it is often more impossible than we would ever believe.

What we might call "impossible", God sees as no problem at all (Matthew 19:26), "With men this [insert your worst problem here] is impossible, but with God all things are possible"(Luke 1:37), "For nothing will be impossible with God." "Nothing," not even the most overwhelming obstacle, will be impossible to overcome with God.

We're all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as "impossible situations." Many times, believers are convinced that there is no way even God could intervene in their life, and therefore, they miss out on some of God's best work. God prefers to work in that situation that you deem "impossible." When we throw up our hands and say, "There is no way," God loves to prove Himself God.

Where things look impossible is where God works, dear friends. Some of you may be looking at your body and thinking about the pain, or the physical problem that you have, or some member of your family has, and as you look at the situation all of your senses say “it’s impossible.”  I am here to tell you, "That which is impossible with man is possible with God, and for those who believe in Him."

What seems to be impossible to most people is just right for a man, or woman of faith who knows how to believe God.  They know how to take their faith, and make the circumstance bend and flip over and change around.  Storms may come, but they know how to take their faith and make the outcome different.  God moves to transcend circumstances and situations for those who believe in victory over the impossible.

This is not for those who look at things and say, “Well, I don’t see any way out of it,” or who look at someone who is sick and say, “I don’t know whether he can get healed,” or look at those who are bound up with fear and frustration and worry and say, “I don’t see any way out of it.”  Those are not the ones God moves for. The one that God moves for is the man or woman who looks at a situation and their eyes, ears, feelings, nose, mouth, and all their senses say “impossible.”

Everything in the natural says “it can’t be done,” but that man, or woman will look at that naturally impossible situation and say, “I believe God.”  This is where they begin to transcend the circumstance and the situation.  If you are looking at some problem, or difficulty today that looks impossible; I want to tell you that’s exactly where God can move.

As long as you're not in a circumstance, or situation that seems impossible to you God can’t move, because He only moves where you can’t. God only moves outside of your range of abilities and outside of your power and what you can do.

So as you come into a place, or a situation where you can’t, and it’s beyond everything in you, that’s where you must boldly stand and say, “God, I can’t, but I believe You can. God, I've been trying to work this thing out, and do this for weeks, months, or years, and I’ll just tell You, I've come to find out that it’s too big a load, so I want to get into the place where You can do it.”  Those who speak like this are the kind of people that get miracles from God!

Sure, it's easy to trust God when things are going okay, or even when they're a little difficult. After all, we can see what the outcome is going to be. Everything is following a logical path. But, how about those times when you get knocked around a bit? When nothing seems to go right? When you feel as if you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? When it seems as if all have abandoned you at the point of your greatest need? When it feels like you just can't go on?

Keep the following close to your heart, and mind.Whenever you face an impossible situation, call this to mind: Faith and prayer are the keys to making the impossible possible, even though the process can be very slow, and even if our faith is very small. Jesus said that faith as tiny as a mustard seed, one of the tiniest seeds on earth, can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

Always remember that He is faithful. He wants to make a way for you even when the road is closed. Most importantly, He will never leave you to carry your burden alone.Your situation is never hopeless when you have God in your heart!

Scripture: John 1:1; Hebrews 11:6; John 14:1; Matthew 24:13; Jeremiah 32:17; Hebrews 11:1-3; Romans 10:17

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me see that even in the darkest hour your light will be there to show me the way. Amen

-special thanks to Robert R. McLaughlin

May God always bless you,

Cara

Are You Satisfied Where You Are In Your Faith?

Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. "Good enough" becomes today's watchword and tomorrow's standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new. Like water, complacent people follow the easiest course -- downhill. They draw false strength from looking back.   -Bits & Pieces, May 28, 1992, p. 15.

Many Christians are suffering from the problem of an apathetic attitude to God’s priorities. By their complacent attitudes, some believers fall into the trap of selfish indifference to the passions of God; for the five billion people who are yet to know Christ as their Savior.

How do you know if you're being complacent in your attitude and belief? I admit, there are many indicators of a stale faith. But, here are a couple that immediately come to my mind:

1. Satisfaction with the way things are.

2. Rejection of things as they might be.

Jesus made it clear that the Lord does not tolerate complacent attitudes when He said, "Whoever is not for me is against me." (Luke 11:23) We are either progressing in Christ or regressing. Are you growing in all aspects into Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)?

Let me ask you, are you satisfied where you are in your faith? Do you consider your Christian life vigorous? Is it healthy? Or is it weak? As Christians, we need to understand that we consistently live in the danger of our faith becoming dull and senseless. We get into a routine, and…well, you get the idea. It's very easy to become complacent.

The greatest danger to a believer in Jesus – is to become content with lower standards than what God wants for you and I to live. The danger is to become half-hearted in living the Christian life.

It's true, sometimes Christians fall into a rut. We seem to be going through the motions of being a Christian without  feeling genuine about it. I admit that I've caught myself in that situation before. During those times, we aren't really excited about God, but we're not rejecting Him either. We're very comfortable being in-between; not entirely with the world, but not totally in love with God either.

God doesn't want you to be a fence sitter. He doesn't want you complacent, or indifferent about His will for your life – He wants you to have a passion for the things He has passion for. Where are you in your Christian walk today? Where do you stand? Are you just trying to get by? Are you just being comfortable?

God has a purpose for your life. God has a plan for your life. God wants to bless your life. How are you treating the promises of God? Are you complacent about them? Are you indifferent about what God wants for you?

Imagine, if you can, if Jesus was complacent and indifferent. We would have no salvation – because Jesus was not complacent about you – Jesus was not indifferent about your salvation – we have a savior who loves you – we have a savior who went to the cross with passion. He did not choose the middle ground - in fact he hates the middle ground. Seek the Lord with all your strength. Seek the Lord with all your might! (Matthew 22:37)

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:12; Luke 12:19; Deuteronomy 8:14; 2 Chronicles 20:33; Psalms 10:4; Isaiah 64:7; Matthew 7:26

Prayer: Dear Father, please help me understand that a little kindness costs nothing to give, and is far more valuable. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Ashlyn

Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: John's Gospel: A Different Side Of Christ

"If you have to be reasoned into Christianity, some wise fellow can reason you out of it! If you come to Christ by a flash of the Holy Spirit so that by intuition you know that you are God's child, you know it by the text but you also know it by the inner light, the inner illumination of the Spirit, and no one can ever reason you out of it."   -A. W. Tozer, The Works Of A. W. Tozer 

People all over the world already had the accounts of the life of Christ as recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke. These first three Gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels. The word "synoptic" means "to see together." This means that the first three Gospels contain many of the same stories and teachings, but told from a different angle. Yet, each is fully inspired by the Lord.

However, John's Gospel is different! In the pages of this wonderful book, we see a side of Christ that the other Gospel writers do not touch on. John was part of that blessed inner circle. That handful of Disciples that was with Christ during some of His most intimate moments. In this Gospel John gives us 21 blessed chapters. Chapters that, as each unfolds, presents a new facet of His divine character.

This week, we shall examine John 1:1-18. And, in the opening chapter, John paints a picture of Jesus: The Word Of God, and it is that image that we want to focus in on. Now, three truths are revealed in these verses about the Word of God. The first is that Jesus is the preexistent Word (John 1:1-3). Here we see that:

1. He Is The Constant Word. According to this verse, Jesus has simply always existed! He didn't come into being in Bethlehem, but He has been here throughout all the endless ages of eternities past.

2. He Is The Communing Word. This phrase says that Jesus "was with God." That is, He was present in the heavenlies in the presence of God, yet He stood as a distinct Person. This verse teaches us that Jesus is God, yet He is still a unique being.

3. He Is The Controversial Word. When Jesus came preaching repentance (Mark 1:15) men thought He was strange. When He began to heal and perform miracles, men thought He was a prophet sent by God (John 3:2). When He spoke the Word of God with power, men thought He was amazing (Luke 4:36). However, when Jesus claimed equality with God, men thought He was crazy (John 19:7). He stopped being a blessing and became a controversy when He claimed to be God (John 14:9).

4. He Is The Creative Word. This verse (John 1:3) tells us that Jesus was the energy behind the creation of the universe. He spoke and it was! He stood on the edge of nothing and spoke all this into existence (Colossians 1:16-17).

These four truths, taken as one give us the clear teaching that Jesus is the pre-existent Word of God. He has always been and He always will be! Thank God, there will never be a day throughout eternity that doesn't include Jesus! No matter where we wind up, or what we have to face as we travel through this world, we can rest assured that the pre-existent One is, and always will be, there for us. He is the pre-existent Word of the Living God!

The next truth is that Jesus is the personalized Word (John 1:4). This verse is one of the clearest in all the Bible regarding the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Incarnation simply means "the bodily manifestation of a supernatural being." In this verse we see:

1. The Manner Of His Incarnation. Verse 4 tells us that "The Word became flesh and dwelled among us." The manner of His incarnation is a mystery. How could God become a man? The answer to this question lies in the mind of God alone. All we know is that God chose a virgin named Mary and caused her to miraculously conceive and bring forth a baby. I do know that on that night when Jesus was born, God had come to earth.

Somehow, the Word, became flesh! While Jesus himself had existed from all eternities past, He took up on Himself a robe of flesh there in Bethlehem. The Creator was born to the creature. God placed His life in the hands of mortals. Wow! What a scene that must have been!

2. The Mystery Of His Incarnation. The word was "made" flesh. This word carries the meaning "to appear in history, to step onto the stage." There in Bethlehem, God stepped out of eternity and onto the stage of human history. He came a tangible proof of the existence of God and of God's willingness to save mankind. When He was here on earth and through the record left to you and me, we can see that Jesus came to this world to reveal God to man. He did this through the medium of His flesh (1 John 1:1).

3. The Majesty Of His Incarnation. John actually saw the glory of Jesus in a very real sense. In Matthew 17, John, along with James and Peter accompanied Jesus upon a mountain side. There Jesus allowed the veil of His flesh to be pulled aside and He revealed the glory that was concealed beneath. Jesus concealed His heavenly fame within an earthly frame. However, His greatest glory was revealed the day He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross and died for sinners. On Calvary, the glory of God was in sharp focus!

After all, That was the reason Jesus left the halls of Heaven and came to live among men. He took upon Himself a robe of flesh so that He might be able to die for mankind. That is what He did for each and every one of us this evening. To me the greatest evidence of the glory of God is the broken body of Jesus Christ having demonstrated His love for me in the clearest of terms (Romans 5:8).

Finally, the third revealed truth, Jesus is the proclaiming Word (John 1: 18). According to this verse, Jesus came to reveal God to man. The word "declare" means "to unfold." Every thing the Lord did was simply in an effort to unfold more of the revelation of God to man. Men needed to see God not just as a Lawgiver, but also as a lover. Not only as a judge, but as a justifier. Not as some stern, hateful being, but as a saving, caring God. Jesus did just this by His life (John 14:7-9; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3).

Jesus came to put God on display before men; and He did this in two primary ways:

1.  He Came To Proclaim Light (John 1:4-9). He came to a world in spiritual darkness and opened the curtains of grace revealing the truth of God to men wandering in darkness. Jesus came to illuminate the pathway of men toward God. This light will accomplish one of two things. It will either cause men to repent of their sins and run to the opened arms of the Lord, or it will cause them to reject the light and continue on their course of darkness. One will lead to salvation, the other will lead to damnation! (John 3:36)

2. He Came To Proclaim Life (John 1:10-13). Jesus came to His people, who had His Word and were living in His promised land. He came to tell then that there was a way to come to the Father and to experience eternal life. In what may be the saddest verse in the Bible, they refused this call from the sinner's friend to come to Him. However, verses 12-13 make is clear that anyone who will respond positively to the light of God, and will come to Jesus and receive Him into their heart and life; will experience the new birth and will enter into eternal life.

Let me reiterate, John makes it clear in verse 13 that this life comes not by our natural birth (not by blood), not by our own good works (not the will of the flesh), not the work of another, (the will of man), but only through the will of God. And, just what is the will of the Father (John 6:36-40)? There is only one entrance into life and that is through the Son of God. He is the Door (John 10:9); and He is the Way (John 14:6). If anyone will enter into life, they will enter through Jesus!

Scripture: John 10:30; John 8:58; Colossians 1:15-17; Philippians 2:5-7; Exodus 3:14; Mark 12:29; John 10:28-30 

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

Why Believe In God?

It is possible for a person to contend that a poem is nothing but black marks on white paper. And such an argument might be convincing before an audience that could not read. You can examine the print under a microscope, or analyze the paper and ink, but you will never find something behind this sort of analysis that you could call "a poem." Those who can read, however, will continue to insist that poems exist.   -Bruce Shelly, Christian Theology in Plain Language, p. 38.

Someone might ask, "Is there any proof, or why would we believe in God?" Of course, the sheer magnitude of this question alone demands far more consideration then we could possibly offer here today. However, this doesn't mean that I can't, at the very least, present some points of discussion regarding this concern.

Let's begin with the fact that the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God. From the very first verse (Genesis 1:1); God is presented as a reality. While pondering the concept of God, we can ask: Why do the vast majority of cultures have a concept of God and morality? How do we account for the inherent knowledge of God?

Also, humans differ from the whole of creation in that we possess intellect, moral judgment, self-awareness and the knowledge of God. How can we honestly explain the differences without acknowledging a God of like being?

How about the resurrection? The resurrection validates and proves the existence of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Ultimately, Christianity rises or falls on the reality of the resurrection. The disciples and 500 others gave eyewitness accounts of seeing Jesus risen from the tomb. But then, how do we know they were telling the truth?

In April 2002, the well-respected Oxford University philosophy professor Richard Swinburne used a broadly accepted probability theory to defend the truth of Christ's resurrection. He did this at a high-profile gathering of philosophy professors at Yale University.

"For someone dead for 36 hours to come to life again is, according to the laws of nature, extremely improbable." Swinburne then used Bayes' Theorem to assign values to things like the probability of God being real, Jesus' behavior during his lifetime, and the quality of witness testimony after Jesus' death. Then he plugged the numbers into a probability formula and added everything up. The result was a 97 percent probability that the resurrection really happened. [Emily Eakin, "So God's Really in the Details?" The New York Times, May 11, 2002]

Furthermore, let's not neglect the disciples of Christ. Twelve powerless men, peasants really, were facing not just embarrassment or political disgrace, but beatings, stoning, execution. Every one of the disciples insisted, to their dying breaths, that they had physically seen Jesus bodily raised from the dead.

Don't you think that one of those apostles would have cracked before being beheaded or stoned? That one of them would have made a deal with the authorities? None did. Men will give their lives for something they believe to be true; they will never give their lives for something they know to be false.

Nothing less than a resurrected Christ could have caused those men to maintain to their dying whispers that Jesus is alive and is Lord. Two thousand years later, nothing less than the power of the risen Christ could inspire Christians around the world to remain faithful - despite prison, torture, and death.

To conclude, I realize that there is an immense amount of available information regarding this topic. My intention today, as mentioned above, is to merely stoke the embers of discussion. Hopefully, in the process, I have provided inspiration and motivation to pursue further inquiry, as desired.

Scripture: Romans 1:20; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11; Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 4:8; Romans 1:21; John 1:1-2

Prayer: Dear Father, please let what I do make a difference in the world. Amen

-special thanks to Jerry Gifford

Have a blessed day,

Kathleen

How Does God Test the Value of Our Faith?

"God has not called us to success, but to faithfulness."   -Oswald Chambers

God blesses someone who perseveres under trial. Blessed means "fortunate," and speaks of an inner quality of joy, a contentment in God not affected by outward circumstances. In fact, the New Testament often uses this word to describe those who, as far as outward circumstances are concerned, appear not to be fortunate at all! For example: the poor, the hungry, the persecuted, or the martyrs.

This blessing is a joy that the world can not take from us. It's joy that resides in the depths of your heart. Joy is a matter of choice. You can allow yourself to be miserable in life, or you can choose to face the challenges of life with joy. Our joy flows from a personal connection with the Savior of the World. Nothing can ever take that away from you.

The happiness of believers flows out of faithfully following Jesus. It comes after one has following Him through the good and the bad of life. Inner blessedness is the result of faithfully following Jesus even through life's trials and tribulations. And, believe me, trials will come to the Christian who lives a spiritual life. But, the key here is to persevere!

Perseverance is: standing steadfastly in the midst of trial, facing it in the faith of Jesus Christ. God wants to bring us to the place where we patiently wait for Him to do His work in us. He wants to develop within us the patient assurance that He is at work, and He does His deepest and best work in our trials.

God samples the value of our faith through the trials of life. If we preserve in faithfulness to Him, and His word, it proves our faith is authentic, genuine and more precious than gold. Trials bring blessing because they prove our faith is genuine. God blesses our faith when we trust Him through the trial.

God uses trials for the expressed purpose of building our faith and character. Character must be tested to be proven genuine. There is no place for wimps in the development of faith for faith development calls for stamina and courage.

Certainly, difficulties can get you down. After all, we're only human. But, if you will remain faithful to God your difficulties will give you strength of character so that you will walk confidently with God; prepared for whatever life has in store for you. The way to God’s winner’s circle is by loving Him and staying faithful even under pressure.

Also, pray that you may be able to withstand the fierce winds of temptation and the storms and stresses of life so that you may be more like Jesus. Enduring temptation means that we must bear up under it, not get mad at God when troubles come and things don’t seem fair. We must remain faithful and not stumble if God takes His time in bringing us through it all.

Enduring temptation means that we take the troubles of life and bravely face them, continuing to trust in the Lord. We should bear them patiently and with integrity because we know that it’s all in God’s hands and will somehow work out something good in our lives.

It's important to remember that temptations are nothing more than tokens of God’s love and confidence in us. He allows them to come to strengthen us and to help us draw closer to Him. And, what is waiting for us when we have endured to the end, when we have faced that great leveler? We shall receive the Crown of Life!

Therefore, what motivates us to continue being faithful in spite of the trials of life? One word: Love.

- Love motivates a joyful attitude –– We love God, God loves us and will not harm us.
- Love motivates an understanding mind –– God teaches us through the trials, and we grow.
- Love motivates surrender of my will –– when love reigns, we can surrender and obey.
- Love motivates belief – we you love you believe the best about God and the situations of life.

Love keeps us faithful to the Lord. Notice first comes the cross, or trial and then the crown of life. First comes the suffering, then the glory. God doesn't help us by removing the tests; but by making the tests work for us. Satan uses tests or temptation to tear us down but God transforms them into stepping-stones to build us up.

In conclusion, troubles drive us to God who delights to help those who are forsaken of hopes. In easy times many either do not pray at all; or they do, but weakly. However, under stress, our prayers, like swift streams forced through narrow straits, run mighty to God.

And through this thrusting ourselves more fully upon God, He is able to purify us and make us of proven or genuine character. This person will be blessed and rewarded in that he will enjoy a divine sufficiency in life regardless of circumstances.

God’s purpose in trials is maturity. To have the right attitude in trials one must see the advantage of trials, but when it is difficult to see the advantages, one can ask God in faith and God will give him the right attitude in trials. He can rejoice in trials and be blessed by enduring them.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:24; Proverbs 3:5;  Deuteronomy 6:5; Titus 3:5; John 14:6; John 16:13; John 6:47-50

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that You always keep me in Your presence. Let me never be separated from You, and help me to do Your Will. Amen.

May God always bless you!

Shelley

Video - Christa Black: Christian Drugs

Christa Black, singer/songwriter and author of "God Loves Ugly," explains how to rightly displace the pain in our lives instead of medicating with other things. Good message, here!  ~Eve

Do You Take Your Faith Seriously?

"This "faith unto salvation" has been illustrated in many ways. If I stand on the twenty-seventh floor of a tall building and press the button for an elevator, I am confident (I have faith) that the elevator will arrive. Indeed, it does, and the door opens. I am now presented with a vehicle that, I am confident (I have faith), will take me to the ground floor, or to the top of that building, provided I step into it.

When I do, my faith in that elevator takes the form of personal trust. It has become not only objective confidence but a personal reality to me. In the same way, the faith of the gospel (the truth of Christianity) becomes the path to my personal salvation when I exercise faith. This is accomplished by accepting Christ's death as my way to right-standing before God."  -David Breese, Living For Eternity, Moody Press, 1988, p. 36

An important aspect of being a Christian involves the element of "faith." Let me give you some examples: The gospel to which a person responds in becoming a Christian is called "the faith" (Jude 3). Those who obeyed the gospel have been "faithful to the Lord" (Acts 16:15; Colossians 1:2). Christians are referred to as "the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).

Certainly, "faith" is the underlying principle of all the Christian's conduct. We can say that it's fundamental to our salvation in Christ (Romans 1:16-17); and that it's central to the life we now live in Christ (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:7). However, even with this being said,  the nature of faith and its importance in the life of Christians are often misunderstood, and neglected.

Perhaps a little clarification is needed; and that's what I will attempt to do here today in this brief format. An obvious starting point would be to define the "meaning of faith." First, this involves the idea of belief. Belief is the certainty, or conviction that one has in some truth or proposition. An example would be, believing in things concerning Jesus and His kingdom (Acts 8:12). Such faith, or conviction, comes from the Word of God (Romans 10:17; cf. John 20:30-31).

Next, the "meaning of faith" involves the idea of confidence. Confidence is the willingness to place one's trust and reliance on someone else. An example of this would be, placing our trust in God, that He is reliable (Romans 4:3, 20-22). We are to have similar trust in God (1 Peter 4:19).

Last, the "meaning of faith" involves the idea of fidelity. Fidelity means that one is loyal, committed, and can be trusted. For example, a faithful steward is one who is reliable (1 Corinthians 4:2). Our faithfulness (commitment, trustworthiness) is to last even to the point of death (Revelation 2:10,13).

Therefore, a faithful Christian is one who believes in the Word of God; he has confidence in the Person of God; and is himself loyal and trustworthy in the service of God. Now, let's take a look at what can be said about the "life of faith."

A "life of faith" involves confessing our faith. As an example, acknowledging our belief in Jesus Christ before others. This is something we must do as a condition of salvation (Romans 10:9,10). And, it is something we do throughout our lives (Matthew 10:32,33; 1 John 4:15). The life of faith is never ashamed to admit that one believes in Jesus Christ.

It also involves living by faith. This can be conducting one's life with trust in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20); trusting in the works of Jesus, not our own; that His death was truly for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Titus 3:5-7); and trusting in the words of Jesus, and living accordingly (Matthew 6:33,34; Luke 6:46-48). The life of faith is one that seeks to live in harmony with the teaching of Jesus.

A "life of faith" involves benefiting by faith. This can be, for example, enjoying the blessings that come from a life of faith. Such as joy and peace, hope and power (Romans 15:13). Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we can receive such blessings (Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 4:6-7,13). The life of faith does not go unrewarded in this life, even though its primary concern is the life to come.

Finally, a "life of faith" involves maintaining our faith. For example, remaining steadfast in the faith we have in Christ. After all, there is a need to stand fast, because faith can quickly turn into unbelief (1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Hebrews 3:12-19; 4:1-2,11). To maintain faith, we must add to it other things such as virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc. (2 Peter 1:5-11; 3:17-18).

In conclusion, we have learned that a Christian is one who should take his faith very seriously. Why? Because, it is essential to salvation (both being saved, and remaining saved); and it is essential to life (to receive blessings now, and in the life to come).

Here are a few questions to ask yourself: Are you "living by faith?" Do you believe what has been revealed about Jesus Christ? Do you have confidence in Him, that He can deliver on what He promises? Are you a trustworthy disciple of Jesus, someone He can count on to be faithful?

Unless we can answer "yes" to such questions, we have a little further to go in order to appreciate that the significance of being a Christian  includes "living by faith!"

Scripture: Proverbs 28:20; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 13:8; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:2; Psalm 40:10-11

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Please help me as I face a week of pressures and anxiety. Grant me peace so I may get through with a calm heart and level head. Amen

May God bless you!

Constance