He Is Coming Back...Are You Ready?

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come." -Mark 13:32-33

A few years back, a survey taken by U.S. News and World Report found that 61% of Americans believe in the Second Coming of Christ. A similar Newsweek poll reported that 45% believed that Christ will return during their lifetime. Pew Research reported that 79% of U.S. Christians believe in the return of Jesus. However, interestingly enough,  there’s much less agreement about the timing/circumstances surrounding His coming.

Now, as helpful as polls might be, in reality what really matters are the promises of God which we find in the Bible (i.e., the promise of eternal life, the promise of victory, the promise of forgiveness, the promise of guidance, the promise of answered prayer, the promise of wisdom, the promise of peace, and the promise of God’s presence). But, we’re still waiting for the fulfillment of His return.

It is very evident in the Bible that the return of Christ is a promise that can be counted on. Jesus communicated this very clearly in John 14:3. From the first century up to now, Christ followers have always believed in Jesus' imminent return.

Many have asked, "When is He coming back?" The timing is uncertain. No one will ever know the exact moment of His return (Matthew 24:36). If anyone ever tells you that they know exactly when Jesus will return, don’t believe it! Jesus will come when we least expect Him (Matthew 24:37-41).

The point I'm trying to get across is simple: "Make sure you’re ready!" (Matthew 24:42-44). As mentioned above, it's a good bet that He'll return when we least expect Him. So, keep your eyes toward the sky and be prepared to meet the Lord face-to-face, at any moment (Revelation 22:7; 22:12; 22:20).

In the meantime, what can we do? We can encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18). The message of the coming of Christ should fill us with tremendous excitement. Also, we can live honorable, reputable lives. Ask yourself this the next time you’re sinning: “Would I want to be doing this when Jesus returns?” Wouldn't it be awful to be ashamed when Jesus comes back? (1 John 2:28).

For sure, these are all good things, but here's the most important thing you can do: Ask Jesus to save you. If you've never given your life over to Christ and received His salvation, then I strongly petition you with all my heart. Get yourself squared away with God before it’s too late! (2 Peter 3:9-10).

The repercussions are too much and the stakes are too high. Allow me to say this as clearly as I can. If you've never made a decision to put your faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins, you'll be in a world of hurt when Jesus comes back. Seriously, your judgment will be definite, immediate, and grave!

Don't sit around procrastinating! Right now, at this very moment, Jesus is seeking a relationship with you. Acknowledge Him before it’s too late!

Scripture: Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; Luke 14:17; Revelation 22:17

Prayer: "Dear God I know I'm a sinner, I know I'm not where I want to be, and I want your forgiveness!  I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sins.

Please wash me clean from all sin, shame, and guilt, come into my life Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.  I ask this in your name Jesus. Amen!"

God bless you always!

Heather

God Can Change Your Life, Too!

“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.”   -Maya Angelou

Having the courage to change your life can be a difficult, and maybe scary proposition for many. There's the possibility that you will meet resistance, or resentment from people in your life (family, friends, co-workers, etc.). You might even find yourself questioning your decision; wondering if it was the right thing to do. Furthermore, after running this through your mind, you might just decide to stay where you are; which happens more often than not.

This brings to mind one particular woman from the Bible who serves as an example of every person who is lost in sin. Someone who could very well be you, or me. Sure, change isn't easy. But, it's necessary if you want to grow personally and spiritually. As you shall ultimately see, this woman changes not only her own life, but in doing so, changes the lives of others, as well.

The great walled city of Jericho was about to be attacked by the Israelites. Inside its fortified walls lived a diversity of people. They were well aware that if their city was ransacked and stormed, they would all die. Surprisingly, none had repented of sin, or even bothered to ask for mercy. The only exception was a harlot named Rahab.

Joshua, leader of the Israelites, sent two spies to the city to check the mood of the people. Upon entering Jericho, they went to the home of Rahab.Why? They were hoping not to raise any attention. And, let's face it, the sight of men entering a harlot's home wouldn't be that unusual (Joshua 2:1)!

But, hold on! That's not the big story here. It's what they discovered when they entered the home of Rahab that must have totally shocked them. They found a woman who had been changed by the power of God. Yes, they encountered Rahab the harlot, but soon found out that she wasn't the girl she used to be!

Rahab tells the spies that she was aware of what happened in Egypt and of the kings they've defeated along the way (Joshua 2:10-11). Remember, it had been 40 years since the Israelites left Egypt. God had spared Jericho for that amount of time, and they still had several more days before their judgement.Thus, Rahab had experienced the grace, and patience of God in giving her time to come to faith in Him.

She had heard about the God of Israel. It's true, that it was a message of judgment that she heard, but it introduced her to the the true and living God. The message that came to her was a message of life!

Let's not forget that Rahab showed concern about others in her family who were in danger, too. Now that she knows that God will take care of her, she wants the same assurance for her family. Her heart is moved to reach out and secure help for them. It is under this light, that we clearly see Rahab as a picture of the person who comes to faith in Christ (Joshua 2:12-13).

And, because she placed her faith in the Lord God of Israel, she acquired some valuable gifts. First, God took this former harlot and blessed her new life with the richest of His blessings. Through her faith, she and her family were spared from the destruction of her city.

Secondly, this woman became the ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, she was David's great-great grandmother and the mother-in-law of Ruth. God took Rahab out of the gutter and made her eternally famous. He gave this trusting sinner a place in His eternal, divine plan. After she came to faith in the true and living God, her life was changed forever!

For us, Rahab is a picture of the power of the Lord Jesus to transform any life that comes to Him by faith. What God did with her is a miracle of His love and grace. And guess what? What the Lord did for Rahab, He can and will do for you, too!

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-24; Psalm 51:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 1:9; Matthew 25:46 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the love you give me. Your love gives me strength and courage to love others in return. Please help me show love to those who are in need of it most. Amen

God loves you!

Makennah

Video - Lisa Bevere: Marriage Is A Power Union

From her teaching series "See It," Lisa Bevere proves that women can be the answer to struggling relationships. Enjoy!  ~Eve

We Believe...Don't We?

“I'm just tired of hearing about God all the time. What has He got to do with anything?... I'm not going to be immoral or commit crimes because I don't believe. I don't even think about that. I just get so tired of Him getting the credit for things the human race achieves through its own effort. Now, there simply is no God. There's only man. And it's he who makes miracles.”  -from Beneatha's argument with her mother about God in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry .

There are those who are believers of God, and those who are not. There are those who live their lives committed to God, and others who choose to follow their own path. Maybe you're somewhere in the middle; safely tucked away inside that safe, gray-colored area of the Venn diagram? Which one of these describes you?

The Bible is crystal clear as far as what we should believe in. It doesn't beat around the bush, nor does it use any cute metaphors to explain it. Plainly and simply, we need to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He was sent to be our only way to heaven. He's our Redeemer and our Savior. And, without question, He's the path, not one of the paths (John 1:7; John 20:31).

If someone approached you and asked, "What does it mean to believe?" How would you answer? Look, believing isn't just the act of stating some fact, or giving the right answer on an exam that pays off in the end. And, it certainly isn't learning, and reciting some magical mumbo-jumbo that's supposed to fix all here in this life; and give you a non-stop pass to heaven when you die. No, believing goes much deeper than that.

Beloved, you and I come equipped with some beliefs about the state of reality that shapes our lives. For instance, if you believe that you are ten feet tall, then you'll duck every time you walk through a doorway. If you believe that the world is a corrupt and dangerous place, you won't be very eager to step out into it. Instead, you might end up becoming skittish and withdrawing from life altogether.

In order to believe in Jesus Christ, we must hold onto life-shaping beliefs that we learn through Him; and in turn, let those beliefs shape our lives. It's totally up to you (and I) to decide whether Jesus  is the one who has shown us the truth about reality, or not.

Yes, we believe, but we sometimes … don’t believe. In other words, we might believe with our intellect, but not so much with our heart. Therefore, believe that Jesus is Lord, and admit to yourself that He's your Savior. Go on...surrender your heart to Him; and then demonstrate His eternal love to others.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-7; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 7:21-23; John 1:1-3; John 3:16-17

Prayer: Dear Father, I ask you to help me be strong. I want to forgive those who have done me wrong, and live a life of happiness. I ask for the strength; as forgiveness can be difficult when hurt feelings start to surface. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Kristi

Communicate With God Through Prayer

"For the Christian, praying is supposed to be like breathing, easier to do than to not do. We pray for a variety of reasons. For one thing, prayer is a form of serving God (Luke 2:36-38) and obeying Him. We pray because God commands us to pray (Philippians 4:6-7)."  -S. Michael Houdmann

God, in his infinite wisdom, has called each and every one of us into a relationship with Himself. And, like all relationships, they require communication. Prayer is communication between God, you and me. All through His Word we're taught both: the importance, and the role of prayer.

We can take comfort in the fact that God wants to be in a relationship with us. It's true! What's more, He knows what we need, and what He can give. That's why we experience life-transforming, life-renewing intimacy with the Creator of the universe through prayer.

And it is through prayer where we constantly learn more and more about His character; and how His perfect will is working itself out in our own lives. We find that deepening our understanding of God also deepens our faith, and our desire to worship.

It's through prayer, that God's work is fulfilled on earth. For example, the apostle Paul always asked for prayer in his missionary undertakings, and saw prayer as crucial to his success.

As you and I become increasingly aware of our shortcomings, we can find comfort in the knowledge that our God is all-knowing. Moreover, taking advantage of God’s direction/guidance is a blessing of prayer.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 3:14; John 14:13; Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 55:17

Prayer: Dear Lord, our time on earth is short. Please help me realize that it's not the amount of time, but the quality of the time I spend that counts. Amen

God bless you!

Sammi

Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: Our Relationship With Christ and Others

Hello, everyone! Thank you for joining me for another Saturday Scripture Study. During this study series we will be discussing the parables of Jesus. He used parables as part of his teaching lessons. These parables contain powerful messages that are just beneath the surface of the story; which in turn motivate us to dig deeper, and learn how to better walk with Christ, Our Lord.

During this fourth week of our series, we will continue our study of Jesus' parables by discussing the importance of loving one another. I know that might sound wild and crazy to some of you, but let's see what Jesus has to say about this.

Before we begin our study, let's pray together: God, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now about to study. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen.

Jesus was once asked which commandment was the greatest of them all. He answered that to honor God was the first commandment and to honor one's neighbor as himself was second. "There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:29-31). His disbeliever replied that to love a neighbor was "more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." To this assertion the Lord responded, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."

Our own human reasoning tells us that "no man is an island to himself," but that phrase is supported by Bible teaching. Paul told the Romans that "none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself" (Romans 14:7). It's impossible for a servant of God to isolate himself and live free from the influence of others.

For example, efforts to isolate the pious in monasteries and abbeys are ill-fated and ill-conceived, creating the impression of wisdom in self-imposed religion (Colossians 2:23), but in clear opposition to the mission of Christians in the world.

Possibly the greatest and most concise doctrine ever spoken concerning others is given by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:12, Jesus taught everyone the "golden rule": "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Even so, this golden rule is taught frequently, and strongly taught to our children, yet largely ignored by adults. If the golden rule was applied universally, there would be no slander, or gossip; no murder, theft, or violence. Oh, yes...think about how much more peaceful many congregations would be if this rule were only observed more often. Amen!

Referring to others, we can categorize them in different ways. Others might include: relatives (parents, children, etc.), classmates, co-workers, neighbors, fellow Christians, and even strangers. Our goal toward every one of them should be their uplifting. "Therefore putting away lying," 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another," (Ephesians 4:25) Paul wrote. He continues, "let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:30).

Our goal, towards all those who are outside of the body of Christ, should be to influence them regarding the blessings we have found in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). We sing that we are the world's only Bible, sometimes the only reflection of Jehovah that many will ever witness. We should bring forth the fruits of the Spirit of righteousness (Galatians 5:22-25). and leave the works of the flesh to the fleshly. To this end, Jesus uttered the following parables.

In Matthew 5:13; Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-22; Luke 8:16-17, Christ touches on the subject of Christian influence. That is, our responsibility to walk in the light as He is in the light, and shine grace into the deepest, darkest, dreariest chambers of worldly misery and desperation.

Next, in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21, Jesus brings to mind that just a small amount of leaven can leaven a entire lump of dough. Thus, the effect for good is quiet and gradual, but marvelous!

Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7, presents Jesus calling attention to the value of one soul, and how it makes everything else pale in comparison. He would do anything to rescue one cherished soul, and we should hold in equally high regard, the fate's of others, as well.

Lastly, the most widely known of the parables is that of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. Here, Jesus answers the question about who is one's neighbor. Everyone is our neighbor and deserves both, our concern, and Christianity.

Questions:

1. Besides loving God, what must we do to come close to the kingdom of Christ?
2. Why would monasteries and abbeys hinder, or obstruct the cause of Christ?
3. How is the golden rule usually delivered, or recited? What should it eliminate among men?
4. What should our goal be toward all others?
5. Why did Jesus call his disciples the "salt of the the earth?"
6. What is the seasoning value of a Christian who doesn't display the fruits of godliness?
7. To what end should Christians allow others to witness their good works?
8. How can this be reconciled, or settled with the command given in Matthew 6:1-4?
9. What does leaven cause a lump of dough to do? How should a Christian leaven the world around him?
10. When a shepherd leaves 99 sheep in relative safety in order to search for one lost sheep. what does that prove about that specific sheep?
11. What happens when one precious soul is brought home to his Chief Shepherd, Jesus?
12. According to Psalm 23, what can we "sheep" expect in His fold?
13. What question invokes the Parable of the Good Samaritan and others in this study (Galatians 6:10)?

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi

Feeling Lost? Don't Worry, God's In Control!

"You may feel lost and alone, but God knows exactly where you are, and He has a good plan for your life."  -Spiritual Inspiration

Does your life feel so out of control that it's like "feathers in a hurricane?" There are few things worse in life than feeling out of control.

Thankfully, we can take comfort in the fact that God is always in control. He is never surprised. He is never unprepared. He's never overpowered. He's never detained, or held back.

In Mark 1:21-28, Jesus publicly displayed his amazing control over everything around him. It was Sabbath and Jesus went into the synagogue and started to teach to those who were there. It just so happened that there was a man in attendance who was possessed by an impure, or evil spirit. Realizing who Jesus was, the man cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, you are the holy one of God."

"Be quiet!" Jesus said. Then he spoke to the evil spirit, "Come out!" After some shaking and shrieking, the evil spirit obeyed his command and immediately came out of the man.

The people there were totally amazed! They asked one another, "What's going on here? Even evil spirits obey his orders." We know that there was power in Jesus' words. He took control of that man's life right then and there; and his life was changed forever!

Friends, Jesus wants to be in control of your life as well. He wants to be in control of the plans you make, what you say, what you do, and where you go. Why? Because he wants to run your life? Not at all! He wants to be in control because he truly wants what's best for you.

Scripture tells that God has a plan for us (Psalm 139:13-16). It's an awesome plan that gives us hope, and a promising future. However, we'll never follow that plan to fruition unless we allow Jesus to be in control.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:5; 1 Corinthians 2:9

Prayer: Holy Father, I want you to be in control of my life. I know that you only want what's best for me, and I can't ask for any better than that. Amen.

May your lives be blessed!

Mindy

God Teaches Through Our Failures

"Steve Jobs (the late CEO of Apple) found what he loved and followed his passion through successes and failures, through health scares and challenges in the office. I’ll remember Jobs not for his prescient thinking or innovative mind. I’ll remember Jobs for succeeding when no one would have blamed him for being a failure. Jobs wasn't gift-wrapped anything in life…quite the contrary, he was presented with every burden, hurdle and obstacle one could ask for."  -Jim Armstrong, Steve Jobs, A Story of Perseverance

How do you handle failure? Nothing in this life comes easy. We have all tasted failure in our lives at one time or another. I could share many failures in my own life; some worse than others. But, how a person handles failure can determine whether you will live a life of victory, or live a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger.

Let me ask you this: "How do you work through failure? Do you believe that failure is not the end of the world; that it has a purpose? Even the Apostle Paul experienced failure after failure, but you know, he made it victoriously through every failure with God's help.

When we experience our own failures, what kinds of questions run through our minds? “Why are people doing this to me?” “Why is God allowing this to happen to me?” Or perhaps: “I've been keeping my prayer life current; walking with the Lord; staying obedient to His Word so why is this happening to me now?”

Some more suitable questions to ask might be: “What can I learn through this experience?” “What is God teaching me through this failure?” Maybe we should looking at our situation from a different perspective, God's perspective.

If failure and change prompts us to look up, make new commitments, and surrender to the Lord – then we can praise Him. Thus, how you handle failure is critical to your life today and in the future. A common truth is that we all experience some kind of failure. Nevertheless, to God, the principal truth is how you respond to it. Think of failure as a blessing if it pushes you to humble yourself before God, and dwell in His eternal light.

Scripture: Philippians 4:13; Galatians 6:7; 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13; Ephesians 2:8-9

Prayer:

Lord, are you trying to tell me something?

For:

Failure doesn't mean I'm a failure.
It does mean I haven't yet succeeded.

Failure doesn't mean I have accomplished nothing.
It does mean I have learned something.

Failure doesn't mean I have been a fool.
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure doesn't mean I've been disgraced.
It does mean I dared to try.

Failure doesn't mean I don't have it.
It does mean I have to do something in a different way.

Failure doesn't mean I am inferior.
It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure doesn't mean I've wasted my life.
It does mean I have an excuse to start over again.

Failure doesn't mean I should give up.
It does mean I must try harder.

Failure doesn't mean I'll never make it.
It does mean I need more patience.

Failure doesn't mean you have abandoned me.
It does mean you must have a better idea!

Amen.

-special thanks to R. Schuller

God bless you!

Sarah

God Works Through Us, To Help Those Around Us

"A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing."   -M. Luther.

Our Christian experience equips us to relate to those who are surrounded by pain and suffering. It gives us the understanding of a caring God; an involved God, one who hears and answers prayer in ways which are optimal for our unique situations. It gives us a knowledge of a comforting God who always recognizes our individuality.

What's more, our Christian experience provides us with everything we need for this because of the incarnation of God's love in Jesus Christ, our awareness of the time he spent with persons who suffered, and of the times he wept and prayed.

We, as Christians, need to be aware that God works through us. God is able to compound the effect of the efforts we make to express his concerns and love. Consequently, our words and actions may appear unpolished to us, but God may apply them in the healing he gives.

Scripture: John 16:33; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 5:10; Isaiah 43:2; 1 Peter 4:12-13

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me remember that often the best and most beautiful things are not necessarily seen, but come from the heart. Amen

May God bless you!

Riley

Is Your Life Focused Only On You?

From an unknown source comes an article titled, "How To Be Miserable." It says, "Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use "I" as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. Listen greedily to what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect.

Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. Never forget a service you have rendered. Shirk your duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others."   -Daily Walk, June 29, 1993.

Let's begin with the definition of self-centered: preoccupied with oneself and one's affairs; selfish. I tend to believe that self-centeredness is an attitude of the heart, or a heart issue.  This essentially makes one’s own comfort, needs, and status, the priority over God and other people. I know that we all struggle with the problem of self-centeredness and selfishness. And, this particular heart issue grows ever more destructive the longer that it's left unchecked.

As self-centeredness takes hold of us, it damages our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. This issue that starts to develop within the heart soon grows to be something that has very real effects (spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational) on our lives. Unfortunately, self-centered or “Me first” thinking and living is the strategy of choice for our world and our culture.

When we are self-centered, life is focused on ourselves. We are proud, both of ourselves and our own accomplishments. We have confidence in ourselves, depending only on ourselves and our own abilities, while seeking acceptance from the world and its selfish ways.

The sad part of this is that when we get to the point of caring for nothing but ourselves, others inevitably suffer. The reason for this is because the world is “put together” in such a way that society and personal relationships “work” only when human beings act like human beings – outward-oriented personal beings who serve the needs of others (Genesis 1:27; 1 John 4:7-11; Acts 20:35).

Thus, when human beings deny their basic nature, turn inward, and act with primary regard to the fulfillment of their own desires, the fabric of society begins to tear apart. We can see this happening in many ways all around us today. When we become preoccupied with ourselves, we quit serving the needs of others and begin to diminish the foundation on which our self-respect is built.

I find it quite ironic that the person who is obsessed with “finding himself” and “liking himself” is the very person who is going to do the fewest of the things that would truly make it possible for him to like himself.

Is is possible to change our self-centeredness? I certainly don't claim to have all the answers, however, I can offer some suggestions. One can begin by getting interested in other people. Try cultivating some friendships. You need other people to give you balance in the society so that you're not so self-centered. Make time for relationships for your own psychological health, and for your own spiritual health.

Try giving yourself away through some kind of service where you voluntarily give yourself away without receiving any personal benefit in return. This could be hospital visitation, community volunteer, any of the ministries in your church, etc.

Make an attempt to practice self-denial (Philippians 2:4). Everyday you need to find at least one opportunity (at least one) where you can: choose to do the thing of conviction, rather than the thing of convenience; choose to do the right thing, rather than doing the easy thing. Everyday you need to find something where you can help others, rather than just helping yourself.

In closing, perhaps the most fundamental challenge of life, the biggest battle you will ever face, is to overcome self-centeredness. Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:35) You won't find fulfillment in pursuing simply self- interest. Jesus said this is the only legitimate way to live.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1; Proverbs 18:1; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 36:2; James 3:16

Prayer: O God, our gracious Heavenly Father, help us to rise out of our attitude of self-centeredness, out of our egotism. Help us to rise to the point of having faith in Thee and realizing that we are dependent on Thee. And when we realize this, O God, we will live life with a new meaning and with a new understanding and with a new integration. We ask Thee to grant all of these blessings in the name and spirit of Jesus. Amen.
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

May God bless you always!

Amy Lynn

Video - Sheri Rose Shepherd: Heavenly Ever After

Devastated by divorce, wife, mother and Christian author Sheri Rose Shepherd explains how God brought her through her tragedy. What an awesome testimony!  ~Eve

Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: What Is The Value of A Human Spirit?

Hello, everyone! Thank you for joining me for another Saturday Scripture Study. During this study series we will be discussing the parables of Jesus. Last week, we talked about how Jesus used parables as part of his teaching lessons. His parables contain powerful messages that are just beneath the surface of the story. They help motivate us to dig deeper and learn how to better walk with Christ, Our Lord.

This week, we will continue our study of Jesus' parables by examining how the simple "seed" provided outstanding teaching illustrations, and encouraged growth of his kingdom.

Before we begin our study, let's pray together: God, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now about to study. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen.

In Matthew 8:36-37, Jesus asked, " For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

When you go grocery shopping you're forced to make value judgments. Is this coffee worth the sale price? Is the price of this pot roast reasonable? And, so on.

In the case of spiritual matters, the Lord stipulates that we make value judgments, as well. Referring back to the Lord's question mentioned above, it presents itself as more of a riddle since their really isn't any clear cut answer to it. After all, there really is nothing in the world of equal value to a human spirit.

What price can you put on a human spirit? In dollars? cents, or any other currency? I suppose if it could, God might have purchased mankind back from sin with cash; alternatively, only the blood of His beloved Son would be worthy.

The core value of the kingdom, is its purchase price, that "Jesus bore our sins in his own body on the tree"  (1 Peter 1:24) . We, as Christians, are citizens in that divine kingdom having been carried into it by our conformity to the Gospel (Colossians 1:13). Jesus assured, we are in his church: "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 16:18-19). The Lord reveals to us that the kingdom and the church are equivalent; he constructed the city and entrusted the keys to the apostles.

Furthermore, we understand the value of the kingdom from Luke's history in Acts 20:28. Paul directed the Ephesian pastors to take charge of their congregation because it belonged to God; who thought they were worth dying for.

Sadly, today too many preachers and religionists balk on the subject of the kingdom or the church. Instead, they encourage the preaching of Christ while cutting out the church. However, the way I see it, to separate the two is the same as mortal spiritual decapitation. "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23).

The Lord is the head of the church, ordering his will and obedience. Think of this as being comparable to one's arms and legs. They must obey the electrical impulses from the brain in a healthy, living organism. In similar fashion, the body of Christ, the church, must heed the commands of its Head, Christ in order to be in tip-top shape. So valuable, is the kingdom of Christ, that it must obey the sole lawgiver, the Lord (James 4:12).

In Matthew 13:44, Christ teaches us that no sacrifice is too great to gain citizenship in the kingdom. Subsequently, he in truth teaches that sacrifice will be necessary to meet the King's acceptance. In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus repeats the same lesson using different imagery. In this passage,  he reminds us that the kingdom is of singular value and number. During the time of Jesus, the pearl was quite valuable. Nonetheless, if it had a yellow tinge to it, or was rough, or irregular, its value dropped considerably. Only that rare pearl which was round, smooth and unblemished white was of unique value.

Jesus uses the parable in Luke 15:8-10 to bring the value of the kingdom down to a human level. And, by doing so, equating it with the refuge of redeemed spirits. In the manner of a woman who discovers a seemingly lost coin, so is the aggravation and joy at finding God's mercy after disregarding it in sin.

Each one of us has experienced the loss of something valuable, and finding it again after frantically searching for it. Our conversion to Christ should be considered in even higher honor, because the most valuable possession we have was lost, and is now found.

Collectors alike share the feeling of finding that rare and treasured piece, and digging deep into their pockets to add it to their collections. Thusly, a human spirit is added to Christ's kingdom; a priceless collection of unimaginable worth.

Questions:

1. What is something valuable that you once lost and then found? How did you feel when you rediscovered it?
2. For what do people sometimes exchange their souls in this life?
3. How often do we have to make judgments about relative value?
4. What's the value is a single human soul? Of your soul? Why?
5. At what price was the kingdom of God bought?
6. Who are its citizens? What are the terms of admission?
7.What happens if we preach only Christ and not the church?
8. How much was the hidden treasure worth to the man who found it?
9. What did Saul of Tarsus have to sacrifice to enter the kingdom (Philippians 3:4-11)?
10. To what kind of person might we relate to the merchant who was seeking pearls?
11. When that pearl is found, what should we do about it (Proverbs 23:23)?
12. What things might one have to sacrifice in life to become a Christian?
13. How much effort went into finding one lost coin separated from nine that were firmly held in hand? Why?
14. Why did the angels rejoice?

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi

Give In To God's Plans

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. -Proverbs 19:21

Something that we all have in common as human beings is this: We have finite wisdom and abilities. And, as a result of our limited understanding (compared to God's infinite wisdom and abilities), together with our sinfulness, we are incapable of directing our steps. Yes, we might think we're in control, but are we really?

What seems right to us, more than likely leads us down the path towards destruction and death. As if this wasn't bad enough, since our thoughts are not God’s, we consistently fall short short of God’s perfect and all-wise plan (1 Corinthians 1:25). Is this starting to sound familiar? Good!

Here's some encouraging news, though: God cares about each one of us, and wants to direct our lives. So much so, that He has a plan for us; an infinitely, superior plan. His detailed plan contains all the wisdom and data He possesses, past, present, and future.

In James 4:13-17, James advises men against the folly of making plans without consideration for the will of God in the matter. What James is telling us is that you and I can make any plans we want. However, God always has the last word. Then, when we learn His plans for the situation, and we make our plans based on His plans, we discover that He had the best plan all along!

For many of us, this all might be difficult to swallow. I know that we all like to make our own plans, don't we? And, certainly we all want things to go just as we planned. Nevertheless, have you ever stopped to think that maybe... just maybe, God might have a better plan for us?

Let me share some examples of what I'm talking about:

• Luke 5:4-8 
• Matthew 16:21-23
• 1 Samuel 17
• Numbers 13-14

All of these verses clearly show that God had the best plan for the people that are mentioned here. There are several other examples that I could show you, but I think you get what I am talking about. God's plan may not be the easiest plan for us to follow; it may not be the most popular plan; it might not even be the smartest plan, but remember: God always has the best plan!

Our own plans pale in comparison to the good things the Father has in store for us. The most intelligent thing you can do is obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. Beloved, God has a great plan for you and I, and he's very committed to making that plan become a reality. Still, in order for him to do that, we must do our part. We must surrender ourselves to him, so that he can continue to direct our lives.

And, oh yes! Always remember: be patient! God doesn't work on our timetable, and he doesn't commit himself to explain his purposes in advance. I like how George MacDonald, a 19th century Scottish Christian minister put it: “Doing the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans.”

In closing, if you think God is messing around with your plans, you had better think again. The best thing you could ever do is yield to His plan, because His plan is the best plan! 

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 37:23

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know what I need more than I do, so I yield myself to your plan. Take me and make me the kind of Christian that you would have me to be. Amen

God bless you!

Aileen

God Tells Us To "Fear Not!"

"Right now, two-thirds of Americans are suffering from "Fear-bola," according to a new Washington Post poll. It's a hyper-contagious disease that affects the brain, making sufferers fear a widespread Ebola outbreak in the United States. Fear-bola is an airborne disease that spreads through conversation, entering your brain through your ears. Fear-bola is so contagious that some victims have contracted it by simply seeing images and videos about Ebola."  -Robbins, Mel. "'Fear-bola' Hits Epidemic Proportions." Ebola: Don't Catch Irrational Fear. CNN, 14 Oct. 2014. Web.

Yes, we've all experienced fear at one time, or another. As a matter of fact, there are millions of people living in the bondage of some type of fear as we speak. For example, some fear declining health. Some are fearful about their financial situation. Some fear job loss, or that their friends will leave them. Still, others fear growing older, just to name a few.

You see, the bad thing about fear is that it brings on anguish, and distorts our vision. When we're fearful, we don't see the provision of the Lord. Additionally, problems can look like mountains in front of us. So, instead of calling upon the Lord, there's a tendency for some people to hide, or run away from an unpleasant situation. But, how does that help the situation? It really doesn't.

Rather, we must learn to praise God even when things are looking hopeless. I realize that this isn't always easy to do, but by faith we can praise God even when everything is crumbling around us. In fact, on many "fearful" occasions I've been encouraged with the testimony of the prophet Habakkuk in Habakkuk 3:17-18. This great man of God didn't become accusatory just because things were going downhill; he still rejoiced in the Lord.

I am reminded of the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 15:1: "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Yes, this is God's promise: "Fear not." From that point on, God has repeatedly said to His children, "Fear not, don't be afraid."

We mustn't forget that God is all-loving, and filled with compassion and mercy for us. However, He still desires for us to fear Him, and for good reason. God isn't telling us to be afraid of Him, or avoid Him like we’d keep our distance from something dangerous. Nothing could be further from the truth.

On the contrary, He asks us to remember who He is: the all-powerful Creator of the universe. Surely, He has the power and the desire to save us, but He also has power to judge and punish if we choose to ignore His plan for our lives. Friends, the right choice is to respect Him for who He is. We should also respond by walking with Him all the days of our lives. That’s a decision we should never have to fear.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:18; Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 1:7

Prayer: Dear Lord, I feel as I ask you for too much, but you're the only one I know who truly listens to me. Please grant me comfort and never leave me. Amen

May God bless you!

Amy Lynn

We Have A God Whom We Can Trust

Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way.
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by,
Trusting Him what err behold, trusting Jesus, that is all.   -Unknown



Undoubtedly, there are many ways to define "trust." For our purposes today, let's lay it out as "a feeling of safety and/or comfort in relationship to another person." Another thing, is that trust is earned, not given; and is developed over time. Frankly, without trust, a relationship simply could not survive.

Think back to your Bible for a minute; specifically the book of Genesis. Remember Israel? They were called out of Egypt to follow the Lord by faith. But, they seemed to constantly question the power, the promises and the presence of God as they traveled along. If anyone ever needed a lesson in trust, they sure did!

They failed to see that when you put your trust in God, it will make a great difference in your life. Is this you? Are you too afraid, or lacking in faith, to place your trust in God? I mean, here was a people who called themselves by God's name. They should have trusted the Lord without reservation. Yet, they seemed totally oblivious to the power of God. And he was right alongside them all this time!

Simply look around you. Isn't that like so many of us today? Instead of trusting God and living by faith, we walk around sick with worry, and being distressed. I ask you, "Is this any way to go through life?" Of course not! Yet, so many of us live defeated and discouraged lives when there is no reason for it. Especially, when we have a God who we can trust without any doubt, or fear.

Therefore, I challenge you today to make up your mind to be like Thomas when Jesus challenged him to be, "Not faithless, but believing" (John 20:27).

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5; Romans 8:28; Psalm 37:4-6; Psalm 9:10;  Joshua 1:9

Prayer: Holy Father, thank you for today and every day you give me. Sometimes I am unsure of my path and I feel lost. I ask you to guide me today, for I am not sure what path I must take. Please help me make the right decisions, not only for myself, but my family as well. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Jenelle

Have You Had A Heart-to-Heart With God Lately?

"We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties" -Oswald Chambers

Recently, there was a poll taken by the National Opinion Research Center in Chicago. The findings of this poll revealed some pretty interesting facts. It was ascertained that 60% of the American people pray at least once every day. It was also discovered that 78% of the American people pray at least one time a week. And, that only 1% of Americans say that they never pray.

Thus, whatever their view of prayer, whatever their understanding of the subject of prayer, the majority of people in America do believe and practice prayer. Which is great news, right? But, do we really understand what we're doing when we pray? Let's look into this a little further.

To begin with, prayer doesn't have to be complicated. There shouldn't be any rules, or stipulations attached to praying. Prayer is simple. It's just you talking and listening to God. Think of it as having a personal conversation with a really good friend. This is the basic prayer format that I use in any heart-to-heart with Him: I ask God questions, then listen. I talk about my problem(s), then listen. I ask for guidance, then listen. Simple as that.

Some of us who do pray might think of prayer as a routine. Prayer has become kin to brushing your teeth, or making a pot of coffee. We might rush through it as if we were in a race to the finish line; perhaps quickly glancing at the clock on the wall. Sad, isn't it? I could easily list a dozen more examples just like these because I've done them myself.

But, I learned something along the way that totally changed my entire outlook and approach to prayer. I learned that prayer is a wonderful privilege. Stop and think about this for a second. When we pray to God, it's like being invited to talk with the Creator of the Universe. How awesome is that? God wants to hear from you. He's never to busy to hear you. And, you better believe that He listens when we pray!

Beloved, God not only loves hearing from you, but there's a very good chance that He has something to share with you. This requires an open heart and a listening ear from you. Be quiet, and receptive to Him. He wants to refill your empty tank with a fresh supply of the guidance and wisdom you require! According to 1 John 5:14, we can be confident “if we ask anything according to His will, then He hears us.”

Now, how do we know that we are praying His will? This is accomplished when we spend time getting to know Him by reading the Bible. Prayer fits so perfectly with Bible study. When Christ comes into your life, the Holy Spirit lives within you. This allows you to pray with understanding according to His perfect will.

When we read the Bible, God is talking to us. When we pray, we are talking to God. Hence, prayer is essential to the Christian life. Even so, you'll never become an expert in prayer. I know that I'll spend the rest of my life trying to grasp what prayer is all about; and trying to learn to be a better "pray-er."

In fact, we are quite like the disciples when they came to Jesus and said, ''Lord, teach us to pray.'' (Luke 11:1) Unfortunately, there aren't any doctorate degrees in prayer. However, God doesn't ask that we become experts in prayer in order to connect with Him. He accepts all of us just as we are.

In conclusion, God allows Himself to be stirred by the prayers of people. It's important to know that God is unchangeable, and all-knowing. He knows how He's going to answer prayers; and how we're going to pray about something. Though He may adjust His actions, His purposes remain the same. He knows what's best for you and I.

Scripture: Romans 10:17; John 10:27-28; Hebrews 4:12; Luke 11:28; Romans 8:14

Prayer: Dear Lord, I love you and thank you for everything you have done. Because of your grace, my heart can now see what my eyes cannot. Thank you for this blessing. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Amaris

My Yoke Is Easy, And My Burden Is Light

“Tell 'em to God. Don' go burdenin' other people with your sins. That ain't decent.”   -John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

Most of us are aware that there are different kinds of loads, or "burdens" which we all carry about at one time or another. Some of these "burdens" shouldn't be carried by Christians, but sadly they are. Some examples of these are: worry, anxiety, doubt, fear, intimidation, hurts, among others.

The danger here is that "burdens" can become "strongholds" if allowed to remain and fester in our lives. The wonderful thing is that Our Lord has promised us that His "burden" will not "weigh us down", and that He will lift us up. As an added bonus, He will give us rest, peace, faith, confidence, love, joy and be with us always.

Matthew 11:28-30 is the Scripture that I will be referring to today. I mentioned something above that I think is key for our knowledge and spiritual growth. I said, "The wonderful thing, is that Our Lord has promised us that His "burden" will not "weigh us down", and that He will lift us up." Let's break this down a bit.

28“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. 30For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Holman Standard Christian Bible)

The word "burdened," as used in Matthew 11:28, refers to being "weighted-down." You have been carrying this burden around for a while, and are simply exhausted by the weight of it. God is aware of this, and offers to "give you rest" if you would only ask.

"Burden" is again used in Matthew 11:30. Here, it's talking about a burden which must be carried by the individual, i.e. as something personal, and hence is not transferrable or, "it cannot "be shifted" to someone else."  In other words, I don't know what burdens you may be dealing with any more than you know mine. But, because they're personal I can't pass them off to you, and vice versa. This, of course, makes perfect sense if I was talking about you and I. Fortunately for us, this doesn't apply to God!

The word "yoke" is used in the same verse. A yoke is a wooden bar that is placed over the neck of a pair of animals, say oxen, for example, so they can pull, or work together. Here's the cool part! The way Jesus' uses yoke here is figuratively. He's talking about what unites, or joins two people to move, or work together as one!

Notice that Matthew 11:29 also contains the word yoke. Our Lord beckons us to,"take up my yoke." "Come on, hitch up to my yoke! You'll find that it is quite light. Let me help you with your heavy burdens. I'll even trade you my light load for your heavy one! No matter what, you don't have to suffer in silence. Learn from me. Learn from my gentle, and humbled-hearted example. I want so much to help you with your burdens!"

Clearly, God wants to help you with your heavy load so you don't have to carry it alone. His burden is light. Trust me. Trust Him. You have nothing to worry about. He can handle your load, His load,  and anything else you can throw on Him. For,"My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 

Dear friends, there are many who are going through life with some pretty heavy-duty loads. Nevertheless, we don't have to struggle, or press on alone. God offers to help lighten our heavy loads (burdens). He really wants to do this for us. Why? Because of his love for us! He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins. Talk about a heavy load! Yet, without asking He took on all of our sins, our ugliness, our worst, so that we wouldn't be burdened by them. Now, that's an offer too good to pass up!

Scripture: Psalm 55:22; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 23:4; John 14:6

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for everything you do. As I face the day, give me the wisdom to know that I'll never fail as long as I try. Please give me the strength to keep trying. Amen

May God bless you!

Sarah

Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: The Seed of God Within Your Heart

Hello, everyone! Thank you for joining me for another Saturday Scripture Study. During this study series we will be discussing the parables of Jesus. Last week, we talked about how Jesus used parables as part of his teaching lessons. His parables contain powerful messages that are just beneath the surface of the story. They help motivate us to dig deeper and learn how to better walk with Christ, Our Lord.

This week, we will continue our study of Jesus' parables by examining how the simple "seed" provided outstanding teaching illustrations, and encouraged growth of his kingdom.

Before we begin our study, let's pray together: God, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now about to study. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen.

From the earliest beginnings of time, until the industrial revolution changed this during the nineteenth century, agriculturally dominated economies were widespread throughout the world,  So, it's not too difficult to figure out that Jesus would refer to the farmers, fields, and vineyards around him for the inspirational material he used in his parables; especially the farmer and the seed.

Jesus' apostles continued this familiar theme throughout their New Testament epistles. In respect to the blossoming sectarianism at Corinth, Paul equated the work of men and God to working in the field (1 Corinthians 3:6-8). Paul wasn't trying to take the credit for himself. Neither did he encourage other believers to bestow kudos to any other man. Instead, it was God who arranged for the abundance in the barn. Yes, man should sow the seed and care for it in the soil, but in the end, there's nothing he can do to force it to grow.

As Christians, we should spread the gospel "seed." We should spread it in every direction as we go about our daily lives; at the same time, receiving "the implanted word, which is able to save souls." (James 1:21) Followers of Christ should also think of the gospel as seed, similar to that which can be bought at a store to start a vegetable or flower garden. However, though the seeds are unproductive while still in the package, they maintain their potency for a considerable length of time. Thus, seeds removed from a packet and thrown on the ground contain the capability to produce fruit.

Additionally, the apostle Peter further specifies the gospel message as life-giving seed (1 Peter 1: 23-25). For example, a tomato seed will most likely grow into a beautiful, green vine that blossoms and gives its red fruit. Afterwards, it withers and dies. But, this is not the case with the gospel seed. It grows lush flowers and perpetually produces fruit. Somebody sowed the seed in your heart; now share the blessing, Peter urges. 1 John 3:9 reminds us that that great gospel seed holds sway in the hearts of the devoted.

Pointing to Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:2-20; Luke 8:4-15, Jesus defines four types of hearts and their acceptance of the gospel seed, in comparison to other soil types. It's our job to sow the seed, allowing it to fall wherever it may. God will give the increase when it falls on good soil. Unfortunately, three of the four types of soil don't allow the seed to fully develop.

In Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32, the Lord places the tiny mustard seed between his thumb and forefinger for us to check out. The kingdom of heaven is imperceivable and takes up no physical space. Yet, it grows exceedingly larger than all the earthly kingdoms which eventually pass away.

Finally, Jesus Christ appeals to the natural enigma of agriculture in that man places the seed underground where he can't see it develop. Similarly, the kingdom starts slowly, growing gradually until it is ready to return to its Master.

Despite the fact that few of us earn a living as farmers anymore, Jesus' seed parables are still generously instructive because we all plant something at one time or another.

Questions:

1. When discussing the growth of the kingdom, Matthew 13:3 must never be overlooked. What is necessary for the kingdom to spread? Compare this to Romans 10:14-15.
2. Complete the following chart on the sower of seeds:

SEED FELL AMONG...            RESULT            SPIRITUAL EXPLANATION

a. wayside
b. stony places
c. thorns
d. good ground

3. Does the unlikelihood of finding good soil mean that we should give up and not sow at all?
4. If a man had never seen a mustard seed, he would certainly be unimpressed. The mustard seed is even less appealing than most seeds. In the lowly mustard seed, we see a reflection of our Savior's choice of entry into the world. Read Micah 5:2. What does it say about his birthplace?
5. What was Jesus' secular (worldly) occupation? His relative wealth and earthly honor? According to Isaiah 53:1-3, is he a proper comparison to the mustard seed physically?
6. What becomes of the little planted mustard seed? What becomes of the resurrected Christ?
7.Sometimes we regard certain individuals very unlikely to respond to the gospel and then they surprise us and obey it to become the godliest believers. What does this prove?
8. Compare this thought to the Lord's words in Luke 7:36-47. What habit of Jesus' shocked the Pharisees and even perplexed his own disciples?
9. According to this parable, is conversion an immediate lightning strike to the heart, or a gradual persuasion from logic and faith?
10. The gradual progression of the seed (blade, head, full grain) is a comparable doctrine to the apostle's in 1 John 2:12-14. What three stages of a man's spiritual growth are taught there?

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi

There Are Those Who Pray...

"The great people of the earth today are the people who pray, (not) those who talk about prayer…but I mean those who take time and pray."   -S.D.Gordon

Here's a question: Why do we pray? Most of us pray because God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). It's a great comfort to know that God cares. You can believe He's interested in every detail of our lives, and wants us to involve Him in every aspect of our lives. Maybe a simple, yet useful definition of prayer might be this: “a request for help; or expression of thanks addressed to God.

God  promises to listen, to help, and to protect. He promises to be there. The bottom line is that when we pray, we surrender and release our thoughts, worries, and desires to God. We pray because prayer shifts our attention to “him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).

One could say that prayer deepens our relationship with God, and brings us closer to Him. After all, He created us with a need for connection, and prayer is connection to Him. The way I see it, praying is talking to the Lord, just like friends talk to one another. We're brought closer together through our sharing. When we pray, we share our innermost, personal being with Him. Also, it is through prayer that we are transformed and renewed. Prayer reminds us that we are dependent on God and not on ourselves. It draws us closer to God.

The Bible tells us that Jesus prayed. Just look at His life here on earth. Jesus was in constant communion with His Father. Even toward the end of His ministry He prayed, “Father, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” Wait a minute! How could Jesus know what the Father wanted Him to do? He knew this because of prayer. Jesus had spent much time in prayer with the Father. Consequently, if the sinless Messiah, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) desperately sought the Father, how much more do we, mere mortals, need to seek His will and pray?

Is there a correct, or right way to pray. Not really. Some people pray in public, others like to pray in private. We might pray in loud voices, while other times we choose to whisper our prayers, or even prefer to pray in silence. There are those of us who like to set aside time for prayer, and other times simply pray whenever the mood strikes. We might choose to sit, stand kneel, or lie down when we pray. Maybe we pray while we're walking, driving, or simply relaxing.

In fact, the Bible mentions many forms of prayer, places of prayer, postures for prayer, and circumstances of prayer. Yet, it doesn't distinguish any specific form, place, posture, or circumstance for prayer above another. While He was here, Jesus prayed standing, sitting, kneeling, and possibly in other positions as well. And you know what? We can pray anywhere, at anytime, about anything, and in any posture, too!

I'm here to tell you that there isn't a time when we don't need to pray, or when we can't pray. Nor is there ever a time when God is not listening, or does not hear us. We pray because God truly cares for us! Isn't it a comfort to know God cares? He's extremely interested in every detail of our lives. So much so, that He wants us to involve Him in every aspect of it.

The awesome thing about this is that He promises to listen, help, and protect. He promises to be right there with us. When we pray, we surrender and release our thoughts, worries, and desires to God. We pray because prayer shifts our attention to “him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Yes, prayer is a valuable resource.

As I close, we should make prayer one of the top priorities of our lives. To be in contact with the Lord, in other words to have a connection with Him, and to know that He hears us, and answers our prayers, is surely a blessing beyond belief.

Scripture: James 5:16; Ephesians 6:18; Luke 11:9; Mark 11:24; Philippians 4:6

Prayer: Dear Father, as I face this day give me the wisdom and courage to do the right thing, even when it is not easy.

May God bless you!

Jorja

God Has Alot to Say About Loneliness

"Look for yourself  and you will find loneliness and despair. But look for Christ, and you will find Him and everything else."  -C.S. Lewis

Recently, a Gallup poll said that four out of ten Americans admit to frequent feelings of loneliness. Millions of individuals suffer from the distress of isolation, the feeling that no one really knows them, and worse, no one cares. They're tormented by the crushing thought that they are alone in their world.

For most of us loneliness is a temporary feeling, for far too many it is a constant, persistent experience. It’s also the root cause of many other emotional issues including: depression, anxiety, and anger, to name just a few. There's no age, marital or family stage that is immune to loneliness. It can strike anyone from a small child to a senior citizen.

One thing is for certain though, loneliness is a common human experience. Meaning that all of us, whether single or married, whether for a short period of time or for an extended season, deal with loneliness. We often define loneliness in physical, or emotional terms. Or, we think loneliness can be defined by the absence of people whether physically or emotionally.

So then, what is loneliness? Could it be some form of being introverted? Maybe it's just a pattern of shyness? Perhaps loneliness might be defined this way: a feeling of separation, isolation; or distance in human relationships. Loneliness implies emotional pain to some degree, an empty feeling, and a yearning to feel understood and accepted by someone.

Now, although feelings of loneliness can be intensified when a person is alone, being alone is not the same as loneliness. Times of solitude can be healthy for us, particularly spiritually. Many of us thrive in solitude. Speaking for myself, I enjoy my times spent in solitude with Christ.

However, some of the loneliest people you'll ever meet are married, or have large families, or work for large companies. On the other hand, some of the most content individuals you will encounter, live and work virtually alone. Therefore, while solitude is the state of being alone; it's not the same as loneliness. The fact is that you can be alone without being lonely, and lonely without being alone.

Even the apostle Paul experienced loneliness (2 Timothy 4:9-18).  Here, besides sharing about his loneliness, Paul speaks about the sense of loss that comes from people that he cared about being gone. Some who had disappointed him, some that circumstances had taken away, and others that had relationally not turned out the way he wanted to.

As you recall, Jesus had moments of loneliness, too. Remember, scripture says that he was tempted the same as you and I. He knew all the things that we have to deal with, and one of the things we have to deal with is loneliness. And because he knew this, he had to deal with it.

In the garden of Gethsemane he asked some of the disciples to come watch with him as he tried to work through the things that were going on in his heart. And what happened? They fell asleep! He said, “Couldn't you watch with me?” (Mark 14: 37). Of course, this all reached a climax later on the cross when he said, “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

Maybe it was something that he did for us. The point is, scripture doesn't shy away from the reality of loneliness. The good news is (and this is what the word Gospel means, "good news"), what Christ gave us: the ability to deal with loneliness. When he says, “I’m going to make you free” and then, “free indeed,” he’s including loneliness (John 8:36). We get free of our sin, we can get free of our mistakes, we can get free of our fears. Yes, we can even get free of our loneliness!

A loving God doesn't want any of us to suffer; and He definitely doesn't want any of us to be lonely. Romans 8:28 tells us that "God uses all things for the good of those who love him." This includes our loneliness. Our loneliness leads us to our deepest spiritual need, who is Christ.

Look, no one likes to feel alone. I think that deep down inside all of us want to be loved and be with other people. In fact, one of the earliest words of God in the book of Genesis is that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). In the end, keep in mind that God’s word has a lot to say about loneliness. You're not alone. God created us to have a relationship with us.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:1; Psalm 147:3; Psalm 27:10; Hebrews 13:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, there are times in everyone's life when there is no one. Bless all who suffer from loneliness. Enrich their life with a friend, or gentle stranger who will spend a moment attentively and lovingly; because it is in those times where your love shines through, the world is reborn, and Christ is known. Amen.

God loves you!

Makennah

Video - Lisa Bevere: God Does Not Love Us Equally

In this video message, Lisa Bevere explains why God doesn't love each of us the same, but uniquely. Enjoy!  ~Eve

God Desires For Us to Grow

"It is not the number of books you read, nor the variety of sermons you hear, nor the amount of religious conversation in which you mix, but it is the frequency and earnestness with which you meditate on these things till the truth in them becomes your own and part of your being, that ensures your growth."  -Frederick W. Robertson

Spiritual maturity is a process. It isn't something that happens instantly the moment we trust Christ as savior. It doesn't occur overnight. It takes time.

How does one reach spiritual maturity? How do we accomplish the mission set before us in the plan of God? How do we glorify God in every area of our lives and reap great blessings? How do we break from our old way of thinking and how we do things, to God’s way of thinking?

The more time we set aside for seeking after God, the more we'll mature in the Spirit. The remedy for spiritual growth has remained the same for thousands of years. If we want to grow spiritually we must become seekers of God. Our spiritual growth is dependent on our seeking life.

I realize that even as Christians we're still affected by the limitations of time like everyone else (i.e. only 24 hours in a day). And with family obligations, job obligations, and all sorts of other obligations, where in the world are we going to find time to do this Christianity thing right, and put God first?

Listen carefully. Seeking God is not about convenience. As Christians, we shouldn't have to 'find' time for God but we should 'make' time for him. I know that some of you might be thinking, "How can I 'make' time when I don't have any time to begin with?" This is not such an uncommon concern. In fact, it's a quite common concern. But we must 'make' him the priority in our lives. Let your life be centered around him.

Remember, spiritual growth is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth is perhaps best described in 2 Peter 1:3-8, which tells us that by God's power we have “everything we need” to live lives of godliness, which is the goal of spiritual growth.

A.W. Tozer said that: "The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people." I couldn't agree more.

Therefore, as we seek spiritual growth, we should pray to God and ask for wisdom concerning the areas He desires us to grow in. We can ask God to increase our faith and knowledge of Him. God desires for us to grow spiritually, and He has given us all we need to experience spiritual growth.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 Peter 3:18

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for all you do. As I face the day give me the wisdom to know that I will never fail as long as I try. Give me the strength to keep trying. Amen

May your lives be blessed!

Mindy

A Big Bucket of Faith

"Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water."  -Max Lucado

What the above illustration is telling us is that God reaches out to us in love to make a covenant with us. God begins the process of covenant making by making some promises to us. God promises being, significance, and a relationship. God promises to be there for us and to love us.

The first thing that we need to do to live in covenant with God is to trust God's promise; and dare to live our lives as if we believe God will keep his promise. Sure, there's some risk involved in doing that. But, unless we take that risk, we can never learn to live in the covenant with God that God wants to make with us.

Let me share an example: God made a covenant with Abram. Abram was living a pretty good life in a city of one of the greatest cultural and commercial centers of the ancient world. But, God spoke to Abram in a voice that came from beyond everything that he knew, promising to make of his descendants a great nation who would be a blessing to all people.

Furthermore, God promised to give to Abram's descendants a land of their own. In like manner, God called Abram to leave all of the security of his past life and to go adventuring in a strange land trusting the promise of God. Abram did it. He entered into covenant with God and ventured out trusting God's promise.

However, God's promise was not fulfilled quickly, or easily. Abram and his wife, Sarai, spent what would ordinarily have been more than a lifetime wandering and trusting, but they still did not have a child of their own. Then, God again came to Abram and Sarai, who were, by this time, much too old to have children and renewed His promise and told them to keep on trusting (Genesis 17:1-7, Genesis 17:15-16). They did it. In the end, the promise was fulfilled. They finally had a son — and many generations later, their descendants occupied the promised land.

I like author Virginia Whitman's take on faith. She said, "Faith is the bucket of power lowered by the rope of prayer into the well of God's abundance. What we bring up depends upon what we let down. We have every encouragement to use a big bucket." Yes! yes! yes! Use the biggest, deepest bucket you can find!

Here's one more thing before I go! In the New Testament, Paul taught that we must learn to live by faith. That means we must live trusting God's love. As many of us do today, some people in Paul's time had a hard time understanding what that meant. Some thought it meant that their right beliefs would save them. Some thought it meant their religious practices would save them.

Paul said, "If you want to know what it means to live by faith, look at Abram who dared to venture out trusting the promise of God" (Romans 4:13-25).

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:21; James 2:14; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:3;  Luke 17:6

Prayer: Dear Lord, your love gives me strength and courage to love others in return. Please help me to show love to those who are in need of it most. Amen

-special thanks to Jim Killen

God bless you!

Rachelle

Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: Purpose of the Parables

Hello, everyone! The summer flew by, as it always does, But, I'm so happy to be back here with you! Over the break we decided to change things up just a little bit. I approached Eve and the ministry team about doing a series of Bible studies. I was already writing the Saturday blog entry anyway, and have taught bible study classes. Praise the Lord, they gave me the green light to go ahead. Yay!

Needless to say, I am thrilled to no end at being able to go through these studies with y'all. I sure hope that you find them as inspiring, enriching, and Spirit-filled as I do. Believe me when I say that it is truly my great pleasure to share them with you.

Before we begin our study, let's pray: God, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now about to study. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen.

An Introduction:

The parables of Jesus are among the greatest and most picturesque lessons in all of his earthly ministry. Keep in mind that the intent (purpose) of the parables is always just beneath the surface of the story. Also, please don't be overwhelmed with you see on the surface.

The parables were used to hide deeper knowledge from those unprepared for it. While they became confused, and lost in the surface of the teaching, true disciples could dig deeper and learn better how to walk with Christ.
                                                      ___________________________

Let's begin our first study (Lesson 1) by examining the nature of parables. The Bible like any other piece of literature, uses a number of figures of speech, including allegories and metaphors. But, the most striking figure used is the parable, because it teaches such deep and timeless lessons.

A parable is not a fable, like those made famous by Aesop (e.g. The Tortoise and the Hare). The fable is primarily an earthly lesson. On the other hand, the parable seeks to teach a heavenly and spiritual truth. Nor is a parable a myth, like the Greek stories touching the unexplained. A parable occupies a much higher realm than these.

The Greek word for our parable is "paraballo," a compound of two very vivid words. The first part is "para-" which means beside, or alongside. The second part is -ballo, which means to throw. Therefore, to teach by parable is literally "to throw a lesson alongside" the true object of the doctrine. The teacher illustrates this by describing that.

In his great work, "Notes on the Parables of Our Lord," R.C. Trench says, "Each one of the parables is like a casket, itself of exquisite workmanship, but in which jewels richer than itself are laid up; or like fruit, which however lovely to look upon, is yet more delectable in its inner sweetness" (page 15). The disciple that sits at the feet of Jesus, then or now, is curious and hungry to open that casket or peel that fruit to reveal the rich and sweet treasure somewhat hidden within.

Of course, that brings up an important question as well. Why did Jesus use parables in the first place? Why not just reveal everything plainly and without hyperbole, or exaggeration? Thankfully, the Lord answers our question himself. Matthew 13 is a chapter brimming with parables and right smack in the middle of them, he explains there worth (Matthew 13:10-13).

Certainly people had already rejected Jesus with considering the evidence from their hearts. As he goes to say, they were the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy concerning a dull-hearted people whose spiritual lethargy had rendered them unable to learn and unconcerned about ignorance. Because of this malaise, people like the scribes and Pharisees could not see Jesus nor understand his truths.

The central focus of most parables was like the kingdom that the Messiah was establishing. He wanted his disciples to know what it would be like. Most misunderstood the nature of the coming kingdom, thinking it to be a physical realm headquartered in Jerusalem with the Messiah on its golden throne.

In fact, Jesus was talking about a spiritual kingdom, not of this world, one composed of all races and not just one. His kingdom was established on the first Pentecost after his resurrection and he was seated upon its throne in Heaven (Acts 2:29-33). That kingdom is the church. Most of the parables have to do with the church that Jesus said he would build after Peter's confession in Matthew 16:18.

In studying the parables, you have to remember to look deeper than the surface for its true lesson. For instance, the parable of laborers in the vineyard is not about wage equity but God's mercy (Matthew 20:1-16). But, you should also keep in  mind that not every detail in a parable will be significant; some will be incidental.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between a fable and a parable?
2. What is the Greek word for parable and what does it mean?
3. How is a parable like a beautiful casket, or a tantalizing piece of fruit?
4. What should this teach us about studying parables?
5. From what kind of hearts was Jesus obscuring his teaching in parables?
6. What is the central focus of most of Jesus' parables?
7.What was the general misunderstanding about this focused thing?
8. Was Jesus able to establish this objective before he was crucified or did he fail?
9. In the study of parables, which is most important: the surface story on earthly matters or the hidden lesson on spiritual concerns?
10. Is the parable of the prodigal son about a farmer raising two boys out in the country or something deeper? If something deeper, what is it? (Luke 15:11-32)
11. Who does the father in that parable represent? Who does the prodigal son represent?

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi