Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: Comprehensive Review

Hello, everyone! Thank you for joining me again for Saturday Scripture Study. During this particular study series we have been 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.

We have arrived at Week Thirteen and the conclusion of our series. I have provided a comprehensive review of the entire Bible study series. The questions that follow will challenge you to return to the Bible studies* in order to answer them. It is my hope that by doing so, this review will further anchor the information, not only in your mind, but in your heart as well.

Before we begin, 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.

*The complete Bible study series can be found here on the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry blogsite.

Questions:

1. From lesson one: How is a parable like a beautiful casket or a tantalizing piece of fruit?
2. From lesson two: When discusing the growth of the kingdom, Matthew 13:3 must never be overlooked. What is necessary for the kingdom to expand? Compare this to Romans 10:14-15?
3. From lesson three: When that pearl of great price is located, what should we do about it (Proverbs 23:23)? What things might one have to sacrifice in life to become a Christian?
4. From lesson four: Why did Jesus call his disciples the "salt of the earth?"
5. From lesson five: How many times should I be willing to forgive a brother who trespasses against me?
6. From lesson six: What should a man do before building a tower? How does this apply to becoming a disciple?
7. From lesson seven: What realization finally struck the prodigal son when he hit rock bottom?
8. From lesson eight; What is represented by the old wineskins? What is represented by the new wineskins?
9. From lesson nine: The parable given in Matthew 7 is preceded by a discussion on false religionists. What is the true test of discipleship given in verse 21?
10. From lesson ten: How should we live every day of our lives? What are some things this should make us do?
11. From lesson eleven: Does the Bible really teach that some people will be punished in the day of judgment?
12. From lesson twelve: What became of the first two servants who stewarded their talents well?
13. From lesson thirteen: What becamed of the first two servants who stewarded their talents well?

I would like to thank all of you who particpated in the series with me. It was my pleasure to study God's Word with you!

May you all be blessed!

Bibi

True Contentment Is God

A man became envious of his friends because they had larger and more luxurious homes. So he listed his house with a real estate firm, planning to sell it and to purchase a more impressive home. Shortly afterward, as he was reading the classified section of the newspaper, he saw an ad for a house that seemed just right.

He promptly called the realtor and said, "A house described in today's paper is exactly what I'm looking for. I would like to go through it as soon as possible!" The agent asked him several questions about it and then replied, "But sir, that's your house your describing." -Source Unknown.

Being discontented is a universal problem. It really doesn't matter what your circumstance in life is either. You can be young or old, rich or poor, black or white, etc. Every human heart struggles with this at one time or another.

There was an article written a while back which basically said that from about 13 years of age to age 40, we find ourselves in a slow, downhill slide in terms of being content and happy. And, if you are fortunate to live long enough, 74 is the age where you have your best chance of being content. Not real encouraging news, is it?

But, getting back to the problem of our struggle with contentment; it has to do with our trust in God. You see, we aren't struggling with discontement because we're single, or because of our job, spouse, bank account, or whatever. We struggle first and foremost because we fail to trust God.

Discontentment is always lurking around close by; searching for an opening where it can creep into our lives. And somewhere deep down inside, you and I wrestle with trusting God and our belief that He is what's best, and always does what is best, for us. We strive constanly to not only trust, but to hope in Him. Therefore, it's because of this internal strife we find ourselves discontent in inumerable ways.

How then, does one find contentment? To begin with, contentment has to be nurtured. It doesn't just magically occur. Nor are you going to stumble across it one day. It's going to take a little bit of work on your part. It's got to be cultivated. You have to contend for it. Think for a minute, what it would mean for you to do this?

What would it mean for you to nurture and promote contentment? What would that look like? Who are the groups of people, or individuals that actually encourage you toward contentment?  What are the activities that help foster and nurture contentment in your life? Do them. Be a part of those activities.

What are the places and environments that help you nurture contentment? Get yourself there. What would it look like for you to position and set your heart and mind on ways and things that you know will nurture contentment in your life? Think about it, and then do it.

Conversely, think about those things fuel your discontment. What are you prone to? Is it movies, television programs, magazines, websites, music, etc., that throws fuel on the fire of discontentment that's already raging in your heart?  Maybe it's certain people who cause you to be discontent? Maybe they cause you to lean towards putting your hope in things other than God?

As I close this message, I would like for you to take stock at what the sources of discontenment in your life might be. Also, remember that contentment needs to be nurtured and cultivated, or it won't grow. Contentment grows from the inside-out, not the other way around. Your heart needs to be transformed, or it won't last very long.

Most importantly, the power and motivation which we need to fight for contentment only comes from our hearts embracing God and His Gospel. In addition, our hearts need to see God for the true, gratifying abundance that He is.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6

Prayer: Holy Father, whenever I begin to feel discontent, I pray that You will lift me up and remind of all that You have blessed me with; and guide me past the cold grip of discontenment towards the the comforting warmth of Your embrace. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Mindy

What's Your True Motivation?

"Despite the "Do Not Touch" signs, a museum was having no success in keeping patrons from touching--and soiling--priceless furniture and art. But the problem evaporated overnight when a clever museum employee replaced the signs with ones that read: "Caution: Wash Hands After Touching!"  -Today in the Word, March, 1990.

May I speak freely to you? What's your true motivation for religious devotion? Even right things can be pursued for the wrong reasons. Why you or I do things might not be as obvious as we think.

For those of us who desire to be good disciples of Christ, we should always practice religion from the heart, and not to receive accolades from others (Matthew 6:1-4). The question that we must each ask ourselves is: “Do I want the approval of God, or the approval of others?” The truth is that it's next to impossible to have both.

You can either have the approval of God, or the applause of others. That's either/or, but not both. If we choose the applause of others, then that applause becomes our reward. Let's break this down a little further. Here are some clarifications regarding rewards.

Is it wrong for the Christian to be motivated by rewards? There's a misconception that many Christians hold to, that we should never be motivated by reward. It just so happens that one of the prominent doctrines of the New Testament is the Doctrine of Rewards and the Judgment Seat of Christ. 

The judgment seat of Christ isn't a place and time when the Lord will hand out punishment for sins committed by us. More precisely, it's a place where rewards will be given or tossed out depending on how you used your life for the Lord. That means that our decisions and words in this life directly affect our eternal status.

Will you be great in heaven, or minuscule? Are you investing daily in eternity so as to earn rewards to enjoy forever, or are you simply living for the temporary earthly rewards of the here and now?

In conclusion, why do we do the things we do? Why do we serve in the church? Why do we help others? Why do we pray? Are we serving out of a humble sense of gratitude for everything that Christ has done for you and I?

Or, are you doing this for the applause and/or recognition by others? If this is the case, then you have already received your reward (Matthew 6:2, 5). But, to those who truly do these things from their heart for God alone, you will receive your reward by Him personally (Matthew 6:4, 6).

Scripture: Colossians 3:23;Proverbs 3:5; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:19

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that I may never get so full of myself that I forget your words and teachings on devotion. It's too easy to get carried away seeking the attention and approval of this temporal world and forsake the true reward of a place in Your eternal home. Please keep me grounded and focused on what is really important; and that, is You. Amen

May God always bless you!

Trisha

The Attitude of Christ

“Compassion can’t be measured in dollars and cents. It does come with a price tag, but that price tag isn't the amount of money spent. The price tag is love.” -J. C. Watts Jr.

Each and every one of us, who is a follower of Jesus, can't help but be impressed with the basic attitudes and feelings toward others which He taught and symbolized.

Using His sermon on the mount as an example, Jesus demonstrated and illustrated His desire to change people's attitudes to follow those who belonged to Him. Additionally, those attitudes not only affect our relationship with Jesus, but also relationships with others.

Speaking realistically, one can't be a Christian without the proper attitudes and conduct toward others (Matthew 22:34-39). To see a fundamental portrayal of the required attitudes turn to Colossians 3:1-15. Colossians 3 describes a "new man" that is to be continually developed after the image of the Lord.

This particular passage also presents three excellent qualities and necessary attitudes exemplified by the Lord: compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. If I may, I'd like to briefly touch on each one of these today, beginning with compassion.

By far, compassion reflects the deepest of human feelings. We, as children of God need to have deep compassion toward one another (1 Peter 3:8). We might demonstrate this in physical and material circumstances; times of spiritual weakness (Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 15:1); or stressful situations.

Turning to kindness, a Christian could be characterized as a kind person who consistently exhibits a "kindly spirit." In fact, it is required of the Christian (Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12), and can even be added to faith (2 Peter 1:7). Kindness can play an important part in everyday life, such as: wherever there may be a difference of opinion, or understanding, personal comments (gossip), or just to be a person of goodwill.

Forgiveness is a "must" attitude for every Christian (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). This attitude enables us to be willing to forgive others. Sadly, many who call themselves Christians are unforgiving because of a selfish, inward view of life. They mostly feel sorry for themselves, and partake of hurt feelings and criticism of others. It's important to point out that if you want to be like Jesus, you have to develop a forgiving spirit. There are no shortcuts!

In closing, if we are truly Christians, and follow the teachings and example of Jesus, there is no reason that we can't be compassionate, kind, and forgiving people!

Scripture: Romans 8:1; James 2:5; Romans 12:20; Lamentations 3:22-23; Matthew 7:21-23

Prayer: Holy Father, I pray to be more like You; to see and treat others with the same kind of compassion, kindness, and forgiveness that you did; and to always carry Your spirit within me wherever I may go. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Bonnie

Joyful Living Through Christ

"As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them." Today In The Word, June, 1988, p. 18.

There are an awful lot of us who believe that happiness is based on perfect circumstances. In other words, if everything is perfect, I will be happy. Maybe there's some truth in that. After all, we like to find ourselves in good situations and circumstances, right? Who doesn't? But, having joy shouldn't be based only on perfect circumstances. You see, happiness is external; joy is internal.

Here's what I'm talking about. In the Book of Philippians, the apostle Paul talks a lot about joy. For four years his life was what we would call a living hell. His circumstances were far from being perfect, for sure. He spent two years imprisoned in Caesarea on false charges. He was put on a ship bound for Rome, not to be set free, but to appear in front of Nero who didn't particularly like Christians.

While on the way there he was shipwrecked on an island, and bitten by a poisonous snake while spending the winter there. He then sets out for Rome again, spending another 2 years in prison there, waiting to be put to death. Did I mention that during this time he was chained to a guard for 24 hours a day, having no privacy whatsoever. And, having a new guard watching over him every four hours!

How in the world is Paul able to show joy? How does he manage to remain positive in prison? How does he overcome his troubles? How does he find joy in his difficulties? How does he stay so happy, positive, and joyful even though the bottom has fallen out of his life? Despite being in some pretty rough circumstances (to say the least), he still managed to talk about joy.

You and I know that we all have problems, too. That's a fact. Some are big, some are little. But they're still problems just the same. However, the way you look at that problem is much more important than the problem itself. Your perspective about the problem makes a difference.

Your view of your problems, your understanding of your problems, your focus of your problem can make all the difference in the world. That's one thing that Paul did. Another thing he did was even more important. He depended on God's power to live on. Life can drain you completely. One crisis after another will deplete your energy, resulting in loss of both energy and power over time.

How did Paul refresh his power? Look at Philippians 1:19. Paul says: "I have two things that give me strength and keep me going." The prayers of other people; and God's supply through His Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Jesus Christ). Prayers are powerful. Jesus said that we need to pray for strength (Luke 21:36). God also wants to give you power to live by. He wants you to live a life full of joy. We need God’s power in our lives (Ephesians 6:10).

Dear friends, God is big enough to take terrible circumstances and turn them around. He's big enough to turn them inside out. flip them over, shake them up,  and make a bad situation good! If He can do it with the cross of Calvary, He's big enough to do it in your life too!

Scripture: Romans 12:12; James 1:2; Philippians 4:4; Galatians 5:22; John 16:22

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know that true joy in life does not come from others, or is found in things. True joy only comes from knowing You. True joy comes from hearing your song in my heart, and feeling Your presence throughout my day. Amen

God bless you,

Jadyn

I Will Wait Patiently On Your Word

“Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.” -G. Campbell Morgan

Most of us think that we're pretty patient people, don't we? After all, we wait in line for lots of different things, right? We wait for traffic lights, coffee, movies, sporting events, the newest iPhones, and even in front of schools to drop our kids off in the morning, and/or to pick them up afterschool. It seems that we spend a good portion of our lives waiting for something or other.

As bad, or annoying as it might seem to you, the Bible gives us several examples of people who waited -- and waited --- for God’s next move. Take Moses, for instance. The man herded sheep on the backside of the desert for 40 years before God returned him to leadership. And how about the apostle Paul? He cooled his heels for seven years before his ministry was up and running.

Why does God sometimes make us hold up and wait? Is it because we did, or said something wrong? Maybe we had the wrong frame of mind, or forgot too many prayers? As you probably know, God has his reasons for doing what He does. You can wrack your brain trying to figure it out, but you never will. So just trust that He knows what He's doing with your life.

Who doesn't know how difficult it is to get someone's attention when they're all over the place? It's the same thing with us. God can't get our attention either if we're moving around. So, in order to do so He puts us on "hold." But wait! He doesn't just have us sitting down somewhere twiddling our thumbs.

Usually, during this time, there's at least a couple things going on. First, He's putting us through a little character building. And second, He's testing our character. That’s the normal process God utilizes with the woman or man He wants to use.

Furthermore, the greater God’s desired use, the more He invests in His character building curriculum. Usually, it involves pain or affliction -- or waiting. God is more interested in what He can do in us, that what He can do through us. The question that accompanies these periods is: “How will I respond?” Will He grow me through this, or will I look for another way?

Being human, we may be tempted to do something to hurry things along while we're waiting. We might look for another job, move to another place, or try to manipulate our spouse. In other words, we get restless and want to kick start our stalled lives back into motion. But, we need to be patient. This is God's time to do good works within us. Remember what I told you earlier? God knows what He's doing. Trust Him!

Undoubtedly, different people react very differently to waiting, or pain. However, the person who trusts God, sees affliction and waiting as growth times. As a consequence, they grow because of deep confidence in God and what He’s doing.

On the other hand, people who don’t trust God view affliction or waiting like attacks, or threats to safety and security. Their response is to turn inward, to come up with their own resources, to trust in themselves. The result of a pattern of not trusting God is turning your back on Him.

No one likes waiting around for no reason. But, waiting for God when He tells us to wait, is a pretty good reason. He loves us, and has our best interest at heart. Whether there's something that needs a little tweaking; or even a major overhaul in our lives, He will put us on hold. But, if we're patient and trust in Him, we will come out better in the end.

Scripture: Romans 12:12; Romans 8:25; Galatians 6:9; Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 40:31

Prayer: Holy Father, I know that You have my best interests at heart; and that You have a bigger plan for me than I will ever know. I pray for patience as I wait, on Your word, while You do mighty works within me as only You can. Amen

God bless you!

Erica

Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: Leave It In My Good Hands

Hello, everyone! Thank you for joining me again for Saturday Scripture Study. During this particular 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.

We are now at Week Twelve of our series. This week, we will discuss our importance as stewards of God. We must be careful as we spread the Gospel, as the tools we have been given to use are only borrowed. The grace belongs solely to God who gives it. Therefore, we must be faithful in the way we distribute the truth of Christ

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.

We begin this study with a quote from scripture, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. The apostle Paul composed this after a lengthy dissertation on the somewhat smaller role played by men in the the salvation of others. He argued that "we are only servants, not masters" to the Corinthians who had been attempting to denominationalize their young church after artificial followings.

For the best example of a steward, let's look at Joseph in the Book of Genesis. He went from being a slave to overseeing the house of Potiphar in quick time; bringing great blessings to the Egyptian captain's household. And though his master's wife attempted to seduce him many times, Joseph always remained a faithful steward; totally refusing her advances. Later, Pothiphar, trusting in his wife's version of the story, had Joseph imprisoned.

While serving his sentence, he became the prison trustee. Because Joseph was faithful to honor and duty, the Lord allowed him to flourish and prosper there. In time, his forewarnings freed him from imprisonment. He became Pharaoh's governor in Egypt, and the nation was blessed with prosperity even as a great famine raged all around them. Being a faithful servant, blessing seemed to follow Joseph wherever he went.

In Matthew 25:14-30 (the parable of the ten talents), Jesus teaches his disciples about stewardship. In spite of moving to a distant country, he will one day return and summon his servants to explain how they have handled God's blessings. He will reward those who were good and faithful servants by admitting them into the joy of their Lord. Those who, because of their laziness and wickedness, bore no fruit, can look forward to a punishment in outer darkness where there is much weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 12:42-48 contains the parable of the faithful and wise stewards. Here, Jesus compares two stewards with different viewpoints on their master's absence. One understands his master's absence is only temporary and may end suddenly. The other sees the master's absence as an opportunity to conduct himself maliciously. However, Jesus will return unexpectedly to the faithless steward and punish his lack of success with many stripes. Thus, we are cautioned: "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much is required."

The parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13) teaches us the true value of physical resources in this life: sharing our blessings in order to bless those who are less fortunate. Certainly, every physical blessing we have is from God (James 1:17; Matthew 6:25-34). If we are faithful in our stewardship of earthly blessings, we can demonstrate that we are fit to steward eternal blessings.

In response to his disciples' plea to increase their faith, Christ alludes to the unprofitable servant (Luke 17: 7-10) who understands that full obedience to God's commands is merely his duty and no labor about which he should boast.

Finally, the parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) is similar to the parable of the ten talents. This lesson is meant to undeceive them of false ideas regarding the kingdom's appearance and nature. The end of it has special warning to everyone who doesn't know Christ, or who do not obey his gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Here's one final word before closing. Remember, we are stewards of the riches of the knowledge of Christ, and must share with all.

Questions:

1. What does Paul say is a requirement of a steward? What did he mean concerning his own stewardship? What were the Corinthians trying to do with Apollos, Peter and Paul?
2. Who is the great Old Testament steward? What made him so trustworthy and prosperous?
3. What did each of the stewards do with the talents his master gave him before leaving?
4. Was the effort of the third man sufficient? What excuse did he give (Matthew 25:25)?
5. What became of the first two servants?
6. What was the servant's reason for beating others and getting drunk (Luke 12:45)?
7. How does this passage compare to 2 Peter 3:9-11?
8. What is the standard given in Luke 12:48?
9. How can handling "unrighteous mammon" help lead us to an "everlasting home?"
10. What does Luke 16:14 say about the Pharisees' reaction to this parable? Is this idolatrous affection still alive today (Colossians 3:5)?
11. According to the parable given in Luke 17:7-10, can a Christian ever do so much for God that the Lord actually owes him? What should the Christian be diligent to do?
12. Is salvation then a debt God owes us, or a gift of grace we receive when we accept and obey Him?
13. What did the citizens of the parable in Luke 19 (the parable of the ten minas) think of the nobleman? What becomes of them?

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi

Who Are You In Christ?

"So in case some left it out or forgot to mention it when they explained what it meant to be a Christian, let me be clear: There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender. There is no life without death. There is no believing without committing." -Kyle Idleman, "Not a Fan" (p. 35)

I'd like to begin by presenting a couple of questions to you: Do you really know who you are in Christ? How do you perceive yourself as a Christian?

Christians are commonly referred to as "saints." The word is derived from the Greek word hagios, which literally means "holy." Thus, in the New Testament sense of the word, to be a saint is to be a "holy one." And that’s who we are in Christ.

Consequently, according to God’s Word, all believers are already saints. From His perspective, we're saints not because of who men say we are, but because of what Christ did for us. We're not holy because of our own good works or righteousness. Simply put, we are Christians because of Christ.

The Bible tells us that "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." (Isaiah 64:6). The reality is that you and I are righteous because Jesus died on the Cross. By dying for us, He gave us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are now the righteousness of God in Christ.

It was God’s will to choose us; to adopt us as His sons and daughters. Therefore, God has given us what we are undeserving of. He has freely given us His grace and made us part of His family. No wonder the apostle John could say, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1).

In closing, I just want to reassure you that God truly loves us. He has accepted us, and given us security in life. God doesn't change you so that He can love you. In fact, He loves you in order to change you. You see, it's His love that changes you!

Dear friends, you can rest securely in your relationship with Christ. Because, in Christ you are secure; and you are accepted.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:16; Luke 4:4; Acts 2: 37-39; John 6:44; Matthew 5:13-16

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me throughout my walk as a Christian; and may I always be a shining example by my words, actions, and relationships with others. Amen

May your lives be blessed!

Mindy

Life Will Bring Encouragement or Discouragement

Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world's most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out -- a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward's father thought that was a poor showing. But, his mother insisted that the photograph of his sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures.

Her encouragement convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the rest of his life, but it had been a close call. What tipped the scales? The vision to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure. -Bits & Pieces, February 4, 1993, pp. 4-5.

Who said staying encouraged was easy? Truthfully, we spend more time discouraged in life than we do encouraged. Take your own life for example. When we were children we had all sorts of dreams and aspirations for our lives. Our dreams were big; the sky was the limit. As time moved along, we grew up, got a little older, and maybe a little wiser, or more cynical.

Whatever the case, life continues forward. But, what happened to those childhood dreams? Many of us followed different paths than what we started out on. Some of us were even fortunate enough to be able to see our dreams come to fruition. If you were one of those lucky ones, then consider yourself truly blessed!

However, as for the rest of us, we may or may not get to realize our dreams. As they say, the jury is still out on that one. Is this discouraging? I think it depends on how you look at it, and how much you let it affect you. God has a master plan for each one of us. Of course, only He knows what that might be. Being human, and having only a human perspective on life, it's impossible for us to even try to think on His level.

Discouragement is part of this life. There really is no getting around it. Therefore, it's important to encourage, and be encouraged. Who couldn't use a pat on the back every now and then? As a matter of fact, the Bible has many stories of encouragement, and discouragement. Like the characters in the Bible, God knows that we, living today, sometimes need a gentle hand to lift us up. or swift kick in the pants to set us straight!

Personally, I think that it all evens itself out in the end. As we look back on our lives, we shall see that there were equal parts of encouragement and discouragement. Keep in mind that our lives transpire one day at a time. We tend to see our lives in chunks, which if you're looking for good and bad can be deceiving. Break your life down into small, daily pieces and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Look for opportunities to encourage someone today. Just this simple act will encourage you, in return. If you notice, both encouragement and discouragement contain the word "courage." The definition for courage is: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

God will give you the courage to face anything that comes your way. He will give you the courage to press on despite feeling discouraged. He will encourage you to continue being an example of His life towards others. God loves you, and He loves me, That should be all the encouragement we need to live our lives as He meant for us to!

Scripture: Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7;Proverbs 30:5; Philippians 4:13; Psalm 34:4

Prayer: Holy Father, I pray for your encouragement that I might be an example of your love towards others. Everyone deals with discouragement while in this world, but it's comforting to know that when the skies turn dark, and the wind blows cold; You will provide the warm sunlight that encourages our hearts; and lets us know that better days are ahead. Amen

May God bless you,

Sarah

Remain Optimistic

You cannot be optimistic with misty optics about spiritual things: you must have your vision clear and spiritual.  (Matthew 6:22; 2 Peter 1: 8, 9)

As we embark on a brand new year, it's hard not to look back and reflect on the old year behind us. No matter what kind of year it was, for some it was good, for others not so much. Either way, that was then, this is now.

How are you feeling at this moment? Are you optimistic about 2015? Do you think that this will finally be your year? Maybe you're thinking that this year will definitely top an extremely blessed 2014? After all, optimism is the ability to face the future with confidence. And, for believers this is possible because of their knowledge of God.

Nahum 1:7 assures us that "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him..."  In other words, God has your/our back, no matter what comes down the road. It's kind of hard not to be optimistic when you know that Our Lord cares enough about us not to leave us hanging. Psalm 46:1 conveys the same message.

Now, I know that some of you are thinking about some unpleasant things that might have happened in your life last year. And, you might be doubting all of this talk about God being there when you need Him. I understand that unpleasant, painful, gut-wrenching, unexplainable incidents can make it difficult to feel optimistic.

But, I also sincerely believe that passages such as those above wouldn't have been made available to us if they weren't true. Why? Because God doesn't lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). There's not enough time, or space to dive into it here, but God never does anything to hurt you, or I (Ephesians 2:4; Romans 9:14; 1 John 4:7-8). Besides having no reason to do so, He doesn't because He loves us (Romans 5:8).

Being optimistic is part of believing in God, and having faith (Luke 18:27). I like this quote by Lynne Austin, from Candle in the Darkness,  “Faith don't come in a bushel basket, Missy. It come one step at a time. Decide to trust Him for one little thing today, and before you know it, you find out He's so trustworthy you be putting your whole life in His hands.”

That's how we should proceed into this new year, one step, or day, at a time. Give your cares and troubles over to Him one at a time. I have no doubt that God is waiting for you to do this. His loving arms are extended toward you, waiting to help ease your burden (Psalm 68:19; Psalm 55:22).

There's no guarantee that only good things will happen because you do so. That's when faith kicks in (John 14:1). However, to remain optimistic is to know in your heart that God is there to help you when the wheels fall off. And, of course, He is there in the good things that bless your life, too!

As I close, I urge you to remain optimistic. No one knows what this year will bring. In fact, who knows about tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1)? But, because you know about God, and His love for all of us, it's very comforting and secure to know that He is with us, always.

Scripture: Psalms 52:8; Psalms 125:1; Psalms 91:2; Micah 7:7; Hebrews 13:6

Prayer: Dear God, only You know what this new year will bring for me, but knowing that You will be there with me every step of the way; encourages my optimism and deepens my faith. I also pray for the peace of mind that only the knowledge of You can give me. Amen

God bless you!

Riley

Video - Beth Moore: Go Forward

In this video message, Beth Moore challenges you to keep moving in your walk of faith. Worth a look!  ~Eve

From Different Ships, But On the Same Boat

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”  -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We humans are a strange sort, aren't we? Why in the world do we discriminate against others based on things like: their birthplace, where they live, skin color, economic status, language, etc? God doesn't judge people like we tend to do. God looks at the inside, while we are more apt to look at only the outside.

The problems of stereotypes and prejudice are nothing new. These were major problems in Jesus’ day, too. But, what made Jesus so attractive to so many in his time was the way he demolished commonly held stereotypes of “us” and “them.”

Do you recall when Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:6-9)? His disciples had left him alone to go buy food. Now remember, Jews did not associate with Samaritans at that time. They traveled in completely different social circles. The two didn't hang out together, or talk to each other. Simply put, the did not get along.

What makes this scenario even more interesting was that He didn't reach out to just any Samaritan, but a Samaritan woman. The Jewish rabbis of Jesus’ day wouldn't even teach to women, let alone allow this kind of interaction. Yet here's Jesus reaching out to a Samaritan woman!

This incident makes a powerful statement by itself. But wait, there's even more! Not only was this person a Samaritan, and a woman, she was also an immoral woman. She had been married five times; and, on top of that, she wasn't married to the man she was living with at that time. (John 4:18).

You could say that she had three "dislikes" against her, And, these were three very good reasons (from the perspective of the Jews) why Jesus shouldn't even be giving her the time of day. But, he does. In fact, he was the one who initiated the conversation (John 4:7).

Considering the way things were at the time, not even a good Jew would associate with this woman, Additionally, because of who she was, there's good reason to believe that even the Samaritans themselves kept their distance from this woman. John 4:6 tells us that “it was about the sixth hour” (the sixth hour was noon) when Jesus met this woman at the well.

It would have been out of the ordinary for a woman to go to the well to draw water in the heat of the day. Usually they went to the well in the evening after it had cooled off. The fact that she was there at that time of day suggests she was probably trying to avoid the other women. Why? Because they didn't accept her due to her immorality.

The point here is this. She was an outcast among outcasts! If there was anyone on earth that Jesus shouldn't have been in contact with, it was her. However, he was willing to look past all of her exterior flaws, and look at who she was on the inside.

What about the disciples? They were stunned when they returned and found him alone, talking with an adulterous woman at a well. But, they didn't say a word until after the woman had left and gone back into town. At that point, they asked if he'd like to eat something. They obviously wanted to pretend that they didn't see a thing. Like many, they were hoping that if ignored, the problem would disappear. Poof!

As mentioned earlier, during his earthly ministry Jesus broke down the stereotypes of “us” and “them.” But, he had to pursue this alone. He didn't have the support of the religious leaders of his day, nor the support of his disciples. This was because they hadn't gotten past their own prejudices, yet.

In closing, you and I don't have to overcome our prejudices, or biases alone. We have our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to support and guide us. We were all made in God's image, all of us. To treat one another any less than that goes against everything that Jesus lived, taught, and died for.

Scripture:John 7:24; 1 John 2:9; John 13:34; Romans 2:11; 1 Samuel 16:7  

Prayer: Holy Father, I pray that I will treat everyone I meet today with respect, dignity, and love. You created us as one family, in your image. Therefore, I ask you for forgiveness of any previous sins I have committed against others involving prejudice, and that you instill my heart with your love for all. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Shelley

Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: Reconnect With God While There's Time!

Hello, everyone! It's great to be back with you at the start of a brand new year. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, and I wish all of you a healthy and blessed 2015!

During this particular study series, we have been 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.

We are now at Week Eleven of our series. During this study, we will discuss how sin, and the condemnation that it brings, separates us from having the kind of relationship that we should enjoy with Our Heavenly Father.

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.

Let's talk about two very closely related ideas: preparation and separation. But here's the deal. If the former is not achieved, then the latter will be assured.

As we begin, keep this thought in mind. It's sin that separates or keeps us from communion with God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Thus, if communion, or fellowship is the connection between God and man, then sin is the short circuit that breaks this connection; and the blood of Jesus is the grace that reconnects us to Him (Ephesians 2:16-17).

The broken circuit of sin is restored exclusively by the grace of God, and our readiness to receive and obey the gospel message. For only by grace through faith are we capable of being reconciled to God, as our transgressions are not pinned on us (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Barring the offering of Jesus and his resurrection, the circuit cannot be reconnected (1 Corinthians 15:17). The short in the circuit simply can't be fixed apart from the grace of God and a working faith (Galatians 5:4).

Without a doubt, death culminates from sin in our lives. You see, death is the ultimate separator. It severs forever the living from their loved ones, which in turn causes terrific anguish. More importantly, physical death disconnects the infinite spirit from the finite body (James 2:26). Yes, our bodies return to dust, but our spirit endures the transformation and must answer for our actions in this life (2 Corinthians 5:10).

God promises to make only one distinction in the day of judgement. He will decide between those justified, and those who are unjustified. And, we all know how that will end. The corrupt will be punished for eternity; and the good rewarded with eternal rest. This is described by the apostle Paul as eternal separation from God in 2 Thessalonians 1:9.

In the following parables, the Lord teaches his followers to be mindful that eternal separation is condemnation. In the parable of the tares, Jesus illustrates a farmer whose enemy sowed weeds throughout his wheat field (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). He explains the parable himself, pointing out that good and evil must be permitted to grow accordingly in the world; while he will separate them in the end.

In Matthew 13:47-50, the parable of the dragnet, Jesus tells us that as the seeker of good pearls and treasure, similarly the man casting the net into the sea is searching for items of inherent value. Christ compares him to end time events, when divine and final judgement will separate the wheat from the chaff.

Lastly, in Matthew 22:1-14, the parable of the wedding feast, he relates the gospel invitation to a wedding feast, God invites the logical attendees (the Jews), who turn down the request and proceed to murder the messengers. God then sends the same invitation to the less obvious choice (the Gentiles), who then fill the hall to capacity. Even so, one attendee manages to disguise himself as a Christian, although he isn't. This false follower is then tossed outside among those who had declined His invitation (Matthew 22:14).

If you learn one thing from this study, you should understand that the pain of being separated from our loved ones (at death) is nothing compared to the horrible possibility of eternal separation from God. Surely, we should be aware that every time we stumble in sin we are given a tiny taste of what Hell is. And, when it's all said and done, Hell is eternal separation from the God who loved us so much that He came to die for us.

Questions:

1. What is it that first separates a man from his God? What does Isaiah say is an additional result of falling into this state?
2. What does Ephesians 2 argue is the result of Jesus' death for the faithful?
3. What does James call the body without the spirit?
4. Does the Bible really teach that some people will be punished in the day of judgement?
5. What corresponds to the farmer's field ( the world or the church?)
6. Who are the wheat? Who are the tares? Who is the enemy?
7. What will happen at the harvest?
8. What bearing does this passage have on church discipline (cf. question #5 and 1 Corinthians 5:9-10).
9. How does the parable of the dragnet compare to Jesus' message in Matthew 7:21-23?
10. How does Jesus describe the furnace where the wicked will be cast?
11. Who is represented by the king and the son?
12. Who are represented by the likely attendees, invited first? Why?
13. How did they respond?
14. Who corresponds to the second group of guests?
15. What type of Christian is depicted in the man without a wedding garment?

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi

Don't Let Pride Take You For A Ride

"Sin comes when we take a perfectly natural desire, or longing, or ambition and try desperately to fulfill it without God. Not only is it sin, it is a perverse distortion of the image of the Creator in us. All these good things, and all our security, are rightly found only and completely in Him."  -Augustine, The Confessions of Saint Augustine.

Looking back on our Christian walk, most of us started off great. With hearts fully committed to God, our eyes were focused on Him completely. Then perhaps, at some point, our pride began to swell up; in effect hampering us from being all that He wants us to be. We were convinced that we know better than He does.

If left to fester, pride will totally change not only our attitude toward God, but the direction that He has set for us. That's why, as believers it is so important to be cognizant of Satan's objective. And what might that be? He would like nothing better than to deeply torment and destroy our lives. Satan never rests ( 1 Peter 5:8) while on the hunt to cause as much damage as he can in the life of a believer.

It's quite fair to say that pride just might be one of the toughest things that we struggle with. It can also be quite devastating. If you think about it, many problems in our lives transpire due to pride's work. The sad truth is that many of us fail to recognize this, even becoming prideful over the favorable things God has given us (e.g., jobs, children, education, where we live, etc.)

It's no secret that God specifically detests pride. As a matter of fact, it's right up there at the top of His list of sins He hates (Proverbs 8:13). After all, it's one of Satan's favorite weapons to use because of the ease in which we take our eyes off of God, and focus on ourselves instead.

And no matter how much we try to dress it up, excuse or justify it, pride always achieves the same result: we end up being arrogant and disobedient toward God. You're probably thinking, "But, isn't okay to have pride in what I can do? I am talented and reasonably intelligent. Is it so wrong for me to take pride in my God-given talents?"

Not at all. We should have a sense of pride in doing our best. God provides us with talents and abilities to use for His glory. It goes without saying that He wants us to do our best. We couldn't ask for a better cheerleader! By using our gifts for good, we not only honor Him, but His life within us, too

Problems arise, though, when we fail to honor God with our attitudes. This is where it all starts to unravel. We start believing Satan's lies, We begin thinking that we can bring about whatever we desire apart from Him. In the end, this always leads us away from Him, and enables Satan to step right in.

Pride has many different faces. That is precisely why God warns us to be wary in our defense against it. If we open a door to it, even just a crack, the enemy will swoop into our hearts with thoughts that trick us into thinking we are much better than God desires. He wants you to have a healthy self-worth, However, He also wants you to learn how to deal with pride so you won't miss out on the blessings He has in store for you.

Scripture: Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:5; Proverbs 16:18; Galatians 6:3; James 4:6

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that I won't ever be so puffed up, or full of pride that I distance myself from You. Please keep my feet on the ground, and my heart filled with Your goodness and love. Amen

God bless you always,

Shayna

Shine A Little Light On Me!

"Every problem is an opportunity to prove God's power. Every day we encounter countless golden opportunities, brilliantly disguised as insurmountable problems."  -Charles Swindoll, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, p. 35.

Come to think about it, Jesus came to help us with our every day problems. That's right! And, He doesn't just love people who indulge themselves in the limelight. He loves ordinary people like you and I, too.

No doubt, there are many areas in which we could use some help. But, one particular area He wants to help us with is the dark times of life. Yes, we all experience dark times in our lives at some time or other. It doesn't matter who you are.

These are those times when you’re tempted to lose heart, be depressed, discouraged, disappointed, doubtful, fearful, and anxious. Oh yeah, there are going to be times when you need a "light" to shine in your darkness; one that you can't create on your own. Here's some good news for you. Jesus wants to be your light!

The fact is, there are literally billions of people out there looking for Jesus. Many of them living in dark emptiness; searching for the light that can bring love, happiness and purpose to their hollow existence. They just can’t seem to find a way out of the darkness. As a result, this more than likely leads to many other problems.

Friends, if you’re one of those people, I'm here to tell you that Jesus wants to be your light. I know that without the light of Jesus to help guide us, finding our way through the dark can be lonely and scary. To put it bluntly, we simply can’t keep body and soul together without the Son of God lighting up our spiritual lives.

Our shady hearts, stained by self-centerednesss and confusion, need His light. Besides, because we live in such a dark world, we desperately need the "light of the world" to come and rejuvenate our lives. We need Him to remind us that we don't have to muddle through life alone. There's a much better way for us. It's His way!

If you haven't already, let Jesus renew your life. Let Him show you how His light can lift you from depression and disappointment, doubt and fear. Let Him show you how He can bring you love, joy, purpose, power and peace so that you can lead a meaningful life in Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Romans 8:28; John 16:33; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 46:1; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Prayer: Holy Father, I know that as long as I live on this side of Heaven there will be problems. Even so, I am comforted knowing that when the path gets rocky, and the storms of life rage on; You will be there to take my hand and help me get through it. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Kristi

Time For A Relationship Check with God

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." -Will Rogers

Have you stopped to think about your relationship with God lately? I mean, have you really taken the time to just do some serious thinking about it? If you have, do you like the direction it's going? Are you happy with the way it is, or do you think it could use a little work?

There are some Christians who never seem to improve their relationship with God. They might languish where they are. They remain dependent on others to keep them motivated; requiring constant nurturing to keep from falling away, or becoming apathetic. 

Many things can be considered "high maintenance." For example, there are cars that require a great amount of attention to keep running. Many employees require close supervision to do their jobs right. Some significant others require a heavy dose of gifts or dates to keep from losing interest. 

Is this you? Have you in essence become a "high maintenance" Christian? Do require lots of attention from others in order to keep faithful? How about lots of coddling, or pampering to remain active? 

When you first became a Christian, starting your new spiritual life, chances are you were high maintenance. There are some lazy, "high maintenance" Christians out there who only work when someone prods them on. Yes, even some churches can be considered "high maintenance!" I refer you to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21).

Now, it's not all bad. Some "high maintenance" is good and necessary, as in the work of the local church (e.g., help for the new Christian, or the hurting Christian). But, when it exists where it shouldn't, then there can be some real problems (e.g., new Christians not being helped, because others expect pampering, or the sick and dying being neglected, because others require attention). 

Certainly, there are times in our spiritual lives when we all require some high maintenance. However, to avoid keeping it from those who really need it, we should give serious thought and effort toward overcoming "high maintenance."

We know that as newcomers to Christ we're going to be high maintenance. That just goes without saying! But, somewhere along the line we should get to the point where we don't need it anymore. In other words, we make the transition from needing "support" to becoming "supportive" of others. We reach this point through individual growth.

Early on, we get our strength from fellow Christians who help us along when we need it. But we should also reach a point where we receive our strength from God. This is where we become the producers, as opposed to just being consumers. I refer you to the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-6.

In closing, I'm not trying to discourage "high maintenance" when it's truly warranted (Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:1). I simply want to challenge you to think about your service to Christ. I want you to reflect about your work in the kingdom (Galatians 6:4), and whether you're carrying your own load, or not (Galatians 6:5).

Scripture: Revelation 3:16; Romans 12:11; Proverbs 15:19; John 5:39-40; Hebrews 11:6 

Prayer: Dear God, on those days when I find myself starting to drag and fall back; please give me a little nudge to remind me that you're there to help me keep on. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Makinzie

Video - Lisa Bevere: Don't Act Like Men

From her teaching series "See It," Lisa Bevere demonstrates how women can be the answer, not the problem, in relationships. Awesome message!  ~Eve

What Will the New Year Bring?

"If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

The start of a brand new year is an excellent time for reflection and hope. Reflection allows us to pause and think about the old year gone by. Thus, letting us redirect our thoughts and actions towards more positive results. Hope allows us to continue forward knowing that God is with us every step of the way. Though, it's true, the paths ahead may be new and unfamiliar, it is with confidence and security in knowing that our Heavenly Father is always present; that we press forward unafraid.

One night, I was trying to think of a message of encouragement for this upcoming year. Suddenly, I was reminded of David's words in Psalm 37. I actually found myself using them to encourage several people who were going through hard times. In the end, I thought that the truth in this text would be helpful to others.

David understood that all believers fall at some time. We stumble, we lose our way, we struggle, and sometimes we trip and fall on our journey. There aren't any exceptions. No one is exempt. We all fall sooner or later. But here's the important thing. It’s what happens when we fall that makes all the difference.

God ordains every step we take. This includes: the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the positive and the negative. What I am trying to say is that God not only “directs” our steps, he also “determines” or “orders” or “ordains” our steps.

You see, because he is God, there are no "accidents" with him. Nothing ever happens to us by luck, chance or fate. This means that no circumstance, good or bad, can come to us except what God determines for us.

We might wonder what 2015 will bring.  Will it be a good year, or a bad year for us personally? In many respects, we will discover that life will be the same this year because of similar, ongoing challenges in our walk with the Lord.

Sure, there will be good days and bad days. You will experience some victories and some defeats. Some of your prayers will be answered; some won’t be answered. Some of your dreams will come true; others won't. Some of your plans will come to fruition; others will remain undone. But know this: Your steps in the coming year are "ordained," or “ordered” by the Lord. He is in charge of every detail of your life.

I mentioned above that next year will be just like last year. Let me change that statement around just a bit: Next year will be just like last year—only entirely different! Certainly, some things will be the same, much will be different, and some things will be brand-new to us.

However, be encouraged. The future rests in the good hands of a God who loves you more than you can imagine. Certainly, you may stumble during the new year, but you won’t completely fall. This, my dear friends, is God’s promise to you. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 5:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 43:18-19; Psalm 34:8; Romans 14:11

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that this new year will be a blessed year; a year full of hope, love, and your presence in my life. No matter what this year brings, I will confidently face it knowing that you are in charge of every detail of my life. Amen

May God bless you all,

~Eve

A Blessed New Year to You!

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry wishes all of you a Happy and Blessed 2015! We will return from our winter break in January. May God bless you all!  ~Eve