Weekend Message - Sheila Walsh on Unforgiveness

This week, Bible teacher, author, and speaker Sheila Walsh shares how she has personally struggled with unforgiveness after being hurt by a fellow Christian. The Lord taught her how to bring both the debt, and the debtor to Him. This is truly a wonderful message. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Life's Storms Will Come...

"Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child."  - Unknown.

The storms of life are never very far away. They stand ready to pounce on us and rock our world; but not necessarily in a good way! Most of us have weathered our fair share of these storms, and have come through them better for the experience. Others, well...not so much.

In Matthew 12:22, the Lord's disciples find themselves in such a predicament. After being ordered by Jesus to cross the Sea of Galilee, they are suddenly caught smack-dab in the middle of a monster storm. No matter how hard they tried, they just couldn't seem to pull out of it.

Can you recall a time when you were caught up in tremendous storm? Of course, I'm not talking about a storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee, but  "life storms." As this particular storm raged, did it appear that you were trapped, with no way of ever getting out of it? Like I mentioned above, we all go through storms like that.

Though the storms of life aren't very enjoyable, they do give rise to certain benefits in our spiritual lives (Hebrews 12:11). Yes, there are some hidden blessings that we derive from these tumultuous episodes. What might these be? Allow me to point out a few for your consideration.

Storms of life are used by the Lord as a vehicle, if you will, to reveal Himself. He comes to us in the darkest days of our lives. Even the darkest hours of life can't hide us from Him. He's there even when we can't see Him.

Turning back to the disciples who were struggling against the raging storm (Mark 6:48), imagine how frightened they must have been. Their hopes of survival were fading fast. And, just when they thought it was all over, Jesus came, walking on the water! (Matthew 14:25)

I know there are times when, like the disciples, right in the middle of our storms, we think that we are done. However, let me call attention to something here. No matter what storm you might be facing in your life right now, Jesus is greater than it. In addition to this, He's in charge of your storms; all of them.

Things can start looking pretty bad rather quickly, I know. But, if you hang in there, stay strong and faithful, Jesus will show up, too. He might not keep you from going out into the storm, but He won't let you go through it alone, either.

There's a message here for us. If you will be patient, and wait for Him, He will show up right when You need Him the most. You see, by Jesus walking on the water in the middle of the storm, He was telling us that He is greater than any storm. The only thing to really fear is the storm, not Him. He's got it all under control.

I don't know what storms of life you might be facing, But, if you hand your troubles and problems over to Him, He will walk across the water to help calm the turbulent situation that you find yourself in. Remember, the storms of life serve to remind us Who really is in control. Our Heavenly Father is the Master of all storms!

Scripture: Psalm 107:29; Nahum 1:7; Philippians 4:19; Deuteronomy 31:6; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, I put all my trust in Your mighty hands to help guide and support me through whatever trials I might encounter; knowing full well that You are in control at all times. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Theresa

Christ Is Eternal Life

Thinking of the fullness and duration of this wonderful life, W. B. Hinson, a great preacher of a past generation, spoke from his own experience just before he died. He said, "I remember a year ago when a doctor told me, 'You have an illness from which you won't recover.' I walked out to where I live 5 miles from Portland, Oregon, and I looked across at that mountain that I love. I looked at the river in which I rejoice, and I looked at the stately trees that are always God's own poetry to my soul.

Then in the evening I looked up into the great sky where God was lighting His lamps, and I said, ' I may not see you many more times, but Mountain, I shall be alive when you are gone; and River, I shall be alive when you cease running toward the sea; and Stars, I shall be alive when you have fallen from your sockets in the great down pulling of the material universe!' "   - W. B. Hinson. 

A major theme in the gospel of Christ is eternal life.  For example, Jesus was crucified in order to offer eternal life (John 3:14-16). And, Romans 6:23 tells us that, "Eternal life in Christ Jesus is the gift of God."

But, many might wonder, "What exactly is eternal life?" Is is just a future blessing related to life after death? Maybe it's a present possession, something that delights us here in our earthly life? Perhaps, we should turn to the Bible for an answer.
 
There are a couple of ways to consider eternal life. We can regard it either in the present, or in the future. There are many references to eternal life as a future blessing. Jesus spoke of it in: Matthew 25:46 and Mark 10:28-30. Paul wrote about it in Titus 1:2; 3:7 and Romans 6:22.

Various individuals think of eternal life as a future blessing. They see it as an everlasting existence in the presence of God. One that is free from death, sorrow, and pain (Revelation 21:1-7). One that is available in this life as a hope. It is quite scriptural to think of eternal life as a hope for the future.

Now let's examine eternal life as a present possession. On several occasions John writes about eternal life as a present possession. He speaks about it as that which is abiding in one, or not (1 John 3:14-15). Or, that we have eternal life because God has given it to us (1 John 5:11-13).

What John does here, is he uses the phrase "eternal life" in a special sense to describe a quality of life. He is describing the quality of life that comes from knowing both God, and His Son Jesus Christ. We can also see this in the way that Jesus uses it in His "High Priestly Prayer" (John 17:3).

When one looks at it from this angle, they can see life as a present possession. Thus, when  we come to know God and Jesus, we are blessed with a quality of life unsurpassed by anything offered by the world. This quality of life being a mere taste of the future blessing we shall have with God.

In this regard, we can safely say that this quality of life is "eternal life," and that our present life with God is only the beginning of spending eternity with Him. Therefore, since Jesus discussed eternal life both ways, it truly is a future blessing and a present possession.

In closing, eternal life is a blessing that is acquired from knowing God and Jesus Christ in a personal, yet progressive manner. And, it's enjoyment is derived only by keeping the commandments of both God and Christ.

Scripture: Romans 10:13; Luke 23:43; Acts 24:15; John 14:23; Ephesians 2:8  

Prayer: Dear Jesus, though it's hard for me to conceive of what eternity might be like; the simple fact that You will be waiting there for me, offering me eternal life with You, is all I need to know. Amen

God bless you,

Kendall

Where There Is Hope...

In the novel, “Cat’s Cradle” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., an important book comes to light. It is titled, “What Can a Thoughtful Man Hope for Mankind on Earth, Given the Experience of the Past Million Years?” The chief character is anxious to read it. But when he does, he finds that it doesn’t take long. The whole book consists of one word: “Nothing.”   - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Cat’s Cradle.

We live in times of great uncertainty. In our world, there are changes and upheaval that have left many people worried about the future. There are concerns about the economy, political and social conflict, war, and employment, to name a few. Needless to say, there's more than enough reason for people to lose hope.

If I may, I'd like to focus on the word "hope." Molly Edmonds explains it this way, "Hope is the belief that circumstances in the future will be better. It's not a wish that things will get better, but an actual belief, even when there may be no evidence that anything will change."

That belief can be translated into meaning "Jesus Christ," who has provided us with much needed words of hope and comfort. In addition, He has promised to give each of us much needed hope in specific areas of our lives. He has left is with "hope" for tomorrow.

Jesus tells us that He has already prepared a place for us (John 14:2). There, we will live in God's house; in His presence, free from sin and the troubles of this life. For the child of God, death is not the end; it's simply a time to go home (2 Corinthians 5:1-8).

In John 14:3, Jesus reminds us that He will return for His people one day. Paul expounds upon this glorious event in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. He's coming back and you better be ready!

Jesus also talks about a heavenly homecoming to his disciples, who are upset about the thought of him leaving. He tells them that although he will go on ahead, he goes to prepare a place for them. Then he will return, taking them back with him.

As you can see, we don't have to live in doubt, despair, and hopelessness. Though He has gone on before us, He promised He would be back. Until then, He has left us with everything we need. The "hope" that one is longs for is right under your nose. Christ left us his teachings, He left us His Word.

I agree that at times our future can seem bleak and hopeless. But, with Christ there is hope. He is the one thing, the only thing, that you can always count on. No matter what might be happening in your life, He is the only constant. Won't you place your "hope" in Him today?

Scripture: 1 John 3:3; Romans 5:4; Lamentations 3:24; Psalm 71:5; Psalm 71:14

Prayer: Dear Lord, You bring me hope when there is no reason to have any. You give me hope, when I don't deserve any. You provide hope, as no one else can, or ever could. Amen

May God bless you always,

Brandi

The Merciful Visitor

"Divine visitation does not necessarily mean that one must see a vision or an angel. However, it entails that one will have a profound divine experience. An experience one can refer to in future as a time he encountered a touch from the Lord."  - Bode Ayodele

Visitors arrive in two forms: expected and unexpected. Expected visitors usually mean that some preparation is in order beforehand. It might also mean some investment of time, and money is required to make the visitor feel as welcome, and comfortable as possible.

On the other hand, an unexpected visitor at your door might require some fancy footwork on your part. The element of surprise is on your guests side. You might experience some panic, anxiety, frustration, and even anger in this situation.

There is, however, one special visitor who no matter the situation is always welcome. That visitor is not only with us, but is always in us. The merciful beauty of this particular visitor is that He remains in us no matter how much we might annoy, or rebel against Him.

We have all had special visits from the Lord. He has brought with Him joys, deliverances, and innumerable blessings. He visits us in our darkest nights, when our world is crashing down on top of us; being drawn deep into our sagging spirit to save us.

His tenderness has visited us in times of great trouble, and depression, when we were weighed down with heavy burdens, and during times of heart breaking sorrow. No matter. He visited us displaying His tenderness toward us.

The marvelous wonder of His visitations is how His Revelation is custom made in just the right fashion and approach to the situation and comprehension of the one in need. In other words, it is exactly what is needed for each individual!

All of God's visits are merciful; thus removing our darkness. This includes the darkness of ignorance, sorrow, carelessness, pain, and fear. Certainly there are those visitors whom we put off until some distant time in the future.

However, God is the One visitor whom we should be waiting for with the door to our hearts flung open, and our arms outstretched wide!

Scripture: Romans 8:26; Isaiah 11:2; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 5:5; Romans 5:3-5

Prayer: Dear Lord, there have been many times in my life when I felt my troubles to many, and my burdens to heavy to bear; yet You were always there to refresh my spirit and encourage me to move on. Thank you for giving me just what I needed when I needed it. Amen  

Have a blessed day,

Renay

He Who Enlightens the World

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it."  - John 1:15

Bob Woods, in Pulpit Digest, tells the story of a couple who took their son, 11, and daughter, 7, to Carlsbad Caverns. As always, when the tour reached the deepest point in the cavern, the guide turned off all the lights to dramatize how completely dark and silent it is below the earth’s surface.

The little girl, suddenly enveloped in utter darkness, was frightened and began to cry. Immediately was heard the voice of her brother: “Don’t cry. Somebody here knows how to turn on the lights.”

In essence, that's the message of the gospel, isn't it? Light is available, even when darkness seems overwhelming. Just as the sun lights the entire world; Christ is the Light of the world (John 8:12). Imagine the deepest, dark there is. That's what this world would be like without the sun, and similarly without Jesus.

He brought light into this world. We were stumbling and groping about aimlessly before Him. Like men trapped underground, deprived of sunlight, we wallowed around in our sin.

Then, one day we caught a glint of light far off in the distance. Slowly turning from our sin, we laboriously made our way towards it, It isn't easy to pull away from sin. Sin has a very powerful grip.

But the Light of God has a stronger influence. We're drawn to it like moths to a flame. But we're not drawn to our doom. Instead, we are brought to immeasurable, unlimited blessing!

Whoever is willing to receive that light is free to do so. Everyone who follows Christ will not walk in darkness. This includes those who are blind, and even those who hate the light. Everyone! For Christ is the Light of God.

No one who follows Christ will be left without the necessary truths to keep them from destructive missteps, and guidance in what ought to be done in order to keep them separated from condemning sin. As one sun illuminates the whole world, so does Christ enlighten us; and nothing else is needed.

Scripture: Romans 1:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; John 8:24

Prayer: Dear Father, You are the light of my heart, my soul, and my life. I give You my prayers and praise for the many blessings with which You have provided me. Thank you, Holy Father. Amen

God bless you!

Valerie

Simply Trust Him

Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee, Trust Him when thy strength is small, Trust Him when to simply trust Him seems the hardest thing of all. Trust Him, He is ever faithful, Trust Him, for his will is best, Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus is the only place of rest.   - Source Unknown.

Are you feeling broken, disgarded, used and abused, damaged, perhaps even ugly? Stop beating your self up, right now. We are all beautiful creations of God. That's correct! You and I were beautifully created from God's master plan. Haven't you heard that God doesn't create any junk. It's true!

Maybe your marriage is shaky? Or you've given up hope of ever finding someone who will love and care for you as much as you would them? Are your finances a total disaster; the bill collectors unrelenting; your bank account all but gone? Life is looking bleak, and getting worse every day? Before the pit gets any deeper and you do anything foolish; stop, and take and take a deep breath.

You are not alone. There are many, many others out there going through the same thing(s), if not worse, that you are going through. Your troubles are not unique! We all travel these dark valleys sometime during our lives. There will be times when everything falls into place. There will be times when it all goes to "you-know-where" in a handbasket. It's how we learn to handle both that makes us stronger.

These trials that all of us face really do strengthen us. It's how we learn to lean on God for comfort and support. It's how we learn to appreciate what we have. It's how we learn to trust in Him. Look, we (you and I) are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. It's just not in us to be so.

Life is unsure. There are no guarantees. We have no idea what tomorrow will bring. We only have today (James 4:14; Proverbs 27:1). We really can't trust others to help us, either (Psalm 146:3). There is only One whom we can truly trust. And who better to trust than He who created us? If anyone can figure us out, know what we need,  know our true heart; it's God.

Trust Him with your burdens, your darkest secrets, your deepest pain. He will gladly accept them with outstretched arms. Only God, our Heavenly Father, can do this for us. No amount of money, fame, or substances could ever measure up to Him. His love is unconditional, eternal, and free for the asking.

Trust in Him to help you. Worldly voices might be telling you otherwise, but they speak only to your ears. God speaks to your heart. Listen. Trust Him.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5; Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 28:7; Joshua 1:9; John 14:1

Prayer: Holy Father, I place my trust in You to guide me in Your ways; that I may be more like You in everything I do and say; all the days of my life. Amen

Have a blessed weekend!

Lacee

Stop Running and Hiding

D. L. Moody had a keen memory for names and faces. If one of his children was missing from Sunday school, he knew it, and he would do everything possible to find out why. One day he saw an absentee coming down the street, so he took off after her. She ran down the sidewalk, across the street, and through an alley into a saloon, up the stairs to a back apartment, into the bedroom, and then dived under the bed.

Moody went after her, and just as he was claiming his prize, the mother showed up. Panting from the exertion, Moody simply explained, “I’m Moody,” He said that he had missed the girl and would be happy if all the family could come to the services. Within a few weeks he had every child in the family in his school.   - The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 203

God knows all His children. He knew us before we were ever part of this world (Jeremiah 1:5). He breathed us into creation. How perfect the world must have been for a time. He had His children --Adam and Eve-- and other living things to fuss over like any proud parent would. Everything was going great, that is, until sin turned paradise upside down. And we have been running and hiding from God ever since.

After committing sin, Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. They tried hiding not only themselves, but their bodies, too (Genesis 3:7-8). Until then, the world was their oyster. All they had to do was abide by God's rules. But once they went against God, the world as they knew it was over.

For centuries after, men ran and hid from God; trying to somehow find a way back. Instead of running towards Him, they ran from Him. They even turned to other gods or idols thinking that somehow, someway they could find what they were looking for. Although, not everyone followed this route. Some people remained strong in their belief of God. Included among these were some noteables like Noah, Elijah, and Abraham.

Eventually, God saw that laws, rules, sacrifices, and rituals were doing little to change this. It was a temporary fix, a bandage, if you will. If anything, these things were starting to separate His children even more. It was starting to cause haves and have-nots of His love, and that's not what He intended. He decided that something more was needed. That "something more" required Him taking things into His own hands, and He did. It was time for a visit.

So, He came here in our flesh. He became like us. In His great mercy, He sent His only son Jesus to set things straight. His mission: to save us. Jesus spent His entire life, as brief as it was, teaching and spreading the Gospel to us. It was a lifeline from God himself. He asked for nothing in return other than our love, repentance, and faith. No more running, no more hiding, all is forgiven if we stop and come back to Him.

Whatever it is that you are running from; whatever it is that you are hiding from; stop! Jesus is looking for you today. He offers God's pardoning love to all. Take His hand and recieve what you won't find in anything, or anywhere in this world: salvation. And here's the best part; it's free to anyone who wants it.

Scripture: Acts 2:38; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 19:10

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for being such a loving and caring Father. I don't deserve Your forgiveness, but You offer it anyway. I pray that I will continue to follow You faithfully; and when I fall; that You will be there to put me back on my feet again. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Makinzie

Video - Tammy Maltby: Seeing God In Our Lives

Is God with you in every situation -- the times of questioning, pain, and loneliness? One woman who has asked the tough questions gives her answer. Tammy Maltby, the author of "The God Who Sees You," explains the meaning of her book and the experiences that led her to such realization. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Who Will Rescue Me?

"The law is not in fault, but our evil and wicked nature, even as a heap of lime is still and quiet until water is poured thereon, but then it begins to smoke and burn, not from the fault of the water, but from the nature and kind of lime which will not endure it."  - Augustine

We are all natural born sinners. We enter this world already pre-programmed for sin. And, no matter how we may try to sugarcoat it, the fact remains: we are born sinners! Sin is an unmissable failure for us. We have been marked and soiled by it. If there were a mirror that would honestly reflect our true selves, I guarantee that you would not like what you see.

The apostle Paul, reflecting on his own life, and imperfections wrote: "For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body?" (Romans 7:15, 18–19, 24)

Many of you are probably nodding in agreement with this because it rings so true in each of our hearts. We know that we're sinful. Paul knew this, too. He knew he couldn't ever overcome sin on his own. No one can. Thankfully, God sent His own Son to do the job for us (John 3:16).

He took on our sins, and conquered them at the cross. Satan uses our own sin in order to separate us from God. He is well aware of our sinful nature, and uses it to tempt us into sin. However, he didn't figure on Jesus giving up his life for our sakes. When He did, the ultimate power of sin was vanquished. The chains of sin were broken; its power over us was trounced.

Even with all of our scars, and everything that is wrong with us, Even with all the terrible consequences our sin has caused, The fact remains: God still wants us. Don't let another hour, another day go by feeling like you're a hopeless case. God's invitation to come to Him, by His grace, never expires.

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:23; John 3:3; Psalm 107:20; James 1:14; Psalm 51:2

Prayer: Holy Father, there's no denying, no hiding the fact that I am a sinner. I am so grateful that, even though You yourself are sinless, You took on my sins as Your own and sacrificed Yourself on my behalf. I know there's no way I can ever repay You for Your selfless, loving act; but I can offer You my love, thankfulness and praise. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Mindy

One Who Never Changes

"Change is never easy, you fight to hold on, and you fight to let go."

You might be familiar with the saying: "Nothing ever stays the same. Everything changes." This is a true fact. Our ages change; seasons change; neighbors change; governments change; even our own families change right before our eyes.

Although most change is good, some things in life might change for the worse. For example: job or employment situations; our health; relationships and finances. Some changes can have devasting effects on us, such as the death of a spouse, or child. For better or worse, whenever change occurs it leaves its mark on all of us.

Even the mightiest mountains and the deepest depths of the oceans change across the slow march of time. It appears that nothing on earth or in the heavens is immune to change. No matter how hard we wish, pray, scream, or drag our feet, things will change. It's true, they might be postponed for a bit, but eventually change will come in some way, shape or form.

However, there is One who never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). He is eternally constant. He was, is, and shall be. He is the alpha and the omega; the beginning and the end; the first and the last (Revelation 1:8, 22:13). He is God.

Change is a natural occurance. It's another part of life that happens to everyone, whether we like it or not. In the midst of all of this change, however, is One who remains constant, steadfast, and immutable.

Malachi 3:6 tells us, "For I am the LORD, I do not change…" In a world that is constantly changing, it's very comforting and secure to know that God is "changeless." I know that I can count on Him to be faithful, loyal, and certain no matter whatever else might be going on in my life. And so can you!

Scripture: Psalm 33:11; Psalm 41:13; Psalm 90:2-4; John 17:5; 2 Timothy 1:9

Prayer: Dear God, You are the only constant in my life. You are like a beacon of light in the darkness. No matter where I go, or what I do; You are always there for me, unchanging and eternal. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Shelley

Weekend Message - Lisa Shea: It Takes God and a Willing Heart to Change A Marriage

Christian speaker Lisa Shea knows firsthand that it takes one willing heart and God to change a marriage. Drawing from her own personal experience ... the liberating reality of seeing her marriage transformed, as God transformed her. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Wait "With" God

"True patience is waiting without worrying." - C. Swindoll, Growing Strong, p. 124.

Turn on the T.V., at any time of the day or night, and chances are that someone is selling a quick fix to one of life's many problems. Save time cooking meals for your family in just minutes, lose weight real fast, look younger and healthier quick and easy, clean your bathroom in the blink of an eye, become wealthy buying and selling real estate in just months. The quicker the better!

I think it's fair to say that most of us don't like waiting. In many cases, it can lead to frustration and anger. This of course, opens a whole new set of problems! The point is, waiting is not a pleasant thing to do. Now, this might sound strange to some of you, but waiting isn't always a bad thing.

When it comes to our spiritual lives, being in a hurry might actually hurt us in the long run. Probably the hardest thing for many to process is that God isn't usually in a rush to do things. The Scriptures even tell us that He is slow in making things happen (Psalm 86:15). However, He does have a plan and a purpose for what He does (2 Peter 3:9).

I suppose a lot of our frustration comes from not knowing the details of His plan for us. We are actually silly enough to think that we have it all figured out, when in reality we really don't.  For many it may appear that we did something to anger him, or think He doesn't care. What we forget is that God works within his own timeframe, not ours.

His reasons for making us wait are always in our best interest. He wants to develop us spiritually; He can't do unless we slow down and wait. Need some good examples of this from the Bible? How about Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Daniel, Jesus, and Paul, for starters? These folks all had to wait for God. I figure if He made these important, biblical people wait, then who am I to complain?

Waiting for God truly is good and purposeful, even though it is sometimes difficult to do. Waiting for God has a way of bringing out the best and worst in us. If you're only interested in the short-term, then your motives are probably not true. God has no room for big egos in His plans.

Needless to say, waiting builds patience. If we can't wait for God to do something that we might consider small in our lives, then we can forget about waiting for Him to do big things. He is more interested in influencing our development. The end result is what matters to Him.

Think of waiting as smoothing off our rough edges. God wants to transform you and I into the best that we can be. This takes time, but the end result is always beautiful. Waiting builds and strengthens our intimacy and dependency on Him. Waiting makes us stronger; strong enough to weather the trials of life, and the spiritual battles which will confront us on our journey here.

In closing, I know that waiting is sometimes hard for us to do. But waiting for God is a different type of waiting altogether. He has his reasons for making us wait. We must learn to be patient and wait for Him. As a matter of fact, think of it as waiting "with" Him, not "for" Him. Generally, things worth waiting for, usually are. Unquestionably, waiting with God is worth it all.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; Lamentations 3:25; James 5:11; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 62:5

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I will patiently wait with You; as You shape and mold me into the person You desire me to be. All of Your works are good and holy; transformed gently and patiently by Your hand. Amen

Have a blessed weekend!

Mallory

Stay Grounded

"The farther I run away from the place where God dwells, the less I am able to hear the voice that calls me the Beloved, and the less I hear that voice, the more entangled I become in the manipulations and power games of the world."  - Henry J. M. Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son

Many of us spend a great portion of our lives looking for love, happiness, and acceptance. This should come as no surprise. For instance, we might buy into the latest fad, or purchase whatever gadget that will supposedly make us more beautiful, youthful, slimmer, or trendy. Cars, houses, and clothes easily become status symbols used to preen around in front of others.

Don't misunderstand me. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with these things. In fact, they can enhance, or improve our quality of life if used sensibly. It's when they become "life" itself that things tend to take a wrong turn. They can lull us into a false sense of control where in actuality it is "us" that is being used.

How can we stay grounded when we are surrounded by so many tempting fruits? Eve couldn't do it. She caved in to the big lie of wanting to be just like God. Remember how King Saul thought he knew better than God and disobeyed Him? Game, Set, and Match to God! What do these few tragic examples from Scripture have in common? They turned away from the voice of God, and followed the siren call of their own hearts instead.

Living in this world is difficult. Every day of our lives we are besieged by various enticements. In many cases, resistance can indeed be futile. The landscape is littered with those who were seduced, used up, and tossed aside by their own self-serving desires, and pretentiousness.

Even the strongest, most seasoned believers must constantly remain ardent and vigilant (Deuteronomy 31:6). There is no down time for a true follower of Christ. We can't ease up on our guard for an instant. Fortunately, God's voice is always there to guide us (Exodus 13:21). He is there to offer His strength when we need it most (Psalm 31:24).

God doesn't want to deprive us of the joys of life. There is so much to be enjoyed in this big beautiful creation of His. We just need to remain mindful, respectful, and thankful of the Creator himself. Worshiping "things" of this world instead of Him nullifies this (Exodus 20:3).

I will simply close this message with a quote from Scripture: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8).

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5; Isaiah 37:19; Isaiah 44:17; Psalm 96:5; Hosea 8:4

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me keep my focus not on things of this temporal world, but on Your promise of salvation and eternal life with You. Amen.

God bless you,

Ellen

Video - Beth Moore: Disappointing God

In this message, Beth Moore asks the question: "Do you feel like God is disappointed in you?" Listen as Beth puts this idea in its biblical place. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Start Living Life Today

Sin, its effects: How does a worm get inside an apple? Perhaps you think the worm burrows in from the outside. No, scientists discovered that the worm comes from inside. But how does he get in there? Simple!

An insect lays an egg in the apple blossom. Sometime later, the worm hatches in the heart of the apple, then eats its way out. Sin, like the worm, begins in the heart and works its way out through a person's thoughts, words, and actions.   -Heaven and Home Hour Radio Bulletin.

Much has been said about sin, and why not? Sin is a natural thing to talk about seeing as how we are all sinners. There's no denying our sinful nature. We come into this world blemished with it; and spend the rest of our temporal lives grappling with it. Truth be told, we are carnal creatures.

We're always ready to sin. Wars, murders, genocide, hate crimes, gossip, stealing, envy, cheating, lying, etc. Yes, I'd definitely say that we (you and I) are sinners. Even the apostle Paul hit the nail on the head when he said, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

As long as we live in this world, we will have to deal with sin. There's no getting away from it, no hiding from it, no sticking our heads in the sand hoping that it will go away. It's there staring at us in the face every morning, and tucking us into bed every night. Sin is our constant companion no matter where we go.

Scripture reveals our sins like a bright, spotlight. Many try to excuse their sins, blame them on others, but this never works. We might try to blame our sins on Satan, but after all, it was something that we wanted to do anyway. And, even though Satan might be responsible for tempting us into sin, we're the ones who actually commit it, not him (James 3:15-16).

What can be done to help us deal with our sinful nature? We must be willing to take responsibility for our sins. Confession of them, and repentance from them is a good start. We can resist temptation, and accept what Christ has done for us. We can depend on His strength to keep us from sinning. And, most importantly, read and listen to His Word because it is our GPS out of sin!

We are saved and liberated from sin because of Jesus' death on the cross. He died in order to free us to live life as God originally intended; enjoying everything that He created. We can't escape the fact that sin is part of our world. However, we don't have to live in its shadow. Step out into the bright sunlight of His love, and merciful embrace. If you haven't already, accept His offer of salvation and start living life today.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 1:8; Jeremiah 17:9; Galatians 5:16; 1 John 1:7

Prayer: Dear Lord, there's no getting around the fact that I am a sinner. I pray to You for forgiveness of my sins, and the strength to resist sin's temptation. I need Your strength to help me everyday; as I am too much too weak to fight sin on my own. In Jesus name, our Lord and Savior. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Morgan

The Fullness of His Forgiveness

"God's mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God."  - Charles H. Spurgeon

We've all done things during the course of our lives that we're not proud of; things that beg for our forgiveness. Looking back, if given the chance to do it differently, most of us would. Realistically, this is impossible. We can't go back and undo what has been done.

But, what would you say if you could be completely forgiven for these actions? I'm talking about REALLY being forgiven?  Forgiven by someone who truly forgives and forgets without any strings attached? Sounds too good to be true, right? It's not!

Only God is capable of such forgiveness. He, because of his great, tender, mercy can forgive our sins. No questions asked. Many of us think that we carry too much bad baggage, or have done too many sinful things in our lives to have any hopes of forgiveness. This is not true.

In fact, the forgiveness of our sins is proof of His loving mercy. He doesn't have to forgive us, He wants to forgive us. God does not hold grudges, or keep score of sinful acts on our part. He isn't a petty God. He is a loving God! He loves you and I more than we will ever know this side of eternity.

If not for God sending his Son to us, we'd be in a world of hurt! It would have been impossible for us to receive his mercy and forgiveness any other way. Nothing we could have ever done would be enough to receive His forgiveness. There wouldn't have been enough sacrificial animals, or temple rituals and laws to ever wipe the slate clean. Our fate was sealed.

You ask,"Sounds good, but what's the catch?" There is no catch, or gimmicks. God will grant forgiveness of your sins by simply coming to him in repentance. That's it! All He wants is for you to to turn to Him. He's not judgmental, or biased as we tend to be. He doesn't go around with a checklist attached to a clipboard, looking for certain requirements. He accepts us as we are.

God's gentle mercy is great, all-encompassing and infinite. He knows all of our past, present, and future sins. He also knows that being who we are, born sinners, there is no avoiding sin. It's going to happen. Yes, we can try hard not to sin, But, no matter how strong in faith, prayerful, or church-going we are, it doesn't change the fact that we were born into sin. Sin is a part of our very being.

Dear friends, we have been thrown a life-saver. It is the mercy and forgiveness of God. He created You and I with his own hands; and He gave his Son with His heart to us so that we may be saved. Perhaps you're thinking right now, "I've done way too much to be forgiven," or "I'm too far gone for help." Nothing could be further from the truth.

If He could create us, and everything around us. If He created everything that was, is, and everything that shall be. If His love for us was so intense and deep that he sent His only Son to die for us; in order to free us from the bondage of sin. Then we can be forgiven by Him. This is an offer that never expires, and is offered to all.

Scripture: Psalm 32:5; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Proverbs 28:13; Acts 2:38; Isaiah 53:5

Prayer: Holy Father, I pray for the forgiveness of my sins; knowing that I don't deserve to be forgiven; but by your infinite mercy and the love of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I will be, if I come to You with a repentant heart. Amen

May God bless your day!

Kandace

Consistency In Faith

Consistency:
It's the jewel worth wearing;
It's the anchor worth weighing;
It's the thread worth weaving;
It's a battle worth winning.  -Charles Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life

You've probably heard this before in one form or another, "It's not how you start the race, it's how you finish that's important." What this is telling us is that "consistency" is what pays off in the end. This is true both in life, and in faith.

God doesn't care so much how we start out in our faith. He knows there will be times when our own weaknessess and fears will bring us to our knees. He knows there will be times when we will suffer in various ways, and degrees. He knows there will be times when the temptation to step away from Him will be great. He knows there will be times when we feel our burdens too heavy to go on. But, you must not stop.

You might stumble, but you must not stop. You might feel like giving it all up, but you must not stop. You might feel like the pit you're in is too deep to ever climb out of, but you must not stop! Stay strong in faith, and be consistent; there's power in consistent faith.

I don't know anyone, who is a believer in God, who hasn't walked through these deep valleys. We've all been there. If you are a true believer, you better believe that your faith will be put to the test. Just the fact that you are a believer will be enough to have your faith tested (2 Timothy 3:12).

Even so, the trials you experience are never meant to destroy you. In fact, quite the opposite happens. They cause you to grow in faith (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11). Did you know that we honor God by staying strong in our faith, no matter what our trials might be? And, don't think that others aren't noticing the peace, actions, and help we receive from the Lord while working through life's trials!

The testimony of our consistent faith while under trial can speak volumes, too! It testifies to its enemies. When you stand for God, He will stand for you (Psalm 55:22). It testifies to its friends and allies. Think about it. When you practice consistent faith, it encourages others to do so, as well (Acts 28:15). Consistent faith can also testify to its focus. The believer who has a consistent faith doesn't try to live to please everyone else; he lives only to please God. His foremost concern is in the glory of God.

In conclusion, a consisent faith will succeed. It will succeed over adversity and adversary. God wants us to be consistent in our faith. He desires our obedience every minute, and every day. If you have doubts about any of this; don't! He will enable you, not inhibit you. God wants nothing more than for us, His children, to be be strong, focused, and consistent in our faith.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58; John 14:6; Hebrews 10:23; 2 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:17

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me stay strong and consistent in my faith; may I always be an example to those who might be wavering; and may they always see You through my words and actions everyday. Amen

May God bless you!

Jorja

On His Time, Not Ours!

Winston Churchill had nearly reached the height of political power in Britain early in his career; by the age of 33 he was a cabinet minister and one of the nation’s most popular speakers. Yet a series of events and unpopular positions caused Churchill to lose his political standing and become a subject of ridicule and rejection. By the early 1930s, he had been excluded from the seats of power.

Churchill’s prophetic warnings about Adolf Hitler were ignored by an English public that preferred to hear comforting worlds of peace. When Britain was plunged into World War II, Churchill was already 65 years of age, eligible to retire on a government pension. Yet that is the moment when the nation turned to him, and Churchill became the prime minister who inspired the British people to remain firm during her darkest day of the war.

Timing is very important. It makes a difference in many things like: cooking, sports, business, relationships, to name but a few. God's timing is very important, too. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we need His help right away. But, for whatever reason, it just doesn't happen for us.

"Did God not hear my prayers? Maybe I didn't pray hard, or often enough? Do you think God is mad at me? Why did God ignore me? Why is He so late in helping me?" These are but a few questions we might ask ourselves during a crisis, or when we're at a low point in our lives. Who hasn't felt this way at one time or another?

I have two words for you: be patient! As difficult, or agonizing as it might be for you...be patient! One of  the biggest, complaints heard from believers has to do with God's sense of timing: "Why is God so late?" And, you know what? You're right! Many times God is late. But, here's the thing; He may be frequently late, but He's always on time! I know this sounds contradictory, but it's true.

Scripture contains many examples of people who questioned God's timing. Abraham and Sarah thought God was too late. Job, Mary, and Martha thought He was too late, as well. If you go back and read their stories you will agree that God is obviously late. At least, He appeared to be so.

In our finite, human perception God is clearly late. But, that's the point of view that we are permitted to have. Look back on your own life. You'll probably see many times when God was late, or so you thought. Many of us struggle with this. However, His intentions are never to harm us in any way. God operates on His own schedule, runs His own timeline, and doesn't need our prior approval to do it!

He is in control at all times. That's right! He ultimately knows what's best for you and I. What appears to be a total disregard for our requests is a matter of timing for God. It's either a good time, or not. It's God's call, not ours! Instead of becoming impatient, or irritated with Him; have faith and be patient. Rest assured that His response is coming; but on His time, not ours.

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31; Romans 8:28; 2 Peter 3:8; Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 27:14

Prayer: Holy Father, I will wait patiently for You. I know that You will never forsake me; and that Your answer to my prayers will be just what I need; when You think I need it, not when I want it. Amen

God bless you!

Riley

Video - Beth Moore: Made To Dance

Beth Moore tells a family story to illustrate the excitement and joy she feels for our Savior. Great message!  ~Eve

God Is the Real Deal!

“The truth is the Super Bowl long ago became more than just a football game. It's part of our culture like turkey at Thanksgiving and lights at Christmas, and like those holidays beyond their meaning, a factor in our economy.”  - Bob Schieffer, journalist

Super Bowl XLIX is over. The game winner has been decided. Parties, special media events, celebrity sightings, and endless T.V. updates are now history. It's time to take a deep breath and ease back into normal life again.

The Nielsen Company, reported that more people watched the Patriots defeat the Seahawks than any other program in United States television history. Approximately 114.4 million people tuned in for Super Bowl XLIX.

My family, like millions of others, enjoys watching big, colorful, exciting sporting events like the Super Bowl. It's thrilling to view all of the emotion and buzz that accompanies something of this magnitude. However, as is the case with any hysteria-filled celebration, there is a downside, too.

There are the stories of people who were ripped off by dishonest ticket sellers, drunken brawls that broke out over team loyalties, arrests for solicitation, tresspassing, and credit card fraud; which are only a few of many examples. Unfortunately, this type of behavior is pretty common for a party of this size.

My purpose is not to berate, or admonish anyone here. What I would like, is to have us reconsider something that is easy to overlook. It can be something so obvious, yet hard to see. It could be standing right in front of you, yet ignored. What is it? Idolatry.

Now, I ask you to please hear me out before clicking off the page. I know that idolatry is a topic that is about as much fun to talk about as having a root canal. But all I ask for is a little of your time. Also, I only use the Super Bowl as an example because of it's sheer impact on a very large population of people.

In our modern times, many things compete for our attention. We have the internet, satellite television, video games, and cell phones, which can demand our consideration. Celebrities, sports teams, and reality shows may easily be addded to this list. Even the church and religion can become an idol. We can become so absorbed, captivated, even addicted by them; to the point of "idolizing" them.

Taken in moderation, and used with judgment, they aren't necessarily bad. It's when we turn these things into "idols," and treat them as such; that's when we get into trouble. Saint Augustine wrote that: "Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used or using anything that ought to be worshiped."

I'm not saying that we have to stop watching games, enjoying parties, following our favorite celebrities, hanging out with friends, etc. That's not it at all. What I am saying is to be  conscious that, although these can enhance our enjoyment of life, they can also undermine it if we're not vigilant and focused.

Rebecca Manley Pippert (Hope Has its Reasons, p.50) put it this way: "Playing God is not just difficult, it's impossible." So "we have to look elsewhere for a backup, a homemade God-substitute. We thus spend our lives swinging between the impossible (playing God) and the inadequate (relying on anything short of God to be God.")

In the end, it's fine to enjoy the fun of following our favorite sports teams, celebrities, television programs, etc., just as long as we keep it real. Be mindful that we can easily let these things take over our lives; even to the point of believing that they are life (Leviticus 26:1; Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 4:16; Deuteronomy 5:8).

Scripture: 1 John 5:21; Psalm 16:4; 1 Corinthians 10:14; Exodus 23:13; Judges 10:14

Prayer: Dear God, may You always remain close to my heart; may my thoughts and prayers keep me from putting other things ahead of You; may You have mercy on me if I begin to stray from You and worship this world, instead of You. How awesome it is to know that Your love for me is real, and true; and that, unlike things of this temporal world, it is eternal. Amen

God bless you!

Lacee

Fear, Don't Mess with Me!

"Keep your fears to yourself; share your courage with others."  -Robert Louis Stevenson

We're all afraid of something. Fear is one thing we all have in common. Our world is filled with plenty of things to fear. There is sickness, famine, political unrest, and war, to name just a few. And, yes, these things scare me, too.

On top of all of this, we each have personal fears that affect us directly. Things like the fear of losing our jobs, our homes, failing health, acceptance by others, and aging, keep many of us up at night, and rightly so. Oh, some might say that they aren't afraid of anything. But, I don't believe it. They're probably just better at hiding their fear(s) than the rest of us.

Yes, many of us try taking precautions against some of our fears, such as taking out insurance policies, putting bars on our doors and windows, and installing alarm systems on our automibles, or moving to a safer neighborhood. And why do we do this? We do this because of fear.

No matter which way you turn, fear is always there. There's just no avoiding it completely in our lives. So how can we handle our fears? After all, so many things that I mentioned above are simply out of our hands. This, of course, doesn't mean that God has abandoned us. Nor, does it mean that we should sit passively, waiting for some kind of sweeping miracle by God that cures us of all of our fears.

Even great people in the Bible had some pretty shaky beginnings due to fear. For example, God gave Moses a huge assignment in asking him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. What did Moses say? "God, I can't do this...I can't even talk! I'm nobody! Why choose me?" Gideon was given the assignment by God to lead His people in battle, overcome the enemy, and win for the Lord. What did Gideon say? "God, I can't do this...I can't even march. I'm only a farmer! Why would you choose me?"

Probably the best example of someone overcoming their fear would be Mary, mother of Jesus. God chose her for the biggest, most important assignment of all: to give birth to the Son of God; to raise Him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; to train and teach Him in the ways of God.

Do you think she was afraid? I'm sure she was, but her faith was stronger. When God told her, "Fear not, Mary...I have chosen you," she, in simple faith, surrender and trust, became the mother of our Lord.

What is the common bond in these examples? It's God. He was there with Moses, Gideon, and Mary. And, He is always there with us in our darkest, scariest moments, too. In Exodus 14:14, Moses told the Israelites that, "The Lord will fight for you..." Because God knows our innermost thoughts, He knows there will be things in this world that will frighten us. We need God in our corner, helping us fight through our fears.

Author, C. JoyBell C. said, “Don't be afraid of your fears. They're not there to scare you. They're there to let you know that something is worth it.” There's much truth in her words.

When we face our fears, with the knowledge of God's comforting presence, we see our fears not as something meant to paralyze or immobilize us, but as a signpost telling us that something life-changing awaits just around the bend. As the believers of old, go on, step forward...take that chance. God is with you...always.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7; Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 29:25; Psalm 56:3-4; Joshua 1:9

Prayer: Dear God, please help me confront my fears today; let me walk right up to them and look them square in the eye. Let me show them that they can't control me any longer. My life is in You, not in my fears; I refuse to waste one more day in fear; when I have a beautiful, God-given life to live. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Claudette