Is Religion Overpowering Your Faith?

"The essence for the follower of Jesus lies in living by faith and not by religion. Living by faith consists in constantly redefining and reaffirming our identity with Jesus, measuring ourselves against him--not measuring him against our church dogmas and local heroes."  -- Brennan Manning, Christian Author

It's not that uncommon for the lines between faith and religion to become blurred, and mottled. Though it is commendable to attend church on a regular basis and participate in it's many activities; many Christians are oblivious to the fact that it doesn't necessarily greatly contribute to one's faith.

I strongly believe that's why so many, even though they regularly listen to sermons, join bible study groups, and even study their Bibles, fail to derive all the spiritual benefits that they should. All too often they find themselves spinning their wheels, stuck in a rut, and going nowhere in their faith fast.

The problem lies not so much in the time and energy that is employed, but in using it where it really matters. There is one big difference that we sometimes fail to discern when it comes to religion and faith. While the two are intertwined, they are definitely distinct.

Both can be defined this way. Religion is: an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence (Wikipedia). On the other hand, faith is: belief, confidence or trust in a person, object, religion, idea or view despite the absence of proof (Wikipedia).

Religion goes no deeper than surface-level. One may know all of the laws, rules, regulations, procedures, ceremonies in the book, but this neither constitutes nor qualifies as faith. As you may recall, this was the case with the Pharisees. They were all talk and great at keeping up appearances but when it came to true faith, that was another story.

Faith in Our Savior comes from within. It comes from truly believing in Him. There is no book, class, or software that can give you faith in Christ. Faith comes when you open yourself to Him; fall into His loving arms; knowing that He can be fully trusted to receive, care for, and deliver you. Religion cannot give you the peace of mind that faith can.

So often we get distracted by just how different being religious and having faith can be. At first glance they may appear similar. But there is a dissimilarity. This is what causes the "spinning of wheels" that I mentioned earlier. Religion is the vehicle, but faith is the fuel that drives it. The outside may appear striking, but without any real means to make it move it simply sits there.

Read and study your Bible every day. Attend church. Fellowship with other Christians. This is what we should be doing anyway. But real faith comes from the repentance of your sins, accepting Him as your Lord and Savior, praying to Him, trusting and believing in Him, and giving your life to Him.

Once the fogginess that shrouds the discrepancy between the two (religion and faith) is lifted, and the road ahead is cleared; you will soon find your way back on track, moving ahead, and enjoying the bounty of your faith in God, Our Heavenly Father

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:16; 1 Peter 1:21; Titus 3:5  

Prayer: Dear God, I pray to You in reverance and with deep love. There is nothing in this world like giving one's self to You; our lives are so empty and  fruitless without You. Only by having faith in You will we ever truly experience unconditional love, grace and mercy. Amen

May God bless you,

Elise

Give Meaning To Your Life

"In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."  - Oscar Wilde

It appears that many of us are guilty of "chasing after the wind" as it is mentioned in Ecclesiastes 1:14. I know that many would argue that this isn't the case, but the pursuit of "meaningless" things seems to consume a big chunk of our lives.

Allow me to lay a little groundwork prior to discussing this further. In all fairness, we have a lot more temptation to deal with in our modern society. Marketing plays a big part in this. It's not the marketers fault, they're just doing their job. The fault lies with us for not resisting, or scrutinizing it like we should.

Advertisements and commercials play with our senses and emotions. They make us feel as if we can't live without their product. And you know what? It works beautifully. According to a recent survey, the average daily spending of upper-income Americans amounted to 177 U.S. dollars (December 2014). I guess those holiday ads do pay off!

We do like buying things, but sometimes we like it a little too much. Credit problems, bankruptcies, and feelings of guilt aside, many spend a lot of time and money purchasing things that provide only a temporary feeling of satisfaction. Once the thrill of the hunt is over, and the sparkle fades, what are we left with?

Exactly. We are left with an empty, unfulfilled and disatisfied feeling deep inside. That is, until we go chasing after the next brightly, shining object, and repeat the cycle all over. This is what occurs when we chase things outside the will of Our Lord. We "chase after the wind," and are left feeling frustrated, and as if we just wasted a lot of time for nothing.

In 1 Timothy 6:17-18, the apostle Paul strongly advises Timothy (a young pastor in the Ephesian church who had been a help to Paul in his work) to "warn the rich of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost." And, to "tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life." 

Additionally, Paul urges Timothy to "instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone." Also, "remind the rich to be generous and share what they have." This is beautifully summed up in 1 Timothy 6:19 when Paul adds, "this will lay a solid foundation for the future, so that they will know what true life is like." 

The life that Paul is talking about here is not the life we know in this world, but eternal life spent with our Father. In a nutshell, Paul is explaining that instead of vainly "chasing the wind" for shallow, worldly possessions of self; we should use what we have to further His kingdom. That is, sharing our blessings and good fortune with those less fortunate.

At some point in time we will all leave this earth. All of our possessions will remain behind. The only thing of lasting value is what we do to help others while we are still here. A life lived in union with Christ creates things of true, lasting value. It's these things that survive our death.

Houses and cars can be repossessed. Bank accounts and investments can be wiped out. However, what we do for each other in love can never be taken away. What we do in Him is not lost if it's done in the Spirit of His Love.

Life is not meaningless if it's lived in the Spirit of Christ. By His Spirit we can help transform lives; as well as our own. The word of God promises us that our work won't be for naught. You and I are the seed of Our Lord. Therefore, what we do here will not go unnoticed; but will be remembered by Him eternally.

Scripture: Mark 10:21; Acts 20:35; Acts 20:35; Proverbs 3:27; Romans 15:1

Prayer: Dear Lord, direct me in Your ways and show me how to help others who need it. I thank You for all that You have provided me, and pray that I can demonstrate Your grace, mercy, and love towards others. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Janyce

Step It Up for Christ

"We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth." - Virginia Satir, American author and social worker

When we were first married, before we had any children, my husband and I owned an automobile that we loved dearly, but cost us a lot of money to maintain. It wasn't an expensive, luxury car, or a rare, classic sports car. In fact, it was cute, small, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive. All was well for the first several years that we owned the car.

Then, like a bad relationship, it started falling apart. Sure, if something need fixing, we got it fixed. No problem. But soon it needed more, and more fixing; and then the repairs became more and more expensive. It gradually transformed from a "low maintenance" vehicle to a "high maintenance" one.

But, since we were so fond of that car we tried to keep it up. We really did. Eventually, we agreed that the car was squeezing us dry. The time had come to part with it (no pun intended!) It was just not cost-effective to hang on to it any longer. So, we traded it in for a newer automobile.

While we're on the subject of "high maintenance," I'd like to discuss how this can relate to, or describe, some of us Christians. A rough, basic definition of high maintenance, for our purposes, is "the need for a lot of attention." If you like, we can easily add: "requires a lot of time, energy, or money." Just the same, I think you understand what I am getting at.

We, as Christians, can be referred to as "high maintenance" if we require considerable amounts of attention in order to continue being faithful. This means we need lots of coddling or pampering to stay active. Naturally, those who are new to the faith need extra attention. This is understandable. As new believers we were probably considered "high maintenance," too.

Be that as it may, new believers should reach a point where they no longer need hand-holding from others. Certainly, this varies for everyone, but after some time, through individual growth, we are ready to make the leap from merely being a "recepient" to becoming a "provider" (Hebrews 5: 12-14).

In time, we should also arrive at a point where we receive our strength from God. When we attain this level, we then become "producers" and not simply "consumers." If you need examples of what I'm talking about, check out the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-6.

Allow me to clarify that it's not wrong to be "high maintenance" when it is necessary. Scripture, in fact, encourages us to support one another (Galatians 6:2). It also reminds us to help those who may be weaker than ourselves (Romans 15:1).

I sincerely hope that I have motivated, and even challenged you to think about your service to Christ. I want you to think about your own work in the kingdom (Galatians 6:4). And, to honestly ask yourself whether you are carrying your own weight, or not (Galatians 6:5).

In conclusion, when our load becomes too heavy to carry, that's the time we need "high maintenance" from our fellow believers. On the other hand, our failure to bear our own burden comes at a cost. It ulitmately means that our "high maintenance" impedes, or thwarts the cause of Jesus Christ. That's something we should all strongly consider.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18; Philippians 1:9; 1 Peter 2:2; James 1:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Prayer: Holy Father, I pray for those new to the faith, that they may find strength and independence in Your Name. In this way, they too will be able to become strong providers and producers of Your precious, life-giving Word. Amen

May God bless you,

Shayla

Live Life Well God's Way

“It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living freely and nobly.”  - Bertrand Russell, Welsh philosopher

It appears that most everyone desires to have something called "the good life." We see that a lot on television ads, we read about it, maybe you've even talked about it with someone you know. But, here's my question: "What defines a good life?"

I wonder, who (or what) decides what defines a good life? Maybe there's some sort of criteria, or scale that demonstrates when one moves up from having merely an "average life" to "the good life?" If there is such a thing, I sure haven't seen it yet.

 If you asked a dozen people to share their thoughts on what "the good life" is, I suppose you'd get as many different answers. However, I would gather a guess that mixed somewhere in their responses would be some important common areas.

Thus, even though your definition and my definition of "the good life" would differ, there's a pretty good chance that we would agree on some points. One thing that we all can agree on is that we have basic needs. For example, food, water, and shelter are necessary for survival.

Other things like designer clothes, luxury automobiles, gourmet foods, mmmm...not so much. What makes these so difficult to reject is that we live in an extremely, materialistic world. It's hard to escape this fact as we're constantly bombarded with reminders of it.

Our materialistic society is right there, in our face, everytime we turn on the television, listen to music, go shopping, etc. It's always there. Nevertheless, there is a way to tone down the background noise; pull back on the throttle and find peace in what's really important.

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with wanting nice things. We all like nice things. It becomes a problem when it develops into an obsession, and rules your life. For Christians, materialism is a dangerous enemy. It can really do a number on our lives.

The deceitfulness of possessions can cause the Christian  to become fruitless (Matthew 13:22). Desiring these things can be a trap that leads us down the wrong path (1 Timothy 6:9-10). They can dominate our affections, and even prevent us from serving God like we should.

Jesus taught that there is a lot more to life than the accumulation of things. Our lives do not consist in the amount of things we have (Luke 12:15). Besides, we are all aware of how fleeting material things can be. They can be lost virtually overnight (Matthew 6:19-20). They can also change our hearts; and not in a good way (Matthew 6:21-24).

Fortunately, Our Lord extends to us an offer of a truly abundant life. What a wonderful alternative to the deceitful, worldly desires we are so familiar with! What does He offer? He offers: a life filled with peace (John 14:27); a life filled with love (John 15:9); and a life filled with joy (John 15:11).

As I close today, maybe by his promise of peace, love, and joy, we can appreciate why Christ said He offers an "abundant" life (John 10:10). And that's an offer that will never expire. Take advantage of it today!

Scripture: Matthew 16:26; 1 John 2:16; Matthew 6:27-29; 1 Timothy 6:7; Psalm 37:7-9 

Prayer: Dear Lord, there is nothing I desire more than to have a relation with You. I know that the things we acquire in our journey here are nothing compared to an eternal life with You in Your heavenly home. Help me to never forget that fact. In Your Holy Name Jesus. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Giana

Weekend Message - Stormie Omartian: Trusting God With Everything

In this weeks message, bestselling Author Stormie Omartian shares her latest book “Choose Love.” She tells us that we reflect God most clearly when we are motivated by the power of love in all we say and do. But, we must first understand the depth of God's love for us and receive it. Then, we must learn how to effectively express our love for Him. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Use It or Lose It!

"Unused truth becomes as useless as an unused muscle." - A.W. Tozer, That Incredible Christian

Francis Bacon, in his Meditationes Sacrae (1597) is accredited with the famous quote, "Knowledge is Power." I agree with this in the basic sense. Accumulation of knowledge can be a powerful resource. But, if all that one is doing is scooping up as much information about things as they can, and then sitting on it; the power of all that knowledge atrophies.

As we all know, anyone today with a cellphone/smartphone/tablet and internet access is connected to an information-rich world 24/7. A few taps and the sliding of a finger across a touchscreen unleashes more knowledge than was ever possible a mere generation ago.

Between smartphones, tablets, and computers we are inundated with information all the time. So much so, that the only way to get away from it all is to power down our technology. But, judging from all the people walking connected to their "smart technology" of choice (yes, including myself), that would be nearly impossible.

If we want to know about something (gather knowledge) we reach for our computer, phone or tablet and search for it. We can discover and understand details and insights for just about anything. But unless we use it quickly, it dissapates until the next object of interest comes along.

Is this the way you use your Bible? Do you read it, study it, memorize it, and then lean back in your comfortable chair, wrap your hands behind your head, close your eyes, and sit there? There have been many people throughout history who knew the Bible forward and backwards but didn't do anything with it. They dropped the ball when it came to applying it to their lives; which held them back from believing and changing.

Is this you? It's commendable that you study your Bible regularly, attend church without fail, and have a memory full of verses from Scripture for any occasion that you can quote in an instant. That's great! I'm not trying to be sarcastic here. These are all wonderful qualities to have. Many of us aspire for such!

But simply understanding the Bible is not the "end all" when it comes to Bible study. We've only just gotten underway. There are matters such as illustration, which tell us how someone else handled a similar situation. Then there's relevancy, which helps us see that people in biblical times dealt with pretty much the same life lessons that we do today.

Needless to say, these two features of Bible study are very important. Yet, there is one more that for the most part seems to fall by the wayside. Where most of us are weak, or dare I say it, fail, is in application. Do you practice what you know? Can you honestly answer the question, "So what?" when it comes to what to do with all of that knowledge.

One important thing to mention about application is that it's different for everyone. This makes sense because we are all different, right? We live different lives and encounter different situations. The application of what you know is a very personal thing. Nonetheless, it is crucial to all believers.

The purpose of my message today is not to give a definitive definition of application in regards to scriptural knowledge. My intention is to bring to your attention the importance of not merely reading the Bible for the sole intention of learning about the Word of God, but applying to your life what you have learned in your daily walk with Him. Take your knowledge and put it to good use!

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15;1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18; John 14:6; Philippians 4:9

Prayer: My Dear Lord, open my heart to Your teachings and help me to apply them in my life; not only to myself, but to others as well. Amen  

May you have a blessed weekend,

Abigail

Video - Beth Moore: Heelgrabbers

Bible teacher Beth Moore discusses the danger of using Christ for self-promotion. Quite different from being mentors, she says that heelgrabbers..."are so ambitious to be used powerfully of God, that they 'grab the heel' of someone they think is being powerfully used by God so that they can use them to get somewhere." A thought provoking message. Enjoy!  ~Eve

God Doesn't Play Favorites

... For God's kingdom is just the opposite of ours. We go after the rich or the influential, thinking if we can just bag this one or that one, we'll have a real catch for the kingdom. Like the folks profiled by the apostle James, we offer our head tables to the wealthy and well-dressed and reserve the back seats for those we consider unimportant.  - excerpted from: Being the Body, Chuck Colson and Ellen Vaughn, (Word, 2003).

Favoritism. It's difficult to discuss this subject because so many people get offended by it. People just don't like hearing about something that they may be doing wrong. You can call "favoritism" by its other names: "prejudice, and partiality;" but it doesn't make it any easier to digest.

James 2:1-4 brings this topic to the forefront in bright, vivid color. How easy it is for us to write people off for inconsequential reasons. Here's a short list of some for your consideration: lifestyle, racial background, lack of education, or a certain level of income, political affiliations, type of music they listen to, lack of hair or teeth, etc.

I think you can see how easily we can digress into nonsensical reasons that really have no eternal value. We can become so blinded by our own pride (a topic for another day) that we fail to see the real truth, the only truth. Every one of us is created in  God's image for His glory; and are either with Him, or against Him. Simple as that.

When we practice favoritism, we ignore any eternal considerations and substitute them with our own self-centered, self-serving standards. "I like them, or I don't like them," "I like what they can do for me, or I don't" becomes the norm. What makes this line of thinking so hard to take is that God is totally impartial, And, because of this, we are morally obligated to be impartial!

Labels that we place upon others are only valid in this world! These are non-issues in God's eyes. If anyone had the right to look down on others it would be God. I wouldn't blame Him one bit if He stood right in front of us and said, "You aren't good enough for me!"  But, He wouldn't do that; though there are innumerable reasons for Him to do so.

Albert Einstein once said, "I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university." I think that's pretty good advice. Each of us struggles with favoritism to one degree or another. That's just the way we are. It's a struggle that we just have to deal with. However, it doesn't have to control our lives.

In the Old Testament, when God established Israel's government system, He prohibited its judges from reaching decisions that were established on favoritism. In fact, He set up some ground rules such as forbidding them not to: accept bribes from the wealthy, and ruling in favor of the poor on the basis of them being poor. Instead, He desired that they carefully weighed the merits of their cases (Leviticus 19:15).

As you can see, since God rejects any type of favoritism, Israel was to follow His example. Likewise, we as believers today are encouraged to follow His example. Our personal attitudes of favoritism, partiality, and prejudice violate the glory of our faith in Him. The plain truth is, it's just not compatible with what God desires from us.

We simply cannot be obedient to our faith in God and indulge in selfish and sinful acts of favoritism. It just doesn't work! Besides, it goes against everything that Jesus taught and exemplified. Excluding others who, for whatever reason, don't measure up is this world's way of thinking.  

Honor God and your faith by treating all with love, kindness, and respect. When God created man, He did so without any favoritism. We were all created in His image (Genesis 1:27). Keep that in mind the next time you find yourself leaning towards feelings of partiality in your daily life.

Scripture: Romans 2:11; Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34-35; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me treat everyone that I encounter with the same respect and equality that You would. We are all the same in Your eyes; no one better than the other; as it should be. Amen

God bless you,

Cherise

Breaking Bad Habits

"Don't let your sins turn into bad habits."  - Saint Teresa of Avila

There's an old saying about habits that goes like this: Bad habits are like comfortable beds—easy to get into but hard to get out of. Most of you who are reading this message would probably nod your head in approval. I think that this pretty much describes habits, especially "bad" ones.

A dictionary definition of "habit" is this: a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. You can see that both the old adage and the definition follow the same line of thought; a bad habit is, or bad habits, are difficult behaviors to change. Notice I didn't say they are "impossible" to change, just challenging to do so (Galatians 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

The thing about bad habits when it comes to our relationship with God is that they tend to sneak up on us gradually. While this may be true of any bad habit in general, for our purposes here, let's focus on how bad habits take their toll on our spiritual connection with Him.

First, let me emphasize that God is very forgiving. He forgives you and I for our human frailties and quirks. At no time does He ever expect perfection from us; instead He offers mercy generously, and without any strings attached. It's a good thing, too. There's nothing that we could ever do that would cleanse our sins and make us right in His eyes. Thankfully, Jesus took care of that.

All of that being said, let's talk about some less than stellar habits we might fall into in regards to our interrelation with Our Savior. The most problematic of bad habits are caused by sin. What makes sin so difficult to deal with is that it all starts in your mind.

Let me lay this out for you. If a person is intent on stealing something, he carefully considers the object of desire. Then, he might devise a plan to obtain it. With his plan in place he takes it. Certainly, he could have stopped his sinful scheme at any point prior to carrying it out. But he didn't.

This is a good example of why the Bible directs us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2); think about good things (Philippians 4:8); and to meditate on the Word (Psalm 1:2). If not for His guidance on such matters we would be totally clueless; besides being lost in sin.

A lot of people struggle with what I have to say next. It's another very common obstacle (bad habit) blocking the path to a strong relationship with God. This involves a change in lifestyle. For instance, if you want to stop smoking, maybe try getting rid of the cigarettes and not buy anymore; seek help if you need it.

Perhaps you're struggling with sexual sin, discard any suggestive materials surrounding you; stop hanging out with others that struggle with the same sin (1 Corinthians 15:33); steer clear of the places and situations that tempt you.

No matter what, don't go at it alone. Here are some things you can try: Strike up relationships with more mature Christians who will encourage and support you (Galatians 6:2). Participate in prayer with them. Ask them to "check up on you" regularly, and be honest about your failures (James 5:16). Remember, "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

Bad habits are hard to break, but nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26). Don't just stop sinning—start doing what's right. And before too long, the good habits you establish will replace the sinful ones.

Scripture: Philippians 4:13; 1 John 1:9; James 5:16; Ephesians 4:27; 1 Corinthians 15:33

Prayer: Dear Lord, like the caring and loving Father You are, Your patient acceptance of me, even though my shortcomings are many; is always there along with your gracious forgivness of my sins. Thank you, Father. Amen

May your lives be blessed!

Mindy

Is God Merely A Convenience to You?

A man was once asked, "Are you a believer in the Christian religion?"

"Oh, certainly!"

"You are a member of some church, then, I suppose?"

"Member of a church? No, indeed. Why should I be a member of a church? It is quite unnecessary; the dying thief wasn't a member of a church, and he went to heaven."

"But of course you have been baptized; you know the command—"

"Been baptized? Oh, no; that is another needless ceremony! I am as safe as the dying thief was, and he never was baptized."

"But surely, since you will not join a church or be baptized, you will do something in acknowledgment of your faith. You will give of your means—you will help the cause in some way?"

"No, sir; I do nothing of the kind. The dying thief—"

"Let me remark, my friend, before you go any further, that you seem to be on pretty intimate terms with the dying thief. You seem to derive a great deal of consolation from his career. But, mind you, there is one important difference between you and him. He was a dying thief—and you are a living one." - Signs of the Times, November 6, 1893; via the Signs of the Times Newsletter, May 2008.

Are you living a life similar to this? Maybe you're living a life of "religious convenience"; something to "use only in case of emergencies." Or, perhaps religion is something to impress others with (can anyone say "Pharisee?") There are even those who dare to make up, or add their own Biblical rules as they go along. (Revelation 22:18-19; Deuteronomy 4:2)

God is very specific about what He wants his children to do, or not. He does not speak vaguely, nor does He "hem and haw" around. Jesus himself spent a lot of time, both alone, and with his disciples, instructing others as to what was expected of them if they wanted to follow Him.

Early on, God gave His people the Ten Commandments to follow. These were pretty clear directives; so clear, that they were even etched into stone more than once! But people, being people, would still fudge a little (or a lot) on these instructions. As time passed, God's instructions became polluted and modified. Things became so messed up, that He had to send His own Son to repair the damage!

Don't kid yourself! You can't be a believer this month, but not next month. When life gets a little bumpy today, you can't bail out on Jesus tomorrow. Our Lord doesn't see you as a "flavor of the month," so why do you see Him this way?

In addition, the last thing that we should ever do is use our belief in Christ as a free pass, or an image booster. In all honesty, we need God more than He needs us. He loves us unconditionally, and offers us an eternal home with Him. Who else would do that?

There's no need to ever change anything that He has said, or done; especially to accomodate what we see fit. Throughout the Bible you can find examples of people who tried to change God's instructions to suit their own needs. The end result? Not very good.

It's not hard to please God. Follow His directions and guidance. Love one another, and treat each other with respect. When in doubt, pray and read His word. If you want a good example to follow, then look no further than Our Lord. Proverbs 3:6 says it best, "in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:3-4; John 8:12; Titus 3:5

Prayer: My Lord Jesus, I ask for Your guidance and counsel in whatever I may do. Faithfully, I know that You will keep me safe and true. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Lara

Weekend Message - Lysa Terkeurst: What Do Yo Do When You Don't Know What to Do?

A life filled with endless opportunities sounds great at first. But in reality, it usually means spending our days juggling schedules while trying to keep everyone happy. How do we make sure the things we choose to pursue line up with God’s will for our lives?

Best-selling author and President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst, uses the story of Nabal, Abigail, and David, to show us three factors that go into making our best decisions in difficult situations. Enjoy!  ~Eve

God Has a Much Better Plan!

Hudson Taylor had definite convictions about how God's work should be done. We can make our best plans and try to carry them out in our own strength. Or we can make careful plans and ask God to bless them. "Yet another way of working is to begin with God; to ask His plans, and to offer ourselves to Him to carry out His purposes."  - W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p. 243.

Do you have any big plans for the weekend? Someone, somewhere, once said that the weekend was the best part of the week. I tend to agree! For most of us, the weekend means "I'm on my own time, now!" We get to do things according to our own plan, or plans.

But, did you know that God has plans for us, too? In fact, He desires that we include His consideration in whatever plans we might have. It's all there in James 4:13-17. Of course, this doesn't mean that we can't plan anything we wish. Go ahead and plan away, just understand that God has the final word.

Once we understand what His plans are for us in a given situation, we can make our plans based on His. That's when it becomes obvious that His plan was best. No big surprise here! However, you and I being human like to make our own plans, correct? We want to make our own plans as we see fit. Even so, have you ever stopped to think that God might have a better plan?

Remember when Peter and his friends were out all night fishing, with no success? Jesus suggested that they try their luck in another spot. Peter, who was by then ready to pack up and leave, gave it another try (Luke 5:4-8). What happened? He caught more fish than he knew what to do with! He had listened to the Lord and discovered He had a better plan.

Goliath took one look at David as the little shepherd walked up to the giant. His plans were to quickly take care of this minor bump in the road, then feed his dead body to the scavengers (2 Samuel 17). What happened? A carefully placed stone to the forehead took care of Goliath, as he laid there dead in the dirt. God's plan was better!

Here's one more. In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus declared to his disciples that his time was up. Peter rebuked him, thinking he had a good plan. What happened? Jesus went to the cross, dying for all of our sins; taking care of them forever. Obviously, God had a much better plan.

The "take-away" from all of this is this: On the surface, God's plan may not seem clear to us at the time. It may not be the easiest plan; it may not even be the most popular plan, or the smartest plan. But, I tell you this with all my heart and soul; God always has the best plan in every situation. Seek His advice in all that you do.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 16:9; Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 138:8; Psalm 32:8

Prayer: Dear Lord, may You always guide me in all that I do. As I go through my days, I look for Your wise instruction and counsel to help me live the best life that I can. Amen

Have a blessed weekend!

Shelley

Your Worries... In His Hands

“I compare the troubles which we have to undergo in the course of the year to a great bundle of sticks, far too large for us to lift. But God does not require us to carry the whole at once. He mercifully unties the bundle, and gives us first one stick, which we are to carry today,and then another, which we are to carry tomorrow, and so on.

This we might easily manage, if we would only take the burden appointed for us each day; but we choose to increase our troubles by carrying yesterday's stick over again today, and adding tomorrow's burden to our load, before we are required to bear it.” - John Newton

Worry can be defined as a person’s negative thoughts about a future event. Chronic worriers work under the false perception that their overthinking, and attempts at controlling every situation, allow them to problem-solve and plan for the future. In any case, undue worrying does a lot more harm than good; it can even affect your health in a negative way.

The Bible tells us, "Do not worry about your life..." (Matthew 6:25). I must admit that this is easier said than done. Who among us doesn't worry about bills, health, security, etc.? Life can be very stressful, and worrying about it can occupy a large part of our day. And why not? We are under constant attack from life's problems. Wave after wave of worry sweep over us, unless we let the Spirit of God raise us above it all.

Life and it's worries can drive you into the ground, literally, if you let them. But it doesn't have to be this way. Our Lord wants us to be careful about the one thing that truly matters: our relationship with Him. Our minds scream out to us, "That's crazy! How am I going to live? What am I going to eat and drink?" These are good considerations, for sure.

However, Jesus is quite aware of all of this. He knows our circumstances far better than we do. That's why He tells us not to worry about any of it. As was mentioned earlier, these "worries" have a nasty way of consuming our lives, even to the point of becoming the primary concern of our lives.

If and when you find that worries are beating you down, always be sure to put your relationship to God in the forefront. Try not to think about what may, or may not happen tomorrow. Matthew 6:34 tells us that "Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble." Each day brings its own problems and worries. Allow God to handle it. He's much better at taking care of issues than you or I.

Is worrying about anything to the point of making you sick, or worse, worth it? Matthew 6:27 and Luke 12:25 tell us otherwise. Here's some good, helpful advice: keep your mind on the "much more" of our Heavenly Father. You'll certainly never have to worry about that!

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; Proverbs 12:25; John 14:1; Joshua 1:9

Prayer: My dear Lord Jesus, let me cast my burden of worries upon You; please lighten my load as only You can. I need Your strength and calming presence everyday of my life. Amen

May God bless you always,

Sarah

Video - Renee Napier: Forgiveness

Renee Napier, whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, sits with the guilty man and explains how she came to a point of forgiving him. Powerful! ~Eve

Choose With God in Mind

It may be true that there are two sides to every question, but it is also true that there are two sides to a sheet of flypaper, and it makes a big difference to the fly which side he chooses.   - Traditional.

Ah, yes. Decisions. The time eventually comes when we all have to make a decision about this, or that. Decision-making is one of the most challenging things we do in life. More often than not, it involves something that will be life-changing.

Certainly there are decisions that are more pleasant to make than others, such as: What dessert should I choose? What shoes should I buy? Which vacation package should we get? Whom should I go to prom with? (Unfortunately for me, in the case of the last one, I didn't have that many options. Sigh...)

But, that's the way it goes with making decisions in life. Some are definitely easier to make than others. And all have consequences, good or bad. Mary Kay Ash (founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.) said, "Be careful of the choices you make today. They will become your lifestyle tomorrow."

When it comes to our walk with God, we face choices every day. Were you aware that  we are the sum total of our decisions? We make our decisions, and our decisions make us. Isn't that the truth? Every single day of our lives, we are in "decison-making mode," especially when it comes to living a Spirit-filled life, or not.

Why don't we examine just a few choices that may present themselves to us on any given day. Let's begin with serving, or servitude. Either way, it involves serving others. In our case, we are talking about serving God. Surprisingly, some feel that serving God is drudgery. It's useless, empty, vain, and futile.

Serving God is anything but drudgery. In fact, it's pretty serious business. He commands us to serve (Mark 10:44-45; Acts 20:35; Proverbs 11:25)! And, as servants for God, we shouldn't complain and whine. We should simply do! After all, God referred to Moses as His servant (Malchi 4:4), and Jesus is the ultimate servant, When it comes down to serving, or not, what's your decision?

Next, how is your reverence towards God? Do you fear him? No, I'm not talking about being afraid of God in a "scary" way. I mean worshipping Him for who and what He is. When you and I fear God, his fatherly advice means everything. And, the loss of it is the biggest grief of all.

God deserves our total reverence and respect. When it comes to fearing God, or not, what's your decision? We have time for one more decision. This one has to do with our judgment. Don't kid yourself. There will be a judgment day, we just don't know when it will occur. It might be today, tomorrow, next week or next year. But, make no mistake, it is coming.

When that day does arrive, we will be treated as either sinners or saints. Are you ready? When it comes to making a decision, this is the "big" one! Which will you be? Will you face judgement as a sinner (condemned to experience the wrath of God), or as a saint (one who has trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord)? What's your decision?

When it comes to decisions there will be repercussions of one sort or another. God gave us all free will to make the choices we do. Trust in Him to make the best decision that you can. Bernita Weston says that, "Trusting in the Lord means every decision you make is done with Him in mind." I believe in this with all of my heart.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 5:14; Isaiah 30:21  

Prayer: Holy Father, help me make the right choices and the best decisions in my walk with You. I never worry about what may, or may not happen if I ask for Your guidance and blessing beforehand. Amen

May God bless you,

Cheryl

Beautiful In God's Eyes

The renowned Quaker scholar Rufus Jones was speaking of the importance of having a radiant countenance. After his address, a woman “with an almost unbelievably plain face” came up and asked him what he would do if he had a face like hers.

He replied, “While I have troubles of my own of that kind, I’ve discovered that if you light it up from within, any old face you have is good enough.”   - Our Daily Bread, December 7, 1992

I was watching a program on t.v. a short while ago, and it made me realize something. This particular episode was all about a group of women and various types of plastic surgeries performed on their bodies. These women were looking to improve their outward appearances by way of nips and tucks, fat removal, breast enhancement and reduction, etc.; you know what I'm talking about.

Now, I'm not for, or against any of these types of surgeries (especially when it involves grown, adult women). Some surgeries are necessary due to sickness, disease, or accidents. I get that. Others seek to improve their self-image, esteem, and maybe just to zhoosh up a certain body area or two. Hmmm.. Anyway, there was an awful lot of attention given to one's exterior beauty.

As I mentioned before, all of this got me thinking. How come so much attention to outside beauty, but nothing mentioned about the inside? I'm not talking about our internal organs; as the health and maintenance of these are undoubtedly very important. No, I'm talking about our inner, spiritual beauty, which is very significant, as well.

Much has been said about the urgency of maintaining our spiritual beauty. In fact, the Bible gives us many verses regarding this very topic.1 Peter 3:3-4 tells us that what is in our hearts is more attractive than our outward appearance. Another verse, Proverbs 31:30, tells us that being respectful and obedient to God is more desireable than mere outside beauty. 2 Corinthians 4:16 reminds us of how our exterior appearance wastes away daily, but not so our spirit.

American actress, Audrey Hepburn once said, "The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides." The heart is where God resides inside all of us! In the Bible (King James Version), the word "heart" appears approximately 725 times in the O.T., and 105 times in the N.T. This is not accidental, or coincidental.

There's no question that the world greatly values what people look like on the outside. However. God places His focus on what we look like on the inside. Now, here's I ask you this, "Do you put more time and effort into being pretty on the outside or the inside?" Be honest when you ask yourself this question.

We do a lot to take care of our bodies, especially on what the world sees. We exercise, try to eat the right foods, get enough rest, but what do we really do for our inner, spirtual beauty? Most of us are very aware of how our bodies are changing, and have changed, over the course of our lives. This is all just part of the natural process. It happens to all of us.

Eventually, our physical bodies will fail us and we will die. All of that great work that we invested in our outward selves will not do us a bit of good at that point. But it's our inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, that is more valuable in God's sight.

Make an investment in your inner self, your heart for God. Some really basic things you can do to stay in shape spiritually, if you haven't been already, can be: reading your Bible, praying, and going to church on a regular basis. Pretty simple, right?

There are plenty of us out there who put lots of time and effort into staying in shape physically,  but who are totally out of shape spiritually. I'm here to remind you that if we don't know Jesus Christ, our perfect bodies won't get us through the gates of heaven.  Remember this: God created us all in His image (Genesis 1:27). To Him, each one of us is a masterpiece!

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:14; 1 Peter 5:6; Isaiah 64:8; 1 Timothy 3:11; 1 Timothy 4:8

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for making me as I am. Yes, I have my quirks and imperfections, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. I am Your creation, and and as such, I am beautiful in Your eyes, and that's what truly matters! Amen

Have a blessed day!

Renay

Weekend Message - Beth Moore: Jesus Sighed

In this weeks message, Christian speaker Beth Moore examines a curious passage where Jesus sighed before healing a man and searches for the true meaning. Get your Bibles out; you'll want to give it a listen!  ~Eve

Freed By the Cross

Legal term meaning “acquittal,” a declaration that someone is in the right. Sinners are in the wrong before God. They have broken his laws, they deserve punishment, but on the cross Christ took their place. Now, when they put their trust in Christ, they are declared to be in the right, acquitted, justified.

The cross shows God to be just, not simply in the fact that he forgives, but in the way he forgives. To pass over sins would show mercy, but it would not show justice. Forgiveness by the way of the cross shows both (Romans 3:25-26).  - The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Publ., Wheaton , IL; 1984), pp. 351-352

Here's a scenario: For just a minute, imagine that you owed a mind-boggling amount of money. Then one day, an incredibly wealthy man decided to give to the people of your town live access to several million dollars to pay their debts. All you had to do was go down to the local bank and present your bill statements. After which, from this account your bills would then be paid.

Now, upon hearing this good news, you go and gather up your bills. Then, you present those bills to the bank teller. Presently, a transaction would take place in the accounting department at the bank. After turning in your debts, the bank would use some of the rich man's money to pay them off. Wow! Incredibly, you would walk out of that bank free of debt. Imagine that!

In a way, that's what happens when you place your faith in Christ. One comes to God admitting that she is a sinner, admitting that she can do nothing to justify herself, and relying on Jesus Christ to pay the debt of her sin.

In the accounting department of heaven, the righteousness of Jesus Christ is given to her account, and she is forgiven all of her debt. God rubber stamps her account "Paid In Full." She can be as sure of heaven as though she were already there. She takes God at His word and her faith is counted as righteousness.

Christ was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. Justification is the act of God not only forgiving the believer's sins but ascribing to him the righteousness of Christ. Beloved, justification is not earned through out own works; more precisely, we are covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5). The Christian, being declared righteous, is thus freed from the guilt of sin.

Once a person is justified, there's nothing else she needs in order to gain entrance into heaven. There is no ritual, no sacrament, no deed that can make us worthy of the righteousness of Christ. It's only by His grace, in response to our faith, that God has credited to us the holiness of His son. (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

Edward Koehler put it this way: "The justice of God in the Gospel is that, because Christ has atoned for our sins, God will not hold them against us, but will impart forgiveness to all who penitently confess their sins and believe in Jesus Christ."

In summary, because of this miracle of God's grace I am justified, not because I'm simply sorry for my sin, or because I've repented, but because of what Jesus has fulfilled through the atonement of His cross.

Scripture: Galatians 3:11; 2 Peter 1:10; Psalm 32:2; Romans 8:33; Galatians 3:24   

Prayer: Holy Father, Your death on the cross cleansed me of my sin; as it was the only way. I offer my eternal gratitude for Your sacrifice, and pray that I may always remember that You did this because You love me so. Amen

Have a blessed weekend,

Klarice

Perfection Is Not!

Edwin Bliss said, "The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time."  - Tim Hansel, Eating Problems for Breakfast, Word Publishing, 1988, p. 39.

Perfection. Merriam-Webster defines perfection this way: the quality or state of being perfect: as freedom from fault or defect. This is something that is strived for in our lives. Whether we seek perfection in the arts, athletics, science and mathematics, even our own relationships, we discover that perfection is unattainable, but worth trying for.

Although Mahatma Ghandi wasn't a Christian, he admired Jesus in many ways. He saw the power of the doctrine of the resurrection. He once said, “A man who was completely innocent, offered Himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including His enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.“

I think we can agree that perfection is a rare commodity. We've all seen "perfect" scores in the Olympics, and on televison programs where dancers and singing acts show off their talents. All of this makes for great entertainment, for sure. But, as you well know, the basis of these "perfect" performances are all subjective; and at the mercy of whoever happens to be judging them at the time.

The point I am making here is that there is a flaw in all of this. What is being declared as "perfection" is decided by "imperfect" beings. We, in essence, have set up our own "standards of perfection" so that we may pat each other on the back when we meet them.

While I'm at it, I'd like to burst a few more bubbles here (please forgive me!) There's no way that we can ever be perfect! I know, I know, I can hear the grumbling right now. But, sadly it's true. The list is pretty long regarding our attempts at perfection, and even longer of our failures to attain it.

There are many negatives connected to perfectionism. Among these are: stress, discontent, and frustration. When we set the bar so high, that it cannot possibly be approached, we create a situation for many mental and emotional issues, as well. Even so, many well-meaning folks continue to seek what is basically unattainable.

We can apply these things to our spiritual lives, too. According to Gospel, we are unable to save ourselves. We all "fall short"; we all "miss the mark" (Romans 3:23). Being sinners (which is what we are), we need a Savior. Fortunately, that's where Jesus enters the picture.

When you and I trust in Him, something wonderful happens. He forgives our shortcomings; our imperfections; and our inequities. We can stop aiming for an arbitrary, worldly "perfection" and abide in the Perfect One (Matthew 11:28).

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:20; Matthew 5:48; James 1:4; 1 John 4:12; 1 John 2:5

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me live my life for You; and not in sin and the imperfection which exists in our imperfect world. Amen

May God bless you,

Macey

God Changes Who We Are

"I am not what I might be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be. But I thank God I am not what I once was, and I can say with the great apostle, "By the grace of God I am what I am."  - John Newton

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

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

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

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

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

It can be said that because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, as such, we're all set. Doubtless, part of that sentence is true. Jesus did go to his death on the cross for our sins. But, there's a little more to it that tends to get overlooked.

Yes, we are declared righteous, or sinless by Jesus when we place our faith in His death for us on the cross. That's called justification. Still, it doesn't end there. We continue showing our belief in Him by doing good works.

These good works are a portion of our "sanctification." It's during this time when God presses on, working in our hearts, to change us; making us more like Jesus. Additionally, He makes us more holy; helping us to progressively sin less and increasingly please Him more.

A word to the wise is in order here. The good works performed while God continues to sanctify us don't save us from our sins. This can only happen by our faith in Jesus. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that sanctification isn't an important part of our lives. Nothing could be further from the truth!

In closing, sanctification is a very important part of our lives. It glorifies God and makes known to us, and others, that Jesus is definitely modifying who we are, and guiding us to ultimately become who He wants us to be.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:21;1 Thessalonians 5:23; John 17:17; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I place myself in Your hands; take this humble servant of Yours and gently and lovingly mold me into the person You'd like me to be; in your name. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Janyce

It Only Takes One!

“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”   - Jimmy Carter

In an all too crowded world, it’s easy to brush aside the significance of one. You've probably thought, "There are plenty of people who have a lot more gifts and skills; who are already doing so many important things, what could I possibly do? What can I, as one individual, contribute to the enormous needs of our world, our church, our community, etc.?"

History is full of stories about single individuals who have made a difference. Think of the scientists, inventors, explorers, and technological experts who have literally changed the course of history. But truthfully, you are you. There's no one else in the world like you. Nobody can do the things that God has called and gifted you to do.

As I was considering this topic for my message today, I thought about Adam and Jesus. There truly is a parallel between both of them. They are connected to one another through condemnation and justification; which are the direct results of their actions. Each made his own difference.

Due to his being the representative head, as well as the physical root of all, when Adam sinned and fell, we all did too. One person making a difference!  Contrary to this, “by the one man’s obedience” we whom Christ represents are “made righteous” in Him. Christ is the representative Head, as well as the spiritual root of the new humanity, for through His resurrection we are given new birth and a living hope (1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:1–7). One person making a difference!

Because Adam was our representative before God when he fell in sin, he took us all with him. There was no way to repair our relationship with God. Sure, we were given laws which pointed our sins out to us; even though sin existed in the world long before.

However, it wasn't until Christ died specifically “for us” (Romans 5:8) who now believe and are justified through our faith, that His death actually achieved for us the “reconciliation” that “we have now received” (Romans 5:11). One person making a difference!

Scripture: Mark 16:15; Romans 12:1; 2 Timothy 2:22; Matthew 5:13-16; Ephesians 2:8-10

Prayer: Dear Lord, please guide me to where I may be of the most benefit to others; and do good works in Your name. Amen

May God bless you!

Lynette

A Renewal of Hope

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”  - Martin Luther King Jr.

What now? Jesus was arrested, persecuted, beaten, crucified, died, and was buried. Then, He miraculously rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb behind (Matthew 28:6). Not yet aware of what happened at the tomb, His followers were filled with despair and hopelessness. Fear drove many into hiding. Can you blame them?

They had staunchly believed that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. But, there was one thing: they had forgotten His promise of returning from the grave. Now, without a Messiah, without hope, they saw their future slipping away fast.

We too, may find ourselves in a situation that appears hopeless. We're gripped with fear not knowing what our next move will be. We're watching Plan A crumble all around us, and we don't have a Plan B to turn to. We've run out options, and the clock is ticking away.

I imagine that's exactly how Jesus' followers must have felt after his crucifixion on the cross. The rug had literally been pulled out from under their feet. Jesus had even told them what was going to happen to Him (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 20:17-19). But, either they misunderstood Him, or it went over their heads. It didn't matter now, He was gone, and they thought they were goners!

Maybe you didn't see the job layoffs coming? Maybe you missed the clues that your marriage was in trouble (or just tried to ignore the problem away?) Or, perhaps you should have gone to the doctor sooner to have that cough checked out, or that lump looked at? Maybe you thought you'd be able to hang on to your house a little longer, but the bank thought differently?

The few things that I just described happen to more of us than you think. And they are nothing to be taken lightly. Yes, they are certainly things that are scary, frightening, worriesome, and miserable. Please believe me when I say that I'm not trying to downplay the seriousness of any of this.

But, I ask you to look at the situation the followers of Jesus found themselves in immediately after His death. They were probably not sure whether they themselves would be around much longer. After all, they were known followers of Him, so hiding out seemed like a pretty good idea at the time.

Fear and hoplessness does that to us. It makes us hide from our problems. After all, it's easier to pack our bags and move on than dealing with our problems, isn't it? Wait for the coast to be clear, then slink off somewhere hoping no one will notice.

Shortly after Christs' resurrection, He began appearing to his followers. He didn't have to do this. He could have gone straight on to heaven without a second look back. But He didn't. He appeared to His followers; reassuring them, and restoring their hope,

What a turnaround! For a while, it looked as if every last shred of hope had been taken away from them. Their faith, while not totally destroyed; had taken a pretty good beating. And now, Jesus is back from the dead? Unbelievable! It had to be like getting a new lease on life; a fresh, new start!

That, my friends, is what Jesus can do for you, too. Just when you think that you can't go on; you have no one to turn to; you're dead in the water; there He is telling you that there is hope. And the hope He offers is the real deal. It's as real as the wounds on His hands and feet. As real as the cross He was nailed to. As real as the tomb He rose from.

Jesus loved the disciples, and He loves us. He knows that we are only human, and as such, can only deal with things in a human way. What He brings to us is eternal love and hope. You can't get that anywhere else, but through Him.

Whatever troubles you may be experiencing in your life at this moment; don't despair. His resurrection brings us hope. Let Jesus come to you as He did to his followers when they desperately needed renewal of faith and hope. Invite Him into your life today.

Scripture: Psalm 111:10; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 56:11; Psalm 5:11; 1 John 4:18

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, as long as I know that You are there, I will not let fear rule over me. Your death on the cross wiped out the fear of living in this sinful world. In You, I will always find my strength, love, and will to carry on. Amen

God bless you,

Kendall

Easter Video and Prayer 2015

Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in; but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two men in bright shining clothes stood by them. Full of fear, the women bowed down to the ground, as the men said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.’”   (Luke 24:1-12)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to earth as a baby so many years ago. Thank you that He paid the punishment for my sins by dying on the cross.  And thank you that He rose again to prove that death was truly defeated. I place my trust in You to be my Savior. Guide me through the dark times of my life and give me courage to live for You.  Amen  - Max Lucado

May God bless you always,

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry

Weekend Message - Beth Moore: The Moment of the Resurrection

In this Easter weekend message, Beth Moore imagines the heavenly anticipation and activity during the days leading up to Christ's resurrection. Simply awesome!  ~Eve

A Debt Paid In Full

"The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a helpless, unresisting Man was nailed to it; yet it was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and will ever triumph over it."  - Augustus William Hare

Good Friday is an essential day of the year for Christians. It brings to the forefront what is believed to be the most  impactful weekend in world history. This day sets into motion the decisive turning point for all creation. The apostle Paul in (1 Corinthians 15:3) considered it to be "of first importance" because of what was promised in Scripture.

On this particular day, we recall that Jesus, of his own free-will, suffered and died by crucifixion on cross for our sins. It was the ultimate sacrifice (1 John 1:10). There was no other way around this. He had to take on our sins, have the wrath of God poured on Him, and become the perfect sacrificial substitute in order for us to recevie forgiveness and salvation.

In his book, The Life of Christ, 19th century cleric Frederick Farrar described a crucifixion in this way:

   "A death by crucifixion seems to include all that pain and death can have of the horrible and ghastly - dizziness, cramps, thirst, starvation, sleeplessness, traumatic fever, shame, publicity of shame, long continuance of torment, horror of anticipation, mortification of intended wounds-all intensified just up to the point at which they can be endured at all, but all stopping just short of the point which would give to the sufferer the relief of unconsciousness.
   The unnatural position made every movement painful; the lacerated veins and crushed tendons throbbed with incessant anguish; the wounds, inflamed by exposure, gradually gangrened [when a victim took several days to die]; the arteries-especially at the head and stomach-became swollen and oppressed with surcharged blood, and while each variety of misery went on gradually increasing, there was added to them the intolerable pang of a burning and raging thirst, and all these physical complications caused an internal excitement and anxiety, which made the prospect of death itself-of death, the unknown enemy, at whose approach man usually shudders most-bear the aspect of a delicious and exquisite release.
   One thing is clear. The first century executions were not like the modern ones, for they did not seek a quick, painless death nor the preservation of any measure of dignity for the criminal. On the contrary, they sought an agonizing torture which completely humiliated him. And it is important that we understand this, for it helps us realize the agony of Christ’s death." (Vol. 2 [New York: E. P. Dutton, 1877], pp. 403–4) MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (257). Chicago: Moody Press.

Interestingly, the writers of the four Gospels wrote about the crucifixion, but without any details of the actual event. And, though the Bible doesn't provide much in specifics, it does call attention to the importance of Jesus' crucifixion on the cross of Calvary. Without a doubt, it was a very significant occurrence. The cross is the focal point of all history.

The penalty of sin had been paid in full. The account was now closed. Sinners, that is you and I, could be saved. By the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a clear path to God was opened; a path that will never be closed. By that loving act, everyone who comes to Him by faith, who trusts in His death and resurrection as their way to salvation; will be eternally saved by His grace.

Dear friends, we are the recipients of divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because of His willingness to step up and receive the divine punishment that should have been ours. Jesus faced the cross on Good Friday totally aware that it led to his resurrection. and our salvation. It marked the triumph over sin and Satan for all who believe. It also marked the beginning of God's sovereignty of righteousness and peace.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8)

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24; Mark 9:31; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Matthew 27:46

Prayer:  Dear Lord, You died for the world, You died for me; You went to Your death with the sins of the world on Your shoulders; knowing there was no other way. It was an act of love, that only You could do. And, I thank you for that. Amen

May God bless you always,

Dakota

It Was More Than Just A Meal...

"I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ ...; I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love."  - St. Ignatius of Antioch

The last week of Jesus' earthly life was drawing to a close. Several major events had occurred to Him up to this point. Now, one of the most important of them all was about to take place. The Last Supper is basically a description of the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion.

The evening of preparation for the Jewish Passover was a very holy time for the Jewish nation (Deuteronomy 16: 1-8). It was observed in remembrance of the time God spared the Jews from the horrible plague of death of the first born in Egypt (Exodus 11:5). It was on this evening that the Last Supper was held. Therefore, it was a Passover meal as well.

The dinner was purposely arranged by Jesus. He carefully instructed His disciples where to hold it (Luke 22: 7-13). All twelve of His disciples were with Him both during, and after the meal. This was a crucial time during the ministry of Jesus Christ.

His enemies were planning His betrayal and death. Jesus was well aware of what would soon take place (Mark 10:33). Within 24 hours, He will be crucified, and his disciples will scatter and hide in fear for their lives.

It was during this last gathering that some critical events took place; which are recorded in the Bible. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus predicts that He will suffer shortly after this supper; and that it will be His last meal before finalizing His work on behalf of the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16).

Next, Jesus presents His followers with symbolic remembrance of His sacrificial body and blood on behalf of all mankind (Luke 22:19). Additionally, Jesus shares a very important principle for living a Christian life: "the greatest are those who serve others, not those who expect to be served" (Luke 22:26). Lastly, He provides hope to his followers (Luke 22:29-30).

The events that take place after the Last Supper are most familiar to us. Jesus obediently, and of his free-will, allows himself to be arrested, tried, beaten, and then brutally sacrificed on a wooden cross. Why would He allow Himself to go through all of this? He did it to make things right between God and ourselves. He did this to pay the debt of our sins; each and every one of us.

There would be no way that you or I could ever do this on our own; none! He did this without any contracts, or obligations. He did this unconditionally. And, as simply as He had lived here among us on earth, he made a simple request. He asked that we remember this act of love that He performed for me and you.

Beloved, Jesus didn't have to go through any of this. He didn't have to experience our imperfect lives, as we do. And, He certainly didn't have to die for us. But, He did. He chose to do this because He values every single life here. Jesus wants to see each of us seated at His table, sharing a meal with Him someday.

Each one of us can apply the lessons that He taught at the Last Supper. We should try to live faithful lives by serving others in love. Scripture and history tell us that the truth of Christ's message has been set forth: we can join Jesus in Heaven by accepting His sacrifice, and allowing Him into our lives.

Scripture: Mark 14:24; John 14:6; Luke 22:17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; John 3:16-17

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, You sacrificed Yourself on my behalf without any hesitation; You took on all the sins that had weighed heavy on my heart and soul; and scrubbed me cleaner than new fallen snow; there is no way that I could ever repay this act of love from You; I am forever indebted to You. Amen

May God bless you!

Jillian

Video - Beth Moore: Tomb or Womb?

Beth Moore explores how the place meant to bury Christ became the birthplace for the greatest miracle and how that concept relates to you. Enjoy!  ~Eve