Bible Study Snacks - Colossians 1:1-28

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome to Bible Study Snacks! Thank you for joining me again as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, and strong in faith!

This week, we will begin a new study on the Book of Colossians. These studies are brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might also add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let us pray together...

"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) See the relationship between understanding the grace of God and bearing fruit.
2) Examine Paul's prayer for the Colossians for the keys to successful Christian living.
3) Appreciate the preeminence of Christ in creation and our redemption.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically Colossians 1:1-28:

Paul begins with his customary salutation followed by an expression of thanksgiving and prayer. Hearing of their condition from Epaphras, he is thankful for their faith, love, and hope (Colossians 1:1-8). His prayer is that they be filled with the knowledge of God's will, walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, strengthened by God's glorious power, and ever thankful that the Father has qualified them to be partakers of the saints' inheritance. This, even more so, since they were delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's precious Son, where there is redemption and forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:9-14).

He then introduces the theme of this epistle, which is the preeminence and all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ our Savior. Paul first proclaims the preeminence of Christ in creation, and then His preeminence in redemption (Colossians 1:15-20). The Colossians' own conversion is offered as a case in point in reference to the latter, and with a warning for them to remain steadfast (Colossians 1:21-23).

The chapter ends with Paul's description of his ministry, in which he gladly suffered on behalf of Christ and His church. He views himself as a steward entrusted with a wonderful "mystery." which is being made known after having been hidden for ages. This "mystery" pertains to the Gentiles, and how Christ would be in them (Colossians 1:24-27). Paul therefore worked diligently to preach Christ, with the goal of presenting every man perfect in Him (Colossians 1:28-29).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Who joins Paul in the salutation of this epistle? (Colossians 1:1)?
2) What three things had Paul heard about the Colossians, for which he gave thanks? (Colossians 1:3-5)
3) How long had the gospel been bringing forth fruit in their lives? (Colossians 1:6)
4) Who had informed Paul of their condition? (Colossians 1:8)
5) List four things for which Paul prayed concerning the Colossians  (Colossians 1:9-11)
6) Into what have we been translated? (Colossians 1:13)
7) What does one enjoy in Christ? (Colossians 1:14)
8) List five things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in creation (Colossians 1:15-17)
9) List four things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in redemption (Colossians 1:18-20)
10) What was the former condition of the Colossians? How were they changed? (Colossians 1:21-22)
11) Upon what condition would they be presented as holy, blameless and irreproachable? (Colossians 1:22-23)
12) What is said about the "mystery" which has been hidden? (Colossians 1:26)
13) What is the glorious nature of this "mystery?" (Colossians 1:27)
14) What was Paul's goal in preaching Christ? (Colossians 1:28)

After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri

The Only True Wisdom

"One becomes competent and expert as far as the orders in life are concerned only if one begins from knowledge of God."  - Gerhard von Rad

We live in very exciting times!. New innovations are presented to the world practically everyday. It wasn't that long ago that smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube didn't exist. Whoever thought that taxi companies would be threatened by growing ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft?

The hospitality industry is feeling the heat from Airbnb, and even the automobile industry has taken notice of the development of autonomous (driverless) cars! Wearable techno patches and sensors that now can monitor a person’s heart rate, body temperature and other vital signs; or using 3-D printers to produce artificial body parts are just a few promising new innovations in health care.

You have to admit, this is all pretty amazing! Some of these have now become so common place, that it's difficult to imagine how we ever got along without them! Humans have always been good at looking beyond a problem and ascertaining a solution. We use our wisdom to cope with everyday demands, decisions, issues, and whatever opportunities that might come our way.

However, as much as our human wisdom has served us, it is not without its limits. Our constant searching for more is infinite and futile, if it all starts and ends with what we ourselves know. Does our self-proclaimed wisdom help us when we are confronted with death, pain, or the meaning of life? When dreams crumble, or we suffer loss does wisdom help us then?

Frankly, there are some things that we simply just don't know enough about. True wisdom cannot be found in any of the usual places, either. If you're waiting for science or technology to discover wisdom through research and development, then I'm afraid you'll be waiting a long time. How about with age? Does it come as one grows older? Can we buy true wisdom? If you're thinking is anywhere along these lines, you're not alone.

So, where does wisdom come from? Where can understanding and the ability to deal with life's hills and valleys be found? Only God knows. The author of the Book of Job tells us as much (Job 28:23-24). Do you remember Job's dire situation and suffering? Even before Job received the ultimate answer from God, he came upon the truth himself.

God sees the entire picture, where we can only catch fleeting glimpses of this or that. Like Job, we are brought down a notch, or two when we realize that this is true in whatever we face. How is it that God can see so perfectly? Job hit the nail on the head when he said that God created the world; he set everything up, and he looked at wisdom and appraised it (Job 28: 24-27). The writer of Proverbs mentions this, as well (Proverbs 3:19).

This of course makes perfect sense. After all, God is the creator of this world; and is intimately familiar with everything in it. Didn't he create you and I? Doesn't he wisely work in your life bringing all things together for his purposes? Do you doubt that he knows what he's doing?

Let's return to the question: "Where does wisdom come from?" It's the same question that was brought up by Job, and is answered in Job 28:28. True wisdom is found in God alone. To obtain this wisdom requires a few things on our part. We must confess our ignorance and trust God. This means we can't depend on our own human understanding.

It also requires faith in God. Life isn't always logical. When things get unstable and chaotic we must learn to trust that God has a plan. And, that plan requires faith on our part, or it won't work. Obedience, trust, and belief (faith) work together in order to obtain the Lord's wisdom.

Those who choose not to believe cannot receive divine wisdom. God revealed his wisdom to the world, but the world didn't accept it. They turned him down (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). On the cross we saw the wisdom of God personified in Jesus Christ. The Jews of the day wanted to see a display of strength and power. The Greeks looked for wisdom and magnificence, but saw only foolishness in Jesus.

However, to everyone whom God has summoned, Jews, Gentiles, you and I, Jesus represents both the power and wisdom of God. Humanity badly needed saving. Something was needed to help us with our sinfulness. God gave us Jesus on the cross as the greatest expression of his supreme wisdom. And, only by trusting in Jesus, can our spiritual eyes be opened to the full wisdom of God.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Ezra 7:25; 1 Kings 3:28; Ecclesiastes 2:26

Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Amen   -Reinhold Neibuhr, 1892-1971

May God bless you!

MaryAnne

Video - Charlotte Gambill: The Miracle in the Middle

Charlotte Gambill, he co-pastor of Life Church in England talks about the tough times in the “middle” parts of life and offers encouragement to persevere through the power of Christ. Insightful message!  ~Eve

Taking God for Granted?

"How quickly we forget God's great deliverances in our lives. How easily we take for granted the miracles he performed in our past."   - David Wilkerson

We take much for granted in our lives. Need proof? Here are a few examples: eating, smoking, drinking too much, not getting enough sleep and exercise, etc. These things affect our physical and mental well-being. While we're at it, let's not leave out taking our spouses, families, and friends for granted, too.

You might recognize these symptons under different names, such as: complacency, apathy, unresponsiveness, being unemotional and/or unconcerned. No matter how you slice it, taking things for granted seems to be an attitude that affects all of us at some point. We don't think about them until something goes wrong.

Sometimes, it's easy to take God for granted as well. In his book, Flecks of Gold on a Path of Stone: Simple Truths for Profound Living, Craig D. Lounsbrough says, “God would have us cherish even the smallest of blessings, for in taking a blessing for granted we are well on our way to taking it to its grave.”

By taking God for granted, whether intentionally or not, we are sending the message that we are unthankful; and not giving him the full praise that he so rightly deserves. The Pharisees were good examples of this. They took the lillies of the field for granted (Matthew 6:28). They took it for granted that if a woman was caught in sin, the proper God-appointed thing to do was to stone her to death (John 8:5-7).

Fortunately, the Lord was not like this in that he never took common things for granted. He considered everything under the same light; both the usual and the uncommon. He could see the glory of the mundane, whether it was the sinning woman, the sparrow, or the mustard seed. All were equally glorious in his sight.

One of the major faults in humanity is the ease in which we can take things for granted, including God. In fact, it is very contagious and can spread quickly if we are not diligent. However, God is never guilty of this. He never takes us for granted.

It wouldn't hurt to try and imitate him in this respect. Always remember that whatever we possess came from God. We should do no less than love the Lord our God more than all else. We should never let anyone or anything steer us toward becoming complacent, or into neglecting Him. Let us never take God for granted!

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 136:1; Job 1:21; Hebrews 12:28; James 1:17

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessings that you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. Lord. I also pray that you always remind me of  how lucky I am, and that I never forget to show my gratitude to you. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Valleree

In Despair..? Let God Take Charge!

"I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about?" - Henry Ford

Okay, who among us has never felt discouraged about something? Discouragement in life can cause problems if we let it. It can play tricks with our minds and make us see only the bad, while forgetting about all of the good.

Someone once said that discouragement is "dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future." It can also literally suck the very life out of us if we allow it to. I don't have to tell you that life is difficult, and everyday is a battle!

The Israelites in Egypt had been on the receiving end of some pretty harsh treatment by the Pharoah. God had been working through Moses to deliver them from their predicament (Exodus 6:5). They had expected a quick reprieve from their troubles. But, instead, the Pharoah became even more adamant. The Israelites' discouragement increased; believing their situation worsened because of Moses' interference,

They had lost trust in Moses, whom they felt had mislead them (Exodus 6:9). Meanwhile, a deep, "anguish of spirit" gripped their souls, and the daily "cruel bondage" they were subjected to didn't leave them much time, or desire, to listen to Moses anymore. They had, in essence, lost all heart as a result of their disillusionment with him.

Compared to the way they felt when Moses had first spoken to them in Exodus 4:31, the Israelites were feeling hopeless, and dejected. And, who could blame them? Why, even  Moses' faith was a little rattled! He probably would have given up if God hadn't spoken to him, and convinced him to revisit the Israelites, and put more pressure on the Pharoah for their release (Exodus 6:10-11).

Things were looking grim. The Israelites were ready to give up because they hit a wall: the stubborn Pharoah. Moses was frustrated because he didn't get immediate results. Both parties lost sight of the fact that nothing worthwhile in life comes easy. However, in the middle of  everything they had overlooked something of even greater importance.

God was working behind the scenes all the time, but they were too wrapped up in their own drama to see that. They had forgotten the most important factor going in their favor; God was working on their problem!

In times of anguish and discouragement, God is working silently along side of us. You don't have to drown in despair, or let discouragement swallow you up. Put your trust in God's hands! By doing so, He will work hard to bring you through whatever storm you may be facing.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Joshua 1:9; 1 Peter 5:7; Romans 15:13

Prayer: Dear Lord, may you give me the strength and courage I need when faced with seemingly overwhelming troubles. In You I always place my trust to see me through. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Alexa

Deepening Faith - Volume 1: Number 7: Dwelling Place for the Divine Presence

"Even in the seemingly boring rules and regulations of tabernacle rituals... God's concern for justice permeated every part of Israel's life. It should also permeate our lives."  - Timothy Keller

The tabernacle of Moses was a movable temple. It was the original form of Divine worship. The Jews recognized the mandates of the tabernacle, and of the entire Levitical service, as divinely appointed ordinances; therefore being perpetually obligated to them. It served as a sacred place where God chose to meet His people, and where the leaders and people came together to worship and offer sacrifices.

The tabernacle symbolized something old and sacred, and was uncontaminated by idolatry. There is mention, in this chapter, of the attributes and furniture of the tabernacle, which conveyed soley Divine ideas. It's true that Moses was, as we say, the "master of the works," but the plan was of Divine origin; as it was endowed by him who sees and knows all.

The exterior was decent, beautiful, and glorious, as is apparent by its description in Exodus 26:1-37. After all, it was fashioned after God’s own template. Yet, even though it was pleasing to the eye of the world, its materials were frail, brittle, and ever dissipating, as things made by the hand of man tend to be.

Hebrews 9 also supplies us with a wonderful description of the tabernacle in which the service of God was observed under the former dispensation. Perhaps even more importantly, are its references to what was merely an imperfect representation of the reality, and what was yet to come.

The placement of the tabernacle, in the middle of all of the tents, was also by God's design. This provided easy access, or approachability to Him. and a convenient spot to utilize the ordinances of Divine service for their forgiveness, serenity, and fellowship with He who desires our worship.

The solemn service of the high priest was performed here annually. God mysteriously resided within the second veil; which added to the sacred reverance of the ceremony. The high priest was the only one who was graciously allowed to approach God in his sanctuary. As a result, he was held in the highest respect.

While there may be many things that are impossible to explain or understand, things that are necessary for our salvation and growth in grace are made visible. The inner holy place is one that is not meant for our understanding. But what is revealed of the Law, is meant to be obeyed.

The lampstand provided illumination for the service of the priest, and the bread indicates the idea of spiritual supply. Tables of bread were replenished weekly. The priests ate the bread, blessed by God, only after it had stood for seven days before God in his tabernacle. Interestingly, this is seen as a foreshadowing of the supply which Christ claimed of himself (the Bread of Life) Philippians 4:19.

Memorials of Divine power are represented by the pot of manna and Aaron's rod. The former serving as a reminder to the worshippers of God's provision of daily bread; and the latter being a miraculous act that sealed the final ruling on priesthood (Numbers 17:5-10).

The golden altar of incense connotes the acceptance of prayer. While the incense aroma represents the prayers of the people. Prayers are pleasant to God from the perception of our need and humility of soul; our faith in his interest in us, and our desire to glorify his Name.

We mustn't forget the significance of the furniture, which was mercy and adoration. Underneath the mercy-seat, in the most sacred place, was the Divine Law. The cover of the ark, which was between the Law and God, was sprinkled with sacrificial blood; whereby, sins were forgiven through faith in the arrangement.

Lastly, cherubim stretched their wings above the mercy-seat; demonstrating that even angels desire to look into these things, bowing with reverence and love in God's presence. Thus, these details attest to the purpose of all revelation, all sacrifice, all the works of the Son of God, and the sacred power of the Spirit.

Scripture: Hebrews 9:2; Hebrews 8:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Numbers 18:21; Exodus 25:9

Prayer: Dear God, fill the hearts of your faithful and fill them with the fire of your love. May You send us Your Spirit so that we can renew ours with Yours. Amen

Have a blessed weekend!

Constance

In God...We Can Trust!

"Don’t use words too big for the subject. Don’t say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite."   - C. S. Lewis

Do we really know the power that is contained in words? I suppose one could say that the power and value of a word depends, in a large part, upon the person who speaks it and the circumstances of its delivery.

Words spoken that resonate within our hearts and souls are alive. And living words have the characteristics of life. They are brought forth and convey the manner in which they were created. Yes, they might be deprived, or even stripped of meaning, But, they may also be replete with grand implications.

This brings me to my question, "Do you trust in God?"  One might say that this is a reasonable assumption. As an example, "In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States. You can see this motto on U.S. paper currency. Therefore, if it's used on something as widely accepted as legal tender, then it must mean we trust in God, correct?

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines trust as: (n.) Assured resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship, or other sound principle, of another person; confidence; reliance. When it is layed out this way before us, trust in God becomes more comprehensible.

Certainly, it's easy for those of us who have fully placed our trust in God to understand this. However, those who have yet to make that decision might never do so, unless someone invites them to share in the joy and comfort that can only be had by trusting wholly in God.

Trusting in God is not a "sometimes" or "part-time" endeavor. We must trust in him at all times! This means that our trust cannot be in ourselves or anything else (e.g., jobs, money, celebrities, politicians, etc.) It is to be placed with Him, and Him only (Psalm 118:8)!

God implores that we have to be all in, or not at all. It is quite sad, really, that as we grow up, we trust less and less. In fact, we are told not to trust anyone. The psalmist even warns against trusting in man (Psalm 146:3). Is it any wonder that our minds are skewed towards skepticism and distrust?

Thankfully, God assures us that we can place our trust in him without any of the doubts that we might have with others. We can trust him to guide us when confronted with doubt. When we are in danger, we can trust he will be there. The same applies in times of need, and when we need strength to persevere. We can trust that He will be there.

In order to validate our trust, we must first present our needs and request to God. Then, we patiently surrender ourselves to Him; we pour out our hearts to him. Think of God as a refuge, or safe haven for all. We can safely confide and share with him; without any fear of discernment.

Will every wish or desire be granted by God. No. At least, not in the fashion of a genie and magic lamp. Unfortunately, things don't always turn out the way we want them to. This sometimes causes many to turn away from Him. Does this mean that God can't be trusted? No.

Trust in God should never be based on what one can derive from it. If this is all you want out of your relationship with God, then the chances are pretty good that you will be disappointed. When we place our trust with Him, we are displaying our personal faith in his mercy and grace. Simply put, In God We Trust!

Scripture: Psalm 22:4,5; Psalm 34:1,2; Job 13:15; Isaiah 26:4; Isaiah 50:10

Prayer: Holy Father, when everything around us is dark  and we feel weak and helpless, help us have perfect trust in Your protecting love, and strengthening power. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Heidi

Video - Beth Moore: Is Jesus Christ Real?

Bible teacher Beth Moore explains how she knows Jesus Christ is not an imaginary friend, but a living being. Nice message. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Bring Your Petitions to God!

"Woman may not fare well in world religions, but she is greatly loved by God who created her equal to man."  - Anne Graham Lotz

The five daughters (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah) of Zelophehad found themselves in a predicament as they entered the Promised Land (Numbers 27:1). Their father, of the tribe of Mannesseh (son of Joseph), had died during the Israelites' forty years in the wilderness without leaving any male heirs behind. Thus, left without any benefits of inheritance from their father they saw themselves as destitute.

Women in Israel were subject to very specific marriage restrictions when it came to inheriting any land or property. According to God's instruction, the promised land was to be parceled out only to the male members who were recorded in the census mentioned in Numbers 26:52-56.

The sisters did have, however, an expectation, and strong belief, that the Lord would take of care of this inheritance issue for them. Certainly, they could have protested and created a fuss, but they let God handle it.

The ladies appeared in front of the sacred tent, appealing their case in front of the whole community, which included prominent leaders such as, Moses and Eleazar the priest. They presented the argument that just because their father had died without any leaving male heirs, their family lineage should not be excluded from any land inheritance.

In addition, this had the potential to bring to pass injustice to their father's (Zelophehad) name and holdings. This particular situation gives us some perspective of a culture that is conscious of the connection between land ownership, and protecting the rights of its male descendants.

Realizing the implications of such an important decision, Moses seeks advice from God (Numbers 27:5-7). God decides in favor of the sisters and advises Moses to implement their proposal of inheritance. Furthermore, God elects to change the order of inheritance, therefore: when no other male heirs (sons) exist, a father's daughters shall have first rights to any inheritance; followed by other male relatives in sequential order (Numbers 27:8-11).

In the end, after ironing out some other details, it is decided that any other daughters who inherit land must marry within the clan of their father's tribe. In this way, as a result of marriage, land cannot be moved between tribes; which would. in effect, reduce Mannasite property holdings.

On a positive note, this story does have a happy ending. The daughters eventually marry men from their own clan and receive their proper entitlements (Joshua 17:3-6). As I mentioned earlier, these five women could have complicated things greatly by trying to go about challenging the law in a negative way. Instead, they wisely chose to let God handle the case for them.

They followed good protocol by approaching Moses and stating their plight and concerns to him. He, in turn, approached God with their case and sought guidance from the one, true authority. We too, should follow their example when difficult situations arise (1 Peter 5:7).

Rather than acting hastily and carelessly we should patiently approach and present our concerns, problems, or issues to God. No burden, or weight is too heavy for Him (Psalm 68:19). Though our strength may decline and weaken, God remains eternally strong.

If you, even as we speak, find yourself in a pressing situation, quandry, or predicament; ask God for assistance and He will help you as well, with His almighty power!

Scripture: John 14:13-14; Psalm 121:2; Philippians 4:13; Matthew 11:28; James 1:6-8

Prayer: Almighty God, may you always grant us, in times of deep distress, the comfort of the forgiveness of our sins; and in times of darkness give us blessed hope. May your Spirit also come upon us and uplift us, and your loving kindness and mercy guide safeley guide us through our days. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Charlene

Have You Talked to God Today?

“For the faithful, Spirit-filled Christian, every place becomes a place of prayer.”   -John F. MacArthur Jr.

One of the most important things that Christ modeled to all His disciples was the importance of taking time for prayer. No matter how busy he was with his public services, or spending social time among the families that his disciples worked with, He always made time for secret devotion.

Thus, if Jesus Christ found it necessary and advantageous to participate in personal devotion, think about how much more we, being the weak and imperfect creatures that we are, must need it, too

I don't have to tell that one of the most difficult things for most of us to do, as believers, is to set aside consistent, daily prayer time with God. Our schedules are brimming over with work, family obligations, social activities, etc. 21st century life leaves very little time for anything else.

Yet, we somehow manage to find time to check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any number of other social media sites, don't we? Our eyes are glued to our iPhones all day long, right? Sadly, somewhere in all of this busyness God gets squeezed out of our day. He becomes something to shuffle around on the schedule for another day, or even worse, He becomes merely an afterthought.

But, did you know that there are many benefits to be derived from making time to commune with God on a daily basis? I'm not talking about praying that you win the lottery, or waking up to find a new car sitting in the driveway. It goes much deeper, and is far more substantial than that.

God desires hearing from you and I! Just as your best friend loves to hear from you, say, at the end of an interesting day. Or, when you make a phone call to someone thanking them for being so thoughtful and gracious, He wants to hear from us, too!

If you think special rules, requirements, or a state of mind are needed in order to pray to God, guess again. There aren't any! There is mention made of: kneeling in prayer (1 Kings 8:54, 2; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Psalms 95:6, etc.), bowing and laying spread out on the ground (Genesis 24:26, 52; Exodus 4:31; 12:27; Matthew 26:39, etc.), spreading out the hands (1 Kings 8:22, 38, 54; 1Timothy 2:8, etc.), standing (1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 8:14, 55; Mark 11:25, etc.) but that's all you will find.

Daily prayer should not be forced (like going to the dentist!) It should be something that we look forward to doing. I know that it can be challenging for some Christians to humble themselves in daily prayer; especially if you're not used to it. Some mature believers may even find that their prayers have become hum-drum, or lethargic, and lacking in spontaneity.

The worst thing you can do is give up on daily prayer altogether! It doesn't matter whether you are a prayer newbie, or a seasoned, veteran petitioner, you should think of prayer as the best way to communicate with God.

How long would a relationship with a good friend last if you did not communicate with them for a long time? Probably not very long. That is why it's so important to keep up a daily dialogue with God. When we engage in daily prayer with God, we are really having daily fellowship with Him.

Isn't it wonderful that God wants to hear from us on a daily, consistent basis? Maintaining a daily prayer routine with God helps us to stay connected with Him, and understand how much He loves us as His children.

Scripture: Psalm 34:17; Ephesians 6:18; Jeremiah 33:3; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 8:26

Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for your guidance and all you have provided. May I never lose sight of everything you have provided and blessed me with. I honor and praise you with all of my heart and soul. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Kylee

Deepening Faith - Volume 1: Number 6: Futility in Keeping Up Appearances

"The soul is known by it's acts."  - St. Thomas Aquinas

We all know what it means to "put on an act." In it's raw form, it describes pretending to be something other than what we are; usually to impress others.

The bottom line is that someone is trying portray his/herself as something they're not. The end result of living our lives this way is the eventual punishment we will receive. You see, by deceiving others, we are really deceiving ourselves. Whats more, our success in this deception only serves to secure our delusion.

This type of hypocrisy is presented to us in Matthew 23:25, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence."

The scribes and Pharisees were strict proponents of the law, and hardline opponents to the gospel of Christ (Matthew 15:8-9). The conversion of followers to their side drove their sects. However, this was not done purely for the glory of God, and the well-being of souls. Elevating membership and the recognition they received was their motive. It was all about their own gain rather than God's (Matthew 23:5).

How many of us, at this moment, are living deceitful, self-indulgent lives, yet call ourselves true Christians? We convey a false, conflicting message to others who may recognize us as believers in Christ, but witness the obvious pretense in our lives (Romans 2:1).

The reality of the example we set by following this woeful path is both worthless, and injurious. The indisputable evidence reveals an underlying problem. It indicates that what we may perceive to be outwardly true about a person can be miscontrued.

Fallen men possess a similar characteristic.They are disposed to purifying only the outside; even going to greater pains to appear pure; more than being pure. Absolutely, outward purity can be beneficial and praiseworthy.

However, if this is result of an impure heart, it is both deceptive and empty. Fortunately for us, God sees the inner reality. Only a heart that is absolved of sin is a sure producer of genuine and permanent purity of life (Romans 12:9).

God evaluates one's character by the state, or attributes of his/her heart. It is no secret that our hearts are naturally corrupt, therefore unworthy in his sight. Therefore, in order to obtain, or receive His favor (make ourselves acceptable to God) it is necessary to undergo an effectual cleansing. This purging must begin in one's heart.
 
Why is this cleansing necessary? Without it our external appearance remains impure. Besides, it may result in some undesirable affects, such as: hindrance of prayer, being offensive to God, and cause self-destructiveness.

How do we go about depurating our sin-tainted hearts? This cannot be done merely by desiring to do so. Neither following strict, religious laws and rules or repentance (Isaiah 29:13). Nor can it be accomplished through external reformations.

The deep cleansing that is required can only be procured through one source, and one source only; the precious blood of Jesus. True righteousness comes from the inner transformation of the Holy Spirit, not an external conformity (1 Peter 1:16).

Thus, my beloved, I implore you not to put of the removal of sin a minute longer. Delay only increases the difficulty; and the commands of God tolerate no delay!

Scripture: Romans 3:23; Matthew 7:5-6; Revelation 2:2; Amos 5:21-27; Hosea 8:13   

Prayer: Holy Father, I want to honor you with every word that comes from my mouth; and every action I perform throughout the day. I pray for a contrite heart, and that I may never be condemnatory toward others. Amen

May you have a blessed weekend!

Constance

Satisfy Your Thirsty Soul

"God has made us for Himself, and we are restless till we find our rest in Him."  - Augustine

There are probably very few of us who have experienced the anguish of extreme hunger. And, even fewer still who have known the the torment of intense thirst. But, of the two, most will testify that thirst, far and away, is the worst.

There is another type of thirst that touches us in a more deep, and profound way. It is the thirst that the devout believer always has for God. As an example, I refer you to Psalm 42:2. David wrote this when he was forced to flee Jerusalem because of the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:16).

His inspiration for writing this poem was his hasty retreat from Jerusalem. As a fugitive, he fled the Holy City and felt he had lost his close connection to God. For those of us who are of the New Covenant, we know this isn't so. But for David, he associated God with a physical setting.

David, whom was accustomed to approaching God within the walls of the sancturary, viewed his being cut-off from the tabernacle and its ceremonies as a sort of disconnection from God himself. Therefore, in his perceived state of banishment his "thirst" for God grew ever more intense.

Interestingly, no O.T. verse tells of living water that flows from either a believer, or the Messiah. There are, however, many Scriptures that express God's provision of water as evidence of his grace and as an image of his gift of life in his presence (Exodus 17:1-6; Ezekiel 47:1-11; Zechariah 14:8).

In David's case, the soul's longing for God is indeed a "thirst." And, God is the flowing, living water of the fountain of life from which flows a grace that is infinite, and also quenches the thirsty soul (Psalm 36:9; 63:1; 146:6; Isaiah 55:1).

Even the most devoted believer may experience a weakening of the thirst for God. One may go for months or years without understanding the craving in his heart. Does this mean that our thirst for Him could possibly die? (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13)

Each of us possess many feelings. Some of these might be subdued, but not eradicated. The thirst for the living God happens to be one which cannot be quelled. Yes, it may be possible to dampen or deaden the capacity for God, but as long as His light remains burning within, it still exists.

Many are unaware that they thirst for Him. For all they have gained, they still lack fulfillment; as if something is missing. Perhaps a circumstance, or situation turned turned them away from Him. Yet that feeling of deficiency still gnaws away at their insides. Thus, God often teaches his children the worth of His mercies by causing us to desire them.

Beyond question, the best antidote against an uneasy, thirsting spirit is a believing confidence in God. Only by resting in the God of our mercies may we cast our miseries aside. You might be thinking, "How does the Christian go about satisfying this thirst of his soul?"

I have included some suggestions you might use to help satisfy spirtual thirst for God. 1) Study, study, study God's word daily, Be consistent in your reading of Scripture. 2) Try exercising deep reflection about Him. Consider all He has done and provided in your life.

3) I cannot stress the importance of prayer and praise! Daily prayer is essential to the Christan life. 4) Although this may be difficult, the avoidance of sin also plays a large part in our lives. 5) And finally, keep your eyes on the prize! Our focus should always be on heaven and not on earthly things.

Let God gratify your "thirst" for His loving mercy and grace today, won't you?

Scripture: John 4:14; John 7:37; Revelation 22:17; Matthew 25:35; Isaiah 44:3

Prayer: Holy Father, place in my heart a desire to please You and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love, so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace. I pray that Your light will always burn brightly in my heart. Amen

May God bless!

Elise

Video - Beth Moore: A Scar Becomes a Song

Beth Moore tells an amazing true story about a young girl whose scars led to greatness. Inspiring story!  ~Eve

How's Your Attitude In A Crisis?

"Spiritual strongholds begin with a thought. One thought becomes a consideration. A consideration develops into an attitude, which leads then to action. Action repeated becomes a habit, and a habit establishes a "power base for the enemy," that is, a stronghold."   - Elisabeth Elliot

"What is your attitude like when facing a crisis?" I've chosen this question as the topic of my message today. Hopefully, you might put some honest thought into this question. It's not an easy question to answer. The fact is, most of us won't truly see what kind of  "attitude" we have until we're actually in a stressful situation.

Someone once made the observation that the mortality rate is the same all over the world: one death per person. In Luke 8:41-42; 49-56, we read about a young woman who died. To this young woman's father, this was a crisis! Although we might think we know a lot about death and how to handle it; the death of someone we love remains a critical event.

Reviewing the story of the young woman's death teaches us important lessons that can help in times of crises. I would like to point out at least four of these that are found within the narrative. Let us call the first attitude the "attitude of the fatalist."

You might be familiar with the hollow ring of this one. This attitude is exempified by such thoughts as; "What's the use of bothering anyone? What's done is done." Or. "That's it! It's hopeless. It's done!" This type of attitude, and pessimistic thinking is telling us that this world is hopeless.

I will call the next attitude, the "attitude of the father." Faced with the loss of his only child, the father in our story did not go into "panic mode." Nor, did he feel like a victim of despair. He remained open to assistance (Luke 8:41). People can be helped only if the are open to it. An open mind and heart gives God a chance to step in and help.

Let's call the third attitude, "the attitude of the friends." Honestly, Peter, James, and John probably had some strong doubts as they followed Jesus inside the father's home (Luke 8:51). Even so, I surmise that they were present, or thoughtfully aware of the situation, and were sympathetic to it. This provides us with an excellent demonstration of the supportive power that can be had by sharing the load with friends.

I call our final attitude, "the attitude of the Friend." Of course, the friend is Jesus Christ, who has the best attitude of all! While speaking about the girl's condition, he refers to her as "sleeping," and not "dead." Death is referenced in this way many times in the New Testament (Luke 8:52).

Many have debated this point, but for our purposes let's follow this train of thought. Jesus is telling us here that sleep means "relief." Our troubles and cares melt away like the fading day. It means "rest." Our weary body, mind, and soul finally rests in that sleep. It means "refreshment." Think about how you feel upon awakening after a good, solid night's sleep.

And last, but most importantly, sleep means "ressurection." We lie down to rise up in that great Morning that will greet us! (Luke 8:54-55) Much of the way we live life is a product of our "attitude." I encourage each and every one of you to strive for the mind of Christ. Pray that we may have his attitude no matter what crises we might encounter in our lives.

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15; Proverbs 17:22; James 4:10; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 13:15    

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray for an attitude such as yours to help me through my day. I am weak, and easily swayed by negative thoughts and episodes. May your loving and merciful hands lift and refresh me when I find myself starting to stumble. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Kasey

Is Restoration What You Need?

"Jesus Christ became Incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that man might stand before Him as He was created to do, the friend and lover of God Himself."   - Oswald Chambers

Some friends of ours are in the process of restoring an older home they had purchased last summer. It's a nice, little home, kept in fairly good condition by the previous owners, but still in need of some TLC.

The outside of the house appears to be in good condition, a little worn in places, but nothing a fresh coat of paint can't fix. The inside is obviously in need of some work, and updating. Nevertheless, our friends seem happy about their purchase, and proud of the work they have completed so far.

While inspecting the house prior to buying it, they told us that about the only big things that needed immediate attention were the roof, which had a few minor leaks, and some of the plumbing. Both of these were the result of aging, and not a deal-breaker, as they enjoy "restoration" projects, anyway.

Restoration is mentioned in the Bible, too. As a matter of fact, both the Old and New Testaments use words like "restore" and "renew" in reference to God's control of history and the believer's spiritual life (2 Corinthians 13:11).

Now, the regular dictionary meaning of "restoration" is to return, or restore something back to its original condition. This is what our friends are doing with their home, for example. On the other hand, the biblical meaning goes a little deeper than that.

In the biblical meaning, "restoration" is to receive, or get back more than has been lost. So much so, that what one gets back is even greater than what was originally lost (Matthew 6:33). In other words, someone or something is generously improved over their/its original condition.

Time and time again in the Bible you will see God blessing people both for their faith, and for staying the course when things got rough. He not only made up for what they had lost, but gave them even more than they had before! (Job 42:10)

What was the key for them then, and us now? Repentance and faith. We must first repent of our sins, admit our transgressions, and pray for forgiveness. It can't work any other way (Jeremiah 29:11). For us to be "restored" in God, we must cease our sinful, disobedience to Him. "Restoration" will not occur without a sincere, repentant heart (James 5:16 ).

Wouldn't it be wonderful to begin this new year in a better condition "spiritually" than last? Certainly, we are able to "renew" and "restore" our relationship with God any time of the year. In fact, that door is always open to us no matter what (Jeremiah 32:27). Our loving and merciful Father in Heaven perpetually awaits with open arms.

If you're relationship is broken, and in need of repair, there is no time like the present to take that first step toward renewing that connection (John 5:24). And, even if you've never had one before; not to worry! God's open invitation of "restoration" extends to one and all! Won't you join Him?

Scripture: Jeremiah 30:17; Psalm 51:12; 1 Peter 5:10; Mark 11:24; Acts 3:21  

Prayer: Holy Father, I pray to restore and renew our relationship which I have let slip away. I am guilty of trying to live life without your love and guidance. I realize now, the terrible mistake I have made. I pray for forgiveness of my sins, and come to You with a renewed faith and spirit. Amen

God bless you!

Tamara

Deepening Faith - Volume 1: Number 5: The Regenerate Spirit

“The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being sense its kinship to God and leaps us in joyous recognition. That is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the Kingdom of God.”   - A.W. Tozer

Recently, I viewed a television program in which some Christians were sharing their being "born again." Their testimonials were inspiring and much praise was given to the Lord. It really was a good program, but afterwards I wondered, "How many of us truly understand what it means to be "born again?"

We hear this phrase being used a lot, some, I would say, even toss it about as if they were name-dropping or somehow seeking approval from others. Is this what Christ meant by one being "born again?" Are we somehow wearing our conviction to faith like a badge hanging from our necks on a lanyard for the world to see?

In search of some answers, I began with John 3:1-7. Here we find a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus; an educated, upstanding member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. The learned Pharisee was obviously intrigued enough about the "signs" which Jesus had performed to seek a private meeting with him.

After Jesus mentions one being "born again" before he can see the kingdom of God (John 3:3 KJV), Nicodemus asks: "How can a grown man ever be born a second time?"  His question is perfectly understandable, after all, it is impossible for a second "physical" birth. I can only imagine what must have been running through Nicodemus' mind. But, what was Jesus hinting at?

We know at least this much. We are natural, first-born sinners brought into a sinful world. It's not the fault of our biological parents, or grandparents; all are born this way. Without going into great detail, the reason for our predicament can be traced back to Adam and Eve.

When one becomes "born again," we think of this as the change, or transformation by the Holy Spirit in the life of a repentant sinner after being converted to Christ. This signifies that the sinner has "died to sin" and is now "born again," or renewed into righteousness (John 1:12-13; 2 Peter 1:1-4).

The doctrine of regeneration, or the "new birth" is one of the fundamental doctrines of Christian faith. And, it is not limited to the initial act of renewal when we are first converted to Christ. It is the Holy Spirit continually working within us, renewing and transforming our very lives as we submit to the authority of Christ, and His word over the course of our journey with him (Romans 12:2).

We can understand what Jesus was attempting to explain to Nicodemus. It is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one. He has taken us back to the beginning from where we stand now. Our old, sinful life has been shed like a cocoon, revealing a beautiful, renewed spirit that has been bathed in the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Sin has been forgiven; our spirit regenerated. Our lives, now being firmly committed to God, are no longer conformed to the Godless world system. Truly belonging to God, we are forever changed. Our hearts and minds are renewed and transformed to the standards of God's kingdom. We are absolutely "born again!"

Scripture: Leviticus 20:7-8; Ezekiel 18:30-31; John 17:17-19; Acts 26:18; Titus 3:3-6

Prayer: Dear Lord, I worship You with all that I am, with my undivided adoration. Please give me a heart only for You, and a constant longing after you. Arouse within me a deep passion for You. Amen

May you have a blessed weekend,

Constance

Don't Be A Slave to Sin

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."  - John 8:7

Read a newspaper, watch a news broadcast on television, or log onto any news website. You'll see a profusion of human behavior at its worst. One has to wonder, "Is this really what we have become?" Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not an angel by any stretch of the imagination. So, I am not excluding, nor excusing myself from any of this (Isaiah 53:6).

Yes, there's a smattering of "happy-huggy-good-feeling" stories, but for the most part it is the bad or "negative" news that jumps out at us. Some people blame the media for highlighting only the bad. Some studies have shown that "bad" news definitely outweighs the "good" by as much as 17:1.

But, truth be told, even if you're not much of a traditional news media person (i.e., television, newspaper), we still catch a lot of negativity through social networking and old-fashioned conversation. It appears there isn't any way to avoid it even if we wanted to. But, why is this? Why is it so difficult for us to be "good?"

The Bible provides a good answer for all of this anger, discord, and dissension. It tells us that the problem lies with "us" and our sinful nature. I'm not talking about theory or practice here. I mean our very nature is "sinful." Sin permeates our entire being. This sounds ugly, doesn't it? Well, it should because it describes our warped souls (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

The Bibles refers to our "sinful flesh" (Romans 8:3), or our "earthly nature (Colossians 3:5). Romans 6:6 tells us that we are ruled by sin. Everything we do or say while living in this world is affected by our sinful and corrupt nature. That means that throughout our mortal lives we struggle with sin.

The apostle Paul expounded on our naturally rebellious nature against God (Romans 3:18). Unfortunately, many make the mistake that once you become a Christian this inherently, sinful nature is magically erased. We inherited our sin from Adam and it is a permanent part of our being. Sorry!

Does this mean that we are slaves to sin? It may be true that we are born to sin, but we are not born a slave to sin. We only become habitual sinners when we give in to our sinful nature ( Romans 6:16; 7:14-23). Perhaps somewhere along the line you got the idea that we (man) cannot resist our sinful urges, or overcome our sinful nature. Not true! Christians can, and must say no to sin.

We are endowed with the power of God through the Holy Spirit to oppose our sinful urges, and the authority of Our Father, whom we, as Christians, now serve. What this means is that sin has no real control over us unless we allow it (Romans 6:17-18, 22; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

So where does this leave us? Can we do anything to change the "bad" news that we see all around us? Is there anything that we can do individually to make a difference? As we have just discussed, we all have an innate, sinful nature. We can't change this fact, it's part of our being, However, we don't have to succumb to it.

Make no mistake, it will take some effort on your part. Not everyone is willing to make the effort to do so, thus kidding themselves into thinking they are saved. We don't lose our sinful nature simply by coming to Christ (or being born again). Scripture tells us that sin never goes away, and that we will wrestle with it our entire lives (Romans 5:12 ).

Despite this, there is good news. Due to the empowering of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our sinful attributes. This may be accomplished by eliminating every obstacle that sin presents in our lives, and resisting the temptation of sin (Galatians 5:16).

Each of us have been given divine assistance to help combat sin. When the Spirit of God takes up residence within us, we, as believers, are supplied with the power to withstand and defeat the urge to sin. In this world, there will always be sin and the negative effects it produces. But, with God's help we don't have to let it control our lives.

Scripture: Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 3:6-9; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8-9

Prayer: Holy Father, graciously listen to my prayers; and free my heart from the temptations of evil thoughts; that I may be worthy of having the Holy Spirit reside within me. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Charlene

Video - Jen Hatmaker: Transparency

Jen Hatmaker, the author of "For The Love," talks about the need for transparency in our artificial world. Good information to think about!  ~Eve

A New Beginning (Look to God)

"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been."  - Rainer Maria Rilke

Whether they involve calendar years, relationships, or a new creation, a new beginning is always exciting, When you think of the word "beginning," what comes to mind? The dictionary definition of "beginning" is given as: the point in time or space at which something starts.

Classical Greek philosopher Plato said, "The beginning is the most important part of the work." I tend to agree with him. A certain amount of thought and consideration is required when undertaking any new beginning. It's not uncommon to invest heavily at the outset in order to up the chance of success. Let's take a look at an example...

The beginning of a new (romantic) relationship entails something along these lines. To make a good first impression with someone we carefully dress, act, and speak accordingly. It's important to lay a solid groundwork. Then, we let human nature take its course from there.

Though even with the utmost diligence and preparation, there is no guarantee of success. For the fortunate, perhaps a long-lasting relationship lies ahead. For others, the relationship will fizzle out early on.

No matter whether the relationship takes flight, or not, two things are common across the board. There is a beginning, and at some point (which varies for everyone) an end. And so it goes with human relationships. However, there is one clear exception. It is our relationship with God.

Unlike the uncertainty that encompasses human relationships, there is one where the word "beginning" takes on a different, unmistakable meaning. I am alluding to the opening verse in the first book of the Bible: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

This indeed is the ultimate beginning. the beginning of all beginnings, if you will. Without embarking on a lengthy treatise of Genesis, I would simply like to focus on "In the beginning..." Remember the definition of "beginning" that was given earlier? It is the point at which something starts. Nothing existed beforehand. There was no universe. galaxy, solar system, earth, you, nor I.  (Hebrews 11:3)

Well, almost nothing. God was there (John 1:1). Why did God create all of this? No one can say. Did He have to create any of this? No. There are so many questions, but they can only be answered by God himself. I can't wait to ask him about them someday. But, there is one thing I do feel comfortable about commenting on now. I think He did all of this out of "love." (Jeremiah 29:11)

You see, what good is any of this if it can't be shared with someone you love. Maybe I'm being too simplistic, You say, "But God couldn't have been lonely, after all he has his hosts of angels for company." That's true, but it's not quite the same thing. We are made in His image; we are His children (Romans 8:16).

God's creation of the heavens and earth was the "beginning" of our relationship with Him. Think about it. How can you truly express love without sharing? Greed, lust, envy, etc., are all human characteristcs attributed to our flawed and sinful nature. God is perfect; without flaw. He is our Father. And, what proud parent wouldn't want to share his love with his children? (Genesis 1:27)

When God brought forth his creation, it was a new "beginning." This was also the beginning of his relationship with us. Believe me, He didn't just slap all of this together on a whim. Careful and loving attention went into this. It also went into creating us.

Take a look around at all of God's creation. He didn't do this for himself, he did it for us, his children. Sadly, we haven't been the most grateful, respectful, or obedient children. We've hurt him in inumerable ways over time. Yet, He still love us immensely. So much so, that he even sent His Only Son to die for our transgressions (John 3:16).

New beginnings can be exciting, and sometimes a little daunting. As you embark on this new year, in addition to a fresh, new outlook on life, why not take up a fresh, new "beginning" with God? (1 John 2:24)

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1; Psalm 104:5; Genesis 2:7; Revelation 4:11; Job 37:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for letting your light shine on me every day of the year. Thank you that I may always lift my eyes to you, whose right hand will bring true order to everything, even in difficult times. Give my heart the strength to be faithful, and the strength to glorify you always. Amen

God bless you!

Louise

Change Up Your Life with Christ!

"Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will."  -Jonathan Edwards

First of all, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy 2016! I hope the holidays went well for you and your families. I must admit it was a little hectic around our house, but we all managed to survive in good shape!

One sure sign of the beginning of another new year is the inundation of advertisements for weight-loss programs, various types of clutter organizers, and exercise machinery; to name only a few. The aim of all of this is to entice us, maybe shame us, into a complete do-over for the new year.

Yes, I am guilty of too many goodies, and not enough exercise (I blame it on the weather) during the holidays. Of course, watching all of those informercials doesn't help, either. And, as for any new resolutions this year, let me just say this: I learned my lesson long ago (I won't elaborate on this!)

I know that many of us also get a little spiritually spent from time to time. You know the feeling. We start getting lax about reading the Bible, we begin to sleep in on Sunday rather than go to church, maybe our prayer lives aren't what they were, or could be, and so on and so forth.

Even if your spiritual life is on fire and everything's going great a little tune-up couldn't hurt, right? And what better time to assess your relationship with Jesus Christ than the present. This just might be the ideal time to joosh-up a lackluster spiritual life! (Psalm 51:10)

It's not often in life that we are given an opportunity for a "do-over." Usually, if we mess up we are out of luck. Fortunately, this is not the case when it comes to our relationship with Christ. There is no obstacle, sticking point, or sin too great to overcome. If we fall, He's there to help us to our feet. When we cry, He's there to give us comfort; when we slip up and sin, He offers forgiveness. (James 3:2)

Maybe some of you feel that things have gone too far, and there's nothing that could ever be done to repair your relationship with Him. Or, that it's too late to try and establish a relationship with Christ at this stage in the game. Not a chance; on both counts! (Isaiah 55:6)

That's the beauty of walking with Christ. He doesn't judge, point fingers, whisper behind your back, or give you funny looks. There is nothing that you or I could do to ever change the way He feels about us. Christ embodies pure, non-judgmental, and forgiving love (Psalm 119:105).

Sadly, a lot of people spend their entire lives looking for fulfillment in earthly things. They pin their hopes and dreams on jobs, careers, relationships, clothes, houses, cars, etc. I'm not saying that these are necessarily bad, but they can all disappear at any time. They are not "sure" things (Colossians 3:2).

As I said earlier, maybe now might be a good time to take another look at your spiritual life. Why not set some fresh, new goals in regards to your journey with Christ over the next year. If some things didn't work for you this past year, toss them and try something else. Fresh out of ideas? Pray and ask God for inspiration, you just might be pleasantly surprised!

Honestly, it's never too late to strike up, or fix a relationship with Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:10). As long as you sincerely seek Him, and are willing to commit your life to him, He will take care of the rest. Dust off that Bible and crack it open; attend a church in your community; re-new your prayer life. These are a few suggestions that will help get the ball rolling.

There is no more important relationship than one with Jesus. He is always available to us. He won't force himself on you, or make you feel guilty if you don't take him up on his offer. It's totally our call, our decision to come to Him. He wants us to have ownership in our relationship with him. (Romans 15:29)

I hope this will help make 2016 the best spirit-filled year you've had so far. Additionally, I close today by quoting from Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Here's to a happy and blessed new year to all of you!

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:13; Philippians 2:5; Psalm 119:11

Prayer: Almighty and eternal God, draw our hearts close to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, and control our minds, so that we may be wholly yours, and utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Valleree