Forgive Others as God Forgave Us

"We need not climb up into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven: let us look into our hearts, and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt but God hath forgiven us." - Thomas Watson

I don't think too many of you would disagree that forgiveness is one of the hardest things we are called upon to do. Some would rather suffer through a root canal procedure than to have to forgive. Although forgiveness can be problematic for many, it is one of the basics of the Christian life (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).

We are all too familiar with things that hurt and offend us. We may also be misunderstood. lied to, and even cast off. Who can blame anyone for hesitating to offer forgiveness? However, it is crucial that one learns how to properly respond when confronted with an episode that may provoke anger, resentment, jealousy, etc. If not, this could very easily lead to personal, health, and mental issues down the road.

The root word of forgiveness is "forgive." This can be similar to mean wiping the board clean, pardoning, or canceling a debt or obligation. Instead of trying to get even (revenge) or allowing anger to fester, we seek the forgiveness of the other party. Restoration of the relationship cannot be restored without this.

Let's examine how forgiveness relates to our relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't have to tell that if anyone needs forgiveness it's you and I. Our biggest problem is our battle with sin in our lives. Fortunately, the forgiveness we have in Christ releases us (sinners) from God's penalty. This means the total dismissal of all allegations against us (Romans 8:1).

As such, we should follow God's example of forgiveness when it comes to our forgiveness of others (Ephesians 4:32). Naturally, this doesn't suggest that we place ourselves in harms way, or be accepting of the other person's unflagging, sinful behavior. Not at all. I'm saying that we release them from the offense that was perpetrated against us. Forgive them as God forgave us (Ephesians 4:31-32; Romans 5:8)

The importance of forgiveness in our lives cannot be stressed enough. As a matter of fact, Scripture exhorts us to forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 6:14; Luke 11:4). By refusing to do so only serves to demonstrate bitterness, resentment, and anger toward others. Additionally, none these are characteristics are those of a healthy Christian who is growing and maturing in his faith.

Of course, one must take each instance of injustice on an individual basis. Other factors might contribute to another person's hurtful, or wrongful behaviors such as abuse, trauma, or loss. In this case, they may require additional time to work through their issues.

The best thing we can do for them is to listen, and offer our support. Part of forgiveness is knowing when to step back if that is the best strategy to take. There is no rush here. Patience, time, and space may be just what they need. Above all, allow God to bring them to forgiveness in His own good time.

And finally, regarding forgiveness, God makes a promise to us. When we come to Him, confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness, He will grant it to us through the righteousness of Christ (1 John 1:9). Thus, following His example, we should extend our forgiveness, without any stipulations, to others (Luke 17:3-4).

Scripture: Mark 11:25; Luke 6:27; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 15:18; Matthew 5:44

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for the forgiveness of my sins, and the humility to offer the same to others who have acted unjustly or dishonestly towards me. Amen

May God bless your day!

Kerri

A New Attitude...A New You!

"Conversion is a turning onto the right road. The next thing to do is to walk on it."  - Charles Spurgeon

Change is a major player in our lives. For example, we have the changing of the seasons during the year. We might move our residence from one place to another, resulting in a change of address and location.

Changes in our work situation can cause a change of jobs or employment, too. Even our marital status may change from single to married, or married to divorced. I suppose that most change, other than natural changes, are due to decisions by either ourselves, others, or both.

Although, there's not a whole lot that we can do about the changing of the seasons. There are some changes we can make in our lives that can affect us profoundly. In fact, one of the most important changes we can make is when we exchange our old, sin nature for the new nature Christ gives us.

This change of sinful nature, or change of direction, is otherwise known as conversion. How does this affect us? You see, when we humbly come to Christ, confess our sins to Him, turn away from it, and seek His ways, our whole perspective changes.

You might be more familiar with conversion because of the convert or person who has made this change towards Jesus Christ. Now, to some this may sound very similar to repentance, however, there is a difference. Let's try to break it down for you, or make it easier to see the differences.

When someone repents they first have to admit that their way of thinking was wrong. Then, he must change his entire way of thinking wrongly to that of beginning to think rightly. Repentance involves completely changing your mind set about something. We do this when we starting thinking as God thinks, and seeing things just as He does.

Okay, now let's turn our attention to conversion. Have you ever driven down a road for a while then suddenly realized you were headed in the wrong direction? What happens? You decide that you need to turn around, or change direction. Conversion is like this in that it involves a "change of direction."

Thus, when we are converted, we are struck with the realization that we're going the wrong way. We then have to turn to the living God and start going in His way. Does this happen to everyone? Well, though it may be true that we all have the opportunity to turn it (our lives) around, not everyone takes advantage of this.

Luke 1:16 shows us that it is possible to "turn" our lives around. While in Isaiah 6:9-10. Isaiah wrote about some who refused to convert, choosing rather to go on living their sinful lives. Therefore, conversion is possible, but not always chosen by some.

Interestingly, even though there are differences between repentance and conversion. they really do need one another. After all, what good is changing your mind (repentance) if you don't change the direction you're going (conversion)?

We all fall far short of being perfect like God (Romans 3:10, 23; Isaiah 53:6). And as such, there's no way that we could ever please God by anything we'd do on our own. In this sad state we are doomed to be eternally separated from Him (Romans 6:23, 8:8; John 3:16-18). We need to be able to change this. But how?

A word of caution, here. We can't convert ourselves. Fortunately, for us, Jesus came and took care of this problem for us. He came to earth, died in our place, and rose again, conquering death and sin for all time (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Thus, taking on the punishment our sin deserves.

In turn, He offers to exchange His perfection for our imperfection; making us appear righteous and presentable to God (2 Corinthians 5:21). So how does this all tie into our conversion toward Jesus Christ? It's not that big of a leap as you might think!

When you or I finally admit that we can't keep on living like we have been, we admit to Christ how helpless we are apart from Him. We tell him that we are more than ready to change our life's direction, that we are ready, willing, and able to embrace Him as our Lord and Savior (Acts 3:19; Romans 10:9).

By faith, we place our lives into His capable hands (Hebrews 11:1). And it is through the exercising of faith, which is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), that we are converted. Conversion incorporates: changing direction, changing allegiance, and worshiping God instead of self-worship.

Finally, conversion is a total transformation of the heart. The way a person walks, talks, and acts is affected. This continues until their entire life has been converted from living in sin, to living for God (Romans 6:6-7).

Scripture: Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Romans 15:13; James 4:8; John 8:32

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for Your guidance, mercy, and presence in my life. Because of You, my heart is like a compass, always pointing in Your direction. And as long as I stay on this path, I know I will always be walking toward You. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Jenn

Friday Faith Check-up: Renewal of The Soul Requires Maintenance

"As well might a gnat seek to drink in the ocean, as a finite creature to comprehend the Eternal God. A God whom we could understand would be no God. If we could grasp Him, He could not be infinite. If we could understand Him, He could not be divine."  - Charles Spurgeon

We know the importance of maintaining our health. Doctors and health experts constantly remind us of this. Whether we follow their instructions or not is another story. Still, if our health deteriorates, so does our quality of life. And with rising medical costs, health maintence is more important than ever.

My husband always knows when it's time to have our vehicles serviced. The rule of thumb for all things mechanical is: Maintain it, or you will soon have problems. Besides our physical health and mechanical objects there is another often overlooked part of our lives that requires maintenance, too.

I have run across many good, well-meaning and intelligent people who are under the assumption that once you become a Christian that's it. Like a tattoo, you don't have to do anything with it as far as maintenance goes. Once you get one, it's permanent and not really a concern. (For the record, I don't have any myself. I just thought I'd mention this!)

But seriously, there is some maintenance involved once you become a Christian and live the Christian life. I'd like to share some maintenance check-up points with you this week. We may compare these to the check-list a mechanic will perform on your vehicle when you take it in for service or repair. This check-list, however, applies to the maintenance of our souls.

Like a finely, tuned machine, we must keep our souls in good condition. So, what can we do to make sure everything is, and stays, in good working order in our Christian lives? Let's begin with the daily renewal of our inner man, or soul (2 Corinthians 4:16). The soul is the undecaying, or immortal part of you and I.

Renewal occurs in series of acts. For instance, our lives depend on daily renewal through food, air, exercise, etc. Thinkers must constantly study, meditate, read; otherwise old knowledge, to a large extent, dies out. Similarly, yesterday's religion fades away. Therefore, we must keep updating it; break fresh heavenly bread; have current interaction between our conscience and heart with God. Our renewal must be a daily one.

The daily reading of the Word is another point to address (Nehemiah 8:18). I cannot stress enough the importance of daily Bible reading and study. How can one expect to grow and mature in the Christian life without it? Once the habit of reading Scripture on a daily basis is acquired, renewal and revitalization becomes more attainable. The boost to your inner man is priceless!

Along with daily reading of the Word, daily prayer to the Lord is critical to the renewal of the soul (Psalm 76:3). This is something that we all should want to do daily. Daily prayer with God is daily fellowship with our heavenly Father. He desires to hear our supplications and praises alike. Prayer doesn't have any special requirements, nor does it need any equipment. Just your sincere desire to talk to God, and to listen to what He has to say to you.

Daily Praising of the Lord is the glorious recognition that He is the grand object of universal admiration and love (Psalm 72:15). There is no one greater. We owe our very existence to Him. He is the expression of all excellence (love, benevolence, truth, justice, authority). We are definitely His workmanship.

Yet another part of daily maintenance of our soul is the daily exhortation, or encouragement of each other (Hebrews 3:13). Think of this as being in a support group with fellow believers. Who among us hasn't felt a little beat up spiritually now and then? It's nice to have others who can relate to what you are going through. Being good listeners, shoulders to cry on, and cheerleaders for each other can and does make a difference. I can attest to this personally!

Finally, we as Christians all have a daily cross to bear (Luke 9:23). Honestly, if you became a Christian because you thought it would be a cake walk, then you are in for some disappointment. It will be anything but. Daily afflictions, trials, and persecutions are pretty much the norm every day for the people of God. But we are to continually submit to, and carry this weight with cheerfulness and love.

The points we touched on today are vital in keeping our inner man in top condition. The maintenance of our souls is not difficult if we put in the time and effort. You will find that with proper upkeep your Christian life should continue to strengthen and flourish for years to come!

Scripture: Psalm 51:10; Romans 12:2; Revelation 21:4; Ephesians 4:23; 2 Corinthians 7:1

Prayer: Dear Lord, hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Amen  - Psalms 51: 9-12

Have a blessed and safe weekend!

Kaye

The Faithful Christian Life

"I believe that the happiest of all Christians and the truest of Christians are those who never dare to doubt God, but take His Word simply as it stands, and believe it, and ask no questions, just feeling assured that if God has said it, it will be so." - Charles Spurgeon

If one were to wonder what a Christian is, and then attempt to search for a definition of one, they might run across something along the lines of this: “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.”

This in itself isn't a bad description or definition of one. However, there's a little more to this than what any dictionary might define. A person who believes in Jesus Christ and his teachings is only part of it. If one truly is a follower of Christ, then they must partake in a "life of faith," as well .

There are a few key components of what we call the Christian life which one strives to live by. As was said above, the Christian life is a life of faith. Without faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are basically dead in the water. Let's discuss this life of faith for a moment.

Hebrews 11:1 is a good starting point.  Faith in Christ is what we (Christians) live by. Admittedly, it's hard to believe in something that can't be confirmed by our natural senses. This is where many fall by the wayside. They can't accept something on "faith," but this is necessary and non-negotiable. A Christian must have faith (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7).

We also come by our faith by studying the God's Word, or the Bible (Romans 10:17). It's not enough to go to church, or watch religious programs on television. The Bible must be read and studied. God speaks to us through its pages. Our belief faith is reinforced by listening to what He has to say to us.

Should Christians be content to just sit on their faith? After his resurrection, and before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus basically outlined what He expected his apostles to do in His absence. Matthew 28:19-20, or what we know as the Great Commission, tells us what Christ said to them.

The sharing of our faith is what enables to win over the world (1 John 5:4-5). It is our faith in the risen Christ that gives us great spiritual strength and power (Luke 17:6). Thus, we are able to share our faith with others even at the risk of persecution or worse.

There are few more things to mention about the Christian life. For instance, besides being a life of faith, it is also a life of repentance, or turning away from sin. This a definite requirement of becoming a Christian (Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30). It is also a continual, or ongoing way of life (Acts 8:13-24; Revelation 2:5; 3:19).

A Christian life also encompasses the walk of Jesus Christ. This means that we must follow his example and live our lives abounding in good works (1 Corinthians 15:58), and recognizing opportunities to exemplify them (Titus 3:1; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:10).

Our last feature of the Christian life for today is that it is a life unimpeded by fear and worry. A Christian learns early on to lean on Christ when confronted with unfavorable situations (Proverbs 3:25-26). God wouldn't have it any other way (Matthew 10:28-31; Hebrews 13:5, 6). We can be confident in our relationship with Him, and that He will always be there (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 4:17).

A true Christian puts his faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7). This includes His crucifixion as payment for our sins, and His resurrection on the third day. The Christian life is a "new" life. But, it is a work in progress. It is a life that is always growing, evolving and maturing in faith.

Scripture: Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:5-10; Ephesians 4:32; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:5

Prayer: Holy Father, make me appreciative of all Your gifts, and, through Your wisdom and power, may I find the best use for them. Amen.

God bless you,

Bree

Video - Beth Moore: Arise

Bible teacher Beth Moore examines two stories of physical resurrection in the New Testament as Jesus and one of his disciples tell the dead to arise. Awesome message!  ~Eve

Why the Scriptures?

"The Word of God I think of as a straight edge, which shows up our own crookedness. We can't really tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the straight edge of Scripture." - Elisabeth Elliot

One often-asked question is: "What is the purpose of the Scriptures?" The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. They were written so that we might learn by them (Romans 15:4).

In addition to this, they offer us comfort and patience so that whatever troubles we may encounter in our lives, we, through the support of the Scriptures, may be able to endure them both patiently and cheerfully. They give us hope.

And because they are the result of God's inspiration, or God-inspired, they were not given to us to merely be read and then put aside. The Scriptures were purposed by God to be used by us for correction and/or "training" by instruction, warning, example, kindnesses, promises, and reprimands (2 Timothy 3:16).

God provided the Scriptures so that we might live a life that is pleasing to Him (2 Timothy 3:17). Within its pages, God spells out what He wants from us; and reveals what is "good" in His eyes. What the prophets and apostles wrote down weren't their own words, but what they had received from God himself (2 Peter 1:21). It is a sure guide to eternal life.

It's also God's intention that His Word serves as a lamp to direct our paths in this world of darkness, sin, and death. To reassure us in all our fears and distresses; our doubts and difficulties (Psalm 119:105). The thought of a world without God's Word to guide us is both distressing and joyless.

Ninth century French theologian, Peter Abelard said, "The men who abandon themselves to the passions of this miserable life, are compared in Scripture to beasts."  I agree that without the inspired Word of God we really are no better than the beasts.

Finally, consider this the next time you hold your Bible in your hands. What you have is the actual Word of God, straight from the source. And through its pages, God speaks to us as clearly as if he is standing next to you (John 5:39).

If you haven't done so already, why not open your Bible and see what God has to say to you today. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Scripture: Romans 10:17; Jeremiah 23:29; Matthew 24:35; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 22:29

Prayer: Dear God, I pray that my life may not be weighed down with worthless efforts. May I be led on the right path, and through the love of it all find strength for my soul. Amen.

May God bless you!

Brandi

His Divine Eyes See All

“From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.”  -Psalm 33:13-15

"Peek-a-boo, I see you!" What small child doesn't enjoy playing this game with an adult? From the child's point of view it's funny to see you put your hands over your eyes, then quickly remove them.

For a brief moment, you seem to disappear only to reappear the next! The surprised look on your face is what draws a laughing and giggling response from both the child, and you. God "sees" each one of us, as well.

Though, He doesn't exactly play peek-a-boo with you and I, He knows everything we do, say, and think (Psalm 139:2; 2 Kings 19:27; Psalm 94:11). Of course, for some this may sound scary. But, the reality of it is that God really does know us inside and out. After all, He made us in His image (Genesis 1:27).

What we are talking about is more commonly known as "God’s omniscience." In short, when talk about God being omniscient, we are saying that He knows absolutely everything there is to know. The term omniscience means: possessing total knowledge; knowing everything.

Hagar, the Egyptian maid of Sarai, Abram's wife, experienced God's omniscience first hand in Genesis 16:7-13. The big tip-off that she was actually speaking with the eternal Word and Son of God was when he told her, "I will..." It was right then and there that she couldn't help but admire his mercy, and wonder why someone like her could possibly deserve to be blessed with a visit from the Lord.

While we may or may not receive a visit from the angel of the Lord, it's still worth discussing God's omniscience and how it relates to us. First of all, we can be certain, or find proof of His omniscience in His person. God made everything and knows about it all. We find evidence of it in His presence. God knows everything not only because of Who He is, but also because of where He is.

We can also see His omniscience in His power. God knows everything not just because of Who He is and where He is, but also because of what He does. He is always in touch with, and in control of, His creation. Simply look around you. You can see His actively involved in His creation,

Proof of God's omniscience is also evident in His purposes. He knows everything because He is God. Thus, He is everywhere, and He controls all things. He also knows what will take place before it ever happens (Isaiah 46:10-11; Psalm 135:6; Daniel 4:35). Nothing occurs in this world that isn't a part of His eternal, perfect, unstoppable plan (Ephesians 1:11).

Public or private, the Divine eye is always on us. We may become wrapped up in our daily lives, distracted by things and incidents of this world. But, God's eyes never tire, they can see each one us no matter where we may try to hide, or what hour the day or night.

God is always observing, taking note of every detail, and remembering everything. He sees the sinner and the supplicant alike. Even though we, ourselves, can't see God while we still live, He can see how we live. This should be enough incentive to live our lives as He desires us to.

For no matter how hard or how much we may try to mask our true spirit, God's eyes can pierce the thickest covering; revealing our hearts to Him as clear as the midday sun on a summer's afternoon (1 John 3:20).

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 147:4-5; Hebrews 4:13; Acts 1:24; 1 Corinthians 2:11

Prayer: Dear Lord, continue to watch over me, guiding and protecting me. My heart and soul is an open book to You. There are no secrets that You do not know about, nor actions and works that You can't see. May I always live my life under the direction of Your loving mercy and grace. Amen

May God bless you always!

Kasey

Friday Faith Check-up: Idolatry Has a Price

"What each one honors before all else, what before all things he admires and loves, this for him is God." - Origen

Have you ever really stopped and considered how much of our lives are consumed with idolatry in various forms? Believe me, there's no shortage of examples to choose from out there! So much of the world in which we live is permeated by idols and the worship thereof.

Some idols are subtle and fly just under the radar, while others are standing right there in your face. Is one better than the other? Of course not! Idolatry or idol worship is bad, no matter what kind it is. God has a lot to say about idolatry, and none of it is complimentary (Exodus 20:3-6).

People in biblical times struggled with it as much as we do today. The times might be different, the idols may be different, but their worship is as widespread as it has ever been. It's definitely a problem whether you believe it is or not. And unless we address it, it will continue to manipulate and ruin lives.

In her book, Finding Truth, Nancy Pearcey says this about how differently we define idolatry than the Bible: "Scripture treats the topic of idolatry far more subtly. An idol is anything we want more than God, anything we rely on more that God, anything we look to for greater fulfillment than God. Idolatry is thus the hidden sin driving all other sins."

Though we are inundated with many idols, the idolatry we seem to be dealing with most in our modern age is centered around the worship of self. We may no longer worship idols and images as in those long ago days. Instead, they have been replaced by a different god on the altar of worship, and that god is self.

As mentioned, the selection of idols is vast. Here, I have identified some of the most common forms for you. The most well-known form is materialism. This god is fed by our need to build our egos through acquiring more and more things (e.g., homes, cars, money, clothes). Another name for this is covetousness (Exodus 20:17).

Next up...our pride and ego. The easiest illustration I can think of is our obsession with jobs and careers. I know one must work in order to survive and provide. But it becomes a problem when we are deceived into thinking that we are doing it for others. When the ugly truth is we are really doing it for ourselves. God knows well how this scenario will eventually turn out (Ecclesiastes 2:21-23).

The idolizing of man (mankind) is the illusion that we are the rulers of the heavens and earth. We tune out God because we know so much better. We are in charge of our world and all that encompasses it, or so we believe. Not so fast! It's our duty to focus on living holy lives and on Him alone who is deserving of our worship, not our environment (2 Peter 3:10-13).

The last idol I will touch on today is the god of self-appeasement. This god is served by our desire for self-gratification over all else. Our own self-indulgence is fueled by alcohol, drugs, and food. Naturally, we pay the price for worshiping this god with our health, welfare, families, and jobs. The insatiable drive to make ourselves the god of our lives has long been with us (Genesis 3:5).

The idolatry of self is not unfamilar, nor is it unknown. 1 John 2:16 describes three lusts found at its nucleus. The key element across the board is "self." We will never find true happiness focusing on us exclusively. Only by centering our hearts and thoughts on God will we find what we are looking for (Matthew 22:37).

Scripture: Jonah 2:8; 1 John 5:21; Colossians 3:5; Psalm 16:4; 1 Corinthians 10:14

Prayer: Dear Lord, may I always walk in Your light, and serve you faithfully. Amen

Have a blessed and safe weekend!

Kaye

God's H-A-T-E Is Not as Ours!

"Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat." - Harry Emerson Fosdick

"What is all the hate about in the world today?" The media, whichever mode you prefer, is saturated with hatred. Mean and spiteful acts of hate, gestures of hate, talk of hate, pictures of hate, etc. It is sad, no, it is disheartening to see so much hate in our society today.

A dictionary definition of hate is the: "intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear; anger." Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology says that, "hate derives from a strong dislike or ill will toward persons or things. As an emotional attitude, a person may oppose, detest, or despise contact with a thing or a person."

With so many open displays of hate, one has to wonder if somehow there is some misunderstanding about "hate." Believe it or not, haters who, in their blind and thoughtless actions, are actually not only misunderstanding hate, but misapplying it as well.

If one truly understands "hate" then it must known that we cannot love as we were meant to without hating. And, that we must hate the "right" things in the "right" way. Doing a little digging around, W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words offered some insight into this.

According to this source, hate is used three ways. First, there is malicious and unjustifiable feelings toward others, whether towards the innocent, or by mutual animosity. This is condemned by God (1 John 2:9-11). Then, there's the type of hate that results in a feeling of aversion from, or strong dislike of, what is evil or in error; antagonistic hate.

Finally, hate can be a relative preference of one thing over another. When we think of God, we thinking "God is love (1 John 4:8); but God hates, too. As shocking as this might sound, it's not at all inconsistent with his loving character.

God dislikes or displays antagonism toward evil. For example, God hates idolatry (Jeremiah 44:2-5). He also desires that we hate it, too (Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 10:14). And, Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us seven things which God absolutely hates.

Now, the type of hate that we should present forth, like God, is based on the last two of the three mentioned earlier. God says that we should hate error and evil, or be antagonistic toward them. It is imperative that we hate every false way (Psalm 119:104). If we are not against error, then we really aren't for truth. What we believe does make a difference (2 Thessalonians 1:10-12).

Naturally, we must also hate all evil (Psalm 97:10). Any sin is against God (Psalm 51:4), and we need to take this seriously. Sin is also degrading (Proverbs 13:15). And if you should ever wonder why people don't hate evil it is because they do not love God (Psalm 97:10).

The other type of hate that God despises is the relative preference of one thing over another. As we should know, we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Jesus Christ must always be number one in our lives, even over family (Matthew 10:37) and our own lives (Luke 14:25-26).

As I close today, let's try to wrap our arms around all of this. Hate is ugly, hurtful, and sinful. You and I have a different view of hate than God. Yes, God does hate, but his hate is not petty, and it is not without any truthful basis.

As for us, we shouldn't hate a person just because they are in error or sinful. Rather, we should hate the error and the sin. We should love God and the truth, with our hate focused towards error and evil. We have an inborn weakness for hate. It can creep into our lives with little notice, and even less reason. Keep this thought.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31; Leviticus 19:17; Galatians 5:19-21; Proverbs 10:18; James 1:19-20

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me overcome this weakness called hatred and give me peace of heart and mind. Allow me to learn from this and grow into a better human being. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Joyce

Video - Beth Moore: Are You Thirsty?

From the "Awaken Now" conference, Bible teacher and speaker Beth Moore asks the question that is the one condition for receiving an outpouring from God. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Out With Our Old Spirit... In With the New!

"The God who made us also can remake us."  - Woodrow Kroll

If my car had an engine that was ready to give out, I'd replace it with a new one. Since I cannot do the work myself, I would take my car to a mechanic who would replace it for me. Now, suppose when I got my car back, it ran just as poorly as it did before. I'd start to wonder if the old, original engine really had been replaced, or just cleaned up to appear new.

It's not different with our new lives in Christ. First, let me clarify what I mean by our "new lives." Obviously, we have only one "physical" life. And though there may be times we wish we could, we cannot exchange the life we have for a new one like we would a car engine.

We come into this world by way of a "physical" birth. Along with being conceived physically, we inherit our sin nature. Unfortunately, in this natural state we are dead in offenses and sins until we are made alive, or regenerated by Christ. This transpires when we put our faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1).

Now, our new life, or "new birth" is a spiritual and holy birth. The result of this heavenly birth, if you will, is our being made alive, or receiving a new life, spiritually. This "regeneration" truly is a profound change (Ephesians 2:6).

A physical birth produces a new individual who enters this earthly dominion. On the other hand, spiritual birth results in a new person who is admissible to the heavenly kingdom. This new person is now capable of seeing, hearing, and seeking or following after divine things. They embark on a life of holiness and faith.

Why is regeneration necessary? Our sinful, human flesh is not worthy of standing in God's presence (John 3:3, 7). In our lowly state, we wouldn't get past the front door! It (regeneration) is not an option, it's the only way. If we want to be suitable for heaven, then spiritual rebirth is necessary (1 Peter 1:23; John 1:13; 1 John 3:9).

When we experience spiritual rebirth, or regeneration it really is like getting a brand new engine! Though the outside may appear the same, our inside has been totally transformed and updated. Christ is formed in our hearts. We are partakers. or partners of the divine nature; becoming a "new creature," as well (2 Corinthians 5:17).

There is an important point to mention, however. God, not man, is the source of this transformation (Ephesians 2:1; 8). Regeneration is a sovereign act of God. Like our hypothetical car engine, only God can fix us. We have no role in this. Unless he acts first, we will never be reborn in the first place.

In case you might be thinking of finding any loopholes in this matter of rebirth, forget about it. There's no amount of good works, keeping the Law, or holding your breath while standing on your head that will get you there. Only God can regenerate your heart (Romans 3:20).

If all of this sounds confusing, don't be discouraged. We have dealt with spiritual rebirth only superficially today. I highly recommend that you explore the topic of regeneration further on your own. It's a very interesting topic, to say the least.

In closing, Only Christ possesses the remedy for the total corruption of the human heart. We must remain faithful to his finished work on the cross.Spiritually, we don't need to be renovated, reformed, or even reorganized. What we do need is regeneration, or rebirth.

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26; Titus 3:5; John 5:24; 1 John 2:29; James 1:18

Prayer: Holy Father, hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Amen  - Psalms 51: 9-12

May your day be blessed!

Ashleigh

Don't Leave God at Home!

"Show me the right path, O Lord, point out the road for me to follow." - Psalm 25:4 (NLT)

Many of us would never dream of stepping out of the house without our cell phone in hand. But, it can and does happen. I can verify this through my own experience! We stuff everything into our purses (sorry, guys), while grabbing our coffee, keys, and kids as we head out the door.

Not until we are settled in, several miles down the road, running late, of course, we instinctively reach for our phone and..."Oh, no!" Trying to keep the car on the road, we frantically glance up and down between where our phone normally is and the cars around us.

This is about the time that the purse is turned over and dumped out on the seat. Still no cell phone! That panic-stricken, lost and sinking feeling  sets in your stomach as you realize it's still sitting on the counter back home where you left it!!

We, too, can also find ourselves in this situation in our relationship with God. We think we have it all under control, have everything we need (and more), then "Boom!" Just like that, we realize that something is missing. The most important part of our relationship has been left behind: God.

For sure, as followers of Jesus Christ, we read scripture and memorize a verse or two daily, are regular attendees at church, and perhaps even teach a Bible class or lead a fellowship group. We think, "That would never happen to me!"

Of course, we don't set out to intentionally do this. Unfortunately, it can and does more often than you think. We may study, read, and pray yet we are merely skimming the surface. What we take away from our endeavors is not any real meat, only the drippings.

As Christians, is should be our sincerest desire to learn all we can about God. Of course, we will never know everything there is to know. After all, the only things we can really learn about God are those that He chooses to reveal to us (Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22).

But if we are sincere about our desire to be taught by Him, and are committed to do so, then rest assured that God will direct or guide us to this knowledge (Psalm 32:8). This applies both to the newest and the most advanced believer alike.

God's guidance is promised to those who genuinely desire and seek it (Jeremiah 29:13). For many of us today, simply cracking our Bibles open and reading for a bit every now and then is good enough. But is that all you want or desire from your relationship with God? Is "good enough" sufficient?

There are three critical ways by which we may receive understanding from God. We can learn from His Word (the Bible), by His Spirit; think of this as God being able to get in touch with us whenever He likes (John 16:13). And, by His providence, as He is in complete control of the universe!

I must add one more thing here. Patience is also needed in order to learn and understand all that we can from God. We must learn how to wait (Proverbs 3:5-6). Now for some this may be easier said than done. We do live in a very impatient world. But God has all eternity, He is no rush. Not for you, not for me, not for anyone.

Here's some helpful advice while waiting to gain from His Divine teaching. Wait humbly (respectfully); wait earnestly (sincerely and purposefully); wait believingly (trustful and accepting); and perseveringly (persistent and determined).

Above all, don't forget to include God in your relationship! God wants you to learn all that you can about Him. Prayerfully ask Him for guidance and knowledge. In order to obey His teachings we must first know His will before we can carry it out.

Scripture: Isaiah 30:21; James 1:5-6; Psalm 37:23-24; Proverbs 16:9; Luke 1:79

Prayer: Dear Lord, I humbly submit my spirit to You, in total trust and love; guide me down Your desired path, please show me the way always. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Julieanne

Bible Study Snacks - 1 John 5:1-21 (Final)

Hi, everyone!

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

This week, we will finish our study of The First Epistle of John, or 1 John. The Gospel of John is sometimes confused with The First Epistle of John, but there is a distinguishable difference. The former was designed to produce faith in order that we might have life (John 20:30-31).

The latter describes the nature of that life in greater detail, for example 1 John 3:14. I strongly believe that by studying The First Epistle of John we might better understand the importance of living the kind of life that God offers through His Son Jesus Christ.

The studies presented here 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 some things to think about for this week's lesson...

THINK ABOUT:

*  The importance of faith, love, and obedience.
*  The nature of eternal life as a present possession.
*  Sin which does not lead to death versus sin which does lead to death.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 John 5:1-21:

John writes of faith in Christ, loving God, and overcoming the world (1 John 5:1-5). He then reviews God’s witness that gives us certainty regarding eternal life in Christ (1 John 5:6-13), and concludes with teaching on prayer (1 John 5:14-17) and the sure knowledge found in the Son of God (1 John 5:18-21).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) To be born of God, what is absolutely necessary? (1 John 5:1)
2) How can be sure that they love the children of God? (1 John 5:2)
3) How can one overcome the world? (1 John 5:4-5)
4) What three things bore witness concerning Jesus Christ? (1 John 5:6-8)
5) What does one receive as they believe in the Son of God? (1 John 5:10)
6) What has God give us?  Who has this? (1 John 5:11-12)
7) Why did John write these things in his epistle? (1 John 5:13)
8) What confidence do we have in prayer? (1 John 5:14-15)
9) What is described as the true God and eternal life? (1 John 5:20)

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 our next Bible study...

God bless you!

Sheri

God Sees Only Our Potential (Not Failures)!

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."  -Thomas A. Edison

Failure scares many of us. Failed relationships, marriages, businesses, etc. No one can argue that these things, and many more like them, can frighten even the most hardened soul. One thing to keep in mind is that failures only occur if one makes an attempt at something. If we try nothing, that's exactly what we gain: Nothing!

For example, it's said that Thomas Edison performed 50,000 experiments before he succeeded in producing a storage battery. Bill Gates (Microsoft) was a Harvard dropout. Albert Einstein himself, could not speak fluently until the age of nine. His rebellious nature led to expulsion from school, and he was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School.

Of course, these are only a few names of "famous" failures. And though their situations, locations, and period in history were different, there is something they all have in common. Certainly they might have felt disappointed and discouraged. But, they did not let failure hold them back.

This is an important point for the Christian to keep in mind. Look, we're human and from time to time we're going to experience failure. Being a Christian does not shield us from failure any more than anyone else. This especially relates to our religious lives, which some may have a hard time understanding.

Maybe you think that your own relationship with God is a failure, or a total wash-out, and perhaps it's time to cut your losses and move on, Don't do anything hasty! Some of the biggest names in the Bible experienced failure, yet managed to go on to bigger and better things with God.

Jacob (Genesis 27:19); Moses (Exodus 2:12); David (2 Samuel 11:4); Paul (Acts 9:4); and Peter (John 18:25) failed God in their lives, yet bounced back even stronger. When you become a believer you do not become immune to failure. And if you've been told otherwise, it simply is not true.

Failure is a sign that we're not perfect. Let's face it, if we were perfect we wouldn't be in the mess we're in. God recognizes this and even allows failure in our lives. He never promised life to be without problems, sorrow, or failure just because we believe in and follow Him. Look at the folks I just mentioned above!

I began this message by pointing out the fear factor in failure. Our first reaction to something that frightens us might be to run (or hide)! Well, that won't work with God who knows and sees all (Hebrew 4:13). Fortunately, God, in his love and mercy for us, has helped us out with our failures and weaknesses.

Our failures and weaknesses are a cover-up for a bigger problem. This problem is the root of our spiritual failure. I think you know what it is: Sin. They say that it's important to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward when dealing with failure.

That's why God sent us help in His Son, who died for our sins. He knows how important it is to our spiritual lives to get back on our feet after we have failed (Proverbs 24:16). We cannot do this on our own. Only by following, and clinging onto Our Savior will we be able to truly withstand our bouts with failure.

Only He can turn our failures into successes because He controls everything (Psalm 24:1). Only He can strengthen us in our weakness (Philippians 4:11-13). As long as we reside in this world there will be times of failure. But, we have been assured an ultimate victory over temptation and sin in Jesus Christ. Our complete victory, however, awaits us when we are safely in His loving embrace in heaven.

Scripture: Psalm 73:26; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 55:22; Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer: Dear Lord, no matter if I am feeling down, dejected, unwanted, or unloved; I know that You never see me that way. You always see the best part of me that lies just under the surface of my human frailty. Thank you for helping me to my feet and setting me back on track again. Amen

Have a blessed day!

J.J.

Video - Beth Moore: Moving On

Bible teacher Beth Moore tells of the trauma of leaving her home of 27 years and the unforeseen benefit of moving on. An emotional and blessed word for sure!  ~Eve

Be More Like Moses...Leave Your Comfort Zone!

"We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are."  - Max DePree

From 1900 to 1967, the Swiss were the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1967, when digital technology was patented, the Swiss rejected it in favor of the traditional ball bearings, gears, and mainsprings they had been using to make watches for decades.

However, by the mid-sixties the world was ready for this new, technological advancement. Seiko, a Japanese company, saw its potential and picked up the digital patent; thus becoming the leading watch manufacturer in the world almost overnight!

Fifty thousand of the 67,000 Swiss watchmakers went out of business because they refused to embrace this new technology. It wasn't until years later that the Swiss caught up and regained their position in the marketplace with the creation of Swatch watches.

There's nothing wrong with being comfortable. It is safe and familiar. We know our way around in the "world of comfortable." There are no surprises and our routine is securely laid out in front of us. However, if we want to get something accomplished it generally means that we'll have to break out of our comfort zone.

Take Moses, for example. He had been living a comfortable life as a shepherd for about forty years when God called on him to save his people (Exodus 3:1-2). By this time, at age 80, he was far removed from being the young, man of action with a hot temper and anger issues.

Like many of us, Moses had been busy raising and supporting a family. Over the years he had also grown timid and resistant to change. And even though he probably thought his best days were behind him, God had different plans for him (Exodus 3:10)!

Yes, God had his eye on Moses and no one else would do. But, Moses would have to step out of his comfort zone if he was going to be of any use to God (Exodus 3:10). Although somewhat reluctantly, that's exactly what he did. There's a lesson in Moses' story for you and I.

Some of us may be reluctant to leave our safe "comfort zone"where we have reached an adequate or sufficent relationship with God. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that if  that's all you want. Meanwhile, as we quietly fly under the radar, our spiritual life satisfyingly mundane, we ask, "Why rock the boat?"

God never meant for our relationship with Him to be a complacent one. He desires a vibrantly participatory bond between us. It cannot simply be just a one-way connection. He wants us to be actively involved. Like Moses, we might be hesitant because of a lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem, or apathy.

It might be helpful to know that God is already aware of our anxieties, or reservations. None of this matters to Him, however. He is more than ready, willing and able to help us move forward; to help lift us from our comfort zone where we stagnantly sit (1 Chronicles 16:8).

Does this require anything drastic? Not at all. Even minor changes can get the ball rolling. Change up your prayers with some new ones. Try using a different Bible translation (e.g., King James Version to New International Version, or New Living Translation).

Perhaps a different Bible study method can be a refreshing change. Volunteer your time and skills in a different capacity than what you are normally used to. Even moving your Bible study time to a different part of the day can get the wheels turning again.

It really doesn't matter what you do as long as you do it with God's interests at heart. He didn't create us to be only spectators, He wants us to participate in His plans (Jeremiah 29:11-13). And, as in any loving relationship, both parties must be involved if it is to grow.

If any of this sounds familiar, don't just sit there. Do something about it! God will always do His part. It's us that need to get up and get moving. Comfortable is nice, but that's okay for shoes or a chair. God is seeking those willing to make a difference. Why not you?

Scripture: Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7; Philippians 4:13; Proverbs 3:5-6; Mark 16:15

Prayer: Dear God, You are my companion and guide; unburden my conscience and unload me of all anxieties. May You always lift me up, my Heavenly Father. Amen

God loves you!

Lauren

God In the Driver's Seat

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."  - Oswald Chambers 

We have seen through history that what once seemed far-fetched can and does eventually become reality. Currently, several major technology companies and international car manufacturers are working feverishly on projects related to autonomous (driverless) vehicles.

Some very impressive technology is involved in bringing these vehicles from the research and development stage to having a functional product. However, before these vehicles are ready for the general public to drive, they must be proven reliable and safe for our roadways.

Although, just within the past few years there have been various prototypes actually being test-driven on the road. Thus, proving that this is something that can be done. Without a doubt, the competition to mass-produce these cars is fast and furious (no pun intended!)

Different types of technologies enable these driverless vehicles to sense its environment and navigate without human input (e.g., radar, LIDAR, GPS, odometry, computer vision).

That being said, the human driver relinquishes control of the car to computer software and hardware. When we, as Christians, give ourselves over to Jesus Christ we are in essence doing the same thing. We hand over the control and guidance of our heart to Him. Trusting Jesus to "drive" our lives.

What is the source of power that "drives" our faith in Jesus Christ? It is the acceptance and approval that Jesus Christ truly is God in human form. That He died on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected. In addition, each of us must fully trust in His death as the atoning sacrifice for our transgessions.

Instead of lines of software code, our saving faith (salvation) is dependent on our belief in what the Bible says about Jesus Christ; who He is, what He accomplished, and trusting in Him for that salvation (Acts 16:31) through our repentance of sin (Matthew 21:32; Mark 1:15).

A fully, functional Christian life requires believing what the Bible says and obedience to it. It also necessitates our belief in God's promises, and living our lives correspondingly. Agreement with the truth of God's Word, and letting it transform us the "key" that sets this in motion.

Without question, driverless cars are an amazing demonstration of human imagination, ingenuity, and engineering. Still, this is not even close to what God can accomplish if we allow Him to manage our lives through our unconditional trust in His love for us.

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2; John 10:10; Romans 10:17; John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:8-9

Prayer: Dear God, I ask for Your help today. I pray to be guided and directed by You. Show me the way to go. Only You can make the crooked places of my lifestraight and orderly. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Mia

Bible Study Snacks - 1 John 4:1-21

Hi, everyone!

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

This week, we continue our study on The First Epistle of John, or 1 John. The Gospel of John is sometimes confused with The First Epistle of John, but there is a distinguishable difference. The former was designed to produce faith in order that we might have life (John 20:30-31).

The latter describes the nature of that life in greater detail, for example 1 John 3:14. I strongly believe that by studying The First Epistle of John we might better understand the importance of living the kind of life that God offers through His Son Jesus Christ.

The studies presented here 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 some things to think about for this week's lesson...

THINK ABOUT:

*  Distinguishing the spirit of truth from the spirit of error.
*  How God’s love should impact our love for one another.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 John 4:1-21:

John cautions his readers not to believe everyone who claims to be led by the Spirit, but to test them (1 John 4:1-6).  He then exhorts them to manifest brotherly love in keeping with the character and example of God’s love as demonstrated in the sacrifice of His Son (1 John 4:7-21).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Why should one not believe every spirit? (1 John 4:1)
2) If one is truly led by the Spirit of God, what will they confess? (1 John 4:2)
3) What did John say about the coming of Antichrist? (1 John 4:3)
4) What did John write about their ability to overcome? (1 John 4:4)
5) How does one discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error? (1 John 4:6) - c.f.1 Corinthians 14:37; 1 Thessalonians 2:13
6) Why should we love one another? (1 John 4:7-8)
7) How was God’s love for us manifested? (1 John 4:9-10)
8) How can we ensure that God will abide in us? (1 John 4:12-16)
9) When we love one another as we should, what does it give us? (1 John 4:17-18)
10) If we claim to love God, but hate our brother, what does that make us? Why? (1 John 4: 20)
11) What are the main points of this chapter? Test the ______ (1 John 4:1-6); God is ______ (1 John 4:7-21)

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

Jesus Is Life-Changing!

"From morning to night keep Jesus in thy heart, long for nothing, desire nothing, hope for nothing but to have all that is within thee changed into the spirit and temper of the holy Jesus."  - William Law

Change is inevitable. It happens whether we are prepared for it or not. Many people drag their feet, fighting and screaming against change. Sometimes they manage to slow it down, or postpone it for a bit. But, change will eventually come. We can see examples of this every day in politics, government, business and industry, to name a few.

Naturally, there will always be those who adamantly declare that they will not change; for anything or anybody. Now, I'm not here to say that I either agree with this, or condone it. Ultimately, it's your choice. However, I'd like you to consider another type of change which is also your decision to make.

There is a special type of change that takes place when we accept Jesus Christ in our lives. This change occurs both inside, and outside of us. But you say that you are too messed up, or too far gone for any change to happen in your life? Maybe you are living a life of lies, hate, and anger at the world? Maybe worse?

I'll tell you something right here and now. Jesus already knows all about you. Nothing is hidden from Him. You might be able to scam others, but you can't fool Him (Psalm 139:2). He knows our thoughts (Psalm 94:11). He knows our secrets (Psalm 44:21). Yes, everything in your life is laid out in front of His eyes (Proverbs 15:3).

You see, Jesus can see past any facade we might present. He sees every imperfection and fault. The news isn't all negative, however. Along with the bad or damaging there is a positive side, too. As clearly as He sees our flaws, Christ can see our true potential to serve Him.

As difficult as this might be for some to discern or accept, I point to Simon Peter who was one of the first five disciples. His brother Andrew and another had been at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist the previous day.

The following day, while with John, they saw Jesus walking by. They left with him after hearing John shout out, "Here is the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36) Jesus took them back to where he was staying. Meanwhile, Andrew couldn't wait to tell his brother Simon Peter about Jesus.

After finding him. Andrew brought him back to meet Jesus. As soon as Jesus met Simon Peter he knew all about him. He could see right through him like a crystal. Jesus saw his hot and nasty nature, his strong drive and immense energy. He also saw selfishness, instability, weakness, and fearfulness.

In other words, Simon Peter or Cephas (John 1:41-42) wasn't really all that different from you or I. Yet, Jesus looked past all of his stains and blemishes and saw the great potential that Simon Peter himself never knew he had.

Jesus chose this person, who by all accounts was far from being a "template" disciple, to join Him as a fisher of men. To become a pillar in the Church of the living God. To be the foundation upon whom Jesus would use to build His church upon. Wow! Talk about a change!

This change or transformation is not an exlusive offer to special individuals only. It's there for anyone who takes that step and makes the committment to accept Jesus Christ into their life. The transforming grace of Jesus Christ will change your life forever.

Many are afraid of change; they want things to stay the same. However, growth will never take place without change. In similar fashion, spiritual growth is not really growth without change. As I mentioned at the outset, the choice is yours to make. No one can force, coerce, or make you accept Jesus Christ. This is something only you can decide.

Is change difficult? It can be. Is it scary? Perhaps to some. But then so is changing jobs, moving to a new location, beginning a new relationship, etc.. The ramifications or outcomes of these decisions are not eternal. Changes made under the loving guidance of Jesus Christ most certainly are.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8; Jeremiah 29:11; Deuteronomy 31:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Numbers 23:19

Prayer: Dear Jesus, transform my heart to Yours; change my very being into what You desire and have planned for me. Only You can see past all of my shortcomings and deficiencies, and know my true potential. I place my life in Your loving hands here today. Lord, use me as You see fit. Amen

God bless you!

Judy

Video - Beth Moore: A Guilty Conscience

Discover how to eradicate your guilty conscience so it no longer holds you back. Bible teacher and speaker Beth Moore discusses this in an inspirational and informational message. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Let His Word Flourish Within

"A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life."   - Andrew Murray

I love to garden! Preparing our garden in the spring after the threat of frost has subsided is something I look forward to every year, especially after a long, dreary winter. If you've ever gardened you know that it involves a little work before you can even plant your seeds, or seedlings into the ground.

After laying dormant all winter, there will be some clean-up of the area, preparation of the soil, and a little repair work if your garden has taken a beating from the weather and any wildlife since last fall.

It's funny though, weeds don't seem to take a holiday at any time of the year. As soon as the first warm rays of the sun penetrate the ground they pop up right on cue! It was while I was puttering away in my garden that something suddenly dawned on me!

The condition of the garden plot, after being neglected for several months, illustrated what our hearts can look like if we neglect to care for and encourage the growth or development of God's word as we should. Like the garden, it doesn't take long for things to deteriorate or decline in our relationship with Him.

I think about The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. In this parable, the seed that is sown is the Word of God. When I plant my garden, I know that some seeds will take and others won't. It's not because I am such a terrible gardener. That's just the way it is. Plain and simple. Not every seed will take.

Similarly, if we only hear or study the Word of God, and don't do anything else with it; there's little chance that seed (Word of God) will ever develop and become fruitful. How many attend church, listen to the sermon, but at the end take nothing home with them other than their Bible and a church bulletin?

God can only give us His word. If our hearts are not accepting or open to it, it won't take root. Neither can we expect to just sit and wait for something to happen. It must be constantly nutured and worked into our hearts. It will also take committment on our part (Matthew 13:21).

Jesus Christ understands (knows) that we are not all alike. He also is aware that not all of us are going to be receptive to Him. But as Christians, we are held to a higher standard because we have accepted who He is. We are also aware of the effort and responsibility that is required on our part to grow in faith and love for Him.

To follow Christ is not a task for the faint of heart, or indolent. It's going to take some work. In the garden weeds will grow, the soil will dry out if, and plants will wither if it is neglected. The collapse or deterioration of our connection to God will happen if we fail to care for it, as well.

Without a doubt, there are many things that can go wrong, or discourage our growth in God (Mark 4:19). Some will be serious about their devotion and love for Him. Others, content only to let the seed (His Word) lie there, will never see growth or development happen (John 15:2).

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 24:35; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 12:48

Prayer: Dear God, may Your Word always inspire me, guide me, and bless me all the days of my life. Amen

May your day be blessed!

Mary Alice

He Provides Us with Strength

"He gives us the strength to move forward even though we feel weak." - Crystal McDowell

There appears to be almost no limit to our physical strength. It's truly amazing what the human body is capable of! We've all heard or read about incredible feats of strength. Some of us might have even experienced this first hand.

Of course, when we talk about strength there are other types, as well. There is military, fiscal or monetary, character, political, tensile (as in metals or other materials), talents, skills, and so on and so forth. Generally, all of these serve their purposes and are helpful in our daily lives.

However, there are times in life when a different type of "strength" is needed. This strength is available to each and every one of us. Whats more, there's no requirement to bend iron bars with our bare hands, or pull a tugboat with our teeth!

Strength is such a powerful word in the Bible that it is mentioned in the King James Version well over 200 times, and even more if you include other forms of the word. But there is a strength that does not owe it's power to human characteristics or invention.

This strength can only be derived from God. What this means is that our "strength" isn't our own. It's neither humanly or worldly. As Christians, our strength is found in Christ. As such, we are to be strong in His mighty power.

In Philippians 4:13, the apostle Paul tells us that there's no other source, thing, or place that gives man the strength to overcome the trials and temptations of the world; including death. He also proclaims in Ephesians 6:10  that the unlimited power and strength of Christ are the source of strength for those who belong to Him.

Too many times we go at it alone, relying on our already compromised strength to confront difficult, trying situations that occur in our lives. More often than not this is a recipe for disaster. What usually happens is that our strengths get in the way of trusting God.

Frankly, trusting in natural strength and/or ability is not what God desires from us. And while our physical strength diminishes with exertion or over time, God's strength does not. He is never too busy, or tired for you and I.

In closing, God's promise of strength is there to help us rise above whatever life throws our way. It also means that we can trust Him to fulfill the promise found in Isaiah 40:29-31. We can always depend on God as our source of strength.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 11:28; Psalm 31:24; Psalm 39:7; Psalm 18:2 

Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes I feel like I just can't go on. The pain and the fear are unbearable, and I fear that I don't have the strength to get through this on my own. But, I am not afraid. I know that I can come to you, and that you will hear my prayer. You will provide all the strength that I need. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Makinzie