Video - Beth Moore: A Fresh Encounter

From her series "Praying Is Believing God," Bible teacher Beth Moore emphasizes the importance of a fresh encounter with God in order to continue on our adventure with Him. Definitely worth a minute or two of your time!  ~Eve

God Cannot Deny a Praying Soul

"Prayer delights God's ear; it melts His heart; and opens His hand. God cannot deny a praying soul." - Thomas Watson

Why is it so difficult for us to ask God for help? Does this sound like a crazy question to be asking? When we feel our backs against the wall, is usually the time we remember God. But, did you know that we don't have to wait until our life comes crashing down all around us to approach him?

We can ask for help with our simple, basic everyday situations. Things like guidance, wisdom, instruction, and application may seem like rather mundane things to approach God about, but it doesn't matter. He listens to all petitions, whether big or small. One of the best examples of what I'm talking about can be found in 2 Chronicles 1.

Solomon was now sitting on the throne of David, his father. His kingdom (Israel) was all set before him. Perhaps anyone else in a similar circumstance would have let all of this go to his head. But, like his father before him, his heart was with God. Solomon began his reign with a public prayerful visit to God's altar, which was a very good sign.

Here's where it starts getting interesting! Solomon approached the bronze altar before the Lord, which was in the tent of meeting, and presented a thousand burnt offerings. That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him: "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"  (2 Chronicles 1:7)

Notice the process that caught God's attention. There was no "gimmie-gimmie" from Solomon. He approached God respectfully and prayerfully first. He did it the right way. After this, Solomon had God's full attention and was ready to offer an answer to his request, "Ask, and I will give it to you!" 

Again, Solomon thanked God for his blessings before going further (2 Chronicles 1:8-9). God waited to hear Solomon's reply to his offer. He was the king of Israel, and had more wealth and power than he knew what to do with. On top of that, God was now offering to give him even more! What an awesome predicament to be in!

This all could have gone in another direction very quickly with anyone else. But, not so with Solomon. He could have thrown this opportunity away on more wealth or power; or whatever. Instead, realizing what a great responsibility had been set in his lap, he asked God for more wisdom and knowledge (2 Chronicles 1:10).

He requested this not so much for himself, but to be able to care for God's people (Israel) in a way that was pleasing to God. Of course he was more than happy to grant Solomon's request (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)!

Compared to what he could have asked for, Solomon's request was ordinary and sensible. But you have to admit, it was an excellent choice! My point today is that it doesn't matter the conditions we may find ourselves in. If our requests are prayerful and sincere, God will consider them.

How, if, when, and in what way He answers us is ultimately His call. However, don't let anything hold you back from asking. We might never find ourselves in the same state of affairs as King Solomon, but God will surely listen to you and I just the same!

Scripture: John 14:13-14; Psalm 121:2; James 4:2; Matthew 7:7; Psalm 37:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are my stronghold in good times, and in times of trouble. You are my refuge and strength, and are always ready with a loving ear to hear my prayers, and a kind and merciful heart to deliberate over them. Amen

May God bless you always!

Brandi

There Are None Who Are Better Than Others...

"The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation."  - Charles Spurgeon

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to "point" your finger at, or blame someone for something? Whether at home, work, or school, we've done this at one time or another, correct? It's a surprisingly easy thing to do. As much as we might hate to admit it (myself included), we've all been down this disparaging  road.

Honestly, there really isn't any aspect of life, society, or culture where it's hurtful and harmful effects haven't been exhibited in all its hypercritical glory, including the church. For centuries, the Jewish nation believed they had cornered the market on God. After all, they were his "chosen people," partakers in a covenant with God and the recipients of Mosaic Law, among other things.

This inevitably led some Jews to become self-righteous and condemning of those who did not measure up to their religious standards, which pretty much included everyone else outside of the Jewish nation. Upon the arrival of the Messiah (Jesus Christ), whom, by the way, was spoken of by the prophets, things did eventually change (Isaiah 53:3-7; Micah 5:2).

Frankly, the Jews were not very good at keeping to the rule of law anyway. Now, God never stopped loving them, but they were just as guilty of sin as anyone else; though they might have told you differently (Romans 11:29). When we look down on others who may look, act, think, or believe differently than we do; we are no better.

They like many of us, looked outwardly instead of inwardly. But God sees what is in our hearts. That's what is truly important to him. There is no one among us better than anyone else here on earth! No matter what perceptions or bold self-concept we may have, we're all sinners (Romans 3:11-12).

Look, following rules and regulations is great, but that alone won't save you. Don't kid yourself, only faith in, and obedience to God will do that for you (Ephesians 2:8-9).When it's all said and done, and we face God individually, we will be judged not by the rules of law, but by our actions and deeds (Galatians 2:16).

As I mentioned, each one of us is guilty of sin (Romans 3:23). That's what we're going to be held accountable for someday. We can't say that we didn't know, or plead ignorance (Matthew 7:23). Only true believers obey God and therefore receive salvation, our disobedience only brings condemnation.

Stop pointing your finger at others and take a look inside yourself. What do you see? Do you see a self-righteous and condemning heart, or an obedient, loving and forgiving heart? As you do this, remember that God already knows what the answer is!

Scripture: Isaiah 64:6; Mark 12:30; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 10:3; 2 Timothy 1:7

Prayer: Holy Father, please lead me in your truth and teach me, because you are the God of my salvation. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Thanksgiving (U.S.) Holiday Break - 2016

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry blog will return on Monday, November 28th.

We encourage you, no matter where you are located, to take some time to give thanks to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for all of the blessings in your life, no matter how big or small. And to always remember our salvation and gift of eternal life was bought and paid in full by His sacrifice.

From the entire ministry staff, we wish you and your families many, many more blessings!

~Eve

For God No Cost Is Too High

"For God no cost is too high. Anything can be sacrificed if only we may please Him. Let us daily learn to be obedient children."  - Watchman Nee

We're all aware of how costly things can be. Take the prices of food, housing, and other basics, for instance. Items such as automobiles and electronics can also put a dent in a household budget, too. If we desire certain things in life, we are going to have to pay the price, if it's not on sale.

When we purchase something at a store, be it online or a brick-and-mortar establishment, we consider it ours after the sale. Returns, exchanges, or refunds, notwithstanding, the item is considered bought and owned by the buyer (us). This concept may be applied to us as, as well.

What am I talking about? God sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ to earth for one purpose. That was, to purchase our freedom from death and sin by sacrificing himself in our place (John 3:16). Wow! Talk about a big-time purchase! God knew that this was the only way it could be done.

One cannot even imagine or consider such a settlement. This huge transaction included humanity. That's right. Any and all who believe in Christ, who he was and what he did for us, is in on the deal. We got the easy end of the deal. God gave up His Son in order for this to happen.

The Bible tells us that God paid a high price for you and I (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20; 7: 23). What's sad is that so many of us don't even stop to consider the enormity of all of this. Just read through the Old Testament to see how impossibly hopeless it was to realize our freedom from the death sentence that was imposed on us due to sin.

God, Our Heavenly Father spared us from this certain fate. His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ paid the price. I cannot stress enough how important this is to grasp. If you read the Bible, and get only one thing out of it, I hope it is this huge truth. There has never been, or ever will be another acquisition like it (1 John 2:2 ).

He must really love us or He never would have gone through with it (Romans 5:8). And even though we still sin, and do so many other things that would make anyone else have buyer's remorse; this is not the case with God. He always accepts our repentance and forgives us (2 Peter 3:9). Take a little time today and thank Him for what He did. I know He would like that.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:16; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 12:1; Psalm 51:16-17; Hebrews 13:15

Prayer: Dear God, You gave up so much on our behalf, even though You were under no obligation to do so, You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to give up His perfect, sinless life for our sin-stained lives. I pray that I will never forget what You did, and that I may demonstrate this in my interactions with others every day. Amen

God bless you!

Bree

God Is At the Center of All Blessings

"Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord."  - J.I. Packer

When we give a gift to someone it leaves us with a warm, special feeling on the inside. There's something about seeing happiness in the other person that makes it all worthwhile. And although the gesture could be reciprocal between individuals depending on the situation, say, at Christmas time for example, it doesn't have to be.

Now, let's turn this discussion up a notch or two. We receive many blessings from God. These are given freely and without any expectations of reciprocity, whatsoever. Besides, what could we possibly gift God with anyway? That's just the wondrous, and loving way He works. But as great as it all sounds, sometimes a problem arises from this. Not God's problem...ours!

Being who and what we are, it's not that difficult for us to find ourselves being dazzled by presents, or gifts. This is usually not a problem. Admittedly, when it comes to receiving a gift from a friend or relative can be a pleasant surprise. But God's gifts (i.e., blessings) are a little bit different. His blessings are not only benevolent, they are heavenly (James 1:17 ).

As I mentioned above, problems can and do arise regarding these blessings from God. Not from the blessings themselves, of course, but from the distraction they may cause. All of our focus, every ounce of it, should be on God. Unfortunately, many times we focus too much solely on the blessings and not the source.

For instance, let's take the gift of salvation. We are saved not because salvation was given to us in a brightly, wrapped box like a birthday present, but because of His grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:8-9). God's blessings are wonderful, but they alone will not save us. Too many focus all their attention on the gift box and not on Him; the one who gifted us with it (Ephesians 1:3).

Additionally, we sometimes get ideas in our heads about what an ideal Christian should look like. But these thoughts can also blur or muddle our focus on God. Where's the salvation in this line of thinking? We make it far more complex than it needs to be. Our attention should be on God, and God only (Isaiah 26:3).

Of course, when life takes an ugly turn it's easy to turn to God. That's only natural. But don't make that the only time you give Him a thought. We are saved through Him, and not through all the gifts, or blessings.

In closing, we should be grateful for all of the blessings that we receive from God. Our Heavenly Father is very generous and loving. However, let's not let the blessing themselves take the center spotlight for our salvation. Make God the focal point in your life. Through Him alone are we saved (Acts 4:12)!

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7; Luke 11:28; Isaiah 41:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Jude 1:24

Prayer: Dear Lord, may You always fill me with the joy and peace of believing in You. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome to Bible Study Snacks! If this is your first time with us, I welcome you! If you're a regular follower of this blog, then it's great to have you back again! Either way, I thank you for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. As always, 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 of The First Epistle To The Thessalonians, or 1 Thessalonians. First Thessalonians is regarded as one of Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first. It seems that Paul wrote this letter shortly after arriving in Corinth on his second journey. This would date it somewhere around 52 A.D.

The general theme of 1 Thessalonians is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23). In his writing, Paul places an emphasis on steadfastness and holy living.

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...

This Weeks Objectives: You should be able to...

*  see the very real danger of being tempted, and the need to stand fast in the Lord.
*  appreciate how our own steadfastness can be a source of joy and strength to those who taught us in the faith.
* understand the need to increase and abound in love, in order to establish our hearts blameless before God when Christ returns.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 3...

As Paul expresses his concern for their faithfulness, he explains why Timothy had been sent to them while he himself remained in Athens. Fearful that their afflictions might have given Satan an opportunity to tempt them and render his labors with them in vain, Timothy was sent to establish and encourage them in their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5).

Timothy brought back good news to Paul concerning the church at Thessalonica, telling him of their faith and love, their fond memories of Paul, and their desire to see him again. This greatly comforted Paul who was suffering his own afflictions, and he is overwhelmed with thankfulness and joy.

Praying night and day that he might see them again and perfect what is lacking in their faith, he offers a prayer that God and Jesus might direct his way to them. He also prays that the Lord will help them to increase and abound in love to one another and to all, and to establish their hearts blameless in holiness before God at the coming of Christ with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:6-13).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Where did Paul stay when he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica? (1 Thessalonians 3:1)
2) Why did Paul send Timothy? (1 Thessalonians 3:2)
3) What was Paul fearful of that might have shaken their faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:3)
4) What two reasons are given for Paul sending Timothy to learn of their faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:5)
5) What good news had Timothy brought back to Paul? (1 Thessalonians 3:6)
6) How did this news affect Paul? (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)
7) For what did Paul pray night and day? (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
8) For what did Paul pray concerning himself? (1 Thessalonians 3:11)
9) For what did Paul pray concerning the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

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's Word In Our Very Hands

"The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives." - Dwight L. Moody

When one takes the time to really read the Bible, awesomely, incredible things occur. Now, I'm not talking about simply thumbing through select passages, verses, or stories. I mean actually getting comfortable and reading the Bible as if your life depended on it. Because, you know what? It does!

Let me share some snippets of quotes, from some well-known folks, regarding this very topic. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the U.S. said, "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man." Charles Dickens said, "The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world."

So what is it about the Bible, besides the obvious, that makes it such an important and life-giving book? Though there's an abundance of elements we could identify, for our message today I will point out several. The Bible is everlasting (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:25). The Bible is divinely inspired. (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).

The Bible is profitable for our instruction (Deuteronomy 11:19; Romans 5:4). The Bible is powerful (Jeremiah 23:29; Romans 1:16; Hebrew 4:12). The Bible gives life (John 20:31; james 1:21; John 5:24). We have only scratched the surface of what the Bible says about itself here. But make no mistake, it is unlike any other book that has ever been written.

Though it may be difficult to believe, the Bible has not had an easy path toward acceptance. It has received more than its share of criticism down through the years. It has been called everything from a book of fairy tales to mythology, and even far worse. And yet, it has managed to survive. The Bible is alive and active!

Today, it's fairly easy to secure a Bible from many different sources. It wasn't always so. Sadly, there are many areas around the globe today, where for a variety of reasons, people cannot access the Bible. I urge you to remember those in your prayers who cannot obtain a Bible, wherever they might be. 

19th century theologian, Charles Hodge put it succinctly when he said, "Always give praise to Our Almighty Father for the privilege of being able to have a Bible in your hands, and being able to open its pages and nourish your soul." I think this clearly says it all.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17; John 12:48; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 17:17; Mark 13:31

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank You for Your Word, and ask that You help me recognize and accept it emotionally, reverently, in belief, and obediently always. Amen

God bless you!

Genevieve

Video - Beth Moore: "Who Told You That?"

Did you know that one of the most important inquisitions the Holy Spirit can do with is to ask us: "Who told you that..?" Another inspiring clip from Bible teacher and speaker Beth Moore.  ~Eve

Never Give Up On God!

"Never give up on God because He never gives up on you." - Woodrow Kroll

How many of you have felt, at one time or another, as if your back was against the wall, and everything was closing in around you? That everything and everyone was out to get you...maybe even God? Let me see a show of hands. If I could see you, I'd bet there would be plenty of them waving in the air... including mine!

Does this sound familiar? Most of us who live and breathe have traveled this path before. There was a man who experienced more than his share of adversity. And although the losses in his life were more extreme than most of us will ever experience, he never lost his faithfulness to God. His name was Job.

Here was a deeply devout man of God, who was richly blessed in family and in all other ways. Then suddenly, without warning, his life was turned upside down. Unbeknown to Job was that God had allowed Satan to directly attack him in order to test his faithfulness. (Job 1:12)

The intent of this was to illustrate God’s sovereignty and faithfulness during a time of great suffering. Although suffering the loss of his health, wealth, and family he remained strong and faithful to God (Job 1:22). In the meanwhile, he wasn't getting much sympathy or help from either his friends, or his wife, who actually suggested suicide! (Job 2:9)

Job’s friends, while trying to be supportive, wrongly advised him. Instead of suggesting that maybe this was a test from God, they blamed his troubles on personal sin. Ironically, one friend was half-right in that God wanted to humble him, but this was only a part of His test. (Job 4-37)

This serves as a really good lesson for us in our faithfulness toward God, as well. When troubles and misfortune come our way, of course we want God to help us. But the easiest thing to do is place the blame on something or someone else, and feel sorry for ourselves,

It just might be that God is testing what your faith is made of. Yes, you do all the right things like read scripture daily, consistently attend church, involve yourself in fellowship and community service, but is that really "kicking the tires," as they say, of your faith?

Job was probably at a very comfortable place in his life. He wanted for nothing, his family was doing well, his personal assets were impressive. He was feeling blessed, and indeed he was! However, that made him the perfect test-subject to see if his faith was really up to snuff.

When we sail through the choppy waters of life, it's very common to ask the question:"Why me, God?" We find it difficult to believe that He would send us into such a situation. But look at it this way. We really don't know why God does what He does. It's not for us humans to know. (1 Corinthians 2:11)

It could be that God is trying to drive the point across that He is the one who is running the show. Not you, not me. And that when it comes to faith, we sometimes talk a big talk. Anyone can claim faith, but is it the kind of faith that God wants and expects from us.

How are we supposed to learn what our faith is made of unless we are pushed to the wall now and again? Does God do this for His own enjoyment? No. We can consider it for our own growth as Christians. Too many give up in their darkest hour, when the sunrise was just a few, short moments away.

Fortunately, it all worked out well in the end for Job. He finally understood that we don't always know why God does what He does in our lives, and never will (Job 42:1-3). He humbles us and brings us closer to Him by churning the waters now and then. As always, He does this in complete love for His children, and never to harm us.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:13; John 16:33; Romans 3:3; Psalm 9:10; Romans 8:28

Prayer: Dear Lord, in times of trial and adversity, I worry not; knowing that my help comes from You who made heaven and earth. Amen

May God bless you all!

Kasey

Exercise Your Faith Through Prayer!

"Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation."   -C.H. Spurgeon

Exercise?? What can I say? Health experts have been on our case for years about the benefits of getting off of the sofa, and out the door. In other words: be more active! I have to confess, I am not the most active person out there, though I've had my moments.

I envy those people who jog by me on the sidewalk while pushing a baby stroller, or zip on down the street on their racing bicycles. I try, or make an effort to be more physically active. I really do! But, it's hard for me to be consistent about it. Medical experts tell us that it's important to exercise our minds in order to keep them running smoothly, too.

While I'm on the subject of exercise, there's one more thing that we should exercise, but maybe are not real good at doing. Faith needs to exercised, if you will, on a regular basis if it is to grow stronger. It's just as important to our well-being as any of the above, if not more so. Let me explain.

You've probably heard before how our faith is strengthened by adversity and going through some of the not-so-pleasant experiences in life. I won't argue that this is undeniably true.. But we shouldn't just sit around waiting for something bad to happen in order to work our faith.

One of the best ways to give that faith a workout is through prayer. That's right...prayer! You see, faith, like our muscles, will atrophy or deteriorate if not used. Prayer is just what the doctor ordered if you want to get that faith level up, and keep it there! (Colossians 4:2)

Look, we pray when under duress, or during unsettling times. We pray when we need help, or delivery from some kind of trouble. While there's nothing wrong with this, why should we only pray when the bottom has fallen out? Compare this to training only to run a marathon; or participate in a sport, and then stopping completely when it was over.

While it was beneficial as you were exercising and training your body for a while, once you stop, you start to regress. If you want to do it again, you have to start over from scratch. Wouldn't it be easier to be on a regular program where you could stay in good shape all year round?

We can apply this to faith, too. Our faith unquestionably gets stronger the more we are tested. But, we don't know when tribulation will come knocking at our door. Wouldn't it make more sense to be ready for any circumstance; good or bad? We can, by exercising our faith in a constant, deliberate, and dependable manner through prayer. (Psalm 145:18-19)

Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior was quite aware of this. As a matter of fact, we can see him exercising his faith through prayer several times in the Scriptures. So you have to figure, if prayer was good enough for Jesus, it has to be good for us, too! (Luke 5:16; John 17:1)

As an added bonus, there are no membership fees, or any special equipment required. All that's needed is just you, some time out of your day, and a sincere heart for Jesus Christ. He will take care of the rest! (Matthew 6:5-8; Romans 12:12)

Scripture: Hebrews 5:7; Mark 1:35; Matthew 11:25; Mark 14:39; Matthew 26:42

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, though my faith may waver or weaken from time to time, You are always there as my strength and my salvation;  to you I offer all of my praise and thankfulness, now and forever. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome to Bible Study Snacks! If this is your first time with us, I welcome you! If you're a regular follower of this blog, then it's great to have you back again! Either way, I thank you for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. As always, 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 of The First Epistle To The Thessalonians, or 1 Thessalonians. First Thessalonians is regarded as one of Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first. It seems that Paul wrote this letter shortly after arriving in Corinth on his second journey. This would date it somewhere around 52 A.D.

The general theme of 1 Thessalonians is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23). In his writing, Paul places an emphasis on steadfastness and holy living.

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...

This Weeks Objectives: You should...

*  gather from Paul's example how preachers should conduct themselves among brethren with whom they work.
*  appreciate how the thought of seeing each other at the coming of Jesus should affect our attitude towards one another.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20...

Having reflected upon their reception of the gospel, Paul now reflects upon his own conduct while with them. He describes the manner of his preaching as one that was free of guile, deceit, flattery, and covetousness. Seeking not the glory of men, but of God, he spoke with boldness despite conflict, and was gentle among them as a nursing mother would be with her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:1-8).

Paul then begins to reflect upon the concern that he has for their condition. Thankful for their reception of his gospel as the word of God and not of men, he writes how they had imitated the churches in Judea in receiving the word among much persecution by their own countrymen (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16).

Even though it has only been a short time since he has seen them, he has desired to come to them time and again, but Satan had hindered him. His longing to see them is due to his view of them as his hope, joy and crown of rejoicing in the presence of Jesus when He comes again (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What had Paul endured prior to coming to Thessalonica?  What was his attitude when he arrived (1 Thessalonians 2:2)
2) What did NOT characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6)
3) What figure does Paul use to describe his treatment of them? (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
4) What did Paul impart to them along with the gospel of God? (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
5) What DID characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (1 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
6) What figure does Paul use to described the manner in which he exhorted them? (1 Thessalonians 2:11)
7) How did Paul want them to walk? (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
8) How had the Thessalonians received the word of God which they heard from Paul? (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
9) Who had the Thessalonians imitated in the way they received the gospel? In what way?(1 Thessalonians 2:14)
10) What had the Jews done? (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16)
11) Who had hindered Paul from coming back to Thessalonica? (1 Thessalonians 2:18)
12) How did Paul view the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

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

Focus On Christ When Stressed

"The cares of this life emerge as very small items indeed along our daily path."  -Watchman Nee

Stressful situations are a part of life. That's just the way it is. No matter who we are or where we live, stress will eventually find us at some point. Stress can also come in a variety of ways. It can arrive at home, work, school, or even in combination with of all of the above. No matter, stress is stress!

What would  you do if Jesus Christ himself, came over to your house? I think this would certainly qualify for a stressful situation! This is what exactly occurred to the two sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, in Luke 10: 38-40. This particular incident provides us with an interesting lesson in how to cope with a stressful circumstance.

Upon Jesus' arrival in Bethany, Martha invited him to her home. As any good hostess knows, this means preparing for the guest and making sure everything is just so. While she was busily getting dinner ready, it suddenly dawned on her that her sister Mary was not there helping out. It was at this point that she probably went out into the room where Jesus seated and found her sister, at his feet.

In Luke 10:40, she walked up to her sister and Jesus then blurted out, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Martha was hoping that he would sympathize with her and maybe ask Mary to help in the kitchen. Keep in mind, Martha was feeling the strain of this impromptu dinner party. She had been counting on Mary's help, at the very least.

Jesus did respond, however, but not in the way that she was expecting or hoping I am sure. Make no mistake, he was quite aware of how stressed Martha was. He knew precisely how she felt, just as he knows when we too are saddled with stress or are surrounded by worry.

As Jesus was very good at doing, he put this all into perspective for Martha in order that she not only really saw the big picture, but that she would learn something from it, as well. His response to her was perfect (Luke 10: 41-42). There are two distinct pictures of how to handle stress worth examining here.

On one hand, we have Martha who is obviously stressed out. But, she has it all wrong. She is letting "worldly business" get the best of her; distracting her from what was truly important here: Jesus. This becomes clear when he tells her,"few things are needed—or indeed only one." It is hard to see otherwise when wrestling with stress.

Then there's her sister, Mary. While her sister has been carried away by her concern over dinner, she has been with Jesus, hearing what he had to say. In a way, you could say that she was distracted, too. But in her case, it was a good thing. After all, what's more important giving your full attention to the Lord himself?

Negative experiences can't be avoided. They may strike at anytime. Our job, as difficult as it might sometimes be, is to focus on the positive like Mary did. She knew what she was doing. She had her priorities in order. Her sister Martha, was more worried about burning dinner than honoring Christ, who was right there...in person...in her very own home!

I won't argue that it's important to be responsible and dedicated to what needs to be done in our earthly endeavors, but they shouldn't take precedent over our responsibility and dedication to Jesus Christ. He should always be at the top of the list!

Scripture: Philippians 4:6; John 14:27; Proverbs 12:25; Matthew 6:27; Luke 6:48

Prayer: Holy Father, Through You I am strengthened knowing that all things work together for good for those of us who love You. Amen

May God bless you!

Charlene

Video - Beth Moore: Dominion Sin

Bible teacher Beth Moore explains how freedom doesn't mean the absence of sin, but the breaking of sin's dominating power of you. It's not about perfection, but rather, not letting sin take control of our lives. Strong message!  ~Eve

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted...

"Every tear of sorrow sown by the righteous springs up a pearl."  - Matthew Henry

When a person decides to come to Christ, it should be considered a very serious endeavor. It is unlike anything that one can do in their life. We may aspire to climb mountains, participate in various competitive events, achieve career success, find love and happiness, etc. But following Jesus Christ is quite unique.

Some may be under the impression that once this personal transformation takes place all will be blue skies and sunshine. It will lead to some positive changes, that, I won't deny. However, the devoted Christian will not be exempt from the ills of this sinful world. Anyone committing to Christ, and not understanding this, is setting themselves up for disappointment.

For a powerful example, I refer you to 1 Peter 4:12-14. The apostle Peter had personally experienced persecution. He had also witnessed other fellow Christians suffer and die because of their faith. As a result of this oppression against the church, many had scattered. He wanted to offer them hope, comfort, and to encourage their faithfulness to Christ.

When the going is good, or easy, our confidence and morale is usually high and upbeat. Everything falls into place and the road ahead is clearly visible. But what happens when this scenario is turned upside down? Or, the bottom falls out, storm clouds move in, and the waters become choppy?

The Christian knows this goes with the territory. He is well aware that suffering may be lurking somewhere right around the next corner. He is not surprised by this. Why? Because he knows that he is not given a free pass around troubles just because of his faith and devotion. Persecution and suffering are no strangers to the believer in Christ (2 Timothy 3:12).

Believers walk through this painful world not as strangers in an unfamiliar environment, but as partakers of Christ's sufferings. This might sound bizarre or unusual to others, but Christians gladly participate in these sorrows, trials, and unpleasantries in order to receive their reward. We are not alone as we endure them. The Spirit of God is with us (Luke 6:22).

As a believer in Christ, don't let suffering shock you. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Don't let persecution throw you off the track. At first it may catch you off guard or surprise you. But keep this in mind, persecution and suffering are not products of good men. Only the evil revel in this.

Additionally, and historically speaking, the sorrows caused by persecution have been consistent. The morally impure despise the pure, the mockers dislike the real, the false teachers are annoyed and infuriated by those who teach the truth, and the wicked hate the virtuous.

A strong and virile faith can be compared to the burning bush of Moses. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it was not consumed (Exodus 3:1-6). Thus is the faith of the potent Christian. The faithful believer truly understands that the experience of trials is necessary for Christian growth and maturity.

If you glean only one thing from this message, I hope that it will be the knowledge that through the midst of all of the sufferings you may encounter in life, you may find as a partaker in Christ's sufferings a reason for great joy. Keep these words close to your heart at all times: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10; Revelation 21:4; 1 John 3:13; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Mark 13:13

Prayer: Dear Lord,  provide me with the strength that I need to endure whatever trials I may encounter in my life. Amen

May the Lord bless you always!

Katherine

He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  -Jesus Christ

Famous British writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, said: "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact."  He was correct in that respect. There's probably nothing more difficult to talk about than the "truth."

Our belief as Christians is based on the "Truth" (John 16:13). There are two camps when it comes to Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Christ (the Truth), and those who don't believe. Yes, there are some who proclaim they are on the fence, but either you believe, or you don't. Fence-sitters can't have it both ways.

Belief in the truth can be tricky because it goes against what our physical minds perceive. We want proof. Some say, "Show me the truth." In other words, I want to see it and be able to touch it (John 20:29). Sadly, we have even been hurt by the truth at one time or another. Truth is neither always easy, nor is it always pleasant.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we believe in what he did for us, and why. In this case, we believe in the Truth, we believe in Him. Unbelievers, too, are presented the same information as believers. They just make the choice not to believe. Taking this basic, and I stress basic, information let's expand on it a little further.

We all will have to face God for judgement at some point; both the believer and unbeliever, alike. Surely, a life of unbelief will not go down very well in front of the Almighty Father. What can you say as an unbeliever other than, "I didn't believe in You."

At that time, however, it will be too late to do anything about your belief. Once this life is over, there can be no changing of the mind, give-zees-back-zees; or do-overs. This is the chance that the unbeliever takes. Is there eternal life, or not?

If the unbeliever is right, and there is none, then we all suffer the same fate. On the other hand, the believer, having placed his faith in Christ, will have a shot at eternal life with God in His heavenly home (1 John 2:20-25). For the unbeliever, not so much.

The decision to believe in the Truth can only be made here and now. After we die, that option dies with us. Death is final. Thus, no amount of praying, wishing or hoping will help a person gain the salvation he rejected in life (Revelation 20:14-15). Now, who has more to lose?

God said that He was the God of the living and not the dead (Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38). Those who live in Him and with Him are assured eternal life (Psalm 6:5; Isaiah 38:18; Psalm 115:17). For those who are spiritually dead, or indifferent there will be no such reward.

All living things die at some point; including ourselves. While we live in the physical sense, we are able to make some adjustments that can affect our future. Once we pass on, this comes to an abrupt end. It is no longer an option, or possibility. An eternity is a long time to contemplate the wrong choice.

Scripture: John 14:6; Ephesians 6:14; John 1:17; John 1:14; Colossians 1:5-6

Prayer: Dear Jesus, lead me in your truth and enlighten me, You are the God of my salvation, and  all that is good, right, and true. Help me to always live and love in acts of kindness and truth. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome to Bible Study Snacks! If this is your first time with us, I welcome you! If you're a regular follower of this blog, then it's great to have you back again! Either way, I thank you for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. As always, I hope you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, and strong in faith!

This week, we will begin our study of The First Epistle To The Thessalonians, or 1 Thessalonians. First Thessalonians is regarded as one of Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first. It seems that Paul wrote this letter shortly after arriving in Corinth on his second journey. This would date it somewhere around 52 A.D.

The general theme of 1 Thessalonians is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23). In his writing, Paul places an emphasis on steadfastness and holy living.

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:

*  how the virtues of faith, hope, and love should express themselves.
*  the potential a new congregation has for spreading the good news of the gospel of Christ, and being a positive example to all believers.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10:

Joined by Silvanus and Timothy, who had been with him when the gospel was first preached in Thessalonica, Paul offers his salutation along with a petition for grace and peace. He follows with an expression of thanksgiving for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope, knowing their election by God (1 Thessalonians 1:1-4).

His assurance of their election is reinforced by the way in which they received the gospel. It had come to them not only in word, but in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance. Having imitated Paul and the Lord by receiving the word in much affliction and joy, they in turn had become examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

From them the word had traveled to many places; and the news of their own faith toward God had so spread that Paul did not need to tell others about them. In fact, others were telling Paul of the Thessalonians' conversion from idols to serve the true God, and how they were waiting for the resurrected Jesus to return from heaven who would deliver them from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Who joined Paul in the salutation of this epistle? (1 Thessalonians 1:1)
2) How did Paul address the church? (1 Thessalonians 1:1)
3) What three things was Paul especially thankful for regarding the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
4) What did Paul know concerning the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
5) How had the gospel come to the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
6) How had they become followers of Paul and the Lord? (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
7) For whom had they became examples? (1 Thessalonians 1:7)
8) What two things had sounded forth, or gone out, from the Thessalonians? (1 Thessalonians 1:8)
9) What two things describe the manner in which they received Paul? (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

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

Don't Let Anxiety Weigh You Down!

"Historians will probably call our era "the age of anxiety." Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us."  -Billy Graham

Syndromes attributed to anxiety are among the most widespread of all psychiatric disorders. In 2004, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), estimated the cost of care for anxious patients at $400 million.

Studies have shown that some of us are genetically susceptible to develop feelings of anxiety, while for others, environmental conditions can determine whether a disorder of anxiety will develop at some future date.

Anxiety is indeed universal, occurring in all cultures throughout the world. We even encounter a few cases of anxiety within the pages of Scripture. For instance, we can read in Genesis 32 about the anxious reunion between Jacob and his brother Esau, whose birthright was stolen by his brother.

In his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6), Jesus issues a warning against being anxious about the varietal cares of this world. He tells us that the child of God should not worry about things such as food and clothing. God knows our needs and cares about them. Putting God first in all matters is a remedy for anxiety (Matthew 6:33).

In cases of sin-caused anxiety, the best treatment is to take direct action against it; confessing and asking for forgiveness of sin (Psalm 32:1-5). Maybe it's a broken relationship that troubles you? These require an attempt at peaceful resolution (2 Corinthians 13:11).

For some, stepping out of their comfort zone is difficult. If this is you, then try handing your situation over to an omniscient and omnipotent God (Psalm 68:20). Feeling overwhelmed by your predicament? It's time to dig deep into your faith (Matthew 8:23-27).

Naturally, there are other common sense approaches one can take to help reduce or cure anxiety, as well. Other options could be: getting more rest, doing relaxing activities, talking to someone you trust, taking a break to have some fun, stop procrastinating, getting exercise, and by all means seeking professional help if it is needed.

The bottom line here today, is that we can depend on our Lord to take care of what we need (James 1:2-4). He will protect us from worldly corruptness, be our guiding light, and by his mercy and grace, keep our souls eternally safe and secure (Isaiah 41:10).

Anxiety can pop up and disrupt our lives at time. Due to circumstances and individual experiences, we might not always be able to help from caving in when it attacks. But we have a powerful protector on our side; One who is always ready to help us. Commit your anxieties to God (Philippians 4:6, 7).

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:34; Psalm 94:19; Psalm 34:18

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, when the cares of the world seem to much to bear; in faith, I turn to You, who removes the troubles from my heart, and brings me peace. Amen

God bless you!

Bree

Video - Beth Moore: Relentless

The Devil can knock you down, but he can't keep you down! This week, Bible teacher Beth Moore illustrates how freedom in Christ makes us unstoppable. As always, a good word from her!  ~Eve

No Shortcut to a Strong Faith!

"When we pray for the Spirit's help ... we will simply fall down at the Lord's feet in our weakness. There we will find the victory and power that comes from His love."  - Andrew Murray

Everyone takes a shortcut now and then. They usually don't harm anyone, and may even be beneficial. For example, we might find a new route to work that shaves off a few minutes from our commute. Or, a friend might suggest a slight modification to a recipe that saves a little time.

Shortcuts such as these, are welcome in our busy lives because they save us time. Who doesn't like cutting a corner or two if, in the end, it results in the added bonus of more time to spend with families and friends, or in relaxation. Very few of us would argue against such time savers.

There is, however, one very important area in our lives where shortcuts can be detrimental or outright dangerous. I am talking about our faith. A portion of faith; a kinda-sorta faith; or a more-or-less faith is really not faith at all. You can't just dip your toe in faith. You have to jump in all the way!

Satan is always lurking around, poking away at our faith to find any weakness. Even the smallest crack or opening is enough to let him slip into our lives. Though he may be the unseen enemy, you can rest assured that evidence of his powers of destruction and control are quite visible.

In Luke 22:31-34, we see a dialogue between Jesus and Simon Peter on this exact topic. Granted, even though Satan has no power over Christ, and has been weakened quite a bit, his attempts at temptation and manipulation are boundless. At times, he may be permitted to rattle us, as a test of our faith.

What this means to us, is that our faith must be strong to withstand Satan's attacks. We needn't fear Satan since our Lord Christ has already defeated him (Hebrews 2:14-15). Nonetheless, he is a crafty foe who stops at nothing to overcome the weak and mushy in faith. (2 Timothy 1:7 )

"But what if I stumble?" Then pick yourself up and get back in the fight. Christ has your back, but you need to do your part in the battle, too. You may have been weakened, but you are not defeated. Passivity in faith is not allowed. You must be an active participant! (2 Corinthians 12:10 )

We all will suffer a collapse or breakdown in faith at one time or another. This is not a reflection of Christ, but on our own faith. Taking some hits is part of the process. How in the world is our faith ever going to  become stronger if it is never tested? (James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:7)

Failures in faith are not the end of the world. If anything, they serve to make our faith ever stronger and more resilient. They also leave us better equipped to assist others in their time of weakness, and point the way to Him who saves by our own humbling experiences (1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 3:23).

The best means by which to strengthen a feeble faith are through the Word of God (the Bible), prayer and fellowship with other believers (John 20:29). But remember, a faith not put into action, is not a  robust faith. Don't just sit on it, use it!

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 37:4; Philippians 4:13

Prayer: Holy Father, strengthen me when I am weak; lift me up when I fall; so that by your eternal grace and mercy, I may summon a faith that is more restored and tempered than before. Amen

May God bless you always!

Brandi