Christmas Message 2017

"You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father's face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift."  - John R. Rice

Christmas 2017! Once again, we find ourselves in the holiest of seasons, celebrating the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is also means time spent with our family and friends. And, while the real significance of this time sometimes gets overwhelmed by shopping, gifts, parties, and other activities, let's not forget what the birth of Christ meant to the world.

John 3:16-17 (KJV) tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

This was not an act of pity on God's part. Neither was it an act of charity. God did this because He loved us. It was a pure and simple act of love. As parents, we love our children unconditionally. God, as our Father is no different. He loves us despite our rebellion, flaws, and iniquity.

Through this unselfish act of love, He sent us His Only Begotten Son to save us from our sinful nature. He provided us with a chance that would otherwise be unattainable. There is no possible way to calculate the value of this gift. How can one put a price on real love?

Somewhere underneath all of the commercial hype, flashing multi-colored lights, and presents in vibrant gift wrap, the true meaning of Christmas may still be found. You won't find it under a brightly lit tree, or online. It is in your heart; and that is love. The same love that sent Jesus to earth on that long ago night.



It has been tradition here for us to gone on hiatus during this time. This is to allow our ministry staff and writers to celebrate the season with their loved ones. While we are away, our archived messages are always available to you. We will return on Monday, January 8, 2018.

Thank you for allowing us to share our love of Jesus Christ with you throughout this past year. We are looking forward to doing the same in 2018! On behalf of everyone here at The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, I wish you, our friends, both old and new, a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year!  ~Eve

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for the gift of Your love. May I always be a glowing example of that love to others, amen.

May God bless all of you!

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry

...A Price on Christmas?

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!" - Assorted Authors

One of the most common complaints heard at Christmas time is that the holiday is too expensive. But, is it really? I suppose the answer to this question depends on who you are, and how you look at it. We should check out the very first Christmas before making a decision.

Was it too expensive? Let's see...it cost Mary and Joseph their comfortable home to travel to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). Oh, and we can't forget the angel-directed exile to Egypt to save baby Jesus from a sure death at the hands of Herod (Matthew 2:13).

How about the parents in Bethlehem whose babies were massacred by the wicked Herod (Matthew 2:16)? The shepherds left their flocks behind in order to travel to Bethlehem, so that they might see the newborn Messiah as announced to them by the angel of the Lord (Luke 2:8-20).

How about God? What did Christmas cost Him? It cost Him everything. He gave up His only begotten Son (John 3:16)! What did Christmas cost Jesus? It cost him a life of sacrifice and service, and a vicious, cruel death that is unequaled in history (Matthew 27:32-56).

Therefore, is Christmas too expensive? It is if if doesn't mean hope. Those who know the Christ of Christmas will never be without hope. It is costly if we don't receive and experience God's gift of love (Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10).

It's costly if we don't experience the forgiveness of sins. We'd totally miss the true meaning of Christmas if we forgot Jesus' purpose for coming into the world; that was too seek and save the lost (Luke 9:10). It's also expensive if we do not fill our hearts with joy, and let it radiate outward.

We can't forget the cost of not demonstrating peace and goodwill to others. After all, Christmas is a time for peace and goodwill. If we have received God's goodwill, then we will show goodwill toward God and others (Luke 2:14).

Christmas is too costly if we don't share the Good News (Luke 2:11). It is a privilege to share our knowledge of God with those who do not know Him. Make Christmas worthwhile by sharing the Good News.

And finally, Christmas is too expensive if we don't exercise faith. God's faith in man is revealed by the gift of his Son Jesus. Can we doubt that God cares for sinners? Toss aside any uncertainty by reacting with faith in the Lord Jesus always.

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6; John 1:14; Jeremiah 29:11; Luke 1:46-47; Zechariah 9:9

Prayer: Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!  -1 Corinthians 9:15

May God bless you always!

Layne

Let God's Word Provide You With Guidance

"Though the Bible was written over sixteen centuries by at least forty authors, it has one central theme--salvation through faith in Christ." - Max Lucado

Every now and then, we find ourselves in need of some comforting thoughts; supplemented by a healthy dose of encouragement. Honestly, even the most tempered soul can sometimes get rattled and desire some solace.

What can one do? We can share our concerns with family, friends, our pastor, or seek the help of a trained professional. But, one of the best, and freely available, resources we have at our disposal is the Bible. Surprisingly, it is often overlooked or discarded altogether.

Between its covers can found comfort when we need it, wisdom and guidance when we seek it, and the encouragement that everything is going to be alright in the end. You know, there are many other sources you could turn to, but none will serve you better than the Word of God.

Let me demonstrate this using Romans 10:13. What better subject than that of salvation! Many put more thought into their order at Starbuck's™ than they do in their salvation. Since all of us are born into sin, this should be a great concern.

Mercifully, God has spoken to us about this subject (of our being saved) in clear and plain language.The significance of salvation is staggering. The word alone hints at misery, suffering, danger, risk of punishment and death.

More importantly, it implies deliverance or liberation from these things as seen in Exodus 14:13; Psalm 106: 8-10; and Isaiah 63:8, 9; 1 Samuel 11:13; and 1 Chronicles 11:14. All is not lost, after all. There is hope.

In a spiritual sense, as indicated in the New Testament, salvation means deliverance from the eternal condemnation of sin. This deliverance, our deliverance, is the result of the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ. It is the salvation of our immortal soul.

Today, I have touched on only one example of the encouragement we can find in the Bible. But, no matter what problem(s) are bearing down on you right now, or at any time, you can always find a wealth of heavenly enlightenment within its pages.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 15:4; Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 119:105; John 5:39

Prayer: Dear Lord, I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. -Psalm 119:11

May God bless you!

Inga

The Joy of Jesus!

"The Lord gives his people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to him."  - Dwight L. Moody

During this time of the year, we see the word "joy" used often in many different formats. And who would disagree that the word evokes feelings of happiness, rejoicing, and inner warmth? In addition to these examples, we find "joy" used a lot in the Bible.

In fact, it is used over 100 times in the Old Testament and about 60 or so times in the New Testament. Its wide usage alone leads one to believe that it has to be an important word. Therefore, I think it's one of those words that should definitely be examined a little more closely.

For sure, we could pick any number of instances where "joy" comes up in scripture, but to save time and space, I will direct you to one verse in particular, Hebrews 12:2 (NASB). Let's zero in on the part that says, "...who for the joy set before Him..." 

Using this as our starting point, we can ask the question, "What is this joy that was set before Jesus?" While there are many illustrations we could point to, I will suggest a few of the better known.

To begin, Jesus speaks of it in the joy of father who receives his penitent son back into his heart and home in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32). Then, there's the joy of a shepherd who finds the lost sheep he had been looking for in The Parable of the Lost Sheep ((Luke 15:3–7).

Another case may be found in the Parable of the Lost Coin ( Luke 15:8–10), where a woman looks for a lost coin, finds it, and rejoices. What is the common denominator regarding the joy of Jesus, in all of these examples? It can be condensed to just four words: the joy of love.

And not just any ol' variety of love, either. It is that exceptional and wonderful kind of love which inspires us to call grace. We can also say that it is the strongest, most beautiful, and heavenly type of love. And, while we're at it, let's call it the joy of holiness and of absolute goodness.

As you can see, there's a lot more to the word "joy" than what we see on a Christmas card. We could all do a lot worse than to make Christ's joy our goal, not only during the Christmas season, but all year long. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! -Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Scripture: Romans 12:12; James 1:2; Philippians 4:4; Galatians 5:22; Psalm 118:24

Prayer: Dear Jesus, it makes me feel so wonderful to release the joy inside that I receive from You. I pray that my happy heart will not only lift my spirits, but that I can share this same joy with everyone I meet, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

What About the Gospel? (Part 3)

"The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed."  - Harry Ironside

If you have followed along on the previous installments, you should now have a workable understanding of what the gospel is. We saw that it is good news from God to man; the good news of spiritual good, forgiveness, and salvation.

But we must not be satisfied with only this knowledge. For as impressive as this might be, our view cannot be thought of as complete without considering whose gospel it is, as well. So let's begin our discussion of this topic here.

As we shall see, the gospel is not an impersonal or theoretical gospel. Neither is it the gospel of man, nor an infinite and distant God. It is the gospel of both God and man. It is specifically described in the text of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

But, in order to allow for a more meaningful conversation about this, we must first set the table, so to speak. To begin with, I'm not aware of anything in the Scriptures that is so consistently disrespected and more incompletely understood than the names and titles of the Savior.

And, even if we do acknowledge the honor and greatness of him, it is only in the general sense. In other words, with no clear concept regarding the importance of the terms we use. Indeed, this habit is quite deeply-rooted and hurtful.

I am sure we'd agree that it wouldn't hurt to occasionally remember the primary importance attached to all names. And that divine names are especially so! The names of the Redeemer were designed to be descriptive and expressive, and not ordinary, formal, and meaningless.

We find that every name is significant of a great truth or relevant feature pertaining to the person or duty of Christ, including the method of redemption. I felt it vital to my message that we clarify the points noted above. I hope that you will find it beneficial as we move forward, too.

In closing, I invite you to join me next time as we continue with our dialogue on the gospel. Until then, I wish you all a blessed week!

Scripture: Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-11; John 14:6; John 8:58;  Jeremiah 10:6

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Your Son has taught us that life is eternal and love cannot die. May we always keep this in our hearts and actions, amen.

May the Lord bless!

Shawna

What Is Our Being in Christ?

"Being in Christ, it is safe to forget the past; it is possible to be sure of the future; it is possible to be diligent in the present."  - Alexander MacLaren

Christ came into the world to tend to the most troubling problems that disturb human hearts. He came to make known the way of love for everyone. In Colossians 3:11, the apostle Paul is speaking to believers regarding their position in, and relationship to, Jesus Christ.

Paul occupies himself with the painful problems that worry, upset, and divide people, by first and foremost emphasizing our relationship to God from His point of view. He points out that we died to sin through Christ (Colossians 2:20), and that we have been raised with Christ to a new life (Colossians 3:1).

Moreover, he asserts that when our Lord appears in his glory, we too, will appear with him (Colossians 3:4). In light of these great spiritual realities, Paul encourages us to cooperate with our Lord as we seek to live out our unity with him.

Thus, the apostle Paul furnishes spiritual encouragement in the form of some noteworthy commands. First, we are encouraged to focus the aim of our life on Christ (Colossians 3:1). The apostle had defined his purpose of his existence in terms of relating himself to Jesus Christ and letting Christ live in him (Philippians 1:21).

Next. we're encouraged to focus our mind on Christ (Colossians 3:2). Our affections, disposition, and our will, or for that matter, our entire personality is to be affected by our desire to let Jesus Christ have his way with us.

Finally, we are encouraged to focus our hope on Christ (Colossians 3:4). After all, our great hope for the future and beyond time is to be united with the Christ, and with the people of God, throughout eternity. Therefore, Paul encourages us to remove hindrances to Christian fellowship (Colossians 3: 5-17).

In closing, Christ came and died for our sins, conquering death and the grave, so that eternal life might be an actuality for you and I. He came to dwell inside each of us when we trusted him as Savior. And, he wants to help us live the heavenly life, even as we continue with our physical life here on earth.

However, in order for Christ to help us with our present, painful problems, we must acknowledge and respond to him regularly. For it was faith in Christ that established us in a loving relationship with him, and it is listening to and obeying him that will inevitably bring satisfaction and joy to our hearts.

Scripture: Colossians 2:9; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 15:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Prayer: Holy Father, I thank you for our great salvation; past, present, and future. I also thank you for Christ as our redeemer, teacher, guide, and friend, amen.

Have a blessed day!

Layne

Video - Rebekah Gregory: Prepared Through Adversity

In this video clip, Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Rebekah Gregory, talks a little about a lifetime of adversity and the work God was doing throughout it all. There isn't one person out there who hasn't struggled through adversity of one type or another. A message that resonates with us all.  ~Eve

To Grasp the Scriptures Requires Faith

"Understanding is the reward of faith."  - Saint Augustine

From the beginning, Our Lord intended for the Scriptures to have a special purpose. They were by no means put together in haste, or without a goal in mind. God doesn't work that way. They were as much a part of His great design as the rest of creation.

Yes, it would have been possible for Jesus to teach his disciples without them. No doubt they could have been instructed on everything they needed to know about Him, His duty, His Divine commission, sufferings and death, His resurrection, and the glory to come; all of this, by his direct inspiration.

Instead, he chose to guide them to the living prophecies that were given to their fathers by God. And guess what he used as his source of reference? You might find this surprising, but many people have never read the Scriptures at all. 

On the other hand, many others have read (and do read) the Scriptures but fail to comprehend any of it. Their meaning is locked away from them like some hidden, buried treasure. The most common, underlying problem is not with the Scriptures. It is with the way they are read.

We cannot approach the Scriptures as we would just any other book. We must ask ourselves whether we read the Scriptures, not only on a regular basis, but with belief or faith. Or, are we merely reading according to what the verse of the day is? If this is all the effort you can put into it, then don't expect to get much out of it.

Before we even start to read we must pray to God for understanding and guidance. Without instruction from the Spirit of Christ, how in the world are we going to receive it? Only the Lord can provide these things. It is our responsibility to search the Scriptures. We cannot simply sit back and wait. We need to get our hands a little dirty.

Only a fixed, firm belief will lead us to read the Scriptures with a heartfelt and purposeful effort. We cannot deny that without His guidance none of this will happen. We will not take hold of their full benefit. It is imperative that the Scriptures be read with earnestness and intensity.

Lastly, we must open our hearts to God, and demonstrate our need for His Grace. He will never force his way in. It is always our decision to let Him in, or not. Therefore, let God know you are ready and willing for his direction by reading the Scriptures with a devoted, submissive, and eager spirit.

Scripture: Mark 4:11-12; John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 14:26; Hebrews 4:12 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for the understanding and guidance that only Your Word can provide. Help me apply Your instruction to every part of my life, amen

May God richly bless you!

Claudette

What's In a Name..?

"Don't ever think that there are many ways to the Divine. Jesus is the one qualified mediator, the only qualified sacrifice, and the only qualified savior."  - Erwin Lutzer

Just about every historic person in the Bible has a name that is appropriate for them. For instance, Moses, Abraham, Joseph, Solomon, David, Samson, Job, Esther, Ruth, Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist, Paul, and so on. Even the name of Jesus is descriptive of the person and work of Christ.

Matthew 1: 20-21 gives us a good starting point for our discussion. This is where the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:20). "Jesus" can be interpreted as "to save," which is the same as "Savior."

This sets him apart from you and I in more ways than we will ever really know. You see, Jesus is Divine, that is, he is holy or heavenly. And if this wasn't enough, He saves us, at least those who believe in him, for our sins. This is accomplished not by any laws or decrees, or by mere words, but by Jesus himself.

Let's linger here for a moment. In regards to our salvation, Jesus saves us from sin. Which is a really good thing since we can't do anything about it on our own. He does this by granting believers forgiveness, and not just any old forgiveness, but full, free, immediate, and irreversible forgiveness.

We are all born contaminated with sin. Only Jesus can save us from this pollution of sin. And while it's true that holiness is progressive, the Christian cannot and does not like sin. Nor can she live in sin as the choice and habit of her life. Our salvation will not reach its full completion here on earth, but in heaven.

Matthew 1:21 tells us that, "he shall save his people." Who are His people in this verse? We can infer from this that they must have been knee deep in sin, too. They were in need of saving just as badly as we are. Consequently, none of us needs to lose hope.

John 3:16 (KJV) assures us that, "Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish." The key word being "Whosoever" or "whoever." That means that all are extended this offer, if they have faith in Him. Only one question remains. Does "Whosoever believeth;" include you?

Scripture: John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Galatians 3:28

Prayer: God our Father, may all of life’s experiences lead us to grow as people who always put love into everything we do, amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

What About the Gospel? (Part 2)

"The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed."  - Harry Ironside

Continuing last week's discussion, we have discovered that the primary idea of the gospel is glad tidings or good news from God. Now, let's build a little more on this simple definition of the gospel.

Good news, glad tidings, from heaven, would be wonderful if they related only to our natural wants and needs. For example, to hear God proclaiming peace over war, abundance over poverty, and health over sickness, would undoubtedly be cause for celebration.

But, these, no matter how free and deserved of our undying gratitude, can never meet our chief needs; they can never satisfy the soul. Its cravings are for spiritual well-being; its worst afflictions are the deep awareness of guilt; remorse of conscience, and an anxious expectation of judgment. These can all be pacified for a while, but not forever.

No good news is good news in the highest sense, unless it can gratify these requirements; supplies these wants, and corrects these wrongs. Without this, good news, even that which is sent by God from heaven, would be no more than some half-forgotten news about some personal or social triumph that once set your heart on fire.

We have all experienced this, and as such, no good news is good news to your rational judgment and immortal soul. But, certainly it is good news in relation to your sins and salvation, your future and your eternity.

If the veil could be removed from every heart, we would see that many of us who appear preoccupied with earthly and secular intellect, are in reality longing for good news of a very different kind. And what might this be?

It is the glad tidings of forgiveness, reconciliation, and safety for the joyful news that God is not their enemy, and hell is not their lot. That they are personally entitled to a portion of that perpetual inheritance; that secure possession which lies beyond the developments, worries, and upheavals of this present life.

It is important that we hear such news sooner or later, or be dejected and miserable. And this, incredibly, inspirative message; the good news or glad tidings, can be heard immediately in the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Join me next week as we continue our discussion on the Gospel. Until then, have a wonderful week and may God bless you!

Scripture: John 17:17; Revelation 21:5; 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 14:6; Psalm 12:6

Prayer: We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. - Psalm 75:1

May the Lord bless!

Shawna

Video - Dr. Robert Jeffress: Myths About Heaven

Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress, the author of "A Place Called Heaven," addresses a few of the common misconceptions about heaven. This is video briefly touches on a topic that interests many of us. I think it is definitely well worth a listen!  ~Eve

Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

"We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."  - C.S. Lewis

As we draw closer to the end of another year, we sometimes find ourselves dragging; our feet a little heavier than were early on. Life happens, and the ups and downs can potentially sap our energy, and leave us feeling battered.

The beginning of any journey is brimming with excitement, energy, and optimism. But then the initial enthusiasm soon settles into a routine, and depending on the situation, may be followed by worry, anxiety, doubt, frustration, and eventually indifference (2 Peter 1:19).

All told, when we set out on a new path, or direction, we strongly believe that we will be guided along by the hand of God. We also firmly feel that His presence will carry us through any trials or adversity that we might encounter (Isaiah 41:10).

Then, we run into some difficulties; our expectations are not quite what we thought they would be; one door after another is slammed shut on us. What next? Around this time doubt, apprehension, and uneasiness soon creeps in. We may start to question whether God really is with us.

It is during these times that we have to keep it together. One can ill afford to encourage mistrust to enter now. To even entertain the thought that God has deserted you is rash (Proverbs 3:5). It should come as no surprise when in the end you discover that the total opposite is true (Psalm 138:8).

Scripture: Jude 1:22; James 1:6; Luke 24:38; Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 33:3

Prayer: Dear Lord, life can be a rough road to travel at times; may you always provide me with the needed strength and perseverance to press on, amen.

May God's Word guide your life,

Marcie

The Creative Decree of God

"Thou hast created us for Thyself, and our heart is not quiet until it rests in Thee."  - Augustine

The natural sense of Genesis 1:1 is that the universe originally owed both its form and substance to the creative dictate of God. Our Bible opens with the statement that everything owes its existence to the will of God. The Bible explanation of the creation is the only one which seriously respects the rights and existence of a God.

Pantheism, or the view that God is everything and everyone and that everyone and everything is God, buries Him in moral filth. The atheistic materialism or disinterest denies Him outright. The other belief that the universe and God are both eternal in effect creates two Gods.

The Bible doctrine of creation not only protects the supremacy, personality, sanctity, and reality of God; but it also shines a bright light on His nature and character. It illustrates the endless resources of God's self-existent life. He did not need to look for or gather what was needed for creation. He called it into being out of nothing.

Take the gift of life, for instance. This is a gift which in itself just boggles the mind. Modern science boasts of its strides in solving the riddle of life. But, it really solves nothing; it merely copies or makes modifications to life using the template that God originated.

God is free to majestically create as He pleases. There was no outward pressure put on Him to do so. In fact, if He didn't make something it was because He chose not to. No created being could add (that's you and I) could add to or lessen the bliss of God.

He didn't need to have us. He would have been perfectly fine. Still, the Divine love determined to call a whole creation into being on which its perfectness and beauty, even its misery and shame, that that same love might lovingly bestow its affection on it.

Do we have all the answers to creation? Of course not, and we may never have. We must always be mindful that we are only the creatures of creation, and not the Creator. And that makes all the difference in the world.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16; John 1:1-3; Romans 1:20

Prayer: Holy Father, open us up to your Spirit that lives within us, so that we may live fully each day of our lives, amen

May God richly bless you!

Claudette

They Fell Short...

"God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength."  - Charles Spurgeon

Most of us are familiar with the term "stumbling block." You might even be experiencing a "stumbling block" of sorts in your life right now. A stumbling block is something that gets in our way of either doing something, or going somewhere in our lives; it's a hindrance or obstacle.

The nation Israel ran into a similar problem concerning faith. They had the privilege of having God to themselves for a long time. But this changed when the Gentiles were included, too. Was this because God, in his fickleness, decided it so? No way!

It was because of a fatal flaw, or stumbling block in the Hebrew people. The big stumbling block for the Jews was Jesus Christ. They tripped over the law of faith and rejected their Messiah (Romans 9:30-33).

Israel expected the Messiah to be an awesome, earthly prince. But when Jesus appeared on the scene, his poverty, roughness, and state of suffering threw them off. Thus, they fell a little short of righteousness and salvation; even losing their privileges as the people of God.

Meanwhile the Gentiles demonstrated faith in Him, and as a result they secured a justifying righteousness. They embraced Christ, believed in Him, and acknowledged the Gospel, achieving quickly what the Jews had been vainly running around in circles for all this time.

What can we learn from this? For starters, no matter how sincere we may chase after salvation, we will never acquire it in a self-righteous way. Also, whatever our situation in regards to salvation is, prior to, it is obtained the instant we believe in Christ.

And finally, no matter how this way of salvation is put down or misrepresented, the fact that it raises so much accusation and slander is a testimony to its truth. Stumbling blocks come in many different types; some can even affect our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:14; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 5:18; 1 Peter 2:24; Proverbs 21:3

Prayer: Dear Lord, open our hearts to be influenced for good, and inspire us to touch the hearts of others, amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

What About the Gospel? (Part 1)

"The Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed."  - Harry Ironside

Anyone who is a believer in Christ (and even someone who isn't) has more than likely heard mention of: the gospel. It's a pretty common topic, and one that is certainly fundamental to the Christian, yet many have trouble understanding it.

Therefore, I will make an attempt to cut through some of the confusion, and hopefully make it a little easier to grasp. In order to accomplish this for you, I feel it would be more effective to begin with some preliminary information this week.

Now, we need a good starting point to set us on our way. An excellent reference verse from Scripture for our discussion is Mark 1:1 (KJV), "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

If we read this verse carefully, we notice that there are actually two topics here: a) the gospel; and b) the beginning of the gospel. To add to our conversation, let's ask two questions of each. The gospel: What is it? and Whose is it? The beginning of the gospel: Where did it begin? and Where does it begin?

What is the gospel? The word "gospel," both in Greek and English, originally means: good news or glad tidings. That is, good news from God to man --- good news of spiritual good, forgiveness, and salvation. 

All of us are familiar with the feeling we get when we receive good news from family or friends.The gospel is similar, but on a totally different level. The gospel is good news from God to man (you and I). 

It comes to us by special delivery from heaven to earth; from the infinitely blessed and infinitely holy to the lowest depths of deplorable, human hopelessness, and sin. It is a voice from heaven that breaks through the silence or the dissonance of our natural condition.

I hope that I have presented some solid information here today. There is still much more for us to cover. We shall continue our talk next time. Until then, have a wonderful week, and may God bless you.

Scripture: Romans 1:16; John 5:39-40; Ephesians 1:13-14; Isaiah 53:6; John 14:6

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that I may live in such a way that I value all that is good in my life, and never take anyone or anything for granted, amen

May the Lord bless!

Shawna

Video - Lisa Bevere: Never Enough

Do you sometimes feel that you put too much pressure on yourself? I think we've all been there. Christian author/speaker Lisa Bevere talks about battling the nagging feeling she had never done enough right. Some good food for thought here. Enjoy!  ~Eve

God Has Vowed...

"An honest heart is open to the Word."  - A. W. Pink

We are the recipients of many vows. Some may be written or unwritten. And, if we stop and think about it for a moment, it becomes clear that the soundness of our society is really quite dependent on promises made and received with uprightness.

For example, the medical profession vows to treat us with the best of their skills, our police and fire department promise to do their best to protect us, even marriage vows are designed to enhance a couple's lives together, and offer security and strength to one another.

If vows were to suddenly become void and null, there would literally be chaos in every area of life. Vows help to establish who we are and demonstrate our integrity. By vows or promises we let others know where we stand, and where we are coming from. In turn, our vows are noted and accepted by them.

As with many things, there are risks involved in, both, receiving and making promises. Which is why we must practice caution whenever they are used. Of course, all of this pertains to vows made between you and I. It is quite a different thing altogether when we talk about the vows of God.

The life of faith is life of learning about the vows of God and having self-assurance in his faithfulness. He has promised to love us with an eternal love (Romans 8:35-39). We can depend on this. God has also vowed to forgive and cleanse our sins (Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:7).

Our Heavenly Father has vowed to save all who come to Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30). He receives all comers no matter how forlorn, hopeless, educated, rich, poor, etc. We are all included in this invitation, as long as we come to Jesus Christ in faith.

Our Lord has promised rich blessings to those who trust him enough to be tithers (givers) (Malachi 3:10). Now, don't get me wrong. God isn't dependent on us for anything. But, some may ask, "If this is so, then why does He ask us to tithe?" Many people jump off the wagon and run when it comes to the subject of tithing.

It is just possible that God is trying to show us that the true way to enjoy what He has provided is to give it back to Him. After all, God does own everything, does He not? By keeping it all to ourselves, and using it in whatever way for our own purposes, we shortchange God.

If we can reach the point where we can trust God on a physical and economic level, then we can trust him more fully in the spiritual department. Or in simple terms, when we cooperate with God, he will pour out his blessings on us!

Moving along, our Father has vowed to reward those who pray (Matthew 6:6). This part of the Sermon on the Mount illustrates this truth beautifully (Matthew 6:5-13). We only rob ourselves of God's rich treasures when we fail to follow our Lord's instructions on how to pray properly.

And lastly, He has vowed to reward his faithful servants after we come into our eternal home (John 14:1-3; Revelation 22:12). Eternal life is the gift of God. Heaven isn't a reward; it is the gift of our Father to those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Once we enter heaven, our Lord will reward us for our faithful service here on earth.

It is important to see that the vows given by God are not anything like the weak, unpredictable promises we exchange with one another. God's promises are eternal and steadfast. His word is unbreakable and dependable. Best of all, we can trust in Him anytime and in any circumstance.

Scripture: Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Titus 1:2; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:9

Prayer: Dear God our Father, open our eyes to see the vision that you have for each of us, amen.

God bless you,

Yvette

Jesus, Our Direct Link to God

"Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way."  - A. W. Tozer

There are many obvious truths in Scripture. Yet, of all of these, none strike a louder or more resounding chord than Jesus Christ as Mediator between us and God. God, who is boundlessly holy, will not permit us to approach him as we are. But in the name of Jesus we may humbly and confidently do so, for he is our Mediator.

Being both divine and human, Jesus Christ is perfect as our Mediator. He is intimately familiar with our sinfulness, weakness, imperfections, and temptations; and with the best means of delivering us from all of these afflictions. We can safely count on him as a dependable guide to heavenly glory.

Our Mediator is perfectly holy (Hebrews 7:26). As such, sinners cannot join him until they are saved from sin. However, you and I are saved. I point you to Matthew 1:21 (KJV) where the angel of the Lord said to Joseph, "Thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins."

Christ, our Mediator, is full of compassion for the human race. Even so, his respect for the honor of God is so great that he will not save those who stubbornly live and die in sin. Possessing both Divinity and humanity, he regards one as much as the other. In addition to this, it is as much his plan to secure the Divine glory as it is to save the world.

In order to avoid satisfying ourselves in things that are hateful in his sight, while beholding his infinite love, we should always keep these thoughts in mind. Taking all we have discussed into consideration, we must conclude that Jesus Christ is more than qualified to mediate between men and God.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; John 4:6; John 1:18; John 7:29

Prayer: I thank you, Lord, for the wonder of myself, and for the wonders of all your creation, amen.

May your day be blessed!

Edie

Don't Lose Heart!

"He will never ever fail us."  - Crystal McDowell

As we all well know, the holiday season can definitely be stressful. What with all the excessive commercialism, its focus on spending money and gift-giving, along with having that "perfect" social activity, it's no wonder. These factors, and others, can and do lead to stress, anger, and even depression in some.

Of course, we can feel overwhelmed any time of the year. We all go through taxing ordeals during the course of our daily lives, such as: sitting in traffic, caring for elderly parents, etc. I get my electric bill and it stresses me out! Maybe we just need that little hug, or comforting word to let us know that everything is going to be alright.

Did you know that there are some really good helps in the Bible? God does care about us. Here's just one example of what I'm talking about. Psalm 34:18 (KJV) says, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." There's a lot of reassuring information in this one verse. You just have to dig a little to get at it.

Interestingly, "them that are of a broken heart" occurs frequently in scripture. It refers to a circumstance or circumstances when a burden, or heavy load seems to be on the heart. This can include when the heart seems to be squashed by sin or sorrow; and outlined to describe an awareness of deep guilt, misery, and trouble.

The key part, I feel, is in the opening of the verse, "The Lord is nigh." This tells us that God is prepared to listen and help us out. We are never alone. He is close-by each and every one of us. Man cannot say this of other men. Only God can offer this type of comfort to us.

A "contrite spirit" is one that is crushed or trampled on. Stressful situations can play some pretty mean tricks on our mental, emotion, and physical well-being. Just living day to day can be trying enough. The added pressure of the holidays can easily throw gasoline on this fire.

While others may turn away from us during times of our greatest need, God never will. Another comforting thought is that God is well aware of what we are going through. He knows the history of our hearts. Who better to turn to? The resources of God are there anytime we need them, 24/7.

Please, if you are undergoing or encountering feelings of serious depression, I strongly encourage you to seek professional help. This, however, does not change anything with God. His love for you and I is boundless and unconditional. Nothing makes Him happier than helping us when we need it (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 9:9; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:13; Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer: Dear Lord, inspire us to live as you would have us live; and to walk in your presence, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Thanksgiving Holiday 2017 (U.S.)

***Notice*** To all of our devoted friends and followers of the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry blog, in observance of the Thanksgiving (U.S.) holiday we will return on Monday, November 27th.

Over this holiday, our ministry traditionally takes part in various church and community activities. We have much to be thankful for, and feel it is our responsibility to share these abundant blessings with others. Many of us will travel to be with our families and loved ones. And as we gather together, let us remember those less fortunate in our petitions to God.  

It is by the loving graciousness of God, our Father that we have been able to help send His Word around the world. We thank Him first and foremost. We are also very much thankful for all of you, and keep you in our prayers always! So, on behalf of our amazing ministry blog writers and staff, I wish each and every one of you a safe, healthy, and blessed weekend!  ~Eve

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

– Psalm 100

Be Thankful in Every Circumstance

"No matter what our circumstance, we can find a reason to be thankful."  - David Jeremiah

A person was once stranded on a deserted island. He spent a day fasting and praying for his rescue, but no help came. Then it occurred to him to set aside a day of thanksgiving and praise. No sooner had he done this than help arrived at last.

You see, from the moment he began to acknowledge his gratitude to God, mercy was graciously restored to him. The Lord heard the voice of his praise.This illustration clearly demonstrates the importance of, and our obligation to acknowledge and express our thankfulness to God in all things.

Praise offers the believer assistance in his trials, as we see here. But, it is also his ally afterward. There are some excellent examples in scripture of individuals who understood the significance and impact of imparting thanks to God. See: Psalm 59; Daniel 6:10; John 11:41; Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26.

Contrary to what some think, giving praise and thanksgiving is not limited to special occasions, times of emotional extremes, or the most saintly. Nothing could be further from the truth. And while we're on the subject of thankfulness, we mustn't forget the object of it all: God. He should always be our No. 1 priority.

We must hold fast that God is the Father of the universe. He is the Giver of all the blessings which we receive, and all that we perceive around us. To Him we must certainly present our thanks because all things are His. Of which, He has generously provided for our enjoyment, being freely distributed to us through His unbiased goodness.

We should be always in a habit of thankfulness, and prepared for actual thanksgiving whenever providence requires it. We all know how easy it is to take things for granted, to let them slip further and further back into our thoughts. Soon, all we have left is just a whisper of what was once a loud proclamation.

Thanksgiving should always find a place in all our petitions to God. We need to distinctly recognize His special gifts to us. We should be thankful in every situation; never stopping to give our praise and gratitude. An important point to add is that our thanksgiving must be honest. If you do not feel grateful, don't force it or fake it.

There is no bad time for being thankful. We receive favors all the time, therefore we owe God thanks every minute. God is Our Father, and our Creator. He is the Great Provider; omnipotent and omnipresent.

And whether you choose to do it in a large group, or alone in your room, praising God takes very little time out of our day. Yet, the benefits we receive from God are immeasurable and priceless.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 107:1; Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 116:12; Psalm 31:19

Prayer: Dear God, help me to grow in trust, that I can more readily put myself into your hands, being confident that everything will be okay, amen.

May your day be blessed!

Marcie

Yes, God Is!

"One of the main ways we move from abstract knowledge about God to a personal encounter with him as a living reality is through the furnace of affliction." - Tim Keller

There are some things in life that are quite discernible or obvious. For example, it is evident that there is water in the ocean, a variety of life exists here on earth, and that we undeniably grow older with each passing year. Very few would debate these points.

On the other hand, it isn't that easy when the topic of discussion pertains to the existence of God. Needless to say, it can get very lively, very quickly. I suppose it's because we humans are not satisfied with anything less than the clear, incontestable, indisputable truth. We want to see it to believe it.

Fair enough. But, here's another bump in the road; and depending on who you are, it might be a real big one. No one can either prove or disprove the existence of God. I am just being honest. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that God's existence depends on our definite acceptance by faith that He does (Hebrews 11:6).

Of course this topic has been discussed innumerable times in the past. There is no quick and easy way to a unanimous agreement, and there won't be one here, either. However, we can bring attention to some things for consideration regarding the existence of God, our Creator and our Father.

We all have an innate or natural awareness of God. It is only later on that opinions and feelings change. Things may happen over the course of our lives that affect the way we feel or see things. For example, the pleasures of life and/or sinfulness may screen out God from it.

Sickness, disease, or the approach of death might compel us to remember Him. No matter, God created us, body and soul. That is, he created our amazing bodies with its senses and abilities. He also created the soul, immortal and destined for happiness and glory in the presence of God.

As Creator, God has a special interest in His work; and that is us. But, He is so much more than our Creator. This can be confirmed in the opening line of the Lord's Prayer where we find that He is "Our Father." And as such, He obtains our love and confidence.

This comforting thought motivates us to "walk in His sight," trusting in His attentiveness, providence, and help. Like any other father, it is His parental responsibility and joy to look after us, His children. We may rest assured that we won't be neglected or forgotten (Isaiah 49:15).

As was previously mentioned, the existence of God can't be proved or disproved. We must accept by faith that He is (Exodus 3:14). Sure, God could appear before all of us right now, proving his existence to everyone if he wanted to. But by doing so, there wouldn't be any need for faith (John 20:29). And isn't that the whole point?

Scripture: John 4:24; Titus 1:2; Genesis 1:1; Jeremiah 10:10; Isaiah 44:6

Prayer: Dear Lord, inspire me to live in your presence every day, in order that I may share your outlook and do the ordinary things of life in an extraordinary way, amen

May God richly bless you!

Claudette

Forgiveness..? Who me..?

"No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness." - John Bunyan

"Forgiveness is easier for God to give than for man to receive."

Forgiveness cannot be accepted by every one. Why? If someone says she forgives me, I can only accept her word if I believe that I need her forgiveness — that is, if I'm conscious that I have offended her and done something wrong.

But, if I'm totally sure that I haven't hurt her, I refuse to put myself on the same level as someone who has been forgiven. I'd set aside her forgiveness, refuse to take the benefit of it, and look her in the eye claiming to have as much right to forgive her as she has to forgive me.

Now, taking this same line of thought, let's relocate this comparison from earth to heaven, and examine the forgiveness that comes from God. The only way we can receive forgiveness from God is by accepting it as sinners, knowing what we've done wrong, and have confessed to and hated it.

No one likes to admit they are guilty of sin. But, we are only kidding ourselves; believing an illusion. You're probably familiar with those fitness step counters that people wear to count the number of steps they have walked over the course of a day.

What if there were a sin counter that we could clip on in the morning, and then go on with our day. I guarantee that we would be absolutely stunned at the number of sins we commit in just one day, whether consciously or not! Too many have this mental attitude about sin: if we don't see it, we didn't do it.

There are a lot of people out there who go through their entire lives disregarding sin, or believing that it's someone else's problem and not theirs. This is what I like to call the "sleepwalk of sin." You just keep going on and on, and the sins keep piling up, until one day... And it will!

Forgiveness..? Who me..?

It's time to wake up! God is shaking you right now; trying to snap you out of your self-imposed "sin" stupor. He is also holding out his hand, offering you forgiveness. But he can't force you to take it, you have to do that on your own, my friends.

Scripture: Luke 23:34; Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 6:1; Psalm 130:3; Hebrews 10:17

Prayer: Dear Jesus. lead me to never judge people; instead may I accept others as they are, knowing together with our differences, we build up your Kingdom, amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Blessed Is He Who Remains Dedicated

"Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success."  - William Wilberforce

Undoubtedly, today's world is full of negatives, such as: stress, danger, uncertainty, discord and a great many others. On the other hand, there are good amounts of the positive, too. However, it is mostly the negative or bad things that disrupt our lives and grab our attention.

Everyone has had the wind knocked out of their sails, or has suffered a setback. While these life experiences may vary in strength or intensity, they nonetheless are common to all of us. Some turn to drugs, alcohol, or worse in search of needed courage to cope.

But these are only temporary remedies that simply patch and not repair the problem. When they do occur we must somehow find the fortitude to press on, or persevere. We must seek a longer-lasting solution to help us traverse the deep valleys we encounter in life. And what better source than God (Jeremiah 31:25).

We are told in James 1:12 (ESV) that, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." This encouraging verse provides us with the conviction to undertake whatever bumps we might encounter.

Sometimes we wonder whether our actions do any good or not. Here we are told right from the start that our perseverance is not futile. It is good to be assured that perseverance is a blessing. For sure, this promise alone might serve us well enough, but there is more.

We receive a special compensation for our righteous suffering, God has has promised that we will wear the crown of life for eternity. Let me clarify this. The crown of life is not eternal life. Nor can it be earned or retained by our good works. It is an exclusive reward for those who hand everything over to Him in times of trial.

Thus, a major goal for the Christian, in his suffering, should be to gain God's approval, and by his blessedness receive the crown of life. The tested Christian will be a crowned one, and the crown he wears will be life and joy to him and will last forever. For our steadfastness we will receive a future reward that comes not as a debt, but as a gracious promise.

Scripture: Romans 12:12; Revelation 3:11; 2 Timothy 2:12; Hebrews 10:36; 1 Chronicles 16:11

Prayer: Holy Father, be the foundation on which I build my life, and provide me with Your strength that I may always endure any troubles wherever they may find me, amen.

May God bless you always!

Amanda

The Indispensability of Prayer

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

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Prayer is not a hard requirement, it is the natural duty of a creature to its creator, the simplest homage that human need can pay to divine liberality." How many times have we been reminded about the importance of prayer?

The fact that this topic is brought up repeatedly tells us that it has to be a high priority item. Though we may have good intentions, the majority of us are not very good at praying on a consistent basis. The plain, honest truth is we could use some help with it.

The apostle Paul shares some good basic advice about prayer in Colossians 4:2 (NIV), "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Let's examine this verse a little closer and I'm sure that you'll find some great takeaways to enhance your prayer life.

The verse opens stressing "devotion" in prayer. We can come up with many excuses for not praying, that's no big secret. But there are no special credentials or spiritual expertise required for prayer. If you have the time to watch television, or stand in line to buy a large, caramel macchiato, you have time to pray.

Devotion means that we must not only begin praying, but continue and never give up. Prayer is not a one-time-only event! Paul then tells us to be "watchful" or to pay attention when we pray. Stay focused, and don't get distracted or side-tracked. Pray earnestly, conveying your needs to Christ (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9).

Prayers must also be serious in manner and to the point. No halfhearted, weak-kneed prayers. Take care not to get too wordy or drone on. Not only might one lose their train of thought, but you could be making it easier for worldly temptation to weasel its way into your prayers.

Naturally, impassioned prayer ought to include gratitude, as the verse ends with "thankful." Unfortunately, it is easier to grumble or complain about having to pray than to be thankful for it. Sin, too, can corrupt our prayers through deceitfulness and our own shortsighted hearts.

Times of duress can cause us to forget to give thanks to God when we pray. Yet, we must be mindful not to do so. After all the One who has offered us salvation has also graciously provided numerous ways in which to display our gratitude to Him. The best and most effective being prayer.

We should be thankful for blessings already granted, things that are delayed until a more favorable time, and things that God deems not useful or even detrimental to us. Regular prayer is the preferred method. Steadiness and consistency shows our dedication to it; that we are genuinely sincere.

I would like to take "the importance of prayer" and add the adjective indispensable before the word importance. It's amazing how the inclusion of this one simple word amplifies the element of urgency to prayer in our lives. Therefore, we must never forget its significance.

In conclusion, the One who has offered us salvation has also graciously provided numerous ideas in which to display our gratitude to Him. The best and most effective, without a doubt, being prayer. It truly is indispensable or vital to our lives.

Scripture: Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 34:17; Jeremiah 29:12

Prayer: Dear Lord, inspire me to live in such a way that I help to bring out the best in others, amen.

May the Lord bless you!

Shawna

Video - Michele Cushatt: The Nearness of God

Keynote speaker and author Michele Cushatt, A three-time cancer survivor, she is a woman who has faced unimaginable physical pain. Here she briefly talks about the presence of God during those difficult times. Definitely worth a listen!  ~Eve

Don't Be So Quick to Condemn!

"God has chosen us to help one another." - Smith Wigglesworth

We are all quite aware that the world is chock full of temptation and pitfalls, just waiting around the corner for the unwary.That's exactly why we must constantly be on the alert; no one is safe or exempt from sin. But no matter how well prepared we can be, we all manage to somehow step in it from time to time, and need help.

Yes, as believers in Christ we are supposed to know about sin, and be better prepared for it than those who aren't. But sin doesn't pick and chose who it's victims will be. Believers or non-believers, every one one of us is fair game; every one a potential victim.

However, this doesn't excuse Christians from providing a helping hand to a person that stumbles because of sin. It is our duty, as such, to offer assistance. In far too many instances, the "every-man-for-himself" syndrome reigns supreme. We are "relieved that we are not that guy" or take the "better-him-than-me" option.

Clearly, this is not a very pretty look for those who call themselves believers in Christ. Whether a devout follower of Christ or a skeptic, we all partake in this fallen nature; are exposed to, and share, the same impulses and inclinations to sin (Ephesians 2:3; Romans 8:5). So what should we do when we are ambushed by sin?

The apostle Paul addresses this and offers guidance as how to handle it in Galatians 6:1. The last thing we should offer is condemnation. Seriously, we've all been there so let's not be so quick to start throwing stones, as many of us are prone to do! Fortunately, we can turn to scripture for better advice (John 8:7; Matthew 7:1).

In this case, Paul offers a better way. We can help in the form of "the spirit of meekness" or a gentle way. It's not right to kick someone when they are down. In fact, when confronted with such a situation we should see it as an opportune time for our own introspection. It is up to us who are spiritual to get them back on the right track, with gentleness and dignity.

My dear friends, sympathy can be found in our meekness; love without weakness; and holiness without pride. We may not be able to raise souls up in a great group, but we can take care of one person at a time. And by our humble actions, we just might point the cynic to the Savior (2 Timothy 2:25). Amen!

Scripture: James 3:13; Psalm 25:9; Colossians 3:12; 2 Timothy 2:24; Matthew 5:9

Prayer: Holy Father, may You open our eyes to see the vision that you have for each of us, and lead us to grow in confidence in who we are, and in the faith, amen

Have a blessed day!

Marcie

Hypocrisy, the Unconscious Sin

"Gladly we desire to make other men perfect, but we will not amend our own fault." - Thomas a Kempis

Hypocrisy is something we can do without knowing that we are doing it. Think of it as a curtain or shade that blocks the view our own evil actions, yet still allows us to point the finger of condemnation at others. Of course, it can occur unintentionally, but seriously, we humans can be pretty good at fooling ourselves.

With hypocrisy, if we do something sinful, we tend to forget about it. But all the alarms are sounded if we see someone else doing the same thing! Even sadder is that we make no connection that we are guilty of the same sin. Sin is sin no matter how it is heated up and served.

Our human character, being weak and pliable as it is, is easily converted into a dishonest, insincere mess. We might even find displeasure in, or be resentful of, others who do the same thing. So what do we do? We self-justify our hypocrisy by calling out the perceived hypocrisy of others (Luke 6:42).

Two basic elements fuel the sin of hypocrisy: human weakness and self-deception. I think about the child who sneaks a cookie from the cookie jar when no else is looking. He thinks he got away with something because no one saw him do it. And that is where many find themselves with the sin of hypocrisy.

In reality, it is foolish to think we are getting away with something. But, I think you know where I am going with this. In Paradise Lost, John Milton's epic 17th century poem in blank verse, he wrote this about hypocrisy, "For neither man nor angel can discern hypocrisy, the only evil that walks invisible, except to God alone."  

There is no hiding our actions from God. Hypocrisy may be a smoke screen for our own sin, but God's eyes can peer right into our very hearts (Jeremiah 17:10). We should never accept sin, especially in our own lives. However, be aware that it can creep into your life at any time. Now's a great time to do a heart check for hypocrisy! You'll be glad you did!

Scripture: Galatians 6:3; Job 8:13; Matthew 6:1; Titus 1:16; 1 Peter 2:1

Prayer: “Lord God, give me such love for you and for others that it will blot out all hatred and bitterness.”  by Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Our Belief In God and Jesus Christ

"Without doubt the mightiest thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God." - A. W. Tozer

A 2013 Harris Poll found that 68% of U.S. adults said they believe Jesus is God or the son of God, down from 75%. While this may sound surprising to some, it seems to follow the trend of a general decline in believers of God.

According to the same poll, only 74% of Americans believe in God, an 8% decline since 2009. There are many reasons as to why this is so; far too many to go into at this present time. But I think that it provides an excellent opportunity for a little self-examination of our own.

First of all, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is God (John 10:30; 14:6). That's a good thing because by admitting our belief in God, we, by this acknowledgement, are then obligated to examine carefully and impartially the historical evidence on which Christianity stakes its claim. What better place to start than the Bible!

This is where it gets tricky.The supernatural nature of God having been here on earth and interacting with us, is a major stumbling block for many when asked if they believe in Christ. If this one thing were removed from the table, there would be no difficulty for them in believing (John 18:6).

By doing so, it would be no more difficult to believe in Him than to believe in Elvis Presley or Napoleon Bonaparte. Allowing the thought that Christ was merely a typical human who was born, lived, and died as the rest of us takes away any barrier that stands in the way of an unbeliever's belief in Christ (John 14:7).

However, this would make Christ conform more to what the unbeliever finds more acceptable. Obviously this cannot be possible. A Christ stripped of the supernatural is not the Christ whom the Gospels invite us to believe in. In fact, no such person ever existed.

If God truly is what we believe Him to be, then of course with Him all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). In addition to that, it would be totally reasonable to think that He should reveal Himself to us, proving through many absolute truths that God is indeed who He says He is.

Scripture: Hebrews 2:9; Ephesians 4:10; Matthew 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:10; John 8:28

Prayer: Dear God, You are my heavenly Father, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I praise you with all my heart, amen

All glory to Jesus forever and always!

Ashley

Beware The Crooked Truth!

"The gospel is not speculation but fact. It is truth, because it is the record of a Person who is the Truth."  - Alexander MacLaren

Throughout history, there have been deceitful and immoral individuals who have tried to influence or shape the Word of God to serve their own purposes. For example, some individuals may hijack Scripture for their own personal benefit, or abusive churches and cults that twist Scripture to give more authority to the leadership and keep the members under their control (Jude 1:4).

Therefore, it is extremely important that the Christian be vigilant and informed so that they may be less susceptible to deception and seduction by these sinful corruptors. Obviously, the strongest weapon we can arm ourselves with is to familiarize ourselves with scriptural truth. If a person is strongly grounded in God's Word, it is difficult to be tempted by false teaching and doctrine (Colossians 2:8).

In the event that we are confronted with those who attempt to sway our hearts and minds with their erroneous and disdainful teachings, we should follow the example of Jews at Berea and examine their words with patience and candor, "And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth" -Acts 17:11(NLT).

The world is a dangerous place for the unwary and ill-prepared Christian. Jesus was well aware of this and served this warning to his disciples, “Listen! I am sending you out just like sheep to a pack of wolves. You must be as cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves" -Matthew 10:16 (GNT). We must fill our hearts and minds with Christ. In this way we will be less vulnerable to attacks against the principles which Jesus taught and desires us to share with others (Matthew 11:28-29; Mark 16:15).

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Romans 1:16; John 5:39-40; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Ephesians 5:11

Prayer: Dear Lord, strengthen me against irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge;  and help me to stand firm in Your trustworthy word, amen.

May your day be blessed,

Edie

Video - Sheila Walsh: The Place Of Peace

Christian evangelist, author, and inspirational speaker Sheila Walsh looks to a crazy day in the lives of the apostles to see how Christ brings freedom internally and externally. Enjoy!
~Eve

Through Our Faith in Jesus Christ...

"I believe the promises of God enough to venture an eternity on them."  - Isaac Watts

When we see or hear the word benefit(s), it gets our attention. The word usually implies something good, comforting, helpful, or advantageous. Benefits and perks are things we consider when seeking employment, choosing where to live, do business, or place our money.

Benefits are also be applied to our relationship with Jesus Christ. There is/are the benefit(s) in knowing or having faith in Him. What might they be? There are far too many to include them all here, but I can mention a few, for example: We receive Jesus and as a result become part of His family.

Anyone who believes in Christ is given eternal life, which includes spending eternity with Christ in heaven. We are forgiven of all of our sins (Psalm 103:3). And, can find comfort in Him during times of trial and tribulation (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Remember, it is faith that brings these benefits out of Jesus and enables us to share them all.

The only thing that stands between us and the many benefits of knowing Christ is unbelief. Unfortunately, there are many who refuse to see or understand this. Unbelief denies Jesus Christ. It shuts the only door of hope by which we can secure salvation. Unbelief pushes us away from the benefits of Jesus Christ.

It is important to hammer on the fact that the benefits of Christ can only be obtained through faith. No gracious blessing ever goes out of Christ to the soul except by way of faith. Jesus clearly demonstrated this to the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:28. Everything is possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23).The Savior never refuses anything when faith is practiced!

Scripture: John 11:25; Ephesians 1:13; Acts 11:17; Romans 1:16; Galatians 3:22

Prayer: Dear God, You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well, amen. -Psalm 139:13-14

May the Lord bless,

Shawna

Preciousness and God

"In proportion to the size of the vessel of faith, brought by us to the Lord, is the measure we draw out of His overflowing grace."  - Assorted Authors 

Precious is a fairly common word that we use frequently in casual conversation. We might refer to a baby or small child as precious. Family heirlooms, old documents and photos could also be considered precious. And why not? The word precious means: highly esteemed or cherished; of great value.

Throughout the Bible, our attention is directed toward many things being precious, too. Take for example the Psalmist who speaks of the graciousness and mercifulness of the Lord as being precious -Psalm 36:7 (KJV). In Psalm 49:8 (KJV) he describes the redemption of the soul as precious.

The very thoughts of God toward his people are precious as mentioned in Psalm 139:17 (KJV). Even the death of Christians (the saints) is precious to God -Psalm 116:15 (KJV). The saints, who are the body of Christ or the Church are called the "precious sons of Zion" who themselves are precious as fine gold -Lamentations 4:2 (KJV).

The New Testament points out "precious promises" as in 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV), "precious faith" in 2 Peter 1:1 (KJV), and "the precious blood of Christ" -1Peter 1:19 (KJV). 1 Peter 2:7 (KJV) presents us with the preciousness of the Redeemer. I could continue on with many more references but I feel that my point is made.

Whether we speak of God's lovingkindness, our redemption, or His love for all who believe in Him, preciousness and God go hand in hand. And, as one reads through the pages of the Bible, it quickly becomes apparent just how significant this one word (precious) is to the eternal story of our redemption and salvation.

Scripture: Isaiah 43:4; Jeremiah 15:19; Proverbs 20:15; Romans 5:8; James 2:8

Prayer: Lord, increase my faith, bless my efforts and work, now and for evermore, amen.  -Mother Teresa

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

The Religion of My Savior

"Try to give up the idea that religion comes to us by chance, or by mystery, or by caprice. It comes to us by natural law, or by supernatural law, for all law is Divine."   - Henry Drummond

Religion shines her heavenly into our eyes, enlightening our judgment, as it surely and steadily guides our understanding along the path of truth. Where did I come from? What is my purpose here? What is my destiny? What or who is God? Are we His creation? How should we pay our respects to, and worship Him? are just some of the many uncertainties we struggle with on the way.

All are excellent questions, which therefore should be answered simply, clearly, and reliably. But don't expect answers to these questions from unassisted reasoning. None can be given. This is distinctly proven by the fact that the heathen philosophers from long ago, who though considered educated and knowledgeable, immersed themselves in the most disgraceful foolishness.

Even modern-day, proud and vain intellectuals, refusing to admit divine revelation as a guide in their search for truth, have blundered just as badly, if not worse. If we query our own intelligence and understanding, what answer do we get? None. The appropriate answer can only be found in the teachings of the Religion, which was founded by the Son of God.

We should then give thanks to our Savior. He is the Light and Truth that shines upon the world, dismissing the darkness of untruth and false beliefs. Heavenly Father it is Your grace alone that makes us holy and wise. Only you can reveal to us where we came from, what our purpose here is, what our duties to You, others, and ourselves are, what our ultimate destiny in eternity is, and so on.

Dear friends, if you love wisdom and care deeply about the truth, listen to the divine Religion of our Savior without any added flaws or omissions. It is the source of light to the mind, and an infinite wealth of peace and comfort to the conscience. As we have been told, "...I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other;" (Joel 2:27).

Scripture: Colossians 2:8; Micah 6:8; Hebrews 13:8; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Peter 1:8

Prayer: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, amen.   - Galatians 2:20

May God bless you always,

Amanda