Video - Riva Tims: Never The Victim

Pastor Riva Tims, a woman who has faced painful times explains how forgiveness makes her a victor instead of a victim. Some good points for our consideration are raised here!  ~Eve

An Honor to Be Called "Christian"

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

Have you really ever stopped to think about what it means to be called a "Christian?" The word alone signifies virtue, goodness, honor, decency, and integrity, among many other nouns. To simply be a Christian is to be blessed and glorious in Jesus' name.

It carries with it a great responsibility, too. When you say, "I am a Christian," you are basically saying that you are a member of God's company, or circle. That being said, certain expectations are placed on our heads. As His representative here on earth, a Christian must not do anything to reflect badly on He who represents us in heaven.

Our Lord is faithful to us, so we must be towards Him. Never be afraid to let others know whom you serve. Be His testimonial voice; His model to others; His living message. Allow Christ to speak to the world through you. Let your life demonstrate to others what He is to you, and you to Him.

As Jesus speaks acceptably to God on our behalf, we should reciprocate when speaking to others about Him. Because the word "Christian" gets tossed about so casually now, it is easy to forget that it is an honor to be so called.

By giving us His name, Jesus has bestowed upon us, through His blessing, a relation with Him not shared by everyone. This special and exclusive relation is not acquired by natural birth. It can only be received by a special act of Divine grace.

In addition to this, we have been conferred with a portion of His kingdom, and an eternal heritage. Thus, we are greatly obliged to do justice to His love and amplify His greatness in all ways. Keep these things in mind and heart always. Remember what God expects of you, and what it means to be called a "Christian."

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1; Romans 8:9; James 1:22; Romans 12:2

Prayer: may Your light shine before us all so that we may see your good works and praise Your Father in heaven amen.

May your day be blessed,

Lillith

We Have Peace with God

"Peace comes when there is no cloud between us and God. Peace is the consequence of forgiveness, God's removal of that which obscures His face and so breaks union with Him."   - Charles H. Brent

There's a verse in Romans (Romans 5:1) that I'd like to talk about this week. The background for this particular verse is, of course, the book of Romans. This is basically a letter that Paul wrote to the believers in Rome.

It's purpose was to specifically give them (the believers) a solid, theological foundation on which to build their faith, and to live for and serve God earnestly.

On top of that, Paul responds to their most significant questions, providing info on an array of topics, including: the righteousness and sovereignty of God, spiritual growth, judgment, and salvation. But it's this first verse that really grabbed my attention.

The verse reads, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." After reading and mulling it over several times, I asked myself,"Am of I sure of this? How do I know that I have received that? Have I been guided, or led to this truth? Have I learned this about God?"

I must admit there's a lot to consider here. The thought of having peace with God is very comforting and reassuring, isn't it? But, when is that defining moment when we know we have it? Does it just drop into our laps? Or, is there some sort of process that takes place?

Clearly, we are all sinners. That's just a simple fact (Romans 3:23). As a result, nothing you or I could ever do would restore us to the favor of God. Therefore, it's vital that before anything else, we are justified in the sight of God. Hence, are we on good terms with God?

Doesn't it make good sense to want to be "just" or appropriate when we stand before Him one day? Another discovery we make before the Spirit of God brings us to Christ is that our soul is revealed, letting us see how ugly and sinful our imperfect heart truly is (2 Corinthians 5:10).

The spotlight is turned on, and we cannot hide. What we see is enough to sicken us. We also discover, as I mentioned, that it is impossible for us to be "just" before God on our own merit. The past is a done deal. All we have is the present and future, neither of which is promising without our justification by faith.

Let's examine on more thing we discover before receiving peace with God through justification by faith. We know that we are not "just" before God the way we are. However, as if this weren't bad enough, we are also under condemnation. Simply put, if you are not "just" before God, you are presently condemned.

Now sit back for a moment, and allow all of this to sink in. Can you now see the importance of being "just" before God? On our own we never can be, nor ever could. We are hopelessly lost without it. I hope that our discussion has, at the very least, opened your eyes.

Stop trying to find a shortcut or alternative way to peace with God. It cannot be done! There is only one way. It will take some effort on your part to make it through that narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), but don't despair. The hand of God's grace is reaching out to you right now. All you have to do is take it (Ephesians 2:8).

Scripture: Isaiah 35:8; Philippians 4:7; Luke 13:24; Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 3:18

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world not to condemn us but to save us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday and greetings from Bible Study Snacks! Whether it's your first time with us, or you're a regular follower of this blog, it's great to have you!

I'm delighted that you will be joining me as we walk 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, positive in energy, and strong in faith! Before we start, a little background information is in order.

This week, we continue our study of The First Epistle to Timothy, or 1 Timothy. It was written about 58-59 A.D. Some believe that Paul may have written 1 Timothy after his extended stay at Ephesus and departure to Macedonia on his third missionary journey. Generally, it is the consensus that Paul wrote this epistle from Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome.

Paul's letter is directed to a young evangelist who was given the responsibility of working with a congregation and leading them in the right way. All that is written is designed to assist, both, him and the congregation in doctrine and conduct.

Although brief, the studies presented here are packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. It is my ultimate hope that they might inspire you to an even deeper study of Scripture!

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: Participants should be able to...

* examine the qualifications necessary for bishops and deacons.
* appreciate the noble view that Paul has of the church.

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

In this chapter we find the qualifications necessary for those who would serve as bishops in the local congregation (1 Timothy 3:1-7). A similar list is included for those who would be deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13).

Paul then explains the purpose in writing this epistle. Though hoping to come soon, he writes so that Timothy will be well-instructed on how to conduct himself in the house of God, which is the church, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:14-15). Mention of "the truth" prompts a review of "the mystery of godliness" which pertains to the coming of Christ into the world (1 Timothy 3:16).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) How does Paul describe the position of a bishop? (1 Timothy 3:1)
2) What are the positive qualifications required for a bishop? (1 Timothy 3:2-7)
3) What are the negative qualifications required for a bishop? (1 Timothy 3:2-7)
4) What are the positive qualifications required for a deacon? (1 Timothy 3:8-12)
5) What are the negative qualifications required for a deacon? (1 Timothy 3:8-12)
6) What are the qualifications for the wives of deacons? (1 Timothy 3:11)
7) What is said of those deacons who have served well? (1 Timothy 3:13)
8) Why did Paul write this epistle? (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
9) What does Paul call the house of God? (1 Timothy 3:15)
10) What are the basic facts of the mystery of godliness? (1 Timothy 3:16)

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 always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next time...

God bless you!

Sheri

Jesus Christ: Cure for A Broken World!

"We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others." - Elisabeth Elliot

Sadly, we live in a world filled with violence, anger, and varying degrees of evil. Reported outbursts of savagery toward one another rule the media outlets. It would appear that what were once unthinkable acts of cruelty and ferocity against humanity have now become the norm.

These are frightening times, for sure. But, this is the real world God has chosen for us to live in. This world comes complete with real choices and real consequences. Basically, in this world which we live in, our actions can and do affect others.

We all live under the curse of Adam's decision to sin; all are born with a corrupted and sinful nature (Romans 5:12). One day, God will judge the sin in this world, and set things right. But in the mean time, He is intentionally holding back to give people more time to repent, thus avoiding condemnation (2 Peter 3:9).

Meanwhile, make no mistake, God is very concerned about evil. Clearly, in both, Old Testament laws, and the New Testament, God is always in favor of discouraging and punishing evil, and providing justice for the innocent (Romans 13). He also comes down especially hard on those who carry out crimes against the guiltless (Mark 9:36-42).

Allow me to reiterate. The reality of this world is that our actions, whether good or bad, have direct/indirect outcomes that affect not only ourselves, but others, too. What God truly wants from us is our obedience. This will make things a lot easier on you and I (Deuteronomy 5:29).

Thankfully, God really does prevent and hold back some heinous acts. Think how much worse off this world would be if He didn't! In the interim, He has given us the ability (free-will) to choose between good or evil. If we choose the latter, He doesn't stand in our way. But again, those around us will suffer as a result.

There is one sure cure for all of the evil in the world and its aftereffects; Jesus Christ. Jesus came to change hearts by way of the Holy Spirit, and can do this when we choose to turn away from sin and take up his offer of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:14; Psalm 111:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30

Prayer: Hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption, amen  -Psalm 130:7

God loves you!

Lainie

Video - Kay Warren: Caught In The Expectations

Kay Warren, wife of well-known pastor Rick Warren, talks about the fallacy of perpetuating a perception of perfection in ministry families. Eye-opening message on a life that many aren't aware of.  ~Eve

Is "Faith" Just Another Word to You?

"The kingdom of heaven in the human heart is like a mustard seed in the smallness of its beginning and the greatness of its increase."  -William Arnot

"Do you possess only a great faith or do you possess faith in a great God?" You have to admit, it is an interesting question. But it is a question that every Christian should sincerely ask themselves.

Sometimes, we throw the word "faith" around just a little too flippantly. We have become so comfortable with it, that it has become as common as a penny. Is this what God intended? Has our faith been so diluted that it has lost much of its power? Its significance?

I think back to Matthew 17, when Jesus healed the demon-possessed boy (Matthew 17:17). Here, Jesus explained to the disciples that although faith may start off small, it must continue to increase, expand, grow, and strengthen. And, with an increased faith anything is possible (Matthew 17:20).

Like the disciples here, too many of us walk around with plenty of religion, but are woefully, lacking in faith. We carry around our denominational beliefs, but not faith. Do you really and actively trust God? If any of this sounds like you, then your faith is stuck back in the starting blocks somewhere.

Faith, like the grain of a mustard seed, will not grow if it just sits on a shelf. Faith begins in us when we put our belief into action (James 2:24). Even a small faith is capable of doing wonderful things, if it is a "real" faith; one that is thriving and increasing. Faith is more than just a word. It is openness; our accessibility to God.

Scripture: Mark 11:22;  Luke 18:27; Mark 9:23; Luke 17:5; 1 Corinthians 2:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith, amen.  - 1 John 5:4

May God always bless you!

Kerri

Our Sin Is Forgiven, But Not Forgotten!

"Original sin cannot be extirpated from us; it springs up in us as long as we live. Nevertheless we are bound to resist it to our utmost strength, and to cut it down unceasingly."  - Martin Luther

Although it may appear cut and dried, sin can be a tricky thing to understand. The first thing we must understand is that it never goes away. We are born into it, and die with it. It is there, forever a part of our makeup; just lurking around the corner throughout our lives.

It (sin) is not affected by the number of times you might read your Bible, attend church, or help out at the senior center. It's something that all humanity has in common, no matter where you were born, or your state in life. None can escape it, or cover it up. You, me, everyone, are sinners.

God is well aware of our state. He knows that we, on our own accord, could not do one thing about it. Sin is a horrible thing. It is ugly and relentless. But fortunately for us, God is willing to pardon our sin. I'm not talking about gently pushing it to one side, but literally tossing sin away as far as he can. No one else could do this for us.

This includes sin that has been festering for years. When God pardons sins, they are gone right there and then. Not just this sin or that sin, but all sins! They are totally obliterated (Isaiah 43:25). This should make you feel a little better about sin. Still, it raises the question, "Does this mean that God has forgotten our sins?"

No, he hasn't. Think about it. There is not one thing that slips past God's knowledge. He never suffers bouts of forgetfulness. What we have done (sins committed) hasn't been forgotten. What I can tell you though, is that the fear of punishment has been lifted. Our sins have been blotted out of the memory of his anger, though not out of the memory of his knowledge.

As with a condemned man on death row who has been granted a last minute reprieve, so it is with us. We are no longer under the condemnation of our sins. However, we must never forget that this doesn't mean the essence and existence of sin has been removed. The Spirit of sin still remains, though its power has been eliminated.

By pardoning our sin, God has taken it away. How? God reached across the wide abyss separating us from Him through His Son. The Lord took our sins and laid them on Christ, who carried them away. Thus, the pardon or forgiveness of our sins was accomplished through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross (Hebrews 9:22).

The pardon of sin is specific to God. No one can forgive sin except He against whom it is committed (Jeremiah 33:8). He has promised that you and I can know, and have fellowship with, Him today, and all eternity, through Jesus Christ. Our forgiveness can only be attained by the merits of Christ, and the grace of the gospel.

Scripture: 1 John 1:9; John 3:16;  Philippians 3:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; Isaiah 55:7

Prayer: Dear Jesus, You came into the world to save me, and for that I am eternally grateful, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Timothy 2: 1-15

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday and greetings from Bible Study Snacks! Whether it's your first time with us, or you're a regular follower of this blog, it's great to have you!

I'm delighted that you will be joining me as we walk 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, positive in energy, and strong in faith! Before we start, a little background information is in order.

This week, we continue our study of The First Epistle to Timothy, or 1 Timothy. It was written about 58-59 A.D. Some believe that Paul may have written 1 Timothy after his extended stay at Ephesus and departure to Macedonia on his third missionary journey. Generally, it is the consensus that Paul wrote this epistle from Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome.

Paul's letter is directed to a young evangelist who was given the responsibility of working with a congregation and leading them in the right way. All that is written is designed to assist, both, him and the congregation in doctrine and conduct.

Although brief, the studies presented here are packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. It is my ultimate hope that they might inspire you to an even deeper study of Scripture!

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: Participants should be able to...

* appreciate the importance and place of prayer, especially in the lives of men.
* notice God's desire for the salvation of all men, therefore offering Christ as a ransom for all, not just a select few.
* understand the proper adornment of women, and their place in the public teaching of the church.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Timothy, Chapter 2...

Having reminded Timothy of his charge to remain in Ephesus and "wage the good warfare," Paul now begins instructing Timothy in matters that involve the church. He begins with a call to prayer, defining for whom and why we should pray. His desire is that men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting (1 Timothy 2:1-8).

Just as men are to pray everywhere, so women are to adorn themselves properly. This involves modest apparel worn with propriety and moderation, but it also includes good works, as is proper for women professing godliness. Also proper is women learning in silence (translated peaceable in verse 2) with all submission.

Therefore a woman is not permitted to teach or have authority over a man. Basing this restriction on the relationship of Adam, Eve, and the fall, Paul reminds them they can be saved in their natural role of childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control (1 Timothy 2:9-15).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What four things does Paul exhort be made for all men?  (1 Timothy 2:1)
2) Who else are we to pray for?  Why? (1 Timothy 2:2)
3) What does God desire for all men? (1 Timothy 2:4)
4) Who is the one mediator between God and men? (1 Timothy 2:5)
5) For whom did Jesus give Himself as a ransom? (1 Timothy 2:6)
6) What did Paul desire that men do? (1 Timothy 2:8)
7) How are women to adorn themselves? (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
8) How were the women to learn? (1 Timothy 2:11)
9) What did Paul not permit a woman to do? (1 Timothy 2:12)
10) What two reasons does Paul give for these limitations on women? (1 Timothy 2:13-14)
11) What are the women encouraged to continue in? (1 Timothy 2:15)

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 always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next time...

God bless you!

Sheri

Only God Provides Complete Peace

"We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God."  - Thomas Merton

Many today are searching for something to break free, or escape from the realities of life. The appeal of the internet and virtual reality, or VR, as immersive escapes is undeniable. But, there are some underlying risks which can occur when they are used to replace normal, healthy interactions with the real world.

Escapism may be sought out in other outlets besides the internet and virtual reality, such as alcohol and drugs. However, no matter what form one chooses, it provides only a short-term or temporary reprieve. Although it might appear that this is a phenomenon of our modern world, it really isn't. The search for something "better than" this world is as old as man himself.

Is it possible to find a "peace of mind" here on earth? That is, where our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is satisfied and put at ease. Where you don't have to rely on artificial stimulation to experience tranquility and calm. Yes, it is very possible. And, it's easier than you think! In fact, you have the ability to acquire this "peace of mind" at this very moment if you so desire.

The tranquility of spirit that I'm referring to comes only to those who have a steadfast peace with God by way of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins. This kind of peace of mind cannot be found in any worldly endeavors, though many sadly continue to try without success.

God will keep us in "perfect peace" if our minds are focused on Him, and we trust Him (Isaiah 26:3). What this means for us as Christians is that peace of mind can be obtained through the faithful knowledge of, and total trust in, the God who satisfies “all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

We come upon peace when we believe what is said in the Bible about God's closeness to us (Psalm 139:1-12). This includes His goodness, power, mercy. love for us. and His absolute sovereignty over life's occurrences. Romans 5:1 tells us that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Only then can we find the true "peace of mind" that is provided by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; John 16:33; Romans 15:13;  Proverbs 3:5-6

Prayer: Dear God, strengthen me and help me in whatever circumstance I may find myself in; and fill my heart with joy and peace always, amen

May God bless you always,

Adena

Video - Sheila Walsh: Abraham's Sacrifice

Multi-talented Christian author, and motivational speaker Sheila Walsh shows us how Isaac demonstrated a bigger truth about God's provision as a shadow of Christ. She always has an awesome message!  ~Eve

Spiritual Separation from God

"Nothing hath separated us from God but our own will, or rather our own will is our separation from God."  - William Law

Separation of any kind can be difficult for us. For example, there are times when we are separated from family and friends because of circumstances out of our control. Of course, there are many other situations where separation is unavoidable in life. It can happen at any time.

Separation can affect us not only physically and emotionally, but, it can also impact us spiritually as well. Perhaps the greatest separation that we will all face at some point is death. I know that this makes some uncomfortable, but it is inevitable and final.

For the sake of our discussion, let's break separation by death down into two components: physical and spiritual. As I mentioned above, death is the ultimate separation. When we die physically, the soul is separated from the body.

The other death, spiritual death, is of even greater significance because it is the separation of our soul from God. This is what happened to Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. Adam's physical death did not occur at that time, though it very well could have.

Instead, because of their act of disobedience, Adam and Eve became spiritually dead. That is, their souls were separated from God. Their fellowship with Him had been broken. We are no exceptions to this. Without Christ we too are spiritually dead. We become alienated, or separated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18).

In our natural state, we are born isolated from God. This can be a hard pill to swallow, but it's true. We are no different from Adam when he hid from God in the garden. When we are regenerated in Christ, or born again, we reverse the effects of spiritual death. Before we are saved, we are dead in the water spiritually. But Jesus gives us life (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13).

There is one more thing before we close today. There is another death to speak of. This death is mentioned in the book of Revelation. It is called the second death. This death is not only the final separation from God, but it is the eternal separation from Him.

Fortunately for us, we don't have to suffer this final and eternal separation from God. In this case, separation is avoidable. The second death is only for those who are not reborn in Christ (Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8). Therefore, don't leave anything to chance. Commit your life to Christ today!

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:9; John 3:3; Matthew 25:41; Acts 17:30; 1 Peter 3:18

Prayer: Dear God, forgive my sins so that nothing stands between You and I, amen.

God bless you!

Jacqui

Let God Be God!

“We have very little faith in the Lord, very little trust. If we trusted the Lord as much as we trust a friend when we ask him to do something for us, neither we as individuals nor our whole country would suffer so much.”    - Thaddeus of Vitovnica

"Why doesn't God answer me?" Have you ever asked yourself this question? This thought can cause great confusion in many, even conflict. After all, God is supposed to hear and answer our prayers and concerns, right?

Most of us have experienced this, or will, at some point. And, if this is where you are at right now, don't despair because you are not alone. There are few things in life that are as scary and hopeless as when we hear nothing from God.

We're doing all the right things, yet we get nothing but silence. It's as if a switch has been turned off, or the circuit has been broken. And, it is an unnerving feeling, even to the point of frustration. But, as excruciating as this may all seem, God can and does go silent sometimes.

Keep in mind that there is no obligation on God's part to respond, or give us a report on anything. You could say that God is "free" from that sort of thing. No one, including you or I, can impede Him, God can do whatever He wants, whenever He chooses, for all eternity.

God is sovereign over everything. In other words, absolutely nothing occurs in the universe that is not under God's control. Since God rules over all, He has no limitations. Of course, this is a very, basic definition of God's sovereignty, but I hope you get the idea.

There are many reasons why God might go into "silent mode." However, we can use this time for some introspection, Maybe He's trying to tell you something, or point something out in your life. Even during a period of silence, God is still in contact with you. He is fully aware of your situation, good or bad.

Some common mistakes people make when God is silent, is to doubt Him or give up on prayer. I can understand why this happens, But, this is the worst thing anyone can do. Instead of pulling away from Him, or turning our backs on Him, we should seek Him even more earnestly.

The bottom line is that although God may be silent for now, that doesn't mean He has abandoned you. I can guarantee that you will give up on God before He gives up on you! Even during those quiet times, God is working on His perfect plan. Whatever you do, don't give up on God. Let God be God!

Scripture: Revelation 21:6; Colossians 1:16; Jeremiah 32:17; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:33

Prayer: Dear God, You created and know all things. You hold power over all heaven and earth. I faithfully trust in Your plans for me, and know that You love me, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday and greetings from Bible Study Snacks! Whether it's your first time with us, or if you're a regular follower of this blog, it's great to have you!

I'm delighted that you will be joining me as we walk 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, positive in energy, and strong in faith! Before we start, a little background information is in order.

This week, we begin our study of The First Epistle to Timothy, or 1 Timothy. It was written about 58-59 A.D. Some believe that Paul may have written 1 Timothy after his extended stay at Ephesus and departure to Macedonia on his third missionary journey. Generally, it is the consensus that Paul wrote this epistle from Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome.

Paul's letter is directed to a young evangelist who was given the responsibility of working with a congregation and leading them in the right way. All that is written is designed to assist, both, him and the congregation in doctrine and conduct.

The studies presented here are intentionally brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. It is my ultimate hope that they might inspire you to an even deeper study of Scripture!

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: Participants should be able to...

* notice two different kinds of teaching: one that gives rise to disputes, and the other which produces godly edification in faith.
* consider what ought to be the goal of all teaching: love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
* appreciate the example of Paul's conversion in how long-suffering Christ is to those who believe on Him.

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

Paul begins this epistle by urging his "true son in the faith" to remain in Ephesus and instructed some not to teach other doctrines, nor pay attention to fables and genealogies that cause disputes rather than godly instruction in faith. The goal of this commandment is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith, from which some have deviated and turned to idle talk in their desire to be teachers of the law. While the law is good when used properly, it is not designed for the righteous person, but for those whose conduct is contrary to "sound doctrine" which is, according to the gospel of God, committed to Paul's trust (1 Timothy 1:1-11).

Speaking of what was committed to Paul's trust sparks an expression of thanksgiving and praise to Christ for counting him faithful and enabling him to be of service. His gratitude is increased by remembering what he had been prior to receiving the grace and mercy of the Lord. But, Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom Paul was predominant, and in him Christ shows an example of His long-suffering to those who believe on Him for everlasting life (1 Timothy 1:12-17).

Paul then orders Timothy to carry out his responsibility in keeping with prophecies made concerning him. The dictate is to "wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience."  He is reminded of two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who have rejected such things.  As a result, they had suffered shipwreck concerning the faith and had been turned over to Satan by Paul that they might learn not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:18-20).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) How does Paul describe Timothy in his salutation? (1 Timothy 1:2)
2) Where did Paul want Timothy to remain? (1 Timothy 1:3)
3) What two things did he want Timothy to charge some? (1 Timothy 1:3-4)
4) Paul's concern is that such teachings would cause disputes rather than what? (1 Timothy 1:4)
5) What was the three-fold purpose of this commandment? (1 Timothy 1:5)
6) What had some turned aside to?  Why? (1 Timothy 1:6-7)
7) When is the law good?  Who is the law not made for? (1 Timothy 1:8-9)
8) When is something considered "sound doctrine"? (1 Timothy 1:10-11)
9) Why did Paul thank Christ Jesus? (1 Timothy 1:12)
10) What had Paul been formerly?  Why did he obtain mercy? (1 Timothy 1:13)
11) What is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance? (1 Timothy 1:15)
12) How did Paul view himself? (1 Timothy 1:15)
13) Why did Paul obtain mercy, and Christ show all long-suffering toward him? (1 Timothy 1:16)
14) To whom does Paul ascribe honor and glory? (1 Timothy 1:17)
15) What charge does Paul commit to Timothy? What does it involve having? (1 Timothy 1:18-19)
16) Who had made shipwreck concerning the faith?  What had Paul done in response? Why? (1 Timothy 1:19-20)

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 always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next time...

God bless you!

Sheri

An Active Faith Works Best

"Faith and works are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith."  - Charles Spurgeon

Many of us are under the false impression that simply having faith is enough. While it is commendable to believe and have a strong faith in God, it doesn't do anyone any good if it isn't utilized. Think of it this way, a body minus the spirit is pretty much dead, right? In the same sense, faith without action is dead (James 2:26).

Faith was meant to be used. It does its best work when it is employed in God's name. This topic brings to mind one particular story in the Bible. More than that, it shines the spotlight one specific person, a woman. Her name was Rahab, and her story can be found in Joshua 2-6.

Now, I won't go into a lot of detail here today because I think you'd get a better understanding about her if you read her story on your own. But, what I'd like to do is use Rahab as an example of what faith in God can do when put into action.

Rahab wasn't exactly what you'd think of as "heroine" material. She was a young Canaanite prostitute, living in a corrupt, depraved and pagan culture. In fact, the wicked city in which she lived, Jericho, was under God's condemnation. But first impressions can be misleading.

While preparing to enter the land west of the Jordan, Joshua sent two spies to investigate the land and report back to him. It wasn't long before the king of Jericho heard about these two and ordered their capture. It was about this time that the men decided to hide out in Rahab's house.

Since people were used to seeing men coming in and out of her house, this probably wasn't a bad idea. At least, it wouldn't be suspicious. An added bonus was that Rahab's house was built on the city wall (Joshua 2:15), which provided an escape route, if needed.

She hid the two Israelites on the roof of her house, enabling the men to elude capture, and basically saving their lives. During a conversation she had with them she declared her faith to God (Joshua 2:11). In return for her faith and actions, they promised protection to Rahab and her family from a pending attack.

Would any of this had been possible if Rahab had just sat back and done nothing? She said she believed in God; that she had faith in him. However, it wasn't until she helped the Israelite spies that her faith was brought to life (James 1:22).

Rahab's excellent example serves to inspire us today. It demonstrates that our past history should not hinder nor impede us when it comes to our faith in God. There's nothing worse than possessing a strong faith, but not doing a thing with it.

It won't jump into action unless you make the first move! Sometimes we draw back or hesitate because of our past. But, I'm telling you that no matter what our past looks like, God asks us to believe in him and use our faith. As we do, God can use us to be a catalyst of change here and forever.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9; Matthew 5:16; Romans 3:28; James 2:14; John 6:28

Prayer: Dear Lord, let my light shine before others, so that they may see my good works and give glory to You, amen.

May God bless you!

Brandi

Video - Julie Manning: The Heart of God

A young mother tells how a Haitian boy taught her about God's love for her own children. A great word for parents to hear!  ~Eve

His Truth Is With Us

"I have found it helpful to begin my day by systematically reading the Bible and giving God the opportunity to direct my attention to certain truths. These truths become the springboard to begin speaking to the Lord."  - William Thrasher

Living a victorious Christian life isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. You cannot just sit back and expect to overcome evil without a struggle. Our Christian life is a struggle. It requires self-discipline and a tenacious commitment.

All who follow Jesus Christ are challenged by spiritual adversaries who would love nothing better than to destroy our witness and lives. Fortunately, God equips his children with the necessary weaponry for defending against Satan's attacks.

It is our responsibility to utilize the resources which God has provided. In Ephesians 6:10-20, the missionary evangelist and writer of Scripture, Paul, uses metaphorical descriptions of a Roman soldier's equipment to illustrate spiritual truths to the followers of Christ.

I'd like to focus on the first piece of spiritual equipment: the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14). The belt of the Roman soldier served three very important functions. First, it provided support for the middle part of the body. Secondly, it helped him keep his equipment organized and close at hand. Lastly, it provided efficiency in the soldiers life.

Now, I ask you, is your life in need of strong support, better organization, and greater efficiency? Are you finding yourself feeling weak and helpless? Overwhelmed? Getting nothing accomplished? Totally unorganized? Then, maybe you should consider strapping on the belt of truth!

Figuratively speaking, we are referring to Jesus Christ as our "belt of truth." In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." In other words, Jesus Christ is the truth of God. The "belt of truth" cannot be made or purchased. It can only be received by knowing God.

If you really want to know what God is like, here's what you need to do. You must study the life, death, resurrection, and teachings of Jesus Christ. As you can see, it isn't rocket science, or some deep, mysterious secret available only to a select few.

As you get to know him, you'll gradually come to an understanding and appreciation of the truth of God. Memorize the great truths. Claim and trust in His promises. Believe that God will do what he has promised to do. He has given us his belt of truth. Put it on by faith. Let it strengthen and support you when you need it.

Scripture: John 16:13; Psalm 119:160; 1 John 3:18; John 1:17; 2 John 1:2

Prayer: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love. Amen  -2 John 3

May God always bless you!

Kerri

In God We Can Trust...

"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."  -Psalm 9:10

Okay. I admit it. I still have a landline (telephone) connection in my home. According to a recent government survey here in the U.S., I am part of a dying breed. Over 50% (50.8) of homes and apartments surveyed had only cellphone service by the end of 2016.

It shouldn’t really be a surprise since more and more people are making the transition from landline to cellphone only service, some even having a combination of both. It’s just progress, I suppose. With each passing day it becomes harder to find homes with landline phones, except at my house, of course.

The thing about landline phone service is that it is reliable and trustworthy. For example, internet modems for internet-based phones require power, which can be a big problem in an electrical outage. Traditional copper phone lines have their own power supply, therefore we can trust they will remain operational even during blackouts.

Likewise, we can fully trust in God, too. The literal translation of trust, as per the Bible, is a be bold (confident, secure, sure). Some may confuse trust with faith which is the gift of God. But think of trust as the result of faith we have been given.

This is apparent in our relationship with God as we trust or believe in His promises (all of them), including those where the proof is difficult for us to see. What this means for you and I is that we can fully trust in God, at all times, no matter the seriousness or type of situation,

Trust is a very important word in the Bible. In fact, just in the Psalms alone it is referenced almost 40 times! This tells us a lot about the word, such as, when it comes to the Lord, His Word is trustworthy, and his character is faithful and true. We can trust Him with our hearts and lives (Isaiah 12:2).

Unfortunately, none of this can be said about us. We are not trustworthy in the sense that God is. Not even close! Our sinful nature, which is finite and temporal simply does not grant us the same level of trust as only Our Lord can. Seeking trust in man rather than God is truly courting disaster (Proverbs 3:5; Jeremiah 9:4).

We see time and time again in the Bible, as well in our own lives, that our faith can get knocked around and shaken up, But the believer in God holds onto his trust in God knowing that is will not sputter or falter. It is a trust based on faith, and the promises of God. Trust your life on it! (Isaiah 26:4)

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5; Psalm 40:4; Hebrews 2:13; Psalm 37:3; Isaiah 12:2

Prayer: Dear Lord, I wholly commit myself to You because only in You can I trust my life and salvation. There is no other. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Our Hope in Christ

"Without Christ there is no hope."  - Charles Spurgeon

Hope. What does that word evoke in your mind? Of all the components of life here on this earthly plane, there isn't any with greater strength or meaning than that single word: hope. Without it, life can be very brutal; with it, we can conquer even the most difficult situations.

While passing through the worst storms of life, with the urge to quit growing more intense with each passing moment, it is knowing that hope awaits which keeps us moving on. Even if we were bound with all the happiness we could possibly handle, both emotional and material, without hope it would be greatly compromised.

Hope is a complex emotion. It is also a powerfully fundamental, essential, and universal emotion that should be clearly evident in the Christian. This only makes sense as we identify the Lord Jesus Christ with hope, that is, our hope. I'm not talking about the typical, feel-good type of hope, but the hope in which we believe Christ always keeps his promises.

If we see our hope in Christ then it should respond to His character, attributes, resources, and His throne. Hope that is grounded in Christ will be strong enough to handle the most turbulent incidents in life. Any hope based upon ourselves, or anything else, will be weak and unreliable.

15th century English Puritan preacher Thomas Brooks said, "A Christian will part with anything rather than his hope; he knows that hope will keep the heart both from aching and breaking, from fainting and sinking; he knows that hope is a beam of God, a spark of glory, and that nothing shall extinguish it till the soul be filled with glory."

Christ should be the substance of our hope. Just as sap flows through every branch and leaf of a tree by way of its root system, so should hope permeate us if it is truly founded in Jesus Christ. Knowing that hope, which is based on Him, nourishes both our soul and spirit. And unlike temporal hope, this special, unique hope is the real deal.

Scripture: Romans 12:12; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 39:7; Romans 8:24; Psalm 71:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!  -Psalm 119:116 

Have a blessed weekend!

Bibi

Blind Faith is Not Faith

"The eyes of our souls only then begin to see when our bodily eyes are closing." - William Law

What is keeping you from seeing? You say, "What are you talking about? I can see perfectly." But, I'm not referring to sight in the traditional sense. I am speaking about any obstruction that might be keeping you from discerning Jesus Christ.

When it comes to perceiving Christ, many of us see him through the flawed, partial eye of human vision and not the perfect, unclouded lens of faith. We are in essence blind when it comes to Jesus Christ; not being able to see him in his true glory.

Some will argue that they go to church, listen to the sermons, read their Bibles, isn't this enough? In a word: No! Granted, all of these things are good, but they alone are not enough. Even though it may feel right, there is still that lingering feeling that something is missing.

Like a bowl full of breakfast cereal you still need the milk to make it a meal. The milk in this case being faith in Jesus Christ. It's our faith in Jesus Christ that allows us to truly see him. Jesus Christ is more than just words printed on a page, or spoken by someone (Matthew 10:20 ).

Let me remind you of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar whom Jesus cured of his blindness. Yes, Bartimaeus was blind, he was unable to see Jesus with his damaged eyes. But, he could see Jesus with his heart. It was his faith that enabled Christ to restore sight to his mortal eyes (Matthew 10:46-52).

How many of us are walking around blind in faith today? We might hear the Word, read the Word, speak the Word, yet Christ is a clear to us as a bucket filled with muddy water. Oswald Chambers once said, "Faith is not in what Jesus says, but in Himself."

We shortchange ourselves out of receiving the full benefits of Christ's love, mercy, and grace if we only look at what he says. We become blind in faith by choice. Even though He is all-powerful, we still need to meet him half-way; we must place our faith in his hands.

In closing, is your faith where it needs to be? Does your faith extend about as far as your daily Bible reading? Once you close the book, does it end there? How about your daily prayers? Do your leave your faith behind once you stand up and walk away?

Faith in Jesus is what enables us to see him. Only when we start to see Jesus Christ through faith in our hearts will our eyes will be opened. Not our human eyes, mind you, but our spiritual eyes; letting us finally see Him whose voice we have been hearing all along (John 14:9).

Scripture: John 12:44-45; Romans 1:20; 2 Corinthians 4:6; John 14:6; Isaiah 43:11

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may my faith and love for You always keep You in my sight and in my heart, amen.

May God bless you!

Amber

Video - Ann Voskamp: What Millenials Want

Christian author/speaker Ann Voskamp gives her take on the things that a younger generation wants from the church. Some great points brought up here!~Eve

Placing Fear In Jesus' Hands

"Men love everything but righteousness and fear everything but God."  - Vance Havner

Can I talk to you about fear for a minute? Without a doubt there are many different kinds of fear, in fact, there's a fear for just about every situation in life. Fear, being one of our human emotions means it's something all humanity shares.

A textbook definition for the word fear is: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. It can take many forms. For example, there is fear of job loss, becoming ill, criticism, fear of death, and the list goes on and on.

It's safe to say that various things can happen in the life of Christians to cause alarm, panic, and fright. After the crucifixion of Jesus the disciples gathered in fear in an upper room. And why not? Their religious leader and teacher had just been executed, and they weren't exactly the most popular group in town, either.

One unfortunate result of fear is that it can bring negative consequences. We saw this with the disciples after his death. They just couldn't do what Jesus wanted them to do; they couldn't keep it together. They were so consumed by fear and negative thoughts that it robbed them of maximum efficiency.

An even bigger problem with fear is that it can lead to even greater fear. It weakens us and puts us into a position that leaves us wide open to the very thing that we fear. But, we don't have to be ruled by fear in our lives. Fear can consume precious time and energy that can otherwise be used in more fulfilling and constructive ways.

Is there something going on in your life, maybe at this very moment, that is causing anxiety, apprehension, and concern? You don't have to go at it alone, As he did for the disciples, the risen Christ can deal with our fears. To this trembling, worried group of followers, Jesus told them, "Peace be with you" (John 20:19). He provides us with courage to face fear, as well.

Although the disciples walked and talked with Jesus himself for three years their faith was not perfect. Jesus had taught them on more than one occasion about his resurrection, but they didn't believe (John 16:33). Similarly, our own faith is immature.

We need to be continuously cultivating and deepening the character of the Lord. Today's disciples often fumble the ball and fail to claim His promises. Neglect such as this can rob us of growing in Christ. Our faith grows by reading the Word and keeping God's promises within our hearts.

Development of our faith requires our meeting with Him on a daily basis. Too many of us simply roll over and accept fear.. It doesn't have to be so. Joy can be found between all of the troubles and travails in our world. Happiness cannot be found apart from the risen Lord.

Search for Jesus' presence today. Let him bring happiness into your life. He is waiting for you. Just as he did for the disciples on that long ago Sunday evening, he can chase away your fears, establish your faith, and reveal a glorious, victorious eternal life after death. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 - NKJV)

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 34:4; Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 10:28; Psalm 112:7-8

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are my light and my salvation; the stronghold of my life; Whom or what shall I fear? Amen.

God bless you!

Katherine

Don't Forget Jesus!

"He longs to be remembered as love always longs to be remembered."  - Lyman Abbott

Forgetfulness. Young or old, it's one of those things that can happen to anyone. When we're young, we tend to forget (conveniently?) what our parents asked us to do only five minutes before. It must be hereditary because I've actually seen this same behavior with my own children!

For many adults, however, forgetfulness can be attributed to having a busy, daily schedule filled with work, bills, family problems, etc. I certainly can relate to this one. Don't let my blank facial expression scare you if you ask me for my cell phone number. I'll get back to you later, I promise!

Forgetfulness is an interesting thing, though. While it's true that it pops up now and then throughout our lives, we tend to shrug our shoulders and just keep moving. Unless it is truly a sign of something more serious, we usually don't dwell on it. 

But, forgetfulness can affect more than than this. It can affect our relationship with Jesus Christ, too. I know many of you thinking, "How is this even possible?" As incredible as this may seem, it can and does occur. No matter how devout or devoted a Christian may be, it is very possible to forget Christ.

The potential for forgetting Jesus Christ has become greater now than any other time in history. in our . Take a look at the modern 21st century society in which we live. It is a non-stop, 24/7, always connected, always on world. 

It's not too difficult to see why we can forget Jesus. He keeps getting pushed further and further towards the back of the line. Before you know it, we forget that He is even there. It's not so hard to do. In fact, it's easier than you think.

Even though we might be reborn or regenerated in Christ, we still carry the old, Adam around inside of us. We are corrupt, evil, depraved, immoral, or whatever other adjective you'd like to place in front of your name. It is all still there, lying just under the surface, even death.

We allow so many things, mostly less important things, to take our minds off of Jesus Christ. Perhaps this might be due to the fact that we are closely surrounded by a multitude of distractions. And, in our minds, heaven is way off somewhere in the distance (Romans 12:2).

How can we bring Christ back into the forefront of our lives? What can we do to give him our fullest attention and adoration? Surprisingly, it requires very little time and effort on our part. Try giving Him five minutes of your busy day to start with, then build on that. Even the busiest schedule can allow that much.

It's not difficult to forget that Christ is still there throughout everything that is going on in our lives. Unfortunately, for many of us, the only time we remember Jesus is when calamity strikes. Being the loving and kind Son of God he is, he waits patiently, unwavering, and eternally merciful (Romans 8:1).

Let Jesus know how much you love Him for what he did for us. Ask for forgiveness of your sins. Recommit yourself to pick up that Bible and actually read and study it. Maybe early in the morning before your day begins, or at night when things have calmed down a bit.

We must never forget the One who never forgot us. He spilled His blood for our sins, and loved us enough to die for us (John 3:16). Put the phone down for a few minutes, turn the television set or car radio off. Give Jesus Christ some of your day. Make the effort to let him know that you haven't forgotten Him.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:12; 1 Corinthians 11:24; Psalm 119:55; Isaiah 46:9; Psalm 103:2 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may I never forget that You died for my sins; and offered me the gift of eternal life with You in Your house in heaven. Thank You my gracious and merciful Lord, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey