Good-bye Until September 2017!

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time flies. Summertime has arrived again, and as it has for the past several years, it signals the time when our blog takes its annual summer hiatus. We will return in September.

I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to all of us here at The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry to have been able to have you accompany us on our journey with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ this past year. Thank you all for your support and following!

Also, there is no way that I could fully express my love and gratitude for everyone associated with TCBM that helped make all of this possible. Our super-awesome staff worked tirelessly to edit and post our blog writings, and make sure all ministry business went as smoothly as possible!

But, even more importantly, I'd like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, all of the wonderfully blessed and talented ladies with whom without their weekly contributions this blog would not be possible. It takes a whole lot of people to make this all work, and they certainly did!

I thank Jesus Christ for his many blessings, mercy, and kindness in all of our endeavors. He has been more than gracious with our ministry, and all who are connected to it. Once again. I thank all of you and wish you a fun, happy, safe summer!

As I mentioned, we will return in September with our batteries fully charged and ready to go again! As always, our blog archives are always available for you to use as God moves you. Thank you, and may God bless you in every way. Look for us in September!

God bless each and every one of you!

~Eve

Christ, Our Living Savior...and So Much More!

"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

Jesus Christ came into this world to do a whole lot more than simply die for our sins on a cross. He also came to save us from the inclination toward evil that has plagued human beings ever since Adam. The living Christ enters the heart and life of believers at the very moment they express faith in him (Revelation 3:20).

Needless to say, one of the greatest joys that comes as a result of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the gift of a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). God grants us a nature like his own (2 Peter 1:4). This new nature that is received in the miracle of the new birth causes us to hunger for the things of God and a strong dislike for all things evil (Matthew 5:6-8).

He lives inside each of us who look to him in faith, by his Holy Spirit, enabling us to crucify our old lives and thus become new creatures in him (Galatians 2:20). The indwelling Christ provides us with a foundation for hope in the present and in the future that we might become fully developed in him, living victoriously over evil (Colossians 1:27-29).

Christianity is the result of the early disciples' faith that Jesus Christ had conquered death, the grave, and was alive eternally. Christianity has continued as a dynamic faith because those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ have found him to be a living presence and a continuing power in their lives.

In closing, I remind you that ours is a living Savior. Only a Savior who defeated sin and death can save us from the penalty of sin, which is death. The Savior lives inside all believers to save us from the penalty, power and presence of sin. He is alive forever, and advocates before the Father on our behalf. One day He will claim us for his own and take us to His heavenly home (John 14:2).

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:21; 1 John 2:2; Romans 6:23

Prayer: Dear Lord, what a joy and security that I belong to You with all that I am and possess in my work and everyday life, amen.

May the Lord bless you always!

Bibi

Our Salvation: A Reason for Optimism

"God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, "I love you."   - Billy Graham

Given the state of affairs in our world today, it's difficult to feel positive, upbeat, or optimistic. And no wonder. It seems that strife, unrest, and a general feeling of confusion has taken a toe-hold on society. Recent incidents of savage violence only add to the toxic mix.

Although it seems harder and harder to find to find occasions for exultation, there are still some things in which we can find joy and thankfulness. One of these is the joy of our salvation. Even with all of the negativity that abounds today there still is reason for jubilation.

We can follow the example of the psalmist, in Psalm 51:12, who declares: "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." He is telling us here that even when it appears as if the walls are closing in there is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness if we just know where to look.

I mentioned the joy of our salvation above because it is easy for us to forget how great this gift truly is; how we tend to take it for granted because it did not cost us anything. Yet, we are greatly blessed because of it. Let's look at a few of its benefits which we enjoy.

First, the pardon of our sins. Without this, we would truly be floating down the proverbial "creek without a paddle" as far as our relationship with God goes. Our sins have been forgiven thanks to Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.

This forgiveness has also given us freedom from the bondage of sin, from guilt, and fear of judgment. But, the real joy comes when we lay our resentment, guilt, neglect of God's Word, etc., at His feet and pray, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation" He will (1 Peter 1:8).

As Christians, our joy depends on a total commitment to God. That is, He comes first and foremost in our lives. Our complete surrender to Him releases us from worry. We let God handle it, and let Him handle us. The responsibility of our lives belongs to Him.

Through our total commitment the Holy Spirit fills us to the brim with God's love. As a result, by loving God and others, we are restored by the joy of salvation (Acts 15:9). Which brings us to the peace of soul.

No matter how long or hard we may work, play, or love, it never seems to really bring us true joy. That elusive joy and peace we seek cannot be attained through material gains, power, or pleasure. We, Christians, can rejoice because in Christ we have the only peace of mind and soul that matters (Philippians 4:7).

Yes, there is much going on in our world to create uncertainty. But, no matter how dark the world may seem, there is always a light that shines brightly in it. That light is Jesus Christ and the joy of our salvation.

Scripture: Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 4:12; Psalm 3:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:9 

Prayer: Dear God, by grace I have been saved through faith; not by my works, but by Your gift, amen.

May God bless you,

Cathryn

Video - Beth Moore: Hey Jesus, Follow Me!

Bible teacher Beth Moore explains how we strangle the enjoyment out of Christianity when we ask Jesus to follow us, instead of daring to follow Him. Amen!    ~Eve

His Love Is Limitless!

"God waits for you to communicate with Him. You have instant, direct access to God. God loves mankind so much, and in a very special sense His children, that He has made Himself available to you at all times."  - Wesley L. Duewel

How complete or exhaustive is Jesus' love? There's no way that we could ever measure or define His love for us due the total immenseness of it (1 John 3:1). But, we can know that His love encompasses everything in and about our lives.

I realize that this might be difficult for some to believe given the state of our hateful, violent, and unfair world, but it's true, the Lord really does care about our every detail. After all, Matthew 10:30 ; Luke 12:7 tell us as much.

Just imagine for a moment what might happen to us if He didn't care about us at all. Like they say, "It could always be worse!" I tell you that the heart of Jesus truly cares about even the most insignificant thing going on in your life. Nothing is too trivial or commonplace for Him.

The heart of Christ is so big that there is not only room enough for all those who believe, but for all of our different and countless concerns, too.  I don't have to tell you what a blessing His love has been for us. Are we not the recipients of justification, adoption, sanctification, and eternal life, to mention a few awesome examples?

Sadly, for all that Jesus Christ has given us, we don't always acknowledge or appreciate it near enough. He certainly deserves more than a tepid or anemic response from us. We can spend hours a day on our social media accounts, but not even give a passing nod to Christ for all He has done.

Don't fall into the mindset that that's what going to church is for. Once a week, for roughly an hour and a half out of your busy schedule is okay, but hardly breaking news. What if we were to apply the same amount of time to our weekly phone usage, or television watching?

Many of us don't think about Him until our world is falling apart around us. Yet, even then, He is always there, never bailing out on us. The richness and goodness of Jesus Christ's love for us is incomprehensible. Don't you think He deserves just a little more from us in return?

Scripture: Romans 5:8; Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:16; Ephesians 3:19; Psalm 103:11

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Your faithful love is better than life; Your goodness and loving kindness, I can never repay. May my love and faith for You grow stronger with each passing day, amen.

May God bless you!

Amanda

Should I Fast or Not..?

"If you say "I will fast when God lays it on my heart," you never will. You are too cold and indifferent to take the yoke upon you."  - Dwight L. Moody

From time to time, the topic of fasting comes up in conversation with other Christians. And although it isn't as widely practiced as it once was, there is still enough interest about it out there to warrant a brief discussion on the subject.

It's probably a good idea to first define fasting as it applies to believers, so here goes. Fasting is the abstinence from food for religious purpose. Also, contrary to what some may think, there is no command to fast either in the Old or New Testament. God doesn't require it or call for it from Christians.

Meanwhile, the Bible does show fasting as something acceptable, profitable, and beneficial. For example, it was widely practiced in Old Testament times as shown in: Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6, 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12; 12:22-23; 1 Kings 21:27; 1 Chronicles 10:12; Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4, to name a few references.

Acts 13:2; 14:23 are some New Testament examples showing believers fasting prior to making important decisions. Luke 2:37; 5:33 present instances where fasting and prayer are linked together. Far to often, the focus of fasting is placed on the lack of food. Which is where a lot of the confusion arises. One must careful not to fast for the wrong reasons.

The whole purpose of fasting should be to tune out everything else that's going on in the world and our lives and focus completely on God. In this way, our fasting becomes a means of showing God, and ourselves, that we are really serious about our relationship.

It also helps us to renew our dependence on God, and look at Him in a totally new way. The religious leaders of Jesus' day had reduced fasting to a system. This placed the merit of fasting on the act rather than God. In other words, it became more of a bragging point than anything else.

Naturally, if you do choose to fast, limit your fasting to a set time wherever food is involved. This is especially true if you have medical issues such as diabetes where an extended period of not eating might compromise your health. When in doubt, always consult your physician before any fast!

Here a few important details to keep in mind. We fast not to get God to do what we want. It (fasting) changes us, not God. Neither is it a way of showing-off how spiritual we are. It should be performed in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude (Matthew 6:16-18).

And while it may not be practical to fast from food, for example, most of us can give up something for a short time in order to bring ourselves closer to God. The basic purpose of a biblical fast is to gain a deeper fellowship with God, plain and simple. And when fasting and prayer are combined...Wow!

Scripture: Matthew 4:4; Isaiah 58:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 14:12

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to stop and listen for Your direction. and thank You for offering gentle grace. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Timothy 6:1-21 (Conclusion)

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 have been 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 conclude 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...

* note the warnings about being obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, wranglings of men, etc.
* appreciate the counsel given to those who desire to be rich, and to those who are rich.
* consider what the man of God is expected to flee and to pursue.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Timothy, Chapter 6...

This final chapter begins with instructions concerning servants and their duties toward their masters, especially toward those masters who believe (1 Timothy 6:1-2).  A description then follows of those who might teach otherwise and not consent to the wholesome words of our Lord and His doctrine which is according to godliness (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

Mentioning the value of godliness when accompanied by contentment, Paul warns of the need to be content with food and clothing, and the danger facing those who desire to be rich (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

Timothy is then charged to flee such things and to pursue things becoming a man of God. He is encouraged to fight the good fight of faith, and to lay hold on eternal life.  He is then solemnly urged by Paul to keep the commandment without spot and blameless until our Lord's appearing, whom Paul describes in the most amazing terms (1 Timothy 6:11-16).

The epistle ends with instructions for Christians who are rich in this world, and with an impassioned plea for Timothy to guard what was committed to his trust, avoiding profane and vain babbling over false doctrine which has led others away from the faith (1 Timothy 6:17-21).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) How were servants to consider their masters?  Why? (1 Timothy 6:1)
2) What were the servants who had believing masters cautioned against doing? (1 Timothy 6:2)
3) How is one described who does not consent to the words of our Lord, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness? (1 Timothy 6:3-4)
4) What is of great gain?  (1 Timothy 6:6)
5) With what should we be content? (1 Timothy 6:8)
6) What happens to those who desire to be rich? (1 Timothy 6:9)
7) What is a root of all kinds of evil? (1 Timothy 6:10)
8) What have some done in their greediness? (1 Timothy 6:10)
9) What is the man of God to pursue? (1 Timothy 6:11)
10) What is the man of God to fight, and to lay hold of? (1 Timothy 6:12)
11) What did Paul urge Timothy to do? (1 Timothy 6:13-14)
12) How does Paul describe our Lord Jesus Christ? (1 Timothy 6:15-16)
13) What was Timothy to command the rich? (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
14) What was Timothy to avoid?  Why? (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
15) What was Paul's final benediction to Timothy in this letter? (1 Timothy 6:21)

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

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

God bless you!

Sheri

Prayer: The Desire of Your Soul

"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."  - Charles Spurgeon

With all that is going on in the world today, I thought that it couldn't hurt to talk a little bit about the subject of prayer. And, why not? After all, Jesus was a person who prayed. In fact, we need not look any further than the Bible to find examples of Jesus praying.

Here are a few: as Jesus was praying, the heaven literally opened up (Luke 3:21-22); he went out into a mountain to pray on the night before choosing his twelve disciples (Luke 6:12); after the feeding of the five thousand, and the multitude wanted to make him king, he sent them away and went up into a mountain to pray alone (Matthew 14:22).

Regarding prayer, we must keep in mind  to always do our righteousness for God's approval rather than for human approval. Jesus warned about dangers in the approach to prayer (Matthew 6:5-6). The Pharisees often managed to be in the most prominent places at the hour of prayer so that their piety might be on display for all to see.

There was one major drawback to this approach. While it's true that they received praise for their piousness, this praise came from other men. They did not receive God's approval! Thus, if you think you can fool God, you'd better think again. Jesus never asks anyone to be insincere with prayer.

Here's another good point. Our heavenly Father doesn't need to be informed about one thing in our lives. That is, He is well aware of our needs before we even ask. The desire of your soul is your prayer, whether you verbalize it or not. This is why there are times when words may be helpful, but not always essential. There is a special understanding between us.

The attitude of the prayer is crucial, as well. When in prayer nothing else should divert or distract you. It should be the only thing on your mind. Finally, prayer is primarily an expression of fellowship between you and God. It's no different than any other loving, respectful, understanding and compassionate relationship.

Scripture: James 4:3; Philippians 1:4; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22; Romans 12:12

Prayer: Dear Lord, in those times when I don't quite know how to ask; may You continually guide me in prayer, amen.

May God bless you always,

Adena

Video - Beth Moore: Where's the Line?

How much is too much? When do we know we've gone too far with something? Bible teacher Beth Moore talks about plastic surgery and the lines we can easily cross. If you ever get to that point, listen to what the Lord has to say about it. Good advice for all of us!  ~Eve

The Gate of Salvation Is Open to All

"Since no man is excluded from calling upon God the gate of salvation is open to all. There is nothing else to hinder us from entering, but our own unbelief."  - John Calvin

Judging from questions that I am asked, the subject of salvation can be a tough one to grapple with. Let me clarify this. I fear that some think that there is a user's manual out there laying out clear, specific steps or directions in which to follow. If only it were so.

Honestly, I can totally understand the lack of clarity. Salvation really shouldn't be so hard to understand. What if I told you that you could boil it down to one major component.  Perhaps then it would be easier or more comfortable to grasp hold of. So, what is it?

Simply this: faith. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior is the only action needed for salvation, There are no step-by-step instructions to follow. I realize that this sounds too simplistic. Maybe you've been told or heard about certain rules or obligations to fulfill. It's not that at all.

Salvation has nothing to do with certain things we must do to earn it. I know what you're thinking. Shouldn't Christians be baptized, publicly confess Christ as Savior, turn away from sin, and commit their lives to obey God? "Yes" to all of the above. But understand that these things are not ways to salvation,

Instead, they are outcomes or products of salvation. The Bible is quite clear in telling us that all have sinned against God (Romans 3:23) And, because of our sin, we deserve to be eternally separated from God (Romans 6:23). Thus, because of our sin, we can't, in any way, earn salvation.

We are utterly incapable of paying our sin debt to God or purging ourselves from sin. Only God could take care of our salvation, and He did. Because of His love for us (John 3:16), God became human like us, and died in our place. Thus, Jesus Christ died for our sins.

By doing this, he took our deserved punishment so we wouldn't have to (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). God promises forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven to all who receive, by grace through faith, Jesus Christ as Savior (John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24; Acts 16:31). So, by his death, Jesus opened the door to salvation for anyone who will receive it from Him by faith.

Let's recap. To obtain salvation, God requires only one thing from us. There are no procedures to follow or complete. It's about receiving Christ as Savior and recognizing that He has done all of the work for you (1 Peter 2:24), Salvation is ours by receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and fully trusting (have faith) in Him alone.

Scripture: Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 4:12; Psalm 62:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, as a result of You bearing my sins, it is by faith and with deep appreciation that I receive your gift of salvation and eternal life, amen.;

May God bless you!

Amber

I Put My Trust in You, O Lord...

"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

Trust. We all trust in something. But it seems more increasingly difficult to do so these days. After all, there certainly is no shortage of reasons not to do so. We receive our information from many more sources than we used to. However, not all of these sources are trustworthy or reliable.

The seeds of mistrust and discord can be sown and spread quickly and efficiently through these originators. Whether we call it spin, trolling, or just plain, old-fashioned lying, the end result is the same. We are constantly being tossed to and fro between the credible and non-credible.

Thus, the question is asked, "Whom can we trust?" First, we need to clarify something. It is very easy to confuse "trust" and "faith." Although at first glance they may seem the same, in actuality there is a difference. Faith, on one hand, is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Trust, in the Biblical sense, indicates a bold, self-assured security, or action that is based on that security. Therefore, trusting is our response to something because of our faith, which we have been given. We demonstrate trust when we believe in the promises of God, including those times when the evidence compels to do otherwise.

Thus, we can totally trust both the Lord and His Word. I don't mean now and again, or only on special occasions. You and I can fully trust the Lord always. Proverbs 3:5 tells us: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” And, "His Word is trustworthy" (Psalm 93:5; 111:7; Titus 1:9),

We can trust in the Lord because He, and He alone, is truly trustworthy. Sadly, no matter how much we may be tempted to do so, we cannot trust each other the way we can trust in God. I apologize if this ruffles anyone's feathers, but that's just the way it is.

Unlike our favorite politicians, newscasters, or social media channels of choice, His nature is faithful and true (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 25:10; 145:13; 146:6), His plans for us are perfect and purposeful (Isaiah 46:10; Jeremiah 29:11). Nothing else can even come close to this.

It is surprising how many people place their complete trust in a person, party, or movement without a second thought. But, all of these will come and go as they always have. When it comes to bona fide "trust," only God endures. We can trust Him with all our hearts, and commit every detail of our lives to Him in complete confidence.

Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4; Psalm 37:5; Romans 8:32; Psalm 37:34; 2 Corinthians 4:18

Prayer: Dear God, may You always fill me with joy  peace in believing; and may the power of the Holy Spirit fill me with hope, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Timothy 5:1-25

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 on with 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 responsibility we have toward our families, especially widows.
* consider under what circumstances widows may be "taken into the number."
* note the distinction between the work of the church, and the responsibility of individual Christians.
* review our responsibilities toward those who serve as elders.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Timothy, Chapter 5...

This chapter contains Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding various members of the congregation. He starts with the members in general, counseling Timothy to consider them as family, and exhorting them accordingly (1 Timothy 5:1-2).  A major section is then devoted to the care of widows, in which some may be "taken into the number."

What this phrase refers to is unclear, but it may involve congregational support on a long-term basis. Only those who are truly widows (as defined in verse 5) and who meet certain qualifications (listed in verse 9-10) are to be so honored. Younger widows are expected to remarry and have children, while widows with children and grandchildren are to be supported by their own family rather than burden the church (1 Timothy 5:3-16).

Several remarks are then made regarding elders (not just older Christians, but those serving as overseers). Elders who rule well are to be worthy of financial support, especially if they are laboring in the word and doctrine. Accusations against an elder are not to betaken seriously unless there be two or three witnesses. Those elders who are sinning need to be publicly rebuked so that the rest may fear (1 Timothy 5:17-20).

Paul then gives Timothy a solemn charge to be free from prejudice and partiality as he goes about his duties. He is also to be cautious about those he may commend, being careful to keep himself pure from others' sins. The chapter concludes with advice for treating Timothy's stomach ailment, and a reminder that both sins and good works will eventually become evident (1 Timothy 5:21-25).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) How was Timothy to exhort the members of the congregation? (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
2) Why are widows with children or grandchildren to be taken care of by them? (1 Timothy 5:4)
3) Who is truly a widow? (1 Timothy 5:5)
4) What is said of one who will not provide for his own family? (1 Timothy 5:8)
5) List the qualifications for a widow to be "taken into the number." (1 Timothy 5:9-10)
6) What are the younger widows to do?  Why? (1 Timothy 5:14)
7) What two groups of widows are NOT to be "taken into the number?" (1 Timothy 5:14,16)
8) How should elders who rule well be considered, especially if they labor in word and doctrine? (1 Timothy 5:17)
9) What basis does Paul give for compensating elders? (1 Timothy 5:18)
10) What is necessary to receive an accusation against an elder? (1 Timothy 5:19)
11) What should be done with elders who are sinning? (1 Timothy 5:20)
12) What serious charge was given to Timothy before God, the Lord, and the elect angels? (1 Timothy 5:21)
13) What words of caution does Paul give Timothy? (1 Timothy 5:22)
14) What advice does Paul give Timothy for his stomach ailments? (1 Timothy 5:23)
15) What is true in regards to both sin and good works? (1 Timothy 5:24-25)

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

Follow the Gospel to a Fuller Life

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

One of the most noteworthy passages found in the Bible is this: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

What makes it even more extraordinary is that, on more than one occasion, the Lord refers to it, or something similar, in the Old Testament, and mulls over this point as if the entire Gospel was built upon it; and rightly so (Matthew 9:13).

This passage is also deserving of attention particularly because it describes in a nutshell what true religion is all about: "Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously--take God seriously," as paraphrased in The Message. 

But, if we slowly peel away the top layer of this verse, we find another pleasant surprise waiting for us. We find that God is asking us to do is nothing out of the ordinary, or of great sacrifice. In fact, it's nothing difficult or demanding at all.

It may surprise you to know that the essence of the message has been lying right there at your feet, all this time. It doesn't demand that we perform superhuman feats or stretch our limits. All we have to do is bend down and move the stumbling preventing us from following God's command.

We must all do what we can to improve our own hearts and minds on a daily basis. And one of the best ways to do this is through our being humble and loving God. Each of us the ability to be a much better person tomorrow than we are today.

Choosing to do this, or not, will either further our salvation, or jeopardize it. None of us is standing still. We are all constantly moving forward, one step at a time toward eternity. Live your life with that always in mind.

Scripture: John 14:6; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; John 8:24; John 5:39-40

Prayer: Dear Lord, I knew my life would never be the same again when I heard Your word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and affirmed my faith in You, I can't imagine it any other way, amen.

May God always bless you!

Kerri

Video - Beth Moore: Forgiven Of Your Shame

Bible teacher Beth Moore demonstrates how you can return to the places where you were once shamed and hold your head up as one who is now restored. Another awesome word from a blessed teacher!  ~Eve

God Is Not Out to Get Us!

"God is not a deceiver, that He should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon Him, should slip away from us."   - Augustine

It's really a shame how there are many who think of God in terms of being a spoilsport, or killjoy. That is, they view Him as someone who deliberately spoils our enjoyment of life through his resentful or overly sober behavior towards us.

They see God as an over zealous officer of the law who is always looking to catch them in the act and punish them for their offenses. Hopefully, this doesn't describe you! And, although it might appear to some that God is out to hinder, or slow us down a bit, this simply is not true.

God's rationale goes far deeper than that. He does what he does because of our sin. You see, God hates sin but loves sinners, which just so happens to be us. His hatred towards it is great because of its destructive nature. In other words, He is against sin because of what it does to us (Psalm 40:2).

Look at it this way. Peace-loving people are against war, for example, because war is horrible and evil. Doctors are affirmed enemies of disease and other maladies that affect our health and well-being. Similarly, God would not be God if he were not against all that is wicked and bad in the world.

When God forbids something, he does it with our best interest at heart. When He requires us to do something, it's always for our own good, and that of others. Everything God does for us and to us, is done with His best intentions. Whether we see that or not is our problem, not His.

None of us could possibly know what God has in mind for us (Proverbs 20:24). Only a hopeless egotist would be so conceited as to say that he had already eliminated all evil from his life, and had arrived at the highest moral excellence. That, however, is not how God works in our lives.

There will be times when God compliments us, and times when he reprimands us. But no matter which one it is, it is all done compassionately. He is always with us, guiding in the way we should go (Isaiah 30:21). He has promised to be with us in all of our ways, providing strength, direction, and love.

Scripture: Psalm 32:8; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 25:9-10; Isaiah 40:28

Prayer: Dear Lord, Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation, amen.

God bless you!

Amanda

Christ Now, More Than Ever

"It is quite useless knocking at the door of heaven for earthly comfort. It's not the sort of comfort they supply there."  - C.S. Lewis

As recent events have shown, we live in a violent, unpredictable world. However, my purpose here today is not to dwell on the corrupt things of the world, but rather to remind us of the compassionate goodness and hopefulness which can be found in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

Everything that is wrong in this world can be traced back to sin. Our sin. We have no excuse, or defense for this. Our world is the way it is because of us, plain and simple. Left to our own devices, we would aimlessly wallow around in sin for eternity.

You are correct in thinking that the world is not a very nice place to live in. It can be cold, hostile, and full of depravity of every kind. None of us is innocent of committing sin. Ever since the beginning of time, people have chosen to disobey God and go their own way. This choice is still being made today.

Thankfully God loves us, and stepped in to give us another chance at the life He had originally intended for us. But this time, instead of here on earth, we would have the opportunity to live with Him in heaven forever. And this is where Jesus Christ comes into the picture.

The result of sin is our separation from God. Our relationship with God had been compromised, much like a washed out road. But God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ to repair it (John 3:16).

We hear and receive many offers to help with all the hurt, pain, and ugliness, for a price. There's always a hitch. or hidden clause lurking about somewhere with these propositions. That is not the case at all with Jesus Christ.

His offer of salvation and eternal life comes without any come-on, or gimmicks. He took all the risk and gamble out of his offer. All he asks us to do is to believe in him; to have faith in him, and he will take care of the rest (Acts 4:12).

Does this mean that everything that is bad or hurtful in our lives will disappear when we accept his offer? No, Jesus gives no such guarantee. Instead, He can provide us with strength, comfort, hope, love, and compassion; especially when we need it the most (John 14:1). And we can sure use it now.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalms 37:28; 1 Kings 8:57; Joshua 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20

Prayer: Dear God, there's a lot going on around me right now that I don't understand. Some of these things make me feel weak, helpless, and afraid. Even so, I know that you are the Lord. that the situation is in Your hands, and I trust You, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

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...

* learn what we can about the apostasy ( an abandonment or breach of faith) foretold by the Spirit.
* see what sort of things will make one a good minister of Jesus Christ.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Timothy, Chapter 4...

Paul begins this chapter with describing how the Spirit has revealed that in latter times there would be an apostasy in which some would depart from the faith. This falling away would come about as people gave heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, leading to their speaking lies in hypocrisy and searing their consciences as with a hot iron.

Examples of their false doctrines are given: forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from certain foods. Regarding the latter, Paul makes it clear that all foods are acceptable if they be received with thanksgiving, for they are sanctified by the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:1-5).

In the last half of this chapter, we find Paul instructing Timothy on how he can be a good minister of Jesus Christ. By instructing the brethren in matters pertaining to sound doctrine, he will also be nourished himself.  But he should also be careful to avoid foolish fables, and rather exercise himself to godliness, which is of more enduring value than bodily exercise (1 Timothy 4:6-10).

Though Timothy is young, he should not let anyone despise him for his youth. Instead he must demonstrate the proper example of how a believer should speak and live. With further instruction as to what things to give attention, Paul encourages Timothy that by following these recommendations his progress will be evident to all, and he will save both himself and those who hear him (1 Timothy 4:11-16).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What did the Spirit reveal would happen in latter times? (1 Timothy 4:1)
2) What would such people give heed to? (1 Timothy 4:1)
3) What would they speak?  Why? (1 Timothy 4:2)
4) List two examples of the sort of doctrines they would teach. (1 Timothy 4:3)
5) What foods are acceptable for Christians to eat?  What makes them acceptable? (1 Timothy 4:4-5)
6) What would ensure that Timothy would be a good minister of Jesus Christ? (1 Timothy 4:6)
7) As a good minister, in what would he be nourished? (1 Timothy 4:6)
8) What was Timothy to reject?  Unto what was he to exercise himself? (1 Timothy 4:7)
9) What is the value of godliness? (1 Timothy 4:8)
10) What was Timothy not to let anyone despise? (1 Timothy 4:12)
11) In what areas was Timothy to be an example to the believers? (1 Timothy 4:12)
12) To what three things was Timothy to give attention? (1 Timothy 4:13)
13) What was Timothy not to neglect?  How was it given to him? (1 Timothy 4:14)
14) How could Timothy ensure that his progress would be evident to all? (1 Timothy 4:15)
15) How could Timothy save both himself and those who heard him? (1 Timothy 4:16)

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

Our Closeness to God

"God is nearer to us than any man at every time. He is nearer to me than my raiment, nearer than the air or light, nearer than my wife, father, mother, daughter, son, or friend. I live in Him, soul and body. I breathe in Him, think in Him, feel, consider, intend, speak, undertake, work in Him."  - John of Kronstadt

Closeness with God is the beating heart of religion. It's in our close relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that the most honest and genuine parts of our lives are lived. All aspects of our lives that are not lived in loving fellowship with Him are untrustworthy, unreliable, dubious, and obscure.

Sometimes there is a disconnect between doctrine and intimacy with God. But they should always go together. Otherwise, we tend to only consider doctrine without the affection, which can lead us to a hard, self-important, hollow religion (John 14:6).

How can we avoid circumstances promoting these types of things happening to us? Especially important in this age of information saturation, is to get your teaching from God (Job 36:22; Jeremiah 23:30). That is to say, take your doctrine from His lips; learn truth down on your knees.

You must also stay away from judgment and conjecture. These provide no nourishment for the spirit. If anything, they make you heartless and dry. And like a shade screen placed over a sun-facing window, they greatly diminish the incoming light.

Faithfully keep your relationship with God close, and let all other associations be dictated by His (2 Peter 1:3). Allow God to become your constant partner, your closest friend, teacher, and guide. God does His best work when we let Him into every part of our lives.

Scripture: James 4:8;  John 17:22-23; Deuteronomy 6:5; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:1

Prayer: Dear God, I glorify your name and thank you for your grace which you so generously poured out on me through your Only Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I offer this praise, amen.

May God bless you,

Cathryn