Christmas Message 2018

Billy Graham - Christmas Message 1953

Many years ago, the great 19th century preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote this about the birth of Jesus, "Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman's breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother's arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter's despised son."

Within this brief quotation he managed to simply, yet eloquently, demonstrate the deep, eternal unity between God and man. The connection between the two is a special one. When Jesus was sent to earth by His Father he could have arrived as a full-grown, adult. But in order to free us from sin, he needed to fully immerse himself in the same sinful imperfection into which we were born (1 Peter 3:18).

Moving forward in time, as he hung dying on the cross, Jesus bore the burden of all the ugliness, pain, and hopelessness of our sinful world on Himself. The inhumane treatment he endured, he did so for our freedom from the curse of eternal death that sin held over our heads. Yet through all of this, he never once dropped our hand from his, or forgot his promise (John 14:1-3).

The connection we hold with God is special. And though the world he created abounds with many wonderful and beautiful examples of His handiwork, there is none more precious to him than you and I. We, and only we, hold the unique distinction of being created in His image. (Genesis 1:27).

Although it has been over 2,000 years since Jesus' birth, let us remember the significance of that event. During this Christmas as we congregate with loved ones, I urge you to prayerfully honor the One who made the biggest sacrifice there ever was, and ever will be. And he did not do this for country, cause, or duty, He did it for all of us, because we are His family (Ephesians 2:19).

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It is at this time that all of us of The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry wish all of you the most blessed and safest Christmas and New Year. Our ministry blog has been running short-handed due to the lingering effects on our friends who experienced two major hurricanes this past summer. We will continue to pray for them and offer our help and support through their recovery.

Jesus Christ has blessed us with some very talented contributors who have been gracious enough to help keep our blog up and running until we are back at full strength. The job they have been doing has exceeded all expectations. We can thank Jesus Christ for blessing our ministry with them. I extend my undying gratitude and love to them, as well. Thank you, ladies!

Our ministry blog will be on hiatus through the Christmas and New Year holidays. We will return on Monday, January 7, 2019.  Meanwhile, as always, our archives are available for you to use as God moves you. Thank you all for accompanying us on our journey with Jesus Christ throughout this past year. Our blessings to you and your loved ones.

Thank you Lord, for all You have provided us during 2018; we humbly submit our prayers to You for Your grace and mercy in 2019, Amen

May God richly bless,

~Eve

Be Imitators of God

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

There's nothing like gathering together with family and friends to celebrate the holidays, reminisce about seasons past, create new memories, and take in all of the wonderful sights, tastes, and sounds.

Inevitably, this often asked question is always brought up. "Have we forgotten why we celebrate Christmas?" Many, much more knowledgeable than I, have tried their hand at providing an adequate response to this question.

As such, I will not make such an attempt here, today. I will leave that to the experts. But there is one thing that too often goes unnoticed. And that is the familial aspect of Christmas; God's.

As Christians we are a family of believers in Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:5). Through his redemption we have received many benefits, including: Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:17; Revelation 5:9-10, to mention only a few.

Being members of God's family also carries with it great duties and responsibilities. One of these is how we show the world what it means to be His children (1 John 3:3). Walk the walk, as they say.

We must "be imitators of God," that is, to not only follow his example, but demonstrate it to the world (Ephesians 5:1). This goes so much deeper than merely exchanging gifts, and it doesn't cost us a thing to put it into action.

As usual, one only has to turn to the Bible for guidance. There we find in 1 John 3: 11 that, "we must love each other." It has nothing to do with the biggest, most expensive gift and the prettiest wrapping paper and bows (Luke 12:15). 

Jesus Christ was sent to us not to deliver Christmas, but to give us the best gift ever. That gift, was the gift of eternal life with God. The cost? Jesus paid for our sins with his death and resurrection. How can anyone forget this?

As we come together with our loved ones this Christmas, let's not forget that there is really only one gift that keeps on giving all year long. And you'll never have to worry about size, color, or style. One size fits all: the gift of love for each other (John 13:34).

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6; John 1:14; Acts 20:35; Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:2 

Prayer: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”  -Luke 2:14 (ESV)

Joyfully in Christ,

Donna

We Need The Love of God

"Lavish Love upon our equals, where it is very difficult, and for whom perhaps we each do least of all."  - Henry Drummond

There is no denying that our world literally appears to be splitting at the seams. The "works of the flesh" which are mentioned in the Bible, and then some, are all alive and apparently thriving quite well today (Galatians 5:19-21).

Some who study the historical trends of world peace and upheaval say that we are now undergoing a time of great turmoil and uncertainty. This is nothing new, however. The problems we see now have always been.

The centuries come and go, civilizations rise and they fall, generations are born and then die. As Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:10, "Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new?” With us, unfortunately not a whole lot.

The greatest barrier that stands in the way of all of the wrongs in the world, whatever they may be, is the sin we commit towards one another. It was so before Jesus came to us; during his short time here; and presently (Romans 3:23).

Yes, it is true that he was sent to earth by God to help us because sin held us in its vise-like grip (John 3:16-17). But let's be clear, God didn't send his Son to us because of our behavior, as some might mistakenly think.

He, knowing what would happen to him, sent Jesus to us because we held a special place in his heart. As a compassionate, forgiving, and patient Father, he desires for us to accept and embrace each other. In short, God wants us to get along (1 Peter 4:8).

He preached, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

During this joyous time of the year, give pause to this commandment. Scripture tells us that we are all God's children, everyone (Colossians 1:16). Think how much easier it would be if we all accepted and employed this edict.

Scripture: 1 John 4:18; 1 John 4:20; Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:22; James 2:8

Prayer: Dear Lord, may I overflow with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus, always. Amen

Blessings always,

Cyndy

Is It Time to Reset with God?

"Four of the Ten Commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. But all ten are about relationships."  - Rick Warren

As the days grow closer towards that special day of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there is no better time to examine our connection with Him.

Consider it a necessary checkpoint, or rest stop, in our journey as faithful believers where we reset our spiritual compass and assess our hearts and minds before moving on. Think of it as a time to reboot our bond with God (Psalm 71:20-21).

To proceed without any such check-up from time to time is courting disaster. There are troubles and temptations along the way that can jostle us off course. We can't always depend on obvious signs to warn us of issues.

Small rips and tears may appear in our relationship with Christ. The damage grows silently but steadily, turning into major problems that can hinder, even halt, our Christian maturity.

We should never feel embarrassed, too stubborn, or too proud to ask God for guidance when we need it, and even if we don't! We should be proactive and not wait until situations call for drastic measures that could have been avoided.

Moses, in his journeys with the Hebrews through the desert, sought God's direction on more than one occasion (Exodus 33:12-13). He could never have accomplished all he did without God's help. Nor can we.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5). Stop and ask!

It's good to give pause and evaluate our progress as Christians. We take our cars in for scheduled maintenance, we visit our doctors for annual physicals, and check the cookies baking in the oven, so why not our relationship with Christ?

We have many relationships during the course of our lifetime. But, none is more important than ours with Jesus Christ. He does his part to get our relationship up and running. It's up to us to see that it remains that way (1 Chronicles 16:11).

Scripture: Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 58:11; Romans 8:14; Psalm 25:5; Colossians 3:1

Prayer: Dear God, may You give me the peace and guidance I need to see me through another day, amen.

Blessings always,

Mitzi

We Can Be Saints in Christ Jesus

"In my daily walk with Him, He gives me victory as He teaches me how to abide."  - Judy Harrell

"Under pressure to walk like the saints of old." That's a very common concern among many who have addressed this to me. They want this more than anything, but seriously doubt it can happen.

I sense the anxiety in their voices as they tell me that this bar has been set too high for them to clear; that they feel it has only set them up for failure.

It's understandable to feel intimidated by them. I realize that it's difficult not to see these ladies and gentlemen on a level far above our own.

But perhaps we just need to adjust our viewpoint a little bit. These people were certainly not any different than you or I. They were living, breathing, and composed of flesh of blood, too.

They could have passed you by on the street and you probably wouldn't have been able to tell them apart from anyone else. There was nothing that was visible physically that would tip you off.

Physically, they were as you or I. They also had the same weaknesses, worries, and temptations. However, if we change the word "physically" to "spiritually," then we'd be on to something truly special. 

They were called to be saints (Romans 1:7), as are you and I as believers in Jesus Christ. The same holiness that they had obtained is not beyond our own reach. I know it might sound impossible, but it's true! 

Now, what are "saints" as per our discussion here? According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE), this is when, "God consecrates and claims moral beings for Himself and His Service." (Ephesians 4:4)

He expects that, as such, they should not be content to just sit around with this special appointment. They are to go out into the world and show that they are prepared and deserving of the relationship in which they now belong. (Ephesians 4:12)

We are fortunate to have some excellent models in which to imitate and follow in these saints. We can learn a lot from their passion and holiness. Their lives were filled by, and lived for, Jesus Christ.

God has made the same grace accessible to us. By following their lead, and by the same Spirit, we, too, can be counted as "saints."

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 5:8; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Revelation 14:12; Psalm 30:4

Prayer: Dear God, I give thanks always to You because of Your grace that was given me in Christ Jesus, amen.

Bless you,

Brielle

Repentance Leads to Life

"The recognition of sin is the beginning of salvation."  - Martin Luther

One of the hardest things for us to do is to admit we are wrong. After all, who likes to admit that? The admission of guilt (regret and remorse) is what we is usually consider as "repentance" as it pertains to each other.

We generally tend to think that this is how "repentance" (to repent) works in our relationship with Jesus Christ, too. But does it really? First, we need to take a look at how "repentance" is used biblically.

One doesn't need to research too deeply in order to discover that the biblical meaning of repentance is, "to change one's mind." I have to point out that this applies to our sin. As you can see, there is already a big difference in meaning.

By changing one's mind about sin we aren't just talking about a slight, or casual transformation. No, in order for you or I to truly repent, or change our minds about sin we must make a full change of direction from sin toward God (Acts 8:22).

When you hear someone talking about "turning away from sin." this is what they mean. If you think about it, it makes really good sense. By turning only a quarter or half way from sin you can still see it by turning your head one way or the other.

However, when you have made a full, 180° turn around from sin, you are facing God and sin is now behind you. Sounds great, doesn't it? Believe it or not, this is something that is attainable by anyone who is really serious about it.

Have you ever done something, or were doing something and you had this feeling that it just wasn't right? It was that feeling about right and wrong; an immediate awareness that it wasn't. Your conscience was bothering you, and it left you with a knot in your stomach.

If so, you have taken a step toward repentance. The belief that whatever action you performed wasn't right or good means that God is at work, lovingly nudging you back on the right path. A reminder that he will help us. Now, are you sorrowful for what you did? (Psalm 38:18)

It is a sincere regret, and wanting to make things, i.e., sinful actions, right that may be construed as another step toward repentance. It doesn't do any good to just think about your actions and forget about it. You must earnestly feel sorrowful about them (1 John 1:9).

Additionally, our minds and attitudes are very crucial factors in our repentance of sin. Think of them as motivators. We have to want to change. God needs to see this desire in us, or it won't work. Without faith in God, our repentance will not be granted (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Repentance is an offer from God to us. It is there on the table, but he won't force it on anyone. We must want to repent in our hearts, minds, and by our unwavering faith in him. Take him up on it. He will take care of the rest.

Scripture: Romans 3:23; Luke 13:3; Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:9; Luke 15:10

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Amen  - Psalm 51:10-11 

God bless you,

Lauren

Full Confidence in Christ

"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

Few would disagree that it can be hard to find and receive certain assurances that are dependable. We've all seen T.V.commercials; have read advertisements in magazines and online; and have had encounters with individuals offering us "peace of mind," "no worries," or to "rest assured."

How many have been duped, defrauded, and even left in financial ruin because of unscrupulous and deceitful works by those in whom were fully trusted to uphold their end of a bargain or promise. The list is surely lengthy and somber.

But gladly, we can enter confidently into one relationship without pause for concern or doubt. There is no danger of abandonment, being deceived, or feeling unsatisfied. The arrangement here is trustworthy and binding. Full assurance is guaranteed.

When we come to Jesus Christ with full faith in him, repent of our sin, and accept him as our Lord and Savior, we become part of a binding covenant. As such, we are granted, or receive certain assurances that are enduring and everlasting (Romans 5:1; 1 John 5:13).

Very simply, when we become part of this permanent relationship, we are no longer the person that we were. Yes, we may still look the same outwardly, but we have undergone a total spiritual remodeling (1 Corinthians 5:17).

This was made possible because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By his sacrifice, he took care of all the hard details, thereby making this accessible to us. We have also been given access to approach God in worship. It's all there in his assurances to us (Romans 11:29).

Of course, there are innumerable benefits that have been bestowed to us through Christ. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface in my writing today. However, his promise of salvation and eternal life are not just empty words (John 10:28-29).

When we give our lives over to Christ, in full faith, the assurances we receive from him, paid for in full by his blood, tears, and death, is immutable and sealed. There is no other like it, nor will there ever be (Romans 10:13).

Scripture: John 5:24; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 6:37; Hebrews 12:28; Isaiah 12:2

Prayer: The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.  - 2 Timothy 4:18

Blessings always,

Cyndy

To Abide In Him is To Live

“A soul filled with large thoughts of the Vine will be a strong branch, and will abide confidently in Him. Be much occupied with Jesus, and believe much in Him, as the True Vine.”   - Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ

We like to think of ourselves as independent, self-sufficient, competent, intelligent beings; minus our little quirks and eccentricities. And this is certainly true for most.

Be this as it may, it is imperative for us as Christians to never forget the source from where we draw "life." That without it, we wither and dry as the branch that has been separated from the vine (John 15:6).

This is beautifully illustrated for us in John 15. We, as Christians, draw our "life" from our connection to Jesus Christ. Without this union, or dependence on him, we are "lifeless."

Jesus' fear was that we could lose this connection because of who we are, and how easily distracted and influenced we can be. Our battle against the flesh is never-ending. Alone, we are weak as water.

Thus, we must be in Christ. There is no other way around it. Some may look for shortcuts or a quick fix, but none exist. Only by grace, His grace, can the sap flow from the vine to the branch.

Jesus tells us, "Abide in Me, and I in you" in John 15:4. There are two exhortations in this verse. The first, that we are to remain united to him by a "living" faith.

Specifically, living a life that is dependent on him, following his commands and his example, and regularly practicing our faith in him. In short, we are to live in Christ.

Secondly, is his promise to us. He (Christ) will abide in us. Namely, if we remain connected to him, he will do so with us; by teaching, guiding and comforting us. Let Him dwell in us.

When we are connected to him by a living faith, his strength flows from him to us, and we receive support and assistance as needed (John 15:7). We must strive to never lose our union with Christ.

Scripture: Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1; Matthew 7:21; Galatians 6:7-8

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

Joyfully in Christ,

Donna

What Is It to "Trust in God?"

"Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus."  - Revelation 14:12

The official motto of the United States of America is "In God We Trust." It's commonly found on U.S. currency. Though it had appeared on U.S. coins since the 1860's, it wasn't until 1955 when it became mandatory by law that it should appear on all coinage and paper money.

How many of us today give "In God We Trust" a second thought? The world is full of mottoes and inspirational quotes that we hang on our walls, or display on our desks and shelves, both, at work and in our homes. But, there has to be more to it than that, right?

To find the original meaning of these words we only have to turn to their source: the Bible. And though, example after example may be found between its covers, we only require one to illustrate our point.

Amaziah, the son of the assassinated king Jehoash of Judah (2 Chronicles 24:25), had come into full power at the young age of 25 years (2 Chronicles 25:1). Though he was not perfect by any means, "he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 25:2).

Amaziah's first rule of order as king was to avenge his father's death by killing those responsible for his murder (2 Kings 14:5-7; 2 Chronicles 25:3-5); yet did not harm their children, which was totally unheard of in those days (2 Chronicles 25:4).

The young king also planned to restore the kingdom's military honor and prestige which had been greatly depleted during his father's reign. He then assembled a militia army made up of all the young men who were 20 years or older (2 Chronicles 25:5).

Even so, he still felt this was not sufficient for his planned military campaigns. In order to increase the size of his army he decided to hire mercenaries from Israel, paying 100 talents of silver for their services (2 Chronicles 25:6).

Upon their arrival, a prophet (man of God) strongly urged the king not to join with them "for the LORD is not with Israel" (2 Chronicles 25:7). Naturally, the mercenaries were not happy with this turn of events, leaving both unemployed and angry.

Oh, yes! But what about the 100 talents? That was gone along with the idolatrous, apostate Israelites. Amaziah next asked the man of God "what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? The Israelites were long gone and so was the money.

It was then that the prophet spoke, saying "The LORD can give you much more than that" (2 Chronicles 25:9). In other words, don't worry about it, the LORD has got you covered, and then some. You just need to trust in Him. Does this sound familiar..?

God has more than enough to cover any losses you might suffer. What is needed is a firm belief, or trust, in His adequacy and efficiency to support us, and cover the losses and damages sustained in his service. We will be abundantly compensated.

Thus, to trust in God is to be willing to go the distance for him, in full confidence that by the goodness of his safety and protection we cannot, no, even better, WILL NOT lose! Additionally, whatever we sacrifice in His name will more than be made up similarly, or in kindness. 

The dictum "In God We Trust" is so much more than that. It declares that by placing our trust in God we, both, demonstrate our faith in Him and in what He can do for us. We can never lose with God. He has promised our faith will be rewarded in ways far beyond what we can ever know (John 3:12-13).

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5; Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 112:7; 1 Corinthians 1:8

Prayer: Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, for He is good and His steadfast love endures forever! Amen

Bless you,

Brielle

The Kingdom Is Attainable through Christ

"There are no crown-wearers in heaven who were not cross-bearers here below."  - Charles Spurgeon

When we hear the word "mountain" it might conjure up pictures of tall, majestic, rocky formations; some even with snow-capped peaks. It brings to mind strength, immenseness, enduring and permanence.

The word "mountain" is used approximately 137 times, and can be found in 137 verses in the King James Bible (KJV). This tells us that it obviously has to be an important word to be used so frequently.

During ancient times, natural objects were frequently used to illustrate points, or add depth to language and speech. Such is the case with the word "mountain."

It is a massive and powerful word. In Scripture symbolism, a mountain means a kingdom. For instance, in Isaiah 2:2 and Daniel 2:35; 44-45 it refers to "the kingdom of God;" which is indeed everlasting and imperishable.

In our modern world, men seek to conquer mountains because they are challenging and beyond the grasp of most other men. Brave and daring climbers are willing to sacrifice it all just to reach their summits.

So, too, was the kingdom of God. Even though it had been attained only by a few God-selected men, namely Enoch and Elijah, it remained out of our reach until Jesus' resurrection made it accessible to the rest of us. This, however, doesn't mean it is an effortless endeavor now.

You can be certain there will be obstacles thrown into your path along the way, and storms will suddenly appear to hamper your journey. Temptation, greed, lust, vanity, and apostasy will all try to stop you (Matthew 7:13-14).

But, you, the believer in Christ, thankfully do not have to face these trials alone. Along the way you will have the advantage of having a loving, merciful, and steadfast escort to see you through to the end.

The kingdom of God is no longer an impossible dream. Nor does it require any special equipment to take you there. Repentance of your sins, and a commitment of belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will get you well started (John 3:3).

A passage to the top of the mountain, made passable by his sacrifice on the cross, lies ahead. His pillar of smoke will guide you during the day; his pillar of fire at night (Exodus 13:21). Jesus, your Almighty guide awaits you.

Scripture: John 18:36; Mark 1:15; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 25:34; Matthew 3:2

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and therefore I offer to You my acceptable worship, with humble reverence and awe, amen.

Blessings always,

Cyndy

Let Christ Handle Your Stress!

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."  - Mat 11:28 (NLT)

It's easy to feel stressed during the holiday season. Daily life can be stressful anyway, but it can be even more so at this time of the year. Work, home, family, holiday shopping, travel, finances, and bad weather can raise stress levels ever higher.

Let me illustrate this point for you. According to a 2015 survey, sixty-two percent of the interviewees defined their stress level as “very or somewhat” elevated during the holidays. Only 10 percent reported "no stress" in the same survey.

Stress can make us feel as if we are being squeezed between two immovable objects, hence, the "squeeze" or "pressure" is on. How much stress one can withstand differs from person to person. Eventually, we all reach our limit or breaking point.

Scriptures acknowledges "stress" in many different ways (Proverbs 1:27). It is sometimes called grievousness; heaviness; distress, trouble; anguish, perilous, and dangerous. There is nothing happy or joyous about any of these words. They are dark, bleak, and somber, for sure.

If left to our own devices, this world would be a very dismal place. There would be no hope, rest, or peace. But thanks to the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ we are able to find our way out of the gloominess and hopelessness. We are not left to flail around without a lifeline.

Our Lord and Savior can deliver us from stress if we call on him. The psalmist writes in Psalm 119:143 (NLT), "As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands." The source of comfort he is referring to is the truth of God. This same reassurance is available to us, as well.

Recall what happened in Luke 8:22-25 when the disciples were stressed out because a sudden, violent storm threatened to sink their boat. Who did they call on at the height of the storm? They called on Jesus, who then calmed the angry waters.

He is never out of earshot when we need to call out to him. He is always as close to us when we need him, as he was to the disciples on that day. Some may say that they have called on him before but without any success.

Does this mean that he will turn his back on us? No. Jesus will never turn his back on you or I. Romans 10:13 tells us, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  Where do so many go wrong?

There have no real faith in their pleas to him. Jesus knows our hearts, he can tell when we have true faith, or not (James 1:6). Whatever we ask must be done in complete faith and trust in him (Matthew 21:22). He desires a sincere faith from us.

This holiday enjoy the season and all of the wonderful things it has to offer. But if you find that stress is starting to close in on you, remember, you always have a "stress reliever" in Jesus Christ. Call on him if you need to, and even if you don't. He loves hearing from us anytime! (Philippians 4:6)

Scripture: John 14:27; Matthew 6:27; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:13; Exodus 14:14

Prayer: Dear Lord, when the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul, amen. -Psalm 94:19 

God bless you,

Lauren

Thanksgiving Holiday (U.S) - November, 2018

On Thursday and Friday, November 22-23, 2018 we will observe the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S.

It is a time for giving thanks to the Lord for all of the bountiful blessings we have received in our country. All of us here at the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry extend our thanks and prayers to all of you, as well. We hope that you too will enjoy some time with those you love this weekend. Our blog will return on Monday, November 26, 2018. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

May God bless you always,

~Eve

Those Who Truly Know Christ

"Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God because He said so."  - C.S. Lewis

Students in school must be tested in order to evaluate whether they have not only learned, but understand their lessons. It matters not if one is in elementary school or the university, an assessment of the subject content is necessary.

It was no different with Jesus Christ, the Master teacher. He spent a great deal of time preaching and teaching to his disciples. The lessons he presented were not from a book, but rather were hands-on training in real time.

Jesus needed to know if his disciples had indeed gleaned anything from his instruction, or were they just simply along for the ride. He wondered, could he depend on his faithful disciples later on down the road? Had they been polluted with apostasy? Were they of strong faith?

So, the group stopped just a little outside of the Gentile town of Caesarea Philippi. It was exam time, so He asks them straight away who they think he is (test of faith). He then discloses to them what to expect if they continue walking with him. Jesus pulled no punches (Matthew 16:24; 25).

The test of faith was given to see what they had learned so far. This was then followed by a test of hope. This test was necessary for realistic expectations, and not disappointingly, unreal assumptions that might be fostered by their attachment to Him (Matthew 16:21). 

Jesus presents the question of faith to them, asking, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" Matthew 16:13.  We must sincerely ask ourselves, "Do we know who Jesus Christ is?" Our faith is dependent on our reply (Colossians 2:9).

Some may laugh at the thought of such a simple question. But, Jesus thought it was important enough to ask. The disciples' faith was not tested on their theological knowledge, but rather on this basic and honest question.

Sadly, far too many think that believing in Jesus Christ is too hard, or too silly to be true. Others just can't be bothered. They cannot answer His question to save their lives (2 Corinthians 4:4). They are in danger of blowing the final exam.

How about you? Are you like Simon Peter who could reply without hesitation and unwavering certainty (Matthew 16:15; 16)? Or are you like those mentioned above, who fail to acknowledge the urgency of Jesus' question? The way you will spend eternity depends on your reply!

Scripture: Acts 4:12; John 20:28; Matthew 28:18; Titus 2:13; Galatians 4:4 

Prayer: For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe, amen.  - 1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)

Blessings always, 

Mitzi

What's In A Name?

"Everyone has an image of God distorted in some way--we must, of course, since God transcends our capacities to imagine him."  - Philip Yancey

A name signifies identity. It's hard to imagine our world without names. Our language, culture, and society uses names as a basis for communication, learning, and survival.

A name can denote value or significance. We might label things as "priceless," or "one-of-a-kind." But these classifications change over time and place. Something valuable a century ago, might not be so today.

We are called humans. While a dog, whale, salamander, or grizzly bear is not. But even humans are not so unique among each other. Each one of us is just one individual part of an entire species.

There are millions more with similar characteristics, traits, and features. However, God is truly unique. There is no one, or anything else like him. He is, is and who was and who is to come (Revelation 1:8).

God is eternal and unchangeable. He is self-existent. Matthew Henry comments that, "He has his being of himself, and has no dependence upon any other." He is the beginning and the end (Revelation 20:13).

When God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM," he was stating absolute fact (Exodus 3:14). In Isaiah 43:10, God says that, "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." There is only one God, and only one.

There is a multitude amount of information about humans. Yet, we will never begin to know everything there is to know about God. It's good enough for us to know that he is what he is, what he ever was, and ever will be, for now. (Job 26:14).

It's also sufficient to know that he is steadfast and truthful in his promises, unmovable in his word and nature, and unlike other humans, is incapable of telling a lie (Titus 1:2). His name declares what he is to us. He is God and there is no other like him (Isaiah 44:6-8).

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:10; Revelation 4:11; Isaiah 26:4; John 1:1; Psalm 100:5

Prayer: To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever, amen. - 1 Timothy 1:17 

God bless you,

Lauren

God's Immutability, Not Our Indecisiveness

"God does not will He should follow what man has initiated. Other than following God's direction, we have no right to direct Him. We have no ability to offer save to obey God's guidance." - Watchman Nee

Most of us have a daily routine that we follow. For some, it might involve work and school. For others, it might include volunteer work, church activities, hobbies and recreation; or a combination of all.

No matter, the routine is probably comfortable and familiar. Yet, suppose someone comes along advancing a new idea or philosophy. Naturally, some would either embrace it, or protest against it.

There may even be an attempt to modify it, including a little bit of the old and new, thereby making it a watered-down, easier to swallow version. As the saying goes, old habits die hard (Isaiah 53:6).

This was the condition of some of the Hebrew converts (i.e. Hebrew Christians) living in Palestine at the time of the writing of Hebrews (Hebrews 10). These had been of the Jewish faith before converting to Christianity.

They were familiar with Jewish history, laws, customs, etc. But the problem didn't lie there. Though they had converted from Judaism to Christianity, they gradually slipped backwards into an altered version of Christianity.

Calling themselves Christians, but straddling the line, retaining and practicing parts of their former faith. Afraid to let go of the safety line to the old, and grasping the salvation offered by the new. The author of the book of Hebrews addressed this concern (Jeremiah 17:9).

I believe that this problem continues today. There are many self-professed Christians who cut and paste pieces of the faith that they like for themselves; not being fully committed to, and/or practicing it (Proverbs 14:12).

God did not send his only begotten Son to save us from eternal death only to have us halfheartedly, tip-toe around his teachings, picking and choosing what we want to believe whenever it suits us (John 3:36).

Nor did he desire for us to play around with different combinations, tweaking it to see which works best for our own tastes and preferences. It didn't work in the past, and it definitely won't work now!

Scripture: James 5:19-20; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Acts 3:19; 1 Timothy 2:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, may my faith in You remain strong; and my heart totally devoted always, amen.

Bless you,

Brielle

Faith Requires Sacrifice

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,"  - Hebrews 11:4 (KJV)

Faith can be viewed from many different sides and angles. We have also listened to, and read about, various stories having to do with other's experiences with faith. But what do we really know about faith? Our own?

John Newton, an 18th century English Anglican clergyman, said this regarding faith, "This is faith: a renouncing of everything we are apt to call our own and relying wholly upon the blood, righteousness and intercession of Jesus."

This basically means that faith requires self-sacrifice on our part, without which, it is only a word. We also see this in Hebrews 11:11 (NIV), "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

As you might recall in the story of Cain and Abel, God was far and away more pleased with the offering he received from Abel, than that of his brother, Cain (Genesis 4:4-5). Abel understood, by faith, what God desired; while Cain was just going through the motions.

We will never truly receive God's full blessings, as he intends, if we merely walk through faith without fully giving of ourselves to God. Need more proof? How about when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son Isaac in order to prove his faith to God (Genesis 22:1-19).

Far too many of us today talk a big talk, but do we really mean it, when it comes to faith? A strong, unshakable faith is based on our willingness to give it all to God. Half-way, kinda-sorta faith simply will not do. Faith is more than just a word, it is an eagerness to surrender all to Him.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 5:7; John 5:24; John 3:16

Prayer: Dear God, I pray that I may always stand firm in my faith, amen.

Blessings always,

Cyndy

The Deception of the Self-Serving Life

"Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."  -Ephesians 2:3

Recently, there has been a notion or belief going around that it is better to put ourselves first; to be self-seekers. But, for Christians, especially, this goes against everything that Jesus Christ instructed (Romans 2:8).

Just take a look at some of the things we do in our own lives. Can we honestly say that these are done for the Lord? I am guessing that not too many hands would be raised here!

It's hard to not follow or chase after our own selfish pleasures, I totally get it. But, as mentioned above, being a "self-seeker" is not true to being a Christian (Isaiah 56:11). We are missing the whole point if we continue to follow that path.

Living for ourselves, or living to satisfy our own indulgences (of which there are many), diverts our attention from what our true objective should be: to do the will of God. This includes placing ourselves at his mercy.

Now, some might take all of this to mean that we should lead boring, unfulfilled lives. Nothing could be further from the truth! We just need to keep it all in perspective. Our words and actions should match our intentions and obligations to God (Philippians 2:21).

It's not too difficult to get swept up in the false presumption that we should come first; whether it be personal, country, or whatever. In God's eyes, all that matters is the relationship between us and Him. He is a jealous God, and will not be second to anything or anyone! (Exodus 20:5)

Though some Christians may be weaker than others, vary in size, abilities, anxieties, etc., they all belong to the Lord.  In the end, whether alive or dead, it matters not, we always belong to the Lord (Romans 4:25). 

Our contemplating, serving, and subjecting ourselves to God, results in us being owned and accepted by Him. God isn't asking for the impossible from us, He only desires what is rightfully his. (Romans 14:7,8)

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 8:11 

Prayer: Dear God, You were delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification; at the very least, our hearts and minds should be consistently focused on You. May mine always be so, amen.

God bless you, 

Lauren

The One True Light

"We are walkers through the city of this world, and we are often called to go out into its darkness; let us never venture there without the light giving word, lest we slip with our feet." - Charles H. Spurgeon

We all know that our journey through life isn't always clear and obstacle free. Things can, and do, come up that may catch us off-guard; altering our life plans.

It's easy to go in confidence when the road ahead is bright and clearly marked out. But what happens when it darkens and is difficult to discern where you are going?

Psalm 119:105, both, considers and addresses situations such as these. As Our Heavenly Father provides for us in so many other ways, he does so when our way has become obscured.

His word is the light that shines, illuminating our path. It has the ability to delineate which direction we should travel. It is comforting in times of duress, and calming when we are fearful. However, it needs to mentioned that this light provided by the word of God is not simply a given.

Any type of light whether it is provided by a flashlight, candle, or lamp is not effective for someone who is blind. Only an individual who has eyes that have been opened and informed by the Spirit of God, that is, the word, can truly take advantage of it (Proverbs 4:18).

It is also important to keep in mind that one of the most practical benefits of Holy Scripture is the guidance it gives us in respect to our daily lives. The light was not sent to dazzle us with its brilliance, instead it should be used to instruct and lead us (John 1:7).

I think most would agree that such a light would be useful in our lives. Like the camp of Israel so long ago, we too, need a pillar of fire to guide us through the darkness (Exodus 13:21). We have it available to us today, right now, as the Bible. May it light our paths always!

Scripture: John 8:12: Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 5:8; Matthew 5:14; 1 John 1:5

Prayer: Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are my Lord and Savior, and my hope is in You all day long, amen  - Psalm 25:4 – 5 

Blessings always,

Cyndy

Christ, Our Safe Anchor

"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,"  -Hebrews 6:19 (ESV)

There is no denying that this world can be rough and unpredictable. We are all subject to getting pushed, shoved, and beaten down by the trials and troubles of life.

But we are not just empty shells that are cast about. We carry within ourselves the comforts, graces, expectations, and happiness that comprise our souls as we move along toward our final destination: heaven.

Should the calm waters of life become roiled, and the strong winds of tribulation intensify, we need something that will keep us firmly planted as our faith is tested (Psalm 31:24).

We need a solid and secure anchor; one that can hold fast no matter what comes our way. Thankfully, faithful believers are provided with such an anchor: gospel hope.

There is nothing as sure and unwavering as gospel hope in our darkest hour. In its own nature it is resolute. After all, it is the special work of God in the soul. It consists of good hope through grace, and not merely a cheap, insincere hope.

It is a true work of God, that is not only stable, but generous, as well. This anchor we call gospel hope has been tested and tempered in the worst situations and always emerges with flying colors!

It does not cleave itself to any sure ground that we may be familiar with, of which always exists the possibility of breaking away. Christ, by virtue of his own sacrifice which he offered up, passed through the veil to intercede for us with God.

Gospel hope enters through the veil that separates us from God, and attaches itself to Christ our Mediator; who is the anchor of the believer's hope. It is firmly secured in his sacrifice and intercession (Romans 5:2). 

He went ahead through the veil to prepare a place for all believers by faith, and promised them that they shall follow him there (1 Corinthians 2:9). That is why we can trust in Christ to anchor us in seasons of temptation, sickness, and hardship (Luke 1:37).

It is comforting to know that the restorative and considerable hope of eternal blessedness, provided by God, is always accessible to us. Thus, we can safely fix our hopes on the anchor of gospel hope, who is Christ in heaven.

Scripture: Psalm 71:5; Jeremiah 17:7; Titus 2:13; Psalm 71:14; Job 11:18

Prayer: Dear Lord, no matter what stumbling block lies in front of me tomorrow, I am secure in knowing that You are always there to see me safely and graciously through it, amen.

God bless you,

Lauren

Let Us Speak the Truth!

"And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."  - Hebrews 4:13

On practically any given day of the week we can either watch, listen to, or read about (depending on your media source) various individuals or groups doing their best to hide, suppress, and even obscure the truth concerning various topics.

Hiding the truth, one might say, has reached the point where it has almost become too easy; and even commonplace. After all, it's not that difficult to hide things from one another. Let's be truthful. We have all seen proof of this, both, in our own lives and that of others.

But, it's another thing altogether if we think we can hide things from God. This is truly something to consider the next time any of us makes an attempt at dissembling the truth. None of us can escape the notice of God. Any insincerity, hypocrisy, or unbelief will be uncovered and exposed (2 Timothy 2:15).

Here's the thing, whereas we may be able to throw others off the track with smooth talk and slick showmanship, God doesn't fall for cheap attempts to deceive him. He can see right into our hearts, where our true feelings lie. You will NEVER be able to mislead God!

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. No matter which way you look at it, there is no way to escape from having the truth extracted by God. He wields the mighty sword of truth that can pierce deep into our hearts where our true feelings are.

You have probably heard it said that the truth hurts. As it pertains to our relationship with God, it really does. God only deals in truth, he cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). Sadly, by trying to stifle the truth, we not only hurt ourselves and others, but we hurt God, too (Genesis 6:6).

Scripture: John 14:6; Proverbs 12:22; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 86:11; Ephesians 4:25

Prayer: Dear God, you love truthfulness in the inward being, I pray that You will teach me wisdom in the secret heart, amen.

Joyfully in Christ,

Rylie

The Light that Shines From Within

“May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.”  - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

When you see or hear the word "light," what comes to mind? Perhaps the sun is the first thing you think of, or maybe some type of electrical fixture. I think you'd agree that these are some fairly obvious choices, among many others.

But, there is another kind of "light," one that is without equal, which I'd like to discuss with you today. Whereas, the sun shines its light down on us from the heavens, this special "light" shines in, and illuminates from our hearts.

Think back to Genesis 1:3 (RSV) when God said, "Let light shine out of darkness," and it was so. However, as incredibly powerful as this was God wasn't quite finished. The best was yet to come when our hearts were given the glorious light of the Gospel!

You might be more familiar with this as the light of the knowledge of God by the way of, or through, Christ. This isn't something that any human being could ever produce or create. It's so far beyond the power and scope of our wisdom and power that would be ridiculous to even consider it.

No, this is something that only the creator of the universe could accomplish; namely, God. And, as he is the maker of the light and creator of the universe, there is no doubt that he is the originator of the Gospel (Genesis 1:4).

Our minds, though wonderful and amazing creations, are by nature unaware and unenlightened.  That is, they are in the same darkened condition that existed before God's directive for light to shine. He, who commanded light to shine at creation, also illuminated our hearts with the Gospel light.

This illumination also extends to the minds of Christians. It provides us with a clear and consistent perspective (1 John 2:20; 1 Corinthians 2:12-15). We are enabled to perceive beauty in things, such as: serving God, religion, the Bible, self-control, honesty, truth, and charity, in which we may not have before.

Most importantly, we have been given that "light,"not to hold it within ourselves, but to bring an awareness of the knowledge of God to the masses; that the source of all light is the true God. How wonderful is that!

And, unlike the sun's rays which fade at the day's end, the Gospel light emanates brightly from our hearts (Isaiah 60:20). The illumination provided by the One who created all light, and it is available freely to all who have in interest in God's salvation by Christ (John 1:4).

Scripture: Matthew 5:14; Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 5:14; Psalm 36:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, may You always light my paths, and may Your love always radiate from my heart to others, amen.

Bless you,

Brielle

Help, I Can't Hear God..!

"God is speaking to all of us, all the time. The question is not, to whom does God talk? The question is, who listens?"  - Neale Donald Walsch

There are times when we feel as though God has unplugged his connection between us. We might wonder, "Where has he gone?" And, "Why doesn't he answer?" This is not an uncommon occurrence with believers

Perhaps you start to feel guilty that maybe you did, or said, something to irritate Him. Then you start to question yourself; racking your brain trying to remember whatever it could have been.

Job experienced this first-hand when he thought that God had left him out of the loop. He was certain that God had turned against him. But his friend Elihu told him otherwise (Job 33).

God had been speaking to Job all along, he just did not discern this. Like Job, we do not always pay attention when God speaks to us. But, this isn't because of anything God does or not, it is our own fault.

Some have even walked away from God in anger and frustration because of this. However, He is always planning things for our benefit; even when we might be less than thrilled about the way things are in our relationship with Him. 

So, how does God speak to us? He can speak to us through our conscience, by foresight or wisdom, and even special messengers (Numbers 12:6; Genesis 20:3; Genesis 31:24; Matthew 1:20). God also speaks to us today through his divine written revelation: the Bible.

That He is always eager to inform, remind, direct, and warn us serves as validation of his gracious design, He is always more than delighted to try and connect repeatedly until we listen (Job 33:14).

Scripture: Romans 10:17; John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 41:10;  Hebrews 4:16

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure, amen.  - Isaiah 25:1

Stay blessed,

Cheri

We Cannot Bear Sin!

"We cannot bear sin - when it is near us, we feel like a wretch chained to a rotting carcass; we groan to be free from the hateful thing." - Charles Spurgeon

Many physical flaws may be covered or concealed by the use of make-up, certain types and colors of clothing, and, to the extreme, plastic surgery. Most of these fixes, other than plastic surgery, are relatively inexpensive and can produce fairly good results.

Honestly, changing up our outward appearance is not too difficult to do. Even a few subtle, inexpensive alterations, or changes in lifestyle can make a big difference, or change almost anyone's outlook about themselves and on life in general.

But have you given any thought to the state of your inner, spiritual condition? There is something that is common to all of us, yet is impossible to conceal no matter what we may try to do, as many try to do. I am talking about sin  (Romans 3:23).

Yes, some carry around sin that is so obvious it is hard to deny, but think everything is great because they have not met with any negative consequences thus far. In other words, they are falsely under the impression that it must not be all that bad if God hasn't done anything about it (Numbers 32:23).

While others may think they they have done a pretty good job of concealing or covering up their sin, keeping it tucked away in the dark recesses of their mind where it is out of view; out of sight, out of mind. But they are only fooling themselves (1 John 1:8).

No matter, all sins have their proper punishment! Understand that while it may seem that too much time has passed by, or perhaps you actually got away with it, in general, sooner or later you will pay the price for your sins. This even includes sins that are repented of, such as in the case of King David (see 2 Samuel 11).

One of the really ugly things about sin is that no matter when it was committed, it leaves a filthy residue on our spiritual nature that never truly goes away. It clings to our soul, following us throughout our lives. Our only chance to cleanse ourselves of sin is through our faith and the blood of Christ.

Sin makes us unclean and unpresentable to enter into God's presence. We all reek of sin. It drips from our souls like filthy waste water. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us of our putrid sin (1 John 1:7; 1 Peter 1:19). When we, by faith, administer Jesus' blood to our sin-stained souls, God declares us formally clean and acceptable (Titus 2:14; 3:5).

Thus, we have been thoroughly scrubbed clean of sin. Our sin is taken from us and placed on Jesus Christ; by which we are declared righteous by God; our sins forgotten (Ephesians 1:7). Again, the only thing strong enough to absolve us of our sins is Christ's blood. Nothing else will do (Colossians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

You might be thinking this means that we will never sin again. Make no mistake, we are still sinners who are fully capable of committing sin! However, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, we are no longer held hostage by sin. We can ask for forgiveness of sin, through faith in Him, and be forgiven (Psalm 103:12).

Scripture: James 1:14-15; 1 Corinthians 1:30;  Ezekiel 18:4; Hebrews 9:28; Romans 7:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive my sins and forget my iniquities. I am sorry for the offenses I have committed against You, amen.

Blessings always,

Cyndy

The Patient Character of God

"God's patience is infinite. Men, like small kettles, boil quickly with wrath at the least wrong. Not so God. If God were as wrathful, the world would have been a heap of ruins long ago."  - Sadhu Sundar Singh, Indian Christian missionary

Patience can be difficult to manage for many of us. To be cool and calm during trying circumstances can be challenging, There may be certain things that trigger impatience, or a even anger, in our lives; most of which are due to our own expectations.

For instance, having to wait too long in line for that Ultra Caramel Frappuccino, or a lack of front row parking spaces at the store. Our own high expectations take a hit when things around us don't go exactly as we think they should.

Maybe it's that person that shows up late for an appointment, or the clerk is helping another customer for what you think is an inordinate amount of time, and not attending to you. Or when you take on a do-it-yourself project that, at least in your case, isn't.

I'm sure that you could easily add many more to this list. But, the point is this: patience (longsuffering) is not our best quality. Thankfully, God has more than enough of it for all of us! You could say that patience is one of his best attributes.

That God is compassionate, kind, and unfailingly merciful are all wrapped into his patience. The Bible mentions this a lot, so it must be an important thing to know, Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15 (KJV), to call your attention to a few examples.

It's a good thing for us that God, because of goodness and tenderness, doesn't get angered, provoked, or annoyed that easily! He wants all of us to have a good chance at repentance and salvation, that's why he so patiently waits (2 Peter 3:9, 15).

Scripture: Colossians 3:12; Romans 2:4; Jeremiah 15:15; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Romans 9:22

Prayer: Dear God, teach me to be patient, when all day long my heart is troubled by little, but troublesome problems, amen

Joyfully in Christ,

Elaine

Just Strangers Along the Way...

The Stranger within my gate,
He may be true or kind,
But he does not talk my talk–
I cannot feel his mind.
I see the face and the eyes and the mouth,
But not the soul behind.    - from "The Stranger" by Rudyard Kipling

1 Chronicles 29:15 tells us that, "We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope." There are a couple of good bits of information for us to take to heart within this verse.

First, is the fact that here, on this earth, we are but strangers and pilgrims passing through. This might be difficult to accept but this fact applies to everyone, not just individuals or groups of our own choosing. This includes you and I, too!

What we have seen going on around the world today is nothing new. One group has always persecuted another, mainly for their differences. We even see this happen time and time again between the pages of Scripture; and it continues today.

Secondly, the allusion to the brevity of our lives is quite clear. Our days here on earth pass swiftly, and then we are gone. Maybe the saddest part is that nothing is truly learned from our stay here. We mostly tend to be a worldly-minded lot that places more value on perishable wealth, than on each another (Matthew 6:19). 

Moses hit the nail on the head when he meditatively asked God, "So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely" Psalm 90:12 (NET). We seriously need God's guidance because we cannot begin to change anything on our own. 

Probably the biggest obstacle standing in our way is understanding that nothing here is truly ours. Our land, water, food, even the air that we breathe does not belong to us. All belongs to God, who graciously allows us to use it while passing through on our pilgrimage, hopefully, to live with him.

It is our own ignorance that blinds us from seeing this. Every generation has its time like a passing breeze, a breath, a mist, and then it is gone (James 4:14; Psalm 78:39; Psalm 144:4). The one universal commonality that we actually possess, besides our physical makeup, is God.

Our yearning to discover our purpose for being here (who are we?; what are we doing here?; where are we going?) is the same in hearts around the world. Thankfully, the answers to these questions, and many more, have been lovingly provided for us in the Gospel; God's answer to our inquiries.

Scripture: Psalm 39:12; Job 14:2; Psalm 119:19; Ecclesiastes 6:12; Hebrews 2:10

Prayer: Dear Lord, Lord, when I am very much in need of tenderness and support, lead me to help someone in greater need than I, amen.

Blessings always,

Mitzi

In Christ...Are You Hopeful or Wishful?

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."   -Desmond Tutu

One of the greatest commodities in the world is hope. It isn't bought, sold, or exchanged; yet it is priceless. Even so, there are no requirements or stipulations attached to it. It is freely available to one and all.

The word "hope" is used many times in the Bible, and for good reason. It is considered an essential and fundamental element of Christian life. (1 Peter 3:15; Hebrews 10:23). However, many can, and do, confuse hope with wishes or desires.

Let's take a look at where the confusion might lie. With hope there is some expectation of acquiring a benefit or advantage, or the possibility of securing it. Therefore, hope always produces happiness or contentment.

Whereas, with wishes and and desires there is a certain element of pain and/or anxiety attached to it. Compare both of these to your relationship with Jesus Christ. Is your relationship based on hope or wishes/desires? (Hebrews 3:6)

John Piper says this about hope: "Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Don't. You are in good company... You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope."

When rough times in life appear, and the outlook is bleak, would you place your hope in Christ to see you through; or would you just wish for things to get better? Your answer says a lot about your relationship with Him (Psalm 71:14).

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:7; Ephesians 3:6; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16

Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to walk in your light, and live every day in faith and glory, amen

Love and blessings,

Simone

Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

"How long, LORD, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant?" -Psalm 94:3

Why DO the wicked prosper? At least it would appear so to those who always try to play by the rules and stay on the straight and narrow path. But who hasn't asked themselves this question from time to time? We are not the first to bring this to God's attention, and definitely will not be the last.

This even troubled the prophet Jeremiah enough that he asked God, "LORD, you have always been fair whenever I have complained to you. However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice. Why are wicked people successful? Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives? -Jeremiah 12:1 (NET)

It is a perplexing question for which there is no quick and easy answer that will satisfy everyone. But, what I can do is offer positive hope that that none of this goes unnoticed by God. He is fully aware of everything that transpires here (Psalm 139:1-6).

So why is it that some can do everything right, dedicate their lives to serving God, etc., but the dial never moves any further than where it is. Meanwhile others lie, cheat, and steal their way to the "good" life seemingly without a hitch.

The plain truth is that in many situations we simply don't comprehend what is happening to us, nor do we fully understand God's ways. We can beat ourselves up about it, but it won't do any good. We just have to trust that He alone has his reasons and it is not ours to know why (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17).

I know that it is natural to want or seek success in life. God never said that we shouldn't or couldn't (Jeremiah 29:11). But whether our "perception" of prosperity matches up with what God wants for us is unknown. And if we are blessed enough to acquire temporal prosperity we must recognize that it was God's will for us, and not our own.

However, we must always remain cognizant that material prosperity gained in this life is not transferable to eternity. What seems like true wealth can be another deceptive ploy executed by the great deceiver to distract us from God. In the end, then, how does one really define wealth and prosperity? 

Our true reward for our devotion and faith to God lies beyond the borders of our earthly existence (Psalm 73:25). Remember that the road to a prosperous eternity is filled with false turns and potholes. Prosperity gained here on earth is short-term. True happiness, satisfaction, spiritual fulfillment, and eternal delight can only be received through Our Sovereign Lord.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5; Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 25:46; Ecclesiastes 3:17; 1 Corinthians 2:14;

Prayer: Dear God, may the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely, amen.  -Psalm 141:10

May God bless you,

Marlene

When Trouble Calls on You...

"There is no man in this world without some manner of tribulation or anguish, though he be king or pope." - Thomas a Kempis

There is no life without trouble. It (trouble) is never very far away. And no matter who we are, trouble will make an appearance at some point in one form or another; and there is no escaping it.

Asaph, a Levite and member of David's choir, who also just happened to be a musical composer, as well, shared one of his experiences with trouble in Psalm 77.

It is believed that he wrote this particular Psalm during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. Though few of us have had brushes with trouble as severe as this, we can still learn something from Asaph's experience.

What happens when we are overwhelmed, or the bottom drops out from under our feet? As believers, we have an excellent source of comfort and assistance. It is the same wellspring that Asaph drew from in his time of suffering and anxiety: God. 

From the beginning, we can see that he did not try to hide it, avoid it, or handle it all by himself (Psalm 77:1-2). Certainly there will be times when we might be able to handles some minor bumps in the road ourselves. But isn't it comforting to know that we have access to assistance whenever we need it?

Asaph knew exactly who to turn to in his distress. Trouble also has a way of depleting our self-confidence and raising doubt in our minds. This, too, is clearly visible in Asaph's thoughts as you read Psalm 77:1-9. You can tell that it had been playing on his insecurities.

But it was during this sad lamenting of his people's situation that he remembered God's past great works. It dawned on him that God took care of them before, and would do so again if they would turn to Him (Psalm 77:10-20). And that's exactly what Asaph did, he called on God in his time of trouble.

We could all do as well by calling on God whenever trouble pops up. Don't be shy, either. Cry out! Let God hear how much you need Him. After all, trouble is no laughing matter. Pour out your complaints to Him (Psalm 142:2). God can do wonders in times of distress (Psalm 77:14).

Scripture: John 14:1; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 34:6; 1 John 5:4; Philippians 4:13

Prayer: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Amen.  -Psalm 27:1

God bless you,

Whitney

His Nourishing and Replenishing Waters

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."  -Psalm 1:3 (KJV)

Those of us who have been followers of Christ for a while know that it's not always an easy thing to do. Contrary to what some might think, the path forward isn't always wide-open and clear.

There are many challenging pitfalls, detours, setbacks, and distractions along the way. As someone once said, only the strong survive. The strength to confront these threats to our faith must replenished continually (Psalm 119:105).

I have known many who could not cope with these obstacles and walked away from religion altogether. This demonstrates, both, the seriousness and realness of living a life in the faith (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is definitely not for the insincere!

How can we bolster and sustain our faith to weather the highs and lows we will experience as Christians? We need to be firmly planted (grounded) in Him. Think of a mighty oak tree that has weathered countless storms; yet remains firm and secure.

Thus, the determined believer can think of himself as a spiritual plant of God. Once we have made a sincere commitment in our hearts and minds to follow Him we have have been transplanted from the old sinful life into the fertile ground by His running waters (Revelation 22:17).

Here we a continually nourished by the perpetual supply of beneficial nutrients (influences) that are supplied by the waters; better known as the Gospel. It is here that our faith grows and is replenished.

Unlike other trees and plants that grow, bloom, then die depending on the season of the year, a spiritual plant of God always blooms and produces fruit. And why not, look at who the gardener is!

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:25, Proverbs 11:25; James 1:2-4; Philippians 4:19; Jeremiah 31:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, each of us will experience various difficulties at different times throughout our lives. Provide us with the courage and strength at those times that only You can provide, amen

Bless you,

Brielle