Video - Billy Graham: All Who Thirst

Billy Graham speaks on life and death in this animated short, All Who Thirst. “He wants you to have life, he wants you to enjoy life…” An awesome message for us all!  ~Eve

It's Time to Awaken!

"And as men's diversions increase from the world, so do their entanglements from Satan. When they have more to do in the world than they can well manage, they shall have more to do from Satan than they can well withstand."  - John Owen

In Romans 13, the apostle Paul earnestly imparts the importance of the various duties expected of believers. These included: the duty of obedience to the Governing authorities, the duty of keeping the Commandments, and the duty of Christian love.

These serve as an inventory of the responsibilities which every Christian should be aware of. Unfortunately, many have slipped into the sleep of sin, or comfortable apostasy, and are happy just where they are.

While we sleep this sleep of spiritual deadness, we are in danger of missing out on our share of eternal happiness. Because now it is much closer to us than when we first became Christians. "For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." (Romans 13:11).

It's time to snap ourselves out of it; to get on with the task of performing our Christian duties. For too long do we sit on our laurels, content with the way things are, more than happy to let others shoulder the responsibility (Revelation 3:16).

1 Peter 5:8 cautions us to: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." There is much work for the Christian to do. The devil never takes a holiday and neither should we.

But we have to be smart about it. We must first equip ourselves with the "armor of light," that is, the graces of the Spirit, in order to guard the soul from Satan's temptations and the constant assaults of our present evil world.

What better raiment for believers to wear; to protect themselves with; one that is worthy, distinctive, honorable, and secure, than Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we are completely vulnerable and exposed. Let him rule you, save you, and inspire you always.

Scripture: Colossians 3:2; Ephesians 5:11; Romans 12:2; Titus 2:12; Matthew 16:26

Prayer: O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble, amen.  - Isaiah 33:2

May God always be with you,

Muriel

Watered-down Sin?

"This day, my God, I hate sin not because it damns me, but because it has done Thee wrong. To have grieved my God is the worst grief to me."  - Charles Spurgeon

Do we have a tendency to water down sin? To dilute the consequences of sin? To just shrug our shoulders and resign ourselves to "oh well, better luck next time?" Honestly, I feel that many of us don't take sin seriously, if at all.

Need proof? Just take a look at what's happening in the world today. It is an honest and repulsive reflection of ourselves in the mirror of sin. It's way too easy to excuse our lighthearted mindset on sin. Somehow, sin seems to have lost a lot of the impact that it used to have.

When I ask people about this I get responses such as: "Other people get away with doing stuff all the time," and "No one seems to really care that much anymore."  What gives? Maybe it's a false sense of security inspired by unbiblical sources which encourages us to think that God hates sin, but not sinners.

They downplay the severity of sin, making us feel as comfortable about sin as we would a favorite pair of old, worn jeans. But the reality of sin is far from being cozy, warm, and fuzzy. It is ugly and offensive to God. Sin degrades us in God's eyes. He detests sin. It is vile and revolting to Him.

Our sin forbids us from approaching God's presence because He won't allow sinners anywhere near Him (Psalm 5:5; Habakkuk 1:13; Revelation 21:27). Has the point been taken? All sin is disgusting to God. And yet, we still don't seem to get it. Have we just tuned it out of our lives?

Sin is an ancient adversary, one whom we've wrestled with from Adam in the Garden (Genesis 2:16-17) to this day. If we were to try to total all of our sins, we would never be able to finish. We have all sinned more than we realize. I know I wouldn't want to list all of mine. It would be far too depressing.

Thankfully, by grace, and through faith in Christ, we have been redeemed from sin (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because of him we are purged of the stench of sin and can get near the heavenly throne of God.This, however, doesn't mean that we have been given a free pass to sin without any consequences.

Christ's death on the cross did away with the penalty of eternal death, but only for those who accept him (1 Peter 2:24). Sin is still very much alive and kicking. We must come against it wherever and whenever it exists. We must also contemplate the effect of sin, both, in and on our lives. Do it today, you may not have the chance tomorrow!

Scripture: Psalm 5:4; Proverbs 6:16-19; Isaiah 6:3; Romans 3:23; 1 John 4:8-9

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may I never forget that You gave up Your life for my sinful one; and although I can never repay You, I can always love and praise You, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

A Tribute to Billy Graham - (November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018)

To honor the passing of Billy Graham on February 21, 2018 at age 99, the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry wishes to present this special video tribute in lieu of the usual message. Thank you. ~Eve

Matthew 25:21: "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!'

God's Total Commitment to Us

"Many Christians 'stall out' in the faith when the call to total commitment is received or viewed as something too high or too hard to acquire...or they have never been taught that total commitment is Christ's demand for all His followers."  - Chip Ingram

Commitments are a part of everyday life. We make commitments, or as they are more commonly known, promises, to our loved ones and friends, at work and school, in business transactions, and so forth. Hardly an area of our life goes unaffected by commitments.

Perhaps, because they occur so frequently, we might not take them as seriously as we should. Promises are made, but not all are kept. How many times have you heard about a treaty being broken, an agreement getting tossed out, or forgotten political promises?

We are fortunate in that unlike ourselves, God makes good on all of His commitments. In comparison to our own fragile promises which we make, and are only good here in our temporal world, God's promises are eternally sound and valid (Joshua 23:14). Very simply, what He says he will do, He does (Numbers 23:19).

No matter how hard we try, our promises could never possibly match up to God's. Our promises to each other are flawed from the start due to the fact that they are made between sinners. That explains why some are honored and others are not. We take a chance on our commitments.

On the other hand, look at some of God's promises. He made a promise to bless Abraham, and continuing through his descendants, inevitably the whole world. (Genesis 12:2-3). He promised an ever faithful love (1 Chronicles 16:34). God promised salvation to any who believe in His Son (Romans 1:16-17) He promised us eternal life (1 John 2:25).

Absolutely, God's promises, His commitments to us, are wonderful, powerful, and loving. And they are eternal (Psalm 119:89). We could go on and on, but I think that my point has been made. When God commits his word, it's a pledge to you and I that will be recognized and fulfilled, now and forever (Titus 1:2).

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; James 1:5; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 34:4

Prayer: Dear God, I can do all things through You who strengthens me, amen

God be with you always,

Margaret

Video - Allison Allen: Exchanging Our False Names

Author and actress Allison Allen tells the powerful story of a man who exchanged his earthly label for a renewed name in Christ. Forgiveness is huge!  ~Eve

Don't Stray Off the Path

"Wait for the Lord. Behave yourself manfully, and be of good courage. Do not be faithless, but stay in your place and do not turn back."  - Thomas a Kempis

Man did not stay in a state of purity for very long. Tempted and overpowered by Satan, he disobeyed God, bringing ruination to, both, himself and his descendants. We, his offspring, have sadly followed his example; and from a tender age up until now "all we like sheep have gone astray."

Let's look at some areas where we've strayed off the path. All men have gone astray in their thoughts. They've forgotten that God created them (Deuteronomy 32:18). They forget his being and perfections, his presence, providence, goodness, mercy, truth; their dependence on him.

They also forget about the great responsibility they have to love, honor, and obey him: they forget his justice, his warnings, and his firm determination to punish sin. Granted, from time to time something might occur that makes us think about what we're doing; but it isn't too long before we revert back to our sinful ways (Genesis 6:5).

Another problem is that man's devotion to God can turn away. Nothing may point this out better than the state his feelings for Him. They have no interest in divine things. Their souls are totally committed to the world; wherein lie their treasures and their hearts.

They may experience fear and anxiety when faced with death and eternity, but are lacking that love which is the essence of genuine religion (Romans 1:26; 1 John 2:15). Also, men have gone off course in their dialogue or communication with God.

If our thoughts and emotions are corrupt or defiled, then so is our talk. This includes profanity, swearing, curses, and blasphemies (Matthew 12:34; Romans 3:13, 14). Finally, we can follow this line of thought to the way men have strayed in their conduct or manner towards God.

They wander from the paths of piety, justice, mercy and truth. And if it weren't for human laws, it would be difficult to estimate the number of horrible crimes they would commit. In a few words, they are proud, headstrong, greedy, cruel, and full of deceit.

There isn't one sacred command of God which hasn't been broken, not one promise that hasn't been ignored, not one warning which they don't despise. Naturally, there are consequences for those who chose to continue in this way. I include below only a short list of the repercussions caused by our turning aside from God.

We stir up His anger (Psalm 7:11; John 3:36); we risk losing true knowledge of God (Isaiah 60:2); true happiness can be lost due to separation from God (Isaiah 48:22); subject ourselves to misery (Romans 8:10); those who wander from God will ultimately pay a high price (Psalm 9:17).

In closing, take a good look at your present condition. Are you satisfied with it? How can you hope for happiness, while every sin you commit immerses you deeper into misery? Think how hateful sin is to God, and how destructive it has been to men.

You should seriously seek salvation by Jesus Christ. Draw closer to God through him. Pray for mercy, and for grace to help in time of need. Don't wait another minute! By returning to God you will regain his approval.

Scripture: Romans 3:23; James 4:17; 1 John 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 1:14

Prayer: Dear God, I pray that You will direct my actions and my steps; help keep me on the straight and narrow path that leads to You always, amen

May God bless you always!

Judy

Can We Be Friends with God?

"Let those be thy choicest companions who have made Christ their chief companion."  - Thomas Brooks

Friend is a human word. We recognize a friend as a someone we know, and with whom we develop a close mutual relationship or friendship. Friends can bring certain elements to our lives. A good friendship is mutually beneficial. Each friend gets something out of it.

As we know, not all friendships are long lived, nor are they always mutually beneficial. Throughout our lives friends come and go like the ebbing tide. If we are really lucky, some friendships can last a lifetime. These friendships are truly worth their weight in gold.

To us, the word friend is a fairly common word. It might even be tossed around just a little too freely. But this is not the case in Scripture. Friend is especially defined and guarded. It's a word that is used sparingly so as not to reveal its full significance. We find the Divine interpretation and definition of friendship in the Book of Proverbs.

A friend is one who: loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17); through conversation, enlivens our intellect as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17); brings joy to the heart, by the pleasantness of their heartfelt advice (Proverbs 27:9); in faithful love, tells us the truth, even if it hurts (Proverbs 27:6); is with us, come what may (Proverbs 18:24).

If we re-examine these examples, we would undoubtedly see what they are alluding to. Everything points to Christ that we might know that he is our friend. But our own weak faith and wisdom can impede us from believing that he is willing, or able, to be such a friend.

How can we possibly be friends with Jesus when he is in heaven and we are stuck down here on earth? After all, he is the Eternal Son of God, our Creator, Redeemer, King, and High Priest. Are we simply being presumptuous here?

The answer is a resounding "No!" Such a friendship with the invisible God has been, and, is possible (Genesis 18:19; Exodus 33:11). Further, Jesus specially arranged for the exchange between us to be a most enjoyable one (John 14: 20, 27). Let's walk together in friendship with him.

Let's promote a strong, and deeply committed friendship with God, rather than one that is anemic and insincere. One, where on that day when we finally all gather together, He can lovingly declare, "my dear friends, you have always obeyed" (Philippians 2:12).

Scripture: Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:8; Romans 11:32; John 15:9-10; 1 John 4:7  

Prayer: Dear Lord, lead me to live in such a way as to treat others in the same way as I would like to be treated. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Then Ye Shall Know... (Part 1)

"We tend to be a generation of Christians who major on minor matters but do not seem to possess the true measure of the gospel in the knowledge of God. We do not really know God. At best we know about Him."  - Sinclair B. Ferguson

One of the most inspirational sentiments in the world is one in the holy scriptures, which relates to the knowledge of God. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee" John 17:3 (KJV).

To communicate this knowledge, prophets and apostles were inspired with the influence of heaven, and the incarnation of the Son of God in human flesh. The major goal of the Christian ministry is to disperse this knowledge, "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" Daniel 12: 4 (KJV).

Indeed, the acquisition of this knowledge should be the great and continual desire of all of us. "That the soul be without knowledge, it is not good;" Proverbs 19:2 (KJV). Furthermore, the constant aim of the believer should be to grow in this knowledge. "Grow in grace," 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV).

No doubt this raises the question,"What do Christians know about God?"  At the bare minimum there are certain things we should understand about Him. I have mentioned "knowledge" several times when speaking of our relationship with God.

But what is this "knowledge?" That is, what do you and I as Christians really know about Him? There are some common ideas that we should be aware of. Therefore, let's now consider some of this common shared knowledge.

For instance, there is His being, dominion, and providence. There is also His revelation of himself, his majesty, greatness, glory, and goodness, to name just a few. These are things that someone without a doubting mind should know and understand.

Believers also possess a particular awareness of some things that others, who lack familiarity in God, may not. They recognize Him:

- in his merciful and gracious character. He is a God who "pardons sin and forgives transgression" Micah 7:8, and who is "a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love" Nehemiah 9:17.

- in his reconciled love. Accepting them, adopting them, manifesting his love before them, and intimately receiving them.

- in his sanctifying power. Removing uncleaness, cleansing, purifying, eliminating the heart of stone and inserting his Spirit in its place.

- in the elevation and peaceful influences of communion with him. God dwells within his people, walks with them, is represented in suffering, and they with him, as well.

In our brief discussion this week, we have noted the importance of gaining a working knowledge of God, and how this applies to the Christian. But what good is any of this if it does not include purposeful and continual growth on the part of the believer?

Next time, we will address this and present some ideas on the attainment and retention of this knowledge. I hope you can join me then!

Scripture: Proverbs 2:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Luke 1:77; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Colossians 2:9

Prayer: Dear God, blessed be Your glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with Your glory! Amen.

May the Lord bless,

Shawna

A Healthy Fear of God

"Fear God and you'll have nothing else to fear."  - Woodrow Kroll

Fear is described as: the feeling or condition of being afraid. We all have experiences with fear. Some of the more common ones can be the fear of flying, heights, clowns, intimacy, death, rejection, people, snakes, failure, and driving.

Then there is the "fear of God." Generally speaking, does this mean that God is someone to be afraid of? Before we try to answer this question, I think it would be helpful to turn to a few Bible verses where this is actually mentioned.

For believers, the fear of God is not to be confused with any worldly fears as this is something completely different. The simplest way to describe it is to be "in awe of God." When we are in awe of something we look at in admiration and wonder (Hebrews 12:28-29). God is not something scary. Believers should revere or worship Him.

For unbelievers, the fear of God is another thing altogether. It represents the fear of His judgment and eternal death, or separation (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). You can see why they would view God negatively. This is vastly different from the believer's point of view mentioned above.

At one time or another you might have heard the fear of God being described as a "respect" for Him. Naturally we should have a good, healthy respect for Him, but we can expand on this a little more. It would be reasonable to say that believers should have a "biblical fear of God."

What this means for the believer is that he or she should know how much God detests sin, and fear His judgment on it; including in the life of a believer. If you think this means that God will dispense His discipline when it is needed, you are correct (Hebrews 12:5-11).

However, God is not out to get us. Like any other loving parent He desires the best for us. So, we may need a nudge in the right direction by Him from time to time. Not enough to hurt us, mind you, but just enough to instill a fear of His discipline (Hebrews 12:6).

So, when we think of the fear of God, does this mean we should nervously walk around waiting for a lightning bolt to strike us from overhead at any time? Not at all. He loves us. In fact, God promises that nothing can keep us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

To fear God means that we are to have an admiration for the significant influence that He plays in our lives. We should also devote ourselves to obeying God, bowing to His discipline as He sees fit. Most importantly, we should never fear God, but worship Him in the great reverence He deserves.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13 ;Proverbs 1:7; Luke 1:50; Psalm 112:1; Deuteronomy 5:29 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I love You with all of my heart, all of my soul, and all of my strength, amen.

Have a blessed day!

J'Anna

Video - Havilah Cunnington: The Specific Word of God

This week, Havilah Cunnington author of "Stronger Than The Struggle" explains the difference between the written word of God, and the quickened word of God. Some good food for thought here. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Salvation Doesn't Mean Complacency

"You will not be carried to Heaven lying at ease upon a feather bed."   - Samuel Rutherford

Is it possible to get too comfortable in our thinking of being saved? Once we have repented our sins, accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and are baptized, is that all there is to it? Do we just hit cruise control and wait for Him to come and take us with him?

If we re-read Matthew 7:21 (KJV) we'd see otherwise. As part of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus serves a solemn warning about this type of complacent thinking. He wouldn't have done so if he didn't think it was something that needed to be addressed.

It's pretty safe to say that He knows us better than we know ourselves. You and I are susceptible to self-deception. Even so, there is no excuse for it. But you might be thinking, "Hey, I tell everyone that I believe in Jesus Christ, isn't that good enough?" Let's take a closer look.

Matthew 7:21 (KJV) tells us that, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." Here's the honest truth. There aren't any magic words we can say that guarantee our salvation. Although, "Lord, Lord," spoken in sincerity would be a great confession.

In 1 Corinthians 12:3 (KJV), Paul declares that one may profess either truth or untruth; and that one confesses only the truth. The Greek word translated confess means "to say the same thing" as God says.

Now, Paul is not denying that some profess the Lord in falsehood. He's simply affirming that one can't confess the Lord without the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus asks, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" in Luke 6:46 (KJV).

Words are just not enough. As mentioned earlier, there's no magic in words. Additionally, there aren't any actions we can perform to assure our salvation, either. You can read about this in Matthew 7:22-23 (KJV).

Salvation doesn't depend on words or works but on "doing the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Sure, there are proper words to speak and works to do once we accept Jesus, But apart from the acceptance of the will of God, there are no words or deeds that would suffice to make us right with God.

Scripture: Proverbs 1:32; Revelation 3:15-16; Proverbs 13:4; 2 Kings 19:28; Zephaniah 1:12

Prayer: Dear Jesus, open my eyes so that I may always recognize you in my life, amen.

God be with you always,

Kate

Is God Hiding from You?

“Jesus the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.” - Bernard of Clairvaux

When we walk God there is a strong feeling of security and guidance. There is no doubt or hesitation because He is leading the way. Whatever obstacles we might encounter, or pot holes we hit in the dark roads of life, there is nothing that can rattle or upset us with God as our guiding light.

This describes the way the nation Israel must have felt as they made their way from Egypt toward the promised land. Although Moses was their physical leader, it was God who was the true source of protection and guidance. When God spoke, Moses and the people acted accordingly.

This arrangement worked beautifully. Then, while Moses and Joshua were away on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:13; 31:18) the people grew restless; and in the absence of, both, Moses' leadership and God's presence, they regressed into sinful behavior. Needless to say, this was a bad move on their part.

As a result, God was angered with Israel. And while he could have very easily done away with them; thanks to the pleading of Moses he decided to punish them instead; not by turning away from them, but by pulling back on his presence. Simply put, God went into hiding from them (Exodus 32:2-3).

Without a doubt, this can easily happen to you and I, too. Sometimes we can feel as if God has pulled back from us; that He's not as close; as sensibly near and precious as He used to be. We feel extremely vulnerable and lacking as did Job (Job 29:3) and David (Psalm 42:5).

God called the Israelites "stiffnecked," or stubbornly disobedient people (Exodus 32:9; 33:3). No sooner were they left to their own devices than they turned from God. Make no mistake, we're not exempt from this either. Our own forgetfulness, unbelief, or perversity can cause God to pull back. 

Though He will not forsake us, he can hide from us. "For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Our sins separate us from God. Even though they don't create an impassable chasm, they do create a rift between us that can fill the soul with a definite emptiness.

The next time you feel as if maybe you and God are not quite on the same page, do a little soul-searching. Take an assessment of your life and see what's going on. Sin is really good at sneaking in to our lives. And, here's something else to consider as you assess the situation: the problem will never be with God.

Scripture: Numbers 32:23; 1 John 1:6; Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 6:7; 1 John 1:10 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps, but You. Please guide me in all ways and at all times, amen.

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Barriers Between God and Us

"He can only keep those who have handed themselves over to Him."  - Watchman Nee

We're all aware that there are certain things that keep us away from God; barriers, if you will. But how can these be overcome if they go unidentified? Although we can't possibly discuss all of them here, we can examine a handful and offer some suggestions to rise above them.

To begin, we need to be honest in the confession of our sins. It's far too easy to cover, and/or make excuses and allowances for our offenses. We need to be straightforward with ourselves, others, and especially with God. Let's know ourselves and not excuse our sins. - James 5:16; Psalm 66:18 (KJV)

The dizzying pace of life can nudge us out of our spirituality. There are those occasions when we hardly have time to think. And, If we aren't careful, the busyness can prevent us from talking with God, and living and walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). We must take time for prayer and meditation. It is crucial to our spiritual natures.

Something else that keeps us from God is inconsistency of spiritual nourishment. Specifically, I am referring to the hit-or-miss habit of reading of the Bible. We can also apply this description to church attendance. We need to to have spiritual nourishment at regular intervals. Additionally, we require communion with God as much as we do our daily bread.

The attraction of worldliness lures many into its trap. This is a beautiful world we live in, and God wants nothing more than for us to enjoy it. But too many have let the world take over their lives. We are reminded to"not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:4). We must be cautious against self-serving and neglecting God.

Something else that is detrimental is offending or provoking the Holy Spirit. In this instance, the Holy Spirit approaches us repeatedly and we do not receive Him. We ignore Him, his voice is drowned out in the confusion of earthly pursuits. By doing so, we deprive ourselves from the grace and blessing of God (Ephesians 4:30).

Lastly, there is the deliberate and willful disobedience of God, or sin. If nothing else drives God away this will surely do it. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Things like sinful planning, thoughts, and acts always build barriers between us and God. We must be on guard against these things and cling those which bring us closer with God.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11; Matthew 4:4; Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3; 1 John 3:4

Prayer: Dear God, the cares of my heart are many, but your consolations cheer my soul, amen

May the Lord bless!

Shawna

Life Tests...Are You Ready for Them?

"We are always in the forge, or on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things." - Henry Ward Beecher

Tests are woven into the fabric of our lives. As we pass through this world, we encounter many tests. Some are more rigorous than others, but they all impact us. From time to time, events may occur in our lives that test us more than any other type of examination.

We might know these life tests by another name: trials. And although some of us face them more often than others, they are relatively common to all. A few common trials we can encounter in life are: the loss of a loved one; a chronic illness; disappointment or failure; even a tough financial situation.

No matter, when these strike us, they usually hit us hard. How will you hold up when the rug gets pulled out from under your feet? Some, might turn to substance abuse to numb the pain. Others may seek the advice of professionals, or friends and family. Sadly, some simply lose the will to continue on.

Many of us tend to forget that many characters in the Bible endured tests, too. Joseph was treated unfairly by his own brothers, and then others still while he was in Egypt. God allowed Satan to attack Job directly in order to test his faithfulness. And, of course, there were the many trials which David had to face.

In each of these cases, they all had something they shared. They trusted in God. This is a very important element; one in which we all should take note of. All too often, many give up on God. They throw in the towel when the going gets rough.

No where is it written that God promised our lives would be a delightful walk on a bright, fresh, spring morning. Nor would he magically make our problems disappear with a wave of his hand. He never promised that, either.

What He has promised, though, is that He would be right smack in the middle of our trials with us. That He would help us stand up to and pass through them (Isaiah 12:2). Doesn't this sound wonderful? We don't have to face the 500 lb. gorilla in the room by ourselves. God will always be with you (Isaiah 41:10).

Scripture: Psalm 145:18; Psalm 121:3; 1 John 4:16; Proverbs 16:20; Hebrews 13:6

Prayer: Dear God, when I am afraid, I put my trust in You; knowing that I will always be safe and secure in Your loving arms, amen.

May your day be blessed!

Blake

Time to Face the Facts

"The Christian who has stopped repenting has stopped growing."  - A. W. Pink

It's hard to stand there and have someone tell you things that might be helpful, especially when we don't want to hear about it.  After all, there's nothing wrong with me! We all like to think that we have it all together, it's only natural.

But it's this kind of thinking that can not only stifle our personal growth, it can be detrimental to our spiritual growth, as well. We must keep in mind that life is growth. And just because the garden grows well this year, doesn't guarantee it will do so next year.

Each year will either bring an abundance or a deficiency. God never proclaims, "well done good and faithful servant" until the final tally has been taken. He lets us know when our work here is done by calling us to our final rest.

That's why it is saddening to see a Christian arrive at a certain stage of goodness then simply stop. Our churches are filled with "pillars" who haven't missed a service in years. Yet, there they sit, at the very same stage of development as they were a decade ago.

They haven't broken a habit, nor do they give more or do any more than they always have. Their growth has plateaued, or flattened out. Going to church is now just like an involuntary movement, the sermon no more than a vague, background noise.

These are only a few of the many reasons why we cannot be content to rest on our past laurels when it comes to our spiritual growth. It doesn't matter where you came from, or what your past victories were, we must continue to grow.

On more than one occasion the ancient Jews were almost completely wiped out by heavenly justice for their sins. Yet, in spite of this, the lie grew and grew that because they were the seed of Abraham they would all be saved.

Not even the pleading of the prophets could convince them that this was false. It was easier, and took far less effort, for them to believe otherwise. They refused to face facts and take inventory of their spiritual growth. To them, all seemed fine. However, the reality was far different.

It is difficult to admit that all is not as well as it could be; especially when it comes to our spiritual growth and relationship with God. We need to be honest with ourselves, and be available to those things that can help us grow. Only in this way can we "grow up into him in all things."

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18; Philippians 1:9; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 1:7

Prayer: Dear Lord, may I always continue to grow in the light of your eternal grace and glory, amen

Have a blessed day!

Genevieve

You Can't Juggle God Into Your Life!

"It is the heart which experiences God, not the reason."  - Blaise Pascal

People come up to me all the time asking for advice on how to juggle their faith and their private life. They tell me that they've tried different approaches, some a little more successfully than others, but in the end they find themselves back at square one.

Listen, I hear 'ya! Our private lives can be full and hectic.What with going to work, raising a family, attending school, maybe even taking care of elderly parents, etc., our schedules are jam-packed from morning to bedtime.

That's a lot of juggling! And more often than not, it usually comes crashing down at some point. I think most would agree that this is not the best way to have a good relationship with God, and attend to our daily responsibilities. So what is one to do..?

My suggestion is to leave the juggling to the professional jugglers! Rather, we should think more along the lines of blending, or integrating God into our lives. Thus, allowing God and ourselves to join together as one.

When you juggle two separate things, they remain exactly that; two separate things, always passing by one another, never meeting. But, if we allow the two to integrate and harmonize, we get a beautiful fusion which is: a God-filled life.

Begin by not trying so hard to make it happen. I see a lot of frustrated and stressed out folks because they feel that no matter what they do, it's just not working out. We discover that we're not very good jugglers, after all.

Understand that God is already within us all. He always has been; even before you or I were ever born. He tells us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..."  He's just been waiting for you to knock on the door, not kick it open (Matthew 7:7,8)!

Our lives are intertwined with God in His mercy and grace. When we pray to Him in sincerity and with humility, listen to His voice through the written Word, and apply His wisdom and compassion to our own relationships with others, we form a seamless bond with God.

God wants us to live life, not fret over it. The last thing He wants is to add stress to our lives (Psalm 55:22). Open the floodgates to your heart and let His living waters come rushing in; blending and mixing your your life; becoming as one with Him. And the best part? There's no juggling required!

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 48:17; Proverbs 3:19; Psalm 145:9; Romans 8:28

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your unwavering love and your faithfulness. Your name and Your Word are glorified above everything, amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

God, Show Me Thy Way

"Many people in life do not know where they are going...whether to heaven or to hell; let alone what God's purpose for them is."  - Paul J. Bowen

Direction, or the need to know where we are going, is important to all of us. We use it all the time in life. In cooking it is important to follow the directions in a recipe. At work, we follow certain guidelines, or directions, pertaining to our job. At school, we are told to "follow the directions carefully."

We can apply direction  to our spiritual life, as well. Why do some people seem to grow strongly grounded relationships with God, while others just spin their wheels; eventually dropping away?

Granted, everyone's situation is unique, but I'll bet that direction plays a big part in it. I mean you either have it, or you don't. Fortunately, God is willing to help with direction so that you can grow and develop spiritually. He wants to guide or show us the way to grow and mature as believers.

The Bible is full of examples where God has shown various individuals the right way, or direction to follow. For instance, in Psalm 16:11 (KJV) David makes reference to God showing him the right path to take. Abraham had no idea where he was going in Genesis 12:1 (KJV), but he trusted God to guide him there safely.

I understand that we all like to be independent; to want to do things our way. However, if we want to develop spiritually, and have a thriving, robust relationship with God, we cannot do it without His guidance, His direction.

Some try taking shortcuts along the way, but they always lead to a dead end. Let God guide you, let Him give you the direction you need to make your spiritual journey a productive and fulfilling one. Once you let Him show you the way, you'll wonder why it took you so long to do so!

Scripture: Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 30:21; Psalm 119:105; Luke 1:79;  Proverbs 16:9

Prayer: Dear God, teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!   - Psalm 143:10

May God be with you always,

Judy

There's No Better Time than Now..!

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,"  - John 1:12

Recently, I spoke with an older gentleman (who I will call Bob) who was very interested in coming to Christ, but had some reservations. He had never given any serious thought to his spiritual needs. Bob was raised in a family that wasn't particularly religious, has never been never married, and hasn't any children of his own.

Bob made a comfortable living at his job which enabled him to travel the world, and do many other interesting things. Now that he has retired he keeps himself busy socializing with friends, volunteering, and playing golf almost everyday. While these may keep him occupied, he feels sad that he has never really known Jesus.

Bob admits that he's never read the Bible; although he has one at home. He has friends who are followers of Christ, and has been invited to church services many times, yet he's never seriously considered looking further into this until now. Bob sheepishly told me that he's ready to, but had a a few doubts.

He asked me, "Am I too old to come to Christ?" and "Is it too late?"  These are not uncommon questions. First off, it's never too late! Neither is there an age limit to come to Christ. In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus discusses this very subject in part of the parable of The Laborers in the Vineyard.

Here, Jesus beautifully illustrates that one can come to him at any time of life. Some find Christ early in life, others in mid-life, while others still, late in life. The point is that Jesus welcomes us all. The only concern mentioned is the reference to "the eleventh hour." This is specifically aimed at those who may be putting things off until later.

In other words, time is not as plentiful as when one is younger. Do not put off any longer what you can do today; there may not be a tomorrow. While there is life, there is hope. There is always hope for sinners, if one sincerely turns to God and repents. Nothing is too difficult for Almighty grace to accomplish.

If you are, or know someone like Bob, don't be discouraged. Like the laborers in the vineyard, God has work for all ages. He doesn't turn anyone away that is willing to be hired. Truthfully, there is always room for more. Don't delay, there's no better time than now!

Scripture: Romans 10:13; John 6:44; 1 Timothy 2:4; John 5:40; Acts 4:12

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I praise Your name with all of my heart; and am thankful for Your limitless grace and mercy in accepting me, and all of my imperfections, into Your heavenly family. In Jesus name, amen.

Have a blessed day!

Layne