Good-bye Until September 2019!

"Time is lost when we have not lived a full human life, time unenriched by experience, creative endeavor, enjoyment, and suffering."  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German Protestant theologian

As has been the case for almost 10 years now, the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry will be going on hiatus until September. Every summer, the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry staff branches out to work alongside other members of the church in various endeavors.

We believe that it is important to our spiritual growth that we take this opportunity to experience other opportunities that are presented to us by God. It helps us to "spread our wings" a bit, if you will, and refresh ourselves.

We work hard to post regularly throughout the year, so naturally, we also use the summer break to spend well-deserved time, and reconnect, with family and friends, too.

I'd like acknowledge our amazing writers, administrative, and technical staff who provide an upbeat, fun environment for us all. They keep us moving along, and provide a smile or laugh at just the right moment. Thank you!

More importantly, a big thank-you to all of our regular followers, and new friends! Nothing gives our hearts more pleasure than to have you along on our walk with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God bless you!

We urge everyone to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and keep reading your Bible so that you may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

As always, our blog archives are always available for you to use as God moves you. We give our eternal praise to Jesus Christ for allowing us to help spread His message around the world, and pray that He will continue to do so.

Now for the hard part: saying good-bye. Again, we will return in September and hope that you will meet up with us again. May God always guide and protect you. Have a safe, fun, and blessed summer!  

Your friend in Christ,

~Eve

The Simple Gospel Message

"The simplicity of the gospel gives what the complexity of human wisdom promises but never delivers."  - John MacArthur

In life, there are many instances where we are required to demonstrate our proficiency/knowledge before we are permitted to perform a certain task, or work in a chosen field.

Common examples are acquiring a driver's license, completing a course of study and an examination to become a doctor or dentist, or fulfilling requirements to become a licensed contractor.

Many balk or hesitate at becoming a Christian because of their lack of knowledge in understanding the gospel message. They somehow feel intimidated, or unworthy of doing so. But nothing could be further from the truth!

God does not require a person to first show their expertise in understanding the gospel message before they can become a Christian. There is no test of competency or skills to take.

God in His infinite wisdom knew this might concern some, so He made it simple. It (the gospel message) doesn't have to be understood by those who seek Him. It only needs to be received in simple faith.

Let me clarify this even more. It isn't our total understanding of the gospel that gives us the blessing, rather, it is believing and receiving it. Unfortunately, there are some who "know" all about the gospel, but haven't progressed from there.

Nicodemus, in the Gospel of John, is a good example. He was was a leading member of  the Jews, a good moral, religious man; very educated, and meticulous in keeping with the letter of the law.

Yet with even all his "knowledge," after hearing Jesus speak he felt he was missing something. He recognized something special about Jesus. Jesus possessed a new quality of life in Him that aroused Nicodemus' interest.

Nicodemus asked Him about this. Jesus told him that unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). He then explains the "new birth" further, which we can see in John 3:16.

In His brief, but powerful response, Jesus was trying to make it clear to Nicodemus that he didn't have to substantially raise his moral standards, or acquire more education. Neither are there any proficiency exams required.

What Nicodemus needed was to receive a new quality of life (eternal life) which begins in this world and transfers into the next. The first step of which begins with receiving the gospel message in faith.

The basics of the gospel message can be summed up as follows:

- All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); A sinner must admit his guilt before God in order for forgiveness to happen, and  understand that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

- Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins; of which we could never be able to do on our own efforts.

- His death and resurrection was a victory over final death; the horrible penalty of sin. Instead, believers are promised "eternal life" with Him in heaven.

- Jesus Christ offers a free gift of salvation to all who believe. If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Now you see, God has made His plan of redemption within reach of everyone. The essential idea of the of the gospel's saving message can be found within the pages of the Bible that sits on your shelf. The rest is up to you!

Scripture: Mark 1:1; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:16; John 3:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21;

Prayer:  Dear God, You showed us Your love by sending Your One and Only Son into the world that we might live through Him. May we reciprocate this act of love by giving You glory and praise from our hearts every day. Amen.

Bless you always,

Brielle

A New Hope Everyday!

"The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength."  - Warren Wiersbe

People who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, are sometimes under the impression that afterwards their lives will be blue sky and apple pie. Then, at the first sign of trouble they wilt and collapse.

They can't understand why this or that has happened in their lives. They've welcomed Christ into their hearts, got baptized in water, attended church regularly, and read the Bible on a daily basis. Yet, pain and problems are never too far away. Why..?

Jesus Christ does not guarantee a trouble-free life if we follow him. Should you find this hard to believe, refer back to Jesus' original disciples. Their lives were far from blissful and care-free (Matthew 24:9; Daniel 11:33; John 15:18; John 16:2; John 15:19; John 15:21).

This is the point at which many fall away from Christ (John 6:66). They expect a magic switch to be thrown, where somehow all questions would be answered and life would be a walk in the country sunshine (Deuteronomy 29:29; Acts 1:7; Romans 11:33).

Though we may not lead a worry-free existence, we do have someone who can help see us through our darkest hours whenever and wherever that may occur. In fact, we have Christ's promise that He will be there (Matthew 28:20; 1 Peter 5:6-7; 1 Chronicles 16:11).

American evangelical Christian pastor and author Rick Warren said, "What gives me the most hope every day is God's grace; knowing that his grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God." 

Only Jesus Christ offers the hope and salvation we need to get through each day (Isaiah 40:31; 1 Peter 1:3; Deuteronomy 31:6). Life can be brutal as much as it can be beautiful. Why stumble through it alone and unsure? "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 54:4; Psalm 121:2-3; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 22:19 

Prayer: Dear Lord, continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. Amen.  - Psalm 36:10

Stay blessed,

Kate

God's Forgiveness

"Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness."      - Tim Keller

We hear and read much about "forgiveness," but is it just another word to casually bat around, or is there more to it? Honestly, there really isn't an all-inclusive definition given for it in the Bible.

However, what we do see there are many examples. One of which is, without a doubt, the most important of all. The forgiveness of God. Not all may necessarily use the word "forgive," but the idea of God's forgiveness is clearly alluded to.

With God's forgiveness, it's important to understand that it's impossible to be saved (or have salvation) without forgiveness. Salvation is God saving you and I from the horrible effects of sin. His salvation in Christ is the last word in forgiveness.

When we fail to admit to, or confess, our sin we are essentially setting up a roadblock to forgiveness. Passing sin off as a mistake, being human, or poor judgment are not good excuses, as we are only fooling ourselves (1 John 1:8-10).

Perhaps you might think that "forgiveness" is a sign of weakness, or giving in to an undeserving person. Nothing could be further from the truth! No one deserves forgiveness. It is an intentional act of love, mercy, and grace.

According to the Bible, we are to forgive those who sin against us. Refusing or holding back forgiveness of others is not characteristic of a maturing Christian. It makes one appear bitter, resentful, and angry; none of which are good attributes.

So, what happens when God forgives? When He forgives, He forgets! He gives complete forgiveness. This is important to remember because without forgetting there is no forgiving. As far as our sins go, God tosses them out!

While this doesn't mean sin has been eliminated from the world, it does say something about God's promise to us. When we approach Him, confess our sin, and ask for forgiveness, "He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Scripture: Genesis 50:17; Exodus 32:32; Leviticus 4:35; 1 Samuel 25:28; Matthew 12:31; Luke 5:20

Prayer: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  -Psalm 51:1

Love and blessings, 

Zoey

His Mercy Endures!

"The Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales."   - John Stott

There is an old story about a lady who went to a photographer to have her picture taken. She was apprehensive about the picture, wanting her best side facing the camera and everything just right.

She said to the photographer, “Now, do me justice!” The photographer took one look at her face and said, “Ma’am, pardon me for saying this, but you don’t need justice, you need mercy!

Justice sees where fault lies, and can be harsh. Thankfully, we have a loving and merciful God. And though we deserve punishment for our sin, He does not do this. Instead, He delivers us from judgment of our sin through His mercy.

The Bible has many illustrations of God's mercy. We see His mercy: toward Solomon (1 Kings 11:13); to Israel in captivity (Psalm 106:45; Nehemiah 9:31); on the Day of Atonement in the ritual sprinkling of the sacrificial blood above the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:14), in the Old Testament.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, in the New Testament, describes the forgiveness of a repentant debtor's debt by a rich ruler (Matthew 18:23-27). This clearly describes the situation between God and ourselves.

Because of our sin, we owed Him a debt that we could never hope to repay. But, because of His strong love for us, and His desire to have us join Him in heaven, God mercifully saved us from our merited punishment.

God did this by giving His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our sins. He was condemned, then put to death in our place. This is a powerful demonstration of God's mercy and deep affection for us (John 3:16).

If any of us got what we truly deserved for our sin, we would be sentenced and sent straight to Hell for all eternity! But rather than judgment, we receive forgiveness that we, in no way, deserve. God's mercy is free, overflowing, and eternal!

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22;  Luke 1:50; Psalm 107:1; Matthew 6:14; 1 Timothy 1:16

Prayer: Dear God, You are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in everlasting love; please forgive my sins and have mercy on my soul, amen.

In Christ,

Libby

Video - Angel of the LORD

Have you ever wondered about the identity of the Angel of the LORD as mentioned in the Bible..? Once again, The Bible Project has produced a short video explaining, and hopefully clarifying, this for you.

And whether you are a new believer, or a mature one, I think it's worth a few minutes of your time either way. Enjoy!  ~Eve

By Law...or Through Faith?

"Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake."  - Martin Luther

Some assume that if they "do this and not that," they should be okay in the eyes of God. In other words, they have fulfilled some sort of obligation or requirement on their part to satisfy God.

Perhaps this would be true if a person and God had some sort of written agreement of terms (a contract) such as when one buys a house or car. There, everything is spelled out for the buyer and seller prior to finalizing the deal.

This could be where confusion may lie between law and faith. The above example is one in which law is clearly defined. Both parties are aware of their obligations and any deviation or failure to comply is seen as a definite problem.

Faith, on the other hand, as it applies to God, is the means through which we receive His gracious gift of salvation. That is, we are saved by God's grace through faith. Think of it as a channel by which salvation flows from God to you and I (John 1:17).

Review the ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21). Which ones haven't you broken at one time or another in your life? If we counted on our heavenly inheritance based on compliance with law, we'd be in big trouble.

Fortunately, since our being saved (salvation) is by grace (God's free gift), we never have to worry about God ever taking it back. "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29).

This is very powerful. It basically says that when we have been saved by grace, we've been saved by God. We have His official stamp of approval! And it doesn't end there, you see, whatever God starts He always finishes (Philippians 1:6).

Is there any documentation that needs to be read then agreed to? No, because unlike law, we receive God's gift of salvation by grace through faith. No lawyers needed! This is very liberating for the believer.

Instead of wringing our hands with worry, wondering if our salvation is secure only through obedience of the law, we can devote our time to praising God. And isn't this much better than having your prospects of salvation depend on a check-list?

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; Romans 5:2; Hebrews 11:6; John 11:25

Prayer: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, amen.  - Romans 15:13

May God richly bless you,

Barbara

Video - Holiness

"Holiness" is a very popular topic for discussion. The Bible Project has produced this excellent video lesson about "Holiness" in an understandable and entertaining way. I am excited to share it with you, as I have no doubt that it will enrich and enhance your Bible study. Enjoy!  ~Eve

Prepare Against Satan's Attacks!

"There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan."  - C.S. Lewis

Construction workers, soldiers, even those who might work in a busy warehouse, loading and unloading merchandise or supplies, prepare for their tasks by wearing protective equipment that allows them to work safely.

We, as Christians, must protect our hearts and minds every day. Why is this so important? Because we are constantly under attack by the prince of the world (Satan) whether we know it or not. We must be ready for anything!

"The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He has a major advantage over us in that he never sleeps. He searches the world for signs of weakness in faith in which he may enter unchallenged (1 Peter 5:8).

That is why it is so important that Christians ready themselves on a daily basis for battle against Satan. And yes, it is a daily battle. The devil is unrelenting and extremely cunning in his attacks, preying on the ill-prepared.

"Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith." The first line of defense against Satan's attacks is always Jesus Christ. We must keep up our faith. A strong and perfect trust in Him makes a formidable defense (1 Peter 5:9).

Another powerful defense against the devil's onslaught is prayer. Many never consider prayer until it is a last resort. I cannot stress enough the importance of daily prayer against sin and temptation, of which we are all prone or susceptible.

The Bible, provides us with encouragement, motivation, guidance, support, and refreshment for the soul "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it." (2 Timothy 4:17).

Let's not kid ourselves. We cannot do battle with Satan alone; we need help. Only God can provide the kind of help we need. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8)

Prepare yourself for Satan's attacks. Don't let your guard down. If you leave an opening for him, he will find it. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (Ephesians 6:11).

Scripture: James 4:7; 1 John 3:8; Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19 

Prayer: Dear Lord, strengthen my heart against Satan's attacks; and though my faith may take a beating, with You by my side I know I will never be defeated, amen.

Bless you always,

Lauren

The Spirit of Truth Comes! - Part 2 (Conclusion)

"When God spoke to Moses and others in the Old Testament, those events were encounters with God. An encounter with Jesus was an encounter with God for the disciples. In the same way an encounter with the Holy Spirit is an encounter with God for you."  - Henry Blackaby

When we last got together, I had mentioned that the Holy Spirit convicts the world by His very presence here. Jesus really should really be here, ruling over the world. Instead he was rejected by the world, and as a result returned to heaven.

Thus, the Holy Spirit is here in place of Christ, whom was rejected. The Holy Spirit's presence signifies as evidence of the world's guilt. The Spirit (Helper, Comforter) declares the world guilty of the sin of failing to believe in Christ (John 16:9).

There was nothing about Jesus that made it difficult or impractical for the world to believe in Him. He was totally worthy of belief. Still, they refused Him, and the Comforter's presence serves as testimony to their wickedness.

We also mentioned that Holy Spirit's conviction of the world focused on sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). He created an inner awareness or knowledge of these in all sinners. The Holy Spirit condemns the world of the sin of failing to believe in Christ (John 16:9).

Jesus insisted that he was righteous, but instead of believing him they said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" But God had the final word when He proved Jesus' righteousness by his resurrection and ascension (John 10:20; John 16:10).

The very presence of the Holy Spirit testifies to the fact that Jesus was right, and the world couldn't be more wrong about him. In addition, the existence of the Holy Spirit declares the world guilty of coming judgment.

Our Helper's presence here is quite telling. It serves notice that the devil has already been convicted at the cross. And that anyone who refuses Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, is doomed to be condemned with Satan (John 16:11).

Jesus' earthly mission was by no means complete when he left. He still had much to teach and tell the disciples, but they weren't ready for it yet. He was always aware of this and never tried to give them more than they could handle (John 16:12).

However, Jesus wasn't going to leave them high and dry upon his departure to heaven. The work He started would be picked up by the Holy Spirit. He (the Advocate) would guide them into all the truth, as He continues to do so today (John 16:13).

As John 16:14 tells us, the main effort of the Spirit is to glorify Christ. We can use this as a litmus test, of sorts, on all teaching and preaching. If it serves to glorify the Savior, then it is of the Holy Spirit.

Only the great truths about Christ, which the Comforter first receives, will be revealed to believers. And as you've probably noticed, there are references to "sharing" between Jesus and the Father.

This is due to common "shared" attributes between the two (John 16:14-15). In closing, the Holy Spirit revealed the glorious ideals, ministries, offices, graces, and fullness of Jesus Christ to the apostles, as He even now works on all believers.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:10; Romans 8:1-2; John 7:38-39; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Prayer: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, amen.  - 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT)

Bless you always,

Brielle

Do Not Tarry Long...

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” -Acts 4:12 (ESV)

Most of us, at one time or another, have put something important aside until we could do it. I myself have procrastinated about certain things like having my eyes examined, or taking my car into the shop to have it serviced.

Eventually we get around to completing whatever it is we've been putting off, No harm, no foul, right? Well, it depends on what it is, of course. There are certain things that one shouldn't put off indefinitely.

I'd like to talk about one of those things today; accepting Christ as Your Lord and Savior. Honestly, there are only two ways you can really go, here. You can either choose to accept Him, or choose not to accept Him.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

When it comes time to stand before the judgment seat, I'd make a pretty good guess that claiming to be "undecided" either way won't pass muster! You either stand with Him, or you don't! (2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27)

Further, Job 34:11 (AMP) tells us, "For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way." This refers to the work of every man, good or bad.

We (as adults) are all quite capable of making our own decisions, barring any medical conditions, etc., that prevent us from doing so. Some choose to put off, or delay coming to Christ until a more appropriate time... or maybe never.

Here's the deal. When one has been exposed to the Bible (God's Word), that is, its teachings, there is a responsibility on that person to decide whether to accept or decline the divine message.

That being said, if we end up "lost," we can't blame or fault God. You see, we may spend our earthly lives making excuses for our behavior, or decisions. But, that simply will not do in heaven.

Excuses to reject Christ are abundant, but never any good reasons for doing so. Don't waste another day. Why not make a decision to accept Christ now, rather than later. There's no guarantee of "later" (Proverbs 27:1; James 4:13-14).

Scripture: Mark 16:16; Romans 3:23; Acts 2:21; John 3:36; John 6:44

Prayer: My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, amen.  - Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

May God richly bless you,

Barbara

Follow Me!

"Because God disciplines those He loves, He will take drastic measures to get our attention if we need to grow up spiritually."   - Crystal McDowell

It's far to easy for us to get sidetracked and concern ourselves with things that Jesus already has taken note of. If one truly is a disciple of Christ, then Jesus will take of them. Our main business is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

We see this in action in John 21:20-22 (NIV). Here, as they walk along, Peter is curiously asking Jesus, maybe in a vain and/or brash manner, about John's future, who is following from behind.

Jesus' answers Peter, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me" John 21:22 (NIV). This reproval by Christ was stern and clear. It was meant to make a point.

The CEV translation of Jesus' response in the same verse begins "What is it to you?" Jesus was telling Peter not to worry about what was going to happen to John. In other words, we need to get our own house in order first!

A big reason many Christians come crashing to the ground in regards to their service, is that they are too preoccupied with what's going on with fellow disciples (not in a good way), instead of concentrating on the Lord Himself.

Jesus' command to "follow me," is very enlightening and comprehensive. In it we find every other requirement and mandate of the Gospel. Not only that, but it calls into action every power and capacity of our renewed being.

It directs us to follow with the heart. That is, we are not bowing to some outside pressure or trying to showing an outward conformity to His will, but rather it comes from deep within our hearts. It is loving and sincere.

It tells us to follow in faith. We must step out into the unseen, trusting in Jesus Christ unconditionally. We have the promises of God as our guarantee. Think only of Him, listen to His voice. "Faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ" Romans 10:17 (NLT).

It indicates that we must follow with the will. Our will needs to be in this following either all the way, or nothing. True obedience starts, not in outwardly observable actions, but in the will. If we are serious about following Christ, we must will to do His will.

Never forget, "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14 (NLT). Stay focused, be obedient, and resilient. And, let Jesus do what He does best!

Scripture: Matthew 16:24; John 14:6; Romans 10:10; Ephesians 2:8; John 10:27

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

Stay blessed, 

Kate