Good-bye Until September 2020!

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

We have once again reached that point in the year when our ministry goes on its annual summer hiatus. And while summertime is here, we realize that it is markedly different this time than in years past

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things in our lives. Along with other issues, our world seems out of control. And that scares many of us! No one is certain when life as we knew it will recover, if ever.

We, too, have had to make some adjustments in the way we do things around here. In order to keep our co-workers, families, and loved ones safe we have followed recommended safety measures, and taken other precautions.

These changes have not always made it easy for us to operate as during normal circumstances, but we, with the help of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, have managed to make it work better than expected.

Normally, we use the summertime to conduct other ministry duties, projects, etc. Naturally, we enjoy spending quality time with our families and friends, too! The current situation will undoubtedly have many of us changing our plans.

Still, we keep in mind what Jesus said in John 16:33 (NLT), "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." In other words, we are not promised a smooth path while here on earth, and none are exempt from this.

None of us knows when the pandemic will begin to subside and life can return to some sense of normalcy. The important thing is to "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." (1 Corinthians 16;13).

Keep in mind that any whose character and personality is formed by obedience to God will be better off when this is all over as opposed to those who are ruled by the world and its vain desires (John 2:17).

The most difficult part of the summer farewell is thanking everyone who has contributed to the success of our blog during the past year. This, especially so, as we are celebrating our 10th anniversary sharing God's word with the world!

Many amazingly, wonderful and talented people have blessed the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry with their generous time and skills over the past decade. I consider myself fortunate to have worked alongside all of them.

I also want to express my love and gratefulness to you our readers and followers of our ministry blog. I admit, it takes a lot of time and energy to maintain it all. But without you we would not have been able to last as long as we have!

As always, our blog archives will remain open to you during our break. I hope that you will feel free to use them as God moves you. Our tentative return is in September. Check back periodically for any updates.

Finally, all of us here at the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry wish you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and blessed summer! Remember to follow health guidelines in order to minimize the spread and infection rates of COVID-19.

May God bless you all, and bring us safely back together in September 2020!

~Eve

Scripture Study with Bibi - Genesis 24:28-67 (Conclusion)

"Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence."  - Augustine

Perhaps one thing you've noticed in our discussions on the Book of Genesis is how important familial, or family, ties are. There is much interplay in and around the various connections between the characters that are involved.

When we last met we saw Abraham's servant arriving at Nahor in Padan Aram, the home of Abraham's people. Eliezer, the servant, sought the LORD for guidance, asking for certain signs that his prayers were answered (Genesis 24:12-14).

But even before the servant could finish, a young woman appeared at the well where Eliezer had stopped. And as it turned out, she happened to be related to Abraham. Rebekah was the granddaughter of Abraham's brother, Nahor!

This week we will finish Genesis 24, picking up the story of Isaac and Rebekah from our last meeting and following the developments to the end of the chapter. Pay attention to the providential working of God in the events of His faithful servants.

As always, I urge everybody to read the material before starting the questions. This really does increase retention of the information and material, and, as an added bonus, helps enhance appreciation of how each story links to the others.

Let's begin with prayer: Dear LORD, as we meet together to learn, grow, and change in study, help us move into a deeper understanding of Your truth. Amen.

Now this week's lesson...

Some accept faith in God without any problem, others struggle with the concept. In Genesis 24 we see God providentially secure the fulfillment of His promise using Abraham's servant to obtain a wife for Isaac; through faith in God.

1.) Rebekah invited the man (Abraham's servant) to spend the night at her father's house. What sequence of events then followed? Who was introduced at this point? (Genesis 24:28-32)

2.) The servant was invited to Laban's house. What occurred next? What  important news did the servant share with Laban? (Genesis 24:33-34)

3.) Eliezer the servant began to tell the nature of his mission. What did he tell them about Abraham and his wife Sarah? What did he say his mission was? (Genesis 24:35-38)

4.) However, Eliezar also shared his doubts about the mission. What were his doubts? How did Abraham help calm his uncertainty before setting out? (Genesis 24:39-41)

5.) Continuing his story...What did Eliezar say that he did upon his arrival at the well? (Genesis 24:42-44)

6.) Although no one else heard Eliezar's prayer to God, something happened. Who made a sudden appearance? What did she do? Who was she related to? What did Eliezar do? Genesis 24:45-48)

7.) Next, the servant turns to the whole family, specifically Laban and Bethuel. What does he ask of them? What was their reply? (Genesis 24:49-51)

8.) Eliezar the servant had now shared his mission, given his master Abraham's request, and received the family's reply. What did Eliezar then do? What did he present to Rebekah's family? (Genesis 24:52-53)

9.) All seemed well up to this point. But the following morning, there was a small problem with the arrangement. What was Eliezar's request? What was the family's request? How did Eliezar reply to this? How did the family suggest it be settled? (Genesis 24:54-57)

10.) It was customary for a virgin to remain in her father's home from 10 months up to a year until the actual marriage. Eliezar's request for Rebekah was pushing the normal time frame a bit. Thus the reason for asking Rebekah how she felt personally. What was her answer? Who did they send along with her? What did her family send her off with? (Genesis 24:58-61)

11.) The servant's mission now successfully completed, the party left and headed back home. Isaac was on his way up from the south to visit his father in Beersheba. Having stopped for a rest he noticed something. What was it? (Genesis 24:62-63)

12.) Rebekah had been riding on her camel for some time now when she noticed something. What was it? What did she do? What did she ask Eliezar and how did she prepare herself? (Genesis 24:64-65)

13.) Safely back home, Eliezar could now relax knowing that he faithfully completed Abraham's mission in finding Isaac an appropriate bride. What did Eliezar tell Isaac? How happened after this point? (Genesis 24:66-67)

This concludes our study of Genesis, chapter 24. We are now approximately half-way through the Book of Genesis. We shall pick up this story when we return from our summer hiatus. Keep up your daily reading and prayer, and stay strong in faith!

Scripture: Luke 18:27; Proverbs 3:6; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Isaiah 41:10; Mark 11:22

Prayer: Dear LORD, strengthen me with hope of my salvation and the many other blessings You provide with Your presence in my life. Amen.

May you be generously blessed!

Bibi

Video - Is it "Grace Alone?" or "Grace through Faith?"

"Grace through Faith?" or "Grace Alone?" This can sometimes be confusing to process, especially for new believers. This short, animated video lesson does a pretty good job of explaining what can be a "head-scratcher," for sure.

Besides the informative and entertaining drawings, it includes plenty of references to various Bible verses related to the topic. I've run across many similar lessons, but this is one of the better ones. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Scripture Study with Bibi - Genesis 24: 1-27 (Part I)

“God never calls His people to accomplish anything without promising to supply their every need.” - Charles R. Swindoll

In the last chapter, Genesis 23, we saw the death and burial of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. As it is for all here on earth, each has his or her time as God ordains. So it was with Abraham and Sarah as we followed their story in our studies.

One door closes and another opens, as we shall see here in Genesis 24. With the close of Sarah's life, and Abraham's advanced years, that door is slowly closing, providing an opening for the story of their son Isaac to begin.

By this time, Sarah has been dead for three years. Abraham now takes on the task of finding a suitable wife for his son Isaac. This is of the highest importance since Abraham had been promised numerous descendants through Sarah (Genesis 17:15-16).

We shall see Abraham's care in finding a suitable wife for his son Isaac. However, it is crucial that Isaac's wife comes from his ancestral line. Due to his extreme age (140 years), Abraham entrusts this task to his oldest, most devoted servant.

Genesis, chapter 24 is a fairly long chapter. Therefore, in order to treat it fairly we will travel as far as we reasonably can this week, continuing our journey next week. That being said, we will do our best not to rush through it.

Before we begin, I remind you to read the material prior to completing the questions. A little time spent doing so beforehand will pay big dividends in the increased comprehension, retention, and enjoyment of the text.

Let's begin with prayer: Dear LORD, as we meet together to learn, grow, and change in study, help us move into a deeper understanding of Your truth. Amen.

Now, this week's lesson...

Thus far in the Book of Genesis, we have seen several examples of relationships between parents and their children. We've also seen the almighty hand of God working to secure His desired outcome regarding them. Undoubtedly, Isaac is especially notable in this narrative.

1.) The aged Abraham urges his eldest servant to complete a task for him. What is this task? What is the main requirement of it? (Genesis 24:1-4)

2) The servant considers the request, then requires some clarification from Abraham before agreeing to it. What is it that he is concerned about? What is Abraham's response? (Genesis 24:5-6)

3.) Abraham reiterates God's promise to him. What was it? What is Abraham's offer to the servant in the event things don't work out? (Genesis 24:7-8)

4.) The servant agrees to the assignment. He swears an oath to Abraham. How does he demonstrate his acceptance of the terms to Abraham? What did the servant then do? Where did he go? (Genesis 24:9-10)

5.) The servant and his camels traveled to their destination, finally arriving in the early evening. Where did they appear at? What did the servant have the camels do? What was significant about that particular time of day? (Genesis 24:11)

6.) The servant then prayed to the God of Abraham. What did he pray for? How would he know that his prayer had been answered? (Genesis 24:12-14)

7.) But before he could finish his prayer something happened. What occurred at that point? What was the young woman's name? What was her background? (Genesis 24:15)

8.) The servant was both surprised and pleased by the turn of events. What quality is noted about Rebekah? (Genesis 24:16)

9.) The servant wasted no time in meeting her. What did he ask Rebekah? How did she respond and what did she do? (Genesis 24:17-20)

10.) He closely kept an eye on Rebekah during all of this. What was he thinking about during this time? (Genesis 24:21)

11.) Both the servant and the camels had now been attended to. What did the servant do at this point? What did he ask Rebekah? What hospitality did she offer Abraham's servant? (Genesis 24:22-25)

12.) The servant realized he had been led here by providential direction. What did he proceed to do? Meanwhile, what did Rebekah do? (Genesis 24:26-27)

We will stop at this point and continue on when we meet next time. As I said before, Genesis 24 is a long chapter, so I think it would be better if we break it into smaller, more easily understandable sections.

Until then, have a safe and blessed week!

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 19:21; Job 42:2; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 138:8

Prayer: Dear LORD, strengthen me with hope of my salvation and the many other blessings You provide with Your presence in my life. Amen.

May you be generously blessed!

Bibi

It's All In God's Plans for You!

"My mother told me that everything in life happened for a purpose. She said all things were part of God's plan, even the most disheartening setbacks, and in the end, everything worked out for the best."  - Ronald Reagan

People like to plan things. Our lives, for the most part, revolve around plans. It's no wonder when something happens, that throws our plans out of whack, confusion, frustration, worry, and even anger sets in.

Take the current pandemic for instance. Everyday we hear about plans to do this or that. If you've followed the news, it's pretty obvious that no one really knows for certain what the situation will be on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

And if that's the case, who does..? Well, if you don't know by now, I'll tell you. It's God! Everything we do is subject to His will. That's right! No matter our plans, God has the right and authority to step in whenever He desires.

The first half of Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) tells us, "In their hearts humans plan their course..." Yes, we can plan all we want, there's no harm in that. In fact, we're never told we can't.

However, if you take a look at rest of the verse, "...but the LORD establishes their steps," it becomes quite apparent who is in charge. In our own arrogance and self-importance we gloss over this crucial detail.

And for anyone who has difficulty with the thought of having to hand over control of their life to God, I have news for them. You never had it to begin with! You've just been to busy planning things to notice.

It's true! Psalm 16:1 says, "To humans belong the plans of the heart..." God has always allowed us freedom of thought, and freedom of will. He lets us create and arrange our plans whichever way we want to.

Still, we must include God in any plans we make, as in asking for His blessings and assistance. We must also trust that God's plans are best for us no matter the outcome, even if this might be hard to process.

Scripture confirms this, for example, in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," and in Proverbs 19:21, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

There's nothing wrong with making plans. Just understand that God wants to be included in them. Ask Him to direct your steps, seek His wisdom and guidance. Whatever God decides will always be in our best interest because He loves us.

Scripture: Psalm 20:4; Proverbs 3:5; Job 42:2; Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 55:8

Prayer: Dear Lord, I humbly submit my plans to You, knowing full well that the last word is always Yours. I fully trust that Your decision will be made with pure love and grace for me. Amen.

Love and blessings,

Holly

God's Guidance for Leaders

"God does not guide those who want to run their own life. He only guides those who admit their need of His direction and rely on His wisdom."  - Winkie Pratney

We expect our leaders to be not only strong, but wise and compassionate. In addition, such leaders should be aware that despite whatever natural gifts of leadership they might possess, there will also be a lack thereof, as well.

Throughout history there have been many leaders who admirably led through times of adversity and blessing. A quick search will bring up such notable leaders as Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Martin Luther King, Jr., as a few.

King Solomon, who is considered the wisest man to have lived, is another worthy leader. Besides his wisdom, Solomon wrote the majority of the book of Proverbs, built the first Temple in Jerusalem, and was the second king of the United Kingdom of Israel.

He succeeded his father King David at age 20, and reigned for 40 years! After his position was secured (1 Kings 1), the enormity of the responsibility he had just been given probably weighed heavily upon him.

He knew needed big help for a big job. His father, King David, was most successful when he sought and followed God's counsel. Therefore, who better to turn to for guidance and support in his new position of leadership than God!

Without getting too involved in a biography of King Solomon's life and reign, I would like to concentrate on the important aspect of his well-known wisdom. This attribute is priceless, especially for leaders, and is too frequently lacking in many.

In 1 Kings 3, we can read about how King Solomon acquired his great wisdom. How many times have we seen a person, or persons, in roles of leadership trust in their own experience, knowledge, and judgment to lead only to fail miserably.

While it may be true that many seem to do just fine; are they really reaching their potential as leaders, or just simply getting by? King Solomon is a prime example of what a leader can become with God as his or her guide.

Note, that as wise as he was, King Solomon stumbled whenever he chose to believe in his own wisdom rather than God. Most notably, in his love of foreign women (1 Kings 11); extravagant wealth, and reliance on his military might  (1 Kings 10).

All aspiring leaders must also have a knowledge of their own limitations. This is crucial to real success. More importantly, the best leaders are those who learn early on that only the omnipotent God can bestow either triumph or failure.

Scripture: Psalm 9:10; Mark 11:22; Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Psalm 31:14

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are my salvation, and in You only do I trust. Guide my paths always and keep me firmly grounded in Your love and mercy. Amen.

Love and blessings,

Jenelle

Scripture Study with Bibi - Genesis 23:1-20

"God is faithful even when his children are not."  - Max Lucado

There are many important characters throughout the Bible. Of these, only a handful standout from the rest. Such special individuals are vital to the Bible story. So much so, that they are mentioned in both, the Old and New Testaments.

Sarah, the wife of Abraham is one such person. We have followed her life which was joined to that of her husband. From Sarah's (Sarai) introduction in Genesis 11:29 up to now she was a devoted, obedient wife, and mother.

Of all the women that have ever lived, Sarah has the special honor of having her age recorded in Scripture. Interestingly, Sarah was not only Abraham's wife, but was also his half-sister, which was not so uncommon in those days (Genesis 20:12).

As is the case with all mortal men and women, our time here on earth will eventually draw to a close, and Sarah was no exception. She died almost 30 years before Abraham at the age of 127.

Some highlights of Sarah's life, include: being used twice during Abraham's lapses in faith in order to protect his life, while cowardly pursuing his own safety. First in Genesis 12 , then again in Genesis 20.

Who can forget Sarah in the story of the birth of Ishmael and of Isaac, and her name change from Sarai to Sarah when Isaac was promised! Indeed, Sarah's life was as significant as any that can be found in Scripture.

This week, our study of Genesis 23:1-20 will focus on the death and burial of Sarah. American philosopher William James once said, "The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." I truly believe Sarah did just that!

As always, I highly suggest reading through the material prior to attempting the questions. This will not only aid in the comprehension of the subject matter, but will also enhance the enjoyment of it, making your time in study well spent.

Let's begin with prayer: Dear LORD, as we meet together to learn, grow, and change in study, help us move into a deeper understanding of Your truth. Amen.

Now, this week's lesson...

Sarah's life was a mix of light and shade. There was her lapse in faith, resulting in Ishmael's birth, and lack of self-control and love which ended in the Hagar and Ishmael incident. Yet, we saw Sarah sharing Abraham's hope and faith in God for accomplishing the impossible, too.

1.) Sarah has the special honor of having her age mentioned in the Bible. What was her age at the time of death? (Genesis 23:1)

2.) Abraham mourned for Sarah at a location in Canaan. What was the name of this place? (Genesis 23:2)

3.) After having sat for some time, Abraham got up, went out of the tent where he was mourning Sarah, and proceeded to make burial arrangements for her. What did he do? And with whom did he speak? (Genesis 23:3-4)

4.) The Hittites listened to Abraham's interest in a burial place for Sarah then they responded. What did they tell him? (Genesis 23:5-6)

5.) They finished answering Abraham, then allowed him to speak. What did Abraham do and say at this point? What was the name of the property that he was interested in buying? (Genesis 23:7-9)

6.) After listening to Abraham's proposition one of the Hittites rose up and responded to Abraham. What was this person's name? And what was his response? (Genesis 23:10-11)

7.) Abraham then politely bowed his head, signifying he had something to say, and replied to the Hittite's offer. What did Abraham say? (Genesis 23:12-13)

8.) Abraham's answer was then met with yet another response from the Hittite. What was it? (Genesis 23:14-15)

9.) Finally, to the great satisfaction of both parties, Abraham agreed to the Hittite's terms. What was the final selling price of the burial site? What land was included in the sale? (Genesis 23:16-18)

10.) The purchase price was agreed upon and paid. So, Abraham took possession of the land. What did Abraham do next? Where was this site located? What proof of purchase was given to Abraham? (Genesis 23:19-20)

This concludes our study of Genesis, chapter 23. When we meet next we shall begin the story of Isaac and his bride, Rebekah in Genesis 24. There we shall see the story of Abraham's concern to find a suitable bride for his son Isaac, and all that ensues.

Until then, have a safe and blessed week!

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Timothy 2:13; Proverbs 3:3-4; Psalm 31:23; Galatians 3:9

Prayer: Dear LORD, strengthen me with hope of my salvation and the many other blessings You provide with Your presence in my life. Amen.

May you be generously blessed!

Bibi

Faith in Doubt?

"Doubting does not prove that a man has no faith, but only that his faith is small. And even when our faith is small, the Lord is ready to help us."  - J. C. Ryle

"Do you believe in God?" Most Christian forums have, at the very least, touched on this topic, but may not always want to discuss it because of its potential to stir up negative connotations.

The Bible, thankfully, does not shy away from examining, both the good and bad, especially as it pertains to our relationship with God. The back and forth between the two is frequently illustrated there.

Most are familiar with "belief" in God, that is, having trust or faith in Him. Accordingly, it logically follows that having "doubt/unbelief" in God means a lack thereof. But does this signify a lost cause?

When it comes to skepticism in matters of religious faith in scripture there is plenty of material to choose from. One that immediately pops into mind is Abraham and his wife Sarah in the Old Testament.

Both faithfully followed God  through many tests and adversities. Still, they had trouble believing that, in their old age, God would provide them with a son; even laughing at the possibility! (Genesis 17:17-22, 18:10-15)

As incredible as it might seem, doubt even made its way into Jesus' own inner circle! The apostle Thomas had spent years traveling around with Jesus, witnessing his miracles, even being personally trained by him.

Yet, after Jesus' death Thomas harbored serious doubts about his master rising up from his grave. A good week passed before his doubts were erased when the resurrected Christ appeared in person (John 20:24-29).

How does any of this help those of us who may suffer bouts of doubt and disbelief in Jesus? First, don't be so hard on yourself, you're not the only one to experience this and you won't be the last, I guarantee you.

Secondly, recognize that God understands. He is not the God of wrath, but the God of patience (1 Thessalonians 5:9). God respects those who strive after Him with serious concerns and doubts. When in doubt we need only to ask (Mark 9:24).

Scripture: James 1:6; Proverbs 3:5; Jude 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1

Prayer: Dear Lord, raise me up in times of doubt and conflicting thoughts; that I may find strength in knowing You will reassure and refresh me with Your loving mercy. Amen.

May God bless you,

Lainey

Jesus: Template for the Christian Life

"We may not say that we have the answers. Questions of how to conduct oneself as a Christian, or how to serve as a Christian, must be answered by life itself- the life of the individual in his direct, responsible relationship to God."  - Elisabeth Elliot

During the course of his ministry travels the apostle Paul encountered many incidents; one of which  had to do with infighting and dissension among a couple of groups: the Jewish and Gentile Christians.

The account of this can be followed in Romans 15. The Epistle to the Romans was written sometime during the end of Paul's Third Missionary Journey (Winter of 57-58 C.E.) while in Corinth.

He found out that some of the Jewish Christians in Rome had set out to enforce Jewish practices on the Gentile Christians there. Since Christianity started out as a Jewish religion, certain powerful Jewish leaders resolved to keep it so.

Paul sent this letter (Epistle) by way of a Corinthian woman, Phoebe, to let them all know that he was on his way. Interestingly, it wasn't until three years later that Paul was able to arrive in Rome!

To put it simply, tensions had cropped up between the Jewish and pagan converts. In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul appeals for peaceful and amicable relations between these Jewish and Gentile Christians.

Paul had penned that Christians shouldn't hate or convict others (Romans 14, verses 1-12) nor should they hamper the behavior of other Christians (Romans 14, verses 13-23).

In Romans 15, verses 1-13, he gives a third line of reasoning they should follow when dealing with fellow Christians: Follow the Lord Jesus Christ's example. We are to live to please others and not ourselves, and receive each other as He also received us.

Paul stresses brotherly love, kindness, and tolerance. In Romans 15:1 he tells those who are strong in faith should support those who may not be, and not to satisfy themselves by selfishly imposing their rights on them.

Instead, those who are stronger in faith should consider, in loving kindness and with patience, the misgivings and doubts of the weaker brothers and give them room to develop and mature in faith.

The apostle Paul stresses to his readers in Romans 15:8-13 that the ministry of Jesus Christ includes Jews and Gentiles. What this suggests is that our hearts should also be large enough to accommodate both. A big heart can hold a lot.

When I watch the news on television and see all of the divisiveness, anger, and frustration manifested before my eyes I can't help but wonder, "What happened to the heart Jesus wants us to have?"

Christian living includes living with others, getting along with others, and loving one another. There's no big secret to getting back to this, Jesus left his game plan for us to follow which is His example for living.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:2; Acts 10:28; Hebrews 12:14; Jude 1:22; John 8:47

Prayer: Dear Lord, grant me patience and tolerance with everyone. Help live my life positively and joyfully. Teach me how to be kind and generous to all. Amen

May God always bless you!

Judith

Scripture Study with Bibi - Genesis 22:1-24

 "God has great things in store for His people; they ought to have large expectations."  - Charles Spurgeon

If there's one thing we've learned so far in our study of the Book of Genesis it's that our faith in God will be tested. Faith is not a one-time deal. Throughout the life of the believer his or her faith will be put through its paces.

Many will start out strong in faith from the gate, but fizzle-out before reaching the finish line. They will stumble, become frustrated, have self-doubt, experience exhaustion, and suffer ridicule and humiliation.

Yet, those who time and time again manage to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and press on, will "receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward" (Colossians 3:24). We have seen this repeatedly played out through Genesis.

Last time in Genesis 21, we saw the birth of the child of promise to Abraham; the casting out of Ishmael, son of the bondwoman Hagar; the renewal of the promise to Ishmael; how he prospers and then marries, and the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech.

This week in Genesis 22 the focus will be on Abraham and the sacrifice of his son Isaac. As mentioned, it is a given that the believer's faith will be tested over and over. Abraham has experienced both, a strong faith, and a weak faith. Which will show up here?

As always, I strongly suggest that you read the material thoroughly prior to answering the questions. In doing so, your comprehension will be greatly enhanced. In addition, it will make your time in study more productive and beneficial.

Let's begin with prayer: Dear LORD, as we meet together to learn, grow, and change in study, help us move into a deeper understanding of Your truth. Amen.

Now, this week's study...

You've probably heard the expression "keep your eye on the ball." Any person of faith must, "keep his eye on God," that is, we can't let circumstances distract us, or deliberate about the consequences of what God asks. The test of faith is invaluable.

1.) Abraham's greatest test of faith is about to take place. Who did it involve? What did God ask him to do? (Genesis 22:1-2)

2.) Abraham now had his command from God. What did he do the following morning? Who went with him? (Genesis 22:3)

3.) Since receiving God's command, then setting out on his journey, Abraham had been on the road for two days. What happened on the third day? What did he order his servants to do? (Genesis 22:4-5)

4.) The servants were not meant to see what Abraham was going to do. This probably appeared a little odd to them, to say the least, but who were they to question Abraham? What did Abraham and Isaac do here? What puzzled Isaac? What was Abraham's response to him? (Genesis 22:6-8)

5.) Abraham and Isaac finally arrived at the specified place. What did Abraham do first? What did he do next? What was his final act? (Genesis 22:9-10)

6.) Abraham had faithfully followed God's command exactly up to this point. However, something momentous happens at the last possible second. Who intervened and what was said? What command was given to Abraham, and why? (Genesis 22:12-13)

7.) God always provides, and this time was no different. What did God provide Abraham with? What was the other result of God's provision here? (Genesis 22:13-14)

8.) But the angel of the LORD was not quite through with Abraham yet. What did the angel do now? What was given to Abraham in return for his obedience of faith? (Genesis 22:15-18)

9.) Abraham's faith had been tested and proven, the LORD'S blessings given and received. What did Abraham do now? Where did he and his party go? (Genesis 22:19)

10.) The events at the end of Genesis 22 lay the groundwork for the marriage of the heir of the promise, Isaac. What was the news that Abraham received concerning his brother Nabor's wife, Milkah? Though many names are listed, only one figures prominently in Isaac's future, who is it? (Genesis 22:20-24)

This concludes our study of Genesis 22. Next time we will discuss the death of Abraham's wife Sarah, and other facts of importance, including her funeral. This also marks the decline of Abraham's story and the blossoming of Isaac's.

Until then, have a safe and blessed week!

Scripture: Philippians 4:19; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 37:4; Proverbs 3:5; Hebrews 11:6

Prayer: Dear LORD, strengthen me with hope of my salvation and the many other blessings You provide with Your presence in my life. Amen.

May you be generously blessed!

Bibi

Video - Sheila Walsh: War In Prayer

There is a lot going on in the world around us at the moment. We've seen and heard the news stories and know that things are not going well. It may appear overwhelming and hopeless, but nothing is ever too much for us to handle with God's help. Have you considered that there may be underlying influences stirring the proverbial pot?

In this video clip, Christian inspirational speaker and author, Sheila Walsh addresses this and more. She reassures us that God is in control no matter how things appear. And, that we we have a very powerful tool to use especially in times like these: prayer. Prayer activates the power and the resources of God. I couldn't agree more!  ~Eve

Video - Street Interview: "Who Is Jesus?"

The question, "Who is Jesus?" was asked to some random people on the street, and here are their replies. Keep in mind these folks had no idea they would be interviewed beforehand. Now, if someone suddenly walked up to you on the street and asked you this same question, how would you respond? Kind of makes you think, doesn't it?  ~Eve