From "Discouragement" to "Encouragement"

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."        - Deuteronomy 3:18

The late Rev. Billy Graham once said, "The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'"

If someone like Billy Graham could experience bouts of discouragement during his walk of faith, what does this say for the rest of us? It says that we are all human! And as such, we will encounter times when we feel our faith start to dwindle.

According to the NIV Thematic Study Bible, "discouragement" for a believer is: "A sense of unhappiness arising from a loss of confidence in one’s own abilities, in the reliability of God or in the power of the gospel." 

As Billy Graham referred to above, a "Christian life" is not an easy journey. But then, no one ever said it would be (John 16:33). It certainly wasn't any easier for people in the Bible. They too struggled with discouragement.

For instance, not long after leaving Egypt the Israelites became discouraged with God and Moses in the desert (Numbers 21:4-5). They wrongly thought their journey to the Promised Land was going to be a walk in the park. 

Israel ran into some obstacles along the way, then wanted to return to Egypt  (Numbers 14:4). For the Christian, discouragement seems to most notably arise when we run into resistance to the gospel, or during times of personal turmoil. 

What can the Christian do when "discouragement" emerges? Fortunately, we do have resources available to us that we can turn to. Not surprisingly, Scripture provides "encouragement" for those experiencing "discouragement."

Let me provide some examples of prayer: Galatians 6:9; Romans 15:13; Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:6-7; Joshua 1:9; Zechariah 9:12. We also need endurance to push through it: Romans 5:3-4; James 1:12-18; Hebrews 10:36 ; Colossians 1:11. 

Most importantly, we mustn't forget God in all of this: Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Psalm 34:18; Jeremiah 30:10; 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17. These few examples hopefully show that God will never let us flounder without help.

Like many other things in the Christian life, we experience these bumps in the road for a reason. The end game is maturity in faith. Oswald Chambers, an early-twentieth-century Scottish Baptist evangelist phrased it masterfully:

"If you are going through a time of discouragement, there is a time or great personal growth ahead."

The tree that never learns to bend in the wind, will snap at the first storm. Thus, the Christian life, without being tested every now and then, will never reach its full potential. Many never grasp this lesson and simply give up too soon.

Jesus did not have it easy while here on earth. His path was never smooth or obstacle-free. If anyone had the right to be discouraged, it would have been Him. Instead, He left an example for us to follow. "...with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

Scripture: James 1:3; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Matthew 24:13; Romans 5:3; Revelation 14:12 

Prayer: "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."  - Psalm 28:7

In His name,

Leigh

God Speaks Through the Bible

“This Jesus Christ is the center… of the whole Scripture. The sum of divinity is the Scripture; the sum of the Scripture is the gospel; the sum of the gospel is Jesus Christ”  - Thomas Adams

If you and I are truly Christians, we more than likely concur that God spoke to the writers of both, the Old and New Testaments in a very personal and specific way. As we have come to know, these are the words of God as he speaks today.

This “communication” with God through the Scriptures is lost on many. To these, the Bible is just a book of stories and prayers. It is nothing more than a collection of readings that are delivered in church, and then put aside until next Sunday.

In a 2013 survey, the Barna Group ascertained that nearly nine out of 10, or 88 percent, of Americans own a Bible. The same survey found that these same individuals have an average of 4.4 copies in their homes. 

However, according to the same survey, just 13 percent said they read the Bible daily. Apparently many are just using their Bibles as dust-collectors because they probably haven’t opened them in quite some time (Romans 15:4).

Look, I’m not going to go deeply into research percentages here; that’s not the point of my message. What I am trying to get across is that God is speaking to us right now, we just need to know where to find His voice.

Prayer is certainly important, you might even say that it is crucial to having a healthy relationship with Him. But so is reading the Bible! 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that, "All Scripture is God-breathed..." This means they are His very words.

Yes, we can share our most intimate thoughts, requests, and affections with God through prayer. Still, if we really want to hear Him speak to us, we have always had his words available to us in the Bible. 

19th century English Christian evangelist, George Muller said, "God is the author of the Bible, and only the truth it contains will lead people to true happiness." Even so, it's not enough to simply open the Bible and thumb through it.

One must diligently, consistently, and whole-heartedly absorb it. Our hearts and minds must be in tune with God in order to hear his speak to us (Romans 8:7). We cannot approach God with an attitude, or selfish aspirations (Psalm 119:36).

When you do sit down to read the Bible, read it reverently. Remember who you are listening to. The Word of God is precisely what you have in front of you, and should be treated as such. You will find the more you read, the clearer God speaks!

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Luke 11:28; Proverbs 4:20 

Prayer: "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked,"  - Psalm 12:6-7

Blessings always,

Vaunda

Lift that Listless Faith! (Part 1)

“We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’ for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, ‘What has happened to the salt and light?’”   - John Stott

Perhaps now is as good a time as any for talking about “spiritual apathy.” Apathy, as defined, means: a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. We can also think of it as indifference, or unconcern.

This “I don’t care” attitude is telling because it demonstrates a lack of motivation, on our part, to grow closer to God and to do His work. Naturally, this can occur at any time, but I feel that a mid-year spiritual check-up couldn’t hurt.

If we were to perform a self-check on our spiritual attitude, most of would see that there are areas in which we could definitely work on. If we are lucky, all we’d need is slight adjustment here and there.

Even if we found that major overhauling is required, the easiest way to correct, or align our spiritual compass might just be to go back to the basics and reboot our faith. Think of it as refreshing the relationship between God and yourself.

Let's look at areas that might be affecting your faith, and then some fundamental or basic things we can do to get it up and running again. You don't have to perform all of these at one time! 

I recommend choosing one or two to work on at first, then build on that. We'll start with an obvious one first: "Faith." Hebrews 1:1 provides the definition of Scriptural faith in God. It is essential to pleasing Him (Hebrews 1:9).

Faith is also vital to our forgiveness and eternal life (John 8:24; 20:30-32). In the absence of faith our only option would be doubt coupled with sin (Matthew 14:30-31). Now, how can we energize or re-vitalize a sagging faith?

It's really easier than you think! Just pick your Bible and and read it consistently and earnestly. Let it rebuild the confidence and trust you once had. After all, the Word of God is specifically made to promote faith (Romans 10:17). 

Next, reinforce your "hope." According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, "hope" involves "the happy anticipation of good." In other words, it's more than wishful thinking or a meek "I hope so." It is a confident expectation.

Like "faith," "hope" is also essential to our spiritual well-being. It too is necessary in order for us to keep going forward (Romans 8:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:3). Hope is crucial for our determination to become pure like Him (1 John 3:2-3).

Thankfully, like "faith," the Bible was written to give us "hope" (Romans 15:4). It demonstrates through it revelation of God's past interaction with man, that He always keeps his promises. 

As such, we can confidently expect that God will follow through in the future (Hebrews 10:23). We shall stop at this point and continue this discussion next time. Meanwhile, don't be discouraged; stay focused with God's Word!

Scripture: Romans 12:11; Revelation 3:16; James 4:17; 2 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 12:12-13 

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."  - Romans 15:13

In Christ,

Claire

Weekend Message: God is Moving in Your Waiting Season with Faith Eury Cho, Sheila Walsh, Alexandra Hoover, Jess Connolly, and Jeanne Stevens

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's my great pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video presentation can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

We've all experienced a season where it seems like God has taken a break from us for some reason, and are literally left scratching our heads in confusion, or even frustration. 

It's no secret that we all desire for things to happen according to our own plans and timing. However, God doesn’t operate on your schedule or mine. And if we're expecting for this to occur, we are only setting ourselves up to be disappointed.

Waiting on God isn't an easy thing to do, I know. But, when we do, we should stand by patiently knowing that God knows our situation, cares for our needs, and is good to the ultimate end.

Maybe the key is to wait on God, and not on circumstances...

© Better Together on TBN

Scripture: Lamentations 3:25; Psalm 27:14; Romans 8:25; Hosea 12:6; James 1:12 

Join us this week as Faith Eury Cho, co-founder and co-pastor of Mosaic Covenant Church in New Jersey, reminds women of what God does during their season of waiting. 

Other group members, Sheila Walsh, Alexandra Hoover, Jess Connolly, Jeanne Stevens join her to discuss how God works behind-the-scenes as we wait on Him.

Enjoy!

~Eve

Oh, To Be Secure in Christ...

"I am His by purchase and I am His by conquest; I am His by donation and I am His by election; I am His by covenant and I am His by marriage; I am wholly His; I am peculiarly His; I am universally His; I am eternally His."    - Thomas Brooks

What comes to mind when you think of the word “secure?” According to the KJV Dictionary, the word “secure” implies “safely” or “without a doubt.” Other dictionary definitions are “assured,” “stable,” or “trustworthy.”

Now, take a moment and try to think of as many things as you can that would fit neatly into these definitions. Next, how many would satisfy the requirements without any changes or modifications?

Finally, how many, if any, would hold to the defined terms, as stated, forever, that is, eternally? What you have left is an illustration of how ephemeral or short-lived the things of this life are. Nothing here on earth is everlasting.

Only Christ can offer us security that is eternal; otherwise known as “eternal life.” An important point to bring up here, is that there are no monthly fees, payments, or long-term agreements involved here. It is a free gift of God (Romans 6:23).

You see, God is not a peddler who offers eternal life for purchase. He is quite the opposite. God is an incredibly gracious King who promises “eternal life” without any payment, or price. His Son Jesus Christ took care of that once and for all (Hebrews 9:12; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Okay, you’re probably wondering, “What’s the catch?” or “Are there any strings attached?" There is one thing, one requirement, that must be satisfied in order to obtain this “gift” from God. It is given to any and all who “believe” in Jesus Christ (John 3:15-16).

This “eternal” promise is nothing to take lightly; God would never do that! Eternal life given, and then taken away would be a lie or falsehood. We never have to worry about God’s Word changing, They stand forever (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35).

Our goal, as believers in Christ, is to gain "eternal security." But this isn't something that can be acquired through our knowledge. actions, or works. It is established in the nature of God. This is an important point than many overlook.

The reason security is even possible is because Our Savior Jesus Christ is acting as our intermediary, and His blood is the conduit by which we can be received by God (Hebrews 10:19; Colossians 1:20).

Thus, to be secure in Christ is to believe that He can provide everything we need, protect us from evil and misfortune, and, most importantly, protect and maintain our loving relationship with both Him, and our eternal salvation (2 Timothy 4:18; 1 Peter 1:4).

Scripture: Colossians 1:13; 1 John 5:4; 1 John 5:5; Romans 11:29; Ecclesiastes 3:14

Prayer: "We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."  - 1 John 5:20

In His name always,

Emily

Lisa Bevere |Things You Should HATE | Adamant Course | Lesson 3 of 6

In this third of a six-part series, Christian speaker and author Lisa Bevere continues her study based on her book "Adamant: Finding Truth in a Universe of Opinions."

Lisa reminds us that, God is love, and we are the objects of His greatest and deepest affections. His love for us is invincible. And when we receive God’s love, we are positioned to love others the way He loves them. But we cannot champion this love without also knowing hate—more specifically, a hate for anything that unmakes love.

© Lisa Bevere

Scripture: Exodus 15:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 4:8; Proverbs 6:16-19

God doesn’t have love; He is love. Love is His very nature. And because God is love, you cannot stop Him from loving you. His love is invincible and immovable, unshaken by your ebbs and flows. 

But because God loves everyone, He cannot love everything. Since God is adamant in love, He must also be adamant in hate. 

This may seem like a contradiction at first glance, but that is only because our culture has idolized love. We know that God is love, but have we made our idea of love god? 

The truth is, God hates what unmakes love. He hates what tears apart those He loves. This is why God must hate what distorts our identity.

We cannot have genuine love if we “love everything.” God is adamant in both love and hate, so we must learn to love what God loves and hate what He hates. 

I hope you take a little time out of your busy day to watch this video. She shares a lot of information here so you may want to watch this more than once. Lisa Bevere is one, truly blessed Bible teacher!

Enjoy!

~Eve

"From Faith to Faith" with Tessa - Wait on God and Trust in Him!

"Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts."  - Elisabeth Elliot

Waiting can be one of the most difficult things to do in life. It takes patience and a certain amount of confidence to do so. And, to be honest, some of us are just better at waiting than others. 

A person can do a lot of waiting during their lifetime; and most of it without really thinking about it. For example, we wait in line, we wait in traffic, we wait for this person, or that person, etc. The point is, we spend a lot of time waiting.

Still, there is one reason for waiting that stands out among all the others. And that, is waiting on God. Many fail miserably at this because they don't understand why we must do so. 

More and more, we have become a society fixated on instant gratification. We want it now, and if this isn't possible, then we lose patience, then interest, and finally, we move on. However, God doesn't work within the same parameters as us.

We must not forget that He doesn't follow our finite, temporal timeframe (2 Peter 3:8). You've probably heard that God has all of the time in the world. Well, He really does, and then some! 

In actuality, waiting for God is a "good" thing. What we might see as a slow response might be a lesson in patience. After all, God is patient with us, and at the very least, we in should be patient with him, too (Isaiah 40:31).

It may be that God has different plans for us than what we had planned on. We've all made hasty decisions in our lives that might have turned out differently if only we had waited the hear from God (Proverbs 16:9).

Believe it or not, waiting on God helps us to grow and mature as Christians. Look at Lamentations 3:25-26: "The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." 

I've used this particular verse to help point out the importance of waiting for God. Notice that I've also underlined some key words therein. Let's take a closer look at them below: 

• First, there is hope. Hope, that we receive from Him, provides us with confidence, joy, peace, power and love (Romans 12:12).
• By our continuing to seek God, our desire to know Him increases. This then, is the essence of true and  eternal life (Hebrews 11:6). 
• When we wait on God, we learn how to develop and apply a patient, confident trust in the Lord. This, even in the midst of trials and troubles, whatever they might be (Psalm 62:5).
• The last item is the most important of all, our salvation. This is referring to our eternal, spiritual deliverance which can only be gained through the acceptance by faith of God's conditions of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

Abraham waited 25 years before God's promise of a child, Isaac came to fruition. It took 13 years for Joseph to gain his freedom and acquire a throne. It was a long 80 years before Moses reached his full potential for God.

It's clear that waiting for God is never intended to be a lesson in frustration. One thing is for certain, however, God will never disappoint you if you "be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)

Scripture: Psalm 38:15; Isaiah 33:2; James 1:12; Galatians 5:5; Isaiah 25:9

Prayer: "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  - Psalm 25:5

Grace and blessings,

Tessa

Weekend Message: The Authority of Scripture in Your Prayers with Kristi McLelland, Sheila Walsh, Faith Eury Cho, Donna Pisani and Tara Beth Leach

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's my great pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video presentation can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

This week, Professor, speaker and founder of New Lens Biblical Studies, Kristi McLelland leads an enlightening discussion about helping women see the importance of praying the Bible over their lives. She is joined here with Sheila Walsh, Faith Eury Cho, Donna Pisani and Tara Beth Leach.

© Better Together on TBN

Without a doubt, we all have different experiences with God through prayer. This just proves that there is a lot more to prayers than we think. That's why it is important to share our encounters with others. Listen, and deepen your knowledge!

Enjoy!

~Eve

Friday Light: I Called Out to The Lord

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  - Matthew 7:7

Far too often, individuals seeking God's help in their lives, treat Him as if he were some sort of fortune-telling machine, or phony psychic on a late-night television show.

I'm not saying we shouldn't seek God's help or advice. In fact, it is encouraged to do so (Psalm 72:12; Proverbs 19:20-21). But there is a correct way to do it. Our petitions should always be submitted with godly wisdom and prayer. 

Time and time again people have said that they've tried this, but God never responded back to them. They felt ignored, perhaps even abandoned by God during their time of need (James 4:3). 

Does that mean that God is giving you the cold shoulder? No! Is He not taking your prayers seriously? Of course, He does! Sadly, some become discouraged and "give up" because there is no immediate response.  

God never plays cruel games with us, especially during challenging times. I can assure you that your prayers have been heard (Psalm 139:4; 1 John 5:14-15; 1 Peter 3:12). But He will respond in his own timing, and not always in the way we desire.

Sometimes our prayer requests go unanswered. This doesn't mean that God didn't accept it. He alone makes the decision whether it is in our best interest to respond now, or later. If it isn't something good for us, or His glory, it may not be answered at all.

There may be other factors impacting our prayers for help. For example, any unconfessed sins, not walking in the Spirit, hypocrisy and unbelief, etc., can negatively affect prayers. Purge these things as soon as possible!

Additionally, God can use unanswered prayer to test and grow our faith. If we always get our way, we will never mature and flourish spiritually. Yes, it's easy to simply quit and walk away, but what if your prayer was just about to be answered?

The application of prayer to God when we need his help is never a waste of time or effort. In truth, the faithful submission of our prayers is pleasing to Him, and it lets Him know that we need and love him (Hebrews 4:16).

It is never wrong to pray to God. It reinforces that we should be walking in His ways, and not our own. To pray in faith, without ceasing, demonstrates that you and I are living according to His will. And that, is always a good thing! (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Scripture: 1 John 5:14; John 15:7; Jude 1:20; Jeremiah 33:3; Romans 12:12

Prayer: "In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."  - Psalm 18:6

Grace and blessings,

Margot 

Video Lesson: Roadblocks to Your Calling | The Caller and the Called | Part 3 of 4 | Beth Moore

Do we follow the leadership of Christ? Do we fellowship with Him enough to recognize Him? What are some of the stumbling stones on our path to fulfill our calling? 

Explore these themes in this third of a four-part series with author, speaker, and Bible teacher Beth Moore. 

We may not ever see it enacted in our own lives but if we're walking with him, the Holy Spirit, you have real-life power in you to be what you cannot be, and to do what you cannot do.

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

 

Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 1:9, Romans 11:29, Judges 14,15 

According to Beth, "calling consists of followship fed by fellowship. This is based on 1 Corinthians 1:9, which says that, 'God is faithful.' You were called by him into fellowship with his son. This is success.

"It's not based on numbers; it's not based on results that we can see. It is based on did we, to the degree that we knew how, did we follow the leadership of Christ? Did we follow him, and did we fellowship with him?"

I encourage you to take a break from your day and watch this presentation from Beth Moore. You won't be disappointed that you did!

Enjoy!

~Eve

What Can Satisfy Our Hungry Hearts?

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved is the power of God.”  - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Many individuals reach a point in their lives where they may become aware of an emptiness within that is difficult to fill, or satisfy. There is a real danger here that one might be tempted to turn to questionable remedies.

Drugs, alcohol, money, and sex, are just a few examples of things people use to try to plug this hollowness they carry inside. But if one were only stop and think for a moment, they would notice these things share a common thread. 

They are only "temporal" solutions, which, like other things of our earthly existence, are only fleeting and temporary at best. Compare this to simply putting a band-aid over a leaking water pipe!

Some are more familiar with this void as a hunger in their heart, or even a "God-shaped hole." No matter what you might call it, it can never be filled by anything of our own doing, or any earthly means. 

The late Rev. Billy Graham once put it this way: “We all have a hunger in our hearts for God — an empty place in our souls that only He can fill.” This can only be accomplished by a personal relationship with God by way of faith in Jesus Christ.

Humanity was created for God's "eternal" intent. Therefore, He is the only one that can meet or satisfy our longing for eternity. Truthfully, God Himself establish "eternity" in your heart and mine (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Indeed Solomon, with all of his power and possessions, never truly felt satisfied. He even went so far as to name his discontent with everything as "vanity" in Ecclesiastes 1:14 (KJV)

Material accomplishments are not "eternal," that's why the thirst for more and more can never be quenched (Matthew 16:26). This missing component inside of us is neither mysterious, nor unattainable.

Seek God's help, and faithfully allow access to both, your heart and life. His transforming power will do the rest. Why walk aimlessly through life, when Christ came into this world to show us the way back to God. Commit your life to Him today!

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13; Deuteronomy 4:29; Psalm 9:10; Isaiah 55:6; Acts 17:27 

Prayer: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  - Proverbs 3:5-6

Blessings always,

Vaunda

Beware, The People-Pleasers!

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10

Ah, yes! The people-pleaser. You might be more familiar with them by another name, such as: charmer, sweet-talker, flatterer, or yes-man. No matter, they have the need to please others, or the need to be well-liked, among other reasons.

Perhaps you might even be one yourself! One of the traits of a people-pleaser is the tendency to change their behavior and/or attitude to blend with that of a group, or even another person. You can probably guess where this eventually leads.

Such an individual will then act in a manner that might go totally against their normal character, or participate in endeavors that they don't necessarily believe in, or agree with, but do them anyway just to fit in, or be part of the crowd.

People-pleasers have acquired a taste for being liked by others. Therefore, they direct their words and actions towards whatever will garner the most approval. Outwardly, they may appear to be unselfish, caring, and charitable.

But hidden underneath, lies an insecure personality; believing falsely that approval is the equivalent of value. Eventually, they realize the folly, or foolishness, of trying to please others is not only impossible, but truly exhausting.

Now, let's do a little comparison between the "people-pleaser" and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is safe to say that His actions were genuinely selfless; the key ingredient with Jesus being "motive." Christ literally lived to glorify and please his Father (John 8:29).

Some other qualities of importance were his love, generosity, and service to others. Even so, Jesus was no push-over. He was not afraid to speak his mind, even if this meant that his words might, and often did, anger the crowd.

Jesus was not above publicly rebuking, or calling out people for their hypocrisy and lack of faith (Matthew 23:15). He didn't fret about how his words were received by his listeners. Jesus spoke his mind, even when it prompted his death (Mark 15:1-2; John 18:37).

Clearly, Jesus was the antithesis, or exact opposite, of the "people-pleaser." So, if you find that you are one of those who habitually try to please people, here are some things to help alter this pattern of behavior:

• Acknowledge that "people-pleasing" is a sin. When our primary goal is to gain popularity, we have swapped gods. Now we're looking at idolatry. By allowing anything to control us besides the Holy Spirit, we have raised a shrine to a conflicting god (Galatians 5:16, 25).

• Once, we have acknowledged these tendencies, and have repented of them, we need to replace them with some that are positive and motivational. Our primary motive should always be to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Seeking praise from imperfect man, rather than pursuing God's approval, is not recommended (John 12:43).

• Additionally, it's a good idea to protect our hearts against the classic sin of "covetousness" (Mark 7:22). Nothing fans the flames of desire for the approval or popularity of others more than when we "covet" it. This, unfortunately, is more common than not.

People-pleasing does a pretty good job of keeping us from being all we can be for God. It stills our voices when we should speak up, and intimidates us when we do. This is definitely not what God meant for us!

Matthew 6:24 tells us that we cannot serve two masters. In this case, trying to devote ourselves fully to Christ, and to the approval of others, will not work. What's more, it's not our job to make people happy, but rather to please the Lord.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Ephesians 6:6; Ephesians 6:7; John 5:44; Proverbs 16:7

Prayer: "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways."  -Psalm 119:1-3

Grace to all,

Marsha 

The Weekend Message: How to Let Go of Perfectionism with Ann Voskamp, Sheila Walsh, Debra Fileta, Jess Connolly, and Holly Wagner

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's my great pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video presentation can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

This week, author, blogger, and memoirist on themes of Christian women's spirituality, Ann Voskamp, leads a group discussion about getting to the root of "perfectionism" in your life, and letting it go. 

Group members Sheila Walsh, Debra Fileta, Jess Connolly, and Holly Wagner join Ann to help viewers understand the cause of their need to be perfect, and how to work through it. 

© TBN Networks

Ann says, "Perfectionism, ultimately the prosecutor of our souls, uses it as slow death by 'self.' If he can keep that perfectionism loud in your head, you don't actually move ahead in any capacity, at all."

As you will see, the problem with "perfectionism" is not an uncommon one. Listen as the rest of the group share their thoughts and experiences on this most interesting topic. There is definitely something we can all learn from here!

Enjoy!

~Eve

Friday Light: We Need the Holy Spirit, As Did Jesus

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done."  - C. S. Lewis

What comes to mind when you hear the word "dependence?"  A general answer to this question might be something along the lines of this: "a state of mind where an individual is exceedingly dependent on someone, or something."

Using the above description, it would be fair to say, for example, that the relationship between children and parents is a good illustration of dependence. Another, could be the relationship between the sun and life on earth.

As is seen above, a condition of strong need is indicated by the word "dependence."  Accordingly, during the life and works of Our Lord Jesus, both as the Man and Servant of God, he was reliant (dependent) on the Holy Spirit.

Fortunately, this is something that is pointed out, perhaps, more than any other single thing in Scripture. We shall examine some of these direct references to the Holy Spirit and His action in relation to Jesus, and conversely.

Matthew 1:18 tells us that Mary's pregnancy was the work of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus' conception was nothing short of miraculous! In addition, This will fulfill Isaiah's prophecy that a virgin will give birth to God's Son (Isaiah 7:14).

The Holy Spirit was the Father's promised endowment to Jesus, as written in Matthew 12:18. This event occurs immediately following His baptism by John the Baptist. Again, this points back to an earlier prophecy found in Isaiah 42. 

Clear and positive evidence that Jesus Christ was led by the Holy Spirit is found in Matthew 4:1. At the end of the previous chapter, the Holy Spirit came to rest on Him, along with the voice of God declaring Jesus as His Son.

It was the Holy Spirit, following Jesus' baptism, that led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. It was purely intentional on God's part that Jesus should undergo this testing. 

Of course, we know that Jesus' faith didn't need strengthening. However, putting Jesus to the test showed that he remained sinless, even after He was tempted to sin just as we are (Hebrews 4:15).

The close "dependent" relationship between the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ is quite obvious even in the few verses that were given. There are many more instances we were not able to give fair consideration to because of our limited time and space.

Even so, the best part of all of this is that the believer in Jesus Christ also partakes in the benefits of this special relationship. Thus, because of our "dependence" on Him, we too, are recipients of the Holy Spirit!

As Ephesians 1:13 tells us, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,"

Scripture: John 14:26; Romans 8:26; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:9 

Prayer: "O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams."  - Saint Augustine

Grace and blessings,

Margot 

Video Lesson: Don't Wait to Fulfill Your Calling | The Caller and the Called | Part 2 of 4 | Beth Moore |

In this second installment of a four-part series, Bible teacher and speaker, Beth Moore, expounds that others cannot fulfill your calling for you, God ordained it for YOU, and your calling is for NOW. Furthermore, she encourages us to stop putting it on hold! 

Calling is not only a matter of being and doing what we are, but also of becoming what we are not yet, but are called to be by God. Thus, "naming-calling," a very different thing from "name-calling," is the fusion of being and becoming. 

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Kings 19:19; Matthew 4:18-19

Sometimes, our divine exploits are cloaked in the normal everyday living of just one foot in front of the other. It is just the continued living out of the one choice to simply and faithfully follow Jesus wherever he's going. 

If you are in Christ, something enormous, miraculous, and marvelous happened to you! Literally, He called your name, and though you may not have heard it with your ears, somehow you responded. Our "calling" is the same today as it was yesterday. It's still, "Follow me."

Scripture: "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time," 2 Timothy 1:19

Enjoy!

~Eve

Don't Let Mistakes Define You!

"To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future."  - Plutarch

I must admit that I am guilty of having made some pretty good blunders in my time. But, it’s safe to assume that everyone stumbles from time to time. After all, "we're only human," as they say.

Now, taking this “only human” factor into consideration, it’s also comforting to know, that some of the better known saints in the Bible were prone to make mistakes just like the rest of us.

In 2 Samuel 11:1-4, David, who had often led his army into battle, chose to stay behind in Jerusalem; sending his general Joab to fight with the Ammonites in Rabbah instead. 

Without going into specifics, perhaps David simply thought his services were not as vital for this particular conflict. Besides, the enemy was already primed for the taking, and he probably felt Joab was more than capable of handling it.

When being an "active" warrior and leader, David was in essence doing the Lord's work. Taking it easy wasn't part of the plan. Consequently, his idleness then set the stage for Bathsheba, and his subsequent fall (Ecclesiastes 10:18).

Yes, this was an unfortunate blunder on David's part, but he wasn't the only one who stumbled in Scripture. There were others who committed missteps that affected not only their lives, but those who were around them, as well.

Below are some of these Bible characters whose bad judgment proved costly in terms of discipline and suffering:

• Solomon’s carnality in 1 Kings 11:1-6
• Miriam’s covetousness in Numbers 12:1-10
• Peter’s pride in Luke 22:33-34
• King Hezekiah’s egotism in Isaiah 39:1-8

Thankfully, if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God no longer “punishes” us for our sin,  Why? Since Jesus already accepted that punishment upon Himself, we can expect "forgiveness" from Him.

Even so, God does “discipline” us for our sin (as seen in the Bible). Look, God knows we're going to make mistakes. But, He doesn't want us to beat ourselves up over them, either. 

Instead, He desires that we learn from them, then use our experiences to lift up and advance the Kingdom. This encouragement is succinctly set forth to us in Philippians 3:13-14 and Isaiah 43:18.

In closing, I've included some inspirational thoughts for you to ponder regarding our discussion here. Remember:

1. God uses mistakes to correct us, not neglect us. (Proverbs 20:30)

2. God uses mistakes to refine us, not define us. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

3. God uses mistakes to protect us, not reject us. (Genesis 50:20)

Scripture: Psalm 37:23-24; Proverbs 28:13-14; Lamentations 3:22-25; Galatians 3:24-27; Hebrews 4:15

Prayer: "Holy Father, I confess that I've made mistakes in life, and am not able to correct or change the consequences of my actions. Therefore, I ask You for forgiveness, and to help me move forward with You today."

God bless you!

Mary

The Weekend Message: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes with Lysa TerKeurst and Aubrey Sampson

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's my great pleasure to bring you quality presentations from some of the best Christian teachers in the world! Each video can vary, but whatever the topic, you can be certain that it will be informative and Bible-based.

Boundaries can feel impossible sometimes, especially if you have lived your life without them. How do you begin to draw the line when it comes to what you are willing to accept in a relationship? How do you know when it is beyond the point of healing and time to let go of a toxic relationship?

Author, speaker and Bible teacher Lysa TerKeurst never dreamed that her life would look the way it does now. After finding out about her husband's infidelity, Lysa was committed to healing and restoration of her marriage. However, as time went by, Lysa endured the most difficult season of her life and had to face the most difficult decision. 

© Nothing is Wasted Ministries

Sadly, her marriage eventually ended and Lysa was left to pick up the pieces. As she has walked the journey of healing, she has started to see how her own inability to set boundaries contributed to the chaos in her relationship. 

In this podcast, Lysa talks to author, speaker, and church planter, Aubrey Sampson about: (a) how boundaries are not just a good thing, but also a God thing, (b) how to determine the amount of access someone should have in our lives, and (c) why boundaries can retain the best of who we are in the forefront.

Speaking frankly, most of us have, at one time or other, raised definite boundaries; especially in relationships that require them most. This thought-provoking conversation will give you the courage to live in a way that will help you, and those you love, grow and prosper.

Enjoy!

~Eve

Bible Study: 3 John 1:1-14

 "Christians in consort are an abridgement of heaven, shining like a firmament of bright stars… Surely, of all fellowships, this is the only good fellowship. Next to communion with God, there is no communion like the communion of saints."  -  George Swinnock

We've now arrived at the final epistle of John, 3 John. Our study series has taken us through the first two epistles where the apostle taught love, fellowship, and encouraged the readers to the practical application of their faith.

The Third Epistle of John is no different. Hospitality among other Christians, and walking in the truth and the keeping of the faith are stressed here. But this is not the only notice given here by John.

The church family, because of their close bond toward one another, must be ever vigilant against things that may threaten this loving relationship. Selfish ambition and divisive jealousy, for example, can be detrimental to Christian fellowship.

We are familiar with the church of today, but what was the early church like? We know that the apostles Paul and Peter were important leaders of the church at the time. But what about other concerns?

For instance, were the members more spiritual than us? Did their churches experience similar problems, conflicts, etc., as our churches? Since we weren't there, we cannot answer with positive certainty

Fortunately, in this private letter between "the Elder" and a Christian named Gaius, we are provided with a small glimpse of life in those churches of the 1st century. You might recall, "the Elder" is generally believed to be the apostle John.

As you proceed with reading 3 John and the following study questions, you will also find the character sketches of three different men help provide some additional clues about life in the churches of that day.

On that note, let's examine the purpose of this epistle. The three men mentioned above are important contributors here. Therefore, owing to these individuals, the three-fold purpose is:

• to substantiate that Gaius indeed acted ethically in supporting the teachers who approached him, encouraging him to continue this hospitableness. (3 John 1:5-8)
• to demonstrate his (John's) disapproval of Diotrephes for turning John and others away whom he should have welcomed them. (3 John 1:9-10)
• to inspire Gaius to emulate what is good; pointing out Demetrius as a good example. (3 John 1:11-12)

The Third Epistle of John, is another very brief letter by the apostle John. Thus, we shall complete it entirely during this particular study session. This in turn, will conclude our study of The Epistles of John. 

As for a place and date relating to this writing, Ephesus is traditionally the suggested location from which John composed this letter. An estimated date may vary, but we can safely place it somewhere between 90-95 A.D.

Before we begin, allow me to provide you with some points to ponder regarding this letter:

• The gratification of seeing the growth in Christ exemplified in one's converts.
• The great significance of hospitality in relation to the spread of gospel.
• The degree of difference between spirituality and the pursuit of worldly pleasures among Christians.

Synopsis: John welcomes Gaius, praying for his success and health, being elated to discover that he is walking in the truth (vv. 1-4). John recognizes Gaius' show of hospitality toward the brethren and strangers, especially those who serve the Lord (vv. 5-8). John denounces the deeds of Diotrephes (vv. 9-10), praises the testimony of Demetrius (vv. 11-12), and finishes with the hope to see Gaius soon (vv. 13-14).

Helpful Information: The answers will be found within the numbered verses that are shown. If you have trouble with a question, continue on and return to it later. Re-read the verse(s) as often as needed.

Opening Prayer: Dear LORD, as I prepare to study Your Word I pray for an open and accepting heart and mind; may it also restore, replenish, and nourish my soul, and spirit. Help me to learn and apply Your teaching to my life. Amen.

Study Questions:

1) This epistle is addressed to whom? (3 John 1:1)

2) What does the apostle John pray for on behalf of Gaius? (3 John 1:2)

3) John received his greatest joy from what? (3 John 1:4)

4) John praised Gaius for what? (3 John 1:5-7)

5) What benefit do we obtain by supporting those who serve the Lord? (3 John 1:8)

6) Diotrephes was guilty of what three (3) things? (3 John 1:9-10)

7) What admonishment does John give to Gaius? Who does he (John) praise? (3 John 1:11-12)

Our studies of The Epistles of John have now drawn to a close. It has been my joy and pleasure to have you walk alongside of me through this journey. I pray that you will continue to read your Bible as consistently as you can, and may you grow ever stronger in faith and love, in Jesus name!

Remember to, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."   -1 Corinthians 16:13

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18; Philippians 1:6; Matthew 5:6; Colossians 1:10; Philippians 4:13

 

Prayer: "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."  - 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Joyfully in Christ,

Bridget

Lisa Bevere - Reasons Why You Don’t Know Who You Are | Part 2 of 6

In this second of a six-part series, Christian speaker and author Lisa Bevere continues her study based on her book "Adamant: Finding Truth in a Universe of Opinions."

Our identities are often formed through experiences that lied to us and left us with pain. But God is adamantly intimate, able to heal our pain, separate darkness from light, and awaken our true self. 

© Lisa Bevere

When we allow God into the intimate places of our hearts, it sets us free from the lies and false labels we’ve lived under so we can know and experience the truth He speaks over us!

Enjoy!

~Eve