Video Lesson: Listening to God Instead of Identity Groups - Beth Moore

What should you do when you feel the Holy Spirit’s nudging to step away from your entanglement with a certain group of people or organization?

Our culture is so full of identity groups: Whether faith-based, political, school, hobby, career…the list goes on. But sometimes we can get too entangled in these groups and passions, and we cease listening to God.

©Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Beth Moore teaches on stepping back when you feel the prompting of the Spirit so you can hear His voice, which is the most important of all.

Enjoy!

~Eve

Lean Into Scripture | Let Us Pray | Part 1

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer” - Psalm 17:6

One of the basic fundamentals of Christian faith is prayer, yet many find it confusing to understand. Some of this unsureness about prayer and praying may be attributed to a number of different reasons.

Common contributors to prayer doubt can be: an overabundance of written material about the subject, bad habits acquired over the years, media misinformation, and just plain old bad advice. 

Hopefully, I can provide some clarity, assurance, and encouragement to your prayers. That being said, no discussion about prayer can begin without stressing the importance of it in our daily lives. 

Think of it as a direct link to God, and vice versa. Through prayer we can: communicate with Him, praise Him, and strengthen our relationship with him. We are never alone with God. Day or night, He is always there. (Matthew 28:20)

However, I need to explain some things that prayer is not. It definitely is not: negotiating or haggling with God; asking for something in a forceful manner; using God only when needing something; or as a means of "posing" before others. (Matthew 6:7)

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. God isn't a genie in a bottle to be used at our whim, nor is he a powerless God that can be manipulated through prayer. Sadly, this is exactly the view that too many have of God and prayer. (James 4:3)

The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once quoted, "Although prayer is native to man, there is the danger that he will misuse it. Although it is a natural outpouring of his spirit, there is the danger that he will use it in an unnatural way."

What then..? Is there a magic formula to prayer? Is there some secret to prayer? We sometimes have a tendency to make things far more complex and complicated than they need to be. 

When we resume this discussion next time, we'll pick-up what we started here, and also examine some other aspects of prayer that, God willing, will broaden, enlighten, and strengthen your daily prayer life.

Scripture: Psalm 69:30; Psalm 150:6; James 5:13; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 5:13

Prayer: "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”  - Isaiah 12:2

In His glorious name, 

Sophie

Weekend Message: Visibility Zero | Billy Graham Classic Sermon (1988)

 Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

As always, it's my 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.

In over 55 years of ministry, Billy Graham preached the Gospel message to more than 215 million people in over 185 countries around the world.  - Source: The Billy Graham Library

Here, we proudly present a teaching by Dr. Graham in 1988 while visiting Ontario, Canada. Rev. Graham uses Mark 10:46-52 (Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus) as the starting point of his message.

© Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

 

Wind down from a busy week; sit back, and give yourself a spiritual boost with Billy Graham! There's no better time than the present to watch this classic video segment from one of the most respected preachers of the 20th century. 

Have a blessed weekend!

~Eve

The True Light of the World

"The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."  - Plato

The Bible is very clear that Jesus Christ is the the light of life, and the one and only great, true light, (Matthew 4:12-16; John 1:9, 4; Isaiah 9:1-5 ). The apostle John recounted that John the Baptist himself was only a witness, while Jesus was the true light (John 1:6-9).

What is the true light? When we think of light, we might think of things such as: warmth, comfort, clarity, and being unafraid. After all, who among us doesn't feel more secure walking around in the light than in darkness?

Furthermore, there are certain things that are critical to our existence. Including light, we require air to breathe, food to eat, and water to drink, among others. However, of all these, one is most important to life itself.

The essential resource of which I am referring to is Jesus Christ. He is the true light and the spiritual air that we breathe. As without the light from the sun there would be no life here on earth. Without His light, we are spiritually dead (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Jesus Christ "is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being." From him bursts forth several things, including: the light, truth, and enlightenment of God into the hearts of all of us. Jesus even proclaimed this of himself in John 8:12 and John 9:5.

By declaring that Jesus Christ is the true light, the apostle John was also undeniably proclaiming that Jesus Christ was the utmost, incomparable, true revelation of God to all men. 

Thus, here was irrefutable evidence that the Word of God became human. And that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, sent here to to penetrate the darkness. By way of his ministry, message, and life, Jesus spread the light and being of God to everyone he met. (1 John 1:5; Psalm 27:1).

Scripture: Psalm 18:28; Isaiah 60:1; John 12:36; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Prayer: Dear Lord, the unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Amen.  - Psalm 119:130-132

With you in Jesus Christ,

Kacey