Weekend Message: Natalie Grant: Renew Your Mind & Believe What God Says About You | FULL EPISODE | Better Together TV

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.

This weekend, we have another full episode of Better Together for you!. We've all experienced negativity and self-doubt, both in and out of our relationships. Watch as Natalie Grant discusses why you need to be affirmed by the truth of God's love with the other members of the group. 

© Better Together on TBN

Find a comfortable place, and join the conversation as Laurie Crouch, Joyce Meyer, Nicole C, and Alex Seeley join Natalie Grant to discuss the power you have over your thoughts, and why Christ instructs you to take them captive. 

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

The Crushing Weight of Sin

"For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me."  - Psalm 38:4 (ESV)

The highly influential 19th century preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once quoted: "If there be a man before me who says that the wrath of God is too heavy a punishment for his little sin, I ask him, if the sin be little, why does he not give it up?"

The "weight of sin" affects all of humanity, no one is immune. We know that sin can be any action, thought, or belief that fails to satisfy God's holiness and commands. It can separate us from God and cause eternal death.

A true believer cannot commit sin without experiencing an awareness of their sin and God's rectification or remedy of it. Thus, the overwhelming feeling of low-worth and remorse that accompanies sinning (Psalm 38:18).

This "burden of sin" is demonstrated very clearly in the Old Testament by way of the Law and sacrificial system provided to Israel. It was mandatory that the Israelites offer sacrifices to make amends for their sins. 

This represented the significant price of sin and the call for purification (Leviticus 5:17). The verse given here emphasizes the certainty of sin and the obligation of facing its repercussions.

Moving over to the New Testament, we are enlightened about the weight of sin through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He came to provide freedom from the burden of sin, thereby, satisfying the Law and opening the door to appeasing God (Matthew 11:28-30).

Biblically speaking, the burden of sin is regarded as an an overarching infirmity, common to all men. Each of us carries the load of his/her own sin, however, the whole world together partakes in the original sin passed down from Adam (Romans 5:12).

The crushing weight of sin, therefore, demands a powerful countermeasure to do away with it. This calls for divine intervention (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation from our transgressions is an undeserved, unmerited gift from Jesus Christ, received only by faith in him.

We are called to recognize the serious burden of our sin, repent of it, and embrace the forgiveness that gracefully furnishes hope and comfort from sin's crippling load; apportioned to us through Christ (John 1:9). Hence, inspiring a life of devotion and obedience to God.

Scripture: Psalm 51:5; John 8:34; Romans 3:23; Galatians 5:19-21; James 1:15

Prayer: "Holy Father, send your Holy Spirit so that I may be strengthened against the temptations of the enemy, and enable me to resist sin, in Your Name I pray. Amen."

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Whistle-Stop Scripture Study: 3 John (Conclusion)

"God hath but three things dear unto Him in this world, His saints, His worship, and His truth; and it is hard to say which of these is dearest to Him."  - Thomas Goodwin  (1600 -1680)

Welcome to the final study of The Epistles of John. We will now examine the third and last chapter or The Third Epistle of John (3 John). This particular book has the distinction of being the second-shortest book in the Bible!

Third John is a brief letter (only one chapter) from John to Gaius, a fellow believer. The main theme here is "truth." The believer, Gaius, is commended for his dedication to Christian service. In the meanwhile, John chastises Diotrephes, a member of the church who is causing problems therein.

After declaring the good reputation of someone named Demetrius, John ends his letter with high hopes of seeing Gaius in person. This impending meeting may be the reason for the shortness of this letter. 

During your reading, you may want to ask yourself, "What was the early church like?" There is considerable information about its early leaders (think: the apostles Paul and Peter), but not alot about the typical Christian (e.g., their religiousness, problems in the church, etc.)

The intent of John's letter is directed toward the three men who were mentioned earlier: Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius. The purpose being:

• To confirm that Gaius was correct in supporting those teachers who came his way, encouraging him to continue this hospitality - 3 John 5-8
• To convey his criticism of Diotrephes for rejecting John and others whom he should have received - 3 John 9-10
• To encourage Gaius to emulate what is good, praising Demetrius' good example - 3 John 11-12

As usual, let's briefly revisit the questions given at the end of 2 John. The answers provided are not meant to be regarded as exact, nor as the final word. They have been provided as a comparison and self-evaluation tool only!

Compare your answers below*:

Reading Questions:

1. What are the main points of 2 John? 

• Greetings. 
• Walking in truth and love.
• Beware of deceivers and false teachers.
• Farewell

2. What four phrases related to truth does John use in his greeting? 

• Love in truth, know the truth, truth which lives in us, in truth and love

3. What caused John to rejoice? What did he ask? 

• The children of the "lady" were walking in the truth.
• That they love one another.

4. How is love defined by John? 

•  We are to walk according to His commandments.

5. Who does John describe as "a deceiver and an antichrist?" 

• Those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. 

6. Why did John advise we self-examine ourselves? 

• That we do not lose what we have worked for, but that we may be fully rewarded.

7. What happens if one sins and does not keep to the doctrine of Christ? 

• They do not have God.

8. What phrase challenges the Oneness doctrine of the Godhead?

• "...both the Father and the Son"

9. How should you respond to someone who does not follow the teaching of Christ? 

• Do not take them into your house or welcome them.

(Erratum: question # 8; corrections have been completed in 2 John)

*see verses for the questions in the previous lesson.

Here is a short synopsis of 3 John to help you with your reading and study:

John greets Gaius, praying for his prosperity and health, rejoicing to hear that he is walking in truth (vv. 1-4). John approves his hospitality toward brethren and strangers, especially those serving the Lord (vv. 5-8). John rebukes the actions of Diotrephes (vv. 9-10), praises the testimony of Demetrius (vv. 11-12), and finishes with a hope to see Gaius soon (vv. 13-14).

Objectives of this lesson: 

After completing this lesson (including reading the selection), you should be familiar with:

• The joy of seeing one's converts growing in Christ
• The importance of hospitality in the spread of the gospel
• The contrast between spirituality and carnality among Christians

Before beginning our study, let us pray: "Dear Lord, send the grace of your Holy Spirit to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study. Amen."

The questions provided below are to help you get the most out of the chapter study. The numbers enclosed in parentheses are the verse numbers relating to that particular question. 

I encourage you to read the chapter thoroughly as many times as needed. Afterward, take your time answering the questions, making sure you understand each one before moving on. 

Reading Questions:

1. What are the main points of this chapter?

2. To whom is this epistle addressed to? - (v. 1)

3. What does John pray for on Gaius' behalf? - (v. 2)

4. What provided John his greatest joy? - (v. 4)

5. What does John praise Gaius for?- (vv. 5-7)

6. How do we profit by supporting those who serve the Lord? - (v. 8)

7. What was Diotrephes guilty of? - (vv. 9-10)

8. What encouragement does John give to Gaius? Who does he praise? - (vv. 11-12)

This now concludes our study of 1, 2 and 3 John. These studies were intentionally created to be concise in order to accommodate most busy daily schedules. Even so, they contain enough content to promote actual learning.

I invite you to join me again for another future study. Until then, I hope this "whistle-stop" for Scripture study will become an established point of departure as you set out on your journey with Jesus Christ!

Thank you so much for joining me, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Scripture: Job 34:12; Psalm 15:1-2; Proverbs 12:17; John 8:46; Ephesians 4:21

 

Prayer: "All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant." Amen.  - Psalm 25:10

May God richly bless you always,

Leia

Walking By Faith | We Only Have Access to What God Chooses to Reveal

"Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.."  - Psalm 115:3

As you read the Bible, you might notice some words that keep appearing when the subject of God is mentioned, such as: Infinite, Immutable, Self-Sufficient, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent, for example. 

These identifiers or adjectives describe "attributes of God." An attribute of God is a belief or idea that is factual about him; distinguishing and setting God apart from all else. These characteristics or qualities reveal who God is.

For you and I, as finite beings, to fully understand God is inconceivable. Graciously, God reveals himself by various means. In this way, what he makes known about Himself both, in his Word and creation, we slowly begin to accept and embrace.

Briefly, His attributes can be separated into two classifications. These are: incommunicable attributes, or traits that God doesn’t “disclose” to others; and communicable attributes or traits that God “shares” with us.

To help make this a little easier to understand, listed below are a few instances of both. God's incommunicable attributes can include his:

• Eternal nature (he is infinite, but we are finite)
• Unchangeableness (he never changes, but we do)
• Omnipresence (God is everywhere at once, but we can only be in one place at a time)

Some of God’s communicable attributes may include his:

• Love (God is love, and we’re capable of love)
• Knowledge (God has knowledge, and we can have it, too)
• Mercy (God is merciful, and we’re also capable of mercy)
• Justice (God is just, and we’re capable of justice)

-from Systematic Theology, by Wayne A. Grudem

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive examination of the attributes of God by any means. Even so, I might add that God's attributes do not follow an exact pattern. Neither attribute mentioned above is completely one or the other.

As an illustration, no matter how much wisdom we acquire, we can never surpass God's wisdom. Another is that regardless of much we might experience and express love, we could never surpass God's infinite love.

In this sense, perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that God's communicable attributes are "shared to a degree" with us.  My intent here in this message is to propose that an in-depth study of this topic is worth your time.

We've only examined a smidgen of this topic with so much more left to discover and/or understand. There is no higher calling, greater importance, and practical value to the Christian than the study of God's nature and calling; namely, his attributes.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:2; Malachi 3:6; Ephesians 4:7; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17 

Prayer: "There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."  - 1 Samuel 2:2

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane

Weekend Message: Joyce Meyer, Lisa Harper: How To Overcome Hardship with God | FULL EPISODE | Better Together on TBN

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.

This weekend, we have a full episode of Better Together for you!. Watch as Lisa Harper and Joyce Meyer share how God will strengthen our faith as we walk through challenges. No doubt, we can certainly use all the advice we can get for living in these troublesome times!

© Better Together on TBN

Join the conversation as Laurie Crouch, Chrystal Evans Hurst, and Holly Wagner join Lisa Harper and Joyce Meyer for a conversation about God's faithfulness, overcoming challenges and growing in our faith journey

So, go ahead, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy hearing what these wonderful ladies have to share. I guarantee that you will not walk away empty-handed from this engaging presentation!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Find Calm Amidst The Chaos

"Whatever [the] fears, encourage [yourself] to face them—and then turn them over to God. God loves [you], and when we know Christ and have put our faith and trust in Him, we know He’ll never abandon us."  - Billy Graham (1918-2018)

It's no secret that we are currently experiencing some unnerving and perplexing times. What was once considered nearly certain has been upended. An "all bets are off" attitude has now permeated the thoughts and minds of many.

A pervasive anxiety or worry about what the future holds hangs heavy over the heads of people the world over. The search for comfort and reassurance is clearly more evident than it has been in the recent past. 

We scan the horizon for something, anything by which we can find help, support, assistance, even encouragement for each day. Truth be told, the answer is directly in front of our eyes; but only if we choose to see it.

For Christians, seeking God in moments of anxiety and worry has always been a trustworthy and reliable resource. And while this isn't anything new or trendy, it still resonates today as much as it always has. 

This subject draws attention to the believer's faith in divine strength and direction. And what better place to see where others found comfort by seeking God, than turning to the Bible. The illustrations provided there are invaluable.

As an example, King Jehoshaphat was confronted by an impressive union of enemies in 2 Chronicles 20. Being in a dreadful situation, he sought the Lord through fasting and prayer (2 Chronicles 20:3-4, 27). By actively seeking God he triumphed through divine intervention.

Turning to the New Testament, Jesus himself provides solace to His disciples, by inspiring them to seek God and not to be troubled or afraid of anything (John 14:27). This promise emphasizes the peace one can receive by trusting in God.

Neither must we forget the power of prayer. Prayer is essential for seeking God and finding tranquility. Philippians 4:6-7 teaches the believer how to manage his or her anxiety and fear.

Scripture also informs us that, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). We see this description used frequently, as it stresses the image of God as a mighty fortress of comfort and protection when anxious and worried.

There are a some things "we" can incorporate into our lives to help cope with fear, uncertainty and danger, which you may find helpful. These include:

• Devote oneself to regular prayer and meditation. God's Word can strengthen believers against fear. Internalizing Scripture helps the Christian remember God's promises and find comfort therein.
• Involving the support of the community. When seeking God in times of fear, having fellow believers to offer prayer, encouragement, wisdom, and to aid in sharing the load is directly instructed in Galatians 6:2.
• Recognizing God's Sovereignty. There's nothing like trusting God's sovereignty and control over every circumstance to help ease our fear (Psalm 3:5-6).

In closing, it's no secret that there is lots to be frightened and uncertain about. But we don't have to let it rule our lives. Scripture gives us a diverse mix of doctrine and examples to encourage the believer in fearful times, such as these. May God always be with you!

Scripture: Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 56:3; Matthew 6:34; 1 Peter 5:7

Prayer: "Dear God, in these fearful and uncertain times, I turn to you for comfort and strength. May You fill my heart with your peace and remind me that you are always there. Help me to trust what I cannot see; knowing that You will guide me safely through any situation. In Your Name, Amen"

In grace and peace always, 

Kenzie

The Unmoved, Ineffective Prayer

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  - Hebrews 11:6

Weak and/or unengaged prayers give the idea that we are apathetic and indifferent toward it. An ineffective or useless prayer, for example, might be precipitated by a lack of passion or inspiration; making us powerless to present ourselves before God. 

Other reasons leading to emotionless prayer could be: uncertainty, disbelief, wrong reasons or motives, unacknowledged sin, insincerity, or demanding things that go against God’s will. They are not fully engaged or aligned with the spiritual practice of prayer.

Consequently, what does potent and productive prayer look like? It would be advantageous to see proper prayer in action. The Bible blessedly furnishes multiple examples and teachings on prayer, highlighting its importance in the believer's life. 

Early in the Scriptures, prayer is introduced by individuals such as Abraham, Moses, and David who personified a life of prayer (Genesis 4:26). Thus signals the start of a design for entreating God through prayer.

The Psalms are brimming over with various kinds of prayers, demonstrating the full spectrum of human emotions and experiences. A case in point here is David, a devoted follower of God, who time and again turned to prayer (Psalm 5:3).

The perfect model for prayer was Jesus Christ. He would often depart to secluded or isolated places and pray (Luke 5:16). He also instructed the disciples on how to pray, supplying the Lord's Prayer as a pattern to be used (Matthew 6:9-13).

This timeless prayer illustrates what effective and sincere prayer should look like (Matthew 6:5-6). It underscores the holiness of God, the establishment of His reign, His provision, forgiveness, and redemption.

The Holy Spirit also plays an important role in prayer by connecting the believer with Christ, symbolically joining him in the body of Christ, the church. He merges the believer and Christ together in His death, allowing him to live triumphantly over sin, guiding the believer, and submitting them to God's plan and authority (John 14:15-17).

What conditions are beneficial for effective prayer? I have listed some below:

• Faith is essential, as written in James 1:6-7. 
• Righteousness is also important, as shown in James 5:16. 
• Furthermore, prayers should conform to God's plan, as seen in1 John 5:14-15.

Prayer is an essential aspect of the Christian faith, and a vital practice for believers facilitating a path of communication between believers and God. Always remember that prayer is a sacred trust; cultivating a closer connection with God, and conforming to His desires.

Through prayer, Christians find fortitude, direction, and peace, express reverence, admit sin, give thanks, and submit our requests; thereby relying on God's unchanging nature to listen and respond according to His perfect will. 

Scripture: Psalm 145:18; Proverbs 15:29; Mark 11:25; John 9:31; Acts 4:31

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

Blessings always,

Breanna

Walking In Faith | But Am I Worthy, God?

"Have you thought about His (God) handling of the gospel? God needs to get a message out to the human race, without which they will perish...forever. What's the plan? First, He starts with the most unlikely group ever: a couple of prostitutes, a few fishermen with no better than a second-grade education, a tax collector. Then, he passes the ball to us. Unbelievable."  - John Eldredge (1960 - Present)

Have you ever thought about doing more in your journey of faith, but felt too small or insignificant to even consider pursuing that notion? If you have, not to worry. You are definitely not alone!

Fortunately, as you read through the Bible, you will find that God used a lot of unlikely people to illustrate His sovereignty and wisdom. Most of these folks had no special or outstanding qualities about them.

Yet somehow, God chose to use them for his divine plans. Thus, this serves to substantiate the fundamental belief that His purposes are beyond anything we could ever know or understand.

As we will see, God consistently used unlikely or improbable individuals (e.g., the weak and lowly) to achieve His will, thereby increasing His own love, glory and power. Let's have a look at some of these men and women:

• Moses is a classic example of the unlikely person selected by God. He began life as a Hebrew slave, raised in Pharaoh's palace, became a fugitive of the law, was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt; but not without some reluctance (Exodus 4:10). After obtaining God's assurance of help (Exodus 4:12), Moses went on to become one of Israel's greatest leaders. 
• Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, is another unlikely, yet memorable example. Even with her past, she respected the power of the God of Israel (Joshua 2:11), and concealed the Israelite spies. By her faith and actions, she saved her family and acquired a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).
• David, a lowly shepherd boy, was anointed King over Israel by Samuel. This, even as his own father never considered him over his older brothers (1 Samuel 16:11). Yet despite of his humble start, David matured into a man after God's own heart, and Israel's greatest king. His story demonstrates how God examines the heart over what is seen on the outside. (1 Samuel 16:7).
• Finally, we must look at Mary, the Mother of Jesus. As a young virgin from Nazareth, she was called to be the birth-mother of the Son of God. Her respectful and gentle response to the angel Gabriel displayed her faith and submission (Luke 1:38). In spite of her low-ranking, Mary was privileged to be the mother of the Savior; bringing the prophecy of the virgin birth to fruition (Isaiah 7:14).

As shown, God can and does use unlikely people to carry out his objectives. In this way, He deservedly gets all the glory because no one can brag or boast about their own abilities or qualities for being chosen. 

In this way, it shows how God can use his power through anyone irregardless of what their social status might be, or natural talents they may have. It brings attention to His grace and exemplifies His strength being made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When it comes to being chosen for a purpose by God, he doesn't check your educational background, or review your job history. If God has a specific job in mind for you, He will supply all that you need to persevere.

Scripture: Psalm 73:26; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:13; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7

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. Amen"  - Psalm 28:7

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane

Weekend Message: What's Holding You Back? | Life Unhindered - Part 3 of 3 | Beth Moore (Conclusion)

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.

This weekend, we present the third and final installment of this series featuring Bible teacher and author, Beth Moore. 

Jesus does not promise that life will always be fun, but he does promise that it can always be fruitful. Unhindered life full, infused, and fruitful forever; those are promised to you. 

As she concludes her teaching, Beth helps us identify different hindrances we can experience; specifically, by helping to identify roadblocks that could help us move freely into a life unhindered. 

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Key Verses: Isaiah 54, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; Acts 16:6-10, Acts 28:30-31

I hope that these video lessons have been both, an inspiration, and an intellectually-stimulating learning experience for you, and am looking forward to our next opportunity together. 

Thank you for joining me and always remember, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." - Matthew 4:4

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Let Me Walk with Thee

"If I walk with the world, I can't walk with God."  - Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899)

Like many, I enjoy going for a walk, at the end of a long and busy day. It helps me decompress and unwind. And while I sometimes bike and run; I find that by taking a peaceful walk I can easily commune with God.

The concept of “walking with God” is not a new one. Scripture provides many different examples of individuals who also walked with God, albeit, not exactly as I described above. Nevertheless, the implication is there.

As an added bonus, walking with God can be utilized in different ways. It can be a talk-therapeutic session or an introspective self-examination. I briefly described how I apply the former, now we’ll check out the latter.

Without question, as believers in Jesus Christ we should aspire to live in a manner that is pleasing to God. This includes bringing our actions, thoughts, and intentions into line with Scriptural precepts.

Thus, “walking with God” implies a continuous process of introspection, contriteness (repentance), and maturation in holiness. As alluded to, the idea of self-evaluating is firmly rooted in Scripture (2 Corinthians 13:5). 

This verse emphasizes why self-examination is necessary if we are to verify the authenticity and vitality of our faith. We may even find, thanks to some introspection, that a little re-direction, or realigning of our faith is needed (Lamentations 3:40).

How can we apply this self-evaluating walk with God? Surprisingly, you may already be using some of these practical actions in your life!

• The use of regular prayer cannot be stressed enough as a method of seeking God's will (Psalm 139:23-24).
• Soak up as much of the Word of God as you can through Bible study and/or reading (Hebrews 4:12).
• Seek the guidance and help of other believers; as they can be an excellent source of encouragement and harmonizing your priorities (Proverbs 27:17).
• Own up to and confess your sins; and ask God for forgiveness and the resolve to change (1 John 1:9)

A self-evaluating walk with God can be demanding because we naturally lean toward pride and false-belief (Jeremiah 17:9). But we can be heartened by the promise of His grace and the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 1:6).

Only be reassessing and correcting ourselves with biblical truths can we increase in faith, sanctity, and love; thereby exhibiting the characteristics of God in our daily lives and toward others (Ephesians 5:2).

One final thought, though no one ever said this was going to be easy, self-checking, or evaluating our walk with God is vital if we're to grow spiritually and form an intimate relationship with Him. 

"I am weak but Thou art strong;

Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee."  -  from "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," traditional gospel song 

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:6; Micah 6:8; Galatians 5:16; Colossians 1:10; 1 John 2:6

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, Amen"  - Proverbs 3:5-6

May God be with you,

Sophie

Whistle-Stop Scripture Study: 2 John

"It is the nature of all hypocrites and false prophets to create a conscience where there is none, and to cause conscience to disappear where it does exist."   - Martin Luther (1483-1546)

I'm so happy to have you join me for a new study! Having finished our study of The First Epistle of John, we now move on to The Second Epistle, or letter, of John. This book has the distinction of being the shortest book in the Bible; just one chapter.

Although it is compact in size, we should not be fooled by its brevity. Thinking back to 1 John, the main focus there was on our fellowship with God. Here in this letter, 2 John, the focus is on two main topics. They are:

• to encourage brotherly love, and committing to the commandments of God.
• to caution against supporting and/or promoting false teachers.

Traditionally, the author of this book is thought to be the apostle John. The audience of 2 John is presumed to be one or more churches in Asia Minor, or what is modern-day Turkey. 

John's name is not specifically mentioned, but rather the moniker "the elder" is used in reference to him instead (2 John 1:1); "elder" being a New Testament word for a pastoral role. 

Allow me to bring us up to speed as to the reason for this letter. It appears that John is delighted that some of the believers are not deviating from the truth, but the implication here is that not everyone is on board with this.

He worries about the strong influence that is arising from false teachers, and lets them (the believers) know in no uncertain terms how he feels about this. You'll also notice the mention of "the elect lady and her children" or "the lady chosen by God" in 2 John1:1.

Most likely, this letter may have been intended for either a particular woman in the church, or a local church and its members who were welcoming false teachers there. Thus, the apostle felt an urgency to share his displeasure with this action (2 John 1:10).

It will become apparent to all why John wrote this personal letter. He was motivated to stress the significance of walking in love and truth, while at the same time, being ever watchful of hypocrites and imposters.

As we usually do, let's briefly revisit the questions given at the end of 1 John 5. The answers provided are not meant to be regarded as exact, nor as the final word. They have been provided as a comparison and self-evaluation tool only!

Compare your answers below*:

Reading Questions:

1. What are the main points of 1 John 5?

• Our faith, love and obedience as the children of God. 
• The assurance of God's testimony.
• Confidence and kindness in prayer.
• Concluding remarks.

2. To be born of God, what are we to do? 

• We must believe that Jesus is the Christ

3. How can we know that we the love the children of God? 

• When we love God and keep His commandments. 

4. How can someone defeat (overcome) the world? 

• By being born of God and believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

5. What three things gave evidence toward Jesus Christ?  

• Water (as in Jesus' baptism?), blood (as in Jesus' death?), and the Holy Spirit.

6. What does one receive in return for their belief in the Son of God? 

• The testimony in himself.

7. What has God given us? Who has this? 

• He has given us eternal life; whoever has the Son

8. Why did John mention these things in his epistle? 

• So that we might know that we have eternal life, and continue to believe

9. What confidence do we have in prayer? 

• That if we ask anything according to His will, He will hear us.

10. What is described as the true God and eternal life? 

• That we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.

*see verses for the questions in the previous lesson.

In 2 John, "The Elder" welcomes the "elect lady and her children" (vv. 1-3), being elated upon hearing her children were walking in truth, with a request to love one another (vv. 4-6).  He then forewarns of deceivers (antichrists) who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, telling her not to welcome those who do not share the doctrine of Christ into her home (vv. 7-11). With the hope of seeing her soon, he closes with greetings from the children of her elect sister (vv. 12-13). 

Objectives of this lesson: 

After completing this lesson (including reading the selection), you should be familiar with:

• the importance of walking in truth and love, and abiding in the doctrine of Christ. 
• how to identify deceivers or antichrists; thus refusing to support any false teachers.

Before we start, let us pray: "Dear Lord, send the grace of your Holy Spirit to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study. Amen."

The questions provided below are to help you get the most out of the chapter study. The numbers enclosed in parentheses are the verse numbers relating to that particular question. 

I encourage you to first read the chapter thoroughly as many times as needed. Then take your time answering the questions, making sure you understand each one before moving on. 

Reading Questions:

1. What are the main points of 2 John? - (vv. 1-3, 4-6, 7-11, 12-13 )
2. What four phrases related to truth does John use in his greeting? - (vv. 1-3) 
3. What caused John to rejoice? What did he ask? - (v. 4) 
4. How is love defined by John? - (v. 6) 
5. Who does John describe as "a deceiver and an antichrist?" - (v. 7) 
6. Why did John advise we self-examine ourselves? - (v. 8) 
7. What happens if one sins and does not keep to the doctrine of Christ? - (v. 9) 
8. What phrase challenges the Oneness doctrine of the Godhead? - (v. 9) 
9. How should you respond to someone who does not follow the teaching of Christ? - (v.10)

This now concludes our study of 2 John. I've purposely created these studies to be concise in order to accommodate most busy daily schedules. Even so, they contain enough content to promote actual learning.

I invite you to join me for our next study of 3 John. Until then, I hope this "whistle-stop" for Scripture study will become an established point of departure as you set out on your journey with Jesus Christ!

Thank you again for joining me, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:20; Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:3; Revelation 19:20

 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that You provide me with the wisdom to recognize false teachers and their teachings, and that they repent and come to saving faith in You. Amen

May God richly bless you always,

Leia

God Will Faithfully Provide!

“God’s heart, not mine, is the measure of His giving; not my capacity to receive, but His capacity to give.”  - Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)

A key subject constantly extending throughout the Bible is the distinct impression of God’s faithfulness and provision; thus demonstrating God’s unshakable commitment to attend to both His creation and people.

What this means for us as God’s children is that He reliably (faithfully) provides everything we need, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This idea of provision is grounded in the principle of God as Jehovah Jireh in the Old Testament (Genesis 22:14).

Considering the tumultuous times we live in today, the thought of God’s faithful provision can provide reassurance and encouragement for the fretful. In light of this, it might be beneficial to present some examples of His trustworthiness and dependability.

Beginning with the Old Testament, God’s provision is evident from the outset as seen in Genesis 1:29. This verse from the creation story emphasizes His sustainment of life for mankind and all living organisms of the earth 

One of the best known examples comes from the following book, Exodus. Here is given the account of the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. Notwithstanding their rebelliousness and skepticism, God miraculously provides food (manna) and water for forty years (Exodus 16:4).

Jesus provides teachings that stress God's faithfulness in provision in the New Testament. Matthew 6:25-26 should hearten all believers of His provision and care in addressing their needs. Thus, verifying God truly is Our Father in Heaven.

Jesus' miraculous and monumental feeding of the five thousand is so important that it is mentioned in all four Gospels! His divine power is on full display demonstrating his kindness and compassion for the physical necessities of the gathering (John 6:11).

As observed, God's faithfulness in provision is more than simply satisfying our physical needs. It also involves spiritual maintenance and advancement. When it comes to the ultimate example of God's faithfulness, we need look no further than Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

His offer of eternal life and acceptance by God necessitates that we, as believers, place our trust in God's divine timing and plan; this, even if the situation appears despairing. Let us all respond to His faithfulness in provision with thankfulness, conviction, and respect!

Scripture: Psalm 22:26; Psalm 81:10; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Titus 3:14

Prayer: Dear Lord, by Your riches in glory You provide all my needs. I praise you for the blessings I have received and commit to taking care of all that You have entrusted to me, Amen.  

Have a blessed day!

Colleen

Weekend Message: What's Promised to You | Life Unhindered - Part 2 of 3 | Beth Moore

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 this second of three video presentations of this series by Bible teacher and author, Beth Moore, she explains what happens when we let go of hindrance and pursue Christ wholeheartedly.

As food for thought Beth asks the following questions, "What can we expect life to look like as a Jesus follower?" and "What are we actually promised according to the Scriptures?"

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Key Verses: Acts 28:17-20, 21, 22-24, 25-28, 30-31

We learn here in this lesson that the apostle Paul has already gotten to live by his unhindering. So the question remains for us, "What does Scripture have to say about an unhindered life for us? What does that even look like?"

Get comfortable, and spend a few minutes being enlightened by her inspirational message. Beth Moore always provides us with a good Word!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

God Hates Injustice!

"Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail." - Proverbs 22:8 (ESV)

Whenever the subject of injustice is brought up, it is sure to cause anger and aggravation among some because of it's divisive and contentious nature. Even so, it is something that can't be ignored because it so conspicuous. 

Unfortunately, due to that fact that it presents itself in such a multitude of ways there is no single solution to injustice. The Christian, being a recipient of injustices throughout history, can always refer to the Bible for encouragement.

The Bible distinguishes injustice as the act of treating others unfairly or without equity, and involves the denial of God's moral law and character. Condemned in Scripture, injustice is contrary to His character and divine order.

Injustice is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments. Let's briefly examine a few helpful examples. The O.T. often calls our attention to God's concern for justice and His objection to injustice. 

In Israel's Law, God directs His people to act justly and tend to the defenseless (Leviticus 19:15). This edict emphasizes the importance of being impartial and fair in legal matters. 

Isaiah 1:17 demonstrates how the prophets often opposed the injustices in their day. This call to action clarifies how God's people are to diligently labor for justice, and defend those most vulnerable to ill-treatment and the forsaken.

Jesus Christ manifests and teaches fairness and equity in the N.T. Often times, His ministry challenges the social and religious unfairness and bias, as in Matthew 23:23. This verse illustrates that obedience to God's law involves dedication to justice and mercy.

Scripture also depicts God as the ultimate judge who will make right all problems (Psalms 9:7-8). This promise of divine justice gives hope to those suffering under human injustices. Additionally, we as believers are urged to demonstrate justice in our own lives (Micah 6:8).

In closing, the Bible reveals injustice as a heinous misconduct that goes against God's nature and His plans for all of us. Scripture demands that believers pursue justice, stand up for the oppressed, and live in such a way as to show God's mercy and righteousness to the world.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 27:19; Psalm 82:2; Proverbs 17:15; Proverbs 31:8-9; Lamentations 3:34-36 

Prayer: Dear Lord, may You help me to right wrongs and vindicate those who are treated unjustly in the world. Amen

In grace and peace always, 

Kenzie

Who's In Charge Here? - God's Sovereignty

"Most Christians salute the sovereignty of God but believe in the sovereignty of man."  - R. C. Sproul (1939-2017)

When I was child, I can recall one of my favorite go-to retorts toward someone who I thought was being abrasively bossy was, "You can't tell me what to do. You're not the boss of me!" As an 8-year old, this was my way of refusing to be bullied.

My childhood aside, throughout the history of mankind we've had problems related to authority. This doesn't mean that "authority" is a bad thing. It's just that there are some who are better at wielding it than others.

And there lies the problem. You never know what you're going to get with someone who is in a position of authority. We've all had positive and negative experiences in our work and personal lives that we can identify with.

There is One, however, whose authority and supreme power over ALL creation is beyond our comprehension. In fact, it is one of the central themes in Christian theology; better known as: the Sovereignty of God.

According to this doctrine, or teaching, God is the universal Creator and Sustainer Who generously employs his boundless will as He sees fit. The idea of divine sovereignty is embedded in Scripture, attesting to God's supreme authority over everything.

This is disclosed in Genesis 1:1. You'll find the same point impressed upon us in Psalm:115:3. The prophet Isaiah was also well aware of the Sovereignty of God, as he proclaims in Isaiah 46:9-10. 

Isaiah's passage draws attention to God's extraordinary ability to proclaim and carry out His purposes, establishing His control over world events and human progress. Let’s now examine God’s sovereignty as illustrated in the New Testament, as well.

Needless to say, the doctrine of God's sovereignty is notably evident in its connection to salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5). This verse underscores God's sovereign choice in regards to our salvation, while stressing His free choice and design in the redemptive process.

We see this concept also demonstrated for us in Romans 9:15-16. The apostle Paul calls to our attention that the concept of salvation is, in the end, a product of God's sovereign mercy, and not due to any effort on our part. i

As I mentioned, man has always had a problem with authority; unfortunately this includes our relationship towards God, too. And though this dilemma has been the subject of theological discussion for centuries, there is no viable answer. 

Perhaps the best thing we can do is stop resisting God's authority, and try working with, instead of against Him. The key here is to foster a cooperative relationship with God between our own endeavors and His divine plan.

Scripture: Exodus 18:11; Deuteronomy 4:39; Joshua 2:11; Acts 17:24-26; Romans 4:11

Prayer: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." - Revelation 4:11

Blessings always,

Vaunda

Walking By Faith | Despair: No Pity to Myself

"I shall despair. There is no creature loves me;

And if I die no soul will pity me:

And wherefore should they, since that I myself

Find in myself no pity to myself?"   - William Shakespeare (1564-1616) - from: Richard III - Act 5, scene 3

When you hear the word "despair" what comes to mind? Maybe an utter sense of hopelessness? A feeling that the world is closing in around you? Perhaps a deep feeling of anguish, grief, or even sorrow? (2 Corinthians 4:8)

No matter how you may perceive it, despair is not beneficial to any of us. Vocabulary.com defines "despair" as: the feeling of not having any hope left. I would say that sums it up very nicely. 

One thing I've gathered, from my speaking to various groups and individuals, is that we can be affected by despair for many reasons. These can vary from person to person; their experiences, moral principles, life situations, etc.

Health concerns, broken relationships, work problems, even political upheaval, to name only a few, can give rise to despair. Whom among us wouldn't become discouraged after prolonged struggles with any of these, even to the point of giving up all hope?

Thankfully, the Christian believer can turn to Scripture for guidance in coping with or managing "despair." There, we find it meaningfully considered in personal or group experiences facing desertion, suffering, and yearning for divine intervention.

This tightly knit theme is embedded within the biblical narrative, pointing out the brutally harsh and genuine assertions of suffering humanity, and the search for Divine presence in woeful, unsettling times.

A noteworthy example is presented in the Old Testament Book of Job. There we find righteous, but lamenting Job in the throes of great suffering and loss. We experience his sorrowful cry through Job 3:11.

The Book of Psalms provides a multitude of illustrations concerning cries of despair acting as a testament to the nature of being human, and the quest for blessed peace and comfort (Psalms 22:1).

Now, let’s jump forward to the New Testament; stopping at the Gospels. In Matthew, we discover Jesus crying in despair from the cross (Matthew 27:46). The significance here being His humanly, yet prophecy-fulfilling suffering and despair.

The reality of despair in the life of a Christian was even acknowledged by the apostle Paul in his letters, or epistles. His open frankness about his own encounters with it provide inspiration. They also emphasize the abundance of God’s grace during times of trial (2 Corinthians 1:8).

We’ve seen how biblical “despair” is not just another term for hopelessness. Rather, it is often viewed as a forerunner of divine mediation and revelation. This reminds us of our need for God, and His promise that he indeed listens and responds to our cries for help.

Because we live in a fallen world, despair will always be with us. However, we don’t have to surrender to it. We have an open invitation from God to bring our despair to Him. And we can always trust in the comfort and hope offered by His love and sovereignty to put us right.

Scripture: Joshua 1:9; Psalm 55:22; Romans 15:13; Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 5:7

Prayer: Holy Father, may you open my eyes that I might see the hope to which You have called me. Show me the richness of Your glorious provision, and excellent power for all believers. Amen.

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane

Weekend Message: Life Unhindered - Part 1 of 3 | Beth Moore

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.

This time we present the first of three video presentations of a new series featuring Bible teacher and author, Beth Moore. Here, she introduces this new series by presenting the question, "Are we ready to live our lives unhindered with bold love and faith?" These are days for boldness in the gospel! 

Beth then proceeds to carefully explain this calling on our lives as displayed throughout the Book of Acts. During the course of her teaching, she will show that the call will be upon us, as firm believers, to live an unhindered life with bold love, and faith that proclaims the great gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Scriptural References: Deuteronomy 8:7-10; Acts 21, Acts 23:10-11; Acts 24:27; Acts 9, Acts 28:1-6, 11, 12-13, 15-16, 28, 30-31; Philippians 1:12

In Philippians 1:12, Paul says, "Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel." 

When was the last time you said to the Lord Jesus, "Leverage it all. My successes, my failures, my weaknesses, my strengths, my experience, my education, my lack of education, my skills, my work, my play, my friendships. Everything about me, Lord, leverage it for the gospel. Advance the gospel with it."

Take a little time for yourself, find a comfy place to sit, relax, and tune in to this inspirational, thought-provoking message.

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Whistle-Stop Scripture Study: 1 John 5 (Conclusion)

"God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart."   - Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

We've now reached the final chapter in this study of The First Epistle of John or 1 John. This session finds us examining 1 John 5 in this initial group of letters; most likely sent to believers among the churches in Asia Minor. 

Up to this point, the main focus of these epistles, or letters, has been on love, and heeding the word of God and carrying it out. Without a doubt, these are important in the life of a believer.

But the glue that holds all of this together is faith. And that's where we find ourselves in this lesson, as we turn to explore the significance of believing in the Son. This is shown here in chapter 5, seven out of ten times in all of 1 John! 

For those who do believe in Jesus Christ, they acquire the assurance of eternal life. Thus, some key points must be called to our attention here.

• that true faith is manifested through our love for God, and everyone else.
• it stresses that one who absolutely believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God has been "born of God" or spiritually reborn.
• they (believers in Christ) gain possession of the power to overcome or defeat the world.

There is something else, however, that must be mentioned before moving on. If one chooses to dismiss or renounce this belief, they have effectively forsaken the word of God. Alas, this is a sad but all too common occurrence around the world.

As we usually do, let's briefly revisit the questions given at the end of 1 John 4. The answers provided are not meant to be regarded as exact, nor as the final word. They have been provided as a comparison and self-evaluation tool only!

Compare your answers below*:

#1. What are the main points of 1 John 4?

• Test the spirits to see whether they are from God 
• God is love.

#2. Why shouldn't we believe every spirit? 

• Owing to the fact that there are many false prophets.

#3. How can one recognize the Spirit of God?

• Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.

#4. What did John remark about the coming of  the Antichrist? 

• The spirit of the antichrist, is already in the world. 

#5. What did John write about their ability to overcome?  

• The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

#6.  How can one tell the difference between the spirit of truth and the false? 

• As believers, whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.

#7. Why should we love each other? 

• Because love comes from God and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

#8. How did God show his love for us? 

• By sending His one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

#9. How can we make sure that God will abide or dwell in us? 

• By loving one another.

#10. What do we receive as a result of loving each other as we should? 

• We will have confidence on the day of judgment.

#11. If we say that we love God, but hate our brother or sister, what does that make us? Why? 

• It makes us liars. If we don't love someone whom we've seen, how can we say we love God if we've never seen Him? 

*verses for the questions were provided in the previous lesson.

In 1 John 5, John discusses faith in Jesus Christ, loving God, and surmounting (overcoming) the world (vv. 1-5). Then he comments on God's witness (testimony) that provides assurance regarding eternal life in Jesus Christ (vv. 6-13). He finally concludes with a discourse on prayer (vv. 14-17), and the confidence found in one's knowledge of Him (vv. 18-21).

Objectives of this lesson: 

After completing this lesson (includes reading the selection), you should be familiar with:

• The vital importance of faith, love, and being obedient.
• The character of eternal life in one's current possession.
• The difference between sin that does not lead to death, and sin that does.

Before we start, let us pray: "Dear Lord, send the grace of your Holy Spirit to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study. Amen."

The questions below are provided to help you get the most out of the chapter study. The numbers enclosed in parentheses are the verse numbers relating to that particular question. 

I encourage you to first read the chapter thoroughly as many times as needed. Then take your time answering the questions, making sure you understand each one before moving on. 

Reading Questions:

1. What are the main points of 1 John 5? - (vv. 1-5); (vv. 6-13); (vv. 14-17); (vv. 18-21)
2. To be born of God, what must we do? - (v. 1)
3. How can we be certain that we the love the children of God? - (v. 2)
4. How can one defeat (overcome) the world? - (vv. 4-5)
5. What three things gave evidence toward Jesus Christ?  (vv. 6-8) 
6. What does one receive in return for their belief in the Son of God? - (v. 10)
7. What has God given us? Who has this? - (vv. 11-12)
8. Why did John mention these things in his epistle? (v. 13)
9. What confidence do we have in prayer? - (vv. 14-15)
10. What is described as the true God and eternal life? - (v. 20)

This now concludes our study of 1 John. I've purposely created these studies to be concise in order to accommodate most busy daily schedules. Even so, they contain enough content to promote actual learning.

I invite you to join me for our next study of 2 John. Until then, I hope this "whistle-stop" for Scripture study will become an established point of departure as you set out on your journey with Jesus Christ!

Thank you again for joining me, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Scripture: Proverbs 8:35; Matthew 25:46; John 6:47; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13  

Prayer: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24

May God richly bless you always,

Leia

Video Lesson Clip: Does Your Life Look New in Christ? | Beth Moore

In this brief video segment, Bible teacher and author talks about putting off, or discarding, our old selves and putting on our new selves in Christ. But why is that so hard..? 

We know that sometimes it's difficult to live in the newly renewed mind of Christ. In this clip, Beth, using Ephesians 4 as an example, tells us how we can do that! 

© Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

"But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth."  - Ephesians 4: 20-24 (CSB)

May God always bless you!

~Eve