Saturday Scriptures with Sahara - Psalm 68:19

One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'"

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits,.... With all spiritual blessings, with an abundance of grace, as well as with temporal mercies, for which he is, and ought to be, praised day by day. We usually think of a burden as a heavy load to carry; in a negative way, if you will. However, in this particular verse, when the Lord "loadeth us" or "burdens us" it is in a positive light. In this case, a burden is really a blessing, or benefit!

The idea here is, "Blessed be the Lord God even if he lays a burden on us, and if he does this daily, for he is the God of our salvation." He enables us to bear it; he gives us strength; and finally he delivers us from it. Therefore, he constantly lays on us a burden, he as constantly aids us to bear it. He does not leave us. He enables us to triumph in him, and through him; and we have occasion constantly to honor and to praise his name.

This accords with the experience of all his people, that however heavy may be the burden laid on them, and however constant their trials, they find him as constant a helper, and they daily have occasion to praise and bless him!

For further study, F.E. Marsh enumerated some of God's blessings as:

An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).

Have a blessed day!

Sahara

It is Impossible to Please God Without Faith

As a mother was walking with her 4-year-old daughter, the girl picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth, and Mom told her not to do that.

"Why?" she asked. "Because it's been lying outside and is dirty and probably has germs."

At this point, she looked at her mother with total admiration and asked, "How do you know all this stuff?"

Thinking quickly, she replied, "It's on the mommy test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a mommy." "Oh." She said seemingly satisfied.

They walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but the daughter was evidently pondering this new information. "I get it!" she beamed. "Then if you flunk, you have to be the daddy!"

The Bible contains many examples of why we, as Christians, should test, or assess, our own faith to see if we indeed have what it takes to go the distance. Paul’s ministry travels had taken him many places. During his visits, morale and motivation was probably very high. But, what happened after he left? He could only hope that his teachings and the support of his followers there would help keep it all going strong. But, unfortunately this was not always the case.

For example, Paul had received reports of problems in the church in Corinth. In a letter he wrote to the church there, Paul calls on the Corinthians to examine, or perform a faith checkup on, themselves because there was occasion to fear that many of them had been deceived. Such had been the irregularities and disorders in the church at Corinth; so ignorant had many of them shown themselves of the nature of the Christian religion, that it was important, in the highest degree, for them to institute a strict and impartial faith examination to find out whether they had not been altogether deceived.

What might an examination of faith, or test, consist of? I suppose that you could go about it in different ways, but I have listed below some ways that a person could examine himself faith-wise. They are:

Let him search and see if he has the proper qualifications.
Let him see if he has knowledge to discern the Lord's body.
Let him see if he has true repentance for his sins; true faith in the Lord Jesus; and a sincere desire to live the life of a Christian, and to be like the Son of God, and be saved by the merits of his blood.
Let him examine himself, and see whether he have the right feelings of a communicant, and can approach the table in a proper manner.

Keep in mind that, although it is God's gracious method to bear long with sinners, he will not bear always; at length he will come, and will not spare those who remain obstinate and impenitent. Christ at his crucifixion, appeared as only a weak and helpless man, but his resurrection and life showed his Divine power. In other words, God doesn’t play around!

Remember, in the end, every man's work shall be made manifest. What every man has built on this foundation shall be seen. Whether he has held truth or error; whether he has had correct views of piety or false; whether what he has done has been what he should have done or not!

The Bible says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). This is faith -- believing that God does exist, that He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you through His Son, Jesus Christ.

We ought to know if Christ Jesus is in us, by the influences, graces, and indwelling of his Spirit, by his kingdom set up in our hearts. Let us question our own souls; either we are true Christians, or we are deceivers. Which one are you?

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

Scripture Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 11:28; Lamentations 3:40; Ephesians 3:17

Let's Pray: Jesus, I praise you and everything thing you do for us; I pray that I will always walk in the strength and committment of faith that you expect and deserve; and that I will never forget how you died in order to give us a chance at everlasting life with You. Amen.

May God bless you always,

Kristen

How Strong is Your Faith?

Persecution of Christians still exists today. According to one recent estimate, 100 million Christians presently face persecution. These persecuted Christians live in countries, such as North Korea, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Somalia, India, Nigeria, and China.

Christianity gained its foothold in the Roman Empire, a vast area that included Palestine. The first known martyr of Christianity was Stephen, a leader in the early church, who was stoned to death by a mob in Jerusalem in 35 A.D. Peter and Paul were executed by the Romans under Nero during the period 64-67 A.D.

When, following the great fire in Rome in 64 A.D., some Romans accused Nero of having ordered the burning, he sought to deflect blame from himself to the small Christian community. The historian Tacitus wrote that "to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations called Christians by the populace."

Here are a few examples of Christian persecution occurring in today’s world:

Two failed bomb attacks on churches in Jos, Nigeria, have magnified the fears of Christians in the region. On Sunday, March 20, a bomb exploded prematurely, killing three men who were carrying it toward two churches. The intended targets were worshipers at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and the nearby Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN)

Four years after the brutal murders of three Christians at a publishing house in Malatya, Turkey, attitudes toward Christians in Turkey have become even less favorable. According to a new report from the Turkish Association of Protestant Christians, the Christian minority in Turkey suffer discrimination, slander, personal attacks and attacks against churches on a daily basis.

Six Christians leading a service at a nursing home in Uzbekistan on March 13 were detained by police and charged with resisting police orders and violating procedures for conducting a meeting. The Baptist Christians were leading Sunday worship at the “Kindness” nursing home in Ohangaron City when police raided the service in an “anti-terror operation.

Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani spoke out against Christianity and evangelism during a recent religious class at the Islamic seminary in Qom, Iran. On Wednesday, March 9, Khorasani stated, “People [in Iran] have become Christians, and Shiite youths are being misled by Christianity.” His statements were published on the government website “Ayandeh.”

Right now, Asia Bibi, a Christian woman in Pakistan, is sentenced to die for blasphemy.

Jesus expects us to be faithful to Him, no matter the circumstances and no matter the consequences. The Greek word for faithful is “pistos,” which literally means trustworthy, faithful, or believing. Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines “faithful” as: True and constant in affection or allegiance to a person to whom one is bound by a vow, be ties of love, gratitude, or honor, as to a husband, a prince, a friend; firm in the observance of duty; loyal; of true fidelity; as, a faithful husband or servant.

History has shown that it can, at times, be difficult to be a Christian. In fact, Christianity can sometimes even turn deadly. What if you were faced with the decision to either deny Christ and live or remain faithful to Christ and die? What would you do?

Scripture Readings: 1 Thessalonians 4:14;Romans 14:9;Revelation 2:10

Let's pray:

Father in Heaven, ever-living source of all that is good, keep me faithful in serving You. Help me to drink of Your Truth, and fill my heart with His Love so that I may serve You in faith and love and reach eternal life. Keep me in Your presence. Let me never be separated from You and help me to do Your Will. Amen.

Have a blessed day,

Theresa

Bible Study Snacks: Laying the Groundwork for Romans Chapter 1:8-17

Last time, we read and discussed Romans 1:1-7. But, before we move on, it might be a good idea to learn a little more about Paul. If you find that you need to refresh your memory, please go back and review our last study session. Remember, we will never rush through our teachings; as we like to stress quality over quantity while studying the Bible. Some additional information about Paul:

• Paul was the apostle of Christ to the Gentiles. The commission of the other apostles extended to all nations and every creature, but was exercised in fact chiefly among the Jews. (Gal. 2:7-9)


• Paul's commission (Acts 26:16-20) certainly included the Jews, but was chiefly to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15; 20:21)


• He began his first missionary journey from Antioch, visiting Cyprus and other various points in Asia Minor.


• Soon after his return he started on his second missionary journey, where he entered Europe and preached in Macedonia and Achaia.


• His third missionary journey took him back to Europe, then Asia (Ephesus); back to Macedonia and Greece, returning to Macedonia (Philippi), to Troas (on the coast of Asia Minor), past Ephesus (Miletus), back to Syria and up to Jerusalem.


• It was during this third missionary journey (while at Corinth) that he wrote the Epistle to the Romans (around A.D. 60).

Now, up to this time Paul had never been to Rome. He had come close a few times before, but he always turned back. Here are some questions for you to think about as we prepare for our next study:

• Why did he, the Apostle of the Gentiles, seem to avoid Rome, the center of the Gentile world?


• Did he have no desire to come to Rome?


• Was he afraid, or maybe ashamed to come to Rome with his gospel?

Hint: These questions are answered in the next reading, so continue your scripture reading with Romans 1:8-17. We will cover that material in our next study session.

Prayer:

Jesus, I pray to you that you will open my heart; so that I may be receptive to your teachings. I pray that you will open my eyes; so that I may not only see, but understand your Word. Your Gospel is much needed nourishment for my hungry soul; Heavenly Father may you always feed my spirit in abundance. Amen.

Until next time...May God Bless You!

Sheri

Read And Believe!

When their son left for his freshman year at Duke University, his parents gave him a Bible, assuring him it would be a great help. Later, as he began sending them letters asking for money, they would write back telling him to read his Bible, citing chapter and verse. He would reply that he was reading the Bible--but he still needed money. When he came home for a semester break, his parents told him they knew he had not been reading his Bible. How? They had tucked $10 and $20 bills by the verses they had cited in their letters!

How about you? Are you diligent about reading your Bible on a daily basis? In today's busy world, there seems to be less and less time to do all that that we want, or need to do. Between working, caring for families, participating in activities outside of the home, etc., it can be hard to find that spare moment or two to sit down and read any book, let alone read the Bible. Right?

Wrong! The Bible is more than just a book. Think of it as God's owners manual for our lives. Within its pages are instructions for living a purposeful and fulfilling life. Through its pages, God speaks to us. He gently guides us when we need direction; shares His wisdom in times of turmoil and conflict; and comforts us when we are in despair.

President Ronald Regan once said, "Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today--if only we would read and believe."

The Bible should be more than just a book in your library, or sitting on your coffeetable. God meant for us to read it; and not only read it, but live by it! If you haven't read a Bible in while, why don't you give it another try? You know, you don't have to read your grandparents old musty Bible? There are many wonderful, modern translations of the Bible available these days. By the way, you don't have to read it from cover to cover, either. There are different Bible reading plans that help make your Bible reading more manageable and pleasureable. Simply find one that suits you and go from there!

Scripture readings: 1 Peter 1:25, Psalm 119:89, Isaiah 40:8, Revelation 14:6

Let's Pray:

Lord, I know that my life needs your guidance and wisdom; I am only fooling myself if I think that I can do all by myself. Your Word is my true guiding light through the twisting and winding roads of this life; I will look to your Word daily to help me live the life that you meant for me to live. Amen.

God Bless You,

Robyn

Running On Empty

It is normal to go through high and low periods in your relationship with God. This is usually referred to as spiritual dryness, or a spiritual funk. Because as Christian disciples we get used to a certain level of intimacy with God, and dryness puts a damper on things doesn’t it? We feel separated from God, and no one likes to go through separation because it can be painful and lonely.

Thankfully, we have an extremely loving and patient God that understands us very well. We should always strive to have the best relationship with Jesus Christ that we can possibly have. However, we have to be realistic. After all, we are only human. The reality is, spiritual dryness comes, and it simply may be a clue it’s time for you to slow down and re-evaluate what’s happening in your life.

Some possible reasons for your spiritual dryness might be:

1. Unconfessed sin in your life: Because sin causes a barrier between ourselves and God. It breaks our fellowship by grieving and quenching the Spirit of God from working in our lives. So, if unconfessed sin is an issue, if it is where we are at – then to resolve things, to get back on track with God, we must agree with God where we have blown it and restore the relationship, the connection with God.
2. Due to your emotions or feelings; an affective breakdown: We may not feel alive to God, but it does not mean God is not alive to us. From God’s perspective, the Lord still treasures our fellowship. And the good news is, God’s presence remains, though we may not feel it.
3. Physiological: Do we really feel like praying when we have a cold, or sinus problems, or allergies, or feel run down, or are exhausted from lack of sleep? When we physically are not at 100%, it affects our whole being.
4. Underfeeding or starving our souls: Perhaps our walk with God is a hit and miss relationship. We have a devotional time when we can fit it in with our hurried schedules. But most of the time - God gets squeezed out of the picture. We lack the intentionality and regularity of communing with the Lord.
5. Trying to imitate the pattern of someone else: The good news is, we can get some great ideas from others, its not necessary to always reinvent the wheel. But our spiritual formation is personalized to fit us. What works for someone else, may not work for you and me.
6. Life Changes: Things such as a death in the family, a life-threatening disease, a severe illness, moving to a new area, changing schools, establishing new friendships and saying goodbye to old friends, divorce, unemployment, pregnancy, newly married, the birth of children and so on.
7. Spiritual Changes: The book of Hebrews in chapter five (5:11-14), discusses the need to move from the milk of the word to the meat. As we grow deeper in our relationship with God, we can’t stay where we are at. That will not satisfy us. We will need to try something new or move to a new area of spiritual learning where we will be stretched beyond our comfort zones. Or, God might be saying to you in your situation, that is enough studying for now, you need to apply some of your learning so I can teach you more.

The good news is, if you are going through a period of dryness, the rivers of life will flow again. Your task is to remain persistent, to practice the spiritual disciplines faithfully, whether you feel like it or not. You are to expose yourself to God’s Spirit, allowing God‘s grace and anointing to touch your life. Whether you sense the growth or not, as long as you place yourself in the Sonshine with plenty of water, like a plant, you will eventually grow. You must remind yourself always, God has not left. The Lord is more eager for your fellowship that you are of His. -Dr. Gary R. Glanville, Pastor

See Scriptures: Psalm 66:18; Psalm 32:1-5; Lamentations 3:40-42, 44; Isaiah 1:15-16; and Isaiah 59:2

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord, I pray that you will lead me out of this spiritual desert that I find myself in;
For this is a most desolate place, where I find myself at the moment, this spiritual dryness;
But I draw comfort in knowing, that you will soon take my hand and lead me back to your fertile ground; where love, peace, and understanding abide together under your glorious care.
Oh, Holy Father, please don’t be long, for I thirst for the quenching taste of your eternal waters. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

Kristen

Bible Study Snacks: Romans, Chapter 1

We would like to share a selected bible study adapted from our own popular Coffeehouse Bible Ministry bible study sessions. These concise bible studies are called Snacks because they are just enough to nourish your soul and refresh your spirit without being too filling.

Keep in mind that the key here is to read for understanding, not quantity! Our Bible Study studies can be used for either individual, or small group study. It is our sincerest hope that you will find this material helpful in your journey with Jesus Christ. May God bless you!

The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry Bible Study Snacks

Selection: The Book of Romans, Introduction

Written by: Paul, the Apostle; around A.D. 60 from Corinth, just before his return to Jerusalem. He was the earliest and most influential interpreter of Christ’s message and teaching; an early Christian missionary; correspondent with several early Christian churches.

Background: He had always wanted to visit Rome but, except for a few friends, he was unfamiliar to the Christians there. So in anticipation of that visit, Paul wrote to introduce himself to the church at Rome; and to assure the Roman Christians, contrary to false rumors they might have heard, that the gospel he was preaching was, indeed the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Focus Question: The opening statement of this letter is very powerful. What message is Paul trying to get across to the Christians in Rome?

Prayer: O Lord, we delight in You and rejoice in Your presence with us as we worship You today. We take delight in Your written word, and we thank You for helping us keep our hearts and minds focused on loving and serving You each day. Amen.

Reading: Read Romans 1: 1-7

Food For Thought:
What tone does Paul set in his introduction to this letter?
What does this say about his purposes in this letter?
How would you define “gospel”?
What aspects of the gospel does Paul use in this introduction? How are these related to his purpose?

Think About It:
To whom has God called you to be a witness?
What will you do this week to fulfill this call?

Next Time: Romans 1: 8-17