Jesus: The One, The Only

"No one else holds, or has held, the place in the heart of the world which Jesus holds. Other gods have been as devoutly worshipped; no other man has been so devoutly loved."   -John Knox

As this year draws to a close, we will soon be inudated by compiled lists of the most influencial people in the world, country, region, city, so on and so forth. The will be lauded for their work in business, the arts, science and medicine, technology, social causes, politics, etc.

Those named on the lists will have their bios, photos, and other achievements/accolades presented to us in various formats. And undoubtedly, for the most part, their recognition is well-deserved. The trouble begins when we idolize these individuals; or view them as larger-than-life; even to the point of worship.

Granted, there have been those whose work truly benefits mankind. True heroes in their respected fields should be celebrated for their contributions in making our world a better place. For example, a research scientist who develops a medicine that can potentially save thousands of lives. Or, the leader of a country who works diligently to improve the lives and welfare of the people in his or her country.

Historically, the names on these lists tend to fluctuate over time, or simply fade away altogether. I suppose alot of it is caused by the tastes and interests of the masses; all of which can be notoriously fickle. After all, few of us can recall who the most influential person in the world was last year without searching it out online.

Yet through all of the din, confusion, applause, and revere one name stands out among them all. He has never needed inclusion on any lists, nor sought the adoring accolades of others. Even so, his imprint has been firmly planted on the minds of humanity since well before the introduction of any means of modern communication, and has remained so. His name? Jesus Christ, Son of God.

It has been noted that Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ's 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity.

During his life, Jesus cured the sick, stood up for the lost and downtrodden, and even resurrected the dead. Somehow, he managed to just fine without requiring the peoples approval. He never chased fame, fortune, or the spotlight. Nor did he expect anything in return. Jesus, along with his small band of followers, did what they did out of love and compassion for their fellow man.

His earthly mission was first shared with others by some of those who knew him intimately, then later committed to written language. Eventually, the record of his life and ministry was compiled into what we now know as the Bible.

Historian Kenneth Scott Latourette remarked, "As the centuries pass, the evidence is accumulating that, measured by His effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet." And although he never truly received the recognition that he deserved during his brief lifetime, what he did entrust us with is priceless.

His life has affected millions of others in ways that can never be thoroughly described. In fact, our very being is a product of his love for us. This comforting gift that he entrusted us with is instilled in our hearts. We don't need a list, television special, or awards ceremony to realize any of this. If we need to speak to him a special invitation or an appointment is not required. He is always available to us.

When we say that Jesus is the answer to our prayers, it is genuinely true. In the end, after all of the lists have been assembled and all of the individuals have been set side by side, Jesus Christ unequivocally stands alone.

Scripture: John 1:1; John 1:2; John 1:3; John 1:9; John 1:12

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen (Matthew 6:9-13)

May God bless you!

Meredith

Let God Be God

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  -C.S. Lewis

There are many things that we are able to verify their true greatness. For instance, we can stand and stare in wide- eyed amazement at the beauty and grandeur of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. And, when was the last time you laid on your back, on a cool bed of grass, and took in the awe-inspiring, panoramic view of a dark, starry sky on a warm summer evening?

Most of us can relate to these, and numerous other examples of visual confirmation. We believe it because we see it right there before our very eyes. We also substantiate things because we can taste, touch, hear or smell them. However, when it comes to God the going gets a little trickier.

Our minds are so that it is impossible to grasp just how great and majestic God really is. We could never truly, nor accurately, describe his greatness. Our thoughts and words fail miserably in this respect. Certainly, we try to do our best, but in the end it never really comes out the way we know and feel from deep within ourselves.

Whatever we think about Him, it's not quite enough. Whatever we say about Him just doesn't measure up when we compare it to Him. If we're quietly still long enough we can sense His presence to some extent, but we still can't assuredly articulate how He is. Perhaps, that's the root of what can be an exercise in frustration.

In our discussions about God, we tend to visualize and describe him in human terms. I'm not saying this is wrong by any means. After all, we use human descriptions to talk about God since this is our perspective and view of the world. We simply need to be mindful of the limitations that exist when attempting to characterize a God who transcends human language.

19th century American preacher E. H. Chapin said, "God's beneficence streams out from the morning sun, and his love looks down upon us from the starry eyes of midnight. It is his solicitude that wraps us in the air, and the pressure of his hand, so to speak, that keeps our pulses beating. O! it is a great thing to realize that the Divine Power is always working; that nature, in every valve and every artery, is full of the presence of God."

Instead of us trying to work through Him we need to just let Him work through us. He created every molecule of our being and surroundings. Sometimes we (humans) tend to overwork the dough. In other words we need to step back and let God's be himself. Don't you think He knows more about us than we do? (Matthew 6:8)

Keep it simple. There is nothing that can compare to God. There are no words that could ever completely describe Him. Love Him, obey Him, pray to Him, enjoy Him, let Him speak to your heart, and know that He is always with you. And above all, let God be God.

Scripture: John 4:24; John 14:6; Titus 1:2; Genesis 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:17

Prayer: Dear Lord, still my troubled heart. Calm my wayward mind. I seek only after You. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Caroline

Bible Study Snacks, Job 38:1-42:6

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday! Welcome again to Bible Study Snacks. I sincerely hope everyone had a nice week! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, we will continue with our study on the Book of Job, specifically Chapters 38:1-42:6. I've designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Examine God's response to Job.
2) Consider the charges God makes against Job, and Job's repentance.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Job 38:1-42:6

Finally, Job is given his desire to have an audience with God. Though it's not at all what he expected. Speaking from a whirlwind, the Lord charges Job with darkening counsel by words without knowledge. A challenge is then made for Job to answer questions posed to him. A series of questions follow in rapid succession regarding the creation and nature that certainly contrast God's great power and wisdom with Job's limited ability and understanding.

God ends His first dialogue then with a repeated challenge for the one (i.e., Job) who contends with the Almighty and who rebukes God to answer these questions. Overwhelmed, Job admits his unworthiness and inability to answer. He admits he has spoken before, but will do so no more (38:1-40:5).

The Lord isn't through with Job, however. A second discussion begins with another challenge for Job to answer God's questions. Job is asked whether he truly thinks he can annul God's judgment, or condemn Him so that he can be justified (cf. Elihu's charges, 32:2; 33:8-13). If Job can thunder with a voice like God's, adorn himself with majesty, splendor, glory and beauty, bring the proud down low, then God would confess that Job could save himself.

To once more illustrate the power and wisdom of God, Job is asked to consider two great creatures, the behemoth and Leviathan. If man is fearful before them, how then could one stand against God (40:6-41:34)?

Job's final response is to humbly acknowledge God's ability to do everything, and that no purpose of His can be withheld from Him. He also confesses that he has spoken of things he did not understand, and beyond his ability to comprehend. Having now heard and seen God, Job despises himself and repents (42:1-6).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) How does the Lord speak to Job? (Job 38:1)
2) What is the Lord's first question directed toward Job? (Job 38:2)
3) What challenge does God place before Job? (Job 38:3)
4) List the different things about which God asked Job in the first discourse (Job 38:8-39:30)
5) As God ends His first discourse, what does He say to Job? (Job 40:1-2)
6) What is Job's response to these questions and God's challenge? (Job 40:3-5)
7) As God continues with His second discourse, what challenge does He repeat to Job? (Job 40:6-7)
8) What four questions does He then ask of Job? (Job 40:8-9)
9) What does God challenge Job to do, in order to prove he could save himself? (Job 40:10-14)
10) What is the first of two great creatures described to illustrate God's power? (Job 40:15-24)
11) What statement concerning this creature emphasizes God's power and strength? (Job 40:19)
12) What is the second creature described to illustrate God's strength? (Job 41:1-34)
13) What key point does God make with Leviathan? (Job 41:10)
14) Having heard God, what does Job now admit? (Job 42:1-3)
15) Now that Job has had his audience with God, how does he react? (Job 42:5-6)

After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri

Trust God's Word

“When I cannot feel the faith of assurance, I live by the fact of God’s faithfulness.”  -Matthew Henry

It can be very easy to confuse our feelings and emotions for faith. We are appreciative that the Christian life is abounding with gratifying emotions and intense, fulfilling experiences. However, as delightful as these are, they’re by no means the essential nature of it.

We know that the roads of our lives will be pitted with trials, conflicts, battles, and difficult tasks. And, as unpleasant as they may be, we must consider them not simply as setbacks, but necessary to shaping our character.

If there’s anything we should learn from all of our adversity, it is to obediently rely on Christ in our hearts, no matter how we feel.  Yet, this is where many of us stumble. It appears to be a lot less painful to proceed by feelings than by faith.

We’ve heard stories from others about how it felt as if God had abandoned, or withdrawn Himself during a time of difficulty. It appeared as if He had pulled his mercy away and left them high and dry. Perhaps this sounds familiar to you, too?

The truth is, God never left. He was always right there. Yes, we may feel all alone, maybe even rejected; but this is not the case at all. Once again, this is where we confuse our feelings and emotions for faith. It can be difficult to let go of the secure feelings we have in trusting our emotions and relying on faith. This is not uncommon. That's why Jesus reminds us in Mark 11:22 to, “Have faith in God.”

We must keep in mind that our emotions react to outside stimuli, while faith comes from deep within the inner chambers of our spirit. In times of turbulence we almost expect God to walk up to us and tap us on the shoulder; to reassure us that all will be well. Then, when this doesn’t happen we feel ignored, or that He doesn’t care.

If only it were that simple. What kind of faith would we have if every time we found ourselves in a jam, or situation all we had to do was shout, clap our hands, or stomp our feet and God would come running? What kind of God would he be? He would be no more than a supernatural concierge who comes running catering to our every whim.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want a God or faith like that. I want a God who loves me, disciplines me, and truly knows what is best for me. I want a God who, though I can’t see, I know in my heart that he is always there.

Thomas Aquinas said, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” No matter what, we can trust in God’s word and almighty power more than in our feelings and experiences. We can also trust that He is aware of our circumstances at all times, and that when we speak to Him he really listens.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6; John 5:24; Romans 10:17; Romans 5:1; James 1:6  

Prayer: Dear God, You know what I need before I say it; You know what I need before I even ask, When all my hope, faith and strength are fading, Father lift me up. Make me see your light; Make me strong, give me your power to survive whatever storm I face. You are the only father I trust. I love you, I worship and I praise you always. Amen

May your day be blessed,

Kasey

Video - Beth Moore: Encourage Yourself In the Lord

In this week's video message, Bible teacher Beth Moore looks at the life of King David to learn how we can encourage ourselves when there’s nobody around to encourage us. Enjoy!  ~Eve

God Has Been , Is Now, and Will Always Be

"...The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God..."  -Psalms 14:1

A sad fact of our modern life is that many things are just not made to last. Cars, appliances, furniture, shoes, even some of the homes that we live in fall under the category of "limited life." We can throw ourselves into this category, as well. Like many of the objects we use during our lifetimes, our bodies grow older, break down and decay, then eventually die.

Like a favorite automobile, or piece of clothing, we can do some things to prolong its usefulness; but at some point we can no longer avoid the inevitable. Even the indestructible mountain of granite will succumb to the withering effects of time. Nothing is made to last, or is it?

There is One who is everlasting or eternal; has no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2). While everything else changes, He is not affected by change. His heart is never altered. He was, is, and always will be. With Him there is permanence. Generations of others like us have come and gone, and will continue to do so. He is unchanged (Psalm 102:27).

You and I, as adults, are basically the same as when we were children. Our existence hasn't changed, only our quantities and qualities have changed over time. In fact, all creatures are constantly changing; acquiring and losing something every day. We're not the same at the end of the day as we were when it began. Change happens whether it is our age, substance, or circumstance.

God has his entire being in one and the same point, or moment in eternity (Mark 13:31). He gains nothing to what he was before, nor does he lose anything. He is unchanged in his excellency, perfection, and indefiniteness. Though our frail, human faculties are destined to dim and fade, this is not the case with God. He is unchanged in his wisdom, knowing as much now as ever, neither more nor less.

Not one of us can escape the grasp of change. Our lives and the world around are subject to change at any time. Think of your hometown, immediate family, classmates, job situations, etc. If you're like most, change has left its imprint in some way, shape, or form. Only God is perpetually unchanged. All that He is today, He has ever been, and ever will be (Malachi 3:6).

I hope that I speak for you when I say that I am totally fine with this. I'm glad that God is eternal and unchanged. We need stability in our lives; and He gives us that. I like to think of God as our anchor in this chaotic, turbulent world we live in. Nothing or no one else can offer that to us. Though, some might feel quite differently.

They may say that money, fame, possessions, health, or good jobs give them security and comfort. But any of this can be changed in a heartbeat. Then where do you stand? When you are lying on your deathbed looking back on your life what would you change? At that point, nothing. Change has already made the decision for you on both counts (John 13:1).

There is only One who is our refuge and Helper. One whose love for us has never dimmed, dwindled, or abated. God has loved his people with an everlasting love. When all else has faded away, His love will still be as new as it ever was (Jeremiah 31:3).

No one can really know all there is to know about God. But, through His word we can understand much about who He is and what He's like. In closing, I pray that we all will, in all sincerity, continue to seek Him out (Jeremiah 29:13)

Scripture: Romans 6:23; John 6:47; Lamentations 5:19; Daniel 7:14; Psalm 112:3

Prayer: Holy Father, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. In Jesus name, Amen

God bless you!

Kylee

He Who Believes is Obedient

"Only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes."  -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I can remember several times (although I'm pretty sure it was a lot more) as a child when I was told not to do something by an authority figure, usually my mother or father. Oh, there were a number of reasons given as to why I shouldn't cross the line. But, curiosity or rebellion would win out. This, for the most part, didn't end well for me.

A lot has been said and written about obedience and disobedience. I won't try to tackle this subject in great depth here today. I just want to briefly discuss the tie-in between obedience/disobedience and belief/unbelief as it pertains to our relationship with God.

The Bible has lots to say about this topic. And why not? After all, most of our troubles with God are based on how we conduct ourselves with Him. From the very beginning, starting with Adam and Eve, we tested our relationship with Him. And, it's been up and down ever since.

Let's clarify this connection between obedience and disobedience; belief and disbelief. First, obedience is the rational acceptance of the authority and will of God. Simply put, we submit to Him, and express that submission in our actions, words, and thoughts (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).

In order to be in agreement with God we must be obedient to him. It won't work any other way. As an added bonus, to be in agreement with God is to be in a position of power in Christ (John 14:15,21). Secondly, the cause of disobedience is rebellion and distrust of God. To be disobedient is to acquiesce‎ to self-will rather than surrendering to God and wanting His will in everything (1 Samuel 15:22,23).

Now, as to the bond between obedience/disobedience and belief/unbelief, I like how 19th century English minister, Alexander Maclaren illustrates it, he said: "Important lessons are given by this alternation of the two ideas of faith and unbelief, obedience and disobedience.

*Disobedience is the root of unbelief.
*Unbelief is the mother of further disobedience.
*Faith is voluntary submission within a person’s own power.

If faith is not exercised, the true cause lies deeper than all intellectual reasons. It lies in the moral aversion of human will and in the pride of independence, which says, “who is Lord over us? Why should we have to depend on Jesus Christ?”

As faith is obedience and submission, so faith breeds obedience, but unbelief leads on to higher-handed rebellion. With dreadful reciprocity of influence, the less one trusts, the more he disobeys; the more he disobeys, the less he trusts."

Whether we either consciously, or unconsciously disobey God (or other figures of authority) there are some things we can do to get ourselves back on track. I've included a few ideas here: Begin with an honest inventory of your life. Ask yourself whether you are being obedient to God in the different areas of your life (i.e., personal relationships, your behavior, how you honor God in your marriage, job, etc).

Any areas of disobedience you discover can be removed once identified. The result is a greater faith and new joy. Don't forget to thank God for pointing these out to you (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

It's important to confess the disobedience as sin, and ask God for forgiveness. If it includes others who are in authority over you, you should settle the situation with them. We are instructed by the Bible that we can and should exist in peace with ourselves and others. Disobedience can block our joy, blessings and inner peace with God.

When that itch to disobey flares up, denounce it! Like the apostle Paul, force yourself to be strong and obey. As Christians, we have some pretty impressive weapons to fight against the urge to disobey. Use the faith of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to help you.

And finally, pray. Pray that the fruit of the Spirit, faithfulness to God and other people, will be produced inwardly. Give thanks and praise God for exposing the areas of disobedience in your life; and rejoice in your new freedom and joy in the Lord as you realize freedom from bondage of disobedience.

Scripture: Matthew 7:21; Romans 6:16; 2 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 1:19; John 14:15

Prayer: Lord I surrender all I am to You today and pray that I may walk in newness of love and humble obedience all the days of my life , in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

May God bless you!

Elise