Jesus Christ Accepts All!

"Jesus casts out none who come unto Him."  - Charles Spurgeon

It is a mark of success for some to gain membership to an exclusive club, association, or society. Acceptance into these organizations can be very discriminating. Only the affluent, powerful, or well-connected are solicited, approved and welcomed to join them.

I must stress, however, that not all social organizations are like these. But, as they say, “One bad apple can spoil the bunch." Or at least, they may leave a bad taste in the mouths of many.

I suspect that it could be a similar image of aloofness, in the minds of many, that turns them off to religion and God altogether. But, if they would only scratch a little deeper under the surface they might be pleasantly surprised at what they'd find.

Unlike worldly fellowships, there are no special fees, expensive dues, stringent criteria, or rules. One of the many wonderful things about Jesus Christ is that all are invited by Him to "share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light." - Colossians 1:12 (NLT).

But, you ask, "There has to be a cost involved somewhere, isn't there?" The cost has not so much to do in terms of currency, as it does with priorities. To participate or share in a relationship with Christ we must put Him first in our lives. Once you accept His offer, there can be no turning back or regrets.

We must put Jesus Christ ahead of family, friends, home, jobs, and anything else. This doesn't mean that we must cut ties with all else, but that He is the center of everything we think, say, and do. It also means that we have given ourselves over to him completely: mind, body, and soul.

Jesus knows what our idols, or the earthly (material) things we cherish, are. Sadly, many cannot, or will not let them go for Him. So, yes, there are a few stipulations involved; but they are a small price to pay for eternal salvation.

While many strive to become part of affiliations created by men, we have the opportunity to become part of something greater, and far more precious. Jesus Christ extends His mercy and grace to anyone and everyone. If you haven't already done so. why not check this out for yourself today?

Scripture: Titus 3:5; Acts 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; John 5:24;  Acts 22:16

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray for Your presence and wisdom in all areas of my life; and may You strengthen my spirit and nourish my soul with Your Word always. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Peter 3: 1-22

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday and greetings from Bible Study Snacks! Whether it's your first time with us, or if you're a regular follower of this blog, it's great to have you! I am delighted that you will be joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. As always, I hope you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, positive in energy, and strong in faith!

This week, we continue the study of The First Epistle of Peter, or 1 Peter. It was written about 60 A.D., and was addressed to all believers in general. Its purpose was to encourage, prompt, and instruct the suffering Christians; also to summon them to personal holiness. The central focus here in Peter's epistle is persecution.

The studies presented here are intentionally brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. It is my ultimate hope that they might inspire you to an even deeper study of Scripture!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let us 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 some things to think about for this week's lesson...

This Weeks Objectives: Participants should be able to...

* examine the duties of wives and husbands to each other.
* consider the duties that we have to one another as brethren in Christ.
* see how one should prepare for persecution, motivated by the example of Christ.
* note how and in what way baptism now saves us.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Peter, Chapter 3...

Peter continues to describe the duties of Christians living as sojourners and pilgrims in this world. He counsels wives to be submissive to their husbands and to focus their adornment on the development of a meek and quiet spirit, like the holy women in the past who trusted in God (such as Sarah).

For those whose husbands are not believers, their chaste and respectful conduct may influence them to respond to the gospel. Husbands are then instructed to live with their wives in an understanding way, honoring them as the weaker vessel and as fellow heirs of the grace of life. Such treatment would ensure that their prayers were not hindered (1 Peter 3:1-7).

Duties toward brethren are then summarized, stressing unity, compassion, love, kindness, and simple courtesy. When mistreated by brethren, the proper response is to extend a blessing, for to such conduct we were called, that we might inherit a blessing. As motivation for such conduct, Peter quotes Psalms 34:12-16 which offers advice to loving life and seeing good days.The key is to turn from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it. Those who do so have the assurance that the Lord
watches over them and hears their prayers (1 Peter 3:8-12).

Peter then turns to the theme of suffering for righteousness' sake. In most circumstances, no one will harm you for doing good. If one suffers for doing good, they are blessed (cf. 2:19-20; 4:14). To prepare for persecution, one should sanctify the Lord God in their heart and be ready to meekly provide the reason for their hope. With clear conscience and good conduct, those who defame and revile them will likely be ashamed. If it is God's will that they suffer, let it be for doing good and not evil (1 Peter 3:13-17).

To appreciate how suffering for righteousness' sake can be for good, Peter relates how Jesus suffered for our sins. Though put to death in the flesh, Jesus was made alive by the Spirit (cf. Romans 1:4), in which He preached to spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah, and ultimately exalted at the right hand of God with angels, authorities and powers made subject to Him. Alluding to the example of Noah's salvation, Peter says baptism now saves us as an appeal for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:18-22).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What are wives told to be in regards to their husbands?  Why? (1 Peter 3:1)
2) What does Peter hope the unbelieving husbands will observe in their wives? (1 Peter 3:2)
3) What should not be the focus of their adornment? (1 Peter 3:3)
4) What should be the focus of their adornment? (1 Peter 3:4)
5) What other women so adorned themselves and were submissive to their husbands? (1 Peter 3:5-6)
6) How are husbands to treat their wives? (1 Peter 3:7)
7) Why should husbands treat their wives so kindly? (1 Peter 3:7)
8) What duties do we as brothers have to one another? (1 Peter 3:8)
9) How are we to respond when mistreated by brothers?  Why? (1 Peter 3:9)
10)  What proscription is offered for those who would love life and see good days? (1 Peter 3:10-11)
11) What is said of the righteous?  Of those who do evil? (1 Peter 3:12)
12) What is the general principle regarding persecution? (1 Peter 3:13)
13) What is said of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake? (1 Peter 3:14)
14) How should one prepare themselves for possible persecution? (1 Peter 3:15-16)
15) If we maintain good conduct, what will happen to those who defame and revile us? (1 Peter 3:16)
16) If we suffer according to God's will, what is better? (1 Peter 3:17)
17) Who also suffered for righteousness' sake?  For what reason? (1 Peter 3:18)
18) Though put to death in the flesh, what was He able to do by the Spirit? (1 Peter 3:18-19)
19) When were such "spirits" disobedient? (1 Peter 3:20)
20) Of what is the salvation of eight souls through water a "type"? (1 Peter 3:21)
21) How does baptism not save us?  How does it save us? (1 Peter 3:21)
22) What was the final outcome of Jesus who suffered for righteousness' sake? (1 Peter 3:22)

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 always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next Bible study...

God bless you!

Sheri

Remember...God Is First!

"Those who fall away have never been thoroughly imbued with the knowledge of Christ but only had a slight and passing taste of it."  - John Calvin

It might come as a total surprise for many to discover how easy it is to skip out on Christ. We like to think that as believers we are unshakable, immovable, and resolute in our relationship with Him. However, this is one of the most dangerous misconceptions that any Christian can adopt.

There is no such thing as being "safe" as a believer in Christ when it comes to our own feeble and frail human shortcomings. Our weaknesses or vulnerabilities are exactly what the Enemy uses to disrupt or upset our connection with Our Lord.

Rest assured that it can happen to the best of us, and it doesn't take long to develop. Moses was away from the encamped Israelite's. He was on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights receiving the law from God (Exodus 24:12-18).

They were supposed to use this time to meditate on the laws which they had previously received; and to prepare themselves for further revelations from God. During his absence, some of them began to plot against Moses. By the thirty-ninth day there was a rebellion in the camp (Exodus 32:1).

Unfortunately, those who had rebelled against God paid a terrible price in the end (Exodus 32:27-28). It was only through the mediation of Moses that the rest of the people were spared from the same fate (Exodus 32:20-33). What went wrong?

The Israelite's were not so different from us today. They had lost sight of God, who was responsible for safely bringing them out from under the slavery of Egypt, and providing for them all this time. The people had placed their focus on Moses instead.

Abandonment of Christ leaves us open to backsliding, apathy, and worse. We must always keep Him in the forefront of our thoughts and prayers. Remember to put this into practice on a daily basis. He will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:13; Matthew 6:33; Galatians 2:20

Prayer: Dear Lord,  be patient with me, and make my paths straight. In You alone I place all of my faith; there is salvation in no one else. Amen

God bless you always!

Brandi

Video - Lisa Bevere: God Is Enough

John and Lisa Bevere admit their long years of difficult marriage and Lisa reveals one major turning point that began to bring them closer together. This message is right on point. Amen!  ~Eve

God Has Always Been...

It comes as a surprise to some that God has ALWAYS been with us. (John 1:1)  Sure, plenty will say they have thought long and hard about God's existence. And, of course, they will question His allowance of pain, suffering, sickness, war, and death to men.

My purpose here is not to engage in any great theological, philosophical, or other academic debates about God's existence. There are numerous resources where this topic is set forth in more exhaustive formats, if he/she so wishes to go there.

While I could provide dozens of reasons to believe in God, the bottom line is that an individual must be receptive to this information. It has nothing to do with a person's intellect, scientific evidence, or personality. Either you believe, or you don't. (John 8:58)

It's important to note that belief in God is not a one-time event. You can't believe in God today and think that you've done your job. C.S. Lewis in Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, said: “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” 

There, too, are those who demand definitive proof of God before they decide. Perhaps they want to see a big and spectacular performance; something akin to a Las Vegas show. The problem with this is that God would be stooping to our level. Becoming a cheap trickster or illusionist to satisfy skeptics is not the way He works.

I always encourage doubters to actively seek Him before making any conclusions. This is where the Bible is an invaluable treasure trove of evidence. The Bible is God's Word, and it must be read, studied, digested, re-read, and applied to your life. There are no shortcuts.

Merely because you thumbed through a Bible once or twice, went to Bible Vacation School one summer with a friend when you were younger, or watched a National Geographic special about God on television, doesn't count. I'm suggesting that you really examine the evidence with an open mind.

In today's instant gratification society, it has become increasingly difficult to see something through to fruition. Development and maturation of faith in God is a life-long process. Many will try, but only a few will stick with it. Are you up to the challenge of a lifetime?

Scripture: John 4:24; 1 John 4:8; Colossians 1:16; Isaiah 40:28-29; Deuteronomy 6:4

Prayer: Dear God, You are my strength, my refuge, and my loving Father. May Your merciful presence never be far from me; and may You always guide my path, grant me wisdom, and patience. Amen

God bless you!

Genevieve

Temptation Will Come...Are You Ready For It?

"The temptation once yielded to gains power. The crack in the embankment which lets a drop or two ooze through is soon a hole which lets out a flood." - Alexander MacLaren

There's not a single person alive that hasn't battled temptation in one form or another. Our world is chock-full of enticements that are just begging us to take the bait. It (temptation) comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms; and can rear its ugly head at any time.

Is it unavoidable? Sadly, no. Temptation will always be with us, probing for a weak spot or opening where it can enter our lives. It doesn't have any specific type of person that it favors over another. Nor does it matter where you live, or what your income or station in life is. We are all vulnerable to it.

The Bible tells us that we all encounter temptation. If it makes you feel any better, even Jesus Christ was subjected to temptation. But, don't blame God for it because He isn't the source of temptation, though He does allow it. (James 1:13)

It's all part of His plan for us. He provided us with something called "free will," which in turn comes into play when we are tempted. So you see, God isn't going to decide whether we succumb to it or not. That choice is ours to make.

I realize that we don't necessarily want to give in to temptation. But our flesh is too weak to resist, especially if we find our minds and bodies surrounded by indecent, immodest, and impure thoughts or circumstances. (Colossians 3:2)

As I mentioned above, we can't avoid temptation. However, we can resist it. Again, our flesh is too weak to resist temptation on our own. We need some sort of game plan if we are to have a fighting chance. Fortunately, Jesus Christ provided us with a powerful example in Matthew 4:1-11.

It's important to note that in order to confront and conquer temptation we need a change in the way we "think and do," if we are to circumvent sin. Simply being tempted is not a sin. However, acting on temptation that leads to sin is. That's why it's always best to look towards God for a way out when it crosses your path. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

We must seek help from Christ to get us back on the right track. Without question, the best weapon we have against it is God's Word. By consistently nourishing our hearts and minds with it, we build up our defenses against temptation. And with God's assistance, we are better able to face temptation head-on.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11; Luke 22:40; 1 Peter 4:12; Galatians 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:18

Prayer: Dear God, I pray that You will free my heart from any thought of temptation that might keep me apart from Your Holy Spirit. Amen

Have a blessed Monday!

Hailey

Bible Study Snacks - 1 Peter 2:1-25

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday and greetings from Bible Study Snacks! Whether it's your first time with us, or if you're a regular follower of this blog, it's great to have you! I am delighted that you will be joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. As always, I hope you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, positive in energy, and strong in faith!

This week, we continue the study of The First Epistle of Peter, or 1 Peter. It was written about 60 A.D., and was addressed to all believers in general. Its purpose was to encourage, prompt, and instruct the suffering Christians; also to summon them to personal holiness. The central focus here in Peter's epistle is persecution.

The studies presented here are intentionally brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. It is my ultimate hope that they might inspire you to a deeper study of Scripture!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let us 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 some things to think about for this week's lesson...

This Weeks Objectives: Participants should be able to...

* note what is necessary in order to grow spiritually.
* reflect upon our privilege and duties as God's special people living as sojourners and pilgrims in a world not our home.
* review our duty to submit to governmental authorities, and to make application of the instructions to slaves in our lives as employees.

For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Peter, Chapter 2...

Having described how they were born again by the incorruptible Word of God, Peter admonishes his readers to put aside sinful attitudes and to grow spiritually with an infant-like longing for the Word (1 Peter 2:1-3).

He then depicts Jesus as a living stone, and Christians as living stones. The latter are being built up as a spiritual house and holy priesthood in order to offer spiritual sacrifices through Christ. As foretold in the Scriptures, Jesus is the chief cornerstone that is precious to those who believe, while a stone of stumbling to those who are disobedient.

Christians are called on to proclaim the praises of God as they are now a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people who have now obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:4-10).

As the people of God, Christians are sojourners and pilgrims in this world. Their duties as such involve abstaining from fleshly lusts, and keeping their conduct honorable among the Gentiles (nations) through good works designed to glorify God. They are to honor and submit to governmental authorities, and honor all people while loving the brethren and fearing God (1 Peter 2:11-17).

Christian slaves are told to submit to their masters, even when they are harsh and cause them to suffer grief wrongly.  Peter reveals that such submission is commendable before God and follows the example of Jesus whose own suffering delivered us from sin (1 Peter 2:18-25).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What must we lay aside to grow spiritually? (1 Peter 2:1)
2) How should we long for the Word if we want to grow spiritually? (1 Peter 2:2)
3) What should motivate us to desire the Word with such longing? (1 Peter 2:3)
4) What kind of stone is used to describe Jesus? (1 Peter 2:4)
5) What two metaphors are used to describe Christians? (1 Peter 2:5)
6) What prophecy foretells the laying of a chief cornerstone in Zion? (1 Peter 2:6)
7) What is Jesus to those who believe in Him?  To those who do not believe? (1 Peter 2:6-8)
8) What is the appointed end of those who do not believe and are disobedient? (1 Peter 2:8)
9) How are Christians described by Peter? What is their duty? Why? (1 Peter 2:9-10)
10)  What is our duty as sojourners and pilgrims in this world? Why? (1 Peter 2:11-12)
11) What is our duty toward the governments of men?  Why? (1 Peter 2:13-15)
12) How are we use our freedom in Christ? (1 Peter 2:16)
13) What four admonitions summarize our duties to others? (1 Peter 2:17)
14) What is the duty of servants to their masters? (1 Peter 2:18)
15) What is commendable before God? (1 Peter 2:19-20)
16) To what have we been called? (1 Peter 2:21)
17) How did Jesus suffer wrongly and bear it patiently? (1 Peter 2:22-23)
18) What good did Jesus accomplish by suffering such abuse? (1 Peter 2:24-25)

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 always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next Bible study...

God bless you!

Sheri