Our Thanksgiving Message...

Thursday, November 27, 2014 is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.A. Therefore, our ministry will be observing this national holiday. We, at the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, would like to extend our prayers and thanks to you, your families, and friends during this period of praising God for his generosity, and many blessings. 

In order to give our wonderful ministry staff time to spend with their loved ones, assist where assistance is needed, and spread the Word wherever they are, the CHBM blog will resume on Monday, December 1, 2014. As always, our blog archives will be available during this holiday break. Please feel free to use them as God moves you!

On behalf of myself, and the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, may God always bless you all!  ~Eve 

Prayer of Thanksgiving  by Vienna Cobb Anderson

God of all blessings,
source of all life,
giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath
that sustains life,
for the food of this earth
that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty
that the eye can see,
for the joy
that the ear may hear,
for the unknown
that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space
that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities:
for families
who nurture our becoming,
for friends
who love us by choice,
for companions at work,
who share our burdens and daily tasks,
for strangers
who welcome us into their midst,
for people from other lands
who call us to grow in understanding,
for children
who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn,
who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day:
for life
and one more day to love,
for opportunity
and one more day to work for justice and peace,
for neighbors
and one more person to love
and by whom be loved,
for your grace
and one more experience of your presence,
for your promise:
to be with us,
to be our God,
and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings,
we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,
through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Everyday is Thanksgiving!

"I have felt for a long time that one of the particular temptations of the maturing Christian is the danger of getting accustomed to his blessings. Like the world traveler who has been everywhere and seen everything, the maturing Christian is in danger of taking his blessings for granted and getting so accustomed to them that they fail to excite him as they once did."  -Warren Wiersbe, God Isn't In a Hurry, (Baker Books; Grand Rapids, MI, 1994), pp. 77-78

We, as human beings, are subject to resentfulness. Even worse, we're also in the habit of of lusting for what we don't have. That is precisely why giving thanks regularly reminds us just how blessed we are. When we concentrate on our blessings, instead of our needs, we are much more peaceful, and content.

By thanking God for the things we fail to appreciate, our outlook on life changes. It suddenly begins to dawn on us that our very existence depends on God's merciful blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 1:12; 2 Corinthians 12:9). Besides, expressing our feelings of appreciation for His blessings is healthy for us.

It's quite possible to have a thankful heart towards God, even though we might not feel thankful for the situation. It's also entirely possible to be mournful, hurt, or angry at sin, yet be thankful, as well. The Bible calls this a "sacrifice of praise" (Hebrews 13:15).

Dear friends, offering thanks to God keeps us (our hearts) in a close relationship with Him. Not only that, it saves us from a multitude of unhealthy emotions and attitudes that will deprive us of the peace God wants us to feel (Philippians 4:6-7). Without gratefulness, we turn arrogant and self-centered. At that point, we start taking credit for our own blessings. This, I can tell you, is not a good place to be!

Billy Graham said, "Thanksgiving--the giving of thanks--to God for all His blessings should be one of the most distinctive  marks of the believer in Jesus Christ. We must not allow a spirit of ingratitude to harden our heart and chill our relationship with God and others." I couldn't agree more.

Around the world, special days of the year are set aside for thanksgiving (or giving thanks). Fortunately, for the Christian, every day can be a day of thanksgiving. Don't let another day pass by without giving thanks to God the Father for His loving generosity (Ephesians 5:20).

Scripture: Psalm 95:2-3; Ephesians 1:15-16; 1 Timothy 4:4-5; 1 Chronicles 16:34; Colossians 3:17

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know that I don't always tell you how thankful I am for everything you provide and do for me. Please forgive my shortcomings and self-centeredness, and accept my loving praise to You. I am truly thankful for the blessings which you have given me, not only today, but every day. Amen

May God bless you!

Sarah

Help Is Always There

"Hitting the road for Thanksgiving? Honk! is a new roadside-assistance app that can get you a tow truck and a ride to the repair shop, usually within 15 to 30 minutes, writes Jennifer Jolly. Sounds like a winner."  -Belton, Beth. "Honk! If You Need Help." USA Today 23 Nov. 2014, Money sec. Print.

Every now and then we find ourselves in a situation where help is needed. From the occasional flat tire during a downpour, locking your keys in the car at the shopping mall, to trying to find a babysitter at the last minute because your regular sitter suddenly became ill. Whatever the scenario, we are familiar with needing someone to help, or assist us.

You know, a funny thing about needing help is that many of us have a hard time accepting it. It's true! Maybe it's because we think that it makes us appear weak, dumb, or that we are simply incapable of being independent. Whatever the reason, it keeps us from seeking help when we really need it.

Listen, there's absolutely no shame in needing extra help. No shame, at all. It only means you’re normal. We were not made to do it all! No matter what the experts on television and radio squawk about, or the magazine articles tell you; we all need help from time to time. Amen to that!

César Chávez, American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist put it plainly when he said, “You are never strong enough that you don't need help.” This is so true. Our lives can transform in an instant. Our prosperity, health, jobs, are but a few fragile examples of commodities capable of blowing away in the next wind of change.

Therefore, as we enter the holiday season, we certainly should be thankful for the blessings given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ. But, even more importantly, we should extend our help to those who are lacking. In Hebrews 6:10, we are told that God will not forget how we helped others when they needed it. He knows everything! He knows perfectly well all the love you've shown him by helping the needy -Hebrews 6:9-12 (MSG).

As I close, I remind you that just because someone needs help, doesn't necessarily mean they will ask for it. Pray that God may guide you to where help is needed the most. Without a doubt, there are many opportunites within your own communitiy where your Christian spirit of helping can be utilized.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:16; Philippians 2:4; Luke 6:38; 1 John 3:17; John 15:12

Prayer: Holy Father, there are so many who are need throughout the world, and even though I am only one; I pray that together, with other faithful followers, we can be generous, and caring examples of Your love to those in want. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Makinzie

Be Eternally Thankful

 In the midst of the storm, when the storm-battered vessel was plunging at its four anchors off the coast of Malta, Paul "gave thanks to God in presence of them all" (Acts 27:35). He could do that because he had faith in the word and promise God had given him.

Paul's reasons for gratitude to God cover the whole territory of human life and experience. He gives thanks for:

1) His daily bread (Acts 27:35)
2) Men who have faith in Christ (Romans 1:8)
3) Deliverance from anxiety (2 Corinthians 2:14)
4) Deliverance from temptation (Romans 7:25)
5) The memory of his friends (Philippians 1:3)
6) Kindness in the day of trouble (Acts 28:15)
7) The "unspeakable" gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Thankfulness can be a very volatile thing. Many times, our thankfulness focuses only on the physical things. Here's what I mean. We're thankful for our health; our families and our homes; our financial stability; and for the things we have. However, all of these things can change quickly. Health can deteriorate, families can break up, and bank accounts can disappear. Then what? How does this affect our thankfulness?

The point that I'm trying to make is that it's okay to be thankful for all the physical blessings we enjoy. There's certainly nothing wrong with that. But, we should learn to look beyond those unstable things to some things that never change. Things that remain constant throughout all the seasons of our lives. Let's call these things: unchanging reasons for thankfulness.

Beginning with Our Savior, there is his abiding presence; His assisting presence; His anchoring presence. No matter where life takes us we will never go there alone (Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 41:10).

Then there is our salvation. We can give God thanks that salvation is given freely (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17). We can be thankful for the pain of salvation. God paid an unimanageable price for us. Our salvation cost God the life of His Son (John 3:16). Even though he knew what we were, and what we would be like after He saved us; Jesus still died for our sins on the cross!

And what was the purpose of this? He died so that He might "sanctify the people." He saved us so that we might become different, and that He might be able to use us for His glory (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Finally, our world is constantly changing. If we put all of our hopes in this "physical" world, we'll be more disappointed than happy. Still, there is some good news! We can rejoice in the fact that this world is not the end of the road. Something much better awaits us.

We can be thankful that when our journey ends here we have a glorious place waiting for us. A place where we can rest from our labors, and delight in the awesome presence of the Lord. We don't know much about it now, but we do know that it will be trouble-free (Revelation 21:4). And, more importantly, we know that we will be with Jesus (John 14:1-3).

In closing, let's be thankful for all the things He gives us; and praise Him for our health, our families, our financial blessings, etc. Certainly, we shouldn't take them for granted, but we should learn to be more thankful for those things which we can never lose. Let's be ever thankful for those things that cannot change.

Then, when all physical blessings have faded away, and we find no reason for praise in them, let's thank the Lord that there are some things that will never change! It's in these things that we have an unchanging reason to be eternally thankful.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalms 107:1; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2

Prayer: Lord, you have given me so many reasons to be thankful. But the thing that I am most thankful for is the day I gave myself to you. Amen

God bless you!

Riley

Saturday Scripture Study with Bibi: When Two Become One...

Hello, everyone! Thank you for joining me again for Saturday Scripture Study. During this particular study series we will be discussing the parables of Jesus. He used parables as part of his teaching lessons. These parables contain powerful messages that are just beneath the surface of the story; which in turn motivate us to dig deeper, and learn how to better walk with Christ, Our Lord.

We are now at Week Eight of our series. This week we will discuss how by prophecy God foretold that he would send a Messiah into this world; though He would be unsatisfactory to the Jews. Then, unrecognizable to them as such, he (the Messiah) would be rejected and killed; thereby taking his throne over a spirtual kingdom open to all humankind.

Before we begin our study, let's pray together: God, you have made the heavens and the earth. You have revealed your beauty in creation and inspired the book that we are now about to study. Please help us now as we read together. Take us deeper into understanding more about you and your love for us. Amen.

Whether bungled, or denied by Premillenialists and Jews alike--the Messiah was to come into the world only to be spurned by his own countrymen and die. That humble submission to physical death was the last step to the throne of the kingdom of God.

Jesus was a Jew, of course. Thus, when he came to earth and began his ministry, he first approached those who should have recognized him from their prophecies. The few Gentiles with whom he had contact demanded his help by their persistence and pitiable state. Then the crumbs fell from the table of revelation to them, dogs as the Jews called them.

As I have provided here for your convenience, the fifty-second and fifty-third chapters of Isaiah's prophecy describe his earthly fate quite clearly:

I. Isaiah's Prophecy                                                           II. Fulfillment
-he will be exalted (Isaiah 52:13)                                        -Philippians 2:9
-he will be disfigured by suffering (Isaiah 52:14; 53:2)         - Mark 15:17, 19
-he will make a blood atonement (Isaiah 52:15)                  - 1 Peter 1:2
-he will be widely rejected (Isaiah 53:1-3)                           - John 12:37-38
-he will bear our sins and sorrows (Isaiah 53:4-5)            - Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24-25
-he will be our substitute (Isaiah 53:6-8)                             - 2 Corinthians 5:21
-he will accept our guilt voluntarily (Isaiah 53:7-8)              - John 10:11, 19:30
-he will be buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9)            - John 19:38-42
-he will save the faithful (Isaiah 53:10-11)                           -John 3:16; Acts 6:31
-he will die on behalf of transgressors (Isaiah 53:12)            - Mark 15:27; Luke 22:37

Some time after Jesus had been  debased, then restored to his throne, Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 concerning him: "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone." By prophecy, God foretold that the Messiah he would send into the world would not satisfy the Jews. Tha Messiah would be rejected and killed and thereby take possession of his throne over a spiritual kingdom open to all.

Isaiah also prophesied that the Gentiles would discern God's righteousness and enter as God gives his people a new name (Isaiah 62:2). In his death on the cross, Jesus reconciled man to God and also Jew to Gentile. Though "aliens to the commonwealth of Israel" and without hope before now Gentiles too are led close to Jehovah by his son's blood. Christ "has made both [Jew and Gentile] one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation...so as to create in himself one new man from the two" (Ephesians 2:14-15).

In lieu of judging the world by race, God mediates it by a higher standard: "Whoever fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:35). That devoted person is called a Christian, meaning like Christ. "Christian" first appears in Acts 11:26, where the Greek word for "called" indicates a divine mandate.

Agrippa acknowledged this new brotherhood and sisterhood as Christians, and the apostle Peter encouraged them to stand patiently in that worthy calling. They were no longer Jew, Gentile, nor any sectarian name, but Christian.

Known as the parable of the New Wineskins (Matthew 9:16-17, Mark 2:21-22, Luke 5:36-38), Jesus teaches about the uncomfortable metamorphosis from Mosaic Judaism to New Testament Christianity. He anticipates that some will try to slip the new liberty of the gospel into the same old rituals and customs of the Law of Moses.

In the parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-45, Mark 12:1-2, Luke 20:9-19), the same psalmist is quoted by Christ. Additionally, the execution of God's son is prophesied by the victim himself.

Finally, in the parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24), Jesus defines the guests in the kingdom of God as the "less likely," after the "more likely" turn down (by excuses) his invitation to come join him.

Questions:

1. Was the Jews' rejection of Jesus's claim to be their messiah a surprise to God?
2. What kind of picture does Isaiah paint of the Messiah's visit to earth?
3. What are the implications and fulfillment of Psalm 118:22?
4. What did Jesus's death accomplish for racial harmony in the world?
5. If God does not judge by heredity, how does he view each man?
6. What is represented by the old wineskins? What is represented by the new wineskins?
7. The Judaizing teachers in the first century church were the most likely to seek to bind characteristics of the Mosaic law on new converts. According to Galatians 5:1-6, what becomes of one who attempts to be justified by that law after obeying the gospel? (Also consult Galatians 4:8-11).
8. What lesson does this demonstrate for us today?
9. Whom did the chief priests and Pharisees perceive Jesus was condemning as the wicked vine dressers? Were they right? Who is the son then?
10. To whom was the kingdom of God given after the builders rejected its keystone?
11. What group of people in the world were invited first to come into the kingdom? What did they begin to make (Luke 14:18).
12. Whom were invited to come into the empty places then?

Until next time...

May your week be blessed!

Bibi

Video - Lisa Bevere: "Limitless"

From her teaching series "See It," Lisa Bevere reveals how she leaned on her handicap to escape her fears, but God's plans for her forced her to overcome them. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Freedom from Loneliness

"Loneliness and the feeling that nobody needs you is the worst kind of poverty."  -Mother Teresa

Whereas, for most loneliness is a temporary feeling, for far too many of us it's a recurring experience. In addition, loneliness can also lead to many other emotional issues, such as depression, anxiety, and anger. Charles Swindoll wrote that loneliness is no respecter of persons, or age, that it knows no boundaries—that it visits all people.

I'd like to suggest a cure for loneliness. It's nothing that dramatic, in fact, it's fairly simple. It's not something wild or crazy, you don't need a doctor's prescription, and is available anytime of the day or night. Sounds too good to be true? I mean, after all, people will attempt all kinds of things to escape from loneliness. In reality, the remedy for loneliness has always been there; freely accessible to everyone.

Beloved, why not accept God’s cure for your loneliness? You see, it's our sin that destroys our fellowship with God. But Jesus’ death on the Cross means that the walls have been torn down. When we give our lives to Christ, accept Him as the payment for all of our sin, and accept His forgiveness, we are washed clean of our guilt and shame. And with our acceptance of Christ as our Lord and Savior, God becomes our Heavenly Father. And as our Father: He loves us unconditionally, and accepts us just the way we are!

Loneliness is a personal choice for the believer. I’m not talking about the "every-now-and-then" moments we all experience, but the lingering, extensive loneliness. God has provided you with everything that you need. If you choose to live in loneliness, that's your choice. God has given us His Son, His Word, and all of the brothers and sisters in faith. Now, that doesn't sound "lonely" to me at all!

The Bible mentions nothing about a "going at it alone" mentality. Nearly every book in the New Testament was written to a community of believers. For instance, every time the word saint appears in Scripture it's plural. Also, most of the time when the word "you" is used in the New Testament (although we interpret it as 2nd person singular) it's 2nd person plural.

I might add that while individualism is very common today, it's totally unbiblical and foreign to New Testament Christianity. We would find ourselves a very splintered group without the unity of believers serving each other by employing their particular gifts.

As long as there have been people, there has been loneliness. It's always been part of the human experience. However, the freedom from loneliness begins at salvation. The early church father, Augustine, said “God created man for Himself and hearts are restless until they find rest in Him.” If you’ve never entrusted your life to Christ, you'll never be free from loneliness until you do.

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10; 1 Peter 5:7; Joshua 1:5; Psalm 23:4; Philippians 4:6-7  

Prayer: Dear Lord, I realize that loneliness is common to everyone. I just want you to know how much I love and appreciate you; knowing that you are always there for me, never further away than a prayer. Amen

God bless you!

Riley