Weekend Message | How to Know God’s Will for Your Life | FULL EPISODE | Better Together on TBN

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's always our 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 week, we present the TBN "Better Together" 2025 Thanksgiving Special! This episode explores how gratitude, viewed as an act of faith, can help individuals navigate difficult periods Shifting our perspective can bring this about, uncovering God's presence in all circumstances, difficult ones included

Choosing gratitude is a life-altering decision that transforms one's perspective, offering solace and inviting divine strength, peace, and joy into the heart. The episode's core message is that being grateful boosts your resilience, deepens your faith, and gives you a spiritual way to fight off despair

© Better Together on TBN

Join us as Laurie Crouch, Sheila Walsh, Holly Wagner, Nona Jones, and Dr. Irini Fambro share how to walk through seasons of suffering and find renewed hope, peace, and grace on the other side of gratitude.

Elevate your weekend with this inspiring and informative discussion!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

Live in God's Presence

"So we are to live and move and have our being in God, to look at everything in relation to God, because the abiding consciousness of God pushes itself to the front all the time."  - Oswald Chambers, early-twentieth-century Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher (1874-1917)

In the initial segment of the above quotation, to "live and move and have our being" in God comes from Acts 17:28. How does this imply that our dependence on God is total, encompassing all aspects of life?

This verse from the Apostle Paul's speech to the Athenians, highlights that God is the primary cause of everything in existence. It suggests that our ability to live life through our senses, and every breath, heartbeat, and moment is a gift from Him.

This reality is spiritual in nature, not just physical. God is the ultimate reality and source of all awareness. That is, we should let Him be the ultimate guide for our lives. Life without God is empty; with God, it is full of meaning.

To live and breathe God conveys that His presence sustains our inner lives. It highlights that sin is a significant factor in our disconnection from God and impedes spiritual development. It also means purging yourself of things that are "spiritually draining," such as negative thoughts, unhelpful habits, toxic relationships, etc.

Prioritizing a relationship with God involves making daily decisions to obey God's Word, thereby aligning our lives with His will, rather than the world's. In practice, this manifests as a consistent commitment to prayer, active faith, and leaning into the Holy Spirit.

By drawing near to God (seeking Him out), we are, in essence, actively engaging and moving into or toward God. Thus, to bring our points together, by centering our lives on God, we become active partners in His kingdom work.

Implementing and Acting

A. Prioritize God Above All Else:

• What steps can you take to experience God's peace and strength in the midst of life's storms?
• Think about the moments you have felt overwhelmed. Did you instinctively turn to God?

B. Live an Obedient Life:

• How do you actively choose to honor God's word in every decision, even when it's difficult? 
• What is one change you can make in your routine this week to better follow God's will?

C. Pursue a Relationship with God:

• What can you do to feel closer to God this week, even in small ways?
• Think about creating space in your day to connect with Him spiritually, either through prayer or reading the scriptures.

D. Embody the Gospel:

• How can you live out Christian values of compassion, kindness, and fairness every day?
• What is one way to show someone the hope of Christ through my actions or words? 

Essentially, living in accordance with God's plan indicates a life lived in Him isn't pointless; it's a life of divine purpose and direction. Understanding that our life originates from God changes our perspective; we find more joy and gratitude in life, knowing we are part of His purpose.

Scripture: Genesis 2:7; Psalm 36:9; John 14:6; John 15:5; James 4:8

Prayer: "Dear God, you give being to all. I surrender my life to you, the source of all life, and ask that you guide my steps, for apart from you, I can do nothing. Amen." 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

~Eve

Thankfulness as God's Will and Purpose

"In thanking God, we fasten upon His favors to us; in praising and adoring God, we fasten upon His perfections in Himself."  - Matthew Henry, British Nonconformist and Presbyterian minister and author (1662-1714)  

"What comes to mind when you think about the meaning of thankfulness?" 

According to the Bible, thankfulness involves a life of constant spiritual submission that recognizes all things are gifts from the mighty hand of God.

What's more, it is an act of worship and trust, not merely a simple "thank you" or a reliance on favorable timing. To be a Christian is to live a life of gratitude, and an acknowledgment of God's inherent kindness, total lordship, and enduring mercy.

In order to help explore this further, I've included an outline of some key aspects below:

I. "For from him and through him and for him are all things." - (Romans 11:36)

    Thankfulness begins with recognizing our complete dependence on God for everything.

• Biblical Passages - Acts 17:25; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 1:17 

Points to consider: 

• How does the contemporary notion of self-sufficiency clash with the biblical principle that everything is a gift from God?
• What are some "good and perfect gifts" in your life that you may have been failing to appreciate (e.g., health, family, salvation)?

II. Thankfulness as a Duty of Gratitude. The Bible describes thankfulness as an imperative (command) and a type of worshipping God.

• Biblical Passages - Psalm 100:4; Romans 1:21; Hebrews 12:28

Points to consider: 

• Why is a lack of gratitude (thanklessness) a sin in the Bible?
• How can giving thanks in prayer help with anxiety, as mentioned in Philippians 4:6?

III. Give thanks in every circumstance. Biblical thankfulness is an unwavering inner resolve.

• Biblical Passages - Daniel 6:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 1:2-3

Points to consider: 

• What's the main difference between being thankful for all circumstances and being thankful in all circumstances?
• Recount an incident where choosing thankfulness during a hard time changed your way of seeing things?

IV. Putting Theory into Practice: Having a Heart of Thankfulness. Practicing thankfulness affects our connection with God and others through actions.

• Biblical Passages - 2 Corinthians 9:11; Ephesians  5:20; Colossians 3:17

Plan of Action:

• Extend heartfelt thanks. - Express gratitude to someone who has made a difference in your life.
• Make gratitude an integral part of your daily conversation with God. - Let your prayers include words of thanks and praise.
• Embrace a giving spirit. - Helping or giving your time or energy to others can be an expression of thankfulness.
• Write down the best part of your day. - Recording daily appreciations can be helpful.

Some Final Thoughts: The biblical meaning of thankfulness involves gratefully acknowledging God's mighty hand in all areas of life, responding with continuous reverence and indebtedness, and letting thankfulness guide your actions and interactions.

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I am so grateful for the salvation You provide. Teach me to be thankful always, acknowledging Your blessings in both joy and trials. Amen."

May your heart be light and your soul be blessed,

Piper

Inner Peace and Happiness

"Consider what man is. He is a creature that desires happiness, and cannot but desire it. The desire of happiness is woven into his nature, and cannot be eradicated. It is as natural for him to desire as it is to breathe."  - Thomas Boston, Scottish Presbyterian church leader, theologian and philosopher (1676-1732)

Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." This principle stresses that even the most difficult challenges are begun with a single, foundational action. 

We can apply this principle to finding joy and happiness in life. Sitting around wishing for it, or waiting until a better opportunity presents itself is not the most effective way to find it.

Based on the Bible, God is the source of true and lasting happiness. It is characterized by walking in God's ways, loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and finding purpose in following His will.

• Psalm 16:11; Psalm 37:4; Matthew 5:3-12; Philippians 4:11-13

However, true and lasting happiness is not an unconnected principle. In order to derive the greatest benefit from it one must also lead a "blameless" life. Let's explore this a little further.

At first glance, "blameless" sounds intimidating. But in a biblical sense, it is not sinless perfection. Rather, it consists of integrity, virtue, and a total devotion to God. Simply put, it's about living authentically before God.

• Genesis 17:1, Job 1:1; Psalm 119:1

When the two join, we find that integrity sparks enduring contentment. Meaning that a blameless life leads to true happiness because you submit to God's plan, which provides protection, peace, and inherent spiritual wealth.

• Proverbs 11:20; Romans 8:28; Philippians 2:14-15; Jude 1:24

Clearly, true happiness and a blameless life are biblically connected. It is living a life of principle and meaning found in wholeheartedly seeking God, walking in His wisdom, and placing your faith in what Jesus has already accomplished on the cross.

Furthermore, by applying forgiveness, gratitude and service, meditating on God's Word, prayer and trust, we also demonstrate God's love in a broken world, strengthening our state of abiding happiness.

Prayer: "Dear God, may my life be a reflection of Your righteousness, blameless in Your eyes and a source of true happiness. In Your name, I pray. Amen."

May God bless you always,

Liana

Weekend Message | How to Know God’s Will for Your Life | FULL EPISODE | Better Together on TBN

Welcome to the Weekend Message! 

It's always our 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.

Question: How can we know what God wants us to do with our lives? Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.” Discover how prayer, thanksgiving, and supernatural joy open the door to living in God’s perfect will.

Join us as Laurie Crouch, Sheila Walsh, Faith Eury Cho, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Amie Dockery share how to recognize God’s direction, trust His timing, and walk confidently in His plan for your life.

© Better Together on TBN

This episode points out that God's will is not as complicated as we might think—it involves living according to His character revealed in the Bible and trusting that He doesn't punish sincere attempts to follow Him. 

Understanding God's will is not about finding a secret, dramatic sign, but about seeking daily guidance through prayer, Scripture, and community.

The key is to continually seek His face and strength, obey what you already know, and trust Him with the outcome, rather than fearing failure or being paralyzed by the need for a big, clear sign. 

So, get your weekend off to a great start by watching this informative and inspirational discussion. You will be glad that you did!

May God richly bless you,

~Eve

The Limitless Wisdom of God

"God is completely sovereign. God is infinite in wisdom. God is perfect in love. God in His love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about."  - Jerry Bridges, evangelical Christian author and speaker (1929-2016)

Picture a flowing stream that never runs dry. A beautiful flower that never wilts and dies. Or a bright light that never fades. These phrases might be used to describe God's infinite wisdom.

However, as we shall learn, these earthly examples are hopelessly insufficient in conveying God's boundless knowledge. In reality, no one can explain the things God decides or understand his ways.

God's wisdom is infinite, all-encompassing, and beyond human comprehension. It is also perfect and infallible, meaning it can't be improved or be wrong, as He operates with flawless precision and has a complete grasp of all things.

Let's delve into some key points here: 

I. The Bible presents God as the Divine Origin of all understanding, or the origin of all wisdom and knowledge (Job 12:13; Psalm 147:5; Proverbs 2:6; Romans 11:33). 

• Think about the ways God's infinite wisdom provides comfort during unsettled times, and reflect on the difference between human and divine wisdom.

II. The revelation of God's perfect knowledge is manifested in creation and throughout salvation history (Proverbs 3:19-20; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:2-3).

• Consider how the natural world reveals God's wise design and how Jesus Christ personifies God's wisdom.

III. We can connect with God's wisdom at any time. In fact, the pursuit of it is encouraged (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 9:10; James 1:5).

• Examine the significance of what it means to "ask in faith" for wisdom (James 1:5) and how "the fear of the Lord" is the beginning of true wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Also, incorporate spiritual disciplines (prayer, reading scripture, etc.) to make decisions in line with God's guidance.

IV. Unlike worldly wisdom which is of the earth, the wisdom of God is from above, and it produces specific positive characteristics (Proverbs 18:4; Matthew 7:24; James 3:17).

• Give thought to the characteristics in James 3:17 and how living by God's wisdom affects daily routines and decision-making. Additionally, consider how speech can reveal the presence of wisdom (Proverbs 18:4).

It is evident that God is an everlasting source of wisdom, Whom we can confidently seek from. Therefore, we are called to maintain contact with this source through faith, prayer, and obedience. 

You can put this into action by making some time in your busy life to pray for wisdom in a specific area and meditate on God's Word for guidance (Psalm 111:10).

Prayer: "Dear Lord, thank You for the wisdom You freely give. Guide my steps and my heart in Your perfect way. Amen."

Blessings and joy to you,

Nataly

Bible Studies To-Go | Acting on Your Faith (James 1)

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time."  - Oswald Chambers, early-twentieth-century Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher (1874-1917)

The ©Bible Studies To-Go series presents abridged Scripture studies that are tailored for the contemporary believer who desires to enhance their Bible learning, but is limited by a demanding daily routine. 

Our concise studies focus on themes, topics, and in some cases are even developed by questions we gather from our work with others. In-depth Bible studies can easily be obtained from other sources, if one prefers that.

Opening Prayer: "God, we are grateful to be here together. Please speak to us through your Word and help us to listen with open hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Background Information: James 1 is the first chapter of the Book of James in the New Testament. It was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus to dispersed Jewish Christians. 

The key message of James 1 is that real faith is visible through one's actions and the steadiness they show when facing trials and suffering. The emphasis is placed on believers to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." (James 1:22, ESV)

Topic for Study: The relationship between faith and action.

Introduction: In James 1:1, James identifies himself as "a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ." This is an important title, given that he was Jesus' half-brother here on earth. It stresses his deep respect for Jesus as his Lord and Savior. 

Thought-Provoking Question: "What attitude does James tell believers to have when they face trials, and why is this attitude challenging to maintain?"

Section One: Embracing the Growth and Wisdom That Comes From Hardship (James 1:2-11). In this section, believers are instructed to possess an attitude of joy during difficulties because trials, from a biblical perspective, are intended to promote spiritual growth.

Read the selected verses then address the questions that follow. As you read keep the section heading in mind. 

• James 1:2-4 - The Reason for Trials
• James 1:5-8 - Asking God for Wisdom
• James 1:9-11 - Attitudes Towards Affluence and Destitution

Points of Discussion:

• James instructs us to "consider it pure joy" when facing trials. How is this possible when grappling with hardship?
• Verses 3-4 map out a progression: trials -> testing -> perseverance -> maturity. How have you personally experienced this process?
• What is the contrast between worldly knowledge and the "wisdom" that James makes reference to?

Thought-Provoking Question: How does God's role in giving us life (v. 18) contrast with the results of giving in to temptation?

Section Two: Temptation Leads to Death, While God’s Gifts Lead to Life (James 1:12-18). James switches from external trials (which test our faith) to internal temptation (which entices our sinful desires).

Read the selected verses then address the questions that follow. As you read keep the section heading in mind. 

• James 1:12-15 - The Inception of Sin
• James 1:16-18 - God’s Loving Provision

Points of Discussion:

• How is "temptation" different from "trials" as mentioned in Section One?
• Why is it important for James to highlight that God is not the source of temptation?
• How can the promise of the "crown of life" (v. 12) help us to resist temptation?

Thought-Provoking Question: How can you ensure your faith is not just intellectual but also reflected in your actions? 

Section Three: Living by the Word (James 1:19-27). This last section stresses the practical application of faith in daily life.

Read the selected verses then address the questions that follow. As you read keep the section heading in mind.

• James 1:19-21 - An Invitation to Walk in Obedience
• James 1:22-25 - Practitioners of Faith
• James 1:26-27 - Genuine Faith in Action

Points of Discussion:

• How do the instructions to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (v.19) relate to the previous discussion on trials and temptation?
• In James 1:23-24 James uses the vivid illustration of a mirror to describe those who hear the word but do not carry it out. What does this illustration teach us?
• In James 1:26-27 we are given a practical definition of "pure religion". What do these actions look like in our lives today?
• Based on James 1, what is one action step you can take this week to put your beliefs into action?

In closing, we have seen that James 1 calls for authentic belief demonstrated through perseverance during trials, righteous living, compassion, and obedience.

Closing Prayer: "Dear Lord, thank you for the wisdom you give generously. Help me to apply the lessons from James 1 today and make wise decisions in all things. Amen." 

I hope that this condensed study format serves to motivate and inspire you to incorporate additional activities, methods, and reflections in deepening your understanding and enjoyment of God's Word, the Bible.

I'm excited for our next Bible study, and eagerly look forward to our next meeting!

The Lord Jesus bless you,

Danielle