Sunday, December 20, 2009

Merry Christmas



We want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all your participation, prayer and encouragement. God has been good to us in 2009 and we pray that you will have a deeper relationship with Him next year.

We will be back on Monday, January 4th, 2010. We have many surprises for the new year so stay tuned... Before you go why not share a Christmas wish with everyone in the BGO community.

God Bless
Natasha and Andrew

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Talk Tuesday-The CHRIST of CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Why has this greeting become controversial? Today it is considered politically correct to say, "Happy Holidays." Why? Who is this Jesus whose birth we celebrate? Why is He so important?

The Jewish prophets foretold of the coming of the Jewish Messiah many centuries ago. The Prophet Isaiah writes:

"Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
*Immanuel or Emmanuel or Imanu'el (Hebrew עִמָּנוּאֵל "God [is] with us" consists of two Hebrew words: אֵל (’El, meaning 'God') and עִמָּנוּ (ʻImmānū, meaning 'with us')* (wikipedia reference)

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE." Isaiah 9:6

Jesus is the Son of GOD-the ONLY begotten SON OF GOD. Jesus is our Salvation.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus is the WORD of GOD.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1-2

"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Jesus is the One who holds the key to our birthright.
"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12

Jesus is the Mediator between us and God the Father.
"For there is one GOD and one mediator between GOD and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.." 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " John 14:6

Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God who cleanses our sins and redeems our souls.
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to your from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19

Jesus is our High Priest.
"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not part of this creation. Hebrews 9:11

Jesus is our intercessor. Jesus is at the right hand of God.
"...Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of the GOD and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:34

"...but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to GOD through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:24-25

Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is our Defender, the Righteous One.
"But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2

Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Jesus is the chief cornerstone.
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." 1 Peter 2:6

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." Ephesians 2:19-20

Jesus is the vine.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1-4

Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.
"...the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Revelation 5:1-5

"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for GOD from every tribe and language and people and nation.You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our GOD, and they will reign on earth." Revelation 5:9-10

Jesus is the difference between life and death. There are NOT many paths to GOD. There is only ONE PATH, ONE WAY, ONE TRUTH, ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD and MAN, ONE SAVIOUR, ONE REDEEMER-His name is Jesus Christ! This Christmas join us in meditating on the truth of who Jesus Christ truly is. Let us share these life-giving truths with those we love. Give the gift of Christ for Christmas-He is the VERY BEST present!

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20


Sunday, December 13, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 7:1-13



Jesus Goes to the Feast of Tabernacles

1After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. 2But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
6Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. 7The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. 8You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." 9Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"

12Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man."

Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." 13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.



Questions:

1. Although Jesus' brothers do not believe Him, this does not cause Jesus to falter in His mission. Jesus' brothers incorrectly assume that Jesus desires to become a popular 'public person', well liked and admired for His miraculous abilities. Yet Jesus knows that His message is both powerful and controversial.

a) What was Jesus' mission from the God the Father?

b) How does Jesus teach us about waiting for God's timing rather than our own?

2. Jesus' own brothers don't believe Him, members of the public want to kill Him and He knows that His message will cause others to hate Him. Yet Jesus remains faithful to God's mission for His earthly life. As a result of His obedience, multitudes upon multitudes of generations to come have the gift of salvation.

Has God called you to a particular ministry or put a dream in your heart that seems unattainable? What does Jesus teach us about following, trusting and obeying God's call for our lives?


3. When Jesus eventually went to the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jews were looking for Him. Some believed that He was a good man while others thought He was a deceiver. Yet no one wanted to publicly say anything about Him for fear of the Jews. How do people today view Jesus? Is it controversial to talk about Him as the Messiah?

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Talk Tuesday-Purity's Wisdom

We would like to introduce you to our Guest Writer, Minister V.

MINISTER V, known to most as simply Vanessa, is a mother, sister and friend. Passionate and not afraid to speak the truth, this young woman of God, now twenty five and having come a long way, has much to share about her life and relationship with Jesus Christ. Currently enrolled at The Montreal School of Ministry, in the Ministerial Internship Program, this young lady is eager to serve the Kingdom of God and relay the gospel message of Christ. You can find Vanessa on Sunday mornings at The Resurrection Center Church of God, in Montreal, Canada where she resides, this is her first article.

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Breaking up is hard to do.
When you have sexual intercourse with someone you become one flesh, "and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh," (Mark 10:8) so, you are considered taken by that person, taken as in married! That means spiritually you are in a counterfeit marriage! No walk down the aisle or pretty white dress; in the spirit realm, this is it! When you break up, it literally tears apart the two people and it is physically painful because your emotions and your body are involved. Ever wonder why you hurt so badly after breaking up? You’re going through a spiritual divorce! That is why the bible talks about joining one man to one wife, Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, (Gen 2:24). God intended us to be with one person, someone with whom we are equally yoked, sharing the same values with and can anticipate a firm foundation on the solid Rock that is Christ. When you’re married, there is no tearing apart flesh as marriage is for life. It is in times of trouble that the same foundation will keep you from breaking up.
One of the reasons I believe we have sex before marriage is because we do not understand the extent of the damage that it causes spiritually. Everyone you sleep with becomes a part of you, and creating an unhealthy cycle we carry what our sexual partners have given us and attach whatever we have received to the next person. With each sexual partner we become connected and when we disconnect, we are left damaged. It is not God’s will that we present ourselves to our future husband or wife, emotionally disfigured. The Word cautions us, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Prov.4:23) because we make decisions about love and sex with our hearts. The purpose of marriage is divine because God understands the need to be with someone, And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him,” (Gen 2:18). The point of abstaining from sex before marriage is not to deprive one of sexual desires, but rather to ensure that when you’re ready for marriage you enter into your marriage spiritually and physically healthy.
Don’t forget that God created us in His image (Gen 1:27) and He fashioned each one of us in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5), created for His specific purpose. He knows what is best, it is us who take it upon ourselves to do as we please and lead our lives in the way we see fit. The bible says, Commit your ways to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established-A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps, (Prov. 16:3, 9) so as we pursue future relationships we need to remain mindful of His Word and His calling; our aim should be to allow God to work in us to become the whole individuals that He has intended us to be and remain pure. While we are dating or courting, that means understanding that sex before marriage is fornication and fornication is sin. Sin brings with it complications and is to be avoided at ALL COSTS, for the wages of sin is death.
In short, breaking up is hard to do and it can become nasty. That is why we must take our time, use wisdom about who we date and understand that we are not to be involved sexually before we take the marriage vow. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).
I don't know about you, but I've suffered enough damage in my life, so let us continue to press on towards the high calling of Christ Jesus and be encouraged!
Always keepin' it real-your sister in Christ,
MINISTER V

Movie Monday - The Christmas Story

Monday, December 7, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 6:60-70



Many Disciples Desert Jesus

60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

70Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" 71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

1. Why do you think many of the disciples turned back and no longer followed him?

2. How does Simon Peter's statement, "You have the words of eternal life" vs.68, reflect his belief in Jesus Christ?

3. How have Jesus' words given life to you?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Talk Tuesday-The Battlefield...Is It the Mind? Part III

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Each of us is presented with the choice to either conform or be transformed. Conforming denotes our deliberate participation in worldly patterns while the renewing of our minds happens through a process of us being transformed by God's word. When we allow our minds to be transformed, we begin to process the world around us through God's lenses. Let's take a look at the concept of forgiveness. This morning as I was spending time with the Lord I began to think about my carnal nature. When someone hurts my feelings, it is my innate desire to retaliate. Why? My pride gets wounded and I feel humiliated. I think, 'How dare they do that to me? Who do they think they are? What gives them the right?' Then I read Romans 12.

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Romans 12:14
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil." Romans 12:17
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink." Romans 12:20

How is this possible? Why should I treat those who wound me, with kindness? Perhaps God, in His infinite wisdom, knows that if I mirror the actions of my enemies, then I begin to embody the very nature that has caused me pain. If I emulate Jesus Christ, then I become more like Him. The foundation of being transformed lies in our submission to Jesus Christ. This submission includes our minds, as well as our bodies.

There is a battle ensuing the spiritual realm:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

The armor of God is for our protection. How are we to stand in the midst of the battle without putting it on?

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:14-18

The armor is protective, to provide a defense against attack. Yet, there is one part of the armor that can be used both offensively and defensively-the 'sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' Being transformed by God's word enables you to become spiritually discerning. Putting on the helmet of salvation protects your head, your mind from the lies that often inundate us through this journey called life. If we truly believe and accept God's love, His offer of salvation, then the negative reinforcements that appear from our past and present can be crippled in the sight of His mercy. The shield of faith is in applying the truth of God's promises to our minds, thoughts and hearts. We cannot spread the gospel of peace without forgiveness. We need God's transforming Word to teach us righteousness and truth. Jesus prays in John 17:7, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." The battlefield of the mind must be fought in submission to God's truth.

We at BGO hope you have enjoyed our 'Battlefield...Is It the Mind?' series. We look forward to your comments and feedback. Please click on the comments link below. Next Tuesday we will be featuring a Guest Writer. Her name is Minister V and she has chosen to share a most personal and powerful word/testimony with us. It is on an EXTREMELY relevant topic! Stay tuned, you will be blessed!

Prayer Wall - December



We wish you a Merry Christmas.

Share your prayer requests with us and we will pray for you.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 6:16-59

Jesus Walks on the Water

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

Jesus the Bread of Life

25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"
26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

41At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"

43"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. 44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.


Questions:

1. It was dark, a strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough (vs.17-18) yet Jesus came to them walking on the water. What does this say about Jesus' presence in our lives through difficult circumstances?


2. Jesus advises, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you" (vs.27). What does He mean by 'food that endures to eternal life'?

3. Jesus makes the following statements:

"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (vs.35)

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him"(vs.54-56)

What does it mean to eat His flesh and drink His blood?

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 6:1-15




Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Feast was near.
5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.


1. What response do you think Jesus was looking for by asking Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" (vs.5-6)

2. Jesus not only fed the multitude but gave them 'as much as they wanted' (vs 11) to eat. What does this say of His heart for His sheep?

3. After the five thousand were fed, there were twelve baskets of leftovers. What is the significance of this miracle? How does it challenge your faith in the midst of your current circumstance?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Talk Tuesday-The Battlefield...Is It the Mind? Part II

Have you ever struggled with persistent, negative thoughts that weary you?

Have you ever heard, "you're a failure", "you'll never amount to anything", "no one will love you", "you are so wicked that your sins will follow you all the days of your life", "not even God can forgive you", "what's the point of even trying, it won't make a difference anyways", "you'll always be alone"?

They can begin as fleeting thoughts, passing through your mind amidst a myriad of situations. Yet they are often like the tiny snowball that becomes bigger and bigger as it rolls downhill. Before you know, it becomes an impassable mound of snow obscuring your vision ahead, so that the only way you can look is backwards.

There is a reality that we need to remember as Christians. It is that although we do have an Enemy we have a SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST, who is greater! Jesus warns us,

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

There is power in the WORD of God.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Each time we experience a negative thought, we need to claim who we are in CHRIST. "For ashe thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV). We need to apply the WORD OF TRUTH against the words of lies in our mind.

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them 'because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.' " 1 John 4:4

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John1:7

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

How has the Word of God set your mind free in the midst of the storms of fear, doubt, shame and guilt? What do you do when you the battle in your mind begins to rage on? Please share with us by clicking on the comments link below. It is a blessing to us all as we engage in meaningful dialogue.

Stay tuned for the final part on this series. We will be discussing Spiritual Warfare.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

Friday, November 13, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 5:31-47



Testimonies About Jesus

31"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. 32There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
33"You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36"I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. 37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

41"I do not accept praise from men, 42but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?

45"But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

Questions

1. What are the testimonies that validate Jesus' claim to be the Messiah?

2. Jesus says, "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him"(vs 43). This was written over two thousand years ago. How is this applicable to today's 'a la carte spirituality'?

3. How does accepting the praise of man prevent us from obtaining the praise that comes from God?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Talk Tuesday-The Battlefield...Is It the Mind? Part I


For every war there is a battlefield. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the battlefield as:

1 : a place where a battle is fought 2 : an area of conflict

For the christian the battlefield is the mind. It is in the realm of the mind that we reason, make decisions and act on them. It is in the realm of the mind where our motives and feelings reside.

Proverbs 23:7 warns us that the power of our thought influences who we are.
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

God created man in His image and likeness, to be in relationship with Him. He laid out a series of guidelines for us which are for our protection, benefit and eternal future. God desires that we experience abundant life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. We MUST surrender our hearts and minds to Christ Jesus, allowing Him to become Lord over our very lives. We have an enemy, called Satan. The Bible states that:

"The great dragon was hurled down- that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." Revelations 12:9 (NIV)

From the beginning of time, the Enemy of our souls has sought to lead us stray through the persuasion of our minds. Observe the discourse between God, Adam and Eve, and the serpent in the Garden of Eden.


"And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'" Genesis 2:16-17


"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?" Genesis 3:1


"The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' " Genesis 3:2-3


"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4-5


God instructs Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He warns them of the consequence of such action, 'you will surely die' (Genesis 2:17). God desires to protect them from death. The serpent desires them to suffer death. The serpent persuades Eve that God has deceived them. Two roads were presented to her, yet she reasoned within her mind to choose the one.

Why would Eve take the word of a serpent she just met over the words of God with whom she was familiar? How did the serpent beguile Eve? Why did the serpent deceive Eve? What was the consequence of Eve's decision and who did it affect?

Click on the comments link to post your thoughts. We want to hear from you! This is a vast topic and we will be discussing it over the next few weeks. If you are new, we heartily welcome you to our BGO family. Happy Commenting!!!



Sunday, November 1, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 5:16-30



Life Through the Son

16So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. 17Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." 18For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. 21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

24"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

28"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.


Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus' words and actions upset the religious people of that time?

2. What does Jesus mean when he says, " 25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live"? (vs.25)

3. What is the significance of the relationship between the Father and Son? How does it impact our lives today?

Monday, October 26, 2009

Talk Tuesday-Do You Ever Want To Run and Hide?

Have you ever wanted to escape reality? I used to tell a friend, "I'm going to run away." I have since repented of that as I've come to the realization that running away from something only means that you will run right into it again. Life is full of things, people and situations that can propel us into escape mode. Have you ever found that drowning out your sorrows in food doesn't really work? You can substitute food for t.v., shopping, entertainment or a host of other destructive 'sedatives'. I call them 'sedatives' because they only temporarily numb the pain of reality. What makes you want to run and hide? The unpredictability of life does it for me. This is where I have to constantly work on TRUSTING IN THE LORD.

The Psalmist says, "Whom have I in heaven but you?" Psalm 73:25

The awesome thing about the Lord, is HE IS our Abba Father, our Refuge and our Hope. He has offered us Salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, so that we never have to be alone.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
Psalm 34:8

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

"You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. " Psalm 32:7

A refuge is a place where you can RUN and HIDE, knowing that you will receive shelter and protection. GOD can be that for us, if we will CHOOSE to run to HIM. When we do, He protects us and delivers us.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:1-2

Is the Lord your refuge? How has knowing Him helped you with life's daily struggles? Have you experienced His shelter, refuge and deliverance before? How has this differed from using what I call a 'destructive sedative'? Please click on the comments link below to share your testimony or insight. What an encouragement it is to others. Stay tuned...next week we will be discussing the 'battlefield of the mind.'

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 5:1-15



John 5:1-15 (New International Version)


The Healing at the Pool

1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

7"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

8Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."

11But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' "

12So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?"

13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus asked the man, who was sick for thirty-eight years (vs 5-6), if he wanted to get well? Why did Jesus command the invalid to get up, pick up his mat and walk? (vs 8)

2. Why do you think Jesus healed the paralytic on the Sabbath?

3. Why did Jesus warn the man to stop sinning?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Talk Tuesday-GROW-Ministry

What is MINISTRY? Why MINISTRY? Does this apply to only selected few or have you also been called to actively participate in MINISTRY? The Bible states that God has given us all gifts of some kind. MINISTRY is serving others and God through these gifts. If you sing, you can minister in song by joining the choir or worship team. If you have the gift of hospitality, you should join an outreach by cooking, hosting, mentoring, acting and serving. You can help with Sunday school, nursery, counselling and a variety of different ministries.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:10-11

As you serve others, you bless God and let the light of Christ shine brightly within you! You give glory to God through Jesus Christ. Getting involved in MINISTRY is a vital part of your Christian walk. It helps you to GROW spiritually as you walk in obedience before the Lord. MINISTRY is an act of love-love towards God and your neighbour. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ through the grace of God.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-9

We must allow our faith to GROW, as we walk in relationship with God through Jesus. You will know a tree by its fruit. If you do not know what you should get involved in, pray and seek the Lord.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "you have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:14-18

How has getting involved in MINISTRY helped you in your walk with the Lord? What does MINISTRY mean to you? Does active participation in a MINISTRY draw you closer to the Lord? We want to hear from you. Please click on the comments link below to add your thoughts!


Friday, October 16, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 4:43-54



John 4:43-54 (New International Version)


Jesus Heals the Official's Son

43After the two days he left for Galilee. 44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.

46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

48"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

49The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

50Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."
The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."

53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

54This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.



Questions:

1. Jesus has the power to heal.  Share the testimony of God's healing power in your life or someone you know.

2. What can we learn from this passage?

3. Why do you think Jesus points out that a prophet has no honour in his own country?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Talk Tuesday-GROW-Worship

Why WORSHIP?

WORSHIP is an expression of praise that comes from a thankful heart. Worship should encompass every area of our hearts, manifesting itself in our everyday lives. We ultimately WORSHIP God by how we live out our lives. When we read the Bible, we WORSHIP Him. When we pray, we WORSHIP Him. When we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we WORSHIP Him. When we help others, we WORSHIP Him. 

When we praise Him, we WORSHIP Him. Let's talk about WORSHIPPING the Lord through PRAISE. How do you praise the Lord? Why should you praise the Lord?

"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to Your name,O Most High, 
to proclaim Your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. 
For You make me glad by Your deeds, O LORD; 
I sing for joy at the work of your hands. 
How great are your works, O Lord, how profound are your thoughts! " 
Psalm 34:1 

WORSHIP allows us to draw closer to Him, taking our eyes off ourselves and putting it on Him. As we praise Him, our WORSHIP immediately invites God's presence in our midst.

"But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." Psalm 22:3 

Let us WORSHIP Him even when life becomes difficult and the challenges seem great. 
 
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess His name." Hebrews 13:15 

What does worship mean to you? Let's talk...please click on the comments link below. Let's continue in the GROW series together! 


Friday, October 9, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 4:27-42


John 4:27-42 (NIV)

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

Many Samaritans Believe

39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41And because of his words many more became believers.

42They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

Questions:

1. The woman went and told everyone about Jesus.  When you became a Christian were you eager to tell people about Jesus?

2. Jesus talks about the harvest, are you telling people about Jesus now?  Are you sowing or reaping?

3. The Samaritan woman shared her experience with others and people came to know Jesus.  How has your experience ministered to other people?

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Talk Tuesday-GROW- Fellowship

Being part of a family is a wonderful thing. A family is there to laugh with you, cry with you, encourage you, defend you and help you to grow. It is often within the realm of family that we discover our strengths and see our weakness. When we come to faith in God through Christ Jesus, we become part of a family of faith, the body of Christ.

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

FELLOWSHIP is actively being part of the Body of Christ, not only attending church, but forming deep, lasting and honest relationships with other Christians. There is strength in numbers. FELLOWSHIP means that we encourage one another, along this journey of life, as we seek to live out the gospel. There is danger in trying to walk alone. If one falls, a friend walking along the same path can lend a hand to help pick him/her up.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

When we come to faith in Christ, the Lord blesses us with many spiritual gifts that are meant for service within the Body of Christ.

FELLOWSHIP helps us to know what role our gift plays in the Body of Christ. Each part of the body, has an equally important role. FELLOWSHIP provides the soil for our gifts to grow so that they can function in the role God intended.

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

FELLOWSHIP also means that within our family of faith, there should be a measure of accountability. There is power in FELLOWSHIP through our prayer for one another.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

God created us to be in FELLOWSHIP with Him, through His Son Jesus Christ. God also created us to be in fellowship with one another. We walk in obedience when we have fellowship with our christian family. Finally the foundation of FELLOWSHIP is LOVE.

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:10-11

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

In life, we will experience many valleys, but Jesus never intended us to walk alone. How has FELLOWSHIP helped you in your christian walk? Please click on the 'comments' link to share your thoughts with the BGO family. Remember, let's FELLOWSHIP!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

****Special Video for all who want a healing touch****

This is a special video for Judy, Blessed, my wife and anyone else that needs a healing touch from Jesus.  This is a powerful song by Kari Jobe.  I pray that you all will receive a healing touch from God. Nothing is impossible with Jesus.


Friday, October 2, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 4:1-26



John 4:1-26 (NIV)

Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman


1The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

16He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

17"I have no husband," she replied.

Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

19"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

21Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."


Questions:

1. What is the living water Jesus is talking about?

2.  Jesus knew her history and still talked to her.  What do you need to bring before God that is preventing you from receiving this living water?(Talk to God.  You don't have to answer here.) What is preventing you from telling others about this living water if you have already received it?

3. What does it mean to worship in Spirit and in truth?  

Prayer Wall - October



What do you need prayer for? We will pray for you. Post your prayer request and share your testimonies.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Talk Tuesday - GROW - Bible Study

When I first became a Christian I would read devotionals, such as, "The Daily Bread."  Then I began reading the bible passages .  I started with the New Testament and then read the Old Testament.  As I began to grow, I started to attend a bible study group in my church.  It was a little nerve wrecking at first but it was good to be among believers, sharing and growing together.  It is really important to join a good bible study group.  Find one that you feel comfortable with.  If you did not know, we started an online bible study, which is posted every Friday.  You are welcomed to join us but it is important to join a bible group where you actually meet and fellowship with people.

There are many ways to read the Bible, but there is one that helped me a lot. It's by by Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter.  First you read a small passage from the Bible.  Then you ask yourself three questions:

1.  What does the passage say? (list facts)
2.  What does the passage mean? (lessons from the facts)
3.  What does the passage mean to me?

A good explanation of this method can be seen at
http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/resources/video/watch-learning-hear-his-voice-workshop/

Share with us the method you use to read the bible.  When do you read the bible and how often?  The point of this GROW series is to help one another GROW by sharing our experiences and encouraging each other.  And remember to join us on the weekends for the online Bible study.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 3:22-36



John 3:22-36

John the Baptist's Testimony About Jesus

22After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24(This was before John was put in prison.) 25An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."

27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.

31"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."


Questions:

1. John said,"He must become greater; I must become less."  How has Jesus become greater in your life?

2. John testifies about the truth of Jesus, do you find it hard to share about Jesus with people?

3. Do you believe that, "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life?"  What brought you to this truth?

Monday, September 21, 2009

Movie Monday - Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story - Movie Trailer

This is the trailer for the movie "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson story." You have to take a look at this movie. His story is very inspiring.  The movie is out on DVD now.  Check it out.

Sorry we missed Bible study last weekend.  We will continue it this weekend.

God Bless.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Talk Tuesday - GROW - Prayer

Once you have received Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, there are 5 things to do in order to GROW.

1. Prayer
2. Bible Study
3. Fellowship
4. Worship
5. Ministry

(These points were adapted from http://www.wcg.org/lit/church/pamphlet/growing.htm)

God wants a relationship with you, so you need to take time to talk to Him. Prayer is talking with God. The same way you would talk to a friend. If you been a Christian a while, how has your prayer life changed? Do you pray more often or less? How has your prayer life changed your relationship with God? Share your experience with us so that other people can learn how to pray. You never know who you will bless.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 3:1-21



John 3:1-21


Jesus Teaches Nicodemus


1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."


3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."


4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"


5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."


9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.


10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.


16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Questions:

1. What does it mean to be born again?

2. What does John 3:16 mean to you?

3. How did you come to believe in Jesus? When did you accept His offer of salvation and how has it changed your life?

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Talk Tuesday-Grow

What does Jesus mean to you? What has He done for you? How has Jesus made Himself known in your life? If you have a moment, I urge you to look at Monday's Tangle Video which Andrew posted. It shows the baptismal testimonies of many believers in a unique and touching way. It will move you to tears, as it did me. I began to weep with the powerful realization of God's love. Yet, "We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 What love the Father has for us, His creation, that He would give us His ONE and ONLY Son so that we would have eternal life.


"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16


Some say the purpose of life is the pursuit of happiness. That is too small a thing for the Omnipotent, Magnificent God of Heaven and Earth-the Great I AM, Yahweh. He gave us earthly life and offers us eternal life with Him. The way to the Father is through the Son.


'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ' John 14:6


"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20


Jesus is waiting for us to ask Him into our hearts to be Lord and Saviour of our souls. Jesus is the ultimate sacrificial atonement for our sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9 All we have to do is invite Him into our lives.


'That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.' Romans 10:9-10


Now, once you are saved, you must GROW.


"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:1-5


How do you GROW? What do you nourish yourself with? How are you to be certain that you are doing the right thing? Why do you need to GROW?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Movie Monday - Cardboard Testimonies

We are starting a new series on growing and what better way to begin the series than with a video of creative testimonies from a baptism. There is nothing as amazing as seeing lives changed for Christ. Share with us what you experienced at your baptism. I hope this touches you as much as it ministered to me.


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 2:12-25



John 2:12-25


Jesus Clears the Temple


12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.


13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"


17His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

18Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"


19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."


20The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.


23Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.


Questions:

1. Why was Jesus so angry?

2. Why did the Jews demand a miraculous sign to prove His authority?

3. Jesus says,"Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." What does this mean to you now?

Do you have zeal for the things of God? Should you have more?

Prayer Wall - September



We had some really good testimonies for August. Also, we will continue to pray for the unanswered prayer request. You can make new prayer request for the month of September by clicking on the comments link below. Remember to pray for one another.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The winner is Beloved



We want to thank everyone for participating in the contest. It was a lot of fun. We may have more contests like this in the future.

Note: Beloved, we sent you and email so check it for further instructions.

Talk Tuesday – I have little faith… help me.

So you think you have little faith. You pray and God does not answer your prayers. You see God moving in other people’s lives, but what about yours? You cry, “God help me…. Do you hear me?”


Jesus says, in Matthew 17:20


"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."


I often wondered about this verse in the Bible, especially when I became a Christian. I trusted Him in some situations and not in others. One minute I had super faith, and then in other situations my faith was week. When my wife went through surgery God helped me through it all. He often sent people of great faith to encourage us. Sometimes I would look at some of these people of faith and wish I had faith like them. God ministered to me that these people had to go through many trials to have the faith they possess now. God said, ”Just trust me.”

When we were about to get married, we were looking for a few verses in the Bible for the reading of the scripture, so we asked Tash’s dad. He gave us a passage from Proverbs 3. I especially held on to Proverbs 3:5-6:


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.


No matter how small we think our faith is all we have to do is trust Him and He will make our path straight.


So what concerns do you have to put at the foot of the Cross? What problems do you have to put at Jesus’ feet? All He is asking from us is to trust Him. So take that mustard seed of faith and use it for His honor and glory.

Check out Movie Monday for an idea of how small a mustard seed really is.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 2:1-11



John 2:1-11


Jesus Changes Water to Wine


1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."


4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."


5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."


6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.


7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.


8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."


They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."


11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.


Questions:

1. What do you think is the significance of this miracle as the first one?

2. What do you think Jesus means when he says to his mother,"My time has not yet come."

3. What does the miracle reveals to you about Jesus?


Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Talk Tuesday - 7 years… what I learned from my wife about love.

My wife and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary yesterday. We have been together for almost 10 years. God has been good to us. He gave me the desires of my heart and I am so blessed to be married to her. Everyone that knows her says that she is such a loving and caring person. Most of you know that she brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to me. When I first met her she was not a Christian but when she came back into my life she was so transformed that I had to find out more about this Jesus she knew.

She lives the love of Christ. From children to the young at heart, Tash loves people with the love of Jesus. What I really want to talk to you about is showing love when people treat you badly. It is easy to treat people good when they treat you good but it is hard when they treat you badly. On one occasion, Tash was treated badly by a grumpy person and all Tash did was give that person love. I was mad and the first thing I wanted to do was tell her off, but Tash calmed me down. When the person came back she was as nice as pie to Tash. The scripture from 1 Peter 4:8 came to mind:


“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”


We never know what a person is going through, if they had a hard day or even a hard life. Jesus says:


You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
—Matthew 5:38-42


Love concurs all. When we love like Christ we can see hurting people healed, sadness turned to joy and faith restored. So today, who do you need to show love to? Is it your dad, your spouse, or the person at work? Take the time to show love this week to someone who has treated you badly and tell us what happened. Remember,"love covers a multitude of sins."


Share with us how you have seen this scripture play out in your life.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Bible Study Weekend - John 1:35-51



John 1:35-51
Jesus' First Disciples


35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

39"Come," he replied, "and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).


Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael


43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip.

47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

48"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

49Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

50Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." 51He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Questions

1. What did Andrew, Simon and Philip do when they encountered Jesus?

2. It is exciting when you come to know Jesus as your personal Saviour. What was your experience when sharing your faith in Jesus?

3. Why did Nathanael believe that Jesus was the Messiah? How did you come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Talk Tuesday – What are you hoping for?

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

When my wife was in the hospital for the second time all I could do was trust in the Lord. I had to take my eyes off the current situation and put my faith in Jesus. I held on to the Word and read it daily. These are some of the verses that kept me going.

Psalm 25:3
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Romans 5:1-5
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Since my hope was in Jesus I knew He had the best plan and purpose for our lives. I knew that whatever happened God was in control. I was hardly a super Christian. There were times when my faith was weak and I would ask God the hard questions. But God saw me through it all and He took my wife out of that hospital bed, into rehab and now she is recovering. God is faithful.

There is a purpose for our suffering. There is a purpose for our waiting. There is a purpose for our trials and our storms. You might not see it right now but God knows.

So what are you hoping for? What are you trusting God for? Is it a new job, a family member’s salvation, a husband or wife, a baby or God’s healing touch? Let us partner with you in prayer. Share with us what you are hoping for or how God has been faithful in answering your prayers. You never know how your comment could bless someone reading BGO.