Susquehanna Valley Baptist Church

Motherhood is a time of great hope and joy, but it can also be a time of great heartache. In the midst of such heartache, it is vital that we return to God, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, and remember the truths and promises of His Word.

Biblical Fasting is an individual choice that seeks to subdue the flesh for the purpose of surrender to God. Our flesh is the greatest adversary we have to this endeavor. But Biblical Fasting is a wonderful tool that aids in decreasing the pull of the flesh so that our spiritual man my increase.

What is a Biblical fast? Are there specific requirements to fasting? There are distinctions to the discipline of fasting. But in general, fasting is a denying for a duration those things God has given us to enjoy.

How does one conquer the ever-present danger of bitterness? It will require committing to obedience, a crying unto God, a choosing to forgive, a cautioning of self, and considering God's promises.

Bitterness is a pervasive and destructive sin that undermines the Christian life. Bitterness, though often disguised as justified hurt, is a spiritual malady that corrupts fellowship with God, damages relationships, distorts thinking, and leads to harsh emotions like wrath, anger, and slander. As Naomi dealt with bitterness, she also failed to recognize the blessings in her life.

The lives of Saul, David, and Solomon give us an example of what God wants out of His children. He wants their head, their heart, and their hands for His use.

Fasting in the Bible varies widely in length, from a single meal to forty days, yet consistently reflects a heart surrendered to God. The essence of fasting lies not in the length or type of abstinence, but in the posture of the heart and the purpose of drawing near to God.

Le salut est un choix personnel. Il requiert une persuasion pratique et une profession personnelle. Sans quoi, une personne ne peut être sauvée.

उद्धार एक व्यक्तिगत चुनाव है। इसके लिए एक व्यावहारिक प्रेरणा और एक व्यक्तिगत अंगीकार की आवश्यकता है। इनके बिना, कोई व्यक्ति बचाया नहीं जा सकता।

Спасение – это личный выбор. Оно требует практического убеждения и личного исповедания. Без этого человек не может быть спасен.

La salvación es una elección personal. Requiere una persuasión práctica y una profesión personal. Sin lo cual, una persona no puede ser salva.

Sự cứu rỗi là một sự lựa chọn cá nhân. Điều đó đòi hỏi một sự thuyết phục thực hành và một sự xưng nhận cá nhân. Không có những điều này, một người không thể được cứu.

Bitterness is capable of being present in any believer's life. It doesn't require much for it to grow and take hold on the heart. But the believer can have victory over bitterness by recognizing the goodness of God and dwelling in His promises.

Throughout the annals of Scripture, there are multiple times when fasting is mentioned, even enjoined. These times of fasting were for different reasons, but they all hold a lesson for us today as we seek to know and understand the Biblical viewpoint of fasting.

The church of the Laodiceans were in the last stages of apostasy. They desired to follow the ways of man and the ways of God. In doing so, they brought about the ire of the Lord upon themselves. In Revelation 3, they are rebuked. If they fail to repent, they will be no longer.

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil; believers are to reject greed, pursue godliness, contentment, and righteousness. True wealth lies in spiritual priorities, not worldly gain. Wealth is a gift from God to be stewarded wisely, not hoarded or used for selfish gain.

Apostasy was the mark of the church of Laodicea. They needed the swift rebuke of the Lord lest they continue their decline into rebellion to God.

Bitterness, can corrode relationships, hinder spiritual growth, and undermine the work of God. And it is not God's will for us to have bitterness in our lives. The remedy is not mere willpower, but the active, Spirit enabled rejection of bitterness through faith in God's justice, sovereignty, and provision. Forgiving and setting aside the hurt, to pursue holiness.

The biblical practice of fasting is not a legalistic requirement, but a profound act of self-denial rooted in spiritual discipline and alignment with God. Fasting, paired with watchful prayer, reflects a deep commitment to godly service amid trials and burdens, countering the world's self-centered values.

No matter what is going on around us, God is always faithful and true. Believers cannot be swayed by popular opinion or the present culture. They must remain fixed upon God and His Word.

While Biblical Fasting has its rightful place in the disciplines of a believer, it must remain in its proper Biblical context. It is an individual choice, wholly voluntary, that seeks to subdue the flesh for the purpose of surrender to God.

The cross that Christ bore was not easy, nor was it enjoyable. He suffered immensely so that you and I might have salvation from the just penalty for our sins. Jesus, and Jesus alone, was able to go through the pain and suffering that He endured. Praise be to God for His great love!

The church of Philadelphia was at a crossroads. Would they go forward with the Gospel, or would they fall into apostasy? It is vital to be seeking after God and going where He calls us to go.

There are four vital ways believers today can support global missions. By embracing the responsibility of service. Cultivating sympathy through prayer and correspondence. Offering supplication in persistent intercession and providing tangible support through financial stewardship and practical care.

Death is inevitable and judgment follows, yet the rich man's tormented plea in Luke 16, reveals a startling concern for his unsaved brothers. Prioritizing their salvation over his own suffering. Though unregenerate, his continuous cry for someone to warn his family underscores a profound spiritual insight. Often prayer and concern focus on personal needs rather than the desperate spiritual condition of others, urging a renewed urgency to share the gospel before it is too late.

The local church is the birthplace of all missions activities. Yet, the church cannot accomplish God's full purpose if not all the members are fulfilling their duties. One must take the small steps of faith in obedience to God, so that He can use both them and the local church to accomplish great things on His behalf.

What we have in this life is very little, but God takes a little and does a lot with it. The key to the believer's life is total surrender to God. It requires laying your life on the line and going all in for Him.

The church of Philadelphia had many strong qualities despite their little strength. They had held fast in the midst of trials and had continued to promote the Word of God to the world.

Our life is an investment we will make for eternity. Therefore, we must take care to invest it for the Lord. It is easy for us as sinners to chase after the things of this world, but they are fruitless. Let us use this opportunity of life to invest for eternal rewards.

God has required two things of believers when it comes to missions. We must send, and we must go. The harvest demands us do both. If we do, we will be able to behold trophies of God's grace.

In the local church, there are two duties concerning missions. We are to send, and we are to go. Neither sending nor going is more important than the other. Each one is necessary for the successful propagation of the Gospel.

God has given believers the great ministry of distributing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do we find ourselves too accustomed to the Gospel that we don't recognize its greatness, its power, or its working? We must continually stay amazed at the greatness of what God has done so that all men might be saved.

There are countless souls in this world who have never heard the gospel. They, like the man at the pool of Bethesda, cry out, "I have no man." Who will be the man that will step up and take the Gospel to the condemned of Adam's race?

The church at Sardis was alive in that it was present in body, but it was dead in its actions. Our faith is shown in our actions, not simply our words.

Sin always brings judgment to those committing it. For believers, salvation is guaranteed us by God. Yet, there is still judgment for the believer and that is shown in the church at Thyatira which had failed to prevent the woman Jezebel from teaching false doctrine.

There is only one thing that can transform the life of a sinner and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is a sure light. From the events of Acts 16 to the present, He has not changed. The gospel has not changed, and it never will. Hope will only be found in the light which is Christ.

Jesus's victory over sin, death and the world, is not merely spiritual but bodily, culminating in the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of believers into incorruptible, immortal beings, rendering death's sting powerless. As Christians, we need to embody this hope through steadfastness, immovability, and abounding in service, resisting cultural pressures, doctrinal compromise, and weariness by anchoring our identity in Christ's finished work and the sustaining fellowship of the church.

The church of Thyatira had done many good works, but they had failed to protect themselves from false doctrine. Rather than resist the false doctrine of the woman Jezebel, they had accepted it and become a sensual church.

The biblical view of fasting is not a mandatory religious obligation, but a voluntary practice rooted in devotion rather than ritual. Acts 13 and Colossians 2, argues that true spiritual completeness comes not through external disciplines like Lent, whose origins are traced to post-apostolic Catholic tradition, but through being 'complete in Christ,' whose fullness dwells bodily in Him.

One of the identifications of the overcomer in Christ is ones love for God. This love is not words or feelings. It is actions that show our obedience to the command to God to love Him.

The Biblical teaching about the coming judgment should provide a positive motivation for the life of each saint. The Great White Throne Judgment, though not involving believers, provides the believers with many motivations for this life.

False doctrine and false teachers have always been present in New Testament churches. It is vital that believers know the Word of God so that they do not fall into the snares of such iniquity.

The church at Pergamos had endured much, but they had fallen into the snares of false doctrine and worldliness. The message given to them is a rebuke of their worldliness and a call to repentance.

God, through Christ, has given us all that we need to overcome the obstacles we have in this present life. We are assured that we will suffer throughout life and have great needs. Yet, through it all, we can be victorious through Jesus Christ.

Though we most often speak of the Lamb's book of life, there are actually several books that are dealt with in Revelation 20. These books show forth the marvelous greatness of our God in His holiness, His faithfulness, and His power.

The overcomers referenced here in Revelation are believers who have gained the victory through Christ. The message given to them is to remain faithful in Christ and in His Word.

To be led in the Spirit is to be decisive in submission to Him. It is making the decision to put the dictates of God above one's own personal preferences.

Unbelievers have a day of ultimate reckoning that is coming to them. This judgment, referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment will be a day of great agony for all who have not believed God. Regardless of one's status, fame, or popularity, each unbeliever will come face to face with God's might and His majesty. They will forever be regretting the decisions they made on this earth.

Though the flesh remains weak and prone to failure, the believer's position in Christ ensures ultimate victory, grounded in the resurrection, the cross, and the promise that nothing can separate them from God's love.

The church at Smyrna suffered intense persecution for their preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the midst of such persecution, God offers great peace and rest.