Category Archives: All

Why You Need to Know Nothing You Do for Jesus is Unimportant

Do you ever wonder if the things you are doing to serve Jesus aren't making a difference? We may not see it ourselves but God makes things happen. #Jesus Blessings Doforothers #BibleStudy

Do you ever feel like the things you are doing or that you have done to serve Jesus aren’t making a difference?

Paul wrote:

My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Always work enthusiastically for the Lord…

But sometimes you’re tired and you’re not seeing the outcome for which you’ve been praying. And you start to feel discouraged and disappointed.

Look at the next words as absolute truth.

Nothing you do for Jesus is ever useless.

Nothing!

There are no unimportant jobs in God’s kingdom.

A number of years ago, as our service was about to begin . . . Rev realized he had lost track of the service folder. Now that might not typically be a big deal but that morning he was supposed to lead the congregation in worship. The entire order of service was printed there!

But then, an usher (a very quiet man who always seemed a bit insecure) realized the problem. He quickly left and came back with the printout he needed. Small job? Unimportant? Not at all! For Rev, it saved the day.

However, that’s not the end of the story.

Every Sunday after that, this same usher would see to it that he brought Rev a printed copy of the service. Every Sunday, he asked if he needed anything or if there was anything else he could do to help.

Rev still mentions this dear man often and we both remain inspired by his humble and faithful service. He was someone who knew and lived the truth that every act of caring and compassionate service done for the Lord is blessed.

We may never see the results ourselves but when we touch lives with the love of Jesus . . . God makes things happen!

Do you ever wonder if the things you are doing to serve Jesus aren't making a difference? We may not see it ourselves but God makes things happen. #Jesus Blessings Doforothers #BibleStudy

A Prayer To Know that God
Makes What I Do for Jesus Important

Father, please help me remember that You are able to make everything I do for Jesus important. When I feel defeated and discouraged . . . You are using my effort to touch lives. When I am disappointed . . . You are holding me and lifting me up. Please forgive me for making comparisons and for making what I do about me.

I know it’s not . . . I was created to love You and serve You. I was created to love others. I was created to show the world Your grace and mercy.

Please help me remember that small acts of service that I do for Jesus always make a difference. When I wipe noses, clean the bathroom, cook dinner, do laundry, run errands, or help a family member, friend, or neighbor . . . anything I do for the least of these to touch a life with Your love is important. You are able to take my smallest gifts or acts of service and turn them into something meaningful in someone’s life. You are able to turn loaves and fish into a feast. With Your help and the power of Your Spirit, I give myself to You. I pray to be enthusiastic for Your glory. Amen.

Do you ever wonder if the things you are doing to serve Jesus aren't making a difference? We may not see it ourselves but God makes things happen. #Jesus Blessings Doforothers #BibleStudy

Paul then ends his first letter to the Corinthians with the following counsel:

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.  And do everything with love.

1 Corinthians 16:13–14

Don’t those words sum this all up perfectly? We need to be watchful, aware of the enemy’s efforts to defeat and discourage us. We need to stand firm in faith by SEEKing the truth through the Word and prayer. We need to be strong and courageous to do for Jesus when it seems tedious, unimportant, and ineffectual. We need to do everything with love because when we love others for Jesus . . . God makes things happen.

On today’s note write:

Nothing I do for Jesus is unimportant.

May God bless you today as you love and serve the Lord!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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How You Can Believe that You Have Been Given Victory Through Jesus

By God's grace, we have been given victory in Jesus through faith in His life, death, and resurrection. Through Him, the pain of death is defeated forever. #Jesus #Victory #BibleStudy #Easter #Blessings

I have to be careful how much I allow myself to watch the news. You see, I’ve always been an emotion just under the surface kind of person. It doesn’t take much for my “feelings” to influence my mood.

And of course, the news likes to promote sensationalism. What’s the saying? “If it bleeds, it leads.”

Sometimes it seems like the enemy of our souls has an agenda to keep us all afraid, angry, and apart. Oh, wait! He does! And he always has.

Since that moment in the Garden when he asked, “did God really say?” He’s been working to turn people away from God and against each other.

But before you think this is just another “ain’t it awful, world is a mess, hand-wringing exposé . . . please bear with me for a moment.

Although satan appeared to be victorious in the Garden and appeared to win at the cross…

God had a plan for victory all along! A plan He gave in the Garden, carried out on the cross, fulfilled when Jesus left the tomb, and will proclaim throughout the heavens and earth when Jesus returns.

Most of us have been touched by the death of someone dear to us.

Paul wrote…

Sin is the sting that results in death.

1 Corinthians 15:56

God hates the sting of death as much as we do . . . that’s why He gave us Jesus, the way of VICTORY and LIFE!

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

You see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 

1 Corinthians 15:21–22

Jesus is the victory over death. Because of Jesus, death is not the end . . . it’s just the beginning of life in His presence forever.

A promise we can count on because…

Christ died for our sins . . . He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day . . . He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. He was seen by more than 500 of his followers . . . He was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though—I also saw him. 

1 Corinthians 15:3b–8 (edited)

Followers who hid in fear when Jesus was arrested and crucified . . . proclaimed the message of His resurrection through trials and persecution—to the point of death.

That’s why Paul could promise:

Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Romans 8:37
By God's grace, we have been given victory in Jesus through faith in His life, death, and resurrection. Through Him, the pain of death is defeated forever. #Jesus #Victory #BibleStudy #Easter #Blessings

A Prayer Thanking God for the Victory We Have Through Jesus

Father God, thank you so very much for the victory You have given us through Jesus. Thank you for making it possible for me to know and trust the truth of Your promises. Paul testified that he had seen Jesus with his own eyes. (1 Corinthians 9:1) He proclaimed the testimony of countless others who also saw the risen Christ. Thank you!

And thank you for allowing me to “see” Him. Oh, not like Paul, the apostles, James, and other followers (I look forward to that day when I will see Him face-to-face) but deep within my soul. I have experienced His life-giving power that is greater than my fear. I have felt His peace that is beyond my understanding. I have the confident faith in His victory over sin, death, and the enemy in my life.

I have victory in Jesus and by Your grace, You have promised that no power on earth can ever separate me from the victory I have through Your love on full display in Jesus life, death, and resurrection. Yes, Lord, Your grace is sufficient in my life today, tomorrow, and forever. I thank You and praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By God's grace, we have been given victory in Jesus through faith in His life, death, and resurrection. Through Him, the pain of death is defeated forever. #Jesus #Victory #BibleStudy #Easter #Blessings

Pause today when the news is upsetting or the call brings bad news and say out loud . . . it’s all okay, I have victory through Jesus!

On today’s note write…

Whatever today brings me – I have victory through Jesus!

May God bless you today as you celebrate His grace, mercy, and love. As you live in victory!

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 15.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

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The One Important Worship Truth Every Church Needs to Follow

The people in Corinth asked Paul about the right way to worship and he gave them a truth that still applies to us and to our churches today. #Worship #Church #BibleStudy #Blessings

I sometimes wonder what it must have been like for someone to belong to that church in Corinth. Sometimes it seems like their gatherings got a little unmanageable.

Remember . . . these last chapters in this first letter to the Corinthians contain Paul’s responses to questions they have asked. He talked about marriage and sexuality. He defined Christian freedom and the rights of believers. He responded with ways to stand up to temptation. And what to do when you gather together for worship.

His over-arching point for believers gathering together was summed up in one truth for worship and life:

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

The truth is that when believers gather together to worship in faith with hope . . . love must be the outcome! Love for God and love for one another.

It sounds simple, right?!

But we know it’s not. Anytime people get together they bring with them their personal perspective, their ideas, opinions, preferences, etc. All things which have the potential to arouse disagreements, power struggles, and division. Which is the reason why Paul focused on the importance of doing everything together in love.

So when the question was asked about whether or not prophecy and speaking in tongues should be part of worship, he answered like this…

Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. 

Everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people . . . be sure that everything is done properly and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:20, 26b, 33, 40

You know, it’s so easy for us to find things about which we disagree. We do it in the church, in politics, in our homes, neighborhoods . . . well, just about anyplace different personalities gather for anything. But if we are led by love and ask the Spirit to guide and strengthen us in faith, we will come together and worship in God-honoring orderly ways that are joyful, peaceful, and a blessing to all.

The people in Corinth asked Paul about the right way to worship and he gave them a truth that still applies to us and to our churches today. #Worship #Church #BibleStudy #Blessings

A Prayer to Worship in Truth with Love

Father, thank you for making it possible for many of our churches to return to worship in person. It is a blessing to be able to gather together with brothers and sisters in Christ to sing Your praise and lift our petitions.

As we come together, we bring with us a lifetime of baggage. We come with traditions, preferences, and ideologies. We will have things we believe are necessary and things we are certain must be excluded. But there is one thing we must have to worship you in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) By the power of the Spirit, we must believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and we must gather together united in faith, hope, and love.

Please forgive us. We let our pride get in the way of Your truth. Please help us worship as You desire. Help us come together before You in humility that You might strengthen us in faith and fellowship. Help us work toward the peace that unites and helps us focus on who You are and the glorious things You have done and continue to do for us every single day. Fill us with Your Spirit and help us share Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The people in Corinth asked Paul about the right way to worship and he gave them a truth that still applies to us and to our churches today. #Worship #Church #BibleStudy #Blessings

One more thing to remember . . . often in the church as in life the loudest voice gets the attention. The most organized and most vocal wins the day. But that’s not God’s way.

The truth that unites us is the truth of God’s Word. We must prayerfully turn to Him and surrender ourselves and our churches to the power of His Spirit if we ever want to be united by faith with hope in love.

On today’s note write:

With His Spirit’s help, we can worship in truth with love.

May God bless you as you humbly worship Him in all you do.

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 14.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

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and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

An Important Biblical Truth You Need to Know About Love

The perfect place to look at the truth about love is 1 Corinthians 13 - often called the love chapter. By God's grace faith, hope, and love will last forever. #Love #1Corinthians13 #BibleStudy #Blessings

It’s long been called the “love chapter,” one that has been shared at countless weddings over the years…

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7

Culture confuses love with that warm fuzzy feeling we get at weddings as two people gaze into each other’s eyes with family, friends, and festivities making it all seem like a beautiful fairy tale. But unlike the “happily ever after” ending of your favorite prince and princess story, real-life love is so much more than that inner feeling.

The love God gives and wants for us is directed toward others no matter how we “feel.” As the LAB Notes say, it is “utterly unselfish!”

And the truth is . . . that kind of love, the kind of love God wants for us, is impossible without His help.

It is impossible, without God’s help, to be patient and kind, humble and gentle, unselfish and hopeful with a love that lasts forever.

Why?

Because our sinful human nature is selfish and without God’s help . . . selfishness ultimately wins.

But with God’s help and the power of His Spirit – we can put aside our selfishness and love like Jesus.

Jesus’ love is love in action. It is love that sacrifices and gives. It is caring and compassionate. It trusts and hopes.

When we surrender ourselves to God’s love and He fills us with His Spirit we are blessed with the words of maybe the most frequently quoted words from Scripture…

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13
The perfect place to look at the truth about love is 1 Corinthians 13 - often called the love chapter. By God's grace faith, hope, and love will last forever. #Love #1Corinthians13 #BibleStudy #Blessings

A Prayer to Live the Truth About Love

Father, You are love and You love perfectly and faithfully. Your love never fails and never ends. You are patient and forgiving and today I ask You to forgive me. I want to love the way Your Word tells me You want me to love. I want to be a humble encourager, patient and forgiving, understanding, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and full of faith and hope. But the truth is I’m not. Please forgive me. Give me the strength to ask for forgiveness from the people I have not loved well.

I am learning that love does not depend on my feelings. Loving the way You want is to pour out into others the love You pour into me. On my own, I can’t love that way but with Your help, I can. Your Word reminds me that I can “do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) You promise that when I focus my heart and mind on You—when I SEEK You first, You give me everything I need . . . even the ability to love like Jesus. (Luke 12:31)

The truth about love, Lord, is that the closer we are to You the closer we will be to each other. The more we surrender our lives to Your love the more we are able to love one another. Your grace and love overwhelm me. Your love truly is the greatest gift of all! I thank You and pray that by Your grace and with Your help I might love like Jesus. In whose name I pray. Amen.

The perfect place to look at the truth about love is 1 Corinthians 13 - often called the love chapter. By God's grace faith, hope, and love will last forever. #Love #1Corinthians13 #BibleStudy #Blessings

The truth is everyone on the planet craves love. We know that children fail to thrive when they don’t receive nurture and love. We think we want the warm fuzzy fairy tale love and that’s a wonderful thing when it happens but that emotion cannot last without unselfish patient forgiving caring love that demonstrates itself through words and actions.

Love that, praise God, He gives to us so that we can give it to others.

On today’s note write:

The truth about love is . . . we are loved by God to love Him and unselfishly love others.

I’m praying that you are overwhelmed by God’s love today and every day.

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 13.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

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and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Why It’s Important to Know and Celebrate that God’s Gifts are Equal

God gives each person a spiritual gift. His gifts are different yet, in the kingdom, they are needed, precious, and equal. Equal gifts for different purposes. #SpiritualGifts #Church #BibleStudy #Equality #Blessings

“All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”

What? If some are “more equal” then there is no equality.

This famous quote from George Orwell’s book, Animal Farm has been repeated often and if you’ve never read it, you should . . . it tells us much about our sinful human nature.

The book synopsis says the following:

A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals. With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality. Thus the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.

When the animals take over the farm it is supposed to be so that all the animals would be equal and no longer under the “authority” of man. But on the farm, as in the real world, the ideal of equality ends as soon as the elite gain power and use their “superiority” to manipulate and control the others.

So, what does that have to do with today’s chapter in 1 Corinthians?

Paul began 1 Corinthians 12 with these words:

Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.

1 Corinthians 12:1

Paul then added that God, Himself, gives each and every believer gifts to be used for the benefit of all. And that each and every gift is to be equally valued as essential.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

1 Corinthians 12:4:7

Some Corinthians were boasting that their gifts were superior and therefore gave them greater authority . . . and it was tearing the church apart.

So, Paul wrote:

Our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

1 Corinthians 12:18–22

Every person in the church is gifted precisely as God determines . . . and each person and gift is equal, essential, and valued.

All the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 

1 Corinthians 12:25b–27

I don’t know about you, but I think that sounds like a great way for us to live in community . . . both in the church and in society at large.

God gives each person a spiritual gift. His gifts are different yet, in the kingdom, they are needed, precious, and equal. Equal gifts for different purposes. #SpiritualGifts #Church #BibleStudy #Equality #Blessings

A Prayer Asking God to Help You Celebrate
that All People and Gifts are Equal

Father, You are the Creator of all and the Giver of all good gifts. You have made us all with beautiful shades of skin tones. You have made us to be teachers and farmers, pastors and electricians, plumbers and doctors, builders, artists, and the list goes on and on. You have given us gifts of knowledge and wisdom, understanding and healing. You made some to be prophets and helpers and encouragers. You have given us mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual gifts . . . none greater than another but all precious and important to serve and build Your Kingdom.

When we celebrate the equal gifts You give, we celebrate You. Please forgive us. You see us all as precious and dearly loved . . . we are the ones who label and list. We are the ones who consider some more important than others. Please help us love. Help us lift up. Help us use our gifts in ways that celebrate and serve each other in ways that give You glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

God gives each person a spiritual gift. His gifts are different yet, in the kingdom, they are needed, precious, and equal. Equal gifts for different purposes. #SpiritualGifts #Church #BibleStudy #Equality #Blessings

Can you imagine how we would all be blessed if we stopped comparing ourselves to each other and focused on Jesus? Can you imagine if we chose to celebrate our differences and love like Jesus? Can you imagine if we saw every person as someone who is dearly loved and precious to Jesus?

God created us for His plans and purposes – each individual is loved and someone for whom He gave His life. And He wants us to love and serve each other. He wants us to love like Jesus.

On today’s note write:

By God’s grace, all people are loved and all gifts are equal.

May God bless you and help you celebrate the equality of His gift of grace today.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

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Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

What is Jesus’ New Covenant and Why is it Important for You

Jesus said that He came to give people a New Covenant but what does that mean and what difference does it make for people who trust in God? #FaithinGod #Jesus #BibleStudy #Blessings

We don’t use the word “covenant” very often anymore.

What is a covenant anyway?

I’ve always thought of it as a promise . . . but it’s even more than that.

A covenant is defined as “a formal, solemn, binding agreement.”

God made a covenant with Noah to save him through the flood. He made a covenant with Abraham to make his heirs into a great nation. And he made a covenant with Moses and the Children of Israel to save them from slavery in Egypt.

God made the promise and the agreement was one that required sacrifice and obedience on the part of the recipients.

But when Jesus came, He gave us a new covenant…

After supper [Jesus] took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.

Luke 22:20

Jesus made a “promise and binding agreement” that He would die in the place of sinners and His sacrificial death and resurrection would remove the sins of everyone who repents and puts their faith in Him.

The old covenant required that animal sacrifices be repeated frequently. The new covenant proclaimed Jesus’ sacrifice sufficient for all eternity.

The Lord’s Supper is our a physical and spiritual reminder of the new covenant God made with us . . . one that honors Jesus command to, “do this in remembrance of me.”

For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

1 Corinthians 11:26

I love the way the Life Application Bible Notes explain this:

How do we remember Christ in the Lord’s Supper? By thinking about what He did and why He did it.

Remembering has both a backward and forward look. We remember Christ’s death and we remember that He is coming.

The Lord’s Supper is more than just a ritual or pious habit. It is a sacrament where we surrender to God’s grace through repentance and living remembrance of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. It is our agreement that the promise is true and trustworthy motivating us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and serve Him by loving others.

Jesus said that He came to give people a New Covenant but what does that mean and what difference does it make for people who trust in God? #FaithinGod #Jesus #BibleStudy #Blessings

A Prayer to Faithfully Live the New Covenant

Father, thank you for always providing and caring for Your children. When You make a covenant it is lasting and true and comes from Your heart of love. Your Old Covenant was Your Law written in stone . . . requiring obedience and sacrifice for failure. Because of Your grace and mercy, Your New Covenant is written in our hearts and invites us into a personal relationship with You. Your promise moves us to respond through faith with love and service.

You took the impossible and turned it into the possible. I can’t obey Your Law perfectly but Jesus obeyed it for me and allowed Himself to become the ultimate sacrifice for my failings. Through Jesus, You invite me to trust You.

I am so thankful for Your New Covenant in Jesus. Please help me faithfully live each day seeking, trusting, and loving You. Thank you for the Lord’s Supper . . . a holy way for me to remember all that Jesus has done for me and to anticipate the eternal future with You that You have promised. Your love overwhelms me. I thank and praise You with all my heart. Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Jesus said that He came to give people a New Covenant but what does that mean and what difference does it make for people who trust in God? #FaithinGod #Jesus #BibleStudy #Blessings

The New Covenant is God’s promise to forgive us, strengthen, and fill us with peace and hope. It is His promise that through Jesus He has made the impossible possible. And that is a promise worth remembering and celebrating.

On today’s note write:

Praise God! Jesus’ New Covenant makes the impossible possible.

May God bless you today as you remember the promise of life you have received through Jesus’ New Covenant.

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 11.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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How You Can Avoid Temptation and Live in Victory with God’s Help

People have always blamed others for their sins and failures. But God has given us a better way, one that helps us avoid temptation and live in victory. #Temptation #Victory #God'sStrength #Blessings

I often quote Solomon’s words…

Nothing under the sun is truly new.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

And since the first sin in the Garden of Eden, people have been saying, “the devil made me do it!”

Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the devil.

The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me
who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
Then the Lord God asked the woman,
“What have you done?”
“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

Genesis 3:12–13

And we get it, don’t we? When you and I have done something wrong we naturally want to blame someone else.

“It’s not my fault. I couldn’t help it.”

But God didn’t accept Adam and Eve’s excuses and He doesn’t want ours either because He has given us a much better plan than the one that gives in to temptation and then blames someone or something else.

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:12–13

So, here are five ways you and I can fight back when we are being tempted:

  1. Resist pride.
  2. Remember that everyone is tempted. You’re not alone.
  3. Resist temptation with God’s help.
  4. Remember to set safe boundaries and focus on Jesus.
  5. Repent quickly, turn back to God, and repeat numbers 1 – 4.

With God’s help, we can resist every temptation because He has promised to never let us be tempted beyond what we are able to endure.

I really like the way The Passion Translation expresses verse 13.

We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (TPT)

The enemy is treacherous and relentless with temptation always hitting us with our greatest weaknesses. But with God’s help, as we arm ourselves with His Word (the Sword of the Spirit) and prayer . . . we can live in Victory!

People have always blamed others for their sins and failures. But God has given us a better way, one that helps us avoid temptation and live in victory. #Temptation #Victory #God'sStrength #Blessings

A Prayer to Avoid Temptation and Live in Victory

Father, I am so sorry. I am a sinner. I want to avoid temptation. I want to trust and obey Your will as You have revealed it through Your Word. But I fail. I let my stubborn selfish will prevent me from love the way You want. And it’s so easy for me to try to excuse myself by blaming others. Please forgive me.

Your Word promises that every temptation is an opportunity for me to trust You. It also promises that when I do trust You . . . You will provide the strength for me to endure. You will make it possible for me to live in victory. Please help me set wise boundaries to help me avoid temptation. Help me “hide your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11) Help me “Keep watch and pray, so that [I] will not give in to temptation.” (Matthew 26:41) Help me seek You, Lord . . . that I might experience Your strength and peace. (Psalm 105:4) And by Your grace, help me live in victory, that I might give You glory. Amen.

People have always blamed others for their sins and failures. But God has given us a better way, one that helps us avoid temptation and live in victory. #Temptation #Victory #God'sStrength #Blessings

Through faith in Jesus, you and I are God’s children. And because He has made us His own we have His promise…

You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 

1 John 4:4

Jesus has already won the victory over sin, death, and the power of the enemy. His Spirit is with and within you and me. We can live in victory because He has promised to give us what we need to avoid temptation when we SEEK Him first and trust Him to give us the strength we need each day to endure.

On today’s note write:

With God’s help, I can avoid temptation and live in victory.

May God be with you and give you everything you need to live in victory today!

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 10.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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Why You Need to Keep Running So You Can Win the Ultimate Race

What does the Bible mean when it tells us to run the race to win? Life is the ultimate race and God is at the end of the race waiting with the ultimate prize. #Faith #Hope #Love #BibleStudy #Blessings

“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”

To many, this is a great quote . . . a word of encouragement. But most of us know that if there is no difference between winning and losing, we wouldn’t keep score. And like it or not, everyone keeps score.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul wrote:

Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (CSB)

You and I have entered the ultimate race—and so has everyone else whether they realize it or not! It’s far more important than any athletic competition because our eternal futures are at stake.

Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. 

So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (CSB)

Paul was not suggesting that we can win our salvation ourselves. You and I are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus. Nor was he indicating that there will only be one winner…

He was saying that the life of the believer is one of self-discipline. One that can turn away from temptation and say “no” to sin. One that honors God physically, mentally, and spiritually. One that works like a disciplined athlete remaining diligently devoted to prayer, God’s Word, worship, and serving one another with love because this is the ultimate race . . . one that needs to be run with faith, hope, and love.

What does the Bible mean when it tells us to run the race to win? Life is the ultimate race and God is at the end of the race waiting with the ultimate prize. #Faith #Hope #Love #BibleStudy #Blessings

A Prayer to Run the Ultimate Race with Faith, Hope, and Love

Father, I have an image of a marathon, one with challenges, with uneven pavement, interference, and complications . . . and even a few stumbles along the way. But then I see You standing at the finish line. I see You waiting with arms open wide welcoming Your children with joy. And I realize, that with every challenge Your Spirit has been there to bandage wounds, lift me up, and set me on the path once again. When the journey is hard and I’m overwhelmed and exhausted . . . You say, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Lord, please give me the strength and courage I need to diligently run the ultimate race with discipline and determination. Please help me remain focused on You, Lord Jesus. Strengthen me with the truth of Your promises. Give me a heart for prayer and worship.

Help me live with faith, sustained by hope, and saturated with love. Help me help others. And love as You have loved me. Thank you, Father. By Your grace, I have everything I need. I love You, Lord. I praise You. I worship You. And ask that will help me run the ultimate race for the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

What does the Bible mean when it tells us to run the race to win? Life is the ultimate race and God is at the end of the race waiting with the ultimate prize. #Faith #Hope #Love #BibleStudy #Blessings

I think the thing that has really hit my heart today is that athletes never stop training. It’s impossible to show up the day of the race and win if you’ve never run before.

If you and I want to “run to win” the ultimate race of life . . . we need to remember we are not training and racing to beat out other runners, we are running to reach the One who is waiting for us at the finish line. We diligently train that we might glorify Him along the way.

And every athlete will tell you that training takes discipline and lots of hard work . . . but at the end of the race, it is worth every sacrificial diligent effort.

On today’s note write:

By God’s grace and with His help, I will run the ultimate race for His glory.

May He bless you today with all the faith, hope, love and discipline you need for today’s lap around the track.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
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You Need to Know How to Show the Freedom You Have in Christ

I’m guessing at one time or another you’ve heard someone say…

“There’s nothing wrong with it, so I have the freedom to do what I want!”

And no, I’m not talking about your kids. I’m talking about adults in the church.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul invited his reads to take a closer look at the freedom we have in Christ.

Paul was answering a specific question that for us today seems kind of strange . . . Is it right to eat food that has been sacrificed to idols?

Animals were being sacrificed at pagan temples and the meat was taken to the local markets and sold. The problem . . . Corinthian Christians were sharply divided on whether or not a believer should eat something that had been sacrificed to a pagan god. Paul’s answer must have surprised and confused them at a first. He said there is only one God and so eating meat sacrificed to nonexistent gods is fine.

But he knew that some believers, at one time, sacrificed those idols themselves and might have felt convicted that eating this meat was a sin. So he added…

But that doesn’t mean we should!

But wait! Don’t we have freedom in Christ? If it’s not a sin isn’t it okay to do?

I like the way The Message shares Paul’s explanation:

Fortunately, God doesn’t grade us on our diet. We’re neither commended when we clean our plate nor reprimanded when we just can’t stomach it. But God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a fellow believer still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track.

1 Corinthians 8:8–9 (MSG)

So, why does this conversation matter?

Because love is what matters! If our doing something that is neither right nor wrong troubles someone else, our love for Christ and others should move us to give up our freedom so we don’t offend or hurt another member of the Lord’s family.

Or as Paul sums it up:

 While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

1 Corinthians 8:1b

As people who love the Lord, we will willingly give up the freedom we have in Christ to share His love.

A Prayer Asking God to Help Me Put Love First
as I Live Out My Freedom in Christ

Father, forgive us . . . we are selfish. I am selfish. Too often, I only think about whether or not something is “right or wrong.” It’s too easy for me to view life from my own perspective when You ask me to look at things with a heart of love. You ask me to put my love for You and others first.

We live in a world that seems to applaud selfishness and it’s hurting us. Selfishness results in less joy and happiness. You created us for relationships. You created us to love and be loved. Please forgive us and help us.

You showed Your great love for us by sacrificing Your only Son. We have freedom in Christ because You love us. You are love and when You created us in Your image . . . You made us to love.

Jesus set His freedom aside to show us Your love—to show us His love. Please help me put love first. Please help me live to show everyone I meet Your love . . . even if it means I have to set aside my freedom for a moment. I want to love like Jesus. Please grant me grace and help me to love. Amen.

The truth is, the freedom you and I have in Christ isn’t the freedom to do whatever we want . . . it is the freedom to do whatever God wants. And that is true freedom!

Selfishness sounds like freedom but it is a bondage that never satisfies and makes us miserable. With God’s help, we can put other people’s feelings ahead of our own. We’re not called to excuse or deny sin but when it comes to things like drinking alcohol, playing the lottery, or eating certain foods we are free to practice our own convictions with love. It also means that we will show love by not offending someone who believes something is a sin.

On today’s note write:

The best way to show freedom in Christ is to put love first.

May you celebrate the freedom you have in Christ today with love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Know What God Wants You to Do With Your Life Today

When you don't know what God wants you to do with your life there is a way to move forward in faith trusting Him to guide you with wisdom and love. #Faith #TrustGod #Commandments #Blessings

The rest of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians holds his answers to questions they had asked in a letter they had written to him.

Questions about marriage, singleness, eating meat offered to idols, the “right way” to worship, the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection . . . disagreements they were having in the church.

Whew! It looks like we’re going to have some interesting topics to discuss in upcoming days. Many of these topics are things people disagree about today.

I noticed something today as I was studying Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7.

There were times when he makes it clear his answer comes from his own opinions based on what he knew about life and his readers’ situation and other times when he said…

I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:10

And it hit me that it’s important for us to know the difference.

We know that God is eternal . . . the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Commandments that He gave us in Exodus 20 continue to be His commands for us today.

  1. No other Gods. Worship God.
  2. No idols. Don’t worship anything else.
  3. Don’t misuse God’s name. Honor the Lord’s name.
  4. Honor the Sabbath. Honor God and rest.
  5. Honor your parents.
  6. Don’t kill. Life is precious.
  7. Don’t commit adultery. Honor God with your body.
  8. Don’t steal. Don’t take what belongs to others.
  9. Don’t lie. Tell the truth.
  10. Don’t covet. Don’t envy what others have.

And Jesus added the following Commands:

  1. Love each other. (John 13:34)
  2. Repent and turn to God. (Matthew 4:17)
  3. Follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:24)
  4. SEEK the Kingdom above all else. (Luke 6:33)
  5. Become [humble] like little children. (Matthew 18:3)
  6. Keep the Commandments. (Matthew 19:17
  7. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30)
  8. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39)
  9. Be compassionate and kind, merciful and forgiving. (Luke 6:36–38)
  10. Go and make disciples. (Matthew 28:19)

In light of God’s Commands and Jesus’, Paul talked about sexual purity, love between husband and wife, what to do if your spouse doesn’t believe, and singleness. Then he told them what to do with life . . . by giving guidance that applies to all of us in every decision:

I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

1 Corinthians 7:35

You and I are wonderfully blessed by a Lord who loves us where we are. He calls us to live for Him right where we are in our present circumstances. it’s easy to be so consumed with wanting our life circumstances to be different from our current marital status, job, home, or family that we miss the opportunities He is giving us to serve Him right here and right now. When you and I don’t know what to do with life – pray, trust God’s promises and obey His commands.

When you don't know what God wants you to do with your life there is a way to move forward in faith trusting Him to guide you with wisdom and love. #Faith #TrustGod #Commandments #Blessings

A Prayer for God’s Help to Know What to Do With Life

Father, Thank you for Your promises to guide me according to Your plans and purposes.  David wrote of Your promise—“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) And Jesus promised—”When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” (John 16:13)

You promise to lead me with wisdom and love. I can trust You. Your commands are intended for my good . . . meant to keep me safe in a world trying to distract me with confusion and lies. David also wrote that wherever He went—”Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me.”

Please forgive me for the times I stubbornly go my own way, times I fail to follow Your commands. Please help me do whatever will help me serve You best. Help me worship, love, and honor You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love all people . . . seeing everyone as someone who is dearly loved and precious to You. Help me SEEK You first. And help me trust and obey Your will as You reveal it to me. I ask this that I might live today and every day for Your glory. I love You, Lord. I worship You. And by Your grace and with Your help, I will focus on Jesus, the One who began and perfects my faith. And in whose name I pray. Amen.

When you don't know what God wants you to do with your life there is a way to move forward in faith trusting Him to guide you with wisdom and love. #Faith #TrustGod #Commandments #Blessings

Do you want to know what to do with your life?

Trust, obey, and follow the Lord and His plans for Your future filled with hope will fall into place.

On today’s note write:

When I don’t know what to do with my life . . . trust, obey, and follow the Lord.

May God bless you today and live by His grace and for His glory . . . and trust Him to show you what to do with your life.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

The Biblical Truth You Want to Know About “My Body My Choice”

For 50 years, culture has been shouting "my body my choice" but what if the Biblical truth offers you something that will give you peace and joy. #Choice #Faith #GoodNews #Blessings

The cultural message for the past 50 years has been “my body, my choice.”

But is that true based on God’s Word?

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul wrote:

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Other translations say:

  • you are not your own
  • you don’t own yourself
  • you are not the owner of your own body
  • your body does not belong to you

And I really like the way The Message says it:

The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (MSG)

It’s truly extraordinary! When Jesus went to the cross for you and for me, when the Holy Spirit brought us to faith . . . a “transaction” took place. Christ Jesus paid “a high price” and we became His—that includes our bodies.

That Biblical truth transforms “my body my choice” into “my body God’s will.”

Paul wrote the following to the church in Rome:

 I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you…

Romans 12:1–2a

Read that one more time and ask God to imprint it on your heart and mind.

No matter what the world says about “my body my choice”, you and I are called to honor God with our whole selves . . . our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our souls.

The Life Application Bible Notes make this great analogy…

If you live in a building owned by someone else, you try not to violate the building’s rules. Because your body belongs to God, you must not violate His standards for living.

For 50 years, culture has been shouting "my body my choice" but what if the Biblical truth offers you something that will give you peace and joy. #Choice #Faith #GoodNews #Blessings

Let’s pray that we all might start to look at ‘my body my choice” from God’s perspective.

A Prayer to Honor God with My Body and My Choices

Father, forgive us. Forgive me. We have believed the enemies lies about freedom. Lies that enslave us to sin and its consequences. How we take care of our bodies . . . what we do sexually, what we eat and drink, what we watch or read or hear, what we think and say and do—it all matters to You.

Lord Jesus, You gave up the glories of heaven to show us the Father’s will and suffer our punishment. You paid the price for my sin. You bought my soul with the greatest price—Your very life. You said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” and then you added, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13–14) You ask me to obey You because I love You. I am forever indebted to You. Yet, all You ask is that I trust, love, and follow You.

Father God, please help me honor You with my body and my choices. Help me trust You and follow Your will in everything I do. Help me SEEK Your truth when the world shouts its lies and I am tempted to listen. Fill me with Your Spirit that I might live each day in ways that show You how much I love You. Help me love others the way You have loved me. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

For 50 years, culture has been shouting "my body my choice" but what if the Biblical truth offers you something that will give you peace and joy. #Choice #Faith #GoodNews #Blessings

Following Jesus means laying aside our own will and desires for His. It means putting all our efforts, energy, and resources in His hands. It means trusting that He wants what is best for us.

It means believing…

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 

Jeremiah 29:11

And with the Spirit’s help choosing…

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 

Ephesians 5:15–17

It means trusting God to help give us everything we need to SEEK His will so we can honor Him with our bodies and our choices.

On today’s note write:

With the Spirit’s help, I will honor God with my body and my choices.

May God bless you today as You surrender Your life to His grace, mercy, and love and experience His peace and joy.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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Why It’s Good to Be Friends with People Who Don’t Believe in Jesus

If Christians are going to love the way Jesus did, they will choose to spend time and be friends with people who do not yet know or trust in Him. #friends #LovelikeJesus #BlessingBloggers

How much time do you spend investing in relationships with unbelievers?

Historically, there have been some groups of Christians that have chosen to create their own exclusive communities to remain isolated from the “influence of the world”—people who choose not to be friends with people outside of their faith community.

In 1 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul offers us a different perspective…

I wrote you in my previous letter asking you not to associate with those who practice sexual immorality. Yet in no way was I referring to avoiding contact with unbelievers who are immoral, or greedy, or swindlers, or those who worship other gods—for that would mean you’d have to isolate yourself from the world entirely!

1 Corinthians 5:9–10 (TPT)

Since Jesus called us to “go and tell” (Matthew 19:20) and to love as He has loved us (John 15:12), we should model His care and compassion for all people, believers and unbelievers alike.

And maybe, just maybe, it is our demonstration of the love of Christ for everyone that will inspire someone to want what we have. Maybe they’ll see the light of hope that comes from knowing and loving Jesus that will make them think that He might be able to give them hope as well.

Jesus said…

“In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold—more so than for all the righteous people who never strayed away.”

Luke 15:7 (TPT)

Rev always says, “I don’t want to do great things for God, I just want to be blessed to be in the vicinity when God does great things.”

By God’s grace, it just may be our decision to be friends with someone who does not yet believe that puts us in the vicinity where we can watch the Lord do something great!

If Christians are going to love the way Jesus did, they will choose to spend time and be friends with people who do not yet know or trust in Him. #friends #LovelikeJesus #BlessingBloggers

A Prayer to Be Friends with People Who Don’t Believe

Precious Father, You clearly express Your love for everyone! Your Word defines You as love. (1 John 4:8) And Jesus said, “this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you” (John 15:12). It really is impossible for us to love too much.

Jesus poured out forgiveness and love on people the world identified as “sinners.”

Your Word says, “everyone has sinned, we all fall short of [Your] glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23) We need Your forgiveness and love. We need to know the truth about Jesus. Every one of us.

Please tender my heart and mind to see people as You do. Please help me love the way You love. Please help me open my heart to be friends with both people who know and love You and those who don’t yet. By Your grace, I would love to be in the vicinity when You work faith in my friend’s life.

May I shine Your light, proclaim Your promises, live for Your glory. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If Christians are going to love the way Jesus did, they will choose to spend time and be friends with people who do not yet know or trust in Him. #friends #LovelikeJesus #BlessingBloggers

The Life Application Bible Notes challenge us, rather than pointing out the sin in those who are not yet believers . . . we are called to show them the amazing truth about Jesus.

But what about our friendships with other believers?

Paul had something to say about that as well…

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 

1 Corinthians 5:12

And the LAB Notes add that when the church rationalizes sin, it “dims the image of God” and “distorts the picture of Christ,” and is not “fit to be a light to the world.” Rationalizing and justifying sin within the church is not God honoring, “Church leaders must be ready to correct, in love, for the sake of spiritual unity.”

I’ll admit, I don’t like to think about it but maintaining unity around the truth of God’s Word is God’s will.

We are called to welcome every sinner on the planet into the fellowship of believers without expecting them to “clean up their act” before they walk through the doors. But we are also called to consistently show the blessings of living God’s way . . . of SEEKing His will, TRUSTing His promises, FOLLOWing His commands. When we don’t. When we put our stamp of approval on things God’s Word clearly calls sin we are denying His truth and ignoring the power of His grace, mercy, and love.

On today’s note write:

May I honor God by being friends with both believers and unbelievers.

May God bless you today as you think about your friendships and the ways you can touch lives with His love.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
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How to Know and Experience the Blessing of Being Honest With God

This Bible verse can make us squirm or give us absolute peace know that we can be completely honest with God, who knows us fully and loves us always. #Prayer #GodLovesYou #BlessingBloggers #Hope

Do you have verses in Scripture that make you squirm because they hold a truth you really don’t want to think about?

Today’s chapter has a couple of verses that definitely make me uncomfortable…

It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

1 Corinthians 4:4b–5

But I don’t think God’s goal is to make us squirm or make us uncomfortable. I believe these verses are a twofold opportunity that will bless our relationship with God and with others.

The first blessing is the knowledge that you and I can always be completely honest with God.

He already knows everything about us. He knows our darkest secrets and private motives. He knows our thoughts, attitudes, desires and everything else.

David wrote:

O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

Psalm 139:1–2

Adam and Eve hid in the Garden after they sinned but we don’t have to hide. God loves us so very much that He sent His Son to save us. We can honestly confess every sinful thought, motive, or secret . . . every sinful word or act, and be confident that His mercy, grace, and love are greater than our worst offense.

The second blessing is that when we’re honest about our own sin, we’re less likely to judge others.

Simply put . . . judging others is arrogant! I know, ouch! Right?! But when you and I judge others we are evaluating ourselves as “better than” they are and that’s arrogance. But admitting the depth of our personal sinfulness leads to humility.

And treating others with humility is a powerful witness that will strengthen and bless all our relationships.

So, be honest with God. Tell Him your weaknesses and struggles, secrets and motives, flaws and faults. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows them all and He loves you. He will forgive you, heal you, and bless you.

This Bible verse can make us squirm or give us absolute peace know that we can be completely honest with God, who knows us fully and loves us always. #Prayer #GodLovesYou #BlessingBloggers #Hope

A Prayer to Be Honest with God

Father, please forgive me. I can be guilty of coming to You with my church face on . . . my expected smile and joyful attitude. And I can also approach Your gracious presence with a long list of wants, wishes, and grumblings failing to remember all the ways You have provided for and protected me. I have put You in a box of my own ideas and expectations and I’m so sorry.

You know everything about me. You know my thoughts, my secrets, and my motives. You know my bumps and bruises, my losses and my wins. You even know the number of hairs on the top of my head. (Matthew 10:30) You know the good, the bad, and the ugly. When I’m honest . . . it makes me squirm. I want to think You only see my church side but when I think about Your mercy and Your grace. When I humbly admit all of the times I have needed and received Your forgiveness . . . well, it helps me humbly forgive others not judge them.

Lord, there is peace in knowing I can be completely honest with You. I don’t have to pray with special words or a fancy formula. Because of Your love, mercy, and grace, I can come to You just as I am in the name of Jesus. I can simply sit with You and talk about life. I love You, Lord. Your goodness and mercy give me everything I need now and forever. Amen.

This Bible verse can make us squirm or give us absolute peace know that we can be completely honest with God, who knows us fully and loves us always. #Prayer #GodLovesYou #BlessingBloggers #Hope

It’s funny how these words of Paul can make us squirm or give us peace depending on how we look at them.

My prayer is that we all can receive them with peace today . . . knowing that we can be completely honest with God, the One who already knows us best and loves us completely.

On today’s note write:

God wants me to be completely honest with Him.

May you be blessed today by the One who knows you and loves you completely.

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 4.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

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If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

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How God Will Help You Grow in Faith and Live Your Purpose

I wonder how much time we waste looking for something to believe in and our reason for living - when God has a plan for both our faith and our purpose. #Faith #Goals #BibleStudy #BlessingBloggers

Can you imagine? You finally get a letter from your spiritual advisor . . . you’re hoping for a “good job, atta baby, way to go,” word of encouragement. But this is what you get instead:

Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ.

And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

1 Corinthians 3:1,3–4

Ouch!

I’ve been wondering how often those words could apply to many of our churches.

Rev and I have heard all kinds of bickering and complaints over the years. We’ve seen congregations split over things like a preferred style of worship, a building remodel, or complaints about one preacher or another.

When you and I are jealous of one another . . . when we bicker and quarrel over our own perferences and expectations, we can lose track of our God-given purpose.

I think the first line in The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is one of the most profound and courageous statements of faith ever written…

“It’s not about you!“

“If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God.”

And he added this verse from The Message:

For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible . . . everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. 

Colossians 1:13

Whether we want to or not, if you and I call ourselves followers of Jesus, we are representing Him in this world. And for that reason, it is our “purpose” to SEEK God’s will and share His love . . . or as Paul wrote, to do “the work the Lord gave us.” (1 Cor. 3:5b)

Faith and purpose are not about what we like or want. They are about seeking and serving the One who created us for His plans and purposes.

I wonder how much time we waste looking for something to believe in and our reason for living - when God has a plan for both our faith and our purpose. #Faith #Goals #BibleStudy #BlessingBloggers

A Prayer to Grow in Faith and Live Your Purpose

Father, thank you for Jesus and for the gift of faith, for giving me the desire to KNOW You. Thank you for Your promises and for the blessing of prayer. Thank you for loving me.

Please forgive me. I want to follow Your will faithfully. I want to be mature in my faith. I want to fulfill the purposes You have for me. But I know I fail to meet even my own desires let alone meeting the desires You have for me. I am so sorry. Please help me.

I give myself to You, Lord. Help me listen for Your voice. I don’t want to be controlled by my sinful nature. I don’t want to quarrel over foolish ideas, opinions, and preferences. You have given me Your Word as a manual for living. You have given me Your Spirit to help me grow in faith. Please help me faithfully SEEK Your will. Help me share Your love. Help me do the work You have planned for me that I might accomplish the purposes for which You created me.

I love You, Lord. I give this day to You. Guide me by the power of Your Spirit. Help me that I might grow in faith and live Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

I wonder how much time we waste looking for something to believe in and our reason for living - when God has a plan for both our faith and our purpose. #Faith #Goals #BibleStudy #BlessingBloggers

The Andrew Murray wrote:

Never try to arouse faith from within. You cannot stir up faith from the depths of your heart. Leave your heart, and look into the face of Christ.

Jesus is the One who is able to transform our hearts and help us grow in faith. His Spirit is the One who reveals our purpose and helps us live it.

By God’s grace, we have everything we need when we turn down the volume of the noise going on around us and SEEK the direction of the One who loves us most and best.

On today’s note write:

To grow in faith and live my purpose, I will SEEK and SERVE the LORD.

May God bless you today and you pause to look into the face of Christ to grow in faith and live your purpose.

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 3.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

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I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

How to Have This Amazing Source of Wisdom With You Every Day

Do you think you're wise? Do you want to be? Learn how to find the true source of wisdom that doesn't change and never fails. #Wisdom #Peace #BibleStudy #BlessingBloggers

Do you think you’re wise? Do you want to be?

As I was reading today’s chapter and a couple of verses practically jumped off the page:

No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

1 Corinthians 2:11–12

Think about that for a minute…

God’s own Spirit, the One who knows His thoughts, His heart, His desires, His will . . . lives within those who trust and follow Jesus—so we can KNOW.

Paul went on to write:

When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

1 Corinthians 2:13

The Spirit within you and me is our source of God’s wisdom. He guides us to grow in faith, trust God’s will, and follow Him in obedience. We don’t have to rely on human wisdom. We have the source of God’s wisdom with and within us.

I can’t tell you how often I’ve said, “Lord, I don’t understand but You do. I don’t know what to do . . . please show me. I can’t do this on my own but I believe that with Your Spirit’s help . . . I can!”

I am so thankful for this promise we have from Jesus’ half-brother, James…

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 

James 1:5

You and I can humbly go to the Lord in faith and ask Him to give us His source of wisdom . . . His Spirit.

In a world full of confusion caused by the foolish mixed messages of human “wisdom,” it’s a wonderful blessing to know we have the One who knows the very thoughts of God within us. The Father has given us the source of His wisdom by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.

Do you think you're wise? Do you want to be? Learn how to find the true source of wisdom that doesn't change and never fails. #Wisdom #Peace #BibleStudy #BlessingBloggers

A Prayer to be Filled with the Holy Spirit – the Source of Wisdom

Father, what an awesome God You are. You not only want us to KNOW Your heart, You make it possible for us to have Your Spirit, the source of wisdom within us. Your Spirit enables us to see life’s circumstances from Your perspective. He guides us to make decisions that align with Your will. He helps us see what You are doing in and around us, understand Your Word, and experience the peace that passes understanding and strength to fight hard battles.

The source of wisdom is also the source of love in our lives. Your love.

How can I begin to thank you for giving me the blessing of the Holy Spirit? I give You all my love and surrender my life to You. I trust Your promise that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) And I ask You to give me the strength I need to live with wisdom . . . to not only know the right thing but to actually apply it to my life. I believe that by Your grace, You give me everything I need to live my life for Your glory when I SEEK You first and LOVE You most. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. You are my Savior and my God. I thank and praise You with all that I am. Amen.

Do you think you're wise? Do you want to be? Learn how to find the true source of wisdom that doesn't change and never fails. #Wisdom #Peace #BibleStudy #BlessingBloggers

It’s funny . . . there are so many ideas out there about wisdom. And if you go to Psychology Today looking for wisdom, they will tell you that it comes from within you. From things like open-mindedness, self-reflection, aging, and seeing the big picture.

But each of those sources are found in self . . . in pride. And if we look around, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell that self-sourced wisdom is unreliable at best.

They are right about part of it though. Wisdom is within us but it doesn’t come from self, the source of true wisdom is God Himself.

Paul wrote:

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge!

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Romans 11:33a, 36

And He places the Spirit who KNOWS His thoughts, His wisdom, and knowledge, within us. How awesome is that!

On today’s note write:

Praise God for the gift of the source of wisdom . . . for His Holy Spirit!

May God bless you today with the presence of His Spirit as He fills you with His love.

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 2.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

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Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!