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 proudor 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

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 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.

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

7 / 23 / 217 / 23 / 21

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.

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.

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.

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

7 / 22 / 216 / 25 / 21

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.

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.

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.

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

7 / 21 / 217 / 21 / 21

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:

Resist pride.
Remember that everyone is tempted. You’re not alone.
Resist temptation with God’s help.
Remember to set safe boundaries and focus on Jesus.
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!

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.

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.

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

7 / 20 / 217 / 20 / 21

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.

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.

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.

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You Need to Know How to Show the Freedom You Have in Christ

7 / 19 / 217 / 19 / 21

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.

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

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

7 / 16 / 216 / 21 / 21

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.

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

And Jesus added the following Commands:

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

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.

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.

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

7 / 15 / 217 / 15 / 21

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.

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.

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.

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

7 / 14 / 216 / 17 / 21

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!

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.

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.

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How to Know and Experience the Blessing of Being Honest With God

7 / 13 / 217 / 13 / 21

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.

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.

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.

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

7 / 12 / 217 / 12 / 21

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.

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.

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.

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

7 / 9 / 217 / 9 / 21

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.

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.

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.

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Why It’s Important to Have Wisdom When You Want to Blend In

7 / 8 / 217 / 8 / 21

The Bible says the message of the cross is foolishness to the world. When we are tempted to blend in we need wisdom and strength to trust Jesus. #Faith #BibleQuotes #Prayer #BlessingBloggers

I’m not a fan of insects or reptiles but I’ve always found chameleons fascinating.

Can you imagine the creative process where God decided it was important to make a creature able to change colors and camouflage itself to go unnoticed by predators? To make them able to simply blend in…

Maybe He made them just so we could have a valuable object lesson.

It’s not unusual for followers of Jesus to want to blend into our “environment.” We want to be popular . . . friended and followed. But we live in a world broken by sin. A world that is increasingly putting pressure on Christians to blend in and go along with a culture that declares what the Bible clearly identifies as sin to be perfectly fine—just a matter of personal choice.

Currently, it’s not uncommon to receive angry pushback from people when we choose not to go along. The pressure to conform is definitely not diminishing.

Knowing that, can help us understand Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.

Corinth was home to more than a dozen temples that provided more than a thousand prostitutes. In fact, prostitutes in other cities were often called “Corinthians Girls.” The city was a major business center overrun by idolatry, greed, and pride. And the church was struggling with divisiveness. Hmmm. Sound familiar?

The people in Corinth needed wisdom and so do we.

Paul wrote:

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom.

But to those called by God to salvation . . .Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:18, 20b–21, 24–25

May we pray to have the wisdom and strength we need to stand for God’s truth when we are tempted and taunted to just blend in.

A Prayer for Wisdom and Strength
When You Want to Blend In

Father, I need You. This world wants me to believe it is full of scientific facts that present an absolute truth. One I should simply trust and follow. But so many of their “facts” end up being disproven or change with time. You, Lord, are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are absolute truth. You are wisdom. And You promise to give wisdom to all those who come to You in humility and faith.

I am sorry. Please forgive me for ever thinking of blending in as a good idea. I want to be loving and kind, compassionate and caring. I want to be understanding and thoughtful refusing to judge those who see things differently. But if blending in means accepting and/or participating in things You call sin . . . please give me strength to trust and obey You.

Please give me the wisdom I need to KNOW Your truth. Give me the strength I need to follow You when I’m pressured to blend in . . . when I’m tempted by sin. When I’m told to call evil good and good evil. Please give me everything I need to live each day in Christ Jesus, the One who is my source of wisdom and strength. I ask this in His holy name. Amen.

I have determined that I need to turn away from the noise and listen for God’s still quiet whisper. I need to look away from the world and focus my eyes on Jesus. I need faith. I need wisdom. I need strength.

I need to remember that I don’t have to wait to join the heavenly chorus in worship:

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
Revelation 5:11:12

On today’s note write:

When I’m tempted to blend in, I will trust Jesus, my source of wisdom and strength.

May God bless you today with wisdom and strength . . . blessings that are found in Christ alone.

Click here to read the rest of 1 Corinthians 1.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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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!

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How the Bible will Help You KNOW, TRUST, OBEY, and PRAY

7 / 7 / 217 / 7 / 21

If we want to avoid false teaching, you and I need to faithfully read the Bible to KNOW God's Trust, TRUST God's Promises, and OBEY His Will. #BibleQuotes #God'sPromises #BlessingBloggers

And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15:33

Those words sound like the end of the letter to the Romans. They sound like the benediction . . . but Paul often took a few more moments to add personal thoughts to his friends.

I was talking with my daughter a little while ago and we each said “goodbye” several times. But each time we thought of “one more thing to say.”

And that seemed to happen to Paul in Romans 16.

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
Romans 16:17–18

Paul was urging the believers in Rome to be careful and not let their guard down . . . to stay clear of divisiveness . . . to know the Scriptures so that no one could lead them away from the truth.

The enemy of our souls will always send smooth-talking ear ticklers to tempt us by distorting God’s Word in an attempt to disguise his lies as just a “different way of interpreting” what God said.

The only way you and I can “watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith” is by knowing the truth of God’s Word.

God loves us so much that He wants us to KNOW His Truth, TRUST His Promises, and OBEY His Will because He knows it is only through faith and following that you and I can have lasting peace, joy, strength, and hope.

The divisiveness of false teaching turns our focus away from the blessings God wants for us and causes us to bicker and bite at each other. It also ruins our witness to the world.

The Life Application Bible Notes say this about Paul’s words…

When we read books or listen to sermons, we should check the content of what is written or said so that we won’t be fooled by smooth talk and glowing words. Christians who study God’s Word, asking Him to reveal the truth will not be fooled.

May we be diligent to KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY . . . and PRAY.

A Prayer to KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY

Father, thank you so very much for giving us Your Word. Thank you for Your Spirit who is with and within us to guide and guard our hearts and minds. You have given us everything we need to KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY You.

Please help me, Lord. You described the devil as the “father of lies.” He has twisted the truths of Your Word to deceive and divide us. Please forgive me for failing to KNOW Your Truth as well as I should. Forgive me for failing to faithfully TRUST Your Promises, and forgive me for failing to OBEY Your will.

I am so very thankful for Jesus – for everything You have done and continue to do for me every day. Your grace, mercy, and love sustain me. You have carried me through difficult times. (Psalm 55:22) You have lifted me out of the pit of despair. (Psalm 40:2) You have given me everything I need to be Your child. Psalm 103:13)

Lord, I ask You to unsettle me until I spend time with You each day reading and studying Your Word and sitting with You in prayer because I believe that it is only through Word and Prayer that I will faithfully KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY You. Hold me. Fill me. Guard my heart and my mind that I might live for Your glory. Amen.

Friend, it’s hard, isn’t it? We want to be trusting. We want to believe everyone who identifies as a follower of Christ. We want to believe that teachers are teaching the truth. But God’s Word is clear . . . that’s just not always the case. Just like satan twisted God’s words to tempt people in Scripture, he continues to do so today.

You and I must KNOW God’s Word if we want to TRUST and OBEY.

On today’s note write:

God’s Word is the TRUTH that helps me KNOW, TRUST, and OBEY.

May God bless you today as You trust His love, SEEK His Truth, and Pray for His mercy, grace, and guidance.

Click here to read the rest of Romans 16.

And for more about reading the Bible, check out – How to Read the Bible in a Way that will Change Your Life.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via 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!

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.

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I’m asking God to bless you today!

Why Praying is the Most Important Thing You Can Do for People

7 / 6 / 216 / 10 / 21

Prayer is going to God's Throne of Grace about the spiritual battles going on around us. When we pray for people, we invite God to help fight their battles. #SpiritualWarfare #Prayer #BlessingBloggers

I’ve read countless books about prayer in my life.

But in recent years, the Lord has shown me that I need to read less about prayer and spend more time in prayer.

Here are a few things I’ve learned from actually praying…

♥ Prayer can be comforting—as we bring every need to God’s Throne of Grace and receive His grace and mercy.
♥ Prayer can be reflective—thanking and praising God for His blessings, goodness, and grace.
♥ Prayer can be seeking—pleading with God for wisdom, guidance, and direction in life.

All amazing blessings! Yet, maybe one of the most important things to remember is that…

♥ Prayer is warfare—it is our God-given weapon in the battle between good and evil . . . between God’s heavenly warriors and the enemy’s demonic forces.

And that is what Paul is asking his readers to do toward the end of Romans:

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:30

When you and I go to God’s Throne for a family member, friend, or even a complete stranger . . . when we pray for people, we are going to battle for them. Interceding for someone as they fight an illness, or live through grief, loneliness, joblessness, depression, or anything else this world throws at them . . . can make all the difference in their battle physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I love this quote from Pastor Tony Evans…

“Simply defined, prayer is earthly permission for heavenly interference.”

May you and I find ourselves faithfully praying for people inviting the blessing of heavenly interference as together we fight the battles of life.

A Prayer Asking God to Help Us Pray for People

Lord, Your Word consistently tells us to pray for one another. You told us to bring our burdens to You and that You will help us. (Matthew 11:28) And Paul wrote that it is Your will that we would carry each other’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2) One of the most loving and compassionate ways we can love one another is to carry someone’s burden to You in prayer.

Please forgive me. I pray about many things but too often I don’t pay close enough attention to the battles the people around me are facing . . . too often I fail to pray as intentionally as fervently as I should. Too often I say I’ll pray for someone and forget as soon as I walk away or I “shoot off” a quick brief prayer and fail to think about it again. I’m so sorry.

You have given us this awesome gift. You promise to hear the prayers of Your children. Please empower me to become a prayer warrior. Help me to faithfully pray for the people around me. Make me intentional about helping them fight their spiritual battles through the gift of prayer. Lord, You have already won the spiritual war . . . Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Forever and ever. Amen.

During the covid lockdown our pastor challenged us to find a way to reach out and encourage our neighbors.

Rev and I prayed about it and decided to drop a short letter off at each home on our street telling our neighbors that we would pray for them. Here’s a copy of what we left:

We added each of our email addresses and also placed a mailbox out front so people could leave a request anonymously.

It turned out to be such a simple way to reach out. It has blessed us and we pray that it is blessing our neighbors too.

On today’s note write:

Lord, help me faithfully pray for people.

If you would like us to pray for you . . . please leave your request on the Blessing Counters Prayer Page or in the comments below.

Finally, I want to close today by praying this prayer for each of you.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Click here to read the rest of Romans 15.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via 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!

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!