Are You Tired of Hearing About the Battle?

If you're tired of my devotions about standing firm, I understand. I get weary standing against secular lies, immoral politics, and half-truths promoted in Christian books and movies. I'd rather cuddle up with comforting Bible truths and ignore the hard things.

After all, we're living in a time in history when God's true children are hated for speaking truth, no matter how graciously we do it (2 Timothy 3:12-13). 

But we can't hide when we need to prepare. We can't remain silent when we need to speak up: 

“Prepare your minds for action...Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed...live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires...be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy...remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as ‘temporary residents.’” 1 Peter 1:13-17

Jesus stood firm for our sake, knowing it would cost Him His life. Let's return that love by standing firm in our faith, even if it forces us to address hard subjects when we'd rather cuddle up with easier truths. Why? Because “the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). 

And let's never forget the blessings promised in Matthew 5:11-12 and Luke 6:22.

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See Keep Contending for the Faith and Our Edomite Brothers.

Lies in Disguise offers a biblical look at the things in our world that deserve our attention, prayers, and voice. 

I encourage you to let it help you stand firm in grace and truth. Click the image to read more about it and find out where to order it!

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A True Story of Joy, Sorrow, Mystery, and Opportunity

Today's devotion may take you two minutes to read instead of the normal one minute, but that extra minute will allow me to share something important from my life.

When we welcomed six-year-old Melody* into our home, she had suffered a childhood of severe neglect.

We loved fostering her, telling her about the Lord, and giving her a safe and healthy home life. For a year, we loved her as our own...until the court foolishly gave her back to her parents and they left the state to avoid jurisdiction. 

We weren't allowed to stay in touch, but on and off through the years, we tried searching the internet and social media to find her. I had almost given up hope when we reconnected with 46-year-old Melody in 2023. 

On our first phone call, she told us that her year with us was the only good year of her childhood, the only time she was loved or cared for. Her parents had told her that we didn't want her, and that's why she was returned to them. So we were grateful we could tell her that wasn't true.

Hearing her story was sad for us. And the sadness continued into her adult life with broken relationships, several years of meth addiction, and ongoing alcoholism.  

“I remember how often you told me that God loves me,” she said fondly.

Thus began our long-distance relationship with this troubled woman who God had given us to love 40 years earlier. Over the next few months, when I re-shared the gospel she'd first heard in our home as a child, she was resistant. But that didn't stop me.

For the next 2 1/2 years, I texted her at least once a week and sent her little gifts. Most importantly, I sent her a box of Scripture cards to encourage her. She didn't have the attention span to read the Bible, but she started faithfully reading a single-verse Scripture card each morning.

One day she texted me a heart emoji and said the Scriptures each morning really helped. A few days later, she died in her sleep, her body damaged by years of sin and abuse. 

I don’t know for sure, but I like to believe that before she breathed her last breath, she gave her life to Christ. And I'm grateful that God gave me a year to love her when she was six and those 2 1/2 years to remind her of His love and encourage her to make Him her Lord.

Life is filled with mystery, and we don't fully understand what happens in people's hearts. So let's take advantage of every opportunity God gives us, doing our best to share truth with our lost and dying world.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”  Ephesians 5:15-17

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I think you'll also enjoy the true story of my friend Jane who was raised in terrible conditions but blossomed into a wonderful Christian woman:  Shiny White Shoes - God Sent an Angel to Save a Little Girl. And check out this amazing story of a young woman's faith: Alone in a Foreign Land: "Don't Give Up!" 

* This is a picture of her, but I chose not to use her real name for privacy purposes. 

 

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Jesus Asks Us to Come, Take, and Learn

I confess that I can easily lose my peace when I focus on difficult things in my life.

Relationship disappointments are the hardest, seeing loved ones walk away from their faith and make tragic choices. These things can leave me worried, sad, angry, or depressed.

That's when I need to listen to Jesus' words in Matthew 11:28-30:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

Come, Take and Learn. 

• Come to Him and quit seeking answers from ourselves or worldly sources (Isaiah 55:6-7; 1 Corinthians 3:19).

• Take His yoke by surrendering ourselves to His will in our lives, seeking His plans and purposes (Ephesians 2:10).

• Learn from Him. Let His Word be our guide (Proverbs 2:6; Hebrews 4:12). And let Him show us how to have joy and peace in the midst of our trials (John 16:33; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

If you also lose your peace at times, I suggest you read this passage daily...better yet, memorize it.

Together let’s find rest for our souls in Jesus.

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For more encouragement in this area, see Seeking Genuine Peace in the Midst of Trials. 

If you're a Bible Love Notes subscriber, why not tell one of your friends how easy it is to sign up for a free subscription. You can send them this link: HERE. 

If you enjoyed this devotion, be sure to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. Check out the great sales on Lifeway or Amazon.

 

 

 

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Little Things Can Bring Big Blessings

Little things can bring big blessings.
 

Last week, after multiple challenges and only four hours of sleep, I was emotionally and physically exhausted. Then I got a text from my friend Karenn that greatly encouraged me and built me up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). A text may seem like a little thing, but it was a huge blessing to me. 

Scripture tells us that if we're faithful with little things, God will trust us with bigger things (Luke 16:10), but sometimes He uses little things in bigger ways than we could imagine.

In addition, we can bless ourselves in big ways by faithfully doing little things like studying our Bible for short periods throughout the day or taking time for a short prayer every few hours.  

I think about the little decision I made as a young mom to go to a women's Bible study when I'd never attended one before. That little decision eventually led to my salvation! 

And many people find the Lord because a friend patiently shares the gospel with them, little bit by little bit.

So let's wake up each day asking God if He has some little plan in store for us (Ephesians 2:10)—a way to encourage a friend (Hebrews 10:24) or build our relationship with the Lord (Philippians 2:12-13).

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For more ideas and insights, see Long Distance Hugs, Set Your Mind or Set Your Alarm and Attention to Details. If you're married, check out this marriage post: Little Big Things: 17 Ideas.  

 

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5 Tips for Biblical Anger Management

I lost my temper the other day.

So I needed this reminder about biblical anger management. Maybe some of you could use it too.

How do we control the ugly anger monster?
Here are some things I’m doing that have helped me in the past.

1. Memorize verses relating to anger (e.g., Prov. 16:32; 19:11; 29:11).
Reciting, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word changes us supernaturally.

2. Listen carefully and think before speaking—this helps us avoid misunderstandings that lead to anger (James 1:19-20).

3. Ask God to show us the underlying sins that led to our anger (James 4:1-2).

4. Deal with problems quickly (Ephesians 4:26). Unresolved problems grow worse.

5. Realize the danger of unresolved anger—it gives Satan control in our lives (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Only God can change us, but these things help us yield our will to His.

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For more on this subject, see Fools, Anger, and Repentance and Satan's Pop-Up Temptations.

 

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. Check out the sale prices on Lifeway or Amazon.

 

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