Slip On Your Own Shoes - Ephesians 2:10

I couldn't fit them in my suitcase, so I gave some shoes to a friend. 

They weren't her size, but they were almost new and close enough to her size that she thought they'd work. But they weren't really comfortable.

One afternoon while wearing them, she found herself struggling with questions about who God wanted her to be and what He wanted her to do. That's when she had this epiphany: “Stop trying to be someone else. You can never fill someone else's shoes!”

“Ah, it was a freeing moment,” she said. God knew her “size” and He had purposes specifically designed for her life (Ephesians 2:10). 

Do you ever wish you were someone else: younger, older, married, single, taller, shorter, with different gifts or abilities?

Scripture tells us to imitate godly behavior, faithfulness, and devotion (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17) but we're not called to imitate other personalities or covet other people's lives.

God has designed us “one-of-a-kind” for His purposes.

So slip on YOUR shoes today and ask God to show you what path He's specifically prepared for your feet - your gifts, personality, and sphere of influence.

Find additional insights on this subject in these 1-minute devotions:

Life Expectancy and Ephesians 2:10

Ever Heard of Biddy Chambers?

If you own Wisdom for Life, you'll find some encouraging insights by reading or re-reading Day 82. 

What Scripture Means when It Calls Jesus Our Cornerstone

Have you ever thought about this passage describing our position in Christ:

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21 

“A cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.” (wiki)

Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. When we come to Christ, we become “living stones,” built into a “spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:4-7). We don't fit Him into our plans. He fits us into His (Ephesians 2:10).

This means we transform our minds and hearts through prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship so we understand our position in Christ's “house”:

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

Unsaved men and women align themselves with a crooked cornerstone named Satan. He builds them into a “false spiritual house” which will one day come tumbling down.

But our home is built on the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And He will never be shaken! Can I get an “Amen”?

💙💙💙

I also encourage you to read Are You Standing on the Rock?

Bible Love Notes

Why Judas Opposed Mary's Extravagant Love for Christ

In the devotion Extravagant Love, I talked about the time Mary anointed Christ’s feet with costly perfume (John 12:1-8). 

When this happened, Judas objected, saying, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

Scripture tells us that Judas didn't care about the poor, but he handled the money for the disciples and helped himself to it when it suited his purposes.

But you have to admit that his argument sounded logical.

When God prompts us to help a friend extravagantly, share our faith extravagantly, give time, money, or love extravagantly, it rarely sounds “logical.” And we may have people try to dissuade us, even well-meaning friends. 

But when we are sure God is calling us to do something extravagant, let's overcome our fears, doubts, and logic and take our cues from Mary, not from Judas. 

Note: Mary's extravagant gesture didn't hurt anyone. And that's an important consideration. We may deny ourselves things we'd like in order to help others, but we don't neglect the needs of our family. See Matthew 15:1-9 and 1 Timothy 5:8.

💙💙💙

Why not check out the collection of one-minute devotions about Mary and Martha, and choose a few to read this week.

If you've purchased the Wisdom for Life devotional, I encourage you to read or re-read Day 74 which talks about people's attitudes toward money and honesty. It offers additional insights into this devotion.

Bible Love Notes

Insights From My Laundry Room: Colossians 3:12

Today I'm sharing a devotion from my friend Amy Quinlan. I think you'll enjoy her laundry room analogy. ~ Gail

My small laundry room has been a haven of prayer to me for several years. I regularly pray while I sit on the floor in front of my dryer folding laundry. 

Above the shelf where I stack clean clothes for our family of six, there’s a framed image of a whimsical clothesline with articles of clothing blowing in the wind with this text: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). 

This has been a gentle reminder to me over the years. 

The laundry room is a great place to remember that I have died to my old self and “put off” the filthiness of my sinful nature. It’s also a place to remember my need to “put on” the clean clothes of holy living (Ephesians 4:22-24). 

This helps me avoid responding to my circumstances in the flesh, even though I admit I still do that at times. I must make a daily commitment to purposefully clothe myself with the pure, clean, and loving coverings of the Holy Spirit, the clothes of my “new self” in Christ.

 

💙💙💙

For additional insights, see Natural, Unnatural, Supernatural. 

Bible Love Notes

Using Discernment with "Christian" Testimonies

I listened to two interviews which illustrated how the “judge-not” movement interferes with genuine repentance.

The woman interviewed said she was struggling with her gender when she decided being a Christian would be “enjoyable.” But she was offended when her new Christian friends told her that her desire to transition to a man was not right because she was a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

So she sought out non-Christians who encouraged her to take hormones and have surgery. But her breast-removal left her with regrets, so she found a church that accepted her as a “brother” in Christ without judging her. 

Eventually she decided to identify as a woman, although she said she still sometimes dresses like a man. And she admitted she's resentful but claims that Jesus assured her that her resentment isn't selfish; it's simply a result of her unmet needs. 

She didn't mention sin or repentance in either interview. Instead, she focused on how people made her feel, and she clearly saw herself as a victim, not a sinner.

These interviews left me with two important insights: 

1. Don't assume that someone is a genuine believer simply because they identify as one. Her Christian friends were right in warning her, but they made the false assumption that she understood repentance and salvation.

2. The “judge-not” attitude is cruel because it leaves people confused about sin and salvation. 

True freedom comes only through Christ, not through approval and acceptance (John 8:31-32).

✜✜✜

For those who want to dig deeper, I've prepared a Bite Size Bible study addressing this woman's attitude in light of Scripture: Are We Sinners or Victims?

I have purposely not included this woman’s name or the links to her podcasts because my purpose isn't to single her out but to offer an example of the false philosophy she represents. I believe her testimony comes from an unconverted and confused position.

We must help those struggling with their gender, but we must present the truth that transgenderism is a sin that will damage their souls. If you'd like to better understand the biblical view of transgenderism, please see these devotions:

What the Bible Teaches about Transgenderism

A Letter from a Reader Regarding Right and Wrong

A Necessary Explanation 

Bible Love Notes

Preparing Our Hearts to Overflow With Thanksgiving

I realize not all of my readers are Americans who celebrate Thanksgiving. But there are some wonderful "God stories" and Scriptural truths in both the holiday and the biblical concept of thanksgiving. 

So today, I offer you some one-minute devotions from the archives that deal with Thanksgiving and thankfulness.  You can choose to read one or all, and I pray they will give you a more thankful heart. That's what I'm praying for myself.  ~ Gail

P.S. My favorite is "5 Kernels of Corn."  

Genuine Thankfulness – 1 Timothy 6:7-8: Genuine thankfulness is often found in the most unlikely places. This one-minute devotion explains and offers scriptural insights.

3 Steps to Spiritual Success: These three short verses offer incredible wisdom. Be encouraged!

Let’s Take Back Thanksgiving!! Inspiration and ideas for focusing on Christ and the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Gratitude Attitude: Secular studies confirm what God has been saying all along. This one-minute devotion explains gratitude from a biblical perspective.

Gratitude Born of Pain: We often associate gratitude with obvious blessings, but the original Thanksgiving was based on something else.

God's Different Methods of Communication: Since Thanksgiving is a time for turkey, it made me think of the phrase "talkin' turkey."

Talking about Turkey and God's Creativity: In preparation for Thanksgiving, ponder these things about God's creation.

Popcorn, Thanksgiving, and Heaven Have Something in Common: A wonderful message from the Thanksgiving celebration. 

5 Kernels of Corn: This true story about the Pilgrims will bless you and build your faith. 

Don't Give God Your Leftovers: A spiritual truth worth remembering when we dig into those Thanksgiving leftovers.

Black Friday and Good Friday: An interesting comparison of Black Friday and Good Friday.

 

Bible Love Notes

Thanksgiving Thought: Do You Take Things for Granted? I Do.

I take so much for granted: 

My eyesight and the ability to see colors, shapes, new and familiar faces, reading materials, etc. 

My ability to taste food, enjoying new flavors and old favorites. 

My ability to touch and feel textures and temperatures. 

My ability to smell wonderful aromas, some of which remind me of special experiences in the past. 

If you are also able to experience any of these things, why not join me and thank God for them. 

In addition, I often take food, clothing, hot showers, and modern conveniences for granted. If you have any of these things, please join me in thanking God for them. 

Most of us are thankful for the “extras” like vacations, gifts, and special outings, but we typically take our daily blessings for granted. 

More importantly, if Christians lose all of these things I've listed, we still have reason to be thankful because we have a God: 

Who forgives us (1 John 1:9). 

Who will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). 

Who loves us with a perfect love (1 John 3:1). 

Who teaches and guides us (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Who will one day give us a life that is 100% perfect in every way imaginable (Revelation 21:1-7). 

Let’s celebrate Thanksgiving with these things in mind. Why not read each Scripture linked in this devotion and thank God for the wonderful truth it contains. 

I also encourage you to read the one-minute devotion Romans 12:1-2: Grateful and Transforming. 

Bible Love Notes

Cain Provides a Good Bad Example—an Example to Avoid

Cain is an infamous example of the self-centered life (Genesis 4):

• He was outwardly religious but had no faith (Hebrews 11:4). That's why he got angry when God didn't bless his insincere gestures (Genesis 4:5-7).
• He ignored God's loving warnings and killed his brother (Genesis 4:8). 
• He mocked God with a ridiculous question (Genesis 4:8-9). 
• He wasn't sorry for his sins, he was only sorry for the consequences (Genesis 4:13-14). 

Scripture lists Cain with Balaam and Korah as examples of people who mocked God by their selfish disobedience (Jude 1:11). Cain hated his brother's righteous character (1 John 3:12).

Cain's bad example teaches that:

1. Faith involves external actions, but those actions must flow from our love for God (Matthew 6:1; Matthew 15:1-9). 

2. Faith involves learning, trusting, and obeying the warnings God gives us in His Word (James 1:22).

3. Faith understands that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

4. Faith always involves genuine repentance (James 4:7-10).

Christians don't have the spirit of Cain because he belonged to Satan (1 John 3:12), but we can exhibit some “Cainish” behavior if we aren't daily examining ourselves.

To look a bit more at Cain's life, check out the Bite Size Bible Study HERE. It's a great study to do with a friend or with your small group.

And check out these one-minute devotions with additional insights about the sin of Cain:

Cain, The Ultimate Pouter

The Fifth Oldest Sin in the Book: Fake Worship

Adam: The Author of Modern Psychology

The Truth Makes Enemies

Bible Love Notes

Christ Is a Rock, Not a Sandy Beach

If you buy a house with a bad foundation, you can expect cracks in the walls and an unstable floor. You might have windows and doors that don’t open correctly, and you’ll eventually have to deal with mold, rot, mildew, and even flooding. 

Foundations are important for houses and for faith. That’s why Christ is called our Rock and our Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11; Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 92:15). 

Jesus illustrates this truth in Matthew 7:24-29 when He talks about a house built on rock and a house built on sand. He says that those who hear His words and put them into practice are building on rock, and those who hear His words and don’t put them into practice are building on sand. 

This explains why so many professing Christians are moving away from true faith. They heard the truth, but they thought they could build it on the shifting sands of worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-31).

When the storms of culture beat upon their beach house denying the validity of God’s Word, their faith began sinking. When they discovered they'd be more popular if they accepted culture's view of morality, their faith began to crack. Their previous convictions began to mold and rot.

But remnant believers' faith is built on the Rock of Christ. We still feel the wind and the rain, but our foundation stands secure. 

💙💙💙

I hope you'll read a one-minute devotion I wrote with reflections about a real flood near my hometown: Destroying Flood. 

Full Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 3:11: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Psalm 92:15: “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” 

Isaiah 28:16: “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.’” 

Matthew 7:24-29: “‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.’ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

 

Bible Love Notes

Propaganda Uses Distorted, Dishonest Definitions

Propaganda always changes the definition of words to fit an agenda, and I recently was given an excellent example.

I wrote a post sharing what Scripture teaches regarding unborn life, and it was 85% pure Scripture confirming that: 

💙 God gives life (Acts 17:24-25).

💙 God knits us together in our mother’s womb and knows us even before the first trimester (Psalm 139:13-16).

💙 God commands us not to take an innocent life (Exodus 20:13).

In addition, my post offered helpful resources for women suffering from post-abortion regret.

But someone left this comment on that post: 

“As a Christian I find this post filled with hatred. It is not helpful at all.” 

This perfectly reflects pro-abortion definitions: speaking God's truth, saving lives, and sparing women from post-abortion guilt is “hateful”! 

 

But perhaps the most deceptive pro-abortion definition is that of “choice.” 

Claiming to be pro-choice, they oppose legislation that encourages a woman to see an ultrasound before her abortion. They realize if given the choice, many women will change their minds when they see the tiny human baby in their womb. But pro-abortion advocates tell us it's “hateful” to let women have full knowledge of the life-and-death choice they are about to make. 

Then, they go one step further and downplay or deny the evidence that millions of women suffer from post-abortion syndrome due to their uninformed choices (source). 

Furthermore, I doubt very much that any pro-abortion advocate would say, “I wish my mother had chosen to abort me because it would have made her life easier.” 

✜✜✜ 

My birth was not an easy one for my mother, and I shared that story in my Birthday Thoughts in 2022. 

You might also be interested in reading how far pro-abortion propaganda has succeeded in this country: Guess Where People Are Now Being Arrested. 

If you own Wisdom for Life, I encourage you to read or re-read Day 59 for additional insights into this devotion.

Bible Love Notes