Captive or Approved and Noble?

What causes some Christians to grow deeper with the Lord and some to remain shallow?

What causes some newer Christians to know more about Scripture than those who've been Christians for many years?

What causes some Christians to get caught up in errors and some to recognize and avoid them?

Scripture offers these warnings, answers, and examples:

🩵 Christians who grow deeper with the Lord are those who trust Scripture and carefully avoid human philosophies.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ.” Colossians 2:8 Amplified Bible

🩵 Christians who grow quickly prioritize their study of Scripture.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

🩵 Christians who understand God care deeply about the accuracy of things they hear taught. No matter how popular, they carefully check their validity in God's Word.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.” Acts 17:11-12

So let's do our best to be “approved” and “noble,” refusing to be taken “captive.” 

See these devotions for more insights:

When It's Not a Foundation

3 Ways to Focus on Jesus When You're Busy

Never Lay Down Your Sword

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How Scripture Defines True Worship

When we see someone with eyes closed and hands upraised in a church service we say they are worshiping.

They are, but worship is so much more than that.

When the Samaritan woman at the well asked Christ about worship, He told her it didn't matter where she worshiped. He said genuine worship has two characteristics—it must be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:1-42).

• In spirit: Giving ourselves fully to the Lord, renewing our minds in His Word, and refusing to conform to the world's values is a "spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1-2).

• In truth: Being honest about our sins and repenting (Psalm 51:16-17), holding fast to the truth of God's Word (Psalms 119:30-31), deliberately learning what pleases God and exposing things which are evil  (Ephesians 5:8-12). 

Worship is a way of life, not an event. We worship the Lord throughout our day, whether we are singing songs of praise, forgiving an offense, sharing an important biblical truth, helping a friend in need, or setting aside time to pray and read our Bibles.

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For more insights, see The Truest Form of Worship.

Have you checked out the Wisdom for Life Devotional? It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. Find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon. In addition, you can buy the book in Kindle format on Amazon and as an ebook on other sites.

 

Please encourage your friends to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes HERE.

 

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Ministry of Reconciliation: 2 Cor 5:17-19

Two keys in our salvation are forgiveness and reconciliation. In fact, we're called to the “ministry of reconciliation.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19  

We can show compassion for the needy, have a deep concern for world missions, and serve our church faithfully. But we damage our witness if we refuse to live out our faith in personal relationships as well as in ministry.

If we refuse to forgive and seek reconciliation in difficult situations, we are poor representatives of Christ's forgiveness and reconciliation.  

We don't have to agree with everyone, and we don't have to make everyone our best friends. But we shouldn't be the ones refusing to discuss differences or cutting people off.

We cannot share Christ's message of forgiveness and reconciliation when we are refusing to offer forgiveness and reconciliation to others.

Best of all, as we seek to live out our salvation in all areas of our lives, God enables us to better fulfill His purposes (Philippians 2:12-13).  

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See Pouting Is Childish and 6 Elements of Sincere Reconciliation. And please don't be taken in by the Boundaries teachings which exalt ego above reconciliation.

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God Warns Against Epicaricacy

"Epicaricacy"

I learned a new word.

But I hope I won't be guilty of it.

This word means: "Rejoicing at or deriving pleasure from the misfortunes of others."

Our fallen human nature sometimes derives pleasure from the pain of our enemies. Even worse, jealousy can cause us to enjoy the misfortune of people who are not our enemies. 

Even if a person deserves their misfortune (Galatians 6:7), God does not want us to rejoice. And He certainly doesn't want us to rejoice at the suffering of someone we envy.  

"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them." Proverbs 24:17-18 

God is interested in the attitudes of our heart. He expects us to show mercy, returning good for evil (Romans 12:14-21).

Today take a moment and ask God to reveal any envy, jealousy or epicaricacy you might be feeling toward others.

For more on this subject, see Romans 12:14-21: A Crazy Idea and Dealing with Selfish People.

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. Check out the great sales on Lifeway, Christian Book, and Amazon.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

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"That's Easy for You to Say!"

Whenever I start feeling negative about personal matters or about the deception that’s present in our world, I know there’s one thing I need to do: start listing my blessings and thanking God for each of them.

Philippians 4:8-9 reminds us, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.… And the God of peace will be with you.” 

Those words are found in a book that’s all about gratitude and joy. In the four chapters of Philippians (NIV), Paul uses the word rejoice six times, joy five times, and thanksgiving twice. And here’s the thing that makes this book so relevant to us when we’re struggling: Paul wrote those words while he was in chains, arrested for sharing Christ (Philippians 1:12-14). 

Sometimes when someone tells us to be more positive, we think, “That’s easy for you to say. You aren’t dealing with my problems.” But we can’t say that when we read Philippians. In fact, my biggest problems fade in significance when I compare them to being in chains for the gospel.

If you’re an American celebrating Thanksgiving today, take time to count your blessings and thank God for His goodness! 

I encourage you to check out 9 Ways to Learn Gratitude and Gratitude Attitude for more encouragement.

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Standing Daily at God's Door

Today I'm sharing a devotion straight from my book Wisdom for Life. This is Day 20 out of the 100 daily devotions it includes. I hope it blesses you! 

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Day 20 

When I became a Christian in my early twenties, the Bible came alive for me. Even though I had two little ones in diapers and a soldier husband with a demanding schedule, I couldn’t wait for my children’s nap time so I could steal away and read God’s Word. 

Proverbs 8  personifies God’s wisdom as a woman calling out to us: “People, I call out to you; . . . Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway. For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord” (vv. 4, 34–35). 

How well that expressed my feelings. I wanted to stand at the door of God’s Word every day, seeking His counsel and advice. I’d had my fill of “philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition” (Col. 2:8), and it was so refreshing to read God’s words, knowing that none of them were “deceptive or perverse” (Prov. 8:8). 

I was beginning to apply biblical principles to my life and seeing the “knowledge and discretion” they brought (Prov. 8:12). This delight in God’s Word not only empowered my new relationship with the Lord, but it has sustained it throughout the years. 

How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. (Ps. 1:1–2) 

For Further Thought 

On a scale of one to ten, how would you describe your love for God’s Word? If it’s below ten, how might these Scriptures inspire a deeper appreciation: Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:105,130; Proverbs 30:5?

Now is a great time to purchase Wisdom for Life because it's on sale at some greatly reduced prices on Amazon, CBD, and Lifeway. Did you know that you can also get it as a Kindle or audio book?

Talking about Turkey and God's Creativity

Did you know?

• Turkey has more protein than beef or chicken (source).
• Turkeys were introduced to Europe by the Spanish who discovered them in Mexico, but the English called them Turkish and the name stuck (source).
• Ben Franklin didn't oppose the eagle as America's national bird, but he believed the turkey "was a more respectable bird" and more representative of America (source).

Even more important than these facts about turkeys, let's ponder this fact about God:

God could easily have created a single food item to supply our nutritional needs. He could have created all food bland and unattractive. But He didn't.

He created thousands of plants, animals, fish, fowl, herbs and spices for our pleasure. He created food with different colors and textures and so many flavors that we can create billions of combinations.

Scripture says God derives pleasure from creation:

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11

He obviously wants us to derive pleasure from it as well. 

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, let's thank God for creating so many things for our pleasure…not only things to eat, but so much more!

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Seeking Genuine Peace in the Midst of Trials

These two verses in Colossians are so rich! And I really appreciate them when I'm going through stressful or challenging times.  

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:15-16 

Peace

💙 We serve the “Lord of Peace”: 2 Thessalonians 3:16 

💙 God’s peace isn't based on circumstances: John 14:27  

💙 We gain it through prayer and thanksgiving: Philippians 4:6-7 

💙 It's incredible, beyond our human understanding: Philippians 4:6-7 

Dwelling on the message of Christ

💙 Dwelling on what is good: Philippians 4:8-9 

💙 Studying Scripture for assurance, comfort, help, and wisdom: 2 Timothy 2:15 

💙 Understanding that God’s Word is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

When I’m under stress, I love reading Psalms and intentionally spending time each day focusing on my blessings. Listening to songs that focus on the goodness of the Lord is also good for our well-being (example).

These things can help us deal with challenges or bring additional joy when things are going smoothly. Isn't our Lord incredible? 

Please check out: We Need It: Peace for some other wonderful aspects of God's peace.

 

Please check out Wisdom for Life. A great tool for starting or ending your day with a one-minute devotion based on solid biblical wisdom. There are currently some great sales on Amazon, CBD, and Lifeway.

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Refusing to Move into the Darkness

My husband and I just made a major move halfway across the U.S. It's a challenging time as we learn what we need to know about our new location and seek to fulfill God's purposes. 

But the challenges my husband and I face in our move are nothing compared to the challenges all Christians are facing as our world “moves” farther away from God and farther into the darkness of a Romans 1:18-32 world, where sins are celebrated and God's truth is mocked. 

We're facing new challenges, but we have some wonderful examples to help us shine in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).

✔ Like David, we can come against our “Goliaths” in the name of the Lord our God, trusting God's strength, not our own (1 Samuel 17:45).  

✔ Like Joseph, we can see God’s good purposes in seemingly bad circumstances (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28).  

✔ Like Queen Esther, we can bravely take advantage of the opportunities in our sphere of influence, knowing we are born “for such a time as this” (Esther 1-10; Esther 4:14). 

✔ Like Paul, our desire to serve the Lord can be our driving force (Philippians 3:7-14). 

Our world has “moved,” dear Christians, but we can stay grounded in God's purposes, facing our challenges fully engaged and fully protected (Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 6:10-18). 

 

See these devotions that give further insights to each bullet point:

 

✔ Some Trust in Chariots and Some in Horses

    You can also listen to this devotion on YouTube: Some Trust in Chariots 

✔ Joe's Secret 

✔ Let's Not Remain Silent

✔ Serious, Deliberate, Wholehearted

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The Freedom of Contentment

“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.”  

G. K. Chesterton

Our grandparents saved for years to buy things we get on credit the minute we want them. 

We no longer understand the difference between a want and a need, and our culture encourages us to live beyond our means.

The worst part: we think we deserve these things—and that’s the belief that enslaves us.

Paul said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 

Today let’s take a moment to thank God for His provision and beg Him for contentment in whatever situation we find ourselves.

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For some additional insights on worldly values and to hear what I got paid for my childhood Barbie doll, see Do You Value What God Values?

To see the discounted price of my book Wisdom for Life check out: Amazon, CBD, and the other sites listed here: Wisdom for Life.

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