Something Necessary for Growth in Christ

How do you feel when you're corrected?

It's never fun to be corrected, especially when our modern culture equates correction with hate and approval with love.

But correcting a fellow believer is an important element of genuine love and Christian fellowship (James 5:19-20). And accepting correction and taking it to heart may be one of the clearest indications of true love for Christ: 

“Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” Proverbs 9:8-9 

It requires humility to look at things objectively instead of selfishly. It requires thinking of others who may be hurt by our actions and consider if we would want them to treat us as we've treated them (Matthew 7:12). It takes character to look at the 10% we did wrong when the other person did 90%.

And it gives us favor with our Lord:

“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2

May God help us to see correction as an important and necessary part of Christian maturity! 

See The Sting of Correction and 

 

 

4 Reasons God Gave Us Music

Did you know that God created our love for music?  

1. It’s a natural way to express gratitude toward God (Psalm 33:3, Psalm 95:1, Psalm 104:33, Psalm 150).

2. It’s part of fellowship (Ephesians 5:18-19, Colossians 3:16).

3. It's part of maintaining our well-being (James 5:13).

4. It helps in times of difficulty (Acts 16:25).

The video Alive Inside shows an elderly man living in a nursing home. As the video starts, he's barely alive, sitting slumped over all day, rarely speaking. 

Then they hook him up to an iPod with a collection of music, including Christian music, and he's transformed. He comes alive in ways he’s been dead for years: he speaks with enthusiasm, sings, and expresses his feelings and thoughts.

Music is a powerful aspect of our lives. Depending on the kind of music we choose, it can soothe, calm, and inspire us or enrage, tempt, and compromise us.

Scripture is filled with passages emphasizing the importance of music and singing. So let's make sure we use it in healthy ways, avoiding songs with immoral themes, profanity, and ungodly recording artists. 

It doesn't necessarily need to be Christian music. In fact, some music categorized as "Christian" simply puts God's name on worldly or self-centered lyrics. 

But whatever music we choose, it should have moral lyrics. And good Christian music should be a healthy part of what we choose.

I often find that when I'm worried or stressed, good Scripture songs can calm my heart. 

🎝𝆕🎜𝅘𝅥𝅯🎜

When I became a Christian in 1972, the popular Christian music was mostly Scripture put to music (example). It not only brought me joy and peace but also helped me memorize Bible passages. I also enjoy some of the old hymns, such as It Is Well With My Soul. ← This link gives you the background to that song. And sometimes the simplest tune can bring us truth and joy: Simple, Profound, True. I also enjoy some modern Christian music. But it's important that we use discernment so we are not filling our minds with ungodly or worldly values. 

BLN

Did Jesus Really Say That??!!

These devotions explain Scripture passages that might at first surprise us, confuse us, or astound us, but they contain important Bible truths!

Did Jesus Really Say a Small Donation Is Better Than a Large One?

Did Jesus Really Say That About Hair?

Did Jesus Really Say That About a Camel and a Needle?

Did Jesus Really Say That? Well, Slap My Face!!

Did Jesus Really Say That About Old Testament Laws?

Did Jesus Really Say I'm Greater Than John the Baptist?

Did Jesus Really Say That to a Sick Man?

Did Jesus Really Say They Swallowed a Camel?

Did Jesus Really Tell Us to Hate Our Parents?

Did Jesus Really Tell Us to Cut Off Our Hand?!

Did Jesus Really Call a Woman a Dog?

Did Jesus Really Say That About Jonah?

Did Jesus Really Say That About Ears?

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Whatever Was to Our Gain

I can identify with 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 when it says, “outwardly we are wasting away.” After all, I'm in my 70s, and aging is a natural part of life.

But I can also identify with Paul's statement that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” That's why we “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We can take our negative, fearful thoughts captive when we focus on the beauty of eternity (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Paul exemplified a passion for the Lord that I want to exhibit in my life too. He considered nothing more important than knowing Christ. He even welcomed suffering if it came from serving God (Philippians 3:7-11).

I admit I don't welcome suffering, but I pray God gives me the strength to endure it for His kingdom. 

As we face life's difficulties in our anti-Christian culture, let's press into our Lord, trust the Bible, and speak up even when it hurts. 

We may suffer rejection from friends and family for our uncompromising faith, but we have a God who loves us with an everlasting love that is worth more than anything the world offers.

“The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17

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For more encouragement to live for the Lord, see We Must Stop the "Judge Not" Shame Game and I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel.

BLN

Why the World Calls Christianity "Foolish"

Sometimes I act pretty normal…too normal. I slip into the ease and comfort of the human “wisdom,” which means life is about me. 

But Christianity is making my life about Jesus.

The world thinks it's pure foolishness to take up a cross, die to self, obey unpopular commands, return good for evil, love our enemies, forgive offenders, and take the narrow, unpopular road in life.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

“The power of God” always has been and always will be foolishness to the unsaved world. To live in God's power, we must be willing to give up popularity and worldly comfort. 

The teachings of Scripture are contrary to human nature. That's why “the person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness” 1 Corinthians 2:14

Are you willing to look foolish for the sake of the gospel? Are you willing to speak truth even when it's hard? Are you willing to stand firm in the fight when everyone else is taking a seat in the audience?

Today let's ask God to help us be someone whom the world calls a fool for Jesus. 

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See One of a Kind Book and the Bite Size Bible Study The Bible: Nothing Can Compare!! 

If you find it hard to respond when people say negative things about Christianity, I encourage you to check out Lies in Disguise. This book can definitely help you explain Bible truths with accuracy and grace. 

And please send this link to your friends and tell them why they should sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes: Stay Connected. 

 

BLN