Do You Respect Christ's Authority?

In Matthew 8:5-13, Jesus said He would come and heal the Roman centurion’s servant, but the centurion told Jesus He didn’t need to come. All Jesus had to do was speak the words, and his servant would be healed.

This centurion possessed an excellent understanding of authority due to his military background.

When his superior officers told him to do something, he knew he was compelled to do it. And he trusted that if Jesus ordered sickness to leave his servant's body, it would have to leave. 

 

Instead of respecting those in leadership, our modern culture is more likely to challenge, question, or ignore leaders. 

We may not always respect the values and lifestyles of human leaders, but we're still commanded to treat them with respect, starting with our parents and continuing throughout our lives (Ephesians 6:1-3; Romans 13:1-3; Matthew 28:18; 1 Peter 2:13-16; 1 Peter 5:5; Titus 3:1). 

We must never obey ungodly commands (Acts 4:1-21; Acts 5:27-29). But our attitude toward earthly authority is a reflection of our respect or disrespect for the authority of God's commands.

 

The centurion in Matthew 8 amazed Christ.

So let's do the same by respecting God's authority in every area of our lives, whether He chooses to heal us and free us from difficult circumstances or help us endure these difficulties for His purposes. 

 

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In this particular situation, Christ chose to heal the servant. But we must also trust Christ's authority when He chooses not to heal: 

The Biblical View of Healing

Joni Shares 5 Benefits of Suffering

Wheelchair Miracle

 

If you'd like more insights into human authority:

When to Disobey Authority

Respectfully Saying "No" to Authority

 

 

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An Excuse to Ignore Unpopular Bible Commands

I just heard a new argument for rejecting unpopular New Testament laws. It goes something like this:

 

“Jesus broke Old Testament laws, so He expects us to break outdated New Testament laws about marriage, sex, male leadership, submission, etc.”
 

Let’s address that claim:
 

1. Jesus didn’t break Old Testament commands. He fulfilled them as part of the New Covenant. 

Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
 

2. If we fulfill a contract or requirement, we don't break it. Quite the opposite. We meet the requirements. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament laws and presented the New Covenant.
 

Galatians 3:13: “Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” 
 

Colossians 2:16-17: “So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.” 

3. Jesus was qualified to declare laws fulfilled. We aren’t. See Romans 11:33-36.

4. Christians honor New Testament laws. 
 

Paul explained he sometimes observed Old Testament laws to witness to Jews. But he clearly affirmed that he was under “Christ’s law” not Old Testament laws (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

So let's not be taken in by modern excuses to change God's loving commands.

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See Did Paul Write Part of the Bible? Yes and No. And check out Thomas Jefferson Did It and Many Modern Christians Do It Too, highlighting a famous American leader who cut out portions of Scripture he didn't like. 

 

You should also be aware of the Hebrew Roots Movement, a group that denies certain New Testament passages to support the view that Christians must obey Old Testament dietary and ceremonial laws. To read more about this false teaching that has an enormous following, see All or Nothing: Hebrew Roots Movement.

 

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What's on Your Menu?

What if there were a food that guaranteed physical health, a delicious food we could eat as often as we wanted without gaining weight? In fact, the more we ate it, the better our health.

Obviously, we'd all eat this food daily, without exception. We'd enjoy it and swear by it, and prioritize it in our menu.

But there's no such food.

But what if there were a delicious, calorie-free food that we could access daily for spiritual health? The more we ingested it, the healthier our souls. 

We don't need to imagine. There is such a food, and that's why Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). 

Psalm 119 tells us it's “sweeter than honey … fully trustworthy … full of wonderful things … strengthening us when we're weary … guiding us with its light … giving us understanding …” (verses 103, 138, 18, 28, 105, 130).

Let's make sure God's Word is on our daily menu. For example, we could:

🥗 Start with an appetizer from Proverbs, such as Proverbs 3. 

🍔 Have a midday main dish in one of the Epistles, like Romans 8 or Ephesians 5. 

🍦 Enjoy a dessert in the evening from Psalm 19.

Why not make this your menu tomorrow and see if it builds your faith? 

🥗 🍔 🍦

For more insights, see Collect It Daily and Are You a Bottle-Fed or Meat-Eating Christian? And many Bible Love Notes readers tell us that our one-minute devotions give them the reminder and inspiration to read some of the linked Scripture passages.

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What Does It Mean to Both Pray and Petition God?

In How Thanksgiving Brings Us Peace in Difficulties, we talked about the importance of thanksgiving when we’re seeking God’s help in difficulties:

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Another important truth in this passage is found in the word “petition.” 

 

The Greek word for petition can simply mean prayer, but when it's added to another word for prayer, it adds depth to the meaning.

A secular petition is a written request to those in authority, usually to right a wrong. In this passage, it means a wholehearted prayer with an urgency and depth beyond normal prayer.

This assures us that God recognizes how heavy our thoughts and circumstances are when we’re in the midst of trouble. He wants us to share them honestly, fully acknowledging His authority. 

We can read many examples of prayer with petition in the Psalms, where the psalmist begins his prayer in grave need and leaves with confidence in God’s character.

It’s a type of prayer that gives us complete trust in God’s ability to change our circumstances or His ability to give us the strength to endure them. 

Whenever we're anxious, it's the kind of prayer that brings us peace. 

 

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For more encouragement, see: 

Is Repetitive Prayer a Sin? 

Pray Continually....How? 

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God "Has Your Back"!

Did you know that Scripture says God "has your back"?*

In Psalm 3:3, the Psalmist writes:
"But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high."

In Psalm 5:12, he echoes this truth: "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

The Treasury of David says, "The word in the original signifies more than a shield; it means a buckler round about, a protection which shall surround a man entirely, a shield above, beneath, around, without and within."

I love that. 

I need that kind of shield because sometimes I deal with difficulties that seem to come at me from all directions and even from within—from my own thoughts. How wonderful to know that if I'm willing to take up the shield of God, He will protect me from the lies and temptations Satan aims at me.

"Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16

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* When someone "has your back," it means they'll protect, defend, and stand with you loyally and deliberately.  

I encourage you to check out these two inspiring devotions:

God's Love Means He's Always With Us!

7 Important Truths about God's Love

I also 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. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "Look Inside" or "Read Sample" on Lifeway or Amazon.

 

You can sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes. Find out more HERE.

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June Pride Month

The month of June is pride month in the U.S. 

It’s about taking pride in lifestyles that Scripture strongly warns against: Leviticus 18:22-24; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Jude 1:7. God's Word contains these warnings because God loves us. He knows what destroys our hearts and damages our souls. 

God describes these lifestyles in Romans 1, and He warns us about those who take pride in such things: 

“Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them.”  (verse 32, AMP)

Scripture has much to say about this kind of pride: 

“Pride goes before destruction.” Proverbs 16:18 

“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalm 10:4 

“Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.” Psalm 31:18

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13 

“Human pride will be brought down, and human arrogance will be humbled. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.” Isaiah 2:11,17 NLT

“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16

This June, we can take pride in God's loving warnings—or we can take pride in sins that destroy people's souls (John 10:10).

See also: 

A Wonderful Purpose for the Month of June: Will You Join Me? 

Did You Know There's a Passage in Scripture that Addresses a June Celebration?

 

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Why Christians Should Avoid the Enneagram

If a practice was introduced by a New Age mystic and promoted by New Agers, would you be interested?

What if this practice became extremely popular among Christians who believed it had helped them. And suppose some churches were teaching it. Would you accept it? 

What if some people were honest enough to acknowledge its New Age mystic origins but claimed you could separate the good from the bad? 

Would you try it?

I first heard of the Enneagram at a large Christian women’s meeting, and I had a check in my spirit. So I researched it:

“Richard Rohr is widely recognized as the man who single-handedly brought the Enneagram to the western church—first to the Catholics and then to the Protestants.…” (source)

Rohr is a Franciscan priest who denies the deity of Christ, claiming Christ's death didn't save anyone. He believes there are many ways of salvation, and he teaches that Scripture is filled with commands we should deny, ignore, and oppose. (source)

The passage below explains how Christians should view both Rohr and the Enneagram.

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? … What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? … ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’”  2 Corinthians 6:14-18 

I encourage you to read the notes below. And for more insights, check out the videos and in-depth articles linked at the bottom, and stay away from any teacher who promotes the Enneagram.

Notes:

✔ Read more about the Ex-vangelical movement (also called the Progressive Christian movement) and others like Richard Rohr: Wilderness Wanderers.

✔ One reason I have warned women to avoid the IF Gathering is that the founder uses and promotes the Enneagram. And her lack of discernment is evident in many of the speakers she includes in the seminars. Read more about that HERE. 

✔ Many claim the Enneagram is simply a personality test, but that is also a strike against it. Years ago, the Myers-Briggs personality test became very popular with Christians, and my husband was directed to use it in his job as a director of career planning and placement at a university. He found it caused many students to limit themselves and justify their weaknesses. Myers-Briggs testing is based on the teachings of the atheistic psychologist Carl Jung. I believe the Myers-Briggs does more harm than good and should be avoided, but the Enneagram is even more problematic because of its New Age origins and emphasis.

Helpful articles and videos:

✔ Concise, helpful video (less than 6 minutes) by Melissa Dougherty: The enneagram: Personality test or guide to the occult

✔ Alisa Childers' article, Why Christians Should Avoid the Teachings of Richard Rohr, and video, The Enneagram: Harmless Personality Test or New Age Tool? 

✔ Doreen Virtue, top-selling New Age author who came to Christ and now teaches about New Age influences in the church: Why Christians Should Avoid the Enneagram 

✔ A 30-minute video from Good Fight Ministries: Demonic Origins of the Enneagram  

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Who Said It's Just a Cuss Word?

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7

Most people think this command is merely talking about using God's name as a cuss word. But we can violate the Third Commandment even if we never cuss. We can use God's name vainly (without purpose and honor) if we do things as His representative but do them insincerely or unfaithfully. For example:

• If we pray in God’s name without faith.
• If we attend church but give more honor to the sermon and music than to the Lord.
• If we put a Christian bumper sticker on our car and drive irresponsibly.
• If we wear a Jesus t-shirt to cover a bitter, selfish heart. 
• If we ask the Lord to bless our meal and eat like a glutton.
• If we promise to pray for a friend but never do it.*
• If we use a church meeting as an excuse not to help someone in need.

All of these things and others like them are vain uses of God's name.

Psalm 138:2 says that God has exalted His name and His word above all things.

God has been so good to us—let's do our best to honor His Name in word and deed.

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* See 4 Ways to Be More Faithful in Prayer. 

 

 

 

 

 

When Christians use profanity, we dishonor God, even if we don't use His name. See The F-Word and Ephesians 4:29.

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. And 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.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes. Find out more HERE.

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Removing Consequences Promotes Sin

Note: The images in this post symbolize unseen consequences—the way sins damage our hearts and souls.

In A Present Goliath We Must Address and Defeat, I said giving birth control to unmarried teens was ungodly. A thoughtful reader suggested it's better than abortion. 

I agree. 

But biblically, we can’t approve of either. When we remove consequences for one sin, we promote greater sins. And we mock God (Galatians 6:7-8).

In the 1970s, free contraception removed the consequences of premarital sex. In 1973, Roe v. Wade removed the consequences for those who didn't bother to use contraception. Yet out-of-wedlock births have increased dramatically (Brookings). And abortions, first allowed in early pregnancy, are now allowed up to the day of delivery in some states (ABC News).

This increase in serious sins isn’t about freeing foolish teens from consequences. Most abortions are done on women over twenty (Pew Research). Pro-abortion advocates believe babies should give up their lives for their parents' unprotected sex. 

I have a good friend who got pregnant before marriage in the 1970s. She and her boyfriend took responsibility for their sin, dealt with the shame prevalent at that time, married, and gave birth to a child they love dearly. It was one of many things that drew them closer to the Lord.

I also have a friend who had an abortion before becoming a Christian. When she became a believer, Jesus healed and comforted her, but the scars on her heart were far deeper than my other friend's. 

 

Removing consequences for one sin promotes ever-increasing evil and damage to hearts and souls. God's loving commands prevent this.

For more insights, see Make No Mistake and There's No Such Thing as Good Sins and Claiming that Sin Is No Big Deal.

 

 

 

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Never Alone

Are you ever lonely?

Most of us go through lonely periods. It might be after moving to a new location where we have no friends or when we're going through one of life's transitions, such as becoming an empty-nester or after the death of a loved one, etc.

We can also feel lonely in a house full of children or a room full of friends because loneliness is sometimes simply a reminder that we have an emptiness that nothing on earth can fill. There will always be a little empty place in our hearts until we see Jesus face-to-face.

When feeling lonely, we can remember these truths:

1. We're never really alone, even when we feel lonely.

Even though we won't feel fully "at home" until we join our Lord in heaven, God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). See also Romans 8:35-39.

2. Loneliness gives us time to draw closer to the Lord.

We may not understand our loneliness this side of heaven (1 Corinthians 13:12). But we know that God has plans and purposes for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10). And we can use our time to wholeheartedly seek the Lord, giving Him our full attention and getting to know Him better.  

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

It's good to dwell on these truths whenever we're feeling lonely.

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You might also enjoy:
4 Scriptures to Comfort You When You're Lonely
Mistreated or Misunderstood? These Scriptures Will Help

And please check out the Bite Size Bible study, Dealing with Loneliness. It offers additional insights. 

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