“Don’t Tell Me How to Vote!”

To my foreign readers: I admit that my series using Talarico quotes and today's devotion are focused on the U.S., but propaganda about the Bible and evil laws are present in every country. So the biblical principles apply internationally.

When we vote, we’re not actually voting for a person. We’re voting for their party platform which represents their primary goals, values, and policy positions. 

No political party perfectly represents biblical truth, so we vote for the one that best reflects God's priorities. 

Most importantly to the Christian: we recognize which party passionately promotes murder. For example, in 2023 Republicans introduced the Born-Alive Act prohibiting doctors from murdering or neglecting babies born alive during a botched ab..tion. The law passed because 219 Republicans and 1 Democrat voted to protect the babies while 210 Democrats and 0 Republicans voted to let doctors throw live-born babies in the trash. (source)

Christians can disagree on politics that don't violate biblical principles, but voting to kill babies isn't negotiable for true believers because the Bible teaches that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5). And God will judge us if we align with ungodly platforms (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Proverbs 24:11-12).

What about meeting the needs of the mom? When someone claims Christians focus on the baby, not the mom, share this analogy:

You come up to a street corner and see a man ready to stab a child and a woman begging for food. Both deserve your help. Do you sacrifice the child to help the woman or save the child and then help the woman? 

When you vote, you’re voting for a platform, not simply for a person. So read the Scriptures below the notes, and vote with full knowledge of how God will judge you.

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Notes:

(1) Don't fall for lies: Despite Democratic propaganda, women whose lives are genuinely threatened have always been able to get medical care that might end the life of the child. Regarding rape and incest, killing the child often makes it harder for the woman to heal and sacrifices an innocent baby for the sins of his/her father. In addition, even if you believe in murdering babies conceived via rape/incest, you should oppose the Democratic platform that promotes murdering babies for any reason. And if you vote for the Democratic platform, please listen to a doctor explain the various methods of abortion from the abortion pill to late term HERE and realize this is what you are voting for. 

The Democratic official site for the 2026 midterm election links to the 2024 Democratic platform for a full understanding of their goals. Despite the bias and exaggeration in their explanations, you will realize they are passionately devoted to making ab..tion available for any reason up to the day of delivery (page 50). And it's likely they will choose to strike down the law protecting live-born babies in abortion procedures. And they are passionately devoted to having the government pay for transsexual surgeries, making sure they are available to underage children despite statistics that show these are harmful physically and often regretted. They want trans people restored to military service, living in barracks with the opposite sex. They want pro-LGBTQ beliefs presented into public education and other public spheres where Christian beliefs would never be allowed (page 56).  

Can you overlook these things and vote for Democratic candidates based on their personality or some financial benefit or program their platform offers? Yes, as long as you realize you are described in Deuteronomy 27:25: “‘Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ Then all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’”

God’s will is that we rescue the innocent. 

Proverbs 24:11-12: “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”

Luke 12:47-48: “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

 

 

Saving Grace versus Saving Face

Many years ago, my husband Michael reported our car stolen. He couldn't believe someone had taken it from his workplace parking lot. 

That same day, our young son lost his soccer ball, and Michael gave him a fatherly lecture about responsibility.

Several days later, on his way to work, Michael discovered our car in an overflow parking lot where (for the first time ever) he'd parked it the day he'd reported it missing. 

We look back at that mistake and laugh, but it wasn't so funny at the time. My husband was embarrassed and humbled.

To make things more difficult, he found our son's soccer ball in the car.

After notifying the police about his mistake, Michael humbly sat down with our son and admitted he'd been the one at fault.

I suppose some men might have tossed the soccer ball in the nearest trash can instead of admitting their mistake to their son, but they'd have been the losers.

 

Michael's mistake/misunderstanding wasn't sinful because he genuinely believed both the car and soccer ball were lost. But it would have been sinful if he'd hidden or justified his error. 

Integrity isn't about saving face. It's about facing both mistakes and sins honestly. I believe my husband taught our son a valuable lesson by confessing his error and taking responsibility.

 

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Proverbs 12:22

 

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”  Colossians 3:9

 

Let's be careful to be honest!

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For additional insights, see Spiritually Weak People Don't Repent.

💙Be sure to check out the Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life. It's for sale on Lifeway and Amazon. 

You can also sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes one-minute devotions HERE.

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Reject Propaganda About Salvation

This final quote in the propaganda series might be the most disturbing: 

“Jesus in Matthew 25 tells us exactly how you and I and every one of our fellow believers [are] going to be judged and how we’re going to be saved: by feeding the hungry, by healing the sick, by welcoming the stranger.” James Talarico, Texas Observer 

Salvation has nothing to do with good works! (Ephesians 2:8-9) It's given to those who believe and trust in Christ. All others “stand condemned” (John 3:16-18). 

True salvation results in good works (James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:10). 

But it also results in “deep conviction,” turning from sin (1 Thessalonians 1). 

Christ talked about far more than helping the needy. He warned against murder, anger, sexual immorality, lust, cowardice, occultism, idolatry, lying, etc. (Matthew 5:21-30; Revelation 21:8).  

Let's pray for Talarico and others who spread propaganda about salvation, Scripture, Jesus, sexually immoral lifestyles, and the sanctity of unborn life. May they understand Matthew 12:36-37:

“I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” 

“Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—leaders whose decrees permit injustice?” Psalm 94:20 (1)

We must have no alliance or fellowship with people who spread lies about God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). 

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11 

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See Righteousness Has Never Been Popular.  

(1) Psalm 94:20-23: “Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The Lord our God will destroy them.”

Please check out Lies in Disguise, a book that can give you solid biblical truth to identify and refute propaganda like the Talarico quotes in this series.  

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Joy and More Joy — Part 4

Joy is a huge and wonderful subject. There's always something new to learn. These three one-minute devotions offer insights.

 

Are You Able to Enjoy Simple Things in Life? 

Sometimes being childlike is a good thing. This one-minute devotion explains why.

 

 

Medicine with No Harmful Side Effects = Prov. 17:22

God prescribes this medicine in Proverbs, and it has no side effects but lots of benefits. 

 

Grateful, Joyous, Godly Laughter 

Laughter has many forms, both good and bad. This devotion talks about our need for healthy, wholesome laughter.  

 

Don't miss these other joy collections: 

Joy in Jesus is Healthy — Part 1
Enjoy these three one-minute devotions and discover how biblical joy can make you healthier!!

Joy is Healthy and Fun — Part 2
This small collection of three one-minute devotions shares fun and healthy aspects of biblical joy.

Joy in All Circumstances — Part 3
Biblical joy and worldly happiness are very different. These three one-minute devotions offer insights to enjoy!

💙 If you enjoy one-minute devotions like these, please check out the Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life. It features one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and is for sale on Lifeway and Amazon.  

And please sign up for a free email subscription to the Bible Love Notes online devotions HERE.  

 

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Reject Propaganda About Christ's Focus

“For the past 50 years in this country, the religious right, a political movement, convinced a lot of Christians in America that the two most important issues were ab..tion and homosexuality, two issues that aren't really discussed in Scripture. Ab..tion is never mentioned. Same sex consensual relationships are never mentioned. So it's remarkable to me that you have an entire political movement using Christianity to prioritize two issues that Jesus never talked about.”  James Talarico 

1. Who makes ab..tion and homosexuality important issues?

Those who passionately and aggressively promote them. 

Christians respond by obeying God commands to rescue the innocent and warn people of sins (Proverbs 24:11-12; 31:8; Romans 1:18-32). 

2. Are unborn life and homosexuality discussed in Scripture?

Yes! Clearly and repeatedly. 

For multiple Bible verses, see What Scripture Says About the Unborn and God's View of Homosexuality. Regarding Talarico's use of “consensual relationships,” see Responding to Revisionist Theology: Don't Overlook Verse 11. 

3. Did Jesus ever mention homosexuality?

He indirectly rejected gay lifestyles by affirming God's creation design for marriage and intimacy as one man and one woman in Matthew 19:4-6.

4. Did Jesus mention unborn life?

Scripture, which clearly teaches the sanctity of unborn life, is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). While Jesus didn't specifically mention it during his earthly life, He affirmed the Old Testament by quoting it as God's Word, and He foretold the New Testament teachings (John 14:25-26). See “Red-Letter-Only” False Teaching.

This Talarico quote is 90% outright lie and 10% half-truth lie-in-disguise. He is mocking God and deceiving people, and that should inspire us to speak up.

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If you want to better understand why I'm using Talarico's quotes in this series, see Let's Not Avoid Controversy. 

This is a good time to consider purchasing Lies In Disguise because it offers solid Bible teaching regarding the subjects that false teachers and politicians like Talarico are promoting. Click the title to read the description of each chapter in the book.

 

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Kick 'Em When They're Down

▶ Job was at his lowest point, having lost his material possessions, his health, and his children.

Then his friends came and “kicked him while he was down,” blaming him for his difficulties, which he didn't cause (Job 22).

Like Job's friends, some people kick with a big foot of bad theology called “Christian Karma,” assuming we must have done something to deserve our difficulty.  

See Job's Judgmental Friends.

▶ Paul was in prison suffering for his faith. 

Then some “Christian” teachers kicked him while he was down (Philippians 1:14-18).

In the midst of persecution, these teachers were kicking Paul with a big foot of jealousy because God had given Paul a special role in the early church.

See The Destroying Monsters of Jealousy and Envy.  

▶ Have you ever had someone kick you when you're down? 

When we're needing comfort and sympathy, it's heartbreaking to get kicked with false judgment or jealousy.

So what can we do?

1. Seek God, not man.

Like Job, refuse to accept blame we don't own (Job 2:3; 42:7). 

2. Stay focused.

Seek God's purposes instead of focusing on our hurt (Philippians 1:18-19).

3. Seek God's comfort. 

When others are kicking, God promises to hold us in His arms (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

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💙 Be sure to check out the Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life. It's for sale on Lifeway and Amazon. 

And you can also sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes 1-minute devotions HERE.

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Let the Light of Scripture Reveal What’s Hidden in You

By Marika Marton

One morning, a beautiful ray of sunshine streamed into my kitchen. Suddenly, I noticed a dirty spot on the furniture that I hadn’t noticed before the light fell on it.

Another time, I accidentally left my reading glasses on when I went into the bathroom and noticed multiple dirty spots that I hadn’t seen without them.

After these experiences, I started thinking about how they relate to God’s Word and the way it shines into our lives, revealing things that nobody sees, even the most hidden “dirt.” Sometimes we deliberately want to hide these things; other times, we ignore them, and sometimes we are simply unaware of their existence.

But whichever the case is, God's Word is like a lamp (Psalm 119:105) to guide and also to shine its light on hidden sins (Ephesians 5:8-13). Like a pair of glasses, it magnifies and reveals our “innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12-13). But to be able to see these things, we must open our Bibles and read carefully.

When we discover some dirt in our lives, we need to have a genuinely repentant heart and ask God to cleanse us. It's such a wonderful thing to get rid of the “hidden dirt” and become clean again!

Next time you read your Bible, pay attention to the details that shed light on something in your life that you need to get rid of. Be honest about it. After you do what you need to do, you'll feel clean, free, and happy!

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Check out these two devotions about why God’s Word is also like a mirror:
Godly Mirror Gazing
The Mirror of God's Word

 

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6 Things to Remember in Our Anti-Christian Culture

What can we do in a world that has moved far away from God's commands and values?

“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3

Psalm 11 tells us to remember these things:

1. God is still on His throne (v. 4). His truth will ultimately triumph.

2. He sees all that is happening (v. 4). He knows how difficult our culture makes our lives.

3. He examines the hearts of those who do what is right (v. 5). He knows who has right motives and actions.

4. He passionately hates wickedness (v. 5). God will always oppose evil no matter how popular it becomes.

5. He loves justice (vv. 6–7). Perfect justice will prevail in eternity. At first glance, we might say that justice doesn't prevail because Jesus' followers will not die for our sins. But that is also part of God's justice: Jesus died in our place.

6. Those who love Him will see His face. Hallelujah! (v. 7)

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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. 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. In addition, you can buy the book in Kindle format on Amazon and as an e-book on Barnes and Noble.

 

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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Reject Propaganda About Scripture and Mary

I know this series on Talarico's quotes isn't popular with some readers, but I feel compelled to address these serious lies about the Lord and His Word (Galatians 1:10).

“This idea that there is a set Christian orthodoxy on the issue of ab..tion is just not rooted in Scripture.” James Talarico

Talarico claims life doesn't begin until a human being takes their first breath because Adam wasn't alive until God breathed life into him. 

He claims “in context of ab..tion … God asks for Mary's consent” to carry the Savior. Therefore, Talarico concludes that God is fine with a woman killing her child if she doesn't want it.

When asked about late-term procedures, he said they are “almost exclusively to save the life of the mother.” 

Let's see what Scripture says:

1. The sanctity of unborn life is deeply “rooted in Scripture.” 

See six Scriptures that show life begins at conception HERE.

2. Adam's creation was 100% unique (Genesis 2:4-25).

There was no pregnancy involved. Using Talarico's logic, we could claim no woman is alive until a man gives her one of his ribs (Genesis 2:21-22). 

3. In Luke 1:26-38, Gabriel never asks Mary's permission.(1)

Mary simply affirmed her willingness to fulfill God's plan. And Mary wasn't pregnant yet. To use this comparison would mean no woman gets pregnant without her consent, and we know that's not true.

And regarding late-term ab..tions: “The American Medical Association has reported that a late-term ab..tion is generally not necessary to save the life of the mother.” (source)

Talarico makes it clear that you can't approve ab..tion without believing lies.

And Proverbs 24:10-12 offers a strong warning to those who refuse to speak against the slaughter of the innocent. 

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(1) Using Mary as an example for this claim is even stranger because she is an example of someone who did the right thing even though it was difficult. See Mary Was Promised Soul-Piercing Pain & Incredible Joy. And for more encouragement, see Jesus Isn't Looking for Silent Partners.

All quotes: James Talarico

If you want to better understand why I'm using Talarico's quotes in this series, see Let's Not Avoid Controversy.  

 

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Joy in All Circumstances — Part 3

Biblical joy and worldly happiness are very different. These three one-minute devotions offer insights to enjoy! 

 

Happiness in Jesus 

Most of us get confused about the promises of Christ. This one-minute devotion addresses our confusion regarding happiness.

 

Crazy Joy

This book in the Bible, written from prison, is filled with encouragement to rejoice! What a blessing! 

 

Whiners and Shiners

We all have a choice when we face difficulties. Do you know what Ephesians 5:8 says about people with genuine faith?

 

Don't miss these other joy collections: 

Joy in Jesus Is Healthy — Part 1
Enjoy these three one-minute devotions and discover how biblical joy can make you healthier!!

Joy Is Healthy and Fun — Part 2
This small collection of three one-minute devotions highlights the fun and healthy aspects of biblical joy.

Joy and More Joy -- Part 4
This collection of 3 one-minute devotions give insights into the wonderful subject of biblical joy!

💙 If you enjoy one-minute devotions like these, please check out the Bible Love Notes devotional Wisdom for Life. It features one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and is for sale at Lifeway and Amazon.  

And please sign up for a free email subscription to Bible Love Notes online devotions HERE. 

 

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