Blessed Music Brings Joy to All Ages -- Part 2

These songs we sang in children's Sunday school have messages we need to sing as adults, bringing us joy and sweet memories today!

Simple, Profound, True
Simple enough for a child to understand, profound enough for a theologian. This 1-minute devotion explains the story behind one of the most popular Christian songs of all time.

Don't Let the Darkness Scare You!
This children's song has a powerful message that we need to remember during these dark times.

 Rise and Shine: 6 Ways to Start Your Day with Jesus 
Why not focus on Jesus as soon as you wake up. This 1-minute devotion offers 6 ideas for waking up in a "Jesus mood."

FREE SUBSCRIPTION: Would you like a devotion like these sent to your email each weekday? It only takes one minute to read but can give your day an extra "Bible boost." Your address is only used for subscription and blog stat purposes. The only ads you'll see are for Gail's books below the devotion. No pop-ups. Subscribe: HERE.

For more one minute devotions on music, see:

Blessed Music Never Grows Old -- Part 1

Don't Be Taken in by Cain or Mamdani

You can also watch/listen to this devotion on YouTube: Cain or Mamdani.

Today's devotion is longer than one minute, but I think it's very important that we recognize how Islam mocks our God, our faith, and humanity in general. And I think it's important that we clearly understand the vengeful Muslim attack on America on September 11, 2001.

When God confronted Cain for the murder of his brother, Cain whined about his punishment, saying, “My punishment is more than I can bear” (Genesis 4:6-14). He showed no sorrow for cruelly murdering his innocent, God-honoring brother Abel.

I was reminded of this attitude when New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani talked last year about Islamophobia (source). But before explaining what I mean, let me give you this background:

Mamdani took his oath of office on the Quran, the Muslim holy book, which says things such as this: 

“Slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (Quran).

Allah's definition of forgiveness and mercy is not at all like the true God's definition. Jesus tells us to love our enemies; Allah tells his followers to kill them. And Allah's enemies are all non-Muslims, especially Christians and Jews. See Jesus Versus Muhammad.

Those who executed 9/11 twenty-five years ago were being faithful to Allah, as many Muslims have been throughout history.

So how did Mamdani resemble Cain when he spoke about Islamophobia last year? He brought up 9/11 without mentioning the 2,976 people brutally murdered by Muslims who were following Allah's commands in the Quran. Nor did he mention the thousands injured and the continuing deaths due to toxic chemicals in the dust that covered New York City for months afterwards. (source)

Nor did he admit that the terrorists were emulating the life of his prophet Muhammad. See Remembering the spirit behind 911.  

Instead, he talked of his aunt after 9/11 getting a dirty look on the subway for wearing her hijab, and he acted as if Muslims are the most mistreated people on earth. 

Mamdani appeared to be shedding tears about his aunt's dirty looks, and it was later revealed that he had no aunts living in America during 9/11. (source)

Mamdani is a practicing Muslim, a believer in the Muslim “holy book,” the Quran, which “is replete with explicit and implicit sanction and promotion of armed conflict, violence, and bloodshed by Muslims” against non-Muslims (source). He chose to place his hand on the Quran when he was sworn into office as Mayor of New York City, an act which means his god is the ultimate witness of his truthfulness.

But here's the rub: according to the Quran, “Muslims who closely observe sharia law, which splits the world into two perpetually warring halves, will always have a ‘divinely sanctioned’ right to deceive, until ‘all chaos ceases, and all religion belongs to Allah’” (Quran 8:39). (source)  

Deception is approved in Islam when dealing with non-Muslims. 

The only reason logical people defend Islam is that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Islam is a religion inspired by hatred, and it also teaches abuse and inferiority of women.

Hatred of the Jews (which many Muslims support) is a far greater problem than Islamophobia:

According to the FBI stats in 2016 regarding religiously inspired crimes, 54.4% were against Jews and 24.5% were against Muslims. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports that in the three months after Hamas started the war in October 2023, “antisemitic incidents in the U.S. skyrocketed by 361%” (source). Anti-Christian hatred is also on the rise coming from the radical left (source). 

According to USA Facts, hate crimes doubled from 2015 to 2024. “Out of 2,982 reported religion hate crimes, 2,080 were anti-Jewish — more than double all other religiously motivated crimes combined. In ten years, anti-Jewish hate crimes more than tripled. Anti-Islamic (or Muslim) crimes were the second-most common religion-based hate crime, accounting for 9% [268] of the total.”  

Mamdani mentioned Islamophobia but failed to mention anti-Jewish violence, which is more than ten times worse! 

Open Doors works with the persecuted Christian church, and they have a list showing the top ten countries with the worst persecution of Christians in the world. Islamic oppression is the cause of persecution in the majority of those countries.

And Islamic persecution is some of the cruelest. They not only kill Christians and confiscate their property, but they're known for torturing, mutilating, raping, decapitating, and burning our Christian brothers and sisters to death.  

There are peaceful Muslims, but they have put their faith in a religion that promotes evil and deception. 

Let's pray for Mamdani and other Muslims that they will find Christ, and let's refuse Cain-like rhetoric that ignores cruelty and dwells on self-pity (1 John 3:12). 

Islam is the enemy of the true and living God. Let 9/11 remind us to pray for those deceived by Islam, the friends and families of those killed by Muslim violence on September 9, 2001, and our Christian brothers and sisters who are persecuted by Muslims all over the globe.

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✔ If you've heard the claims that Christianity is just as violent as Islam, see:

Were Old Testament Wars the Same as Muslim Jihad? 

Half-Truths About the Crusades 

When People Think They Can Judge God, but God Can't Judge Them 

Genocide in the Bible? 

Is Islam a Religion of Peace?

 ✔ If you've heard that Muslims believe in Jesus, see Why Muslims Can’t Believe Jesus Was a Prophet. 

Open Doors: Top Ten Countries Responsible for Persecution and Killing of Christians 

1 - North Korea - Communist and post-Communist oppression    
2 - Somalia - Islamic oppression    
3 - Yemen - Islamic oppression    
4 - Sudan - Islamic oppression    
5 - Eritrea - Dictatorial paranoia (a Muslim country)  

6 - Syria - Dictatorial paranoia (a Muslim country)

7 - Nigeria - Islamic oppression 

8 - Pakistan - Islamic oppression 

9 -  Libya - Islamic oppression   
10 - Iran - Islamic oppression    

 

The links on each country name lead to a page explaining the type of persecution and how you can pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In New York City in 2023 (the latest stats I could find): 

There were 477 anti-Jewish hate crimes and 37 anti-Muslim hate crimes. Yet we constantly hear that Muslims are being mistreated while hatred of Jews goes largely unnoticed. (NY State Comptroller)

Picture of Mamdani on my images: Dmitryshein

 

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5 Truths to Help Us Deal with Slander

Slander...

An angry church member spreads a half-truth, a loved one blows something out of proportion, a stubborn neighbor refuses our valid explanation, a jealous co-worker exaggerates our mistake. 

Most of us will be misunderstood or maligned at some point in our lives. So what do we do when people refuse to hear the truth and choose to believe the lie? 

In Psalm 62, David talks of those who “delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts.” He finds peace in these truths: 

1. God alone is our comfort and peace.
“In God alone my soul finds rest” (verse 1, BSB).

Sometimes God allows these situations so we'll learn He is enough!

 

2. God alone judges hearts. 

“My salvation and my honor depend on God” (verse 7).
Men may honor bad people and revile good people. Ultimately, our honor depends on God, not man.

3. God alone can be trusted. 
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (verse 8).

 

4. God alone gives perfect justice.
“You reward everyone according to what they have done” (verse 12).

 

5. God alone can use slander for our good.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). 

If you've been slandered, seek the Lord's comfort and let your soul find rest in God alone!

 

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For more comfort and encouragement, see Jesus Feels Our Pain and 8 Steps to Overcome Bitterness.

 

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Wishful Thinking or Biblical Truth?

Let’s address a common misunderstanding based on wishful thinking, but first, read these verses and absorb the meaning:

1 John 3:6: “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.”

1 John 5:18: “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin…”

Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

1 John 2:4: “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”

1 John 1:6: “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”

Hebrews 10:26: “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.”

I often hear Christians say a loved one is saved because they prayed to receive Christ and were baptized, even though they’re living an ungodly life. 

Instead of trying to convince ourselves this is true, we should be doing our best to warn such people that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).

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I also encourage you to read Why Salvation Always Leads to Good Works and Why Salvation Requires Repentance. 

 

Warning: A reader recently brought to my attention a ministry called Grace Evangelical Society that teaches the heresy that you can be a believer saved for eternity even if you never obey, never show sorrow for your sins, and never submit to the Lordship of Christ. In seminary, I wrote a report for one of my theology classes on Zane Hodges. He taught this strange belief. Hodges is praised by GES ministries for his impact. I share this in a one-minute video HERE.

If the passages above were not enough to convince you that genuine salvation always involves a changed life, please read on:

John 14:21: “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

1 John 2:3 (BSB): “By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.”

John 15:10:  “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

James 2:14-24: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”

 

 

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7 Things We Learn From Acts 8:26-39

In Acts 8:26-39, when Philip speaks with the Ethiopian eunuch, God highlights these truths:

1. The gospel is for all nations and races. 

This conversion of a black foreigner proved to the early church that everyone is equal in the kingdom of God. Revelation 5:9-10

If you read all of Acts, you will find that accepting non-Jews into the faith was a hard truth for the Jews to accept, even some of the apostles. See Galatians 2. 

2. The gospel is for all classes of people. 

The Ethiopian was  “important,” a high official in the Ethiopian government (v. 27). Sometimes we concentrate on the poor and needy; but rich, important people also need Jesus. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

3. Without God's Spirit, Scripture is hard to understand (vv. 30-31). 
1 Corinthians 2:14; John 14:26

4. Both the Old and New Testaments are about Jesus. 

Philip started in the Old Testament to explain Jesus (vv. 32-35), just as Jesus did in Luke 24:27.

5. Sincere seekers find Jesus. 

The Ethiopian wanted to know the truth. Jeremiah 29:13
 
6. Genuine conversion is more than words. 

The Ethiopian wanted to be baptized immediately (v. 36). 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

7. Knowing Jesus brings joy.   

The Ethiopian “went on his way rejoicing” (v. 39). John 15:10-11

What a truth-packed story from God's Word!

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I hope you'll take time to read Why I Must Speak Up. It shares my heartfelt concerns about racial attitudes in our world.

To do a short Bible study on this passage check out today's Bite Size Bible Study. This study has the full text of this wonderful Bible story with additional insights. And it explains why Acts 8:37 is omitted in newer translations of the Bible. 

Image from La Vista Church

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Who Ate the Snakes?

Second Timothy 3 addresses false teachers. Verse 8 says, “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.” 

We know Paul is referring to the two magicians in Exodus 7:11 even though the names Jannes and Jambres aren't found in Exodus. But they’re found in various Jewish historical writings such as the Talmud. In Exodus 7, Aaron miraculously turns his staff into a snake to prove to the Pharaoh that the Israelites had a powerful God who demanded that Pharaoh set His people free from Egyptian slavery. Jannes and Jambres duplicated the miracle, but their victory was short-lived when Aaron’s snake swallowed both of theirs (Exodus 7). 

Why is this important to know? 

It’s good to know who Paul refers to in this verse. But more importantly, it gives us confidence in the validity and trustworthiness of God’s Word.

The Bible is supported in history, archaeology, and literature. 

There are more manuscript copies and more historical evidence for the Bible than any other document in the history of the world! (source)
 

If 40 human authors wrote about something over a span of 2000 years, there would be tons of contradictions, but the divinely inspired Bible authors don’t contradict each other. Compare this to the Quran, which was dictated by only one man, Muhammad, and completed in 23 years. It contains multiple contradictions (Contradictions in the Quran).*

 
So when you read about Jannes and Jambres, remember how interesting and trustworthy Scripture is! 

 

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For more encouragement about God's Word, see Believing God's Word Is Inerrant and Count on It!

What is the Talmud? “Christianity does not consider the Talmud to be inspired in the same sense that the 66 books of the biblical canon are ‘God breathed’ (2 Timothy 3:16). While some of the teachings from the Talmud may be ‘compatible’ with biblical teachings, the same can be said for many different writings from many different religions. For the Christian, the study of the Talmud can be a great way to learn more about Jewish tradition, history, and interpretation, but the Talmud is not to be considered the authoritative Word of God.” 

 

For more study: Is the Bible truly God’s Word? 

 

*Many Muslim resources seek to explain away these contradictions as well as the hate promoted in the Quran, but the evidence in the Quran refutes their propaganda.  

💙 Free Subscription to 1-Minute Bible Love Notes. Have a one-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday.

💙 10 Reasons You'll Love the book Wisdom for Life. A collection of 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and a great gift for people who love God's Word.

💙 Full description of the book Lies in Disguise. A much needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith. 

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Blessed Music Never Grows Old — Part 1

These one-minute devotions offer interesting insights into well-known old hymns that still bring joy and comfort today. 

The Old Rugged Cross
Find out the story behind the lovely old hymn. It will inspire you!

 

It Is Well with My Soul

Don't miss the story behind this famous hymn. It is tragic, beautiful, and inspiring. 

 

Should We Be Offended by "Onward Christian Soldiers"?
Learn the story behind the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers" and see if you agree with my belief that it's a good hymn.

FREE SUBSCRIPTION: Would you like a devotion like these sent to your email each weekday? It only takes one minute to read but can give your day an extra "Bible boost." Your address is only used for subscription and blog stat purposes. The only ads you'll see are for Gail's books below the devotion. No pop-ups. Subscribe: HERE.

  

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Paul's View of Suffering Can Rock Your World!

Paul suffered continually for His faith (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). 

When he wrote Philippians, he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. The Philippians were also dealing with persecution, and Paul encouraged them to stand firm in their faith, explaining, “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29).

Some false teachers claim God promises health and wealth. Others claim that those who reflect Christ will be popular. Scripture says persecution and suffering are part of true faith, and our real rewards are in heaven, not here on earth:

 

2 Timothy 3:12: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 

2 Corinthians 1:5: “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

 

1 Peter 4:13: “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Paul knew persecution was inevitable for those who love Christ more than they love the world. He saw it as a privilege and understood it brought eternal rewards. 

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” ~ Paul, in Philippians 3:10* 

 

Few of us will suffer like Paul, but will we stand firm and speak truth in a culture that promotes lies and calls biblical truth hateful? 

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For more confirmation on this important truth, see When Evil Triumphs, It's Not Because Good People Did Nothing and Truth with Love, Love with Truth.

* The Greek word koinōnian (κοινωνίαν), which is translated as “participation” in the NIV, means “fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, contact.” I especially like the use of the word fellowship because it helps me better understand that Paul wants to share in Christ's sufferings to show his love, belief, and loyalty to Christ.

Check out the Amplified Bible translation of Philippians 3:10 below:

“And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did].”

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Cantaloupes and Spiritual Compromise

Most of Colorado is mountainous and breathtakingly beautiful. But the area around my birthplace (La Junta) is flat and unremarkable … except when it comes to cantaloupes. 

The little town of Rocky Ford is known for some of the best cantaloupes in the country. They're juicy, fragrant, and sweet.

Unfortunately, their reputation was temporarily ruined in 2011 by an outbreak of a foodborne bacteria called listeria, which not only made a number of people sick but killed some elderly cantaloupe-eaters. A case was brought against farmers who used a handling process that allowed the dangerous bacteria to thrive. 

It is hard to gain a reputation, but easy to lose one.

These farmers skipped an important safeguard, thinking it wouldn't matter, but the results were deadly. 

We can do this same thing spiritually, thinking that some of God's commands are optional or unimportant. But when we cut corners, we allow the bacteria of deception and compromise to damage our faith.

That’s one reason God tells us:
"Above all else, guard your heart … Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27 

Do you have safeguards in your life to help you stay spiritually healthy? Take time to memorize and apply this proverb.

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To examine some popular compromises that affect faith, see Do You Have "Subtle Idols" in Your Life? and Questions Christians Should Ask Before Doing Yoga. 

 

Read about this cantaloupe problem HERE.  

 

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From False Motives or True

In 4 Characteristics of Genuine Christian Teachers, I addressed Paul's statement in Philippians 1:16-17. Following his warnings about those who were preaching Christ out of selfish ambition, Paul adds:

“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” (verse 18).

We know Paul would never have said this if those who were preaching for selfish gain were preaching bad doctrine. His letters are filled with warnings against false teachings.

Typically, false motives and bad doctrine go together, but the people Paul was addressing in Philippians apparently were teaching the Word, but not living it. 

This happens today as well. For example, Ravi Zacharias and Philip Yancey taught helpful biblical truths while involved in sexually immoral relationships. 

A desire for wealth is also a common temptation for well-known teachers (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2).

John MacArthur, a well-respected Bible teacher, often condemned the selfish gain of false teachers like Joel Osteen, yet he had questionable financial practices himself.*

Does this mean that nothing these men taught was helpful? No. Despite their personal sins, they did preach some sound Bible truths: “whether from false motives or true, Christ [was] preached.”

When their ungodly choices are revealed, I think it's wise to find other teachers and authors since their sins could be mildly reflected in some of their teachings. But we need not forget the accurate Bible truths they taught. 

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See Why Philip Yancey's Book Is Backward on My Bookshelf and The Popular Teachings of Joel Osteen: Beware.  

* MacArthur's church belonged to the respected ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability), but when asked to comply with ECFA standards in 2021, they resigned, keeping their salaries and other finances secret. (Source) Several readers have become quite bothered that I shared something negative about MacArthur. If you are one of them, please read my response to the first comment below this devotion. It will give you more information about my research and findings.

 

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