A Sinful, Unnecessary Waste of Time

Worry wastes our time and resources...

One morning I awoke to a challenge—a difficult situation. 

I spent the next six hours trying to think of ways to solve my problem. 

I wrote a couple of emails I didn't send, complained to my husband, and did a bunch of fretting. Basically, "I starved all day and grew weak."

Then, I remembered what I needed, pulled out my Bible and journal, went out on my patio, and had some time with the Lord. 

It changed my perspective completely because I drew my nourishment from Scripture. I could have done this hours earlier if I'd fed on the Word instead feeding my fears and frustrations. 

I was nibbling on junk food when I could have had life-sustaining nutrition for my spirit.

"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. For the word of God is alive and active.… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Matthew 4:4 & Hebrews 4:12 
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See also Proverbs 8:34. 

 
These 1-minute devotions on worry will also encourage you:
90% of the Time We're Wrong
Scriptures for Overcoming Fear and Worry 

 

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion delivered to your email each weekday. Sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

 Bible Love Notes

Love Does Not Always Mean Acceptance

Sometimes we define love as acceptance. But it depends on what we mean.

God accepts us into His family as we are, no matter what we've done. Our salvation is a gift that can't be earned.

But God doesn't "accept" our sinful thoughts and actions. That's why Jesus said "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent" (Revelation 3:19).

Because God loves us, He wants the best for us. 

Because we love the Lord:

💙 We treat our faith seriously (Philippians 3:7-14).

💙 We find strength in God's power (Philippians 4:13). 

💙 We let God's Word teach, rebuke, correct, and train us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 

💙 We listen when godly friends speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). 

💙 We obey God's commands.

"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome." 1 John 5:3

God accepts us as we are, but He expects us to become the best we can be, conformed to His purposes and content in His love (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Bible Love Notes

Clutter Tolerance

Did you know we all have different "clutter levels"? 

According to experts, once we've reached those levels, we become stressed and unproductive. Even though it "hurts" our brains to deal with clutter, we keep collecting unnecessary possessions. 

I have to confess that I'm a "collector," so don't think I'm pointing a finger. But lately I've been asking myself some questions: 

• Would my life be more godly and productive without so many possessions? 
• Do I own my things or do my things own me?

I'm fast to explain away the meaning of Christ's words to the rich young ruler. You know, when He says to sell all he has and give it to the poor. I know that's not God's will for everyone. 

But do I understand these words of Christ: "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own." Luke 12:15

I want to make sure that I'm storing my real treasure in heaven because "wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be" (Matthew 6:19-21). 

How about you?

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If  you'd like to do a short Bible study on this devotion, you'll find it HERE.

From the archives: another 1-minute devotion about clutter: De-clutter and Refresh

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 4 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 and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

Bible Love Notes

Reflections on Suffering Start Here

Pondering the love and sacrifice of Christ puts our own suffering in perspective...

When we imagine Christ on the cross, suffering, tortured, crucified ... there's nothing appealing in the images it brings to mind (Matthew 27:32-56). 

But the message in that terrible death is the most wonderful message of all time, the salvation of our souls (John 3:16).

"In view of God's mercy," our temporary sacrifices and suffering seem quite insignificant (Romans 12:1).

Whatever injustice disturbs us, it is not so great as the injustice of a perfect God dying for our sins.

Christ not only suffered for us, He understands our suffering first hand (Hebrews 4:15). 

We can trust Him with our unanswered questions about suffering because His death bought a pain-free eternity for us who believe (1 Corinthians 13:12, Revelation 21:4).

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I also encourage you to read the one-minute devotion 5 Things to Remember When You're Suffering.  

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Bible Love Notes

Hidden Ingredients and Hidden Agendas

I looked at the ingredients in the coffee creamer and realized it didn't actually contain anything dairy. Next I checked out my favorite salad dressing and found it contained a substance found in anti-freeze. 

I wondered how many unhealthy hidden ingredients I ingest every day. Just because something is approved by the FDA doesn't mean it's healthy. I have to take responsibility for what I eat.

In a similar way, I have to take responsibility for what my spirit "eats."

Many popular TV shows, songs, movies and books contain hidden agendas. At one time these themes were subtly woven into characters and situations. Now, because of the moral decline in our world, immoral and violent themes are more blatant. 

Just because something is approved by our culture doesn't mean it's approved by our Lord.

People often underestimate these things, but Christians know that "above all else" we must guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart." Luke 6:45

Let's beware of hidden agendas—and only store up things that are good!

 

Would you like to read more 1-minute devotions with food analogies? Check out the Food for Thought collection.

 

 Bible Love Notes

We Can't Exaggerate!

"We can exaggerate about many things; but we can never exaggerate our obligation to Jesus or the compassionate abundance of the love of Jesus to us." A.W. Tozer 

We can't exaggerate Christ's grace, mercy, or love. It's beyond all superlatives.

Nor can we exaggerate the debt we owe the Lord. It compels us to deny ourselves and live for God's purpose (Luke 9:23).

"In view of God's mercy," we willingly choose to be a living sacrifice for our Lord (Romans 12:1).

That means that we no longer "own" our lives. Jesus owns us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Romans 8 explains a wonderful truth that can't be exaggerated: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). 

And it explains an "obligation" that can't be exaggerated: our need to live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:12-13).

Amen!

Bible Love Notes

Letting the Lord Comfort Me During an MRI

Several years ago I had an MRI to figure out if I had a tumor on my auditory nerve (I didn't). 

I've had MRIs before, and I never love being put in that tight little capsule with sound waves beating the walls like mad drummers. But this was my worst MRI. I was fearful. 

I didn't like the idea of the dye they injected in my veins or the length of the MRI (an hour). And even though I asked them to cover my eyes with a cloth, I knew I was in a claustrophobically small space. 

Deliberately I chose to control my breathing and my thoughts by praying. Not beautiful, poetic prayers, mostly "Help me, Lord" followed by attempts to count my blessings. 

And God gave me comfort in that "hour of darkness." 

We all need God's comfort in our lives. We need it for small and temporary fears like my MRI. And we need it for more serious concerns such as financial, health, employment, and relationship problems.

The good news is this: all we need do is ask. 

I encourage you to ponder these verses on God's comfort:

Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." 

Psalm 34:18: "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." 

Psalm 118:6: "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" 

Psalm 145:18: "The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."  

Bible Love Notes

When Down is Up - Let People Repent!

She told our small group that God had spoken to her heart and revealed she was jealous and vindictive. Because I knew some of the problems she'd caused her roommates, I was relieved. 

But her repentant words were barely out of her mouth when several members of our small group doused them with "unsanctified grace." When she left that day, she was convinced she'd been too hard on herself.

Thinking they were being "nice," her friends had actually encouraged her to ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They didn't realize that sometimes down is up. Being sorrowful for sin is a good thing.

"Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." James 4:9-10 NLT

When listening to someone's repentance, we must be careful not to interfere with the work of God's Spirit. We can comfort and encourage them without denying their need to repent.

If you'd like to do a short Bible study on this devotion, click HERE.

Bible Love Notes

Wait for the English

Imagine traveling to a remote area in Africa, hoping to share the gospel and coming across a tribe whom God had prepared for your coming. That's what happened to Alfred Buxton's team of British missionaries in the late 1800's.

"One of our missionaries came across a tribe who asked him if he was English. When he told them he was, they brought him to a man who recounted the most astonishing story. Several years before, when he was a teenager, this man had a vivid dream. In the dream God told him, 'Wait for the English; they will tell you about Me.' After that dream, the people of the village questioned any white person who crossed their path, asking if he was English."  ~ Alfred Buxton 

Are you facing an "impossible" situation?

Take a moment today and remember that we serve a God who is able to speak to a tribe in the remotest parts of Africa. Yes, He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20). 

God may be sending someone our way with a message of hope and grace, or He may be calling us to share His love with a struggling friend or family member (Ephesians 2:10).  

Let's be listening for His voice.

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Buxton was C.T. Studd's son-in-law. The quote is from C.T. Studd, No Retreat, by Janet and Geoff Benge.

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. To find out more see 10 Reasons Why You'll Love Wisdom for Life. I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet offering quiet time encouragement. Find out more HERE.

Bible Love Notes

A One-Minute Testimony of My Life

I was born in 1951 and reborn in Jesus 24 years later. 

My decision to follow Jesus transformed my life. It's the most important aspect of who I am.

Yes, when I committed my life to Christ in 1974, I discovered the wonderful love of Jesus, gained a deep awareness of my sinfulness, and understood my need for God. Through the years, Christ has taught me so much! 

I haven't always been a fast learner. I've gone through stages where I was too legalistic, having the wrong focus. I struggled with difficulties and had the wrong questions. And I've let myself get disillusioned by the wrong perspective.

But I've never quit believing and I'm determined to never quit growing. I hope that even on the last day of my life I learn something new in God's Word!

I have made Philippians 3:12-14 my prayer:

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me....Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

What's the most important thing about you? Do you know my Lord Jesus? Are you "pressing on"?

If you've never committed your life to Christ, please read my Bible Love Notes post on Eternal Life and my Bite Size Bible Study post on Eternal Life. They are each a bit different, but they'll give you a full understanding of genuine faith in Christ.

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Note: I originally wrote this on my 62nd birthday, explaining how much I appreciated my 1300 subscribers and asking them if they had any suggestions for devotions. You will see responses to this in the comments. My subscribers have increased through the years with over 28,000 in 2020. But I would still like to hear your suggestions in comments. Thanks. Gail

Bible Love Notes

Let Him Who Has Ears, Hear

Matthew 11 is such a rich passage: 

⮞ Jesus explains that God uses different people and different methods to share the gospel, but many people refuse to hear (Matthew 11:18-19). 

⮞ He contrasts childish immaturity (Mt.11:16-17) with childlike faith (Mt.11:25). 

⮞ And He explains that despite the obvious evidence that He is the way of salvation, only those "with ears" will hear (Matthew 11:15). 

Hearing is more than going to church or Bible studies and listening to the words of Scripture. It's believing and obeying those words, applying them to our lives (James 1:22).

Having ears that hear means depending on Scripture when we make our plans and decisions. It means regularly preparing ourselves in God's Word so we can answer others biblically and graciously (1 Peter 3:15).

People with "ears to hear" are the only ones who fulfill God's kingdom plans for their lives (Ephesians 2:10).

Jesus concludes this teaching with the best news of all. If we have ears that hear, we can find rest for our weary souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Do you have ears that hear?

Bible Love Notes

Reckless Abandon - C.T. Studd

"Reckless abandon" might best describe the life of C.T. Studd, who was a well-known British cricket player in the late 1800's. But it wasn't sports that gave him that reputation. It was his service to Christ in the perilous frontiers of China, India, and Africa. 

Nothing dampened Studd's evangelistic fervor—not illness, separation from family, or cannibalistic tribes. And he was as outspoken as he was courageous. 

Yet there was a tenderness to his fervor. When he'd made up his mind to go to China and his mother opposed his decision, he showed respect for her and God's 5th commandment. (See Underestimated Command.) 

He didn't back down; but he was respectful, compassionate, and perseverant, writing many loving letters to his mother until she accepted his decision.   

It is a rare quality to find such respect for God's command to honor parents, especially in someone so bold and independent. But it is no less important to God than passionate evangelism. 

If you feel like your parents don't understand your faith, resist the temptation to become self-righteous. Instead, take a cue from Studd and humbly persevere in love and respect (Philippians 2:3-4). Whether they come around or not, you'll be pleasing the Lord (Ephesians 6:2; Proverbs 16:20).

Source: C.T. Studd, No Retreat, Janet and Goeff Benge

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. To find out more see 10 Reasons Why You'll Love Wisdom for Life. I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet offering quiet time encouragement. Find out more HERE.

Bible Love Notes

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?

Studies show that many evangelical Christians are similar to non-Christians in regard to rates of divorce, premarital sex, use of pornography, and racism! That's disturbing!

There are Christians who seek to live according to Scripture, and they are noticeable. Some people hate them for their beliefs despite their gracious presentation of biblical truths, but they remain faithful to Christ (1 Peter 3:15-17).

What about you? Do your neighbors, friends, and co-workers know you love Jesus?

Being "in Christ" should be an obvious part of the impression we leave on others.

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13 

What a compliment … for people to note that we have been with Jesus. I want that … don't you?

Why not take a few minutes and do the Bite Size Bible Study on this devotion. Using Scripture verses (whole text included) answer the question: "What are some of the things that should mark the lives of believers?"

Bible Love Notes

The Dangerous Trap of People-Pleasing

  
"You can please some of the people all of the time, and you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”  Abe Lincoln  

Old Abe knew what he was talking about. People-pleasing is a dead end. 

We should to be kind and gracious to others, but we cannot make popularity our goal.

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25

In addition, Christians need to realize that our faith in Christ will never make us popular.

Jesus warned us: "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22).

Paul understood this: "If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). 

When we focus on people-pleasing, we always lose our way.

The biblical cure: "find out what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10). 

Bible Love Notes

Dying Girl Injected with HIV Cells

God is able to use the worst things for good. 

He promises this for faithful Christians (Romans 8:28). But the fact that God is present in our world means that a measure of His grace is found everywhere. 

I thought of this when I heard about an experimental medical procedure injecting HIV cells into the blood of terminally ill cancer patients. Now, before you gasp in shock, let me explain: they engineer these cells in the lab to be "cancer killers" that no longer cause HIV.

A little girl named Emma had no hope. Her days were numbered....until doctors injected her leukemic blood with these former HIV cells. Emma is now healthy. 

Romans 5:20 says "where sin increased, grace increased all the more." Even though our world is fallen and full of evil and suffering, God's presence still sprinkles grace in the most unlikely places.

Today let's take a moment and thank God for that grace that keeps our world from becoming predominantly evil.

Video: Doctors Inject Dying Girl  and Relapsed Leukemia 

Put First Things First When Sharing Christ

She owned the restaurant my husband and I frequented, and we exchanged small talk whenever we saw her. In fact, she was quite a talker, and we often had opportunities to tell her things about our faith in Christ.

Unfortunately, she had a terrible habit of using profanity. 

Her language made us uncomfortable, but we felt the Lord wanted us to leave it alone. 

This woman's problem wasn't language—it was her need for Christ.

Don't get me wrong. We're commanded to judge the character of people we spend time with, Christian or non-Christian (1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:5-7). And we're commanded to correct fellow believers who are sinning (Matthew 18:15).

But this woman was neither a friend nor a believer. 

In some cases, addressing a person's profanity might be the starting point for sharing Christ, but in this woman's case we felt the Lord wanted us to share other things first. 

It's a matter of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and knowing that an unbeliever is incapable of understanding her sins until she knows the Lord (1 Corinthians 2:14).

We should let the Lord lead us when we interact with non-believers so we can listen to their hearts as well as their words.
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Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion delivered to your email each weekday. Sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

Bible Love Notes

Train Ride Conversation

It was 2008 and we were on a nine-and-a-half-hour train trip to Krakow, Poland. We were hoping for an empty compartment to relax, read, and study. But the Lord had other things in mind.

Most compartments were less than half full, but not ours. Not only was ours full, it was overflowing! 

The four Romanian young people sharing our compartment were part of a large group of students. So throughout the trip, there was a steady flow of young people at our compartment door. And they were eager to practice English with native English-speakers.

Over the next nine-and-a-half hours, we had conversations on a variety of subjects, and we had several opportunities to share significant elements of the gospel. 

We often don't know what's best for us. We wanted an uncrowded compartment, a quiet day of scenery and Bible study.  But God had a better idea.

God may have a better idea for you today too. Are you available? 

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Ephesians 5:15-17 

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Bible Love Notes

No Micromanagement

Karen knocked on the classroom door as I finished my weekly women’s Bible study. 

She told me she belonged to a liberal Christian church in town that didn't stress Bible teaching. She explained: "My doctor recently detected a melanoma on my back. I promised God I’d go to a Bible study if He’d let me live, and He answered my prayer. So here I am.” 

Over the next few months, I had the pleasure of praying with Karen to receive Christ and introducing her to the basics of Christianity.

She still felt loyal to her liberal church, but she was growing in Christ through our study of God's Word. 

I didn't feel God wanted me to question her church. Instead, I concentrated on the Bible. 

I wanted her to know and rely on God’s Word so she could evaluate her church for herself (2 Timothy 2:15). 

Sometimes I’ve tried to micromanage people’s spiritual lives, but that's not healthy.

There are times to speak up, and there are times to let God's Word and Spirit speak. 

Karen was learning to find answers in God's Word, and that's the best thing we can teach young Christians. 

It's the only way they will gain discernment so they can avoid bad doctrine, liberal churches, and false teachings (1 John 4:1).

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Note: The church Karen attended was not a cult. It was simply a church that had lost its focus. We should teach new Christians the truths of the gospel, but we must also teach them to correctly handle God's Word so they can find answers for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15). We want them to be able to judge false teachings and make biblical decisions on their own. See Are You a Bottle-fed Christian?  

For a short Bible study on this devotion, Check out Bite Size Bible Study.

Bible Love Notes