Decoupaging An Old Bible Cover

Hi! I'm Gail and I write one-minute devotions for 1-Minute Bible Love Notes. 

I decided to share some posts about Bible journaling that don't go out to my subscribers because creative journaling has improved the quality of my quiet times. 

While you're here, I hope you'll read a few of the 1-minute devotions on my home page and the sign up for a free subscription (scroll down for more info). I think my 1-minute devotions can help enrich your quiet time - they only take 60 seconds to read but they can give your busy day an extra shot of Scripture. And they might give you inspiration for your creative journaling. I hope so!

I had this Bible for many years and had quit using it because the man-made cover had begun "flaking" off. But I pulled it out and decoupaged the cover with old Hungarian hymnal pages (from a book that had fallen apart). Then I covered it with clear contact page to protect the decoupage.

Scroll down and see samples of my Bible journaling. Hopefully, it will give you ideas for doing your own creative journaling. 

----------------------

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one 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.

100 Years Ago and Tomorrow

As we say goodbye to 2015, let's look back 100 years to a few headlines of 1915:

• US House of Representatives rejects proposal to give women the right to vote.
•  Transcontinental telephone service is inaugurated (NY to SF).
•  Babe Ruth makes his pitching debut and his first home run with the Red Sox.
• The world is one year into World War I which will eventually claim 16 million lives.
•  Pluto is photographed for the first time but not yet classified as a planet.
• The first military tank is built in Great Britain. (My husband told me about this 1915 highlight since he's a retired Army tanker.)

When we review history, we have lots to learn, lots to regret, and lots to remember with joy. This is true whether it's personal history or world history.

Today let's remember Paul's words in Philippians 3:10-14 and press on to make 2016 our most Christ-centered year!

Sources: Info Please   On This Day   Wiki Science -1915

We Keep Getting the Cart Before the Horse

Recently I read an article encouraging Christians to ask God to honor them!

This perspective represents our self-esteem focus and and it highlights our human tendency to get the cart before the horse.

Scripture puts first things first:

"Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me ... And the Father will honor anyone who serves me." John 12:26

"Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor." 1 Peter 5:6

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name ... I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:14-15

Honor follows character, it does not precede it. 

God does not honor those who seek honor. 

God honors those who seek to honor Him.

That horse pulls the cart.
------------------
*This attitude is especially prevalent in child raising, even among Christians, where instead of telling a child he is loved no matter what he does, parents are telling their children they are wonderful no matter what they do. This isn't Biblical and it is creating a whole generation of selfish, praise-hungry people. Read more in my Self-esteem archive.

Fast Food for the Soul

Do you know how most people choose their favorite fast-food restaurant?

McDonald’s, the creator of the fast-food industry, experienced initial success through simplicity (9 food/drink items), location (near major highways) and price (15 cent burgers when most sold for 30 cents). 

Sixty years later, simplicity, location and price are no longer the major factors in fast-food popularity. 

According to recent research, the most important determinant for choosing fast food restaurants is friendliness...even more important than taste!

We shouldn’t be surprised. After all, friendliness includes many of the qualities God calls fruit of the Spirit—food for our souls: 

“love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).” Galatians 5:22-23, Amplified Bible

May the Lord help us exhibit these fruits which are nutritious “fast-food” for hungry souls in our world. Let's be God-friendly today!
------------------------

Interesting fact: There are more Subway restaurants in the world (33,749) than McDonalds (32,737) according to The Wall Street Journal.
Resource for devotion stats: What Do Today’s Fast Food Junkies Like? 
--------------------------------

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one 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.

Discernment or Slander?

With an air of superiority, he proclaimed, "I wouldn't read that person's books because I have discernment!"

The person he referenced was solidly biblical, but several sensationalist websites had slandered him by taking things he said out of context (Proverbs 16:28).

It reminded me of times I've confused discernment with sloppy research. Decades ago as a new Christian, I avoided C.S. Lewis because of warnings against his teachings!*

Instead of doing my homework on Lewis, I listened to a teacher who scrutinized minor, insignificant quotes from Lewis while ignoring his consistently biblical teaching

I'm not saying that we shouldn't judge teachers who are not teaching Bible truths (Ephesians 5:11). But we can do that by examining their overall teaching and the way they live. We don't need to scrutinize and extrapolate minor details which don't accurately represent them.

Yes, I've arrogantly thought I possessed discernment at times, but I was simply trusting others to do my research and my thinking for me (Proverbs 11:9).

Let's not make this mistake, dear Christians, because it's slander!
-----------------------
* No one is 100% accurate. We should judge error wherever it is found, both from biblical and false teachers (Acts 17:11). But minor errors do not make someone a false teacher. ~ I don't agree with every detail of Lewis' teaching, but overall, his books accurately and stunningly present God, faith and the Bible. 

Would you like to do a short Bible study on this subject? Check out today's Bite Size Bible Study.

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

♥ Merry Christmas ♥

♥ I wish you a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a wonderful, Christ-filled New Year. Thank you for being one of my subscribers. I started Bible Love Notes in July 2011 with 50 subscribers, and now there are almost 10,000 of you!! God regularly encourages and instructs me through my readers, and I am so grateful for all of you!  ♥ Love in Jesus, Gail

No devotion today, but you can find 18 one minute Christmas devotions on Bible Love Notes' Christmas Pinterest board HERE. If you aren't familiar with Pinterest, simply double click one of the images and it will take you to that particular devotion. If you prefer my Christmas archive on my blog, the link for it is HERE. And you'll also find some decor posts on that archive because I did creative posts on Bible Love Notes the first few years.

P.S. I sometimes have readers who don't know who writes Bible Love Notes, and I've created a page on my blog that tells you a little bit about me if you'd like to check it out HERE.

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 (v.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)
-----------------------

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 4 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 ebook 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.

What Scripture Means by "Love" Your Neighbor

The word "love" is used several ways in Scripture.

For example, Matthew 22:37-40 tells us to love God and love our neighbor.

It explains that loving God involves heart, soul, and mind - complete devotion, affection, and commitment. The love we have for God should be higher than our love for anyone else (Luke 14:26).

But loving our neighbor is different. As Matthew 7:12 puts it:
"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." 

This doesn't mean having affection for them or devoting our lives to them.  We will always have the greater affection for family and friends. It means we treat others the way God wants us to treat them.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12

When we love our neighbors, we end up obeying all of the other commands (i.e. the Law and the Prophets).

With God's help, we can even love someone we don't really like!

And I think that's good news!
------------------------ 
This misunderstanding of love for neighbor leads to another misunderstanding explained here: Most Misused Scripture by Self-Esteem Advocates.

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one 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.

Let's Grow Up!

Recently a Christian told me, "If you knew MY parents, you'd understand why I don't honor them."

This attitude is prevalent in our culture - and is increasing among Christians, whether they openly admit it or not.

But God doesn't give us the power to decide when to apply His commands, and He offers no exceptions to His fifth commandment.

Whether we like it or not, our attitude toward our parents reflects our attitude toward God. 

1. When we refuse to move past our family difficulties, we doubt God's ability to use all things for good (Romans 8:28).

2. When we judge our parents harshly without taking responsibility for our sins, we become hypocrites (Matthew 7:1-4).

3. When we refuse to forgive our parents, we become bitter (Ephesians 4:31-32).

 4. When we ignore the command "Honor your father and mother" (Ephesians 6:2-3), we damage our well-being (Exodus 20:1-17).

Even if you aren't neglecting, rejecting or resenting your parents, examine your heart and ask God if you're truly honoring them.

Note: This devotion does not address children who have been physically or sexually abused by parents. They must seek godly Christian counsel in handling their relationship with their parents.

💙Free e-booklet with a free subscription to 1-Minute Bible Love Notes: Sign up information at bottom.

I strongly encourage you to do the short Bible study with this devotion. You'll find it HERE.
And check out these other helpful 1-minute devotions on this subject: 
3 Aspects of Honoring Parents

Honoring God

Adult Children and Parents

Speck Finders

Absalom & David

Takers & Givers

The Most Underestimated Command

Give & Gain, Keep & Lose

Devotions specific to mothers and in-laws:
Bless Your Mother-in-law to Strengthen Your Marriage
Every Day is Mother's Day
Giving Mom Grace
Reckless Abandon - C.T. Studd

Bible Love Notes

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.

Why Good People Suffer

“The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

1. Slander ruins a man's career.
2. A pastor has chronic health problems.
3. An honest man is ruined by dishonest men.
4. Believers are tortured and killed for their faith.

"Why me?" is a common question when faced with difficulty.

But a more reasonable question might be "Why not me?"

The Bible record refutes the notion that our earthly lives will be just and easy:

1. Slander ruined Joseph's career and sent him to prison (Genesis 39:1-10).
2. Young pastor Timothy had chronic stomach problems (1 Timothy 5:23).
3. Corrupt King Saul repeatedly tried to assassinate David (1 Samuel 24:1-12).
5. Believers have always been persecuted (Hebrews 11).

God doesn't promise earthly ease and justice, but He promises to comfort us (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) and use bad things for our good if we focus on His purposes (Romans 8:28).
--------------

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one 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.

3 Things Maturing Christians Need

"To educate the old Adam is to make him doubly dangerous. To polish him is to render him far more deceptive. To make him more religious is to leave him tenfold more the child of hell." ~Vance Havner

“'The first man, Adam, became a living person.' But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit ... Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man." 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 NLT

Believers are in process of becoming like Christ, moving from earthly to heavenly.

1. We don't simply need worldly education - we need God's Word (Psalm 19:7-11). 

2. We don't need polishing - we need refining (1 Peter 1:3-9). 

3. We don't need religion - we need relationship (John 17:3).

We decide how quickly we mature. God longs for us to move quickly away from our old self, but we set the pace.

Let's do something today to move faster toward that goal.

Need some help in transformation? These might help:
4 Obstacles to Discipleship
Let's Get to Work

 

4 Things to Remember When Your Faith Is Under Fire

If your faith is under fire, here are 4 things you need to do:

1. Trust God despite disturbing circumstances.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

2. Realize God can and will use bad things for your good.
Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

3. Do your best no matter the circumstances.
Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters... 

4. Forgive offenders and let God deal with them.
Genesis 50:19-20: But Joseph said to [his brothers who had sold him into slavery], “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Are you going through testing or trial? Apply these 4 principles to your circumstances and be blessed!
-------------

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 4 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 ebook 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.

The Sweetest Gifts - Sacrifice versus Wealth

In 1995, I celebrated my birthday in a country with a low standard of living. My husband and I were on a two month mission trip. 

One of the local Christians came to my birthday dinner and surprised me with a gift. When I unwrapped the small package, it contained a bar of soap, nothing special, just regular soap.

But that soap was one of the sweetest gifts I've ever received. Like the widow in Mark 12:41-44, my foreign friend had given generously from his limited income. 

I kept that soap for several years as a reminder of true generosity.

Compared to most of the world, we Americans are rich. What many people consider luxuries, we consider necessities. Yet most of us take our blessings for granted and complain that we don't have more.

Let's ask God to give us grateful hearts and a true understanding of our blessings.

For more encouragement, see the 1-minute devotion: In God's Economy, Sometimes Less is More.

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. 

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.

 

 

Genesis 50/20 Eyesight

I love the story of Joseph. It's a wonderful comfort when I'm struggling with painful difficulties. It highlights God's amazing Romans 8:28 ability to use the sins of other people to prosper our souls.

God doesn't tempt anyone to sin (James 1:13), but He's able to use sin for good. 

Of course, growth often comes with pain - Joseph's brothers and Potiphar's wife caused Joseph great suffering. But God used their sins to bring Joseph to the right place, the right time, and the right perspective so he could help countless others (Genesis 50:20).

When Joseph's brothers were fearful he would take revenge for the evil things they'd done, Joseph said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

Recently God showed me He'd done this very thing in my life - the sins of another person have left their painful mark on my heart. But I've experienced growth in my walk because of them and they've opened doors of opportunity for me to minister to others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Has God used other people's sins to bring you to a better place? Have you found peace in a Genesis 50:20 perspective?
---------

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one 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.

6 Christian Rules of Speech - Developing Godly Speech Patterns

We've heard of Grammar Rules of Speech. These are more than that:

1. Respond gently to angry words - Proverbs 15:1
"A gentle answer deflects anger."

2. Share the truth lovingly -  Proverbs 15:2, Ephesians 4:15
(If you're resentful, proud, or disinterested, keep your mouth shut.)
"The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing ... [so] speak the truth in love."

3. Speak truthfully - Proverbs 15:4, Ephesians 4:25
"A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit ... [so] Let us tell our neighbors the truth."

4. Share wisdom - Proverbs 15:7
"The lips of the wise give good advice."

5. Wait for the right time and place to speak - Proverbs 15:23
"Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!"

6. Keep a clean mouth - Ephesians 4:29, 5:4
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful ... [no] obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes." 
---------------
Free e-booklet:

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.

5 Truths to Help Us Deal With Slander

Slander...

An angry church member spreads a half-truth, an adult child 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? 

Psalm 62 talks of this situation (v.3-4) and offers this advice:

1. God Alone is our comfort and peace.
"My soul finds rest in God alone" (v.1-5). Sometimes God allows these situations so we'll learn He is enough!

2. God Alone judges hearts. 
Men sometimes honor bad people and revile good people. Ultimately, honor depends on God, not man (v.7).

3. God Alone can be trusted. 
He is loving and strong (v.8-12).

4. God Alone gives perfect justice.
He rewards faithfulness and punishes sin (v.11-12).

5. God Alone can use slander for our good (Romans 8:28).*

Our souls can find rest in God Alone!

*for example: Joseph slandered by Potiphar's wife

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

Guarding Our Reputation - Proverbs 4:23-27

Most of Colorado is mountainous and breath-taking in beauty. But the area around my birthplace (La Junta) is flat and unremarkable…except when it comes to cantaloupes.

Rocky Ford Cantaloupes are juicy, fragrant, and sweet, some of the best in the country. 

Unfortunately their reputation was ruined in 2011 by an outbreak of a food-borne 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 failed to properly wash the cantaloupes before distributing them.

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.


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. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27 

Are you skipping safeguards in your life? Take time to memorize and apply this Proverb.

Read about this outbreak HERE. 
---------------------------

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one 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.