We need regular encouragement in the joy, peace, and comfort of God's love for us. And we need regular encouragement to stand firm and grow deeper in our faith.
The second type of encouragement is becoming increasingly important because Christianity is under fierce attack from the culture.
1. We must discern errors (2 Timothy 2:15).
We’re bombarded by half-truths and lies, and we must be able to recognize what the Bible actually teaches (1 Timothy 1:4).
2. We must be loyal to God's family (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
God's people are under attack (Matthew 10:22). We need to speak up against false accusations.
3. We must fully trust God's definitions of sin (Psalms 19:7).
If Scripture says something damages our souls, we know that it damages our souls (Psalm 18:30).
I want to fight the good fight because I love Jesus so much (2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 Timothy 6:12). And I know that most of my readers feel the same.
So let's stay on the narrow road (Matthew 7:13), discerning error, remaining loyal, and rejecting compromise! Together we stand (1 Corinthians 16:13)!
See Narrow Road Scenery.
Poll Question: I would love for you to leave a comment below this blog post letting me know what subjects you'd like Bible Love Notes to address. I can't promise I'll cover all of them, but I would love your feedback. Thanks!
Bible Love Notes
Good morning. I am new to Love Notes but look forward to enjoying God's Word with you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
DeleteRe: poll question + what subjects - 1. encouragement in personal evangelism + hints for same 2. praying for prodigals. 3. having hope in a world growing 'darker'. Thanks for asking us.
ReplyDeletePoll question + what subjects 1. Witnessing to spouse, adult children, and grandchildren 2. Finding a church home
ReplyDeletePoll..
ReplyDeleteHow about rapture timing/tribulation
Hello Gail, I love you Bible Love Notes blogging! You've helped me immensely with my personal journey to redemption & transformation! I would like to hear about your thoughts on the traditional holidays of this world, that have no connections to the Bible. Also, what do you think about the Biblical feasts & celebrations God commands we keep even till this day, also to share with strangers, neighbors and foreigners, etc? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello sister Gail, I hope you can talk about the Sabbath day, which day is it, Saturday or Sunday. It doesn't mention the which day in the new version King James Bible, but Sabbath day has been mention many times. Blessings to you and your family. Love always
ReplyDeleteHello Rasta,
DeleteI have written a devotion about the Sabbath here:
https://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2019/03/is-one-day-holier-than-another.html
You can copy that link and it will take you to that devotion, but let me add some thing here since this is a sensitive subject for some people:
The important thing to remember is what Christ said about the Sabbath in Mark 2:27: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Jesus used this verse to rebuke Pharisees who had applied all sorts of rules to the Sabbath, making it a burden to people instead of a day of rest as it was intended.
People behave like the Pharisees in our modern times by demanding that Christians observe Saturday instead of Sunday or placing other rules and regulations on a particular day of the week, accusing those who don't agree of being sinful.
A person may have a job that requires they work on the weekends. Does that mean they are violating God's law by resting and reflecting on God on Monday? No. A pastor works on the day most people consider the Sabbath. Does that mean he violates the Sabbath law? No.
The Sabbath is designed to benefit man, not conform him to a particular day or time.
In fact, the Sabbath command is the only command not re-commanded in the New Testament. If you read Hebrews 4, you will understand why. When we become Christians, we permanently enter our "Sabbath rest" and everyday is our Sabbath. That means we have permanently rested for "working our way" to God and we can rest in His salvation.
The principle is important - taking a day each week to rest and reflect on the Lord. The day is not important. Most Christians observe the Sabbath on Sunday basing this on the resurrection of Christ, some insist it must be Saturday based on the Old Testament command, others must observe it on a weekday because of other responsibilities.
If someone wishes to observe the Sabbath as observed in the Old Testament, they must observe the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening. If they feel that honors God, then they can do that. But it doesn't make them holier or more accurate than those who celebrate it on Sunday.
The principle behind the Sabbath is this: God rested on the 7th day of creation and He wants us to take a day each week to rest and reflect on Him.
I hope that helps.
I would be interested to know where in the Bible it states premarital sex is a sin.
ReplyDeleteIn Genesis, God clearly explains His design: a man and woman marry, and then they become one flesh - that means sexual intimacy is designed for marriage. (Genesis 2:24). This is restated by Jesus in Mark 10:8.
DeleteIn the verses below, the Greek word for sexual immorality is πορνείαν. It is translated fornication which means any sex that is not between a husband and wife. This would include premarital sex as well as adultery.
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18
"For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder..." Mark 7:21
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions..." Galatians 5:19-20
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people." Ephesians 5:3
"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;" 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
These are not the only verses. They are a sampling. There is no way that anyone can believe in the Bible and approve of premarital sex.
Gail, I completely agree. This subject is such a stumbling block to those who want to follow with their own rules. I used to read those verses and think, there's no way a person in the 21st century can obey Christ fully, sexually speaking. True. With fallen people it's impossible, but with God...His Spirit indwelling... nothing is impossible!
DeleteYes, Bill, God gives us the strength and the desire to do things we cannot do on our own.
Delete