Endured or Cured – Which Is Best?

God often heals His children from health problems, either miraculously or through the use of modern medicine or through healthy life changes.

But sometimes God's children suffer from health problems and disabilities. And some of those who suffer teach us wonderful lessons about perseverance and faith. 

For example: 

• Joni, who has been a quadriplegic for more than forty years. She suffers from constant pain but joyfully ministers to others. See Wheelchair Miracle.
• Steve Saint, who never asks why his adventurous mission lifestyle was cut short by an accident that left him with a serious spinal cord injury. See A Saint's Life.
• Uncomplaining Merrill Davis, my friend who lost his eyesight despite his dedication to overseas mission work.
• Jonathan Goforth, who went blind after many years of faithful service as a missionary but continued to use all of the Scripture he'd memorized to share God's Word. See Blurry Vision or 20/20? 

If all Christians experienced healing, I think we'd be weaker. We'd never know that God's love and comfort are sufficient for any illness, any suffering, any physical limitation…anything (2 Corinthians 12:9; John 16:33).

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Please check out my friend's book, which includes advice from many Christians (including me 😊) — Truth Talk for Hurting Hearts: Discover Peace and Comfort Through God's Perspective. 

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Are You Weary from Attack?

Have you ever dealt with mistreatment, slander, or unjustified rejection? Many today are suffering in these ways because of their faith in Christ.

David experienced these difficulties throughout his life, and he wrote many psalms expressing his sorrow and confusion.

Psalm 4 is one example. 

✔ David explains he's suffering from ungodly people who tell lies and follow other gods. He begs God to answer him, and expresses his confidence that God hears and understands (vv. 1-3). 

If you're suffering mistreatment, take it to God in prayer with confidence that He cares and He's listening. 

✔ Next, David reminded himself of the importance of searching his own heart, confessing his sins, and seeking to live a godly life (v. 4).

This is also an important step. We may only have done 10% wrong compared to the other person's 90%, but we need to confess it.

✔ No matter what we do, some ungodly people will hold their ground, and verse 5 tells us to "offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord." 

This means we give up all bitterness, trusting the Lord to handle our enemies. 

✔ David ends Psalm 4 saying, “You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (vv. 6-8).

We can also find joy in the midst of sorrow and mistreatment by resting in our Lord's love. 

For more help in your sorrows, see: 

When You Can't Even Pray

The Comfort of the Psalms

5 Ways to Overcome Nighttime Fears

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Hebrews 12:1-3 Collection: Perseverance in Christ

These 4 one-minute devotions give us a look at four very important verses in Hebrews, verses that give us courage to face our increasing challenges.

Check Out the Great Cloud of Witnesses

This devotion offers a practical way you can be encouraged and strengthened as you face increasing challenges to your faith. 

Anything That Hinders

If you want to run with perseverance the "race" marked out for your life, this devotion can help you train. 

Are Your Legs Entangled With Sin?

Hebrews 12:1-3 offers some important elements of running our "race of faith" without falling flat on our face! 

Fixing Our Eyes

Hebrews 12:1-3 offers an inspiring way to persevere during difficult times. 

Video Series: Be Careful When You Say "Judge Not"

Video Series: Judge Not Confusion

Check out these short devotions that are based on the sound doctrine of the Bible, not on cultural confusion.

Did Jesus Come to Judge?

In one verse Jesus said He did not come to judge. In another, Jesus said He came to judge. This video explains why it's not a contradiction.

Judge Not Scripture out of Context

"Judge Not" (Matthew 7:1) is one of the most misused and abused phrases in all of Scripture. 

The Right and Wrong Way to Quote "Judge Not"

There are 4 times when it's appropriate to rebuke someone with the words "Judge Not!"  

3 Lame Excuses For Not Judging

These lame excuses can be heard everywhere. No one seems to care that the violate Scripture. But God cares. 

Context is King

A little bit of Scripture knowledge can be a dangerous thing. This 1-minute devotion explains why.

Planks and Holes

In one verse Jesus said He did not come to judge. In another, Jesus said He came to judge. This video devotion explains why it's not a contradiction.

Judge the Sin, Not the Sinner

Did you know that it's not really possible to judge the sin without judging the sinner?

God Loves Me Just the Way I Am

Salvation is a free gift, but salvation brings with it 3 expectations. 

Don't Exchange the Sword of the Spirit for the Butterknife of 

Culture

Don't underestimate the power of Satan. And don't forget the power and purpose of God's Word. 

Why Christian Leaders Are Judged More Strictly

As culture declines morally, we are seeing more teachers and leaders in the church give in to cultural compromise. This short video discusses this trend using Andy Stanley's recent conference as an example

 

 

 

I'm 74 and I've Lots to Share!

Today (7-18-25) is my 74th birthday, and it's my 50th year as a believer. If you've been a longtime reader of Bible Love Notes, you know that I take more than one minute on my birthday devotion.

Many of you also know that I’ve had a nomadic life, moving over 40 times. You can read more details about that in last year's birthday post: A Bend in the Road. 

 

Last fall, my husband and I felt led to make one final move. We didn’t move to our “forever home” because we know that’s waiting for us in heaven (Philippians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 5:1). But unless the Lord tells us otherwise, this will be our final home here on earth.

We didn't “retire.” We never want to do that. We want to keep doing ministry until the Lord takes us home.

Because of our age, we made plans to make this last move our least stressful one, hiring things done that we usually do ourselves. But God obviously had different plans and new things to teach us.

 

We had more damage, delays, disappointments, and disruptions with this move than any other move in our lives: lost and damaged family heirlooms, a dog bite, a bad fall, a minor surgery, acute hearing loss,(1) and next month I'll have a hip replacement. 

Many of our Christian friends have also faced increasing difficulties in the last few years, and we're learning that these things are part of our training, preparing us for the increasing spiritual challenges in our world. 

So on my birthday, I want to encourage you to become aware of the challenges Christians are facing. I can't overemphasize our need to pray, persevere, and prepare for what lies ahead. 

If you aren’t studying your Bible daily, it’s critical that you begin. If you don’t have godly fellowship, please seek it out. If you are not aware of the many challenges we're facing in culture, please become more informed. I recommend you read Live Not By Lies and We Will Not Be Silenced. These books helped my husband and me understand more of what we are facing and how to prepare. (We get no compensation for recommending these books.)

My next book, Lies in Disguise, will be coming out in October. It addresses a subject that has been on my heart for many years: the growing popularity of half-truths that are damaging the church. My prayer is that this book will equip readers to identify and steer clear of these false teachings. 

Let's do all that we can to prepare our hearts and minds for the battles we face daily. Let's fight the half-truth propaganda with the sword of the Spirit which is God's Word (Hebrews 4:12). 

 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

 

💙💙💙 

 

If you'd like to read my past birthday devotions, see Gail's Birthday Devotions.

  
If you haven’t purchased my book Wisdom for Life, I pray that you’ll consider doing so. I believe, among other things, it will help you prepare for what's going on in our world.

 

(1) My hearing loss was mostly restored. Praise God! 

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Context is Essential in Avoiding Lies

It's dangerous and deceptive to take anything out of context. But it's done all the time to promote false beliefs in our culture. And it's especially damaging when it's done to misrepresent a Bible passage. 

For example, someone could quote "Man shall not live by bread alone"(1) and say Jesus was talking about a balanced diet.

Or they could say Jesus encourages us to be annoying because He said, "Blessed are you when people insult you."(2) 

These are not actual examples, and you can see how ridiculous they sound—but the real examples are just as absurd. 

Perhaps the most popular is pulling "Judge not" out of the context of Matthew 7:1-5, claiming we should never judge. 

Then there are the self-esteem advocates who pull a phrase out of the KJV translation of Proverbs 23:7, claiming we become what we think, so we should think highly of ourselves.

And what about all the Bible studies that use Proverbs 22:6 to claim Christians are responsible for their adult children's choices?

There are many more examples, and they're based on taking Scriptures out of context. If we want to accurately understand God's Word and avoid being deceived by half-truths, we must put things in the context of the passage and in the context of all that Scripture teaches.

I know you'll appreciate my latest book, Lies in Disguise. It will be released in October and offers easy-to-understand explanations of popular half-truths so we can identify and correct them.

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See also:

Avoiding a Childish View of Judging

Proverbs 23:7 Probably Doesn't Mean What You Think It Means!

Giving Parents Too Much Credit or Blame  

(1) Matthew 4:4  (2) Matthew 5:11

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Knowing the Right Thing, but Not Doing It

It’s so easy to know the right thing to do but not do it.

 
I have this problem when I'm dealing with stress.

 
I’ve been under incredible stress lately with health problems, deadlines, unexpected challenges, and surprising difficulties. 

 
At times I find myself feeling down, discouraged, and defeated.

 
It’s so easy to know the right thing to do but not do it.

 
I know these Scripture verses:

 
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter  5:6-7

💙 Ah, yes, I need to go humbly to God. Knowing He's in charge, I can leave my anxious thoughts at His feet.
 

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7

 

💙 Ah, yes, I must not trust myself. My confidence should rest fully on God’s wisdom.
 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
 

💙 Ah, yes, I must seek God wholeheartedly, thanking Him for His goodness. Then I'll experience the peace I’m seeking, a peace that only He can give, a peace that’s unexplainable.

 
If you are also struggling, join me in doing the right thing!

 

💙💙💙

 

For more encouragement, see Seeking Genuine Peace in the Midst of Trials. 

 

 

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3 Indicators of Genuine Love for God

If a husband treated his wife with love, gentleness, and respect, we'd be surprised if she were ungrateful and unfaithful. And we should have this same attitude when it comes to our relationship with the Lord.

Here are three ways genuine believers show their love for Christ:

✔ We'll make time to study Scripture. 

We won't do it perfectly, but neither will we neglect it.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

✔ We'll not take God's love for granted.

We won't do this perfectly either, but we'll frequently be overwhelmed with gratitude for all He's done for us.

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16

 

✔ We'll deal deliberately with our sins.

We all sin at times, but genuine believers will be convicted and seek God's forgiveness.

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” 1 John 3:9

So let's remember our most important relationship, dear Christians, and let's do our best to respond in loving, faithful, grateful obedience.

See The Unshakable Bottom Line.

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An Attitude of Awe-Filled Reverence

God’s Word is incredible, and sometimes a single verse contains a powerful message. For example, Psalm 111:10:

 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” 
 

Fear in this verse means “an attitude of awe-filled reverence” that involves “emotion, intellect, and will” (source).

 

Godly fear motivates us to seek guidance and comfort from our all-wise, all-knowing, all-loving God. It causes us to confess our sins, seek godly fellowship, study our Bibles, and forgive those who mistreat us.  

Fear of the Lord gives us absolute trust in biblical precepts, defending them against false teachings that soften and misrepresent God's Word (1 Corinthians 3:19-20). 

The last phrase in Psalm 111:10 tells us that above all, the Lord deserves our praise, not just now, but forever. 

May our lives reflect awe and reverence for God as we live by His precepts and praise His awesome love, wisdom, forgiveness, salvation, comfort, guidance, correction, encouragement, protection, provision, grace, truth, etc. 

This week, I encourage you to read the longest psalm, Psalm 119, and write down all of the important truths it describes.

 

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 For more insights on godly fear, see God-Fearers Enjoy Blessings Known Only to God-Fearers and We Need It: Fear of the Lord.

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The Ruth Series

The following devotions and Bible studies come from the rich and meaningful lessons in the Book of Ruth. Enjoy!

Please start by reading the overview and summary of this series: The Great Challenges and Great Faith of Ruth. Then continue with the one-minute devotions below, asking God to show you how to apply the principles to your life and your situation. God bless you!
  

Ruth Beat the Odds
Ruth is an excellent example of someone who stood firm in her faith despite four powerful negative influences, one of which was her mother-in-law Naomi.

Ruth Overcame Ethnic Prejudice
Ruth faced ethnic prejudice when she came to Judah with Naomi, but she knew how to deal with it. This one-minute devotion explains.

Ruth Respected Bitter Naomi
We would be wise to follow Ruth's example of respecting our elders even if they don't always behave in godly ways.

Ruth Humbled Herself
Humility is not a popular virtue in our modern culture, but it was one of Ruth's greatest attributes and we'd be wise to follow her example.  

 

Imagine This – Bible Study
This short Bible study is an overview of the Ruth Series. It's a good way to study Ruth's life with a small group, and the study is print-friendly.

 

These are not part of the original series but add some additional insights:

Bitter Is a Bad Name...
This devotion discusses Naomi's inability to see God's blessings that were staring her in the face. It encourages us not to make the same mistake.

Was Naomi a Good Mom-in-Law?
This short devotion is designed for married Christian women who want to bless their marriage by having a good attitude toward their mother-in-law. Ruth challenges us to be the best wife possible!
  

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