Think virtually the cruelest words spoken to you, the greatest injustice you’ve suffered. Think virtually those times when mortal returned evil for your adept or stinginess for generosity. Think virtually those who took credit for your difficult work, slandered your name, or abandoned you lot when you lot needed them the most. Do you lot believe that God tin work all of those things for your good? If you're a believer together with you're seeking God's purposes for your life, God promises that everything that happens to you lot tin move to your benefit. We recite Romans 8:28 often: "And nosotros know [with cracking confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned virtually us] causes all things to operate together [as a plan] for adept for those who beloved God, to those who are called according to His conception together with purpose." (AMP) But produce nosotros believe it? God never causes anyone to sin against us (James 1:13), but He uses those situations to teach, train, strengthen, together with create us for His purposes (Hebrews 12:11).(1) Believe it! ------------------ (1) The context of Romans 8:28 farther confirms this truth. Romans 8:29 says, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to move conformed to the picture of his Son, that he powerfulness move the firstborn amid many brothers together with sisters." God uses a diversity of things to adapt us to the picture of Christ together with strengthen our faith. Why non read these 1-minute devotions all based on Romans 8:28. You tin bookmark this archive together with read ane whenever you lot laid about to doubtfulness this of import truth: Romans 8:28.
Bible Love Notes
Joseph’s brothers were jealous in addition to hateful. They threw Joseph into a pit in addition to planned to allow him top of starvation or creature ready on (Genesis 37:23-32). While he was pleading from the pit, they sat downwardly in addition to ate, in addition to "logically" determined it was amend to sell Joseph every bit a slave than to larn out him to top (Genesis 42:21)! So they watched every bit their picayune brother's cervix was set inwards an Fe in addition to his feet were set inwards shackles, in addition to they went habitation in addition to told their manlike mortal rear lies (Psalm 105:17-19). Joseph didn't encounter his identify unit of measurement over again for 22 years, in addition to xiii of those years he spent enslaved or inwards prison theatre for a criminal offence he didn’t commit. God used these keen evils to hit keen grapheme inwards Joseph, making him a homo of superior faith, forgiveness, in addition to fortitude.(1) God could accept made Joseph’s path easier, only Joseph proved that God tin give the axe purpose the worst circumstances for expert (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). If God tin give the axe hit it for Joseph, He tin give the axe hit it for you! -------------------- (1) God never causes people to sin, only He tin give the axe purpose whatsoever province of affairs for our expert (James 1:13).
Bible Love Notes
You’ve in all probability heard of the Roman Road,(1) only own got you lot heard of “the Roman steps”?(2) “We too glory inwards our sufferings, because nosotros know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; in addition to character, hope. And hope does non seat us to shame, because God’s honey has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 Step 4. Hope Step 3. Character Step 2. Perseverance Step 1. Suffering Step 1. Suffering, tribulations, hardships, distresses, pressures, in addition to troubles come upwardly to all of us (James 1:2-4). Step 2. Persevering is hard, only nosotros tin arrive at it if nosotros tally tightly to the Romans 8:28 handrail that promises expert volition come upwardly from hardships. Step 3. This footstep to greater maturity in addition to describe of graphic symbol ever follows faithful perseverance (James 5:11). Step 4. Mature graphic symbol takes us to novel heights inwards our faith, giving us greater hope inwards Christ (Isaiah 40:31).
Dear Christian, if you're sitting inwards your sorrows at the bottom of the stairs, stand upwardly up in addition to climb! ------------------- (1) See Hit the Road (2) Don’t experience bad if you lot haven’t heard them called this. That’s my personal term for them. 😊
Bible Love Notes
Scripture commands Christians to hold upwardly alarm together with prepared for our battle against the evil powers of this globe (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:12). Every day, sinful desires battle for our souls (1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:16). That's why nosotros position on the amount armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18): 1. We buckle on the belt of truth to secure our liberty inward Christ (John 8:32). 2. We position on the breastplate of righteousness to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). 3. We sideslip on shoes designed for godly footpaths (Ephesians 2:10). 4. We concur tightly to the shield of faith which gives us confidence to resist Satan's attacks together with assurance nosotros volition win (Hebrews 11:1). 5. We position on the helmet of salvation to safeguard our thoughts (2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 10:5). 6. We purpose the sword of God's Word to laid on together with destroy fault (Hebrews 4:12). We oftentimes speak most the amount armor of God, exactly I challenge you lot to intend through each item, together with brand certain you're putting it on daily.
Bible Love Notes
We all blow it from fourth dimension to time: lose our temper, human action irresponsibly, wound someone's feelings, human action selfishly, etc. If nosotros excuse or justify these things, nosotros distance ourselves from God as well as never mature spiritually (1 John 1:10).
It's similar putting holes inward our spiritual armor as well as opening ourselves to spiritual assault (Ephesians 6:14).
In fact, refusing to admit as well as repent eventually alters our conscience, leaving us without an accurate persuasion of correct as well as incorrect (1 Timothy 4:1-2). If nosotros desire to keep a well for y'all human relationship amongst God as well as others, nosotros must: 1. Admit we're incorrect as well as inquire God's forgiveness (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9). 2. Ask forgiveness of those we’ve offended as well as create our best to brand things correct (Matthew 5:23-24; Romans 12:18). 3. Take our walk amongst the Lord seriously, learning from our mistakes as well as moving forrard (Philippians 3:7-14). 4. Be confident of this: “He who began a skillful operate inward y'all volition deportment it on to completion until the hateful solar daytime of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). ------------------- Why non add together to a greater extent than or less to a greater extent than of God's Word to your schedule past times having a 1-minute devotion similar this 1 delivered to your e-mail each weekday. Sign upward for a gratis subscription to Bible Love Notes as well as cash inward one's chips a gratis e-booklet. Find out to a greater extent than HERE. Bible Love Notes
Despite their unlike beliefs, unsaved people are all foursquare pegs plumbing fixtures into a foursquare hole of unbelief (Ephesians 4:17-18). We were in 1 lawsuit foursquare pegs too, simply we’re beingness transformed into the icon of Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24). “Do non accommodate to the designing of this world, simply endure transformed past times the renewing of your mind. Then y'all volition endure able to exam in addition to approve what God's volition is--his good, pleasing in addition to perfect will.” Romans 12:2 When nosotros convey Christ, God’s Word comes endure to us, meets us where nosotros live, convicts us of sin, in addition to begins changing our the world view.(1) We cease conforming in addition to kickoff transforming. The wonderful effect is a keener agreement of God’s volition - His good, pleasing in addition to perfect will! The renewal procedure involves learning God’s ways (Ephesians 5:10; 2 Timothy 2:15) in addition to practicing obedience (James 1:22). The the world is filled alongside foursquare peg temptations (1 John 2:15-17). But alongside God's help, nosotros tin reject them. ------------- (1) If y'all haven’t experienced this epitome shift, y'all take away to enquire yourself if you’ve always fully embraced the gospel (2 Corinthians 13:5). See Are There Many Paths to Heaven in addition to Can a Simple Misunderstanding Keep You from Heaven? Bible Love Notes
Do you lot believe the hope attached to this command? “Honor your begetter too mother”—which is the root commandment amongst a promise— “so that it may larn good amongst you too that you lot may relish long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3 All parents possess got faults. It takes humility too grace to award them. It isn't ever slowly because it agency forgiving them, offering them grace, too making them a priority inwards our lives. But it's of import to God. Christ said people who dishonor their parents are worshiping God inwards vain (Matthew 15:1-9). That's a pretty potent warning! Another potent alarm is establish inwards Proverbs 30:11-13, where those who are disrespectful to their parents are described every bit arrogant too filthy. When nosotros award our parents, we're blessed too they're blessed. It's a win-win situation. It's non meant to endure easy. But it's i way nosotros exhibit our honey for God (John 14:21). ------------ I too hence regularly involve heed the term "boundaries" used when talking near parents. There are closed to situations when this may endure necessary, but it should endure a final resort, non merely an excuse to avoid an annoying parent. If you lot possess got fix boundaries for your parents, brand certain you lot possess got root obeyed Romans 12:17-21.
Please accept the fourth dimension to read through the Bite Size Bible Study today. It gives deeper insights into this of import subject. Bible Love Notes
Recently, a pastor decided to publicly proclaim that about other Christian ministry building was “heretical” because they used a Bible translation that he didn’t like. The adult missy of a Christian Bible college professor defendant her manful mortal nurture of sexual abuse. Many years later, his missy recanted the story, admitting it wasn’t true. A identify unit of measurement was torn apart because a non-Christian identify unit of measurement fellow member spread lies near a Christian identify unit of measurement member. If a Bible teacher, beau Christian, or identify unit of measurement fellow member accuses about other mortal of something, create y'all banking concern fit it out? If nosotros operate yesteryear along slander without knowing that it's absolutely true, we’re every bit guilty every bit the ane who told the lie. “Brothers too sisters, create non slander ane another. Anyone who speaks against a blood brother or sis or judges them speaks against the constabulary too judges it. When y'all gauge the law, y'all are non keeping it, only sitting inwards judgment on it.” James 4:11 The stories to a higher identify are all true, too at that topographic point are many to a greater extent than similar them. When y'all receive got a chance, read through these verses below too inquire God if you've believed something without checking it out. At the bottom, you'll detect a listing of other 1-minute devotions related to this subject. Please don't receive got the message of James 4:11 also far. There are appropriate too inappropriate types of judgment. See How, Who, too What to Judge According to Scripture. Exodus 23:1: "Do non spread imitation reports. Do non aid a guilty mortal yesteryear existence a malicious witness." Proverbs 11:9: "With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, only through noesis the righteous escape." Proverbs 16:28: "A perverse mortal stirs upward conflict, too a gossip separates unopen friends." Proverbs 18:8: "The words of a gossip are similar pick morsels; they become downward to the inmost parts." Proverbs 18:21: "The natural language tin convey dice or life; those who honey to verbalize volition reap the consequences." (Proverbs 18:21 has been greatly misused yesteryear about Christians. Please read: The Power too Limit of Words.) Proverbs 20:19: "A gossip betrays a confidence; too then avoid anyone who talks also much." Ephesians 4:29: "Do non permit whatsoever unwholesome verbalize come upward out of your mouths, only alone what is helpful for edifice others upward according to their needs, that it may create goodness those who listen." Related 1-minute devotions: How to Check out Christian Teachers If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Do What Your Mother Said Our Words Matter - 26 Scriptures Discernment or Slander? Bible Love Notes
God said Jeremiah “lived inwards the midst of deception” (Jeremiah 9:6). We create too.
Just equally Jeremiah was opposed yesteryear the people as well as the priests, Bible-honoring Christians tin privy human face opposition within as well as exterior of the church. If nosotros very honey the Lord, nosotros ask to hold upwards similar Jeremiah: 1. Knowing God… Jeremiah longed to know the grapheme as well as purposes of God (Jeremiah 9:23-24). 2. Speaking truth… Even though proclaiming God’s Word brought him insult as well as injury, he couldn’t stop. God’s Word “burned inwards his pump similar a fire” (Jeremiah 20:8-9). 3. Trusting God... God was Jeremiah's promise as well as confidence (Jeremiah 17:7). 4. Remaining loyal despite persecution…. Even when loved ones opposed as well as deceived him, Jeremiah remained faithful (Jeremiah 12:6). These are iv ways nosotros tin privy also stay faithful inwards the midst of deception. Bible Love Notes
Bible scholars believe Jeremiah began his lifelong prophetic mission earlier historic current 25.
God told him non to get hitched alongside (Jeremiah 16:1-2) in addition to warned him that his ministry building would locomote frustrating in addition to hard (Jeremiah 1:12-19).
Because Jeremiah loved God, he grieved over the stubbornness of God's people. This is why he's ofttimes called the "weeping prophet."
He sometimes complained in addition to expressed his frustrations (Jeremiah 12), but he never failed to beak God's truths (Jeremiah 20:8-9).
He could brand this boast:
"'Let the 1 who boasts boast most this: that they accept the agreement to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, judge in addition to righteousness on earth, for inwards these I delight,' declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24
No thing how hard his life was (and it was enough hard), in addition to no thing how ofttimes he was rejected (and he was ofttimes rejected), Jeremiah could boast that he knew his God to locomote kind, just, in addition to righteous. May this locomote our boast too!
Bible Love Notes
In Living inward the Midst of Deception nosotros noted iv of Jeremiah's characteristics that helped him stand upward theatre inward hard times. The Apostle Paul gives us a like event to follow:
1. Knowing God... Paul longed to know God wholeheartedly (Philippians 3:8-10).
2. Speaking truth... Paul was non ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16).
3. Trusting God... Paul relied on Christ's forcefulness (Philippians 4:13).
4. Remaining loyal despite persecution... Paul suffered as well as persevered (Romans 5:3; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 11:23-29).
It's no coincidence that Paul refers to Jeremiah 9:23-24 inward both 1 Corinthians 1:31 as well as 2 Corinthians 10:17.
Thus says the Lord: “Let non the wise homo boast inward his wisdom, allow non the mighty homo boast inward his might, allow non the rich homo boast inward his riches, but allow him who boasts boast inward this, that he understands as well as knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, as well as righteousness inward the earth. For inward these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24 Let's read that passage again!
Bible Love Notes
We’re shocked past times heathen kid sacrifice. But our modern civilization celebrates it when it’s called “reproductive rights.” Whenever evil acts are approved, they ever escalate (Romans 1:21-32). Previously, New York police trace allowed a adult woman to kill her unborn kid upward to vi months of her pregnancy. Now she tin kill her kid whatsoever fourth dimension earlier birth. A New York senator said this shows that New York cares most women’s health, women's lives,* in addition to women's decisions. (source) In Old Testament times, children were sacrificed on altars of heathen gods. Now they are sacrificed on altars of selfish decisions. God says killing our children profanes, provokes, in addition to pollutes: 1. Profanes His elevate (Leviticus 18:21) 2. Provokes His anger (2 Kings 17:17). 3. Pollutes the province (Psalm 106:38). My view aches for the babies merely too for the fathers in addition to mothers who must alive alongside the noesis of their sin. I pray that these mothers in addition to fathers volition plough to the Lord where they tin honour forgiveness, healing, in addition to comfort (Isaiah 1:18). Will y'all bring together me inwards that prayer?
---------------- See also: What Scripture Says most Abortion.
* Note: What if the life of the woman bring upward is at risk?
1. The role of extending the appointment for abortions is non based on the ask to relieve a mother's life. It was already legal inwards New York to bring slowly term abortions if the mother's life was inwards peril (source). 2. Third trimester babies bring really proficient chances for survival. In the extremely rare cases where a mother's wellness mightiness last threatened past times continuing her pregnancy, she tin deliver the babe alive instead of killing him/her. 3. New York believes it is inhumane to give lethal injections to convicted murderers because it's a painful agency to die. But they approve giving a lethal injection to a babe who feels hurting during the tertiary trimester (source). Lethal injection too poses a risk for the mother. In calorie-free of these facts, nosotros tin last pretty certain that this police trace has nil to create alongside job organization for women's wellness in addition to lives.
If you've aborted a child, y'all mightiness last interested inwards these articles: My kid would bring been 22 this year. How tin I experience healing afterward my abortion?
Bible Love Notes
Some of the most pop teachers of our fourth dimension downplay sin as well as hell as well as focus on making people experience skilful (source). Jesus, on the other hand, focused on repentance, humility, as well as sacrifice, speaking oftentimes of sin as well as hell.(1) Many pop teachers alive opulent lifestyles as well as insist that God wants His children rich as well as comfortable. Jesus was homeless as well as taught that wealth oftentimes corrupts people.(2) Feel-good messages conduct keep ever been popular: Jeremiah warned God’s people to repent as well as avoid destruction. The pop “prophets” of Jeremiah’s solar daytime said, “Don’t worry! The LORD says you lot volition conduct keep peace!...No terms volition come upwards your way!” (Jeremiah 23:16-18). These lying prophets made people experience good. But Jeremiah’s words proved true. If nosotros don’t empathise sin as well as hell, we’ll never empathise God's incredible mercy as well as grace. If nosotros need treasures inward our acquaint world, we'll lose treasures inward the next.
Let’s nous to truthful Bible teachers, non feel-good motivational speakers. -------------- Footnotes: (1) Matthew 10:38. See also: What Jesus Said virtually Hell; The True Gospel Makes Us Sad Before It Makes Us Happy; 4 Things that Happen When We Fail to Repent; Make No Mistake; What is Repentance. Also cheque out this archive of 1-minute devotions: Our Need for Repentance (2) Christ's statements virtually wealth: God gives wealth to some Christians for His purposes, but wealth is non a hope from God, as well as it is non a sign of faith. Matthew 6:19-21 says nosotros should shop upwards our treasures inward heaven, non on earth. Matthew 13:22 says wealth is deceptive as well as interferes amongst our organized faith as well as maturity. Luke 12:15 says judging anyone's organized faith past times their possessions is non right. Other passages virtually wealth: James 4:3 says prayers that focus on worldly pleasures won't survive answered. Colossians 3:5 says greed for worldly things is idolatry. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 says contentment is a sign of faith. If nosotros conduct keep nutrient as well as clothing, nosotros should survive content. Loving wealth turns us from God. James 2:5 says organized faith has nothing to create amongst wealth. Poor people oftentimes conduct keep the most faith. See this archive of 1-minute devotions virtually Money & Possessions as well as to a greater extent than Scripture verses virtually the danger of worldly wealth Here.
Bible Love Notes
When asked if she idea homosexuality was a sin, Lauren Daigle, a professing Christian singing creative soul said: "I can’t honestly answer…I accept every bit good many people that I dearest that are homosexual.” (source) Let's reckon her response: I uncertainty nosotros would alter our persuasion of theft if our loved ones were thieves. Why would nosotros alter our persuasion of homosexuality on this basis? God’s commands almost homosexuality are every flake every bit clear every bit His commands almost stealing. Scripture says our homosexual friends volition non inherit the kingdom of God unless they repent (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We can't dearest our friends if nosotros rest soundless almost such a serious consequence. And nosotros cannot dearest God if we're ashamed of His commands (John 14:23). God wants us to dearest the sinner precisely loathe their sin (James 5:20; Galatians 6:1). ------------------ See to a greater extent than Scriptures concerning homosexuality: I Am Not Ashamed of God's Word To reinforce the truths inwards this devotion: God's Kingdom is non a Democracy Do Good Christians Live Sinful Lifestyles?
Bible Love Notes
A professing Christian explained his views almost homosexuality: "I know that Moses idea it was a sin, as well as I know Paul idea it was a sin, merely Jesus didn’t beak on it. And Paul as well as Moses didn’t ever cash inwards one's chips things right inwards their writings, nor was it ever recorded, copied, as well as translated correctly.” Because this excuse is used to deny many teachings of Scripture, it's of import that nosotros know how to respond someone who uses it. 1. Moses, Paul, as well as every other human writer of Scripture were inspired past times the Holy Spirit to write God’s words, non their ain (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:15-16). 2. If a somebody doesn’t trust the Bible’s human authors, they can’t trust Christ’s words either because they were recorded past times human authors. 3. Christ said that later His ascension, the Holy Spirit would instruct us additional truths (John 16:12-15), as well as Scripture is inspired past times the Spirit. 4. Modern translations accurately limited the content of the ancient Hebrew as well as Greek manuscripts of Scripture. See When the Bible is Tested for Accuracy. 5. The Bible’s content on homosexuality is clear as well as straightforward.* See: Unashamed of God's Word False Teachings almost Sodom as well as Gomorrah God's View of Homosexuality ---------------- *Scriptures on homosexuality are establish inwards the books written past times Moses as well as Paul, merely likewise inwards other books of the Bible. And the didactics is ever inwards agreement.
Bible Love Notes
When bad things happen, most of us create produce because it seems similar God doesn't brand sense. But the longer I’m a Christian, the to a greater extent than I realize that God doesn’t brand feel fifty-fifty when skillful things happen. And I’m glad He doesn’t! If God ever made sense: 1. We’d last His equals. If nosotros fully understood God, He'd last finite similar nosotros are. But nosotros serve an interplanetary space God who volition forever last revealing novel as well as wonderful things close Himself. As Ephesians 3:18-19 says, nosotros volition never fully know the extent of His dear for us. 2. We’d last lost. If God made feel to us, He wouldn't bring sacrificed Himself for us sinful, ungrateful human beings (Romans 5:8). But He did! 3. We’d last bored. God is both known as well as unknown (Deuteronomy 29:29), seen as well as unseen (1 Peter 1:8). He gives our lives agreement as well as mystery (1 Timothy 3:16), principles as well as promises (2 Peter 1:3-11), trials as well as joys (1 Peter 1:3-7). These things add together depth, meaning, as well as role to our lives. I’m glad that God doesn’t ever brand sense. How close you?
Bible Love Notes
Does Matthew 23:24 convey whatsoever application to us every bit Christians? “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat simply swallow a camel.” Because the police identified the gnat every bit “unclean,” the Pharisees would strain their drinks to forestall swallowing i yesteryear accident. They didn’t truly consume camels, the largest soiled animal, simply Christ used this phrase to betoken out the means they emphasized small-scale things piece neglecting large ones similar cheating, lying, too self-righteous pride. So how mightiness Christians strain out the gnat simply swallow the camel today? 1. By next roughly of God’s commands piece ignoring others. 2. By focusing on certainly Bible translations or non-essential doctrines, causing divisions. 3. By sharing God’s truth inward harsh ways. 4. By emphasizing grace without obedience or obedience without grace. 5. By calling ourselves Christians simply having no fourth dimension for Bible written report or prayer. 6. By showing to a greater extent than involvement inward what people mean value than what God thinks. Let’s travel careful non to swallow camels, beloved Christians. ------------------------- What Scripture says almost each of the points above:
1. Christ commanded us to learn everything He taught (Matthew 28:18-20), Paul was careful to preach the whole gospel (Acts 20:27), too Jesus said those who love Him volition obey His commands (John 14:21). See: How Much Can a Christian Sin? 2. Scripture warns us non to focus on non-essential disagreements (Romans 14). See: Handling Non-essential Beliefs Humbly too Biblically.
3. Colossians 4:6 tells us to part the "salt" of the gospel amongst grace. See: Seasoned amongst Salt.
4. We're saved yesteryear grace alone, simply our salvation e'er results inward obedience too practiced plant (Ephesians 2:8; James 2:17). See: Faith + Nothing = Salvation + Works.
5. Scripture is to a greater extent than of import than our daily breadstuff (Matthew 4:4) too nosotros should never cease praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17). See: Patio Time amongst God.
6. Paul made it clear that nosotros response to God, non human being (Galatians 1:10). See: 4 Signs We're People-Pleasers.
Bible Love Notes
Sometimes large stories are written betwixt the lines of Scripture. For example, Paul writes 1 Corinthians alongside his Christian blood brother Sosthenes. Who’s Sosthenes? In Acts 18 angry Jewish religious leaders inwards Corinth brought Paul to the governor, hoping to convey Paul punished for preaching the gospel. But a grouping of Greeks were fed upwards alongside the Jewish bigotry, thence they crunch upwards the Jewish leader…a homo named Sosthenes. Scripture doesn’t country us what happened afterwards, only I imagine Paul returned adept for evil (Romans 12:21) yesteryear helping his enemy Sosthenes. And Sosthenes went from Christ-hater to Christ-follower. If this seems likewise adept to locomote true, yell back this: Paul was an outspoken Christian-hater earlier he became an outspoken Apostle of Christ. Journalist Lee Strobel decided to disprove Christianity too ended upwards writing nigh its validity. Every twenty-four lx minutes menses Jesus turns drug addicts, drunks, prostitutes, criminals, self-righteous fools, worldly intellectuals, too ordinary sinners into children of God (1 John 3:1). It's likewise adept to locomote true, only nosotros serve that sort of God! Bible Love Notes
