Are You Lot Amid The Wise Men?

Scripture never tells us how many wise men visited Jesus.(1)

But it does nation they visited a identify (Matthew 2:11), non a stable. 

Perhaps Jesus was a toddler when they came since Herod killed boys 2 years together with younger based on the fourth dimension the wise men get-go saw the star (Matthew 2:16). 

Our traditional nativities together with plays aren't quite accurate, but I don't intend it's a large deal.

However, to a greater extent than or less pop traditions together with teachings incorporate inaccurate details that are a large deal. They tin give notice drive huge problems inwards our walk amongst the Lord. 

2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Be diligent to introduce yourself approved to God every bit a workman who does non postulate to move ashamed, accurately treatment the give-and-take of truth."

As nosotros celebrate the Word becoming flesh, let's commit to becoming "wise men" who written report the Bible carefully together with base of operations our lives on the accurate principles of God's written Living Word.
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(1)The argue nearly people assume at that spot were iii wise men is because at that spot were iii gifts mentioned.

Do a Bite Size Bible written report on this devotion HERE.
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Bible Love Notes

I Blew It

Recently, the Lord reminded me of a province of affairs that happened years ago. 

For the starting fourth dimension time, I realized I'd handled it amongst a critical, legalistic spirit. 

This province of affairs happened when nosotros lived inwards unopen to other state, together with the human being involved was alone an acquaintance. But I hunted downward his contact information together with emailed to inquire his forgiveness. 

A few days after I heard back. He admitted he'd been hurt, forgave me together with said he appreciated my apology.

I was distressing it took me years to acquire to the house where I understood my sin inwards this situation. But I was also encouraged that I wasn't the same soul I used to be.

As nosotros "work out our salvation amongst fright together with trembling," God "works inwards us to volition together with to human activity inwards gild to fulfill his adept purpose" (Philippians 2:12-13).

I'm grateful that we're plant inwards progress--God isn't finished amongst us yet! (Philippians 3:10-17)

Why non produce a short, nutritious Bible written report on this devotion together with honor the iv things I learned nigh Christian increase from this situation. Just click HERE.

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No Fear? Does Dearest Shape Out Fear?

There are 2 kinds of fear. 

Bad fright is based on simulated values as well as unnecessary worries.

Good fright is based on a reasonable agreement of danger, power, circumstances as well as consequences.

It's salubrious fright when a adult woman chooses a well-lit street instead of the back-alley agency home. It's salubrious fright when a human drives to a greater extent than carefully on icy roads. 

There's besides salubrious as well as unhealthy fright inwards our human relationship amongst God.

Perfect dearest casts out bad fright (1 John 4:18) because nosotros know that Jesus volition never forsake us, leave of absence us, or impairment us. 

But perfect dearest instills a salubrious fright of the Lord inwards us - a fright that is the starting fourth dimension of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 147:11).

Sometimes people define this equally reverence exactly it's to a greater extent than than that.

It's a combination of love, awe, as well as dependence built on an accurate noesis of God's power. 

It's knowing nosotros are exactly modest boats on the powerful sea of His loving will.

Would yous similar to produce a brusk Bible report on this devotion? Check out today's Bite Size Study HERE.
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Why non add together around 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 electronic mail each weekday. Sign upward for a gratis subscription to Bible Love Notes as well as larn out a gratis e-booklet. Find out to a greater extent than HERE.

No Fear? Does Dearest Shape Out Fear?

There are 2 kinds of fear. 

Bad fright is based on simulated values as well as unnecessary worries.

Good fright is based on a reasonable agreement of danger, power, circumstances as well as consequences.

It's salubrious fright when a adult woman chooses a well-lit street instead of the back-alley agency home. It's salubrious fright when a human drives to a greater extent than carefully on icy roads. 

There's besides salubrious as well as unhealthy fright inwards our human relationship amongst God.

Perfect dearest casts out bad fright (1 John 4:18) because nosotros know that Jesus volition never forsake us, leave of absence us, or impairment us. 

But perfect dearest instills a salubrious fright of the Lord inwards us - a fright that is the starting fourth dimension of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 147:11).

Sometimes people define this equally reverence exactly it's to a greater extent than than that.

It's a combination of love, awe, as well as dependence built on an accurate noesis of God's power. 

It's knowing nosotros are exactly modest boats on the powerful sea of His loving will.

Would yous similar to produce a brusk Bible report on this devotion? Check out today's Bite Size Study HERE.
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Why non add together around 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 electronic mail each weekday. Sign upward for a gratis subscription to Bible Love Notes as well as larn out a gratis e-booklet. Find out to a greater extent than HERE.

No Fear, No Faith

I wonder if modern Christians, myself included, genuinely empathize what it way to bring a godly fear of the Lord.

While generations by may bring focused likewise strongly on the wrath of God, I fear that nosotros modern Christians bring ignored it.

We've created a god inward our ain icon who is likewise soft as well as permissive to fear.

Those who turn down Jesus bring every argue to fear God inward the way criminals fear honest policemen as well as godly judges (Romans 1:18; Hebrews 10:31).

As Christians nosotros no longer involve to fear God's wrath (1 John 4:18), but nosotros haven't forgotten that wrath is a rattling existent facial expression of His character. And nosotros aren't ashamed to acknowledge it (Jeremiah 9:23-25).

Holy fear inspires reverence, love, assurance, comfort, contentment, as well as peace.

But it also inspires obedience, commitment, as well as a deep abide by for every facial expression of God's graphic symbol - including His holy wrath.

Godly fear teaches us we're inward no position to gauge God's actions, debate amongst His Word, or ignore His commands because He is perfectly, fearfully wise as well as just. 

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See below roughly of the passages of Scripture that telephone vociferation upward us to this holy fear:
Psalm 25:12; Psalm 31:19; Psalm 33:18; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 34:9; Psalm 85:9; Psalm 103:11; Psalm 112:1; Psalm 115:11; Psalm 115:13; Psalm 128:1; Psalm 145:19; Psalm 147:11; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 14:26-27; Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 19:23; Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 28:14; Ecclesiastes 7:18; Ecclesiastes 8:12-13; Isaiah 33:6; Malachi 3:16-17; Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:50; Revelation 11:18. 

Don't immature adult woman this chance to written report this dependent area to a greater extent than inward today's Bite Size Bible Study where every Scripture is inward amount text as well as additional insights are given.

Is It A Sin?

If something is condemned inward the Bible, it’s wrong. But Scripture doesn't specifically cite every shape of murder, pride, lust, etc.

So hither are vii ways to estimate direct non specifically mentioned inward Scripture:

1. Does it violate a biblical principle?
If it violates whatsoever regulation inward Scripture, it's incorrect fifty-fifty if it's non specifically mentioned. For example, abortion (See What Scripture Says About Abortion).

2. Does this action quest lack of self-control? Is it addictive or controlling?
Most ungodly direct involves lack of self-control as well as tin Pb to addictions or obsessions.
Galatians 5:22-23
1 Corinthians 6:12 
2 Peter 2:19 

3. Does the action produce physical terms to body, soul, or spirit?
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

4. Does the action terms others?
Matthew 7:12
Romans 13:10

5. Is in that place whatsoever positive produce goodness inward the activity?
1 Corinthians 10:31
1 Corinthians 10:23

6. Is it interfering amongst our walk amongst the Lord?
Romans 12:1-2
1 Corinthians 15:33

7. Is it legal?(1)
Romans 13:1
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(1)Please note: God does non approve of everything that is legal. Nor should nosotros obey laws that campaign us to disobey God's laws. For to a greater extent than on this:God Wins all Wrestling Matches.

I encourage you lot to banking concern tally out today's Bite Size Study for full-text Scriptures likewise every bit additional questions, insights, as well as resources.

Bible Love Notes

Does God Modify His Mind: Genesis 6

In Genesis 6, everyone on globe became together with thence evil that “everything they idea or imagined was consistently together with totally evil” (verse 5). 

Wow!

“So the LORD was deplorable he had always made them together with position them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the LORD said, 'I volition wipe this human race I accept created from the facial expression upward of the earth.'” (verses 6-7)

Did God alter His mind?

No.  

This passage merely expresses God’s corking sorrow. Scripture speaks to us inward ways that nosotros tin post away sympathise amongst our limited, earthly perspective.(1) 

God knew the events of Genesis half dozen when it was yet Genesis 1.

He carried out His invention to destroy the wicked, cleansing the globe of evil. But He started fresh amongst the godly Noah.

This historic consequence teaches us that God is incredibly patient, but He has limits (Romans 2:4-5).

What else does it learn us (Bite Size Bible Study offers unopen to additional thoughts.
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This is business office of the serial "Does God Change His Mind?"
To read others inward the series:
Does God Change His Mind: Nineveh
Does God Change His Mind: Hezekiah
Does God Change His Mind: Polygamy

(1) Scripture uses figurative language.  

Bible Love Notes

10 Facts Close Imitation Teachers

Scripture gives us some of import information virtually fake teachers. To report these inward depth, encounter today's Bite Size Bible Study.

1. False teachers are skilled at presenting themselves inward a positive low-cal (Matthew 7:15).  

2. They bring a “form of godliness,” using Scripture in addition to including some truth amongst their fault (2 Timothy 3:1-5).(1)

3. They're ofttimes powerful individuals, in addition to Satan is commonly behind their popularity (Matthew 24:24).(2)

4. They crusade divisions, peculiarly amongst Christians who recognize their errors (Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:6-10).(3) 

5. They bring followers (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:11).
We should never assume that a teacher's popularity is a sign of anointing from God.

6. They “secretly introduce” their fake beliefs, hiding their errors amongst convincing explanations (2 Peter 2:1).(4)

7. Some volition fifty-fifty claim to move the Messiah (Matthew 24:5).(5)

8. False prophets are forerunners to the Antichrist, drawing people away from the truth (1 John 2:18). 

9. They redefine Christ (2 John 1:6-11; 2 Corinthians 11:4).

10. They seldom bring biblical lifestyles (2 John 1:6-11; Matthew 7:15-20).(6) 

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(1)  See Satan's Twists in addition to Turns,  5 Ways Satan Speaks, in addition to 3 of Satan's Half-Truth Tactics.
(2)  See The Difference Between God in addition to Satan and  Understanding Why Satan Has Power.
(3)  See Don't Believe Anything that Contradicts Scripture.
(4)  See Deceptive Evangelism.
(5) The Church of Almighty God is a modern example.
(6) See Extravagant Love in addition to The Lifestyle of a False Teacher.

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Archive of 1-minute devotions virtually fake teachers in addition to fake teachings: 

Right is Right

3 Requirements for Discernment

3 Characteristics of False Teachers

How False Teachers Help Us

Are You Defending False Teaching?

The Right Way to Check out Christian Teachers

7 Claims of False Teachers

Jesus Calling: Are Sarah Young's Claims Biblical

The Power in addition to Limit of Words

Mormonism

Know-it-all Followers

Checking the Source

Examining "The Shack"

The Popular Teachings of Joel Osteen: Beware 

Bible Love Notes

Are Y'all Enjoying Pop Pornography?

Our civilization is ever coming upward with novel forms of evil to pull people away from God as well as His values.

In the final decade, we've seen books, idiot box shows, as well as movies glorify things that God condemns (e.g. Shades of Grey, Game of Thrones). 

Graphic depictions of sexual activity as well as excessive violence bring top incredibly pop with our fallen world.

But I'm deeply concerned that these types of pornography (yes, pornography) besides bring a next alongside to a greater extent than or less professing Christians.

1. We'd live on amend off gouging out our eyes than participating inwards the lust these shows inspire (Psalm 101:3; Matthew 5:28-29)!

2. Things nosotros read, hear, as well as sentinel touching on our hearts as well as minds (Does Media Violence Lead to the Real Thing?).   

3. Some forms of amusement are genuinely idolatry (1 Corinthians 6:17-18).

4. We should live on ashamed to sentinel anything that emphasizes as well as glorifies evil (Ephesians 5:1-17).


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I encourage you lot to produce a brusk Bible written report on this devotion. Today's Bite Size Study has additional insights as well as full-text Scriptures for your careful study.

Even if you lot haven't watched Game of Thrones or Shades of Grey, the principles inwards the next articles apply to other shows, movies, as well as books: I Don't Understand Christians Watching the Game of Thrones as well as 12 Questions to Ask Before you lot Watch the Game of Thrones.

Image: Creative Commons

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Bible Love Notes