Tag Archives: Christianity

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Remaining Confident

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A shaken life of a confident person.

David spent much of his life running and hiding. As a young man, David had to hide from Saul. Saul was jealous of David’s popularity, so he wanted to kill David. As an older gentleman, David had to run from a rebellion started by his own son. David’s Scriptural biography is filled with turmoil and heartbreak.

On one occasion, David writes in the Psalms, everything is shaken. Nothing is stable. He writes in Psalm 11:3, “The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

Perhaps you can relate to this feeling.

Everything is up in the air. Life is shaken. Your life has endured an earthquake leaving everything trembling in its path.

The career you worked hard to establish has vanished. The good health you once enjoyed is fading. Your journey is not what it once was.

David’s wasn’t either, and his Scriptural biography is filled with confidence in the Lord.

Amid everything, David had great confidence in the Lord.

It may have seemed like everything was falling apart, but David remained confident in the Lord.

He continues in Psalm 11, “But the Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord still rules from Heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.”

In Psalm 12, David writes, “The Lord replies, ‘I have seen violence done to the helpless and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them as they have longed for me to do.’ The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed….”

Can we remain confident in the Lord?

As it seems everything is falling apart around us, we too can remain confident in the Lord’s promises. The promises are as pure for us as they were for David.

 

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Enabling Grace

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David was reminded of God’s grace.

David was in a season of turmoil. His family was a mess; there were many reasons for the messiness, and one of David’s advisors wanted to help him clean it up. He drafted a woman to tell David a parable.

The parable consisted of a widow with two sons. One son murdered the other, and the community shouted for the murderer’s head. If he was convicted, the widow would have no hope of continuing her family line. She pleads for mercy from the king.

David compassionately says she should receive mercy. Then, the woman applies the parable to David’s situation.

She points out David has a banished son needing reconciliation, and reminds David God himself makes plans to enable a banished person to be reconciled to the Lord. 2 Samuel 14:14 says, “All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again, but God does not just sweep life away. Instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.”

Mistakes; they have been made. Regrets exist. The list of things we would not do or redo can be extensive, but God knows how to handle all of it.

God has devised a plan to restore us to the family.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only son, so everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his son into the world, not to judge the world but to save the world through him,” Jesus explains in John 3:16-17.

Jesus also says in John 10:10, “The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Jesus is the plan which enables man and God to reconcile.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

A Promise to Us

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The 3-fold promise of God.

Walking through uncertainty is a part of life. We can try to avoid it, but eventually we will have no choice. We will have to walk through uncertain territory.

The uncertainty we experience may be caused by events outside our control or decisions we have made. Either way, the Lord will stick with us.

Psalm 32:8 states, “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Here we find a 3-fold promise from the Lord.

Instruct his children.

The Lord promises to guide us on the best pathway for our lives. This means…

  • God will direct us in the way we should go.
  • He is willing to help us stay on the straight path that leads to fellowship with him.
  • Through his word, God gives us accurate counsel.
  • He leads us with gentleness and trustworthiness. This makes us feel safe.

Give us wisdom.

Through his word, the Lord will guide us. He will help us make the best possible decision. James encourages us to request wisdom and says the Lord will generously give wisdom to us.

Watch over us.

The Bible says the Lord will watch over our coming and going, both now and forever more. Psalm 121 says the Lord will not allow our foot to slip. He will watch over us as we take life’s journey.

Life is filled with uncertainty. Recent days have magnified this truth; however, the Lord’s promise is still the same. He guides us, though it may not always make sense.

Life may not always make sense, but we can rest assured God knows the plan. Psalm 32 goes on to say unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

3 Be’s of Cultivating True Friendship

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Social distancing does not have to be a barrier to true friendship.

Proverbs 18:24 states many unreliable friends will bring a man to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

True friendship, especially with Jesus, is an invaluable possession worth seeking. It is a priceless treasure worth offering. You and I have the challenge of being that true friend. We ought to be the type of friend to others Jesus is to us. Cultivating this type of friendship is neither quick nor easy.

In an era of social distancing, developing true friendships may seem impossible, yet the season is right for growth. Placing six feet of physical distance between ourselves does not require distancing our hearts. We can meet digitally, give someone a call, or have a social distanced gathering. Fostering true friendship may be more difficult and look differently than before, but it is a fruitful time for development.

Here are some keys to keep in mind as you meet the challenge of true friendship.

Be Intentional

Be intentional while interacting with others. Our interactions may be via digital platforms like Zoom and Skype, but we can still be intentional in building relationships. No matter the platform, we can place others interests ahead of our own. We can express genuine interest in their lives. We can help others meet needs they may have. Being intentional is essential to starting a true friendship.

Be Bold

Be bold in meeting new people. For some of us, this is the hardest part of building a friendship. We are introverted, so stepping out of our comfort zone is unnerving. Experiencing the rare treasure of true friendship is worth mustering the boldness necessary to step out of our comfort zone.

Be Open

Be open to new relationships. We should be open to new relationships, and not dismiss someone based on his or her interests or age. Most of us have a wide array of interests, so we can find commonality in some way. Intergenerational relationships can produce rich friendships. Older generations have a wealth of life experience and wisdom to offer, and younger generations have much technical expertise and a fresh viewpoint worth noting. We should keep an open mind when approaching someone new.

Finding true friendship is certainly challenging. The outcome is worth the work. We will gain the priceless experience of sharing life with a true friend. We will have someone to help carry our burdens, celebrate our victories, and encourage us through rough times. We will have a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

 

 

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Friendship is a Rare Treasure

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A friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Many friends come and go. We have a temporary friendship which produces nice memories, but the relationship eventually fades. It does not stand the test of time. Distance between people, disputes, and other changes in life cause friends to drift apart.

Solomon states these types of relationships are unreliable; however, there is a friend who will stick with us through thick and thin.

A true friend is a rare treasure. It is someone with whom you can be transparent; there is no need to hide your feelings in fear of judgment. It is someone who celebrates your victories and mourns your losses with you. It is a person who answers the call at midnight when you are in need. A true friend is worth much.

Jesus offers this rare and true friendship to all.

Scripture helps us understand the type of friendship we have with Jesus.

He always remains open to us.

Any time day or night we can ask Jesus for help. The Bible tells us Jesus understands our needs, and the writer of Hebrews encourages us to ask for help. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” says Hebrews 4:16.

Jesus is a friend who will never leave us.

He will walk with us through life. In John 14:18, Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.” Jesus is not the friend who runs away when life gets hard. He sticks around.

Jesus is the friend who went to the cross for us.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” Jesus remarks in John 15:13. He laid down his life for us. He sacrificed for us. Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother.

A CHALLENGE

True friendship, especially with Jesus, is an invaluable possession worth seeking. It is a priceless treasure worth offering. You and I have the challenge of being that true friend. We ought to be the type of friend to others Jesus is to us. How well do we do?

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Give Mama a Call

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She is tender and strong.

Tender and strong describes a mother. Her tenderness and support encourage us. Her strength helps us get through rough times.

I Called Mama by Tim McGraw reminds us how awesome mothers are.

Our mothers provide hugs when we need them. They help us carry heavy loads and know what to say when we need comfort.

McGraw remembers seeing his single mom trying to figure out how to pay bills late at night. Her recipe helped him win over his wife. He remembers how loving and strong she was.

Moms are a precious pearl of creation and deserving of our honor.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Thanks Mama!

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The hand that rocks the cradle moves the world.

Somebody said that a child is carried in his or her mother’s womb for nine months. Somebody does not know that a child is carried in his or her mother’s heart for a lifetime.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you have had a baby. Somebody does not know that once you are a mother, normal is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct. Somebody never took a 3-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring. Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a learner’s permit.

Somebody said good mothers never raise their voices. Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her son hit a golf ball through the neighbor’s window.

Somebody said you do not need an education to be a mother. Somebody never helped her daughter with distance learning.

Somebody said you cannot love all your kids the same. Somebody does not have kids.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers in books. Somebody has never had a child stuff beans up his nose.

Somebody said the hardest part of motherhood is giving birth. Somebody never watched her child get on the bus for the first day of Kindergarten.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married. Somebody does not know marriage only adds a child to the mother’s family.

Somebody said a mother’s job is finished when her last child leaves home. Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said you never need to tell your mother you love her. Somebody is not a mother.

To mothers everywhere, we say thank you!

For the sleepless nights, thank you.

For the stressful days, thank you.

For everything you do day after day, thank you.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

A Mother’s Influence

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A lasting influence.

Mrs. Jones relaxed each evening by reading her Bible. After seeing this practice for several months, her 4-year-old daughter asked, “Are you ever going to finish that book?”

A mother’s influence is powerful. Her children are observing and absorbing everything she does. The life she is molding is greatly influenced by her.

Timothy is an illustration of someone who was influenced by his grandmother and mother. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:5, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

A Godly mother and grandmother were an influential part of Timothy’s life. They provided Timothy with wisdom, love, and grace. Their influence helped him find his way in life.

Theodore Roosevelt once remarked, “Praying mothers are one of America’s greatest assets.” Mothers, thank you for your influence and impact on our lives.

 

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

A Mother’s Love

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“All that I am my mother made me,” remarked John Quincy Adams.

An angel was sent down from Heaven with the assignment to bring back earth’s 3 most beautiful gifts. The angel picked a rose as one. The second was a baby’s smile. The angel was searching for the third, and he was so impressed by a mother’s sacrificial love for her son, he chose it as number three.

When the angel returned to Heaven, he discovered the rose had withered, the baby’s smile went away, but the mother’s love was still there.

There is nothing more beautiful than a mother’s love. The sacrifice, the enduring love which never fades is beautiful. As the old song says, “Thank God for mothers.”

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Faithful in Prayer

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Never stop praying.

Two ladies were discussing their lives as they were at the laundry mat. They were both married, and they had much in common.

While they were waiting on clothes to wash, they were both mending a pair of their husbands’ pants. “Things at home are stressful. My husband is grouchy and always a ball of stress,” the first lady said as she mended the butt of her husband’s pants.

As she mended the knees of her husband’s pants, the second lady said, “My guy is usually in a good mood. Things are going really well.”

It has been said the biggest fear of the devil is our prayers. He fears nothing from prayerless efforts, and trembles at prayer. The Bible encourages Christians to never stop praying.

“Be joyful in hope. Patient in affliction.” Romans 12:12 encourages, “Faithful in prayer.”

Faithful in prayer.

Jesus illustrated the power of prayer. He spends a great deal of time praying. The disciples admired his prayer life and hoped they could model it. Jesus prayed about everything.

How do we do? Jesus encourages us to pray and never give up. Remember, the Lord does hear our prayers, and praying is just a conversation with him. Spend some time talking with him today.

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