“What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” Matthew 15:18
It’s like vomit. The sickness was already there. But now it’s all over your clothes.
It’s like vomit. The sickness was already there. But now it’s all over your clothes.
Avoid these traps to stay on the straight and narrow:
• Loving money
• Seeking the approval of people
• Living for temporary pleasures
• Ignoring the authority of the Word
• Loving money
• Seeking the approval of people
• Living for temporary pleasures
• Ignoring the authority of the Word
Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). If your life hasn't changed, your heart probably hasn't either.
A new creature in Christ produces new actions.
A new creature in Christ produces new actions.
It's interesting how Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, which led to the fall of mankind
and now everyone is carrying around a device that has a bitten apple on the back.
and now everyone is carrying around a device that has a bitten apple on the back.
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March 13: Nostalgia: My Old Friend
#Devotional
Numbers 14:1–45; John 19:17–42; Psalm 14:1–15:5
Regret and nostalgia can destroy lives. They are mirrored ideas with the same pitfalls: neither can change the past, and both keep us from living in the present. When we live wishfully rather than interacting with the present, we’re bound to miss out and hurt others. Since other people don’t necessarily share our feelings about the past, they feel less important to us here and now. And indeed, we’re making them less important. We’re concerned instead with how things could have been or used to be.
This is precisely what happens after the Israelites flee Egypt: “Then all the community lifted up their voices, and the people wept during that night. And all the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and all the community said to them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt or in this desert!’ ” (Num 14:1–2).
As usual with regret and nostalgia, these words were said in frustration but born out of fear: “Why did Yahweh bring us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little children will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt” (Num 14:3).
And their fear even takes them to the next level of disobedience against God’s will—they will overthrow Moses’ leadership: “They said to each other, ‘Let us appoint a leader, and we will return to Egypt’ ” (Num 14:4). Nostalgia is dangerous: it causes us to forget the wretchedness of the past and exchange it for fond memories. We begin to focus on the good things and drift away from obedience in the process. Regret, too, is dangerous, as we wish we had never ended the good times but kept on living the life that was never good for us to begin with.
This scene in Numbers illustrates a profound point: collective memory enables regret and nostalgia to create mob rule instead of God rule.
What memories are you holding too dearly? How are they holding you back from the life God has for you now?
#FeelAtJesusFeet
❤Keep sharing @StudyBibleFam ❤️
#Devotional
Numbers 14:1–45; John 19:17–42; Psalm 14:1–15:5
Regret and nostalgia can destroy lives. They are mirrored ideas with the same pitfalls: neither can change the past, and both keep us from living in the present. When we live wishfully rather than interacting with the present, we’re bound to miss out and hurt others. Since other people don’t necessarily share our feelings about the past, they feel less important to us here and now. And indeed, we’re making them less important. We’re concerned instead with how things could have been or used to be.
This is precisely what happens after the Israelites flee Egypt: “Then all the community lifted up their voices, and the people wept during that night. And all the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and all the community said to them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt or in this desert!’ ” (Num 14:1–2).
As usual with regret and nostalgia, these words were said in frustration but born out of fear: “Why did Yahweh bring us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little children will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt” (Num 14:3).
And their fear even takes them to the next level of disobedience against God’s will—they will overthrow Moses’ leadership: “They said to each other, ‘Let us appoint a leader, and we will return to Egypt’ ” (Num 14:4). Nostalgia is dangerous: it causes us to forget the wretchedness of the past and exchange it for fond memories. We begin to focus on the good things and drift away from obedience in the process. Regret, too, is dangerous, as we wish we had never ended the good times but kept on living the life that was never good for us to begin with.
This scene in Numbers illustrates a profound point: collective memory enables regret and nostalgia to create mob rule instead of God rule.
What memories are you holding too dearly? How are they holding you back from the life God has for you now?
#FeelAtJesusFeet
❤Keep sharing @StudyBibleFam ❤️
❤1
March 13 - Characteristics of Peacemakers, Part 1
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’” (Matthew 5:9).
The apostle tells us that “God has called us to peace” (1 Cor. 7:15), that He “reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). The ministry of reconciliation is peacemaking. Those whom God has called to peace He also calls to make peace.
Today and tomorrow we’re going to look at four things that characterize a peacemaker. First, he is one who has made peace with God. Before we came to Christ, God was at war with us. Whatever we may have thought consciously about God, our hearts were against Him. But “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Rom. 5:10). God reconciled us to Himself through the work of Christ on the cross. Our battle with God ended and our peace with Him began. And because we have been given God’s peace, we are called to share God’s peace with others (Eph. 6:15).
Second, a peacemaker leads others to make peace with God. Christians are a body of sinners cleansed by Jesus Christ and commissioned to carry His gospel to the rest of the world. Once freed from the shackles of sin, a Christian doesn’t look down on his fellow sinners; he or she realizes they are beggars who have been fed and are now called to help feed others. Our purpose is to preach “peace through Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36). To lead a sinner to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is the most peacemaking act a believer can perform. That’s your ministry as an ambassador of Christ.
Ask Yourself
Have you ever thought about this before—that you are “called” to the ministry of peacemaking? How does that change your responsibilities as you go through the day? How does it affect the obligation you feel when others continue in stirring up discord and disharmony?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’” (Matthew 5:9).
The apostle tells us that “God has called us to peace” (1 Cor. 7:15), that He “reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). The ministry of reconciliation is peacemaking. Those whom God has called to peace He also calls to make peace.
Today and tomorrow we’re going to look at four things that characterize a peacemaker. First, he is one who has made peace with God. Before we came to Christ, God was at war with us. Whatever we may have thought consciously about God, our hearts were against Him. But “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” (Rom. 5:10). God reconciled us to Himself through the work of Christ on the cross. Our battle with God ended and our peace with Him began. And because we have been given God’s peace, we are called to share God’s peace with others (Eph. 6:15).
Second, a peacemaker leads others to make peace with God. Christians are a body of sinners cleansed by Jesus Christ and commissioned to carry His gospel to the rest of the world. Once freed from the shackles of sin, a Christian doesn’t look down on his fellow sinners; he or she realizes they are beggars who have been fed and are now called to help feed others. Our purpose is to preach “peace through Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36). To lead a sinner to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is the most peacemaking act a believer can perform. That’s your ministry as an ambassador of Christ.
Ask Yourself
Have you ever thought about this before—that you are “called” to the ministry of peacemaking? How does that change your responsibilities as you go through the day? How does it affect the obligation you feel when others continue in stirring up discord and disharmony?
❤3
DAY 13: How does one makes sense of Balaam and his talking donkey?
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-03-13
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-03-13
Telegraph
DAILY BIBLE
Reading for Today: Numbers 23:1–24:25 Psalm 33:18-22 Proverbs 11:27 Mark 13:1-20 Notes: Numbers 23:5 the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth. Even though Balak and Balaam offered sacrifices on pagan altars, it was the Lord who gave Balaam his oracle. Numbers…
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Why do I post about Jesus nonstop?
Because this world needs him desperately.
Because this world needs him desperately.
🥰4❤1💯1
The solution to your problems can be found in the Bible.
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“They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Fly. Run. Walk.
Without effort. Without weariness. Without fainting.
All for waiting. Looking. Trusting. Expecting.
Fly. Run. Walk.
Without effort. Without weariness. Without fainting.
All for waiting. Looking. Trusting. Expecting.
March encouragement:
You don’t need a perfect spouse — you need a perfect Savior working through an imperfect marriage.
His grace is sufficient — even for your weaknesses.
2 Cor 12:9
Where do you most clearly see Christ’s power made perfect in your union right now?
#StrongMarriage #March
You don’t need a perfect spouse — you need a perfect Savior working through an imperfect marriage.
His grace is sufficient — even for your weaknesses.
2 Cor 12:9
Where do you most clearly see Christ’s power made perfect in your union right now?
#StrongMarriage #March
God uses trials in our lives to:
• Reveal the hidden sins in our hearts
• Strengthen our trust in his promises
• Strip away our self-reliance
• Make us more like Jesus
Praise God for his sovereign wisdom over trials.
• Reveal the hidden sins in our hearts
• Strengthen our trust in his promises
• Strip away our self-reliance
• Make us more like Jesus
Praise God for his sovereign wisdom over trials.
❤6
Parents, your main job isn't to raise happy kids. It's to raise children who fear and love the Lord.
If you aren't regularly teaching them the Word, you're falling short of your high and holy calling.
If you aren't regularly teaching them the Word, you're falling short of your high and holy calling.
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Christianity is spreading at a record pace in the Middle East!
❤4🎉1
A church that loses reverence for God will eventually lose clarity about sin.
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March 14: A Psalm of Confidence
#Devotional
Numbers 15:1–41; John 20:1–31; Psalm 16:1–11
“You are my Lord,” the psalmist acknowledges. “I have no good apart from you” (Psa 16:2).
We know that God is everything we need, but somehow the details still get in the way. We want to alleviate our troubles through other means—that vacation, the position that will bring recognition, or the spouse who will complete us. The psalmist says that anyone who places their desire in anything other than God will only increase in sorrow (Psa 16:4).
It seems radical and difficult to live out the psalmist’s simple confession. The ancient practice of idol worship is alive and well in our modern-day culture and in our own hearts. (Just look at the magazine rack or tv shows if you think I’m wrong: what is worshiped there?) We are just like the Israelites—unfaithful and prone to “hurry after another god” (Psa 16:4).
For the psalmist, however, “Yahweh is the portion which is my share and my cup” (Psa 16:5). He is all the psalmist ever needs: “I have set Yahweh before me always. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken” (Psa 16:8). God brings the psalmist hope, and He can do the same for us. We just need to turn to Him.
Today, pray the words of Psalm 16: “You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.” How can we remind ourselves that He is all we will ever need?
#Devotional
Numbers 15:1–41; John 20:1–31; Psalm 16:1–11
“You are my Lord,” the psalmist acknowledges. “I have no good apart from you” (Psa 16:2).
We know that God is everything we need, but somehow the details still get in the way. We want to alleviate our troubles through other means—that vacation, the position that will bring recognition, or the spouse who will complete us. The psalmist says that anyone who places their desire in anything other than God will only increase in sorrow (Psa 16:4).
It seems radical and difficult to live out the psalmist’s simple confession. The ancient practice of idol worship is alive and well in our modern-day culture and in our own hearts. (Just look at the magazine rack or tv shows if you think I’m wrong: what is worshiped there?) We are just like the Israelites—unfaithful and prone to “hurry after another god” (Psa 16:4).
For the psalmist, however, “Yahweh is the portion which is my share and my cup” (Psa 16:5). He is all the psalmist ever needs: “I have set Yahweh before me always. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken” (Psa 16:8). God brings the psalmist hope, and He can do the same for us. We just need to turn to Him.
Today, pray the words of Psalm 16: “You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.” How can we remind ourselves that He is all we will ever need?
❤1
March 14 - Characteristics of Peacemakers, Part 2
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’” (Matthew 5:9).
Continuing from yesterday, let’s look at two more characteristics of peacemakers.
First, a peacemaker helps others make peace with others. Once you see your duty as a peacemaker in the world, you’ll be looking for ways to build bridges between people and God and then to build them between persons.
By definition, a bridge can’t be one-sided. It must extend between two sides or it can never function. And once built, it continues to need support on both sides or it will collapse. In any relationship our first responsibility is to see that our own side has a solid base. But we also have the responsibility to help the one on the other side build his base. Both must be built on righteousness and truth or the bridge will not stand.
Often the first step in the process is to confront others about their sin, which is the supreme barrier to peace (Matt. 18:15–17). Such confrontation usually causes turmoil, yet the way of righteousness is the only way to peace. Sin that is not dealt with is sin that will disrupt and destroy peace.
Finally, a peacemaker finds a point of agreement. God’s truth and righteousness must never be compromised or weakened. But we are to contend without being contentious, to disagree without being disagreeable, and to confront without being abusive. The peacemaker should speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
When you hunger and thirst for holiness in your own life, you’ll have a passionate desire to see those virtues in the lives of others. That’s a true peacemaker.
Ask Yourself
If the desire for peacemaking is missing from your heart, it points to a deeper problem—that your love for others is not what it should be. Would you say this might be true of you? What are the usual symptoms of a heart that’s grown at least somewhat cold toward others?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’” (Matthew 5:9).
Continuing from yesterday, let’s look at two more characteristics of peacemakers.
First, a peacemaker helps others make peace with others. Once you see your duty as a peacemaker in the world, you’ll be looking for ways to build bridges between people and God and then to build them between persons.
By definition, a bridge can’t be one-sided. It must extend between two sides or it can never function. And once built, it continues to need support on both sides or it will collapse. In any relationship our first responsibility is to see that our own side has a solid base. But we also have the responsibility to help the one on the other side build his base. Both must be built on righteousness and truth or the bridge will not stand.
Often the first step in the process is to confront others about their sin, which is the supreme barrier to peace (Matt. 18:15–17). Such confrontation usually causes turmoil, yet the way of righteousness is the only way to peace. Sin that is not dealt with is sin that will disrupt and destroy peace.
Finally, a peacemaker finds a point of agreement. God’s truth and righteousness must never be compromised or weakened. But we are to contend without being contentious, to disagree without being disagreeable, and to confront without being abusive. The peacemaker should speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
When you hunger and thirst for holiness in your own life, you’ll have a passionate desire to see those virtues in the lives of others. That’s a true peacemaker.
Ask Yourself
If the desire for peacemaking is missing from your heart, it points to a deeper problem—that your love for others is not what it should be. Would you say this might be true of you? What are the usual symptoms of a heart that’s grown at least somewhat cold toward others?