May 9: Success Deceives
#Devotional
Judges 15:1–17:13; Philippians 4:2–9; Psalm 69:18–70:5
When leaders come to power, there are always people who become insistent on stopping them. It’s incredible how easy it is for people to justify envy or hatred for authority figures. Most of us have made the offhand remark,
“I hate that guy.”
And in those words, even when they’re meant in jest, we reveal the motives of the human heart. But this doesn’t represent who we’re meant to be—people who live for others.
Samson, an Israelite judge, endured that fate. A young warrior, he had enemies who wanted him dead and would do nearly anything to bring him down—spiritually or physically. The Philistines who opposed him went so far as to burn his wife and her father alive (Judg 15:6). Samson brought these trials on himself by disobeying God and marrying a foreign wife who would ultimately lead him to worship foreign gods. Even so, the acts of violence against him were not just his own doing.
The Philistines, like many people today, didn’t like to see an enemy succeed. They were envious and frustrated, and they weren’t used to being second to anyone.
There are lessons here for all of us no matter where we’re at in life. If we succeed, we should be thrilled when others do the same. We should try to help them succeed in the work God has called them to, designated specifically for them. If you have yet to come into that realm of success, you should be excited when others do, for the same reasons. Whatever your position in life, set aside the obstacles of envy or hatred. Set your sight on the work God has called you to and encourage those around you who are working toward theirs.
How can you help others succeed in God’s work? How can you set your sight on your own work without becoming envious?
#Devotional
Judges 15:1–17:13; Philippians 4:2–9; Psalm 69:18–70:5
When leaders come to power, there are always people who become insistent on stopping them. It’s incredible how easy it is for people to justify envy or hatred for authority figures. Most of us have made the offhand remark,
“I hate that guy.”
And in those words, even when they’re meant in jest, we reveal the motives of the human heart. But this doesn’t represent who we’re meant to be—people who live for others.
Samson, an Israelite judge, endured that fate. A young warrior, he had enemies who wanted him dead and would do nearly anything to bring him down—spiritually or physically. The Philistines who opposed him went so far as to burn his wife and her father alive (Judg 15:6). Samson brought these trials on himself by disobeying God and marrying a foreign wife who would ultimately lead him to worship foreign gods. Even so, the acts of violence against him were not just his own doing.
The Philistines, like many people today, didn’t like to see an enemy succeed. They were envious and frustrated, and they weren’t used to being second to anyone.
There are lessons here for all of us no matter where we’re at in life. If we succeed, we should be thrilled when others do the same. We should try to help them succeed in the work God has called them to, designated specifically for them. If you have yet to come into that realm of success, you should be excited when others do, for the same reasons. Whatever your position in life, set aside the obstacles of envy or hatred. Set your sight on the work God has called you to and encourage those around you who are working toward theirs.
How can you help others succeed in God’s work? How can you set your sight on your own work without becoming envious?
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May 9 - True Giving Should Anticipate Rewards
#LifeOfChrist
“‘When you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you’” (Matthew 6:3–4).
When you give as Jesus directs—lovingly, unpretentiously, and with no concern for public recognition—“your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” In other words, if you remember, God forgets; and if you forget, God still remembers. You should simply try to meet every need you can and leave the bookkeeping to Him. This kind of giving is just a matter of realizing that
“we have done only that which we ought to have done” (Luke 17:10).
There is nothing wrong with humbly anticipating our reward for true and honest giving. God knows our hearts, attitudes, and motives, and He will not fail to reward us appropriately. After all, our sovereign Lord knows exactly what everyone is doing (Heb. 4:13).
In giving and every other realm of good works, Jesus Christ is our perfect role model (cf. Eph. 2:10). He preached and taught before crowds large and small, and He did miracles of healing, compassion, and power over nature for many to see and benefit from. But He always focused the final attention on His heavenly Father and did not seek His own glory but the Father’s (John 8:49–50).
Our motive in hoping for any rewards ought to be the anticipation of placing them as offerings at the Lord’s feet, like the twenty-four elders who
“will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power’” (Rev. 4:10–11).
Ask Yourself
Like with any sinful tendency you wish to conquer, the secret is daily obedience, even in the smallest ways, not wanting to give the enemy the slightest opening for victory. In what ways could the day ahead likely give you an opportunity to practice this—to seek God’s reward alone?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘When you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you’” (Matthew 6:3–4).
When you give as Jesus directs—lovingly, unpretentiously, and with no concern for public recognition—“your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” In other words, if you remember, God forgets; and if you forget, God still remembers. You should simply try to meet every need you can and leave the bookkeeping to Him. This kind of giving is just a matter of realizing that
“we have done only that which we ought to have done” (Luke 17:10).
There is nothing wrong with humbly anticipating our reward for true and honest giving. God knows our hearts, attitudes, and motives, and He will not fail to reward us appropriately. After all, our sovereign Lord knows exactly what everyone is doing (Heb. 4:13).
In giving and every other realm of good works, Jesus Christ is our perfect role model (cf. Eph. 2:10). He preached and taught before crowds large and small, and He did miracles of healing, compassion, and power over nature for many to see and benefit from. But He always focused the final attention on His heavenly Father and did not seek His own glory but the Father’s (John 8:49–50).
Our motive in hoping for any rewards ought to be the anticipation of placing them as offerings at the Lord’s feet, like the twenty-four elders who
“will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power’” (Rev. 4:10–11).
Ask Yourself
Like with any sinful tendency you wish to conquer, the secret is daily obedience, even in the smallest ways, not wanting to give the enemy the slightest opening for victory. In what ways could the day ahead likely give you an opportunity to practice this—to seek God’s reward alone?
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Most people think they're good enough to get into Heaven. And this is precisely why most people are going to Hell.
The truth is that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). We only have hope because of what Jesus did for us.
The truth is that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). We only have hope because of what Jesus did for us.
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The world says:
Affirm sexual immorality
Celebrate sexual immorality
Excuse sexual immorality
Justify sexual immorality
Defend sexual immorality
Overlook sexual immorality
Normalize sexual immorality
The Bible says:
“FLEE sexual immorality!”
-1 Corinthians 6:18
Trust the Bible!
Affirm sexual immorality
Celebrate sexual immorality
Excuse sexual immorality
Justify sexual immorality
Defend sexual immorality
Overlook sexual immorality
Normalize sexual immorality
The Bible says:
“FLEE sexual immorality!”
-1 Corinthians 6:18
Trust the Bible!
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Jesus doesn't promise us a life of ease or a big bank account. He promises that he will be with us until the very end, and that is exceedingly better.
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When the world can’t win the TRUTH argument (because they can’t)….
Their next move is to:
However, all of those attempts are a waste of time, because TRUTH can’t be stopped. It always wins.
Here we go:
https://t.me/StudyBibleFam
Their next move is to:
- suppress TRUTH
- vilify TRUTH
- make TRUTH illegal
- persecute TRUTH
However, all of those attempts are a waste of time, because TRUTH can’t be stopped. It always wins.
Here we go:
https://t.me/StudyBibleFam
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May declaration: We will not let busyness choke our love! 🌱🚫 Protect time together, protect prayer, protect laughter — guard your garden fiercely! Song 2:15 ❤️ What are you protecting most this month? #StrongMarriage #May
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You are more than...
- a cosmic accident
- a clump of cells
- a descendant of apes
you are made in the image and likeness of the one true God, who intentionally created you.
- a cosmic accident
- a clump of cells
- a descendant of apes
you are made in the image and likeness of the one true God, who intentionally created you.
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Youth Pastors and College Pastors are not hirelings, or glorified babysitters. They are God-called ministers of the Gospel.
Treat them as such.
Treat them as such.
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“If God is so good, then why does He allow bad people to exist?”
Because, if He didn’t, the world would be extinct. Every one of us were born a sinner in need of a Savior.
Because, if He didn’t, the world would be extinct. Every one of us were born a sinner in need of a Savior.
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May 10: Old, Wise, and Desperately in Need of God
#Devotional
Judges 18:1–19:30; Philippians 4:10–20; Psalm 71:1–24
Sometimes we expect that we’ll naturally grow in faith as we grow older. We tend to see elderly people as those who have been molded and shaped by life—rock-solid in their faith and untapped sources of wisdom. That, or we speed around them in the grocery aisle, blissfully disengaged with the reality that our bodies, too, will slow down and endure pain.
While the psalmist seems to express a shadow of both these perspectives in Psa 71, neither of them is complete. Adopting the point of view of an elderly person, he reflects on his life. His prayer to God shows us that maturing in faith isn’t automatic.
The elderly man is respected by others, but he doesn’t trust in the honor that some ascribe to him. He knows that Yahweh is the source of his strength, and he praises Him continually:
“I have become a wonder to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, with your glory all the day” (Psa 71:7).
Perhaps forsaken or looked down on by others, he makes a request for God’s presence: “Do not cast me away in the time of old age” and “even when I am old and gray, O God, do not abandon me” (Psa 71:9, 19). He continues to request God’s nearness:
“O God, do not be far from me. My God, hurry to help me” (Psa 71:12).
Perhaps most poignant is the intensity of the psalmist’s trust in God. Even in his old age, though he has “leaned from birth” upon God, he can’t place his trust in his past years of faithfulness (Psa 71:6). His
“praise is of [God] continually” (Psa 71:6).
He also feels a responsibility to pass on the testimony of God’s works:
“I will come in to tell the mighty deeds of Lord Yahweh. I will make known your righteousness, yours only” (Psa 71:16).
Maturity in faith isn’t awarded like a badge after we have put in our time. It’s not an achievement. The elderly man’s prayer acts as a testimony of God’s faithfulness—past and present. Maturity of faith is something you continue to “be” and “do” and “seek.”
How do you treat the elderly people in your life? What can you learn about God from them?
#Devotional
Judges 18:1–19:30; Philippians 4:10–20; Psalm 71:1–24
Sometimes we expect that we’ll naturally grow in faith as we grow older. We tend to see elderly people as those who have been molded and shaped by life—rock-solid in their faith and untapped sources of wisdom. That, or we speed around them in the grocery aisle, blissfully disengaged with the reality that our bodies, too, will slow down and endure pain.
While the psalmist seems to express a shadow of both these perspectives in Psa 71, neither of them is complete. Adopting the point of view of an elderly person, he reflects on his life. His prayer to God shows us that maturing in faith isn’t automatic.
The elderly man is respected by others, but he doesn’t trust in the honor that some ascribe to him. He knows that Yahweh is the source of his strength, and he praises Him continually:
“I have become a wonder to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, with your glory all the day” (Psa 71:7).
Perhaps forsaken or looked down on by others, he makes a request for God’s presence: “Do not cast me away in the time of old age” and “even when I am old and gray, O God, do not abandon me” (Psa 71:9, 19). He continues to request God’s nearness:
“O God, do not be far from me. My God, hurry to help me” (Psa 71:12).
Perhaps most poignant is the intensity of the psalmist’s trust in God. Even in his old age, though he has “leaned from birth” upon God, he can’t place his trust in his past years of faithfulness (Psa 71:6). His
“praise is of [God] continually” (Psa 71:6).
He also feels a responsibility to pass on the testimony of God’s works:
“I will come in to tell the mighty deeds of Lord Yahweh. I will make known your righteousness, yours only” (Psa 71:16).
Maturity in faith isn’t awarded like a badge after we have put in our time. It’s not an achievement. The elderly man’s prayer acts as a testimony of God’s faithfulness—past and present. Maturity of faith is something you continue to “be” and “do” and “seek.”
How do you treat the elderly people in your life? What can you learn about God from them?
May 10 - Wrong Reason for Prayer
#LifeOfChrist
“‘When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full’” (Matthew 6:5).
Over the centuries, various questionable practices and attitudes have affected the prayer life of God’s people—ritualization, prescription prayers, limitations of time and place, the love of long prayers, and meaningless repetitions. But the worst fault was when God’s people prayed mainly to be noticed by others, especially by fellow Jews. This fault was inherently sinful because it originated from and helped intensify pride. Such an evil, self-glorifying motive was and is the ultimate perversion of God’s gift of prayer, which is intended to glorify Him (cf. John 14:13) and express our dependence on His grace.
Prayer that focuses on self is always hypocritical; it stands in sharp contrast to true prayer, which focuses on God. Hypocrites are simply actors, persons playing a role, as the Greeks did on stage with their large masks. What such persons do and say is seldom sincere, but merely designed to create an image.
The scribes and Pharisees’ prayers served the same purpose as so many of their activities—to draw praise and honor to themselves. This is the type of righteousness that has no place in the kingdom of God (cf. Matt. 5:20).
The more sacred something is, such as prayer, the more Satan wants to profane it. And one way to do that is to inject pride and self-centeredness into prayer—to get believers to pray as the Pharisees did. So if you pray to be impressive to fellow believers, you are praying for the wrong reason.
Ask Yourself
What should be the tone and purpose of public prayer? Should it be any different from your private interactions with God? What could you do to help make sure you’re addressing God and not your audience?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full’” (Matthew 6:5).
Over the centuries, various questionable practices and attitudes have affected the prayer life of God’s people—ritualization, prescription prayers, limitations of time and place, the love of long prayers, and meaningless repetitions. But the worst fault was when God’s people prayed mainly to be noticed by others, especially by fellow Jews. This fault was inherently sinful because it originated from and helped intensify pride. Such an evil, self-glorifying motive was and is the ultimate perversion of God’s gift of prayer, which is intended to glorify Him (cf. John 14:13) and express our dependence on His grace.
Prayer that focuses on self is always hypocritical; it stands in sharp contrast to true prayer, which focuses on God. Hypocrites are simply actors, persons playing a role, as the Greeks did on stage with their large masks. What such persons do and say is seldom sincere, but merely designed to create an image.
The scribes and Pharisees’ prayers served the same purpose as so many of their activities—to draw praise and honor to themselves. This is the type of righteousness that has no place in the kingdom of God (cf. Matt. 5:20).
The more sacred something is, such as prayer, the more Satan wants to profane it. And one way to do that is to inject pride and self-centeredness into prayer—to get believers to pray as the Pharisees did. So if you pray to be impressive to fellow believers, you are praying for the wrong reason.
Ask Yourself
What should be the tone and purpose of public prayer? Should it be any different from your private interactions with God? What could you do to help make sure you’re addressing God and not your audience?
We don't worship a God we made up in our own heads. We worship the God who revealed himself in the pages of the Bible. Any other version of him is just an idol we've created.
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Forgiveness isn't a feeling you wait for, Christian. It's a command from our Lord who forgave all our sins.
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Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 5:5
A fallen world, needs a risen Saviour.
1 John 5:5
A fallen world, needs a risen Saviour.
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We get our kids tutors for math, coaches for sports, & counselors for health.
However, we tell them to figure out their spiritual life on their own. That’s why many struggle.
Disciple your kids & get others in their lives that will help them with the most important thing… their soul!
However, we tell them to figure out their spiritual life on their own. That’s why many struggle.
Disciple your kids & get others in their lives that will help them with the most important thing… their soul!
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STRONG marriages bloom best when both partners face the same direction — toward Jesus! 🕊️👀 Fix your eyes on Him and watch your love grow taller together! Heb 12:2 💪 Where are your eyes fixed this May? #StrongMarriage #May
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