Jesus’ first words to disciples who had all betrayed him: “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19).
He had dealt with their sin, and would remember it no more.

“It is not what distinguishes me from my fellow human beings that is really significant; it is what unites me to them.

“I am made in the image of God; I am fallen and sinful, and in need of a redeemer; and my salvation is found only in and through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Those are true that apply to me as well as everybody else. And my response in worship, whatever particular culture I belong to, must reflect those commonly shared realities.”

— Carl Trueman

July 3: God’s Unseen Work

#Devotional

1 Samuel 5:1–7:17; James 1:19–27; Psalm 119:33–48

We often fail to discern when and how it happens: God will work something out in our lives that seems virtually impossible. We get an unexpected insight into the workings of God in 1 Sam 5.

After defeating Israel in battle, the Philistines stole the ark of the covenant, recognizing it as a powerful weapon of war. They didn’t realize that it couldn’t be wielded by human hands. They set it up next to the idol of their god, Dagon, unaware that the ark was the representation of Yahweh on earth. Yahweh does what He wills. In this case, He willed the ark to be returned to Israel, so He destroyed the idol and afflicted the people with disease. First Samuel notes, “The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people,” (1 Sam 5:6); in fact, it was so heavy that the Philistines wanted the ark gone. After seven months, they returned it to the Israelites (1 Sam 6:10–16)

If the Philistines could recognize the work of Yahweh among them, you would think the Israelites could do the same. They should have responded to the ark’s return by praising God, rejoicing, and turning back to Him. But in their failure to discern God’s hand in the event, they continued to worship foreign gods until Samuel, their judge and prophet, demanded that they change their actions (1 Sam 7).

This illustrates a problem with our perception of God’s work: We fail to see His work on our behalf and chalk things up to circumstance or coincidence. We stick with our idols because it’s easier than admitting the truth to ourselves—for the moment we acknowledge God is at work, we must turn away from the easy path of selfish ambitions and actions.

When God’s people pray, He answers—often in unexpected and miraculous ways. While we don’t often see His hand at work, we do have an opportunity each day to look for God acting among us and turn away from anything we put in His place. Let’s do so today.

Where have you seen God working in your life? What idols is He asking you to turn away from?

July 3 - Discerning False Prophets: The Character Test

#LifeOfChrist

“‘You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit’” (Matthew 7:16–17).
One’s basic character—attitudes, inner motives, loyalties, standards—eventually manifests itself in his or her life. Christians produce good fruit in their attitudes and actions. But unbelievers, especially false prophets, will eventually manifest bad fruit.

False teachers can hide their true fruit for a time behind ecclesiastical trappings, evangelical vocabulary, and false fellowship. But how they behave when not around Christians will soon enough reveal their true loyalties and convictions. Unless they exhibit “moral excellence . . . knowledge . . . self-control . . . perseverance . . . godliness” and so forth (see 2 Peter 1:5–8), we can be sure God has not sent them and they do not belong to Jesus Christ. Another crucial indicator of character that we can look for, as summarized by Christ Himself, is this:
“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him” (John 7:18).

The teacher who emulates Christ and wants to glorify Him is a genuine servant of the Lord. But the false one, no matter how clever, can’t hide for long his corrupt character—and the discerning believer will recognize this. As John Calvin wrote, “Nothing is more difficult to counterfeit than virtue.”

Ask Yourself

How does this teaching coexist with the “judge not” command from earlier in Jesus’ sermon? What happens when character judgments are treated as taboo by the people of God? How have you witnessed this occurring?

DAY 3: How does the baptism with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13) relate to the Spirit’s activities in the Book of Acts?

https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-07-03-2

Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

He loves you so, so much. And that will never change 🤍

The primary weapon of the end times, is deception.

We cannot tell people about Jesus and pretend there is a nice Plan B. If you reject Jesus, you will end up in hell.

Repent and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dear Daughter,
Friday wind-down: Reconnect deeply with your husband 💕
Put away distractions. Talk. Pray. Laugh together.
End the week strong in love and respect.
'Rejoice in the wife of your youth' (Prov 5:18) — and let him rejoice in you.
What will you do to connect this weekend?
#DearDaughter #FridayReset #StrongMarriage

“I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, says the Lord, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.” Isaiah 13:11

Friday reflection: Look back with gratitude! 🙏❤️

Thank God for His faithfulness in your marriage this week and celebrate every small victory! Ps 136:1 💪

What are you most thankful for this Friday? #StrongMarriage #July"

“When you praise God, you do more than simply fulfill your own purpose. When you praise, you awaken the muted glory of creation and put that praise into words. We are the mouth through which the whole created order was meant to speak.” —Tony Reinke

He is the author and finisher of your story.

Trust Him with it!

Man’s work faileth, Christ’s availeth,
He is all our righteousness.
He, our Savior, has forever
Set us free from dire distress.
Through His merit, we inherit
Light and peace and happiness.

— “Praise the Savior Now and Ever”

You dont have to carry the weight of the world today – God already does. He rules with perfect wisdom, power, and love. Rest in His sovereignty. Trust His timing. He's never late, never wrong, and never overwhelmed.

"Be still, and know that I am God." – Psalm 46:10

Isolation is where sin grows teeth. Brotherhood is one way God keeps men from being devoured.

There is no place for despair as long as Christ is on the throne.