Feminism, expressive individualism, and secular humanism are not harmless ideas. They enthrone personal autonomy, brand God's design as oppression, and put a shifting culture in judgment over Scripture.
Christians must test every claim by God's Word, take every thought captive, and refuse to be discipled by this age. Believers, we must all stand strong and reject all other beliefs outright.
Christians must test every claim by God's Word, take every thought captive, and refuse to be discipled by this age. Believers, we must all stand strong and reject all other beliefs outright.
❤5💯3
July 10: Oppressors, Victims, and a Just God
#Devotional
1 Samuel 17:1–58; James 5:1–12; Psalm 119:153–176
Contemporary culture is often pegged as self-indulgent: We live in a have-it-now world, and we don’t always think about the repercussions of our actions. But when we read James’ letter to the early church, we find that self-indulgence isn’t a modern phenomenon.
In his letter James addresses two groups of people. First, he reprimands the self-indulgent rich who live without thinking about the repercussions of their actions, either for others or for themselves. The day is coming when they will have to account for all their evil deeds: “Come now, you rich people, weep and cry over the miseries that are coming upon you!” (Jas 5:1). James presents them with a harsh picture of what they have been doing: “You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter” (Jas 5:5). They have behaved like animals; their judgment will come.
James also writes to a second group: those who are oppressed. He encourages this group to be patient “until the coming of the Lord,” to exhibit the perseverance of farmers who wait for “the precious fruit of the soil” (Jas 5:7). He recognizes that often, when we’re oppressed or hurt, it’s difficult to avoid living in those wounds—they color our world and our interactions with others. We become bitter and selfish. James tells the oppressed: “do not complain against one another, in order that you may not be judged” (Jas 5:9).
Both oppressors and victims put themselves in danger unless they repent and focus on God, who will set all things right. Self-indulgent, self-seeking living appears even in the smallest decisions of our lives. Or we act from a place of woundedness, and we fail to move on to forgiveness.
God loves justice, and He gives hope to those who hope in Him. Examine your life, abandon your self-indulgence and your grievances, and seek the one who makes all things right and new.
How can you leave your hurts at the cross? How can you move from self-indulgence to trust in God’s ability to make things right?
#Devotional
1 Samuel 17:1–58; James 5:1–12; Psalm 119:153–176
Contemporary culture is often pegged as self-indulgent: We live in a have-it-now world, and we don’t always think about the repercussions of our actions. But when we read James’ letter to the early church, we find that self-indulgence isn’t a modern phenomenon.
In his letter James addresses two groups of people. First, he reprimands the self-indulgent rich who live without thinking about the repercussions of their actions, either for others or for themselves. The day is coming when they will have to account for all their evil deeds: “Come now, you rich people, weep and cry over the miseries that are coming upon you!” (Jas 5:1). James presents them with a harsh picture of what they have been doing: “You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter” (Jas 5:5). They have behaved like animals; their judgment will come.
James also writes to a second group: those who are oppressed. He encourages this group to be patient “until the coming of the Lord,” to exhibit the perseverance of farmers who wait for “the precious fruit of the soil” (Jas 5:7). He recognizes that often, when we’re oppressed or hurt, it’s difficult to avoid living in those wounds—they color our world and our interactions with others. We become bitter and selfish. James tells the oppressed: “do not complain against one another, in order that you may not be judged” (Jas 5:9).
Both oppressors and victims put themselves in danger unless they repent and focus on God, who will set all things right. Self-indulgent, self-seeking living appears even in the smallest decisions of our lives. Or we act from a place of woundedness, and we fail to move on to forgiveness.
God loves justice, and He gives hope to those who hope in Him. Examine your life, abandon your self-indulgence and your grievances, and seek the one who makes all things right and new.
How can you leave your hurts at the cross? How can you move from self-indulgence to trust in God’s ability to make things right?
❤3🙏1
July 10 - Differences in Houses
#LifeOfChrist
“‘The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. . . . The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against the house; and it fell—and great was its fall’” (Matthew 7:25, 27).
With most tasks in life, it comes down to two choices: doing it the easy, convenient way, or choosing the difficult but rewarding way. In Jesus’ illustration, the foolish man chooses the easy way to build his house, but the wise man chooses the hard way. The former settles for a convenient section of sand in a desirable location, but the latter searches diligently for a rock foundation on which to build.
Why is the easy way so attractive? First, it is appealing to those in a hurry who want only to please themselves. Within the church, the foolish don’t care how their methods line up with God’s Word. They just want quick results—simple to see and easy to measure. Thus the foolish are satisfied with easy evangelism and cost-free discipleship.
Second, people prefer the easy way because they are superficial. Such ministry requires little planning and effort and not much concern for quality results. That house is all about instant gratification rather than the enduring reward found in plumbing the spiritual depths.
Jesus had another description of the superficial, foolish person as one “who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away” (Matt. 13:20–21). By contrast, the genuine believer counts the cost, builds the wise house, and then “work[s] out [his] salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).
Ask Yourself
Think of an “easy way” you’ve taken in your life. What convinced you to do it? Think also of a time when you truly did things the “right way.” Examine the difference in results.
#LifeOfChrist
“‘The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. . . . The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against the house; and it fell—and great was its fall’” (Matthew 7:25, 27).
With most tasks in life, it comes down to two choices: doing it the easy, convenient way, or choosing the difficult but rewarding way. In Jesus’ illustration, the foolish man chooses the easy way to build his house, but the wise man chooses the hard way. The former settles for a convenient section of sand in a desirable location, but the latter searches diligently for a rock foundation on which to build.
Why is the easy way so attractive? First, it is appealing to those in a hurry who want only to please themselves. Within the church, the foolish don’t care how their methods line up with God’s Word. They just want quick results—simple to see and easy to measure. Thus the foolish are satisfied with easy evangelism and cost-free discipleship.
Second, people prefer the easy way because they are superficial. Such ministry requires little planning and effort and not much concern for quality results. That house is all about instant gratification rather than the enduring reward found in plumbing the spiritual depths.
Jesus had another description of the superficial, foolish person as one “who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away” (Matt. 13:20–21). By contrast, the genuine believer counts the cost, builds the wise house, and then “work[s] out [his] salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).
Ask Yourself
Think of an “easy way” you’ve taken in your life. What convinced you to do it? Think also of a time when you truly did things the “right way.” Examine the difference in results.
DAY 10: How did Lydia and the demon-possessed girl in Philippi respond differently to the gospel?
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-07-10
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-07-10
Telegraph
DAILY BIBLE
Reading for Today: 2 Chronicles 15:1–16:14 Psalm 81:6-10 Proverbs 20:24-25 Acts 16:1-21 Notes: 2 Chronicles 15:1 Spirit of God. An act of the Holy Spirit, common in the Old Testament, enabling servants of God to speak or act uniquely for Him. Azariah. This…
These people honour Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.
Matthew 15:8
Many who go to church on a sunday, keep God at arms length the rest of the week.
Matthew 15:8
Many who go to church on a sunday, keep God at arms length the rest of the week.
🙏2
On Christ the solid rock I stand, ALL other ground is sinking sand.
Bread and circus distraction, deception, growing birth pains, and a world that calls good evil and evil good, redemption is very much drawing near.
❤2
God's love is holy love. Strip away holiness and you have invented a different god.
🙏4
Start every day you live with Scripture.
Let God's Word correct what your feelings exaggerate and clarify what the world confuses.
Let God's Word correct what your feelings exaggerate and clarify what the world confuses.
❤2
Dear Daughter,
Friday romance challenge 💑
Plan something intentional this weekend — big or small.
Keep the fire of covenant love burning bright.
'What God has joined together, let no one separate' (Matt 19:6).
Any special plans to honor your husband?
#DearDaughter #FridayRomance #StrongMarriage
Friday romance challenge 💑
Plan something intentional this weekend — big or small.
Keep the fire of covenant love burning bright.
'What God has joined together, let no one separate' (Matt 19:6).
Any special plans to honor your husband?
#DearDaughter #FridayRomance #StrongMarriage
❤2
“Oh my friends, we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangelizing the world and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected!”—Oswald J. Smith
❤7
July 10 (Friday)
Friday gratitude: Thank God for your spouse! 🙏❤️
Celebrate the gift they are and speak blessing over them today! 1 Thess 5:18 💪
What are you grateful for in your marriage this Friday? #StrongMarriage #July
Friday gratitude: Thank God for your spouse! 🙏❤️
Celebrate the gift they are and speak blessing over them today! 1 Thess 5:18 💪
What are you grateful for in your marriage this Friday? #StrongMarriage #July
❤5👍1
Trump's last term, and a peace deal, prophecy is given not to scare us, but to prepare us...
❤2
A scared world, needs a fearless church.
AW Tozer
AW Tozer
❤3
The devil is happy for you to study theology if it never leads to repentance, worship, humility, and obedience.
❤4
The church is surely about to be caught up soon, those who know His Word feel it, those who watch the signs see it, and those who long for His appearing know it is close, this is history, this is prophecy, incredible.
❤1
What comes first usually sets the tone for the rest of the day. So give the first thought of the day to God, not your worries.
❤3
Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
The beginning and centrality of history, is Jesus Christ, the end of history, is Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:8
The beginning and centrality of history, is Jesus Christ, the end of history, is Jesus Christ.
❤2
July 11: Best Friends Forever
#Devotional
1 Samuel 18:1–19:24; James 5:13–20; Psalm 120:1–7
This generation has more opportunities for communication than any before it, with email and social networking making it possible to interact with others 24/7. Yet suicide rates are higher than ever, and antidepressant medications have become almost standard fare. We have more connections than ever before, but they’re not relationships. We still feel alone. People need authentic community—a sense of communing with someone—to feel whole and healthy.
The story of David and Jonathan portrays the true nature of friendship: “the soul of Jonathan became attached to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam 18:1). Jonathan could easily have been jealous of his friend; David was a great warrior and had just been brought into the household of Jonathan’s father, the king, as the king’s protégé (1 Sam 17:48–58; 18:2). Instead of being jealous, Jonathan responded with love and kindness, and the two became the most steadfast friends.
Authentic relationship is built on trust, which often starts when one person sacrifices himself for the other. Jonathan made such a sacrifice: “Jonathan stripped off the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his fighting attire, and even his sword, his bow, and his belt” (1 Sam 18:3–4). Because Jonathan loved David as a friend, their relationship grew into a deep-rooted loyalty. When we share that deep trust and loyalty with a friend, we can grow in God’s will together. We all need someone we can rely on; David and Jonathan demonstrate how powerful such a relationship can be. They teach us what it means to follow Yahweh with someone else at your side.
In the early Church, authentic relationships were not just an idea—they were a way of life: “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the elders of the church and they should pray over him, anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord” (Jas 5:14). The early Church didn’t respond to sickness or pain by saying, “I’ll pray for you.” They actually prayed. Just as Jonathan, in one swift action, gave David the honor of being like the king’s son, so the early Church swiftly took care of their own. They made friends by being loyal, as Christ was loyal to them. They created community by showing love and kindness without requiring that kindness to be returned. But the return on investment was great: It laid the foundation for a worldwide movement.
How can you show authentic friendship to others?
#Devotional
1 Samuel 18:1–19:24; James 5:13–20; Psalm 120:1–7
This generation has more opportunities for communication than any before it, with email and social networking making it possible to interact with others 24/7. Yet suicide rates are higher than ever, and antidepressant medications have become almost standard fare. We have more connections than ever before, but they’re not relationships. We still feel alone. People need authentic community—a sense of communing with someone—to feel whole and healthy.
The story of David and Jonathan portrays the true nature of friendship: “the soul of Jonathan became attached to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1 Sam 18:1). Jonathan could easily have been jealous of his friend; David was a great warrior and had just been brought into the household of Jonathan’s father, the king, as the king’s protégé (1 Sam 17:48–58; 18:2). Instead of being jealous, Jonathan responded with love and kindness, and the two became the most steadfast friends.
Authentic relationship is built on trust, which often starts when one person sacrifices himself for the other. Jonathan made such a sacrifice: “Jonathan stripped off the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his fighting attire, and even his sword, his bow, and his belt” (1 Sam 18:3–4). Because Jonathan loved David as a friend, their relationship grew into a deep-rooted loyalty. When we share that deep trust and loyalty with a friend, we can grow in God’s will together. We all need someone we can rely on; David and Jonathan demonstrate how powerful such a relationship can be. They teach us what it means to follow Yahweh with someone else at your side.
In the early Church, authentic relationships were not just an idea—they were a way of life: “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the elders of the church and they should pray over him, anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord” (Jas 5:14). The early Church didn’t respond to sickness or pain by saying, “I’ll pray for you.” They actually prayed. Just as Jonathan, in one swift action, gave David the honor of being like the king’s son, so the early Church swiftly took care of their own. They made friends by being loyal, as Christ was loyal to them. They created community by showing love and kindness without requiring that kindness to be returned. But the return on investment was great: It laid the foundation for a worldwide movement.
How can you show authentic friendship to others?
❤1👍1