Protect your marriage like a precious treasure! 🛡️❤️
Guard your time, your words, and your hearts this summer! Prov 4:23 💞
What are you protecting most right now? #StrongMarriage #July
Guard your time, your words, and your hearts this summer! Prov 4:23 💞
What are you protecting most right now? #StrongMarriage #July
Christian maturity looks ordinary: tell the truth, keep showing up, forgive, serve, confess, pray, read, endure, obey, and trust in Christ.
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If the world applauds your Christianity constantly, make sure you are still carrying a cross.
Progressive Christianity is not Christianity progressing. It is often self-centered unbelief wearing religious vocabulary.
Penal substitutionary atonement is one of the most essential, foundational, and non-negotiable doctrines of Christianity.
"Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
- Romans 5:9, ESV
"Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
- Romans 5:9, ESV
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This is the great work of the Spirit in us: to take away our enjoyment of sin by giving us a greater happiness in knowing God. For he is not a Spirit of mere morality but the Spirit of life.
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July 17: Emotion versus Logic
#Devotional
1 Samuel 30:1–31:13; 1 Peter 2:18–25; Psalm 131:1–132:18
Reacting is easy. What’s difficult is overcoming emotions in a time of adversity. Although emotions are not bad, they can lead us astray. At the same time, when we stray too far in the other direction and rely entirely on reason, we risk using logic without empathy. The answer to this conundrum is not to pit emotions against reason, but instead to pray.
Throughout his life King David struggles to balance emotion and logic. Sometimes he is an emotional wreck; other times he is so calculated that he seems almost brutal. Yet in many moments in his life—especially in his early years—he seeks Yahweh when it would be more convenient not to.
In 1 Samuel 30:1–6, David returns to the town of Ziklag to find that two of his wives and many of his warriors’ wives have been captured, and the city has been burned down. The text describes the emotional atmosphere of the discovery: “David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until there was not enough strength in them to weep.” The text also states that “it was very pressed for David”—meaning that David’s men are considering killing him because they view the situation as his fault (1 Sam 30:4, 6). Then we’re told, “But David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God” (1 Sam 30:6). This decision changes everything.
By seeking Yahweh, David learns that he will be able to overtake the raiders of Ziklag and recover the captives (1 Sam 30:7–10). What happens next is amazing: David and his men show kindness to a stranger, who returns the kindness by showing them where the raiders are camped. David and his men then overcome the raiders and recover the captives (1 Sam 30:11–20). This is one of those “God works in mysterious ways” moments. But could God have worked in mysterious ways if David had allowed either hot emotion or cold logic to rule him? Probably not. His prayer made all the difference.
We overcome the problems we face because God works in us, through His Spirit, when we seek Him in prayer. This is also how we can overcome our weaknesses and become more like Him.
What emotions do you need to overcome through prayer? What tensions can be resolved through God’s work?
#Devotional
1 Samuel 30:1–31:13; 1 Peter 2:18–25; Psalm 131:1–132:18
Reacting is easy. What’s difficult is overcoming emotions in a time of adversity. Although emotions are not bad, they can lead us astray. At the same time, when we stray too far in the other direction and rely entirely on reason, we risk using logic without empathy. The answer to this conundrum is not to pit emotions against reason, but instead to pray.
Throughout his life King David struggles to balance emotion and logic. Sometimes he is an emotional wreck; other times he is so calculated that he seems almost brutal. Yet in many moments in his life—especially in his early years—he seeks Yahweh when it would be more convenient not to.
In 1 Samuel 30:1–6, David returns to the town of Ziklag to find that two of his wives and many of his warriors’ wives have been captured, and the city has been burned down. The text describes the emotional atmosphere of the discovery: “David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until there was not enough strength in them to weep.” The text also states that “it was very pressed for David”—meaning that David’s men are considering killing him because they view the situation as his fault (1 Sam 30:4, 6). Then we’re told, “But David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God” (1 Sam 30:6). This decision changes everything.
By seeking Yahweh, David learns that he will be able to overtake the raiders of Ziklag and recover the captives (1 Sam 30:7–10). What happens next is amazing: David and his men show kindness to a stranger, who returns the kindness by showing them where the raiders are camped. David and his men then overcome the raiders and recover the captives (1 Sam 30:11–20). This is one of those “God works in mysterious ways” moments. But could God have worked in mysterious ways if David had allowed either hot emotion or cold logic to rule him? Probably not. His prayer made all the difference.
We overcome the problems we face because God works in us, through His Spirit, when we seek Him in prayer. This is also how we can overcome our weaknesses and become more like Him.
What emotions do you need to overcome through prayer? What tensions can be resolved through God’s work?
July 17 - Physical Healings and Spiritual Cleansing
#LifeOfChrist
“‘. . . as a testimony to them’” (Matthew 8:4).
Christ’s miraculous healings were significant in His earthly ministry. They displayed genuine concern for human need and testified that He was God. But several times Jesus stated, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:5–6; cf. Mark 2:9; Luke 5:23). The healing miracles simply illustrated the cleansing of sin, which was Jesus’ primary purpose within God’s redemptive plan.
Curing leprosy was an especially powerful illustration, because its physical destructiveness parallels sin’s spiritual destructiveness. The Lord’s healing of leprosy restored people to human fellowship, just as His cleansing of sin restores them to divine fellowship.
The church today often fails to confront individuals with the horrible destructiveness of their sin. Instead of “coming to Christ” by making an emotional, feel-good decision, people need to realize their sins and bring them to God for cleansing. True conversion occurs when, like the leper, sinners confess their need and humbly seek His restoration. Like the leprous man, sinners flee to Christ as their only hope for rescue from their helpless condition of lostness.
Paralleling the healing again, Jesus’ first requirement for new converts is their obedience to His Word. Only after demonstrating a new life of righteousness can they give proper testimony to what the Savior has done.
Ask Yourself
Is it fair to say that sinfulness is often a precursor to sickness? There is certainly no universal answer to this question, but how can you use times of limitation, weakness, or confinement to let God examine your heart and deepen your desire to follow Him?
#LifeOfChrist
“‘. . . as a testimony to them’” (Matthew 8:4).
Christ’s miraculous healings were significant in His earthly ministry. They displayed genuine concern for human need and testified that He was God. But several times Jesus stated, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:5–6; cf. Mark 2:9; Luke 5:23). The healing miracles simply illustrated the cleansing of sin, which was Jesus’ primary purpose within God’s redemptive plan.
Curing leprosy was an especially powerful illustration, because its physical destructiveness parallels sin’s spiritual destructiveness. The Lord’s healing of leprosy restored people to human fellowship, just as His cleansing of sin restores them to divine fellowship.
The church today often fails to confront individuals with the horrible destructiveness of their sin. Instead of “coming to Christ” by making an emotional, feel-good decision, people need to realize their sins and bring them to God for cleansing. True conversion occurs when, like the leper, sinners confess their need and humbly seek His restoration. Like the leprous man, sinners flee to Christ as their only hope for rescue from their helpless condition of lostness.
Paralleling the healing again, Jesus’ first requirement for new converts is their obedience to His Word. Only after demonstrating a new life of righteousness can they give proper testimony to what the Savior has done.
Ask Yourself
Is it fair to say that sinfulness is often a precursor to sickness? There is certainly no universal answer to this question, but how can you use times of limitation, weakness, or confinement to let God examine your heart and deepen your desire to follow Him?
❤2
Spiritual drift rarely feels dramatic at first. Miss Scripture here, skip prayer there, avoid church once, excuse sin twice, and the heart slowly cools. What begins as a few small compromises can become months of distance from God.
The best place for a Christian is not near the fire, but in it, being daily refined in feeding on God's Word, prayer, fellowship, and obedience.
The best place for a Christian is not near the fire, but in it, being daily refined in feeding on God's Word, prayer, fellowship, and obedience.
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To us, waiting may be wasting. But to God, waiting is working.
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Good morning, saints. The safest place for your mind is under the authority of God's Word.
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Men, at some point, you have to grow up.
Put down the endless video games. Stop obsessing over toys, collectibles, and entertainment. The world doesn't need more 27-year-old boys. It needs men of character, conviction, and responsibility.
Open your Bible. Pursue Christ. Lead your family. Serve your church. Build something that outlives you.
The time for childish things is running out.
Put down the endless video games. Stop obsessing over toys, collectibles, and entertainment. The world doesn't need more 27-year-old boys. It needs men of character, conviction, and responsibility.
Open your Bible. Pursue Christ. Lead your family. Serve your church. Build something that outlives you.
The time for childish things is running out.
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Dear Daughter,
Friday check-in: How is your marriage growing this summer? 🔍
Thank God for progress. Adjust where needed.
End the week in gratitude and prayer.
'Examine yourselves' (2 Cor 13:5).
What growth are you seeing?
#DearDaughter #FridayCheckIn #StrongMarriage
Friday check-in: How is your marriage growing this summer? 🔍
Thank God for progress. Adjust where needed.
End the week in gratitude and prayer.
'Examine yourselves' (2 Cor 13:5).
What growth are you seeing?
#DearDaughter #FridayCheckIn #StrongMarriage
Through many dangers, toils and snares, we have already come, Tis' grace hath brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.
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Friday check-in: How is your marriage growing? 🙏
Reflect on God’s faithfulness and celebrate progress! Ps 103:2 💪
What growth are you seeing this week? #StrongMarriage #July
Reflect on God’s faithfulness and celebrate progress! Ps 103:2 💪
What growth are you seeing this week? #StrongMarriage #July
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If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:9
The origin of mormonism, is from a spirit of deception.
Galatians 1:9
The origin of mormonism, is from a spirit of deception.
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Unpopular opinion:
A nation doesn't lose freedom when bad people are silenced.
A nation loses freedom when the government decides who the bad people are.
A nation doesn't lose freedom when bad people are silenced.
A nation loses freedom when the government decides who the bad people are.
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10 sins we excuse too easily: gossip, envy, pride, greed, fear of man, prayerlessness, laziness, lust, bitterness, and gluttony.
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