Category: Christian Living

Love with Discernment

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The apostle Paul wanted the Philippian believers to increase in their love. Sadly, we have seen culture misuse this concept. Society wants to define love their own way. I’m confident that is why the apostle Paul said that the love should abound “with knowledge and all discernment.” Verses 10 and 11 continue the concept, “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Our love needs to be directed by the truth in the Bible (the only source for truth). The only way we can know the truth is to read and study God’s Word. The pursuit of Biblical knowledge is very rewarding.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us absolute truth in the Bible. Please give us an insatiable desire to read and study Your Word. Help us to have discernment to know the truth.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Complete

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This life is incomplete. We face challenges and often don’t feel like we get to where we want to go (wherever that is). Sometimes in our pursuit for identity, we put God in second place (or later). Family, friends, job, and other pursuits are good. We gain much enjoyment from them. However, those things are not done well if God is not in first place. I believe we will receive more blessing from those things as we submit to God’s plan to bring us to completion.

Dear Heavenly Father, we ache with the desire to be complete. Please help us to be patient as we wait for Your timing in bringing the good work to completion. Please help us to submit to Your plan and put You first.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Trust and Peace

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I have talked about different verses on peace. This verse reminds us that we need our mind “stayed” on God. According to Step Bible stayed means “to lean, lay, rest, support, put, uphold, lean upon”. I like the sound of that. Life can be hard. We need a lot of help. We gain much of that support through our Heavenly Father – through reading and studying His Word, praying and spending time with other believers.

We need a lot of help to keep our minds fixed on God. There are so many distractions. However, the more we work on keeping our focus on God, the more peace we will have.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to keep our minds fixed on You. We need Your strength to fight the distractions. Thank You that we can trust You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Heavenly Minded

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Every now and then, I hear the saying, “Don’t be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.” I think we need to define what that means. True heavenly mindedness is commanded in the Bible. Colossians 3 begins by telling us to “seek the things that are above”. 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Colossians 3:23 tell us everything needs to be for the honor and glory of God.

I think we know people who seem out of touch with the here and now. That may be true, but it doesn’t change the commands of the Bible. God has told us that He is to be the center of our lives. Everything I do should honor and glorify my Heavenly Father.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the instruction You provide in Your Word. Please help us to obey what You have commanded by living our lives only for You. Give us the strength we need.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Where to Find Truth

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We live in a day and age where lies are perpetuated. Romans 1 tells us that the wicked “exchange the truth of God for a lie.” I know we are seeing that today.

As a child of God, I have the Holy Spirit dwelling in me to guide me to the truth. I know the concept of the ministry of the Spirit can seem nebulous. However, God has given us various verses in His Word to help us understand. In this verse we learn that the Holy Spirit is under the authority of Jesus (this verse are the words of Christ when He lived on earth).

I can take comfort in the ministry of truth from the Holy Spirit. As I read and study God’s Word as well as spend time in prayer I will know I have the truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to seek the truth and share that with others. Please guide me through Your Spirit as You have promised. Thank You for providing the means to the truth through Your Word and Spirit.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.