Life seems to be full of choices. Little choices. Big choices. But in reality, there are only two. Yet, making the right one often determines whether life goes well or whether life gets hard. If our lives are full of tribulation and distress, we may need to examine our choices in light of this principle. When we do, we can enjoy what the Apostle Paul called glory, honor, and peace, in place of tribulation and distress.
Check out today’s reading in Proverbs to find out more about those two choices and their connection to tribulation, distress, and hardship.
Is there any such thing in the Bible as an “adultery test”? And, if so, what would an Old Testament law about jealousy and possible adultery have to do with us?
Actually, the Bible has a great deal to say about adultery and other forms of sexual immorality. We’re told to not even have an appearance of evil (Eph. 5.3) and Proverbs 31.11 says to us wives, “The heart of her husband safely trusts her …” But the same principles apply to men, as well as, women. Read more about the adultery test in today’s reading.
And when we’re tempted to think adultery has nothing to do with us, we should remember that all of us should be in the business of protecting our marriages from any and every attack of the enemy. What precautions can we take to do that? Are there “freedoms” we should be willing to forsake for the good of our marriages?
Are you going through some difficulty? Are the things of this world pressing in? Do you feel like God isn’t even listening? Meditate on today’s reading in Psalm 30 … joy will come!
Also, read about the mouth of the righteous and the words of the perverse. And from our New Testament reading, how even the disciples struggled to understand some of the things Jesus taught them.
Do you ever feel like you’re stretched too thin? Has over-commitment become a way of life for you? Do you find yourself irritable, impatient, angry, or full of stress because other people, maybe even God, seem to be standing in the way of your agenda? Could your frustration and stress come from two common problems?
What is the difference between religion and biblical Christianity? One is about works. It’s about constantly working to acquire or maintain a right relationship with God. The other is a gift of grace. Which one describes your relationship with God?
Also, our reading in Proverbs says, “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” It goes on, “What the wicked fears will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.” What kind of riches can a believer in Christ expect and how does the fear of the wicked come back upon him?
When the Nation of Israel followed God’s commands to observe a year of Sabbath rest every seven years and an additional year known as the year of Jubilee every fifty years, God provided so much on the sixth year that it sustained them for three.
What does the year of Jubilee picture for us? Is there a greater meaning than just God’s provision for our physical needs? What is true biblical prosperity and what can help us experience it?
In the book of Isaiah, God said we were created for His glory. One definition for bringing someone glory is to give others the right opinion of that person. How do you look to others? If you claim to be a follower of Christ, do you live in a way that brings Him glory? If, like me, you believe you could do better, here are four ways we can better give others the right opinion of God.
Also, read about what often happens when we try to share our faith with those closest to us and how to keep an eternal perspective instead of being offended by a common reaction.
How well do you handle “waiting on the Lord”? Do you have an “I’m waiting … I’m waiting …” while you drum your fingers on the table attitude? Or do you ever find yourself thinking, “I’ve prayed, but nothing seems to be happening!”
Why does God allow us to wait, anyway? Can “waiting on the Lord” be a good thing? Can we learn to trust Him … really trust Him as a result? And if so, how? See today’s reading from Psalm 27.
Also, read about God’s leadership qualifications (*hint: we’re all leaders, even as moms and dads), why we can’t approach God based on our own good works, and why knowing God’s attributes or character qualities is so important to our walks of faith.
Is the desire to know the secret things about the future, our lives, or those close to us wrong? Is it permissible for Christians to visit people who claim to know things we don’t? Or are there secret things that God has not revealed and that we are forbidden to seek apart from Him and His Word? And is it possible that Satan and his demons use people who claim to know those secret things to deceive us by sounding religious or harmless?
Animal sacrifices, circumcision, murder, the blood of Christ … why does the Bible talk so much about blood? Throwing blood on the altar and sprinkling it on the priests and the people seems so foreign to modern sensibilities.
And what about the different kinds of laws? Leviticus talks a great deal about the ceremonial laws including the blood sacrifices, but what about the moral laws having to do with sexual sin? Why does one set of laws still apply and the other doesn’t? It can be so confusing!
In today’s post, I’ll try to dispel some of the confusion.
