Soul Survival - the bible for real life

Stressed out, anxious woman with text that reads, Anxiety & Stress - Nothing New

08 May

“Anxiety & Stress – Nothing New” May 8

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Anxiety and stress, even paranoia are not just modern issues. People in the Bible suffered from the same emotions. Today we’ll see an example in the life of Saul. If we’re struggling with some of those same emotions, could the reason Saul suffered such strong negative feelings be true for us, even to a small degree? If so, understanding it could change our lives.

We’ll also talk about word pictures in the Bible and how Jesus can cause our hearts to burn with the fire of the Holy Spirit by opening our understanding of His Word!

Young Asian woman with a thoughtful expression and text that reads, Thoughts Are Words to God!

07 May

“Thoughts Are Words to God!” May 7

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Our Proverbs reading reminds us that even the thoughts of an evil man or woman are an abomination to God, because, “thoughts are words to God.”

Thoughts come, even ungodly ones at times, but what do we do with them? Do we take them and consider them, look at them from different angles, or do we reject those that are not pleasing to Him? What are we saying to God with our thoughts?

And from our Old Testament reading in 1 Samuel, we’re reminded of the importance of our perspective. How do you view life and its potential problems? What do you see? One kind of vision leads to greater faith in God; the other leads to fear, worry, and doubt.

Depressed woman with her arms crossed and her head down with text that reads, Is It Godly Sorrow or Worldly Sorrow?

06 May

“Is It Godly Sorrow or Worldly Sorrow?” May 6

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Sin makes a mess of our lives. And many times we are miserable about the consequences of our sinful choices: a broken relationship, financial cost, punishment for bad behavior, loss of respect. But sorrow over consequences isn’t necessarily godly sorrow.

Worldly sorrow may involve emotional distress, fear, anger, and even self-abasement. But its goal is the removal of consequences. Just as it did with Saul in today’s reading, it can, actually, lead to disqualification instead of restoration.

Godly sorrow, on the other hand, involves something else. So, how can we know the difference?

Woman with long dark hair looking up toward heaven with a joyous expression and text that reads, Finding Joy in Trials

05 May

“Finding Joy in Trials” May 5

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Most of us would say that finding joy in trials is next to impossible, and yet, the Bible commands us to do just that! How is that possible and how can we grow in that ability?

Also, today, do you find yourself praying about the same struggles day after day and week after week … sometimes year after year. Are you tempted to give up or do you feel like you have simply failed God?

Collage of women who are depressed and discouraged with text that reads, When You Feel You've Failed God

03 May

“When You Feel You’ve Failed God” May 4

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

The Disciples still didn’t get it! While Jesus was preparing Himself for the reality of the cross they were squabbling about their future positions in the kingdom, bragging about how they would never let Him down, and sleeping when He asked them to pray. I wonder how many times they looked back on those moments and believed they had failed God.

How about you? Do you ever feel like you have failed God? Maybe you promised to never again fall into some old sin habit. Instead, you found yourself arguing with your husband, yelling at your kids, missing your quiet time, and giving up in discouragement. If so, you’re not alone.

03 May

“The Danger of Blending In” May 3

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Today it’s easy to see how the unbelieving world has rejected God’s truth and authority. But, even as believers, we must fight the constant bombardment of philosophies and information, much of which directly contradicts the Bible. All this makes learning God’s Word all the more important. If we don’t, we may start to think and look more and more like the unbelievers around us and find ourselves just blending in..

Young African-American woman with her head bowed in prayer with text that reads, Golden Tumors & Contrite Hearts

02 May

“Golden Tumors & Contrite Hearts” May 2

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

In today’s Old Testament reading, the Philistines misinterpreted their victory over the nation of Israel. Since they didn’t understand God’s sovereignty, they presumptuously thought their god Dagon had defeated Israel’s God. When God responded clearly to their false assumptions, they came up with an elaborate, though foolish, plan to make amends. It involved an offering of “golden tumors,” among other things. Though our attempts may look different, we often believe that we need to offer God our own “golden tumors” or some other act of contrition. But what is it He actually wants?

And in today’s New Testament reading, Jesus reminds us that we need to be ready and watching for His return. So, how can we know if we are ready?

Sad and thoughtful woman looking out a window with text that reads, Can Anything Good Come from Persecution?

01 May

“Can Anything Good Come from Persecution?” May 1

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Once at a Bible study, the teacher opened with the question, “Can anything good come from persecution?” How would you answer that question? And how do you respond when it does come?” Because persecution, mistreatment, and rejection do come to us all.

It’s not always life-threatening. Sometimes it comes in more subtle ways, sometimes from our own family members and friends and that hurts. So, how does God use persecution for good and how might He be using it for good in your life and mine? And the most important question is, will we respond in godly ways, ways that will enable us to benefit and God to receive glory?

Money used as bait on a fishhook with text that reads, Sin's Invisible Hooks.

30 Apr

“Sin’s Invisible Hooks” April 30

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Are you playing around with some sinful thought or thinking about something from your past that you shouldn’t? Sin is not something to be played with. In our pride, we think we can handle it and it won’t get a hold on us. But sin has invisible hooks that can drag us down and take us places we never intended to go.

And sin doesn’t just hurt us personally. It always affects others, especially those closest to us. Today we’ll see the effects of polygamy and a lack of parental and priestly discipline. But we’ll also see the faithfulness of God in the life of one godly woman.

A crown of thorns laying across an open Bible with text that reads, The Battle for Truth.

28 Apr

“The Battle for Truth” April 29

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Today the battle for truth is raging. Truth itself has become relative and God’s Word carries no authority for the majority of people in our nation and much of the Western World. Some Christians find it difficult to work in their chosen fields without compromising their religious convictions. In many arenas, those who speak up for what is morally right are called bigoted, intolerant, or worse.

But we need to be careful about putting our hope in the government to change and protect us. While there might be a temporary slowing of the process, I believe in the long run these trends will continue, perhaps faster than we think possible. So, how can we prepare ourselves for the continuing battle?

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“Anxiety & Stress – Nothing New” May 8

“Thoughts Are Words to God!” May 7

“Is It Godly Sorrow or Worldly Sorrow?” May 6

“Finding Joy in Trials” May 5

“When You Feel You’ve Failed God” May 4

“The Danger of Blending In” May 3

“Golden Tumors & Contrite Hearts” May 2

“Can Anything Good Come from Persecution?” May 1

“Sin’s Invisible Hooks” April 30

“The Battle for Truth” April 29

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