Soul Survival - the bible for real life

Bitter, angry young woman with text that reads, The Antidote for Bitterness.

28 Apr

“The Antidote for Bitterness” April 28

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1.20). Mara means “bitter.” Can you imagine meeting an old friend after a long absence and when she calls you by name, you say, “Don’t call me Donna or Diane or David … call me Bitter.”

But Naomi isn’t the only one who deals with bitterness. Sometimes we do and if we give in to it, it doesn’t only affect us. Because it will, eventually, spill out on everyone around us, it’s important to deal with it biblically. So, what is the antidote for bitterness?

Shocked young woman in a plaid blouse against a pink background with text that reads, Spiritual Darkness & Its Bizarre Effects

27 Apr

“Spiritual Darkness & Its Bizarre Effects” April 27

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

The effects of rejecting God’s authority and its resulting spiritual darkness are not pretty. As one sin leads to another, the results are sad, costly, and damaging. The book of Judges ends with some truly bizarre examples.

But as bizarre as those true stories are, in reality, they could be taken from today’s headlines. Our news is full of murder, even mass murder, sexual immorality, sex trafficking, abortion rights, and demands that we give approval to every sinful lifestyle. I’m not sure where the bottom of it all will be, but just as He did in Noah’s day and just as He did with the Israelites, God will one day say … enough! In the meantime, what should we be doing?

Depressed woman sitting on the floor with her head against her knees and text that reads, Do Women Suffer the Most When Sin is Rampant?

25 Apr

“Do Women Suffer the Most When Sin Is Rampant?” April 26

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

When a society heads down the moral spiral, is it the women who suffer the most?

Today men and women believe they can do anything and live any way they want without consequences. Yet, the Bible presents a very different picture.

And one way or the other, every one of us proves the Bible to be true. We can choose to sin, but we don’t get to choose the results. Sometimes the consequences are built-in and other times the God who will not be mocked chooses them for us. But is it possible that it’s the women who suffer the most when sin has free rein?

Young woman looking surprised with text that reads, Why God Uses Imperfect People

25 Apr

“Why* God Uses Imperfect People” April 25

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Have you ever wondered, “Does God really use imperfect people like me?” “How could He use me with my past?” “I don’t know enough,” “I don’t have the right gifts,” “I can’t do anything great for God”?

If your knowledge of God’s Word is primarily what you heard in Sunday school stories, you may not know how flawed some of God’s people really were.

While it’s true that David killed a giant with a slingshot, he also committed adultery and plotted to have the woman’s husband killed. Gideon led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites with just 300 men, but at times he was full of doubt and fear. Jonah was in the belly of a great fish because he was in rebellion against God’s calling. And mighty Sampson … well, you’ll have to read about it for yourself in today’s post.

Spoiled little girl pointing at someone with her hand on her hip and text that reads, Are You Setting Your Children Up for Failure?

24 Apr

“Do Spoiled Children Become Selfish, Unhappy Adults?” April 24

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day, Parenting

It’s hard to imagine that anyone would intentionally set their children up for failure. But sometimes, we can do so without even realizing it by trying to give them everything they want. When we do, instead of being genuinely happy, they often become petulant, spoiled children. The added danger is that they can grow up to be selfish adults and even get a wrong view of God.

How does your parenting help or hinder your children’s understanding of God? How does it prepare them for marriage, work, and family relationships later in life?

Stubborn woman with her arms crossed and text that says, How to forgive when you're not feeling it.

22 Apr

“How to Forgive When You’re Not Feeling It” April 23

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

We’ve all been there. We know God says we should forgive, but we’re just not feeling it! Maybe we’re thinking:

“I’m not going to forgive! After all … it’s not the first time!”

“If I forgive he’ll think it’s OK to do it again.”

“What she said really hurt! It’s time someone gave her some of her own medicine!”

“I’ll forgive, but I’m not going to forget!”

“Well, I’m just not ready to forgive.”

“I don’t know how to forgive when I’m not feeling it!”

“It would be hypocritical to say I forgive when I don’t mean it!”

But could there be some things about forgiveness that we don’t understand and that could help us forgive, even when we’re not feeling it?

Two women gossiping with text that reads, Polygamy & Our Acceptable Sins

21 Apr

“Polygamy & Our Acceptable Sins” April 22

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

“Why did God allow polygamy in the Old Testament?” I’ve heard that question many times. The truth is, it has always been sin, but it was what many considered an acceptable sin, if they viewed it as sin at all. What sins has our society come to consider acceptable? What sins do you and I consider acceptable?

Also, today, what keeps you from sharing your faith? Fear? Intimidation? Not having the right answers? What is hindering you from being a faithful witness for Christ at a time when many people are fearful and possibly considering eternal things?

Rebellious young man in a abandoned building with drug paraphernalia on the floor beside him and text that reads, Dealing with Prodigals & Hard Questions for Every Believer

21 Apr

“Dealing with Prodigals & Hard Questions for Every Believer” April 21

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day, Parenting

Loving a prodigal can be heartbreaking and confusing. It’s hard to know what to do. When should we help? And when should we stay out of the way? Perhaps we should ask ourselves, are we really helping or could we merely be helping them stay comfortable in their pigsty, the very place God wants them to feel uncomfortable, even hungry?

If you have a prodigal, I hope you’ll read today’s post and share your thoughts.

And from our other readings:

What is death? Why do we call an unbeliever spiritually dead? What is the second death?

Finally, some questions we should ask ourselves. James tells us we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. But I think we could also say that we should be doers and not just talkers when it comes to doing. Do we talk a lot about God or actually live for Him? Do we talk about winning souls or do we share the gospel? And do we talk about prayer or do we pray? I know these are convicting questions for me. How about you?

Attractive young woman yawning discretely with text that reads, Ever Find Yourself a Little Bored with the Bible?

20 Apr

“Ever Find Yourself a Little Bored with the Bible?” April 20

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Do you ever find yourself a little bored with the Bible? Or skimming over a passage because you’ve heard or read it many times before? Is it possible that our familiarity with the Word or with certain passages can keep us from benefiting from our Bible reading? Today we’ll look at one very familiar passage of Scripture, talk about why God doesn’t want us to have a ho-hum attitude, and why every verse in the Bible is important.

Woman in a superwoman costume and text that reads, Housewives, Superheroes & Easy Believism?

18 Apr

“Housewives, Superheroes & Easy Believism” April 19

Posted by Donna Reidland God's Word Day by Day

Is God calling you to be a superhero? Today in the book of Judges, we will meet two women, both of whom might be called superheroes. What do their stories possibly have to do with us? How might God be calling us to be superheroes?

And in our New Testament reading, great multitudes were following Jesus. What an evangelistic opportunity! But instead of encouraging them, he wanted to know if they had counted the cost of following Him and whether they were prepared to love Him so much that their love for father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even love for themselves would seem like hate in comparison. So, is Christianity really that simple … just pray a prayer and ask Jesus into your heart?

“The Antidote for Bitterness” April 28

“Spiritual Darkness & Its Bizarre Effects” April 27

“Do Women Suffer the Most When Sin Is Rampant?” April 26

“Why* God Uses Imperfect People” April 25

“Do Spoiled Children Become Selfish, Unhappy Adults?” April 24

“How to Forgive When You’re Not Feeling It” April 23

“Polygamy & Our Acceptable Sins” April 22

“Dealing with Prodigals & Hard Questions for Every Believer” April 21

“Ever Find Yourself a Little Bored with the Bible?” April 20

“Housewives, Superheroes & Easy Believism” April 19

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