The Bible is the unpopular truth to many today. Those who believe it are ridiculed and accused of unloving behavior and attitudes. Many demand that instead we “give hardy approval” to the sinful things they do. Some who refuse have been sued or threatened with fines and other legal action. Freedom of religion is fast being replaced with a demand for the freedom “to do whatever I please.”

So, how does God expect us to respond? Are we to compromise in an attempt to hold on to whatever rights we still have? And how should we pray in these difficult times?

Also, read about an important principle for Christian singles when dating or considering marriage.

Today’s Readings:

Amos 6 & 7
Psalm 142.1-7
Proverbs 29.27
Revelation 5.1-14

Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day.” Why not make the coming year the best ever when it comes to your understanding and enjoyment of Scripture by signing up for these daily devotionals or subscribing to the YouTube version? (If you are already signed up, you will automatically continue receiving them.)

And now on to the Word …

Truth, Christian Singles & Christ as Lord & King

Amos 6 & 7:

Speaking the Unpopular Truth in the Past

Amos 7.12-13:

Then Amaziah said to Amos.
‘Go, you seer!
Flee to the land of Judah.
There eat bread,
And there prophesy.
But never again prophesy at Bethel,
For it is the king’s sanctuary,
And it is the royal residence.’

Rather than hear the truth and heed their warnings, the people of Amos’ day banished the prophets. How very much like the world in which we live. For many years, secularists have turned the idea of “separation of church and state” on its ear. That wall of separation was meant to protect the church from being influenced or controlled by the state. Instead, it has been used in an attempt to keep the church from speaking up about anything that might be considered political.

But today, their attempts to silence people of faith have grown even bolder.

Speaking the Unpopular Truth Today

Today the demand is for the “prophets” to be completely banished, deprived of the right to share God’s truth, or follow the tenets of our faith. Stay in the church house, we’re told. Don’t try to live or talk about your beliefs any place else. And storm clouds are already forming that would point to attacks against religious institutions like schools and universities. Some attempts have already been made. Will churches be next?

Those who try to live out their faith in the business world risk legal action. And that demand is growing louder and louder. Some people give in to their demands out of fear of criticism, intimidation, or an attempt to hold on to the rights we still have.

But God warns us that we cannot give approval to things that God forbids:

and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Rom. 1.32 NASB).

Love Sinners by Speaking the Truth in Love

God in His mercy always has a faithful remnant willing to speak the unpopular truth despite criticism and threats. Like God Himself, we are called to love sinners, while hating sin, and sometimes that means speaking the truth under difficult circumstances or when it’s unwanted.

Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4 also applies to us:

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

May we be willing to do the same.

Today’s Other Readings:

Psalm 142.1-7:

Praying in Difficult Times

1 I cry out to the LORD with my voice;
With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.

The Psalms are great to read and meditate on when we are discouraged, overwhelmed, or distraught. They are filled with the prayers, praises, laments, and cries for help of His people in biblical times. They often begin, as this psalm does, acknowledging the writer’s desperate situation while leading them and us to greater trust in God.

Many of the psalms are great examples of prayer and can be easily personalized and prayed back to God.

But as we pray whether from the Psalms or not, we need to remember that those who attack us for our faith and try to silence us are lost. Without the saving work of Christ in their lives, whatever pleasure or acceptance they receive here will be short-lived. Let’s pray with an eternal focus, asking for God’s work in their hearts, spiritual growth in our lives, and God’s purpose on earth.

Proverbs 29.27:

A Word to Christian Singles

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Those of you who are single would do well to remember this verse. You may think that unbeliever you’re dating is so wonderful, but if you insist on staying in that relationship, perhaps even disobeying God and marrying him or her, it’s just a matter of time before there are problems.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? (2 Cor. 2.14-15).

Each of us thinks our situation is different. I’ve heard it dozens of times:

“He doesn’t have a problem with my religion (church involvement, etc.).”
“I’m sure he (or she) will get saved.”
“He comes to church with me.”
“How else, will she get saved if I don’t keep loving her.”
“He says he believes in God.”

And I’ve seen many learn the hard way that God always gets it right! As I tell single women, “Right now you have the option to break off this relationship (and you must if he’s an unbeliever and you want to obey God). But if you get married, you no longer have that option.”

Marriage is a covenant relationship, one that a believer is not to walk away from once they’re married. Many who refused biblical advice come back and say, “I should have listened!” Some spend years, even decades, in difficult, unequally yoked marriages because they refused God’s warnings.

But the most important reason to obey His commands in this area is out of our love for and desire to please Him.

 If you love Me, keep My commandments (Jn. 14.15).

Revelation 5.1-14:

The Soon Coming King

This time of year we think and talk and sing about Jesus being born as a baby in that humble stable. We’ve heard the story so many times it can easily lose its impact on us. We can forget what it really means.

But as we read Revelation, remember the same Jesus who was born a baby is also the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Creator of the universe, the Eternal Word, and He is coming back as King to judge His creation. One day soon every knee will bow and every tongue will confess—willingly or unwillingly—that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2.9-11)!

Coming Up:

In the next few days, we’ll talk about grace, the responsibility involved in being a true friend, the Tribulation, the opening of the 7 seals in Revelation, and pose the question, “Does what goes around come around?” I hope you’ll join us.

Get Ready for the Coming Year with a Plan for Your Bible Reading

The holidays are just around the corner and the new year will be on us before we know it. What will you do to make Bible reading an ongoing habit in the coming year? I want to encourage you to set a goal to read through the Bible again or for the first time.

Sign up here for my daily email or subscribe on YouTube for the video version. Following along with me can help you stay on track. And I believe you’ll benefit from the additional information I share and grow as you learn to apply God’s Word to your own life.

Here’s a short video about what we’re doing on YouTube. 

If this post spoke to you, I hope you’ll share it on your favorite social media platform.

Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥

Here’s today’s YouTube video:

Note about this post:

I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer. 

A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”

I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)

I sometimes LINKUP with these blogs.