discernment

1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the...

Haggai 2:2-3 ESV “Speak now… and say, ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?’” Let’s ask these questions today of those of us who live in America, who are followers of Jesus Christ. And, those who live in other...

Hebrews 12:3-4 ESV “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God (and God), was perfect in every...

Psalm 62:1-2 ESV “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Do you read the news each day? Do you watch it on TV? Or, do you watch YouTube videos on the crisis? Do you get on...

So, Proverbs 11:14 says there is Wisdom in a multitude of counselors. James 5:16 affirms that the fervent Prayer of a Righteous individual avails much. I need both right now. I believe in mutuality, so if you can Pray for me then leave a Prayer request at the end of your reply, and I'll Pray for...

Do Not Love Worldliness 1 John 2:15-17 ESV “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from...

One Who Seeks Only Rebellion Proverbs 17:9-11 ESV “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger...

John 6:35 ESV (Jesus speaking): “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” This is the third writing in a three-part series on the subject of “True Bread” vs. “False Bread.” You can read the first two parts here: What Bread...

John 6:35 ESV (Jesus speaking): “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” As I explained in Part One of this series, Jesus Christ is the true bread of life. He gave us physical life, but he is also the giver of spiritual life...

2 Thess. 1:3-5 NASB “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your...

This is a lengthy passage of scripture, but to try to break it up in sections would do it an injustice, for we need to read this in its entirety all together in order to get the complete picture. And, then we can discuss it. The Parable Told Matthew 13:24-30 ESV He put another parable before...

Caught in Sin Galatians 6:1 ESV “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." Who is this referring to? It is speaking of our fellow believers in Jesus Christ. If any...

This appears to be the third in a series of devotions the Lord Jesus is giving me on the subject of feelings vs. faith, and feelings vs. love for God and for others. “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also...

When we trust in Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of our lives, we begin what is to be a journey with Christ, a walk of faith of a lifetime. It begins with us dying with Christ to sin and with us being resurrected with Christ to new lives in him to be lived to him and to his righteousness...

I'm what my friends would call a "conservative" Christian, I try my best to avoid worldly passions such as violent movies, video games, etc. I just want to live a life that is pure and pleasing to God. I like some video games like mario kart and Super Smash bros. But I find myself questioning...

Jeremiah 33:1-3 ESV The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and...

Proverbs 14:2, 3, 5, 6 ESV Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him. By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out...

Proverbs 23:1-3, 6-9 ESV When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food… Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not...

Philippians 3:17-21 ESV Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their...

[Disclaimer: I don't have too much time to edit this. My apologies for any sloppy writing or grammatical errors that may cause confusion.] Preface I used to be "spiritually conservative." I would be skeptical when people would say things like "God put xyz on my heart," or "God told me to do...