Good Morning,

Today's message:

Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up and causes you trouble, or many of you will become defiled.

(Believers should have each other's six.)

In the military, every soldier has a post (Job). They are instructed to guard their post, and to observe everything in sight and in hearing (vigilance).

They are to report any violation and give alarm to any fire or disorder.

We see this often in church congregations, where they have been divided due to gossip and serving idols.

We must be ready and watchful for our fellow citizens who belong to the family of God so that nobody gets hurt.

(Hurt people, hurt people)

This is universal however, in the family of God it is critical to patch up anyone's heart in our family before they spread discord throughout the house of God (Body of Christ).

As a good soldier and example, we should inspect each other's uniform! - Ephesians 6:10-24 (Armor of God) -

We must not give up our birth rights and we should remind each other the same.

• Matthew 7:20 -

  So by their fruit you will know them.”

1st Peter 5:8

Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

❤️🙏❤️

I am starting a men's group at my church and wanted to get input from other men on what they have seen be the good,bad and ugly of mens groups.

I feel like this group will be very important for our church being that there isn't anything for the men to come together and sharpen one another.

What are somethings men that you have enjoyed? Was impactful? Made you invite others to the group? Made you stop going? Wish would have happened?

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

I’m (22m) going through a lot right now. Who I thought was the love of my life (22f) broke up with me a week ago. We were together for 7 years. She was my everything. Nothing could have prepared me for the heaviness I’ve been dragging every waking moment I’m alone. I can mask it well and maybe even forget about it briefly when with others, but the second I am alone, it hurts. My chest is hollow. My knees are weak. I want to scream, cry, and collapse all at once.

The worst part is I have no one to blame but myself. I was not the man she deserved. And for those reasons, she left. For those same reasons, I wondered if God had left me too. I felt like he had gotten quiet and was no longer hearing my prayers. Had I messed up too much already? Am I just hopeless? One night, in a drunken sobbing mess, I reached out to him again. “Can you still hear me? Have I betrayed you too much? Why can’t I control myself? I’m so angry and ashamed I couldn’t blame you if you have given up on me. But if you are there, I need you. So please, Lord, if you’re there, please show me you hear me and that you know I love you. Show me that you still love me. I hurt and I need you to rest my head on” I then fell asleep because I was drunk and crying for hours beforehand.

Nothing happened the next couple days. I had an eye out for the signs I asked from God, but as time went on I grew more and more hopeless. However despite my pain, I have been trying to be better at recognizing when others need help and helping them without hesitation. From helping carry things to praying for people I see on the road. It made me feel better even for just a moment. But I would still go home and cry myself to sleep.

Today, I was sitting in the parking lot after my class at community college, just staring into the space in front of me, trying to get a grip just to drive home. Before I start the car, there is a knock at my window. A man that seemed to have emerged from thin air was standing there and asked me for only 50 cents so he could get a drink. My first thought was “What the heck is he gonna get for 50 cents these days?” I usually don’t have cash, but I have the notorious cup holder full of change. I gave him all the quarters I could and he just put them in his pocket and thanked me as if that weren’t why he was there. He immediately asked if he could pray for ME. Here he is asking for change from a stranger and asks to pray FOR ME. I immediately said absolutely. He prayed that I get through what I’m going through. And that I continue to seek God and his wisdom. How did he know I was going through anything? I told him I had to step out and give him a hug. We hugged, and he prayed for me again. We said our goodbyes, and before I knew it, he was gone.

As I was driving home in somewhat of a state of shock I realized something. When I had that drunken sobbing night of desperation asking God to show me he is listening, I was in Tennessee on a trip planned long before that day. The locals in Tennessee have thick southern accents (at least compared to the midwestern accent I’m used to hearing in Michigan). The man that came to me and prayed with me had a thick southern accent. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in Michigan, but that is not common. Once I realized this, it was obvious. God was telling me he heard my cries in Tennessee. He did not turn his face from me even in my lowest moments. I had to pull over because I was sobbing too much to drive. I continued to thank my heavenly father over and over.

Once I got a grip, I began driving and put my radio on shuffle. I have a lot of non-church-friendly music on my playlist (something to work on I know) and I immediately questioned whether it was a good idea or not until I saw the first song: Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum. Followed by about 3 more songs that felt as though God was speaking to me through. I have never been given a more profound series of events that made it so obvious that I am still loved by the Lord. I hope everyone experiences this especially when they are as doubtful (or more) as I was. I’ve been thinking about this periodically all day and crying because God is so great at timing and knowing our hearts. I think what led to this was my desire to help others even when I was in need of help myself. We are not saved by our works, but by our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. But by helping and loving others, you show that your heart still longs to be holy.

So I know that my situation is a walk in the park compared to what others are going through, but I implore you, no matter your circumstances, look for the opportunity to help others. Not only will it provide instant relief, it could just be your path to reconnect with God.

Transcript of Devotion

“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
— Colossians 1:10 (NASB1995)

Paul’s prayer for the Colossian believers centers on a clear desire: that they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. This is not about earning God’s love or trying to become good enough. It is about living in a way that matches who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
A worthy walk means our daily conduct — our attitudes, choices, words, and priorities — reflects the high calling we have received in Christ. It is a life that takes seriously the privilege of belonging to Him.

Many people talk about following Jesus while their daily steps remain unchanged. Walking worthy of the Lord closes that gap. It means the way we treat people, handle responsibilities, respond to pressure, and use our time begins to line up with the character of Christ.
This kind of walk does not happen automatically. It grows out of a heart that has been captured by the Lord and wants to honor Him in ordinary moments. When we walk worthy of Him, our lives become a quiet testimony that He is worthy of our full devotion.

Ask yourself honestly: Does the way I am walking today reflect the Lord I claim to follow?
Choose one specific area — your speech, your work ethic, your response to frustration, or your private habits — and intentionally walk in a manner worthy of Jesus in that area today. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you.

You have been called to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Not to earn His favor, but to honor the One who has already given you everything. Let your steps today match the greatness of the Savior you follow.

I love y'all! I hope you have a wonderful day! Please pass this on to anyone else that needs to see this. (Sorry about the formatting. I don't know how to fix it. I use mobile.)

I Love The Rain - (Poem)

No matter where I stand,

I love the rain

No matter where I'm found,

I love his name

He sees me when I'm happy,

And when I'm sad:; I still

Love the Rain.

• I'm Fearfully & Wonderfully Made: Psalms 139:14-16.

•-I Have a Purpose: Ephesians 2:10.

(- He is a Fountain of Life -) 

Proverbs 14:26-27

Rock-solid security is found in the fear of the LORD, and within it one’s children find refuge.The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, enabling anyone to escape the snares of death.

(Prayer)

Thank you God, creator of the heavens and the earth; How precious you are for the life you've given us.

Please let it rain every day, so your glory will be revealed through us.

I give you my thoughts. I give you my plans. I give you every weakness and trust the works of your hands. 

Amen! 

Chris Tomlin: The God Who Sees Me

Worked at RightNow Media, the Christian streaming platform that churches purchase for their congregations. It’s kind of like Netflix for churches.

I left because I became uncomfortable with sales practices, particularly how church-member information was used to generate prospects for another product, RightNow Media at Work.

Here's how the process works:

1. Churches provided their members' email addresses.
Churches purchase subscriptions and supply congregation email lists so members could receive invitations to access the platform.

2. Members signed up for what they understood to be a church-gifted resource.
During signup, members could provide information such as their job title and phone number.

3. That information becomes a commercial sales lead.
If someone identified themselves as a manager, director, CEO, or another type of leader, their information is used to prospect them for RightNow Media at Work, a separate workplace subscription product. Even if you are a nurse manager, shift leader, regional sales manager, etc.

4. The company also used third-party data enrichment.
ZoomInfo is used to identify additional professional contact information, even when members hadn't provided their job titles directly.

5. Then came the sales outreach.
Prospects receive multiple outbound calls and repeated email campaigns. I also observed do-not-call requests being handled through temporary suppression periods of six months to one year.

Here's why this concerns me.
Someone whose church gifted them access to a Bible study platform may have no idea that their information could be used to identify them as a potential workplace sales customer.

I'm questioning whether people understand how their information would be used when they sign up for a Bible study.

RightNow Media's own privacy policy acknowledges that it receives member contact information from subscribing organizations and obtains information from outside data providers to expand records and identify new customers.

You can read it yourself:
https://rightnow.trusthub.com

That policy does not, as far as I've been able to establish, explicitly describe the particular church-member-to-workplace-sales process I witnessed.

My question for churches and their members:
Did you know your church-provided access to RightNow Media could potentially result in your professional information being used for workplace sales prospecting?
And if you're a church administrator, were you informed about this type of use when providing your congregation's email addresses?

My friends go to a church that often has speakers of the maga persuasion and I don’t think a church should be favoring either side. Thoughts? Any basis in the bible for a church to be political ?

Simple message today for all of us to remember. Please share this with others if you're led to.

(Psalms 27:13)

"I believe that I will see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living."

Checklist:

• Thank God for another wonderful day in which he's given you.

• Trust that God will care for your day as well as others in your day.

- Mirror the Checklist -

Romans 8:14-17

For all who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. For you have not received a spirit of slavery that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with the Messiah--if, in fact, we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

(Prayer)

Thank you God for waking me up today. Help me trust and know that you are with me and may you be attentive to all my emotional, spiritual needs and anything else you see in my life where I need your help.

Father, God... If there's anyone out there today that is not feeling well, please allow me to be apart of you brightening their day.

Help us all stay encouraged and cause us to keep our focus on you for each day you give us so we will never forget just how much you love your children.

Amen!

🙏❤️😇

Kinda like the Amish do, but without being banned from using technology or having to be farmers. Everyone knows that housing is very difficult to afford, but when you buy a large amount of land all at once the land becomes much cheaper and the same thing goes for building houses. If there is a large interest in doing something like this I will talk to someone from my church who builds neighborhoods to find out the numbers

Need better tips on how I can better read the bible and retain the info. feels like as soon as I close the word I forget everything I read

Hi ladies. I'm the one who made a post a few weeks ago asking for prayer because I was missing a friend of mine that I liked and wanting to apologize to him and stuff, but currently can't because we are not speaking (it's been about a year since we talked) and it's been hard to not talk to him, and I've no way of reaching him, but I wanted a fellow sister in Christ I could talk to about this (no offense, men!). I just need a fellow lady to talk to and confide in. Thanks!

Hello brothers and sisters, God bless you all. I'm Bishwas from Nepal, and I write software for a living.

My family has been Christian since my dad found peace in Jesus (am a born Christian), and his own family turned him away for it. It took almost ten years of visiting and caring before things healed. Near the end of his life my granddad started reading the Bible too. I still think about that.

I am not good at finding the right words when someone I love is hurting. A verse usually says it better than I can. So I made a small iPhone app called Loaded Bible. It does two things.

If you are the one having a hard day, there are short readings ready to open, like "For the hard days", "Before you sleep" and "When you feel alone". One verse at a time, and you can heart the ones you want to keep.

If someone close to you is having the hard day, you tell it who they are and what they are walking through. It gathers verses for them, you add your own words, and you can send it to them as a PDF or print it to put inside their Bible.

It is free. I made it, so please weigh my words with that in mind.

I want the verses in it to be the right ones. When someone you love was in a hard season, which verse did you send them?

https://apps.apple.com/app/loaded-bible/id6820404392

I met a Christian pastor and his wife yesterday at church. They were the classic southern-ish conservative type that are pro life, as they should.

During our conversation the lady brought up contraceptives and began to bash male and female condoms, vasectomies, caps, hormonal pills, patches, rings or implants like the copper IUD. To her, it was all sinful and against God’s mandate to reproduce. She said God killed Onan for spilling his seed. Of course she spilled the context on the floor before bringing that up.

All of these do not kill an embryo. There is one pill or type of pill that does: the abortion pill, that causes the woman to expel the embryo. That is murder.

The previous list however was on the table of “don’ts” for her, and from what I’ve seen and heard, are “don’ts” for a lot of Christians.

Not all of those items are completely safe. There are concerns over the hormonal pills and its effect on the woman and her embryo if she does become pregnant.

But Christians ought to be pro contraceptives. People are going to have sex outside of marriage. If we can’t stop them, we can at least stop a pregnancy that might end up in an innocent life being killed.

Also, contraceptives are great for marriage. Not every Christian couple wants a baby immediately. In the words of Michael Scott, “snip snap snip snap”. Also, even after kids couples need to have sex, and enjoy it without worrying about having another unplanned kid. Not that unplanned kids are a bad thing. All life is a gift from God, but that doesn’t mean all sex between man and wife needs to produce a kid. Pleasure of it all being the sole reason for sex in marriage is holy and righteous too.

Contraceptives for us Christians are a great way to have sex within marriage without pregnancy happening. The purpose of sex can also be just about pleasure. It doesn’t have to be just about reproduction. In the same way we eat for pleasure we can have sex for pleasure alone. It’s not a sin to be married and have sex for the sake of enjoying each other and not wanting a baby. People who think otherwise believe sex to be for one purpose alone: baby making, with pleasure as a bonus. Such thinking is close minded and sad.

Hello, I have had issues with sex in the past, I tried to make one post about this but it got removed so I'm going to try again just to see. Mostly with with pml, p***ography. I also started a job when I was 20 where i had my area lead ask me what kind of p*** I watched. I ended up telling a lot of people about it and not exactly treating sex with integrity. I think now things are a lot harder because of this and idk if it is possible for me to find what I was looking for anymore. I got kicked out of my church, my pastor threatening to call the cops and I just want what I wanted to begin with. Family friends and Jesus. Those things are all I wanted.

I researched about Centering Prayer but there's people saying that it's eastern practice and can't be advisable to do. Now, is there a meditations in Christianity where is similar to practice in Buddhism, but instead you sit in the presence of God?

Waking up in morning and going home from work, silence is one of the beneficial someone can have, but I think adding that we should do it in presence of the God can make us closer to Christ. Without thinking, just sitting and breathing.

Also, is there a mindfulness in Christianity? Doing without expecting for result of actions and instead just do in the presence of God. (I remember Wu-Wei).

Thank you for the answers.

How can I start? I feel like I should do something before I do it. I tried to do eastern meditations, I even tried to do Kundalini. The one goal of all of this is to quiet my mind. It's so messy that I want respite, and I can't find kind of practice in Christianity, until I found out Contemplative Prayer. What should I do first? I feel like I did a great sin to God and jumping right in isn't the right thing to do. Please help.

I think I have withdrawn from the world quite a bit. I used to often seek help, e.g. pastoral counseling, and wanted fellowship in forums.

Now I have a regular group with whom I read the Bible five days a week, my ex, and two brothers in faith. At the adult education college, I have a female classmate I like, and I get along well with the class.

I only have a neutral relationship with my therapist. I like him, but the connection is missing, and it feels good, but I am not learning anything. I used to have much more hope, expectations, and feelings there, as well as disappointments.

I have stopped turning to teachers in the church when I have questions, and seeking help when I need it. And I think I am doing much better because of that. Sometimes I feel lonely, but actually, rarely. I think I am often happier than other people, but I also have more and stronger mood swings. Sometimes I am glad to be alone.

What I am trying to say is that I think I have stopped expecting things from people. For example, I also write much less here on the forum because I no longer expect to get anything that makes me feel better. I think it is not good to seek contact because you have a need, because the other person cannot really fulfill it. It is better to seek contact without needing anything. But you cannot always control that.

I think I have a negative view of human beings. Of myself, too. I do not believe that human beings are fundamentally good. Most people do not really care much about you, a lot of what happens at work is purely functional, and only a few private relationships are truly important. However, things often appear differently, so that you can get the impression that a relationship is important because you see each other so often at work.

Even now, I am writing out of a need, because I feel lonely. I just wanted to share that something has changed and how withdrawing from the world has had a positive effect on me.

Humility & Meekness

According to the Bible, humility and meekness are distinct but closely related virtues that fundamentally shape how a person communicates and reacts to others. While the modern world often views these traits as signs of weakness, the biblical perspective defines them as controlled strength and an accurate assessment of oneself in relation to God and others.

Active Listening: Prioritizing understanding over one's own voice, as emphasized in James 1:19, which advises being quick to listen and slow to speak.

Gentle Language: Using soft words to diffuse tension rather than harsh language that fuels anger, reflecting the principle in Proverbs 15:1.

Constructive Speech: Avoiding boastful or unwholesome talk in favor of words that encourage and build others up (Ephesians 4:29).

Accountability: Embracing humility by readily admitting faults and seeking mutual restoration and forgiveness (James 5:16).

Humility:

• Definition: A modest view of your own importance and an absence of pride, arrogance, or self-assertion.

• Focus (Attitude Toward Self): It is an internal state of mind where you recognize your limitations, your dependence on God or others, and a proper realistic place in the world.

• Greek Origin: Derived from tapeinos (meaning low-lying or grounded, close to the earth).

• Key Example: Acknowledging that your talents, status, or success are not grounds to look down on others.

Meakness:

• Definition: Gentleness, patience, and a calm self-control—often described as "strength under control" (such as a powerful horse or a trained soldier acting with restraint).

• Focus (Attitude Toward Others and Trials): It is the external expression of humility when facing mistreatment, hardship, or authority without retaliating, seeking personal vengeance, or losing your temper.

• Greek Origin: Derived from praos (gentle, mild, or disciplined strength).

• Key Example: Responding to insults or difficult people with patience and a teachable spirit rather than anger or pride.

- Real Life Example:

- Humility -

Jesus Washing His Disciples' Feet (John 13). 

Jesus—the Creator and King of Kings—knows the Father has put all things under His power. Instead of demanding to be served, He wraps a towel around His waist, pours water into a basin, and washes the dirty, dust-covered feet of His disciples.

What it shows:

True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Jesus used His immense authority not to elevate Himself, but to lower Himself into the role of a household servant to care for others.

- Meekness - 

Moses Responding to Criticism (Numbers 12:3)

Moses is described as "more humble [meek] than any man on the face of the earth". Shortly after, his own siblings, Miriam and Aaron, talk behind his back and challenge his supreme leadership and authority.

What it shows:

Moses had the political and physical power to crush their rebellion or defend his pride. Instead, he kept his strength under control, stayed silent, and let God handle the defense and the judgment. Meekness is having massive influence or power yet choosing gentleness and patience instead of lashing out.

- Combining Both Humility/Meekness -

Jesus before his accusers (1st Peter 2:23).

The Gospel accounts of His trial, Jesus is mocked, beaten, and falsely accused. He has the power to call down legions of angels, yet He does not hurl insults or retaliate.

What it shows:

He exhibits both humility (submitting completely to the Father's plan to save humanity instead of protecting His own reputation) and meekness (holding back His infinite power in total self-control).

- Closing Exhortation - <Living out Humility and Meekness>

The closing exhortations of the New Testament consistently emphasize that humility and meekness are the definitive markers of a believer's conduct. These traits are not signs of weakness, but rather spiritual strength under control, shaping how believers interact with God, leaders, and the surrounding world.

Conduct Towards God: Humble Submission

Believers are called to position themselves in absolute dependence on God, recognizing His sovereignty over their lives.

Surrendering Care: 1 Peter 5:6-7 commands believers to "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." Humility acknowledges that we cannot carry our own burdens.

Receiving the Word: James 1:21 exhorts believers to put away wickedness and "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." A meek heart is teachable and yields to divine truth.

Conduct Within the Church: Unity and Restorative Grace

Humility serves as the ultimate safeguard for peace, unity, and healing within the community of faith.

Prioritizing Others: Philippians 2:3 charges believers to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." This mirrors the mind of Christ, who emptied Himself for humanity.

Gentle Restoration: Galatians 6:1 instructs that if anyone is caught in a transgression, those who are spiritual should "restore him in a spirit of gentleness [meekness]," while keeping watch over themselves lest they also be tempted.

Bearing with One Another: Ephesians 4:1-2 urges believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love."

Conduct Toward the World: Peaceful Witness

When interacting with a hostile or unbelieving world, meekness replaces retaliation with a quiet, powerful testimony.

Defending the Faith: 1 Peter 3:15 tells believers to always be ready to make a defense for their hope, yet to do it "with gentleness and respect."

Avoid Quarrels: Titus 3:2 exhorts Christians "to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."

Summary of the Believer's Daily Wardrobe

In Colossians 3:12, the Apostle Paul provides a perfect summary checklist, commanding believers to actively put on these virtues like garments every day:

[ CLOTH YOURSELVES WITH ]

Compassionate Hearts

Kindness

Humility

Meekness

Patience 

(Prayer)

So let us be greatful and may we choose to do the right thing in which God has willed to us in Christ Jesus! We ask today, that God teach us how to love one-another and to turn away from evil in which corrupts our relationship with him. Amen! 

I've been struggling a lot, and I won't go into graphic detail about my issues. Just know that it deals with shame, hell, and God's knowledge, I've been questioning my faith these last few days and have been a Christian for about 3 years. I've had many ups and downs, times I thought of ending my life, but I stayed, and after remembering something I shouldn't have done in the past I felt shame ofc, but I began to feel some type of way even about that. Why am I led primarily by shame? by guilt? and by hell, but what does any of it really mean.

My pain started to make me question God and his plan because if he knew, then why? why does it all feel like a humiliation ritual? (I don't know how else to word it tbh), it feels like he's preying on my emotional state each time. Weaponizing my fears and codependency to be attached to him, no matter the cost.

While I said all of this, I felt lonely because, in hindsight, my prayer meant nothing. My voice would go unheard because God can just, well, move on. I'd just be "another one," I'm aware I'm inserting my human emotions onto God, but some part of that feels degrading, too. As if my pain amounts to anything because "well- humans are REALLY emotional, so who cares about you're words.)

This one is quick- but I struggle with the idea of my loved ones going to hell. I imagine it, and it haunts me, but the idea that it won't bother me eventually and I'll know they "deserve it" sounds horrifying. What do I know though

I never made this post to fight or to get into some big debate on my emotions being worldly or something, I'm simply saying how I feel.

I've had great times with God. He seems awesome, but it pains me everyday

Transcript.

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.”
— Proverbs 13:4 (NASB1995)

Good morning!
In Part 1 we saw that God works in us both to will and to work. In Part 2 we were challenged to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers. Today the wisdom of Proverbs brings the series to a clear conclusion: craving without action leads to nothing, but diligence produces fruit.
It is possible to want change, talk about change, and even feel strongly about change — and still remain stuck. The sluggard in this verse is not without desire; he craves. What he lacks is the follow-through. Desire alone does not deliver results. Diligence does.

Many of us live in the gap between intention and action. We have good ideas, spiritual goals, and sincere hopes, yet we delay. The longer we delay, the weaker the “want to” becomes. Proverbs reminds us that a life of continual craving without corresponding effort leaves the soul empty.
The good news is that we are not left to generate diligence on our own. The same God who stirs the desire also empowers the doing. When we take the next step of obedience — however small — we position ourselves to receive the fruit He wants to produce. Talking ends. Doing begins. That is where the change happens.

Stop and identify the area where you have been craving or talking without acting. Refuse to leave it in the realm of good intentions any longer.
Take one clear, concrete step of diligence today. Then ask the Holy Spirit to sustain the “want to” and empower the follow-through tomorrow as well. Consistency turns desire into results.

Craving alone gets nothing. Diligence, empowered by God, produces fruit. Don’t stop at the “want to.” Become a doer. Take the step. The soul of the diligent will be made fat.

Is it a sin when you pray for God but doesn't really wait for his response? I always to God, from protection, guidance, etc. But I don't really wait for his response. It's not that I don't have a faith in him, but the thought of as long as my plan will benefit him, he will not help me what's so ever. It doesn't mean that he is not good, but let's face it. God has a plan, and he will fullfill whether I like it or not, whether I am hurt or not. "Trust in God's plan" is the quote I always think.

I move in life without really waiting for his response. Maybe we are in heaven, I will know his plans, but not here. I am on my own.

Good morning saints.
Here’s a transcript of the devotion this morning.

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”
— James 1:22 (NASB1995)

In Part 1 we saw that God is the One who works in us both to will and to work. Today James presses the same issue from another angle: it is possible to hear the Word, talk about the Word, and even agree with the Word — and still not do it.
When we continually talk about going deeper, fixing a problem, or making a change but never act, we are in danger of deluding ourselves. Hearing without doing creates a false sense of progress. The “want to” remains only a conversation instead of becoming obedience.

The gap between intention and action is where many of us live. We know what we should do. We talk about what we should do. We even feel momentary conviction. But without follow-through, nothing changes. James is clear: real faith shows itself in action.
God is not impressed by good intentions alone. He is after a heart that responds. The same Spirit who stirs the desire also empowers the doing. When we stop at hearing and talking, we short-circuit what God wants to produce in us. Moving from hearer to doer is where transformation begins.

Look at the area you identified in Part 1 — the place where you have been talking but not doing. Today, refuse to only hear or discuss it. Take one concrete step of obedience.
If it is time in the Word, open it and read. If it is a hard conversation, initiate it. If it is a needed change, begin it. Ask the Holy Spirit for the power to move from intention to action.

It is easy to be a hearer. It is harder — and far more fruitful — to be a doer. Don’t delude yourself with good intentions. Prove yourself a doer of the Word today.
Have a blessed day.

Hi there folks, 18yo Christian student nurse here

I currently live in university halls and so I am providing for myself in terms of groceries and daily living costs, alongside my rent which comes termly. I'm not from a particularly wealthy family but I have about £20k that my Grandfather generously gave me as a fund for going into adult life, whether it would end up as working or in university. Anyways, I decided a while back I was parking it in my savings to save for a house when I finish my degree and would only dip into it if absolutely necessary.

However, this now poses the problem of work. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find work as I need somewhere that can be flexible around my placements as I cannot pick my placement rota for nursing. I'm currently on the books for a security company as a steward for events but it's difficult to get shifts as most of the stuff is overrun by applications from staff and people who have experience get the shift a majority of the time.

I have not signed up for any Sunday shifts as since I left my old job I've wanted to have Sunday for the Lord. Whilst theologically, I'm not sure whether I should work on the Sabbath or not, I feel it's better to have it off and dedicate the day to God. Saying that, I need to earn money but I'm unsure if I'm being greedy as I have that money sitting there. Yes, I want it to go for a different purpose, but it's not exactly like I'm working out of necessity if you understand me.

All that to say, do you think it would be permissable for me to work on a Sunday? I'd still attend church, it's just I'm unsure whether to sign up for a Sunday shift or not. I'll be working Sundays as a nurse anyway as it's 24/7 care but I see it as a different category as it is absolutely necessary for the role to work on a Sunday. Thanks

I know it’s normal to not have everything figured out yet, but with the stress of wanting to graduate early, not being able to afford school all that long, and missing my boyfriend, it’s a lot. I have had a desire to go on missions for five years now, and I really would rather do that in school. I know I need to keep this short and sweet, but I don’t know what to do at all.

I don’t know if there’s a degree that would help me in other countries.

I want to work with kids and be integrated in culture for months rather than weeks.

I don’t want to do busy work in school, I would rather spend my youth in another country rather than in school.

What is the best possible plan for an 18 year old girl who wants to travel to other countries to work with kids and stay in a host home to learn the culture and serve the community? And how could I get a job so I could support myself while also relying on God?

My friend Joseph from India has been living in the USA for a while. I’ve known him for 8 years, and we met when he moved to my neighborhood.

He’s Indian, and his parents are very conservative. Many Indian Christians see holiness not as a thing you have but as a thing you show that you have at all times. Have a tattoo? That’s heretical! You gotta dress modestly (coverage only, forget the heart posture). Marry only an Indian woman who must be submissive and obedient. Arranged marriage, dating is a sin! And most of all, not becoming western (America is seen as Satan’s backyard). I met his parents last year and I was flabbergasted. They didn’t like me because I had a Budweiser tee.

Joseph has become more American. He and I go to an Orthodox Church. He has tattoos now. His accent has changed. He doesn’t like Indian food as much as Mexican. His girlfriend, a relatively new Christian, is from Spain. She loves to dress up, go to the gym, sunbathe, and likes to look good. They love each other and are seeking God.

He has introduced her to his parents. And they hate what he has become, and hate the woman he’s dating. They don’t sin together, but to his Indian parents she is first of all not Indian, they see them fornicating because they kiss and hold hands, and they think she’s similar to a prostitute because she wore a bikini or a dress with a low cut. I know them both and both are striving to be good Christians like me and anyone else. She’s a wonderful person too, a year into the faith, and growing every day.

But because of his parents, he is flipping out slowly. His parents are coming here to visit. They are so close minded and find him and his girlfriend to be vulgar due to how western they are, even if they are decent believers like most of us.

As Christians, how can I help him? He’s like a brother to me, and it hurts to see him like this. I’d appreciate advice. I am at a loss at how to help him as this is relatively new grounds for me.