#1 Corinthians 12:10

[walkswithmyfather]

Proverbs 5:1-2 (NLT). “My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.”

Hebrews 5:14 (ESV). “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

1 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT). “He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit.”

“Why We Need Spiritual Discernment” by In Touch Ministries:

“When faced with a decision that seems to have several good answers, rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance.”

“Things aren’t always what they seem. That’s the mantra of many mystery books and TV shows, but it’s also a wise attitude for life. Many people make decisions based on feelings or judge situations by what appears to be ideal. Thankfully, God has given every believer a spirit of discernment to help us determine what’s best.

Think about how many decisions we must make on a daily basis—choices about family, finances, work. In a perfect world, each decision would have a correct and incorrect choice. In reality, however, what seems right isn’t always best. Some things that are neither wrong nor sinful may still be outside God’s will for us.

Scripture doesn’t contain specific directives about every possible life scenario. Instead, it’s filled with principles laid down by direct teaching or, at times, through stories. As we grow in spiritual maturity, biblical principles coupled with guidance from the Holy Spirit help us make godly judgments. (See 2 Peter 1:3.)

The question isn’t whether a certain choice looks good or feels right, but whether it’s God’s will for that point in our life. A spirit of discernment is essential for living in His will. Many choices that feel appropriate are actually contrary to what the Lord desires. That is why we must evaluate situations from a biblical perspective and ask the Spirit to guide us.”

[dwuerch-blog]

Our Life360 App and Our Discerner

My Austin family (all 12 of us) are on the Life360 app. It is a free location-sharing app that keeps us connected via knowing where each of us are at, any given time — that is, if our cellphone is on and with us. I am on my way to San Antonio today for the Alamo Run to support EMwomen. It’s about a 2-hour drive. My children can ensure I’m okay because they might possibly track me from their…

[freebiblestudies]

Line Upon Line Lesson 062: The Passover

Exodus 12:23 - For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.

The final plague of Egypt was the death of the firstborn.  The angel of death would pass over houses that had the blood of the lamb painted on the lintel and doorposts.  Houses that did not have the blood of a lamb would suffer the plague.

Why did God command the children of Israel to keep the Passover as an ordinance “forever”?  Wasn’t the plague just a one-time event?

Let’s read together Exodus 12:26-27 and  Jeremiah 34:13.

God wanted them to remember how He had delivered them from Egypt.  They were not to forget that they were once slaves.  There was also one more important reason for the children of Israel to observe the Passover continually.

Let’s read together Exodus 11:48-49; Matthew 28:26-30; John 1:29; and 1 Corinthians 11:25-26.

The Passover pointed the children of Israel forward to a coming Messiah.  Jesus is that Messiah.  Jesus shed His blood to save everyone - both Jew and Gentile.  Any Egyptians who feared the Lord and sheltered in a house with lamb’s blood would have been spared.  In the same way, anyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior can claim His blood and be saved.

[just-bible-musings]

I really love the way the Christians in my church will look at me when I talk about things that interest me, like video games and anime and manga. They often look like they just want to tell me to grow tf up. They look like they never once considered the possibility that maybe God gave me these interests so that I can relate to certain other people in this world, people who have, themselves, been deemed as outcasts by the Christian community for their love of games and anime and manga.

God doesn't just sit in a church and preach. He can't only be found by volunteering for non-profit religious groups. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Do you know why this verse is in there? Okay, yeah, part of it is because people like to be lazy and they need to be reminded that God made us to work for Him. But I think it's partly also because God sometimes gives the "uncomely members" of the church (1 Corinthians 12:23) talents and/or interests that are niche or cringe. And He expects us to use those talents and interests, no matter how small and insignificant they might seem to be (Matthew 25:14-30).

Not everything that comes into our hearts and minds is from God (in fact, a good majority of it is NOT), but if you enjoy something that doesn't go against God's Word, then maybe, just maybe that thing IS from God, and maybe you should get to explore it and enjoy it and give God a chance to show you whether He wants you to use it or not.

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

The meaning of this verse is somewhat debated. No one can decide whether it means that God will give you the things that you desire, or whether He gives you the desires themselves. So I think it means both. He gives you the desire itself, and then He makes something out of it.

[drshermaines-wisdomnuggets]

"THERE'S DANGER IN TWISTING SCRIPTURE!"

Deuteronomy 4:2, “Now listen, Israel, listen carefully to the rules and regulations that I am teaching you to follow so that you may live and enter and take possession of the land that God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, is giving to you. DON’T ADD A WORD TO WHAT I COMMAND YOU, AND DON’T REMOVE A WORD FROM IT. Keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you.” (MSG) Ecclesiastes 3:14-15,…

[doulafaith]

Harmony

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.” Psalm 40:3 I am sure many of us have witnessed two distinct ways of singing a song and playing an instrument; and one appears to be more of a gift or an acquired gift than the other. There is the soloist and musician who studies the notes and practices methodically until the…

[touchofgoddotworld]

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? (Pt.5) (283) – February 1 2025

Choose your Podcast App to Play this episode The supernatural transformation of a fallen man into a child of God as man turns to God and away from evil. As selfish man gives his life to Christ in an exchange for the free gift of eternal life and reconciliation with God Himself. All because Christ selflessly gave His life for man. This program covers the following Scriptures from the Amplified…

[feastingonchrist]

Ok so i have recognized that i can’t bring old things to a new season - old ways of thinking, believing and doing. This has helped me so much already - especially in the area of social anxiety and difficulty.

I did not realize how much i had still been condemning myself due to shame, self hatred, embarrassment, fear, perfectionism, people pleasing and pride that all stem from my past experiences, that i am still carrying. I didn't believe that it was possible for things to change in the area of my poor social skills and difficulties navigating that. i didn't think it was possible for God to work these things out. I just thought i was stuck like this forever because it's what has been my "normal" for so long.

But, God is working with me and i am so beyond grateful. The amount of emotional damage and insecurity that this exponential weight of bondage that i have been carrying for so long is finally being processed and I'm at the beginning stages of healing. All i can do is keep showing up to His table, taking steps of faith towards His grace, away from the fear and saying "no" to it and letting Him meet me in that, receive confidence and hope leading to the ability to make powerful decisions, and do the greater work of being more open and vulnerable with others about my struggles to create genuine and deeper relationships. i recognize this isn't easy, and there are gonna be setbacks, and there have been, but i do this with gentleness toward myself because i am tired of being held down by fear and bondage when Christ has already set me free. i just gotta believe that and live like it! i can already see Him breaking down these walls... it's so cool to see Him actively - spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically working! There is so much freedom in Christ; more than we can ever know. Until we experience it for ourselves!!

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” - Romans 8:15 NASB

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. - 1 John 4:18 NASB

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 NASB

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. - 2 Corinthians 3:17 NASB

Psalm 23 has also been all that i cling to in my bible reading as of these past few months. As you can see, it very much correlates with everything that i have been sharing! And i have seen the gospel through every circumstance, and have a greater understanding and appreciation for it! I pray someone is encouraged and blessed by this. Have a good day! ♥*♡∞:｡.｡

[kmac4him1st]

Regifted

[thinkingonscripture]

How to Know Your Call to Ministry

How can you know your call to ministry is from the Lord? In the Bible, people such as Samuel (1 Sam 3:4-10) and Isaiah (Isa 6:8) experienced direct, audible calls from God. These instances left no doubt about the divine origin of call to ministry. However, these cases were unique and often accompanied significant shifts in God’s work in history. Today, God still calls people to ministry, but He…

[pastordin]

Chapter 4: Biblical Foundations and Theological Underpinnings

Chapter 4: Biblical Foundations and Theological Underpinnings | Pastordin.us Home | Media | Contact Chapter 4: Biblical Foundations and Theological Underpinnings “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (NIV) Published on: May 26, 2024 Part I: Foundations of Pastoral Theology Chapter 4:…

[walkswithmyfather]

James 1:12-16 (NIV). [12] “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. [13] When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. [16] Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV). “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

James 4:7 (NLT). “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

“Defend Against Temptation” By In Touch Ministries:

“Temptation comes to all; the wise prepare for it.”

“When we struggle with temptation, understanding how it works can be helpful. Every sin originates as a thought (James 1:14-15). If we hold on to the thought, it becomes a fantasy—the chance to imagine what pursuing that notion would be like, without actually doing so. Fantasies can easily become entangled with our emotions. This creates a desire, which brings us to the point where a choice must be made. And we must either consent to the sin or refuse. This process is quite dangerous, as the progression from thought to choice can be almost instantaneous.

Wise believers determine ahead of time to resist temptation. They build the defense before the offense happens. There are two cornerstones to a good defense: the recognition that God’s in control and the commitment to obey Him (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7).

We can further fortify our defense when temptation actually comes. Satan has a way of spotlighting the pleasure of sin until it’s all we see. But with prayerful effort, we can retrain our focus to take in the bigger picture: Is this choice a violation of God’s Word? What are the consequences?

No one can resist temptation perfectly—we’ll all continue to struggle with sin. But the more we meditate on Scripture and communicate with God, the stronger our defense will be.”

[Photo thanks to Josh Applegate at Unsplash]

[amylinneaposts]

Silencing the Tempter

[bojackson54]

You Got Gifts, How Fun! Open Them Up! Now... Give Them AWAY

Usually, you get excited about receiving gifts. The first thing you want to do is open one up! You might shake it or hold it for a moment, trying to imagine what someone gave to YOU. Do you ever think, at that moment, about giving it away? Probably not; but, that’s what Paul tells us to do with the gifts God has given to us: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If…

[mindfulldsliving]

Trusting the Lord in Times of Suffering: An Expository Study of Alma 14

In our journey of faith, suffering can often feel insurmountable. It's in these moments that we must remember Christ's example and His ultimate sacrifice.

Alma the Younger and Amulek are led away from the fire that has consumed the believers in Ammonihah. Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, especially for believers striving to walk the path of righteousness. In Alma 14, we find a profound example of enduring faith amidst unimaginable trials. Alma and Amulek faced severe persecution and witnessed the martyrdom of the faithful,…

[deremerstudios]

...BUT IS IT BEST?

How can asking the right question equip us, by God’s grace and through the Spirit’s power, to live a radical Christ-centered life? In this article, we explore what it means to live our lives by asking the question, Is it best?

How can asking the right question equip us, by God’s grace and through the Spirit’s power, to live a radical Christ-centered life? Back in the early 2000’s, when I was working at my first real job out of college as a lowly marketing guy, our company’s leadership encouraged us to read and adopt many of the flavor-of-the-day inspirational business books of that era. I learned about Good to Great,…