Here are free family bible study lessons and words for you today devotional that you can make use of during family bible study.
As a Man Thinks in His Heart, So is He - Proverbs 23:6-9
The miserly, distrusting person promises much but deceptively conceals his true intentions: the envy and selfishness of egoism seek to have and retain all for themselves. He is what he thinks...not what he appears to be at first. The intentions of the heart can only be concealed for so long. Short Powerful Devotions on Generational Curses, Prosperity Gospel and Self Control
We are what we think; in time the heart is revealed by our words and deeds, 1 Timothy 5:24-25. The heart can deceive and lead us into sinful ways, Jeremiah 17:9-10. What you are thinking becomes who you are: Are you a child of God or a child of the devil? John 8:42-44; 1 John 3:6-9.
We can Decide What Kind Of Person We Will Be - Proverbs 23:6
You Are What You Think, Ps. 19:14; Pr. 3:1-5. God created us upright, without sin, Ecclesiastes 7:29; Mat. 18:3-4. We became sinners as we were drawn away by desires (lusts) of the heart, Jas. 1:14-15 (Rom. 7:9-10).
What are you:
1. Reading? Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:13, 15
2. Watching? John 4:35 (Mat. 9:36); Mat. 5:28-29
a. Internet pornography is epidemic: Like drinking sewage!
b. Many movies, TV, etc. are predicated on sin and/or advance immoral thinking, conduct and treatment of others -- That's not entertainment!
3. Meditating upon? Philippians 4:8-9
a. It is no mystery that we live what we think.
b. Now: What kind of person will you decide to be?
Our Heart Is The Fountain Head Of Our Consciousness, Character And Comfort
You are Defined by what is Inside You (in your heart).
Good man - evil man, Luke 6:43-45.
Defilement comes from within (the heart), Mark 7:14-16, 20-23.
a. Sin comes from fulfilling the desires of the mind, Ephesians 2:3.
b. The vain, darkened, alienated, ignorant, blindness of the heart produces a sinful living, Ephesians 4:17-19.
Conversion: Change Your Heart, Ephesians 4:20-24; Romans 12:1-2.
Renewed in the spirit of your mind, Ephesians 4:23. Produces changed living, 2 Corinthians 7:10-11.
Your Life Is Defined By What Is In Your Heart
Think about yourself...become a selfish person, 2 Timothy 3:1-2. Think about others...become caring, giving person, Romans 12:10-13; Ephesians 4:32.
Think about money...become a greedy person, 1 Tim. 6:9-10. Think about thankfulness to God...become a contented person, 1 Timothy 6:6-8.
Think about immoral sex... become a lustful person, Matthew 5:28. Think about moral purity...become pure in heart, 1 Corinthians 6:18 (Mat. 5:8).
Think about deception...become a liar, Colossians 3:9-10. Think about truthfulness...become an honest person, Ephesians 4:25. Daily Devotional on How Do We Receive the Holy Spirit, Finding Peace of Mind and Let the Dead Bury the Dead
Think about being praised by men for religious life...become a hypocrite, Matthew 6:5; 23:12. Think about the praise of God... become a humble, genuine servant of God, 1 Peter 2:1-3.
Moderate your thinking habits and you conquer the worries of life.
What kind of person are you? What does the Lord see when He sees you? Acts 1:24; Hebrews 4:13. That is your choice - your decision - that you make every day.
Will you decide to become a Christian, saved from past sins with the hope of glory?
Will you decide on a Christian friend to repent (change your heart) and pray for God's forgiveness of sin?
Angelic Visitation Today
In the Bible, angels appear to people in unpredictable and various ways. There is an increasing interest in angels today, and there are many reports of angelic appearances. In order to determine whether angels appear today, we must first get a biblical view of their ancient appearances.
The first appearance of angels in the Bible is in Gen. 3:24 when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. God placed Cherubim to block the entrance with a flaming sword. Then in Genesis 16:7, many years after. Hagar, the Egyptian servant who bore Ishmael to Abraham, was instructed by an angel to return and submit to her mistress, Sarai. Abraham was visited by God and two angels in Genesis 18:2 when God informed him of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The same two angels visited Lot and instructed him to escape the city with his family before it was destroyed - Genesis 19:1-11.
When Jacob saw a multitude of angels which he recognized as the army of God - Genesis 32:1. In Numbers 22:22, an angel confronted the disobedient prophet Balaam, but Balaam did not see the angel at first, although his donkey did. Mary received a visit from an angel who told her that she would be the mother of the Messiah, and Joseph was warned by an angel to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to protect them from Herod’s edict - Matthew 2:13. When angels appear, those who see them are often struck with fear - Judges 6:22; 1 Chronicle 21:30; Matthew 28:5. Angels are God’s messengers. Holy angels refuse to be worshipped - Revelation 22:8-9.
According to modern reports, angelic visitations come in a variety of forms. In some cases, a stranger prevents serious injury or death and then mysteriously disappears. In other cases, a winged or white-clothed being is seen momentarily and is then gone. The person who sees the angel is often left with a feeling of peace and assurance of God’s presence. This type of visitation seems to agree with the biblical pattern as seen in Acts 27:23.
Another type of visitation that is sometimes reported today is the “angel choir” type. In Luke 2:13, the shepherds were visited by a heavenly choir as they were told of the birth of Jesus. This is one of the reasons I seem to agree with the idea of having a choir in worship service. Some people have reported similar experiences in places of worship. This experience does not fit the model so well, as it typically serves no purpose other than to provide a feeling of spiritual elation. The angel choir in Luke’s Gospel was heralding some very specific news.
A third type of visitation involves only a physical feeling. Elderly people have often reported feeling as though arms or wings were wrapped around them in times of extreme loneliness. God is certainly the God of all comfort, and Scripture speaks of God covering with His wings - Psalm 91:4. Such reports may well be examples of that covering. Family Bible Study Devotions on Gambling, Superstitions and Christian Liberty
God is still as active in the world as He has always been, and His angels are certainly still at work. Just as angels protected God’s people in the past, we can be assured that they are guarding us today. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” As we obey God’s commands, it is quite possible that we may encounter His angels, even if we do not realize it. In special circumstances, God allowed His people to see His unseen angels, so God’s people would be encouraged and continue in His service - 2 Kings 6:16-17.
We must also heed the warnings of Scripture concerning angelic beings: there are fallen angels who work for Satan and who will do anything to subvert and destroy us. Gal. 1:8 warns us to beware of any “new” gospel, even if it is delivered by an angel. Colossians 2:18 warns against the worship of angels. Every time in the Bible when men bowed down before angels, those beings firmly refused to be worshipped. In today’s display of power for their followers, some church leaders at times asked their followers to focus or talk to their Staff or bow before Tithe Box. Please always be conscious so as not to be led into idolatry. Any angel who receives worship, or who does not give glory to the Lord Jesus, is an imposter. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 states that Satan and his angels disguise themselves as angels of light in order to deceive and lead astray anyone who will listen to them.
We are encouraged by the knowledge that God’s angels are at work. In special circumstances, we might even have one of those rare personal visitations. Greater than that knowledge, however, is the knowledge that Jesus Himself has said, “Surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age” - Matthew 28:20. Jesus, who made the angels and receives their worship, has promised us His own presence in our trials.
Is Entire Sanctification / Sinless Perfection Possible In This Life?
Ephesians 4:13 says that the spiritual gifts are given to build up the body of Christ "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Some translations say that we will become "perfect" (instead of "mature"), and from this, some people have mistakenly thought that we can reach sinless perfection in this life. The Bible teaches that, while we are in the flesh, we will always struggle with a sinful nature (see Romans 7:14-24). No one will be "perfect" (sinless) until we reach heaven.
The word translated as "mature" in Ephesians 4:13 is the Greek word teleios. It is used throughout the New Testament to mean "perfect," "complete," "full-grown," and "mature." What Ephesians 4:13 teaches is that the more we grow in Christ, the stronger and more unified we will be as a church. The verse does not teach that we will stop sinning. Morning Devotion for Today on the Old Testament and the New Testament
Another passage that sometimes causes confusion is Colossians 1:28, which says, in some translations, that Paul wants to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Also, in Colossians 4:12 Paul prays that we would "stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." In both verses, the word perfect should be translated as "mature" or "full-grown," not "perfect," in the sense of having no sin.
As human beings, we are bound under the curse of Adam in this world. No matter how hard we try not to, we will still sin against God. The apostle Paul rebuked Peter for showing favouritism - Galatians 2:11-13. Late in his ministry, Paul calls himself the chief of sinners - 1 Timothy 1:15. Peter, James, John, and Paul all admitted that they were imperfect. How could you or I claim anything different?
True perfection will not come until the Rapture of the church when we rise to meet Jesus in the air - 1 Thes. 4:17. At that time we will receive a new body - Philippians 3:20, 21 1 Corinthians 15:54. We will attend the Judgment Seat of Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:10, where our works will be judged and rewards will be given - 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. We will then live forever and reign with Christ in sinless perfection.
Biblical View Of Smoking
The Bible never directly mentions smoking. There are principles, however, that definitely apply to smoking. First, the Bible commands us not to allow our bodies to become "mastered" by anything. "Everything is permissible for me" but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me" but I will not be mastered by anything" - 1 Corinthians 6:12. Smoking is undeniably strongly addictive. Later in the same passage, we are told, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body" - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Smoking is undoubtedly very bad for your health. Smoking has been proven to damage the lungs and the heart.
Can smoking be considered "beneficial" - 1 Corinthians 6:12? Can it be said that smoking is truly honouring God with your body - 1 Corinthians 6:20? Can a person honestly smoke "for the glory of God" - 1 Corinthians 10:31? We believe that the answer to these three questions is a resounding "no." As a result, we believe that smoking is a sin and therefore should not be practised by followers of Jesus Christ. Best Morning Devotion for Today on I am the Light of the World, Dancing as a Form of Worship and Cast the First Stone
Some argue against this view by pointing to the fact that many people eat unhealthy foods, which can be just as addicting and just as bad for the body. As an example, many people are so helplessly addicted to caffeine that they cannot function without their first cup of coffee in the morning. While this is true, how does that make smoking right? It is our contention that Christians should avoid gluttony and excessively unhealthy eating. Yes, Christians are often hypocritical by condemning one sin and condoning another, but, again, this does not make smoking an honour to God.
Another argument against this view of smoking is that many godly men have been smokers, such as the famous British preacher C. H. Spurgeon, who was known to smoke cigars. Again, we do not believe this argument holds any weight. We believe Spurgeon was wrong for smoking. Was he otherwise a godly man and a fantastic teacher of God's Word? Absolutely! Does that make all of his actions and habits honoured to God? No.
In stating that smoking is a sin, we are not stating that all smokers are unsaved. There are many true believers in Jesus Christ who smoke. Smoking does not prevent a person from being saved. Nor does it cause a person to lose salvation. Smoking is no less forgivable than any other sin, whether for a person becoming a Christian or a Christian confessing his/her sin to God - 1 John 1:9. At the same time, we firmly believe that smoking is a sin that should be forsaken and, with God's help, overcome.
How Do You Choose to Deal with Sin?
Sin is the universal choice & common problem of all men -- Sin is not a pretty sight! - Romans 3:9-18, 23; 6:23. Men have chosen to deal with their sin in a variety of ways, only one of which brings true relief, freedom and life eternal. How will you choose to deal with sin?
I. You Can Choose To Deny Your Sin.
A. By Self-righteously Denying Sin - 1 John 1:8-10. -These Christians deceive themselves, live in error, have no cleansing from their sin and call God a liar.
B. By Changing The Definition Of Sin - Isaiah 5:20.
II. You Can Choose To Indulge Yourself In Sin - Romans 1: 28-32; 8:5.
A. The Heathen Refuse To Honor God - Romans 1:20-22.
B. They Set Their Minds On The Flesh, Befriending The World - Romans 8:5; James 4:1-4.
III. You May Choose To Excuse Your Sin. (in yourself & in others) - Romans 1:20 (sin is absolutely inexcusable!).
A. You Can Blame Others - Genesis 3:11-13 (Jas. 1:13). Won't work. -(Always the other guy's fault & never your fault! Refuse to take personal responsibility for your sin.)
B. You Can Say, "I Can't Help Myself" - Exodus 32:21-24. (But you can.) -(I was born that way…my environment caused me to be the way I am…)
C. You Can Claim Your Intentions Were Good - Matthew 7:21-23.
1. Shall we do evil that good may come?! - Romans 3:8
2. 1 Samuel 13:11-12 - "I had to!"
3. 1 Samuel 15:3, 8-9, 11, 13-15, 22-23 - Still rebellion against God!
D. Because You Are Afraid - 1 Samuel 15:24 (cf. Matthew 10:28). Short Daily Devotional for Today about Fear, Loneliness and Managing Emotions
IV. You Can Choose To Hide Your Sin - Gen. 3:8 (Joshua 7:21).
A. Trying To Hide Sin From God Is Futile - Isaiah 29:15; Ezekiel 8:12 Ù Jeremiah 23:24.
1. Our sins are always before God - Psalm 90:8.
2. Trying to hide sin only hurts you! - Hebrews 3:12-13
3. Far better to seek God's help with sin! - Psalm 19:12-13
V. You Can Choose To Confess Your Sin - Proverbs 28:13.
A. To God, Because Your Sin Is Against Him - Psalm 32:3-5 (51:3-4); 1 John 1:9.
B. To The Person You Sin Against, Because You Wronged Him - James 5:16.
VI. You Can Choose To Repent of Your Sin - Luke 13:3, 5.
A. Have Godly Sorrow Over Your Sin - 2 Corinthians 7:9-10.
B. Bear The Fruit Of Repentance In Your Life - 2 Corinthians 7:11; Acts 26:20.
1. To repent necessarily implies one will stop his sin! - Revelation 9:20-21.
2. The repentant repudiate their sin - Acts 19:18.
3. The repentant put sin to death in their lives - Romans 6:1-4, 6, 11-12, 14.
God forgives every repentant, obedient sinner - Acts 2:37-38 (Luke 15:7). Choose to deal correctly with your sin…today! (Hebrews 3:13).
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