Search results for tag #faith
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π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€[Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians!*so the people feared the LORD!*& they believed in the LORD!*& in his servant Moses!]π€ππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πβοΈπβοΈπππ£ππ©·π€
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #World #Pray #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€(Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians!*& Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore!)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Understanding #Unity #Prayer #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€(But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea!*the waters being a wall to them on their right hand!*& on their left!π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Prayer #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€(So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea!*& the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared!*& as the Egyptians fled into it!*the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea!*The waters returned!*& covered the chariots!*& the horsemen!*of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea!*not one of them remained!)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Crossing #the #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Jewish #Hope #Faith #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(Then the LORD said to Moses!*βStretch out your hand over the sea!*that the water may come back upon the Egyptians!*upon their chariots!*& upon their horsemen!β)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Understanding #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(the LORD in the pillar of fire!*& of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces!*& threw the Egyptian forces into a panic!*clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily!*& the Egyptians said!*βLet us flee from before Israel!*for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians!β)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(The Egyptians pursued!*& went in after them into the midst of the sea!*& in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire!*& of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces!*& threw the Egyptian forces into a panic!π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Understanding #Love
π€πβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯πππ£π€*(The Egyptians pursued!*& went in after them into the midst of the sea!*all Pharaoh's horses!*his chariots!*& his horsemen!*& in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire!*& of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces!*& threw the Egyptian forces into a panic!π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea!*& the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night!*& made the sea dry land!*& the waters were divided!*& the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground!*the waters being a wall to them on their right hand!*& on their left!)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #World #Pray #Christian #Jewish #Hope #Faith #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved!*& went behind them!*& the pillar of cloud moved from before them!*& stood behind them!*coming between the host of Egypt!*& the host of Israel!*& there was the cloud!*& the darkness!*& it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night!)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #Pray #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(The LORD said to Moses!*& "I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them!*& I will get glory over Pharaoh!*& all his host!*his chariots!*& his horsemen!*& the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD!*when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh!*his chariots!*& his horsemen!β)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #Red #Sea #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Hope #Faith #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(The LORD said to Moses!*βWhy do you cry to me?*Tell the people of Israel to go forward!*Lift up your staff!*& stretch out your hand over the sea!*& divide it!*that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground!)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(Moses said For the Egyptians whom you see today!*you shall never see again!*The LORD will fight for you!*& you have only to be silent!β)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(Moses said to the people!*βFear not!*stand firm!*& see the salvation of the LORD!*which he will work for you today!)π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Devotional #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*(MOSES!*GOD!*& ANGELS)*[Moses said to the people!*βFear not!*stand firm!*& see the salvation of the LORD!π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Devotional #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππππ£ππ©·π€*Dealing With Evil People!*HOW GOD HELPED HIS PEOPLE GET AWAY FROM THEIR ENEMY Pursuing THEM!*& Crossing the Red Sea!*& HOW The LORD will fight for US ALL!*& you have only to be silent!*AMEN!π€πππβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«ππβοΈπβοΈππ£ππ©·π€π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #World #Pray #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Love
βοΈπβοΈππ£πβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯πππ©ππ«πππππΏββοΈ*[*THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER HELPS US ALL LEARN MANY THINGS WHEN WE HAVE FAITH IN GOD!*LIKE!]*Dealing With Evil People!*HOW GOD HELPED HIS PEOPLE GET AWAY FROM THEIR ENEMY Pursuing THEM!*& Crossing the Red Sea!*& HOW The LORD will fight for US ALL!*& you have only to be silent!π
Exodus 14:13-31
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Sea #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #be #silent #World #Pray #Hope #Faith #Truth #Love
βοΈπβοΈππ£πβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯πππ©ππ«πππππΏββοΈ*[*DEAR FRIENDS THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Exodus 14) HELPS US ALL LEARN MANY THINGS WHEN WE HAVE FAITH IN GOD!*LIKE!]*Dealing With Evil People!π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Devotional #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Understanding #Love
βοΈπβοΈππ£πβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯πππ©ππ«πππππΏββοΈ*[*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS ACROSS THIS VAST REALM OF EARTH THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Exodus 14) HELPS US ALL LEARN MANY THINGS WHEN WE HAVE FAITH IN GOD!*LIKE!]π
(Exodus 14:13-31)
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels #The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Devotional #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Understanding #Love
π¦ππΉπ¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦πββ¬π¦ππππππ¦ππππ©΅πββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED AWESOME FRIENDS TODAY I HOPE!*PRAY!*& WISH YOU ALL A FUN!*WHIMSICAL!*& FANTASTIC DAY!*AMEN!β π€ππ’π«π«π§πΏοΈπ¦ππππ©·πππ¦πππ¦ππ«ππββ¬π€π
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels
#The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Devotional #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Prayer #Love #One #Another
π¦ππΉπ¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦πββ¬π¦ππππππ¦ππππ©΅πββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED AWESOME FRIENDS ITβS TIME TO FEED OUR SPIRITS WITH GOOD!*& LOVING THINGS SO WE CAN RECEIVE MORE KNOWLEDGE!*& THE GREAT NEWS OF POSITIVE HOPE!*AMEN!ππ
#Dealing #With #Evil #People #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels
#The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Devotional #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Unity #Prayer #Love #One #Another
π¦ππΉπ¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦πββ¬π¦ππππππ¦ππππ©΅πββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED AWESOME FRIENDS HAPPY MONDAY APPRECIATION DAY OF GOD'S ANIMALS HIS BELOVED CREATURE DAY!π€π¦π¦ππ πππππππ’π«π¬π§πΉπΏοΈπ¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦πββ¬π¦π€π
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit
#The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #HAPPY #MONDAY #M #ANIMALS #GODS #BELOVED #CREATURES #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Unity #Love #One #Another
π¦ππΉπ¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦πββ¬π¦ππππππ¦ππππ©΅πββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED AWESOME FRIENDS GOOD MONDAY MORNING!ππ
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#Crossing #the #Red #Sea #MOSES #AWARE #OF #GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels
#The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Monday #Devotional #HAPPY #MONDAY #M #ANIMALS #GODS #BELOVED #CREATURES #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Jewish #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Unity #Prayer #Love #One #Another
π¦ππΉπ¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦πββ¬π¦ππππππ¦ππππ©΅πββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED AWESOME FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD GOOD MONDAY MORNING!ππ
#Dealing #With #Evil #People
#GOD #Christ #Jesus #Holy #Spirit #Angels
#The #LORD #will #fight #for #you #and #you #have #only #to #be #silent #Monday #Devotional #HAPPY #MONDAY #M #ANIMALS #GODS #BELOVED #CREATURES #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Prayer #Love #One #Another
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A painting of Whimsical and colorful MERCAT in gorgeous intricate costume
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Light Drives Out TheΒ Darkness
Have you ever noticed that darkness doesn't have to be invited? It seems to creep into our lives naturally. The problem is that darkness doesn't need our permission to grow. It only needs us to stop intentionally filling ourselves with the Light. God reminded me of this in today's Gem of Knowledge: "Darkness will consume you if you don't intentionally fill yourself with lightβMe and My Word. Amen." Light isn't something we accidentally stumble into. It's something we intentionally pursue. Just as a lamp eventually burns through its oil, our hearts can begin to grow dim when we neglect the One who continually fills us. We were never meant to shine on yesterday's oil. Don't wait until your lamp is nearly empty before seeking Him. Spend time with Him today. Let Him fill you again, so your light continues to shine brightly in a world that desperately needs to see Him. π [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 2 Chronicles 1:1β3:17 β’ Romans 6:1β23 β’ Psalm 16:1β11 β’ Proverbs 19:20β21
Filled With His Light
Have you ever noticed that darkness doesn’t have to be invited? It seems to creep into our lives naturally. A little discouragement here. A little compromise there. A little less time with God. Before we know it, our joy begins to fade, our peace grows dim, and we wonder why our spiritual fire isn’t burning like it once did.
The problem is that darkness doesn’t need our permission to grow. It only needs us to stop intentionally filling ourselves with the Light.
God reminded me of this in today’s Gem of Knowledge:
“Darkness will consume you if you don’t intentionally fill yourself with lightβMe and My Word. Amen.”
Light isn’t something we accidentally stumble into. It’s something we intentionally pursue. Just as a lamp eventually burns through its oil, our hearts can begin to grow dim when we neglect the One who continually fills us. We were never meant to shine on yesterday’s oil.
Solomon understood this when he first became king. Before asking for wealth or victory, he sought the Lord. He desired wisdom more than anything else because he knew he couldn’t lead God’s people without God’s guidance. Solomon intentionally sought God first, and God richly supplied everything else he needed.
The same principle applies to us.
Every day we’re being shaped by something. The news, social media, entertainment, conversations, fears, disappointments, and endless distractions all compete for our attention. If we’re not intentionally filling our minds with God’s truth, something else will gladly take its place. Our lamp may still be burning, but without continually drawing near to the Lord, the oil begins to run low.
Paul reminds us in Romans 6 that we are no longer slaves to sin but servants of righteousness. That freedom wasn’t given so we could drift through life spiritually. It was given so we could intentionally present ourselves to God each day. Every day we choose what we will feed, and whatever we continually feed will grow stronger. As we abide in Christ, He faithfully replenishes what this world constantly tries to drain.
David beautifully declares in Psalm 16,
“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” (Psalm 16:11, NLT)
Notice where joy is foundβnot in circumstances, but in His presence.
When we spend time with Jesus, open His Word, worship Him, and talk with Him throughout the day, He pours fresh oil into our lives. His Spirit renews us. His truth exposes the lies we’ve believed. His presence strengthens our weary hearts, and His light pushes back the darkness that was trying to settle in.
Don’t wait until your lamp is nearly empty before seeking Him. Spend time with Him today. Let Him fill you again, so your light continues to shine brightly in a world that desperately needs to see Him. π
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'” -John 8:12 (NLT)
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take at least 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Be filled by His presence then ask Him:
- βLord, what do You want me to know about this personally?β
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, βWhat do You want me to do?β
- Journal what He reveals βΒ then do it!
Take inventory of what has been filling your heart lately. Is it drawing you closer to Jesus or pulling your attention away from Him? Be intentional with your time today to read God’s Word, pray, and simply enjoy His presence. Let Him replenish the oil that keeps your light burning brightly.
Prayer
Father, thank You for being the Light of my life. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed other things to fill my heart more than Your presence. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit, and let Your Word renew my mind each day. Keep my lamp burning brightly with fresh oil so that Your light shines through me wherever I go. Draw me closer to You, and help me walk in Your truth every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.
If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries Godβs Word to more hearts. Every seed mattersβthank you for sowing into this work! π
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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A peaceful believer holding a glowing oil lamp in the darkness as shadowy figures flee from the warm light, symbolizing the power of God's presence and His Word overcoming spiritual darkness.
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Where was The Bank of Asia?
By Elizabeth Prata
Introduction
Ephesus was a huge city and attracted thousands of people. The city was a crossroads. One reason was because the temple of Artemis was there and worshipers came from all over in their pilgrimages to pay homage to this (fictional) goddess.
Artemis was the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, and young girls. She was also heavily associated with childbirth and fertility, such as in regional cults like the one in Ephesus.
Ephesus’ Temple of Artemis, AKA The Artemision, was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Four times bigger than the Parthenon in Greece, it served not only as a worship center, but housing for refugees, and something else! But first, about Ephesus.
What was Ephesus like?
In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the city of Ephesus was a massive, cosmopolitan metropolis. Its estimated population of 200,000 to 250,000 people made it the 4th biggest city in the Roman Empire. “Ephesus commanded the west end of one great trade route intoΒ Asia”,Β says Encyclopedia Britannica. Ephesus was wealthy beyond imagination. The wealth generated by this vibrant and busy trading port funded the city’s luxurious marble streets, street lights, and grand monuments like the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus also boasted the Library of Celsus and held over 12,000 scrolls. It also was one of the most impressive buildings in the Roman Empire.
What was the Temple of Artemis like?
The Temple was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Why? Though the temple was destroyed and rebuilt three times, the final and most famous version of the temple measured about 450 feet long by 225 feet wide, supported by over 127 marble columns, standing 60 feet tall. The temple was lauded for the incredible art and statuary inside. Open to the sky in the middle, it was said to be the largest structure in the ancient world.
Artist rendering of how the temple may have looked. Source
Antipater of Sidon described the temple as the grandest of all the 7 Wonders: “I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught (anything) so grand”. (Antipater, Greek Anthology IX.58).
The Temple was always swirling with priests and priestesses, musicians, pilgrims, acrobats, refugees, and bankers.
Wait, what?
Yes, the Artemision was also a bank.
The Bank of Asia
The city of Ephesus was incredibly rich. You might have heard the term ‘Rich as Croesus’. He was an actual king of the region that had conquered Ephesus in 561 BC. He was incredibly rich indeed. He funded the temple construction.
With the throbbing mix of merchants constantly coming and going, they needed a place to store their valuables. Jewelry, art, and money was stored there. King Croesus actually was the first in the region to mint coins. He produced the first standardized pure gold and pure silver coins, called the Croeseid.
The Temple was known as the Bank of Asia. Depositors even earned interest. Loans were regularly given out. It was considered sacrilegious to steal from a temple, which was populated by priests and soldiers 24/7 anyway, so the location was considered highly secure. Depositors even earned interest.
Ephesus was proud, highly proud of its stature as a thriving and important metropolis. Rivals were Smyrna and Pergamum, you remember those churches also received a letter in the book of Revelation. In Australia’s Macquarie University they wrote a book on the coinage of Ephesus. We read the following in chapter 6:
On the other hand, Ephesus had its rivals within the province: great cities like Pergamon and Smyrna, both of which became neokoros before Ephesus did (q.v.). Each of the three cities claimed to be metropolis of Asia, and all kept a jealous eye on the others’ honors and titles. Inscriptions found at Ephesus refer to an incident where Ephesus wrote to Antoninus Pius to complain that Smyrna and Pergamon were not giving Ephesus its proper honorific titles. Antoninus replied by trying to soothe ruffled feelings, but required that Ephesus receive the titles he had approved for it, and asked the cities to give each other their proper titles. Ephesus obviously saw this as a victory, as it engraved the Emperor’s letter on stone at least twice, and issued coin.
Enter Demetrius
You might remember the Bible’s description of the Riot at Ephesus in Acts 19:23-41. Paul had been preaching, and his efforts, carried along by the Holy Spirit, caused many conversions to Christianity. The city of Ephesus, with its pagan temple looming over the lives of its denizens, was the epicenter for worship- and as we have learned- of commerce too. And now comes along this upstart religion, and worse, it was making an impact.
The impact was not only counted in souls, but the commercial impact was large. Demetrius was a silversmith, thought to probably be head of the guild, who opposed ‘The Way’. The city earned massive amounts of money by its craftsmen making gold and silver idols and all other items that went with the Temple activity.
Demetrius had had enough. He gathered the craftsmen and said as recorded in verse 25-26, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all. Not only is there danger that this trade of ours will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as worthless, and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.””
He was crafty. He mentioned the prosperity but then turned his speech to make it be about the goddess who needed her proper due, and that her worship was under attack. The theater at Ephesus was suddenly filled. It was said to hold up to 25,000 people.
Wow. It’s the best preserved site in Ephesus and it’s gorgeous. Source
Now perhaps knowing that the Temple was also a commercial center and regional bank, we can re-order our thinking about the motivations of Demetrius’s speech. We can say ‘Ah! NOW I see his concern.’ If the pagan idol commerce failed, bank loans would fail, the bank would be seen as insecure, and commerce would be impacted across a wide swathe of Asia.
It wasn’t just his personal checking account that Demetrius was worried about. It was regional economy, status, and his industry being the underpinnings of it all.
Isn’t it interesting! I never would have known this except for the curiosity I have about buildings and architecture. I’ve discovered interesting facts about-
about apartment buildings in the ancient world (the one Eutychus fell out of and died and was resurrected),
Ecclesiastical Architecture (1) Intro
Ecclesiastical Architecture (2) The Pulpit
Ecclesiastical Architecture (3) Sacraments
Ecclesiastical Architecture (4) Baptism
Ecclesiastical Architecture (5) Music
Ecclesiastical Architecture (6) Lighting
Ecclesiastical Architecture (7) Pews
Ecclesiastical Architecture (8)Β Conclusion
and now the Temple of Artemis!
#bible #demetrius #ephesus #faith #riot
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many more will hear!*& believe!*In CHRIST Jesusβ name I pray!*Amen!π«ππππππ«π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
ππππππππππΏββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS ACROSS THE WORLD LET US ALL PRAY IN LOVE!*LIGHT*HARMONY!*& UNITY SINCERELY THE FOLLOWING PRAYER!ππππππππ
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& reading of Your Word!*LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I pray that Your Word will spread throughout the world!*& that many moreπ
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #Word #Gospel #Amen
ππππππππππΏββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS ACROSS THE WORLD LET US ALL PRAY IN LOVE!*LIGHT*HARMONY!*& UNITY SINCERELY THE FOLLOWING PRAYER!ππππππππ
πππππππDEAR Heavenly Father!*PLEASE strengthen my faith through the hearing!*& readingπ
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #PRAYER #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise #Spreading #Word #Gospel #Amen
βοΈπβοΈπβοΈβ€οΈβπ₯ποΈπππππΌββοΈ*[So then the Lord Jesus!*after he had spoken to them!*was taken up into heaven!*& sat down at the right hand of God!*& they went out!*& preached everywhere!*while the Lord worked with them!*& confirmed the message by accompanying signs!]π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#Great #Commission #DECIPLES #OF #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Gentleness #Understanding #Love #ENCOURAGED #COURAGEOUS #Spreading #Word #Gospel
πβοΈππ£οΈππππΌββοΈ*(JESUS said!βWhoever believes!*& is baptized will be saved!β*& these signs will accompany those who believe!*in my name they will cast out demons!*they will pick up serpents with their hands!*& if they drink any deadly poison!*it will not hurt them!*they will lay their hands on the sick!*& they will recover!β)π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#Great #Commission #DECIPLES #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Gentleness #Understanding #Love
πππππΌββοΈ*(JESUS said!βGo into all the world!*& proclaim the gospel to the whole creation!*Whoever believes!*& is baptized will be saved!β*& these signs will accompany those who believe!*in my name they will cast out demons!*they will speak in new tongues!π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #DECIPLES #OF #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Gentleness #Love #One #Another #ENCOURAGED #COURAGEOUS #Spreading #Word #Gospel
βοΈπβοΈπ©·ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»ππ«ππ¦π¦π©΅π©πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯πππππππΌββοΈ*(JESUS said to them!*βGo into all the world!*& proclaim the gospel to the whole creation!*Whoever believes!*& is baptized will be saved!βbut whoever does not believe will be condemned!)π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #DECIPLES #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Love #Spreading #Word #Gospel
βοΈπβοΈπ©·ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»ππ«ππ¦π¦π©΅π©πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯πππππππΌββοΈ*(JESUS~*Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table!*& he rebuked them for their unbelief!*& hardness of heart!*because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen!]π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #FOR #THE #DECIPLES #OF #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Love
βοΈπβοΈπ©·ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»ππ«ππ¦π¦π©΅π©πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯πππππππΌββοΈ*(CHRIST JESUS SAYS)*[Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table!*& he rebuked them for their unbelief!*& hardness of heart!π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #FOR #THE #DECIPLES #OF #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Love #One #Another #ENCOURAGED #COURAGEOUS #PREPARED #Spreading
βοΈπβοΈπ©·ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»ππ«ππ¦π¦π©΅π©πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯πππππππΌββοΈ*(CHRIST JESUS SAYS TO US ALL!)*[Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table!*&π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #FOR #THE #DECIPLES #OF #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Love #One #Another #ENCOURAGED #COURAGEOUS #PREPARED #Spreading #Word #Gospel #FOR #THE #DAY #OF #LORDS #COMING
ππππββοΈ*[BELIEVERS!(THERE IS AN URGENCY! WITH YOUR OWN SPECIAL GIFTS!*& PACE)*TO LISTEN TO THE βHOLY SPIRITβ WITH LOVING HEARTS!*MINDS!*& SOULS TO DO YOUR GIVEN BIT SPREADING THE WORD OF βCHRIST JESUS!βAS OUR βGreat Commissionβ APOINTED BY OUR βLORD!β*AMEN!]π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#Great #Commission #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #PRAYER #Love #One #Another #BE #Spreading #Gospel
ππππββοΈ*[BELIEVERS!(THERE IS AN URGENCY! WITH YOUR OWN SPECIAL GIFTS!*& PACE)*TO LISTEN TO THE βHOLY SPIRITβ WITH LOVING HEARTS!*MINDS!*& SOULS TO DO YOUR GIVEN BIT SPREADING THE WORD OF βCHRIST JESUS!βAS OUR βGreat Commissionβ APOINTED BY OUR βLORD!β*AMEN!]π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#Great #Commission #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #PRAYER #Love #One #Another #BE #Spreading #Gospel
ππππββοΈ*[BELIEVERS!(THERE IS AN URGENCY! WITH YOUR OWN SPECIAL GIFTS!*& PACE)*TO LISTEN TO THE βHOLY SPIRITβ WITH LOVING HEARTS!*MINDS!*& SOULS TO DO YOUR GIVEN BIT SPREADING THE WORD OF βCHRIST JESUS!βAS OUR βGreat Commissionβ APOINTED BY OUR βLORD!β*AMEN!]π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#Great #Commission #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #PRAYER #Love #One #Another #BE #Spreading #Gospel
ππππββοΈ*[SO AS BELIEVERS!(THERE IS AN URGENCY! WITH YOUR OWN SPECIAL GIFTS!*& PACE)*TO LISTEN TO THE βHOLY SPIRITβ IN YOUR LOVING HEARTS!*MINDS!*& SOULS TO DO YOUR GIVEN BIT!*TO GENTLY!*& RESPECTFULLY TO BE SPREADING THE WORD OF βCHRIST JESUS!β*& βGOD THE FATHER!β*& βHOLY SPIRITβ AS OUR βGreat Commissionβπ
(Mark 16:14-20)
#Commission #DECIPLES #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Gentleness #Love #Spreading #Gospel #DAY #OF #THE #LORDS
ππππββοΈ*[SO AS BELIEVERS!*WHICH MAKES US ALL DECIPLES OF βCHRIST JESUSβ(THERE IS AN URGENCY! WITH YOUR OWN SPECIAL GIFTS!*& PACE)*TO LISTEN TO THE βHOLY SPIRITβ IN YOUR LOVING HEARTS!*MINDS!*& SOULS TO DO YOUR GIVEN BIT!*TO GENTLY!*& RESPECTFULLY TO BE SPREADING THE WORD OF βCHRIST JESUS!π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #DECIPLES #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Gentleness #Love #Spreading #Gospel #SURPRISE #THE #LORDS #COMING
ππππββοΈ*[βJESUSβ GAVE US ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSIST MANY MORE TO BE SAVED!*& NOT PARISH WHEN THE SURPRISE OF βTHE DAY OF THE LORDβ COMES!*(& LET US ALL REMEMBER NO ONE KNOWS WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN!*ONLY GOD THE FATHER KNOWS!{NOT EVEN HIS SON!}π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #FOR #DECIPLES #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Gentleness #Love #COURAGEOUS #PREPARED #Spreading #Word #Gospel #FOR #GREAT #SURPRISE #THE #LORDS #COMING
βοΈπβοΈπ«ππ¦π¦π©΅π©πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯ππππββοΈ*[βCHRIST JESUSβ GAVE US ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE GUIDANCE OF THE βHOLY SPIRITβ TO SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD βTHE GOSPELβ TO ASSIST MANY MORE TO BE SAVED!*& NOT PARISH WHEN THE SURPRISE OF βTHE DAY OF THE LORDβ COMES!π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #DECIPLES #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Gentleness #Love #ENCOURAGED #COURAGEOUS #PREPARED #Spreading #the #Gospel #FOR #THE #DAY #OF #THE #LORDS #COMING
π¦πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯πππββοΈ*[BELOVED βCHRIST JESUSβ TAUGHT AS THE βSON OF GOD!β*& GAVE US ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE CONSCIENTIOUS!*HONEST!*OPENLY GENTLE!*& EACH WITH OUR OWN SPECIAL UNIQUE GIFTS!*& WITH THE GUIDANCE OF THE βHOLY SPIRITβ TO SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD βTHE GOSPELβπ
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Gentleness #Love #COURAGEOUS #PREPARED #Spreading #the #Word #Gospel #FOR #SURPRISE #THE #DAY #OF #THE #LORDS #COMING
βοΈπβοΈπ«ππ¦π¦π©΅π©πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯ππππββοΈ*[BELOVED FRIENDS βJESUSβ *{IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Mark 16)} AFTER RISING FROM THE GRAVE APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES!*& ALL PEOPLE DINING IN A HOUSE THAT BELIEVE!*& UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL!*(& THIS INCLUDES ALL OF US THAT ARE HIS DISCIPLES TODAY IN OUR PRESENT DAY!)π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #DECIPLES #CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Love
βοΈπβοΈπ«ππ¦π¦π©΅π©πβοΈπποΈβ€οΈβπ₯ππππββοΈ*[DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS ACROSS THE REALM OF THIS VAST EARTH βJESUSβ *{IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Mark 16)} AFTER RISING FROM THE GRAVE APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES!π
(Mark 16:14-20)
#The #Great #Commission #FOR #THE #DECIPLES #OF #CHRIST #JESUS #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Earth #Realm #Strive #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Love #ENCOURAGED #AND #COURAGEOUS #PREPARED
βοΈπβοΈπ¦π«ππ€ΈπΏββοΈππ©ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»πβ²π¦ππββοΈπππ©΅πππ©·ππΏββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS TODAY I HOPE!*PRAY!*& WISH YOU ALL A BLESSED PROFOUND DAY!*& THAT YOU ALL HAVE A FUN!*WHIMSICAL!*& WONDERFUL RAINBOW DAY!*AMEN!β π€π©·π¦πβ²π¦ππββοΈπππβοΈπβοΈππ©΅π«ππ€ΈπΏββοΈπ«ππ€ΈπΏββοΈπ©ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»π€π
#CHRIST #JESUS #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise #BE #ENCOURAGED #AND #COURAGEOUS #AND #PREPARED #AND #HELP #OTHERS
βοΈπβοΈπ¦π«ππ€ΈπΏββοΈππ©ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»πβ²π¦ππββοΈπππ©΅πππ©·ππΏββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS ITβS TIME TO FEED OUR SPIRITS WITH GOOD!*& LOVING THINGS GAINING KNOWLEDGE!*& POSITIVE HOPE!*& BE COURAGEOUS!*LOVING!*& GENTLE BOOSTING UP ALL PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD WITH ENCOURAGEMENT!*& GREAT HOPE AS WELL!*AMEN!ππ
#CHRIST #JESUS #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Remember #Pray #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise #ENCOURAGED #COURAGEOUS
βοΈπβοΈπ¦π«ππ€ΈπΏββοΈππ©ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»πβ²π¦ππββοΈπππ©΅πππ©·ππΏββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS GOOD SUNDAY MORNING!ππ
#CHRIST #JESUS #Sunday #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Gentleness #Unity #PRAYER #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise #BE #ENCOURAGED #AND #COURAGEOUS #AND #PREPARED #AND #HELP #OTHERS #By #Spreading #the #Word #Gospel #FOR #THE #GREAT #SURPRISE #THE #DAY #OF #THE #LORDS #COMING #Amen
βοΈπβοΈπ¦π«ππ€ΈπΏββοΈππ©ππ«ΆπΏπ«Άπ«Άπ»πβ²π¦ππββοΈπππ©΅πππ©·ππΏββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD GOOD SUNDAY MORNING!ππ
#CHRIST #JESUS #Sunday #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #SAVIOR #Light #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #PRAYER #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise #BE #ENCOURAGED #AND #COURAGEOUS #AND #PREPARED #AND #HELP #OTHERS #By #Spreading #the #Word #Gospel #FOR #THE #GREAT #SURPRISE
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A beautiful free style bright colorful painting of a woman walking in a crowd of people in a white dress holding a pink umbrella
Fight the Battle That MattersΒ Most
When we hear the wordsΒ spiritual warfare, one of two things often happens. Some people scoff at it as though it isn't real, while others immediately picture dramatic battles between good and evil. The truth is, neither response gives us a complete biblical picture. Spiritual warfare is real, and it must be acknowledged if we expect to walk in the victory God has for us. But God hasn't called us to fear the battleβHe's called us to learn how to fight it. God has already given us everything we need through Jesus Christ to stand firm. Don't wait until life falls apart to learn how to fight. Learn to fight with God today, and you'll be ready when tomorrow's battles come.π [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 28:1β29:30, Romans 5:6β21, Psalm 15:1β5, Proverbs 19:18β19
Learn To Fight God’s Way
When we hear the words spiritual warfare, one of two things often happens. Some people scoff at it as though it isn’t real, while others immediately picture dramatic battles between good and evil.
The truth is, neither response gives us a complete biblical picture. Spiritual warfare is real, and it must be acknowledged if we expect to walk in the victory God has for us. But God hasn’t called us to fear the battleβHe’s called us to learn how to fight it.
Today’s Gem reminds us,
“Spiritual warfare is real. Learn to fight there if you want to win here. Amen.”
Notice that God doesn’t simply tell us to recognize the battle. He tells us to learn how to fight it. Just as David spent years learning to lead, shepherd, and fight physical battles, we too must grow spiritually so we know how to stand firm when the enemy attacks.
One of Satan’s greatest victories is convincing believers that the real battle doesn’t exist. After all, an unseen battle is rarely fought. Yet Scripture reminds us that many of life’s greatest victories or defeats begin long before they ever become visible. The battlefield is often our hearts and minds, where lies compete with God’s truth, fear challenges faith, bitterness opposes forgiveness, and pride resists humility. Learning to recognize those battles is the first step toward winning them.
David understood this well. As he prepared Solomon to become king, he didn’t spend his final moments explaining military strategy or political leadership. Instead, he urged his son to seek the Lord wholeheartedly and obey His commands. David knew that Israel’s future would never depend primarily on the strength of its army. It would depend on the strength of its relationship with God. Before Solomon would ever face enemies on the battlefield, he would first need to win the spiritual battle for his own heart.
That same principle is beautifully displayed in today’s reading from Romans. Paul reminds us that humanity’s greatest battle was never against Rome, difficult circumstances, or earthly kingdoms. Our greatest enemy was sin itself, and we were powerless to overcome it on our own. Yet while we were still sinners, Christ stepped into the battle we could never win.
“But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
βRomans 5:8 (NLT)
Because of Jesus, we don’t fight hoping to earn victory. We fight from the victory He has already secured through the cross. That changes everything. We no longer battle for God’s acceptanceβwe battle because we already belong to Him.
So what does that battle look like?
Sometimes it looks like refusing to believe the lie that God has abandoned you.
Sometimes it looks like choosing forgiveness when resentment feels justified.
Sometimes it means replacing fear with faith, temptation with obedience, discouragement with hope, or pride with humility.
Those may sound like ordinary decisions, but they are often some of the hardest battles we will ever fight. Left to ourselves, we don’t have the strength to win them consistently. That’s why we don’t fight in our own powerβwe fight in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. Through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and the power of His name, He gives us the strength to overcome what we never could on our own.
Psalm 15 paints a picture of a person who walks closely with God. They live with integrity, speak truth, keep their promises, and refuse to harm others. Those aren’t simply good character traitsβthey’re evidence of a heart that is winning the unseen battles before the visible ones ever appear.
Perhaps that’s the reminder we all need today. If we want to win the battles we face in our homes, our relationships, our workplaces, and our daily lives, we must first learn to fight the battles that take place within us.
Victory begins in prayer before it is seen in our circumstances.
It begins by filling our minds with God’s Word, rebuking the lies of the enemy in Jesus’ name, surrendering our hearts to His Spirit, and choosing obedience one decision at a time.
Spiritual warfare is real.
Ignoring it doesn’t make it disappear.
But neither does fearing it.
God has already given us everything we need through Jesus Christ to stand firm.
Don’t wait until life falls apart to learn how to fight. Learn to fight with God today, and you’ll be ready when tomorrow’s battles come.π
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the God today. Ask Him:
- βLord, what do You want me to know about this personally?β
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, βWhat do You want me to do?β
- Journal what He reveals β then do it!
Let today be a day of acknowledging the need for spiritual warfare and seeking God’s ways to win every battle you face.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for reminding me that spiritual warfare is real and that You have not left me defenseless. Teach me to recognize the battles taking place within my heart and mind, and help me fight them with Your truth instead of my own strength. Thank You that You have already won the greatest victory through the cross. Fill me with Your Spirit, strengthen my faith, and help me walk each day in the victory You have already provided. May my life bring glory to You as I learn to fight Your way. In Your beautiful and mighty name I pray. Amen.
To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.
If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries Godβs Word to more hearts. Every seed mattersβthank you for sowing into this work! π
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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A lone warrior kneels in prayer beside a large rock at sunrise, with his helmet, shield, and sword resting on the ground nearby. Golden light breaks through the clouds, symbolizing victory through prayer and dependence on God during spiritual warfare.
![[?]](https://cdn.mastodon.africa/accounts/avatars/110/342/648/747/727/334/original/b0bff7f9c221179d.jpg)
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!*& whatever you do!*in word!*or deed!*do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus!*giving thanks to God the Father through him!]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«πππβοΈπβοΈππ€
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #Pray #Peace #Faith #Truth #Love #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*God's chosen ones!*holy!*& beloved let the Peace!*& word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Father #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*Put on then!*as God's chosen ones!*holy!*& beloved let the Peace!*& the word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*& admonishing one another in all wisdom!*singing psalms!*& hymns!*& spiritual songs!*with thankfulness in your hearts to God!π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #GOD #Father #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*Put on then!*as God's chosen ones!*holy!*& beloved above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony!*& let the Peace!*& the word of Christ dwell in you richly!*teaching!*&π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€[*Put on then!*as God's chosen ones!*holy!*& beloved!*compassionate hearts!*bearing with one another!*& forgiving each other!*& above all these put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony!π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*Put on then!*as God's chosen ones!*holy!*& beloved!*compassionate hearts!*kindness!*humility!*patience!*bearing with one another!*& forgiving each other!*as the Lord has forgiven you!*so you also must forgive!π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*Put on then!*as God's chosen ones!*holy!*& beloved!*compassionate hearts!*kindness!*humility!*meekness!*& patience!*bearing with one another!*& if one has a complaint against another!*forgiving each other!*as the Lord has forgiven you!π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Unity #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*now you have put on the new self!*which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator!*Here there is not Greek!*& Jew!*circumcised!*& uncircumcised!*barbarian!*Scythian!*slave!*free!*but Christ is all!*& in all!)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Father #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*now you must put them away!*anger!*wrath!*malice!*slander!*& obscene talk from your mouth!*Do not lie to one another!*seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices!*& have put on the new self!*which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator!)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Christ #Jesus #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Understanding #Unity #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*Put to death therefore what is earthly in you!*On account of these the wrath of God is coming!*In these you too once walked!*when you were living in them!*But now you must put them all away!)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*Put to death therefore what is earthly in you!*sexual immorality!*impurity!*passion!*evil desire!*& covetousness!*which is idolatry!*On account of these the wrath of God is coming!)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*seek the things that are above!*where Christ is seated at the right hand of God!*Set your mind on things above!*not on earthly things!*For you died!*& your life is hidden with Christ in God!*When Christ!*who is your life!*appears!*then you also will appear with him in glory!)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ¦π¦ββ¬βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©π«π©·π€(*Therefore!*because you were raised with Christ!*seek the things that are above!*where Christ is seated at the right hand of God!)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Earth #Realm #Strive #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS βAPOSTLE PAULβIN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Colossians 3) TELLS US ALL THE βGREAT!*& IMPORTANT GOOD NEWS!βHOW WE CAN ALL Put On OUR OWN New Self IN CHRIST JESUS!)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Earth #Realm #Strive #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Helping #Gentleness #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€(*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS IN THIS VAST REALM OF EARTH!*βAPOSTLE PAULβ{*WHO IS AN Ambassador APPOINTED FOR CHRIST JESUS!} IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Colossians 3)π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Earth #Realm #Strive #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππ€*Put On OUR New Self!π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππββ¬π¦βοΈπβοΈπ€π
βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππΌββοΈ*(*DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS IN THIS VASTπ
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Earth #Realm #Strive #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
βοΈπβοΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©ππ«π©·π©΅πππππππββοΈ*[DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS ON THIS ENTIRE EARTH!*βAPOSTLE PAULβ{*WHO IS AN Ambassador APPOINTED FOR CHRIST JESUS!} IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER (Colossians 3) TELLS US ALL THE βGREAT GOOD NEWS!β HOW WE CAN]*Put On OUR New Self!π
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another
π€½ββοΈπ§πβ²ππ¦ππ©·π©΅ππ€ππ¨πΈπ·π³οΈββ§οΈπ©ππ±ππΊπββ¬π¦πππππΏββοΈ*DEAR DARLING BELOVED FRIENDS I HOPE!*PRAY!*& WISH YOU ALL A FUN!*WHIMSICAL!*& WONDERFUL DAY!*AMEN!β π€ππ€½ββοΈπ§πβ²ππ¦ππ©·π©΅π¦ποΈπ¦π¦ββ¬π¦π»ππ€ππ¨πΈπ·π³οΈββ§οΈπ©ππ±ππΊπββ¬π¦ππππ€π
#GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Earth #Realm #Strive #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€½ββοΈπ§πβ²ππ¦ππ©·π©΅ππ€ππ¨πΈπ·π³οΈββ§οΈπ©ππ±ππΊπββ¬π¦πππππΏββοΈ*DEAR DARLING BELOVED FRIENDS I AM BATTLING!*& TRYING TO KEEP THE SMALL BEAR OUT OF THE FRONT YARD!π»*& AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO FEED MY SPIRIT WITH GOOD!*& LOVING THINGS!*& SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU TOO SO WE GAIN KNOWLEDGE!*& POSITIVE HOPE FOR OUR DAY!*AMEN!ππ
#DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€½ββοΈπ§πβ²ππ¦ππ©·π©΅ππ€ππ¨πΈπ·π³οΈββ§οΈπ©ππ±ππΊπββ¬π¦πππππΏββοΈ*DEAR DARLING BELOVED FRIENDS I AM BATTLING!*& TRYING TO KEEP THE SMALL BEAR OUT OF THE FRONT YARD WHERE I JUST PUT OUT THE BIRD!*& MOTHER RACCOON FOOD!π»π¦ποΈπ¦π¦ββ¬π¦π¦π¦π¦π»π
#Put #On #the #New #Self #DEVOTIONAL #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #Strive #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€½ββοΈπ§πβ²ππ¦ππ©·π©΅ππ€ππ¨πΈπ·π³οΈββ§οΈπ©ππ±ππΊπββ¬π¦πππππΏββοΈ*DEAR DARLING BELOVED FRIENDS HAPPY CATURDAY!π±ππΊπββ¬π¦*& I AMπ
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #DEVOTIONAL #Happy #Caturday #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Earth #Realm #Strive #Remember #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
π€½ββοΈπ§πβ²ππ¦ππ©·π©΅ππ€ππ¨πΈπ·π³οΈββ§οΈπ©ππ±ππΊπββ¬π¦πππππΏββοΈ*DEAR DARLING BELOVED FRIENDS GOOD SATURDAY MORNING!π*& HAPPY CATURDAYπ
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #SATURDAY #DEVOTIONAL #Happy #Caturday #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Earth #Realm #Strive #Remember #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
Alt...
A Whimsical male lion painting in all different pinks!*& A fancy top hat in pink decorated with pink flowers and to me it is a delightful lush visual!
π€½ββοΈπ§πβ²ππ¦ππ©·π©΅ππ€ππ¨πΈπ·π³οΈββ§οΈπ©ππ±ππΊπββ¬π¦πππππΏββοΈ*DEAR DARLING BELOVED FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD GOOD SATURDAY MORNING!ππ
(Colossians 3:1-17)
#Put #On #the #New #Self #Renewed #SATURDAY #DEVOTIONAL #Happy #Caturday #GOD #Father #SON #Christ #Jesus #SAVIOR #HOLY #SPIRIT #World #People #Earth #Realm #Strive #Remember #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #THANKFULNESS #Praise
Keep Fighting the GoodΒ Fight
Have you ever wondered if your faithfulness is making any difference? Sometimes it can feel like we're fighting an uphill battle with very little to show for it. That is why today's Gem is so encouraging. "Keep fighting the good fight. You never know who you might rescue along the way. Amen." We may never know just how far the ripples of our faith may travel, but God does. So don't grow weary! You never know who God might rescue along the way because you simply refused to give up. π β¨Click here to read the full devotional [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 26:12β27:34, Romans 4:13β5:5, Psalm 14:1β7, Proverbs 19:17
Someone Needs You to Keep Going
Have you ever wondered if your faithfulness is making any difference?
I’m sure most of us have. We pray for people who never seem to change. We continue serving without recognition. We try to live for Christ in a world that often seems to be moving in the opposite direction. Sometimes it can feel like we’re fighting an uphill battle with very little to show for it.
That is why today’s Gem is so encouraging.
“Keep fighting the good fight. You never know who you might rescue along the way. Amen.”
It reminds us that our lives are never lived in isolation. Every decision we make, every word we speak, every act of obedience, and every moment we choose to trust God instead of giving up has the potential to impact someone else’s life. We may never know just how far those ripples travel, but God does.
As I read today’s passage in Romans, I couldn’t help but notice that Paul doesn’t tell believers to rejoice because life is easy. He tells us to rejoiceΒ in our troublesΒ because God is using them to produce something beautiful within us. Endurance produces strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope in the Lord.
God doesn’t waste our struggles; He transforms them into a testimony of His faithfulness.
Have you ever been encouraged simply by watching another believer remain faithful through a difficult season? Maybe you’ve seen someone walk through grief without losing their trust in God, or you’ve watched someone continue serving even after being hurt or disappointed. Their perseverance quietly preached a sermon without ever stepping behind a pulpit.
That is often how God rescues people – Not through spectacular miracles alone, but through ordinary believers who refuse to quit.
Someone notices your patience.
Someone sees your integrity.
Someone watches you forgive when revenge would have been easier.
Someone hears you speak with hope while everyone else is filled with fear.
Those moments may seem small to you, but God can use them to awaken faith in someone who desperately needs it.
Even today’s reading in Chronicles reflects this truth. The chapter is filled with gatekeepers, officers, commanders, and leaders faithfully carrying out the responsibilities God had entrusted to them. Most of their names are unfamiliar to us, yet their faithful service helped strengthen an entire nation. They may never have realized the significance of their obedience, but God recorded their faithfulness for generations to read.
Our lives are much the same.
Very few of us will ever influence thousands of people, but every one of us has been given a circle of influence that no one else has. Your family, your friends, your coworkers, your neighborsβeven strangers you meet for only a momentβmay all encounter Jesus because you chose to keep walking with Him.
Perhaps that is why God says,Β “Keep fighting the good fight.”Β He knows that when we become discouraged, we’re tempted to think our faithfulness no longer matters. The truth is, someone may be watching your life today and finding the courage to keep believing because they see you still trusting God.
So don’t grow weary!
Keep praying.
Keep loving.
Keep serving.
Keep trusting.
You never know who God might rescue along the way because you simply refused to give up. π
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the God today. Ask Him:
- βLord, what do You want me to know about this personally?β
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, βWhat do You want me to do?β
- Journal what He reveals βΒ then do it!
Ask God to help you see every interaction today as an opportunity to reflect Christ. Whether through a kind word, an encouraging conversation, or simply remaining faithful in your own struggles, trust that He can use your life in ways you may never fully realize.
Prayer
Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that my faithfulness has a purpose beyond what I can see. When I grow weary, strengthen me to keep fighting the good fight. Help me to trust that You are working through my life, even when I don’t see immediate results. Use my words, my actions, and my perseverance to point others toward Jesus. May my life encourage someone else to keep believing, and may You receive all the glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.
If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries Godβs Word to more hearts. Every seed mattersβthank you for sowing into this work! π
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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Jesus stands beside a man building a wooden bridge across a deep canyon while a group of people walks toward them. The bridge symbolizes how faithful obedience and perseverance can help lead others to Christ.
Weβd love to invite you to be part of our Prayer Team. If you feel called to stand in the gap for others and lift up our church in prayer, please speak to Rev. Nozipho or Pastor Penny. Our prayer team is made up of people who faithfully take time to pray for others and for the wellbeing of our church community. Each of us is gifted by God in different ways, and prayer is a powerful and meaningful way to serve. If this is something on your heart, we would love for you to join us. #Prayer #Faith
If you'd like to mark a special occasion β a birthday, anniversary, thanksgiving, or remembrance β you're warmly invited to sponsor flowers in the church.
Please speak to Bronwen or any Society Steward.
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A flyer from Bedfordview Methodist Church, with a gradient background running from pink to purple. There's a colourful flower arrangement in a vase on either side. Text reads, "Would you like to mark a personal or special occasion - a birthday, anniversary, thanksgiving, or remembrance? You're warmly invited to sponsor flowers in the church. Please speak to Bronwen or any Society Steward." The footer contains the church's name, logo, physical and email addresses, and social media handles for Facebook, Instagram, and Mastodon.
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π£βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯π£οΈπ€[JESUS!βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many will not be able!*& you knock at the door!*& THE answerβI do not know you workers of evil!β*& there will be weeping!*AS YOU ARE CAST OUT OF THE kingdom of God!*& people will come from EVERYWHERE BEING IN THE kingdom of God!*& behold!*some are last who will be first!*& some are first who will be last!β]π€βοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯π£οΈππ«πππ©΅βοΈπβοΈππ©πͺππβ‘οΈπ©·π€
Luke 13:22-30 #Christ #Jesus #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Heaven #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€[JESUS!βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many I tell you will not be able!*& you knock at the door!*& he will answer!*βI do not know you Depart from me workers of evil!β*In that place there will be weeping!*& when you see all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you cast out!π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS!βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many I tell you will not be able!*& you knock at the door!*& he will answer!*βI do not know you Depart from me you workers of evil!β*In that place there will be weeping!*& when you see Abraham!*& Isaac!*& Jacob!*& all the prophets in the kingdom of Godπ
(Luke 13:22-30)
#Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS!βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many I tell you will seek to enter!*& will not be able!*& you begin to knock at the door!*saying!*βLord!*open to us!β*he will answer!*βI do not know you!*l*Depart from me!*all you workers of evil!β*In that place there will be weeping!*& gnashing of teeth!π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS said!βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many I tell you will seek to enter!*& will not be able!*WHEN the door IS SHUT!*& you begin to knock at the door!*saying!*βLord!*open to us!β*he will answer you!*βI do not know you!*Then you will begin to say!*βyou taught in our streets!βπ
(Luke 13:22-30)
#Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS said!βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many I tell you will seek to enter!*& will not be able!*WHEN the door IS SHUT!*& you begin to stand outside!*& to knock at the door!*saying!*βLord!*open to us!β*then he will answer you!*βI do not know you!*Then you will begin to say!*βWe ate!*& drank in your presence!*& you taught in our streets!β)π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Pray #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Understanding #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS said to them!*βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many!*I tell you!*will seek to enter!*& will not be able!*When once the master of the house has risen!*& shut the door!*& you begin to stand outside!*& to knock at the door!*saying!*βLord!*open to us!β*then he will answer you!*βI do not know where you come from!β)π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Love
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS journeying someone said to him!*βLord!*will those who are saved be few?β*& he said to them!*βStrive to enter through the narrow door!*For many!*I tell you!*will seek to enter!*& will not be able!)π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Understanding #Love #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
Donβt Give Up
Discouragement has a way of quietly working its way into our hearts. It rarely announces itself all at once. But God reminds us in today's Gem: "You will only be defeated if you give up on Me and doing what is right. Don't give up. Amen." If you're feeling weary today, don't mistake weariness for defeat. As long as you continue holding on to Christ, He is still leading you forward. Don't give up. π [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Todayβs One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 24:1β26:11, Romans 4:1β12, Psalm 13:1β6, Proverbs 19:15β16
One Step At A Time
Discouragement has a way of quietly working its way into our hearts. It rarely announces itself all at once. More often, it begins with disappointment after an unanswered prayer, exhaustion from continually doing the right thing, or wondering if our efforts are making any difference. If left unchecked, discouragement can slowly convince us that giving up would be easier than continuing to trust God.
That is why today’s Gem is such a timely reminder:
“You will only be defeated if you give up on Me and doing what is right. Don’t give up. Amen.”
What struck me most about this Gem is what God defines as defeat. We often think defeat comes when life falls apart, when we fail, or when our circumstances don’t improve. But God paints a very different picture. Hardships don’t defeat us. Delays don’t defeat us. Even our failures don’t have the final word if we continue to turn back to Him. True defeat comes only when we stop trusting Him and choose to walk away from what is right.
David understood what it felt like to struggle with discouragement. In Psalm 13 he poured out his heart before the Lord, asking,Β “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?”Β Those aren’t the words of a man who has everything figured out; they’re the honest cry of someone whose faith is being tested. Yet by the end of the psalm, David hasn’t received the answer he was hoping for. His circumstances haven’t suddenly changed. Instead, his perspective has.
He writes,Β “But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because He is good to me.”Β David chose to anchor himself in God’s character instead of his circumstances. He remembered who God had always been, and that remembrance gave him the strength to keep trusting even before the answer arrived.
That same kind of faith is beautifully illustrated in Romans 4 through the life of Abraham. Paul reminds us that Abraham was declared righteous because he believed God. Long before he ever held the promised son in his arms, Abraham chose to trust the One who made the promise. His faith wasn’t based on what he could see; it was based on the faithfulness of God.
Perhaps that is the lesson woven through today’s readings:
Faithfulness is not the absence of struggle. It is the decision to keep following God in the middle of it.
Most days, that faithfulness isn’t dramatic. It looks like continuing to pray when you haven’t yet received an answer. It looks like choosing integrity when compromise would be easier. It looks like opening God’s Word when your heart feels dry, forgiving someone one more time, serving quietly without recognition, or taking the next step of obedience even when you cannot see where the path leads.
The enemy would love nothing more than for you to believe your perseverance is pointless. God says the opposite. Every time you continue trusting Him and choosing what is right, you are walking in victory, even if you can’t yet see the outcome.
If you’re feeling weary today, don’t mistake weariness for defeat. As long as you continue holding on to Christ, He is still leading you forward. The battle may not be over, but neither is your story. Keep trusting. Keep obeying. Keep doing what is right.
Don’t give up. π
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the God today. Ask Him:
- βLord, what do You want me to know about this personally?β
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, βWhat do You want me to do?β
- Journal what He reveals βΒ then do it!
Let today be a day of trusting Him with everything you cannot yet see.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that my circumstances do not determine whether I have been defeated. Help me to keep trusting You when I grow weary and to continue doing what is right even when I don’t immediately see the results. Strengthen my faith like Abraham’s, and help me remember Your faithfulness like David did. Keep my eyes fixed on You, and give me the courage to keep walking one step at a time. Thank You for never giving up on me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.
If Gems of Knowledge has blessed your walk with Christ, please subscribe or consider partnering with us today. Your gift helps keep these devotionals free for everyone and carries Godβs Word to more hearts. Every seed mattersβthank you for sowing into this work! π
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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A lone traveler wearing a backpack walks along a winding country road at sunrise as Jesus walks a few steps ahead, looking back with a warm smile. Golden morning light fills the landscape, symbolizing faith, perseverance, and following Christ one step at a time.
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS went on his way through towns!*& villages!* teaching!*& journeying toward Jerusalem!*& someone said to him!*βLord!*will those who are saved be few?β)π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€(JESUS ON HIS JOURNEY TEACHES US ALL ON THIS REALM OF EARTH)*[*JESUS went on his way through towns!*& villages!* teaching!*&π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
π€βοΈπβοΈπ£βοΈπ£οΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«πππ©·π€*THE NARROW DOOR!π€πππ©·βοΈπβοΈβοΈβοΈποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯ππ©πππ©΅πͺππ―πβ‘οΈππ«π£οΈπ£π€
βοΈπβοΈπ£οΈβοΈπποΈπ¦β€οΈβπ₯π©ππ£π£π£ππ«ππ―ππ©·πβ‘οΈπππ©΅πββοΈ(JESUS ON HIS JOURNEY TEACHES US ALL ON THIS REALM OFπ
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
βοΈπβοΈπ£π£οΈβοΈπποΈπ¦π©πππ«β€οΈβπ₯ππ―ππ©·π©΅πβ‘οΈπππ©·ππΎββοΈ*[βTHE NARROW DOOR!β*HAS ALWAYS CONCERNED ME FOR MYSELF!*& OTHERS IN THE WORLD!*& I PONDER WILL I?*& YOU BE ABLE TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE NARROW DOOR WHEN WE KNOCK?*& WILL JESUS KNOW US?*& WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE SO HE WILL RECOGNIZE US ALL TO GET THROUGH THAT VERY IMPORTANT]*Narrow Door?!?*AMEN!β π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Understanding #Love
You have to know when to stop evangelizing
By Elizabeth Prata
Matthew 28:19-20 famously says,
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.“
This is known as The Great Commission, where Jesus, upon the occasion of His departure from earth, told His disciples to evangelize, baptize, and raise up more disciples.
Mark 16:15 says, And He saidΒ to them, βGoΒ into allΒ the worldΒ and preachΒ the gospelΒ to allΒ creation.
So, we do. We share the Gospel (using words). It is our duty and our privilege.
So it seems like it would be a dereliction of duty to quit giving the Gospel to someone who rejects it. But it isn’t. If a person has been shared with and given the blessed Gospel of God, not only once but a few times, and they reject, it is OK to stop. In fact, sometimes they entrench further into their depravity and sin each time we bring it up. Rather that push the issue, stop and let the Holy Spirit do His work. If that person has been chosen and elect, they will at some point come to see as the scales fall from their eyes.
As Paul is a great model for sharing the Gospel he is also a great model of when to stop sharing the Gospel:
Acts 18:6, But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.“
If they were blaspheming, their minds were definitely not ready and that meant their heart was not accepting either. Let them go and move on to more fruitful fields. Also, if they were blaspheming, they were heaping sin upon themselves. We don’t want that for them. Just let them go and let the seed germinate if it is going to.
Here is another example-
Acts 19:9, But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he [Paul] withdrew from them and took the disciples awayΒ with him,Β and had discussions daily in the school of Tyrannus.
They were becoming hardened. Sometimes when we share the Gospel with a loved one, we can spiritually see them hardening. We feel them moving away from Jesus, not toward.
Sometimes it is OK to stop giving the Gospel if they ask you to stop. If you have shared and are satisfied with your clarity in that share, and the next time or two you’ve raised the issue and they say ‘stop’ then respect that and just love them.
This verse is kind of a brutal description, but remember, it’s advice from the All Omniscient One-
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6).
And we remember Matthew 10:14, where Jesus instructed them,
And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet.
So, is the person you’re sharing with stomping on the Gospel, rejecting it in a blaspheming way, or just weary of the ‘Jesus-talk’? It is OK to stop. It is actually loving to keep on loving them but refrain from continuing the Gospel share so that they do not blaspheme or harden. But pray for them.
βοΈπβοΈπ£π£π£π£οΈβοΈπποΈπ¦π©πππ«β€οΈβπ₯ππ―ππ©·π©΅πβ‘οΈπππ©·ππΎββοΈ*[βJESUSββ TEACHING ABOUT βTHE NARROW DOOR!β*HAS ALWAYS CONCERNED ME FOR MYSELF!*& OTHERS IN THE WORLD!*& I PONDER WILL I?*& YOU BE ABLE TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE NARROW DOOR WHEN WE KNOCK?π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL
βοΈπβοΈπ£π£π£π£οΈβοΈπποΈπ¦π©πππ«β€οΈβπ₯ππ―ππ©·π©΅πβ‘οΈπππ©·ππΎββοΈ*[FRIENDS βJESUSββ TEACHING ABOUT βTHE NARROW DOOR!β*HAS ALWAYS CONCERNED ME FOR MYSELF!*& OTHERS IN THE WORLD!*& I PONDER WILL I?*&π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
βοΈπβοΈπ£π£π£π£οΈβοΈπποΈπ¦π©πππ«β€οΈβπ₯ππ―ππ©·π©΅πβ‘οΈπππ©·ππΎββοΈ*[DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS βEVANGELIST LUKEβ RECOUNTS FOR US ALL IN CHAPTER (Luke 13) βJESUSββ TEACHING AS HE JOURNEYS TO βJerusalemβ!*& IN βTHE NARROW DOOR!β*& JESUSβ TEACHING OF THIS HAS ALWAYS CONCERNED ME FOR MYSELF!*& OTHERS IN THE WORLD!π
(Luke 13:22-30)
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Understanding #Love #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #ALL #PEOPLE
βοΈπβοΈπ£π£π£π£οΈβοΈπποΈπ¦π©πππ«β€οΈβπ₯ππ―ππ©·π©΅πβ‘οΈπππ©·ππΎββοΈ*[DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS ACROSS THE WORLD βEVANGELIST LUKEβ RECOUNTS FOR US ALL IN CHAPTER (Luke 13) βJESUSββ TEACHING AS HE JOURNEYS TO βJerusalemβ!π
Luke 13:22-30
#The #Narrow #Door
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
ππποΈπ¦π©·π©΅ππ©π«Άπ«Άπ»π«ΆπΏπ©΄π©΄ππποΈπβ±οΈπ΄π€ΈπΏββοΈβΉπΏββοΈπβ½πΎππΏπΈππ€½πΏββοΈπ€ΎπΏββοΈπ΄πΏββοΈπ΅πΏββοΈππ£π¦π‘π πΌπΌπ’π€πππππΌββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED LOVING!*KIND!*PASSIONATE!*CURIOUS!*& EMPATHETIC FRIENDS I HOPE!*PRAY!*& WISH YOU ALL A SAFE!*FUN!*WHIMSICAL!*& AWESOME FANTASTIC DAY!*AMEN!β π€ππ©π«Άπ«Άπ»π«ΆπΏππποΈπβ±οΈπ΄π€ΈπΏββοΈπ΄βΉπΏββοΈπβ½πΎππΏπΈππ€½πΏββοΈπ€ΎπΏββοΈπ΄πΏββοΈπ΅πΏββοΈππ£π¦π‘π πΌπΌπ’ππ€π©·πΈβ΅β΅ππ€π
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS
ππποΈπ¦π©·π©΅ππ©π«Άπ«Άπ»π«ΆπΏπ©΄π©΄ππποΈπβ±οΈπ΄π€ΈπΏββοΈβΉπΏββοΈπβ½πΎππΏπΈππ€½πΏββοΈπ€ΎπΏββοΈπ΄πΏββοΈπ΅πΏββοΈππ£π¦π‘π πΌπΌπ’π€πππππΌββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED LOVING!*KIND!*PASSIONATE!*CURIOUS!*& EMPATHETIC FRIENDS I AM FEEDING MY SPIRIT WITH GOOD!*& LOVING THINGS!*& SHARING WITH YOU ALL TOO SO WE CAN HAVE PROFOUND THINGS TO PONDER!*& GAIN POSITIVE HOPE THAT WE CAN BOOST OTHERS UP ACROSS THE WORLD!*ENJOY!*AMEN!ππ
#Christ #Jesus #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Gentleness #Love
ππποΈπ¦π©·π©΅ππ©π«Άπ«Άπ»π«ΆπΏπ©΄π©΄ππποΈπβ±οΈπ΄π€ΈπΏββοΈβΉπΏββοΈπβ½πΎππΏπΈππ€½πΏββοΈπ€ΎπΏββοΈπ΄πΏββοΈπ΅πΏββοΈππ£π¦π‘π πΌπΌπ’π€πππππΌββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED LOVING!*KIND!*PASSIONATE!*CURIOUS!*& EMPATHETIC FRIENDS I AM ENJOYING FEEDING MY SPIRIT WITH GOOD!*& LOVING THINGS!*BECAUSE IT IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE DAY SHARING WITH YOU ALL TOOπ
#Christ #Jesus #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL
ππποΈπ¦π©·π©΅ππ©π«Άπ«Άπ»π«ΆπΏπ©΄π©΄ππποΈπβ±οΈπ΄π€ΈπΏββοΈβΉπΏββοΈπβ½πΎππΏπΈππ€½πΏββοΈπ€ΎπΏββοΈπ΄πΏββοΈπ΅πΏββοΈππ£π¦π‘π πΌπΌπ’π€πππππΌββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED LOVING!*KIND!*PASSIONATE!*CURIOUS!*& EMPATHETIC FRIENDS I AM ENJOYING DRINKING MY FRENCH VANILLA COFFEE OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH WITH ALL GODβS CREATURES IN THE YARD FEEDING MY SPIRIT WITH GOOD!*& LOVING THINGS!π
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Hospitality #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another
ππποΈπ¦π©·π©΅ππ©π«Άπ«Άπ»π«ΆπΏπ©΄π©΄ππποΈπβ±οΈπ΄π€ΈπΏββοΈβΉπΏββοΈπβ½πΎππΏπΈππ€½πΏββοΈπ€ΎπΏββοΈπ΄πΏββοΈπ΅πΏββοΈππ£π¦π‘π πΌπΌπ’π€πππππΌββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED LOVING!*KIND!*PASSIONATE!*CURIOUS!*& EMPATHETIC FRIENDS I LOVE YOU ALL!*& GOOD FRIDAY MORNING!ππ
#Christ #Jesus #TEACHING #FRIDAY #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Understanding #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
ππποΈπ¦π©·π©΅ππ©π«Άπ«Άπ»π«ΆπΏπ©΄π©΄ππποΈπβ±οΈπ΄π€ΈπΏββοΈβΉπΏββοΈπβ½πΎππΏπΈππ€½πΏββοΈπ€ΎπΏββοΈπ΄πΏββοΈπ΅πΏββοΈππ£π¦π‘π πΌπΌπ’π€πππππΌββοΈ*DEAR BELOVED LOVING!*KIND!*PASSIONATE!*CURIOUS!*& EMPATHETIC FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD I LOVE YOU ALL!*& GOOD FRIDAY MORNING!ππ
#Christ #Jesus #FRIDAY #Devotional #GOD #Holy #Spirit #Savior #Light #World #Pray #Believe #Christian #Heaven #Hope #Peace #Faith #Truth #Goodness #Kindness #Caring #Hospitality #Helping #Others #Gentleness #Everyone #Unity #Love #One #Another #JEWISH #ALL #RELIGIONS #AND #ALL #PEOPLE #SAINTS #AND #SOON #TO #BE #SAINTS
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