Search results for tag #bible
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“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:21-24 NIVUK
#bible #faith
Thread 2 / End
“As it is written*: ‘There is no-one righteous, not even one;
there is no-one who understands; there is no-one who seeks God.
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no-one who does good, not even one.’”
Romans 3:10-12 NIVUK
*ref. Eccles. 7:20; Psalm 53:1-3, Psalm 14:1
#bible
Thread 1/
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The Worst Queen?
By Elizabeth Prata
Is it a tie between Jezebel and Athaliah? As bad as Jezebel was, perhaps Athaliah was worse!
Herbert Lockyer wrote a book called All the Women of the Bible. He opened his entry on Athaliah this way: “The Woman Who Was a Notorious Murderess”. You do not want the words notorious or murderess in your bio!
Athaliah’s story is mainly in 2 Chronicles 22; 23:13-21; 24:7. Guess who her parents were? Ahab and Jezebel.
Edith Deen also wrote a book called All the Women of the Bible (1955). Her entry states,
“Athaliah, the only woman ever to sit on the throne of David and rule, was the extreme in wickedness.”
“Evil ran in her veins. She was the granddaughter of Omri, who waded through slaughter to a throne he never inherited. She was the daughter of Ahab, the legitimate successor of his unscrupulous father, and of Jezebel, whose name is synonymous with wickedness. Reared in the northern kingdom of Israel, at Samaria, where the palace of her parents was surrounded by groves and idols of Baal worship, Athaliah grew up in an atmosphere that completely denied the one God. Because of the lewd cult worship of Baal, introduced by her mother, the kingdom was swept by immorality and godlessness.”
Unchecked, our inner depravity will always sink to new lows, and Baal worship is about as low as a person can get.
“Athaliah, probably for political expediency, was married to Jehoram, eldest son of the pious Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. She went with him to Jerusalem, capital of the southern kingdom. When he was thirty-two years old, he came to the throne, and Athaliah sat beside him. Just as her mother had done when she came to Samaria from Tyre, Athaliah promoted her Baal worship among the people.“
Stop doing that! But if a person doesn’t cling to the One True God, she will believe any other god, which are all satan.
“Jehoram reigned eight years and died unmourned of an incurable disease foretold by Elijah. The Philistines had captured all his secondary wives and sons, except Ahaziah, Athaliah’s own son, who now came to the throne. As queen-mother, Athaliah was more powerful than ever. Her son was young and she had had the experience of dictating through her husband. We have the record that Ahaziah “walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly” (2 Chronicles 22:3).”
“Within a year Athaliah’s son was wounded in his chariot by Jehu, commissioned by Elijah to overthrow the dynasty of Athaliah’s father. Her son escaped to Megiddo, where he died. Athaliah seized the throne and resolved to destroy “all the seed royal,” her own blood relations, among whom were her own grandchildren.”
All of us have murder in our soul. Our sin-nature makes any sin possible not only to contemplate but to perform. But it’s really hard to understand the killing one’s own family. Athaliah’s grasp for power was stronger than her natural feelings for her family.
Proverbs 21:4 says, Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.
2 Timothy 3:1-4 says in the last days people will be be brutal and not care for their own family, as well as many other sinful and social ills.
After a few more murders, … “Athaliah seized the government. She ruled only six years before she was supplanted by Joash and killed. When the horses trampled over her body, which lay just inside her palace gates, her fate was not unlike that of her mother, Jezebel.“–end Edith Deen entry on Athaliah, 1955
An ignominious end to a murdering Baal worshiper.
Herbert Lockyer also wrote a book called “All the Women of the Bible”. His entry says,
“After putting to death her young grandsons, Athaliah reigned for six years, and was the only woman to reign as queen of Judah. The daughter of a king, wife of a king, mother of a king, she is now queen. While her husband reigned she was the power behind the throne—now she is the power on the throne, and proof of her energy, forcefulness and ability are seen in the length of her reign.”
“A despotic ruler, her every gesture had to be obeyed. During her reign part of the Temple of Jehovah was pulled down and the material used in the building of a temple of Baal. But the God who overrules in the destinies of men and nations, intervened to redeem His promise of a Saviour from the tribe of Judah.”
Dr. Robert G. Lee summed up Athaliah’s murderous career,
Her very name is an execration. She put the whole nation under the shadow of a great horror. She trampled on all faith. She violated all obligation. She lived with the shrieks of those she butchered in her ears. She lived with her hands red with the blood of princes and princesses. She died, frantic with rage, with the accusation of Treason on her lips. She died in the barnyard under the battleaxes of an aroused people.
Wow. Athaliah was so evil. As we read through these passages in the Bible let us reflect on the monumental sacrifice of Jesus to die for our sins- even sins as evil as Athaliah’s – and to bring repentant sinners to His bosom. If Athaliah had repented she would have been accepted. The evil deeds of the worst person in the world can never outpace the Lord’s grace. His grace extends to the ends of the earth to all those who will come to Him. He will not cast them out. (John 6:37).
And we all need Him. Athaliah is a prime example of where unfettered sin will lead a person. In Romans 7:24 Paul famously said- Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
O, to be acutely aware of our own sin but not know the relief of it, as Charles Spurgeon and John Bunyan did in their years before coming to the blessed arms of the Savior! O, worse never to be aware of one’s own sin and wallow in it to the death and be cast into perpetual hell!
Mortify the sin that remains in us after salvation by repenting of our remaining sins, and repenting often.
Even at that, God allowed an evil such as an Athaliah to rise and kill. His divine sovereignty was demonstrated that though the evil queen killed off her grandchildren, God’s covenant with David was preserved by the fact that one grandchild was hidden- Joash. He survived Athaliah’s reign and ascended the throne, just as God had promised that the Davidic line would continue.
God also allowed this evil period to continue to demonstrate not only that He is committed to His promises, which cannot be thwarted, but to allow the evil to run the people back to Him, for which Priest Jehoiada eventually was the catalyst. In 2 Chronicles 23:1 the priest had had enough, “Now in the seventh year, Jehoiada gathered his courage,”… Jehoiada was the Priest of Judah who orchestrated the coup to overthrow Athaliah and put Joash, the rightful heir in the line of David, on the throne.
Takeaways:
-Keep after that sin in our life by repenting, staying in the word, and prayer,
-Remember that without Jesus, our own sin could run to similar depths of depravity as Athaliah’s. Never say ‘oh that could never happen to me’. Before salvation we were the devil’s child, capable of anything,
-Marvel at God’s sovereignty in keeping His promises across years, decades, and centuries! He is the Author of History and cannot be overruled,
-Be lavish with praise for Jesus throughout the day and at night when you lay down. His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension is monumental beyond compare.
Further Resources
Edith Deen, All the Women of the Bible (in Web Archive Library)
The End Time- I wrote about Athaliah 12 years ago, with a different emphasis:
https://the-end-time.org/2014/01/29/athaliah-the-only-queen-of-judah/
#Athaliah #bible #christianity #evil #faith #judah![[?]](https://gemsofknowledge.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cropped-gemsofknowledge.png)
The Hardest Prayer You’ll Ever Pray
Praying for the hurting is one thing... Praying for those who have hurt us is something else entirely. Yet that's exactly what Jesus calls us to do. today's Gem: "Pray for your enemies. They may turn from their evil ways, and so may you." Praying for our enemies may be one of the hardest things Jesus asks us to do. But maybe that's because He isn't only interested in changing their heart... He's changing ours too.💎 ✨Click to read the full devotional [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 22:1–23:32, Romans 3:9–31, Psalm 12:1–8, Proverbs 19:13–14
Pray For Your Enemies
One of the beautiful ways God teaches us is through repetition.
When He keeps bringing the same truth before us, it is often because He is inviting us to move beyond simply hearing it and begin living it.
For the past week, the Lord has been gently turning our attention away from ourselves and toward those who are hurting. Day after day, He has reminded us to see the broken, show compassion, love faithfully, and stand in the gap through prayer.
Then today…
He raises the bar.
“Pray for your enemies. They may turn from their evil ways, and so may you. Amen.”
I’ll admit, my first thought was, “Ooof…”
It’s one thing to pray for people we love. It’s another to pray for people we don’t know. But praying for those who have wounded us, lied about us, rejected us, or treated us unfairly—that requires a work of God in our hearts.
Perhaps that’s exactly the point.
Notice what the Gem says. It doesn’t only say they may turn from their evil ways.
It also says “…and so may you.”
Sometimes we assume the greatest problem is the other person’s sin. Yet while they may be struggling with anger, pride, bitterness, or deception, we can quietly begin wrestling with resentment, unforgiveness, self-righteousness, or a desire for revenge.
God cares about both hearts.
In today’s reading, Paul reminds us of a truth that levels the ground beneath every one of us:
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
— Romans 3:23 (NLT)
There are no “good people” and “bad people” standing before God. There are only sinners in need of grace.
That doesn’t excuse evil, nor does it mean we ignore wisdom or healthy boundaries. But it does remind us that the same mercy that rescued us is the mercy God desires to extend to others.
David understood this perspective throughout much of his life. Although he certainly defended himself against evil, he repeatedly refused to take vengeance into his own hands. He trusted God to judge righteously while continuing to seek the Lord.
Psalm 12 reminds us that God sees every act of injustice.
“The LORD replies, ‘I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.'”
— Psalm 12:5 (NLT)
Because God sees perfectly, we don’t have to carry the burden of revenge.
Instead, we can pray.
Not because our enemies deserve it.
Because we didn’t deserve God’s mercy either.
Imagine what could happen if the person who hurt you genuinely encountered Jesus. Imagine if bitterness gave way to repentance, pride became humility, and hatred was transformed into love. Isn’t that exactly what happened in each of our own lives?
Prayer doesn’t always change the other person immediately.
But it almost always changes the one who is praying.
It softens our hearts, reminds us of the grace we’ve received, and helps us entrust justice to the One who judges perfectly.
Perhaps the greatest miracle begins long before our enemy changes.
Perhaps it begins when our own heart becomes more like Christ’s. 💎
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:
- “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
- Journal what He reveals – then do it!
Allow the Lord to guide you today and transform your heart and free you from any hurt or bitterness that may be lingering.
Prayer
Father, this is not an easy prayer, but I know Your ways are higher than mine. Thank You for showing me mercy when I didn’t deserve it. Help me extend that same mercy to those who have hurt me. I pray that You would reveal Yourself to my enemies, draw them to repentance, and transform their hearts through Your love. At the same time, search my own heart. Remove any bitterness, resentment, pride, or unforgiveness that keeps me from becoming more like Jesus. Teach me to trust You with justice while responding with grace. 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 God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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Jesus stands compassionately between two people who are facing away from one another in obvious tension. Neither person is looking at Him as the warm light of sunset surrounds the peaceful scene, symbolizing Christ's invitation to reconciliation, forgiveness, and grace.
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“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
https://bible.com/bible/compare/EPH.6.13
#Bible #VerseOfTheDay
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"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
Psalms 85:6-7, 10 NIVUK
#verseoftheday #bible #prayer
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Who Will Pray for Them?
One thing I've learned over the years is that when the Lord continues repeating the same message, I need to stop and pay close attention. For the past seven devotionals, every Gem He has given me has pointed back to the same theme: caring for those who are hurting. Seven days. One message. I don't believe that's a coincidence. Never underestimate what God can do through a few quiet moments spent interceding for someone who may never even know you prayed. One sincere prayer offered in love may become the beginning of someone's miracle. 💎 [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 19:1–21:30, Romans 2:25–3:8, Psalm 11:1–7, Proverbs 19:10–12
They Need You
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that when the Lord continues repeating the same message, I need to stop and pay close attention.
For the past seven devotionals, every Gem He has given me has pointed back to the same theme: caring for those who are hurting. First, He reminded us that many people are tormented and need us to stand in the gap through prayer and intercession. Then He called us to help others find Him, to show compassion because we don’t know the battles people are fighting, to soften our hearts toward those who are struggling, and to remember that even the smallest acts of love can have an eternal impact. Yesterday, He reminded us that we may never fully realize the difference our love makes this side of heaven.
Now today’s Gem says,
“Allot time in your day to pray for the lost and broken. They need you the most. Amen.”
Seven days. One message.
I don’t believe that’s a coincidence.
Perhaps the Lord is calling us to do more than simply read these words. Perhaps He is asking us to slow down, let this truth settle deeply into our hearts, and begin living it intentionally. The lost, the broken, the lonely, and the weary are all around us. They don’t just need our sympathy—they need our compassion, our prayers, our encouragement, and our willingness to point them to Jesus.
It’s easy to fill our prayer time with our own needs. We pray for our families, our finances, our health, our decisions, and the burdens weighing heavily on our own hearts. None of these prayers are wrong—our heavenly Father delights in hearing every concern we bring to Him.
Btut here are countless people around us carrying burdens they were never meant to carry alone. Some have wandered far from God. Others have never known His love at all. Many wear smiles while quietly battling addiction, loneliness, depression, fear, guilt, or hopelessness. They may never ask us to pray for them, but God knows exactly who they are.
In today’s reading, David witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of sin after taking a census against God’s will. Thousands suffered because of one man’s pride. Yet when David recognized his sin, he didn’t simply accept the judgment. He interceded.
He cried out to God,
“I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done?” —1 Chronicles 21:17 (NLT)
David stood between the people and God’s judgment, pleading for mercy. His heart had shifted from self-preservation to compassion.
That is what intercession does.
It moves us from thinking only about ourselves to carrying others before the throne of God.
Paul reminds us in Romans that every person stands in need of God’s grace. No one earns salvation by outward appearances or religious rituals. Every heart needs the mercy that only Christ can give.
Psalm 11 offers tremendous comfort in this calling:
“The LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.” —Psalm 11:4 (NLT)
God already sees every lost soul, every broken heart, every prodigal child, every struggling marriage, every lonely widow, every frightened teenager, every weary parent, every person trapped in addiction, and every individual silently crying out for hope.
He invites us to join Him in His work by praying for them.
We may never know whose eternity is changed because someone faithfully lifted their name before the Lord. We may never hear about the person who found hope after months of despair or the family restored because believers refused to stop praying.
But heaven knows.
Never underestimate what God can do through a few quiet moments spent interceding for someone who may never even know you prayed.
One sincere prayer offered in love may become the beginning of someone’s miracle. 💎
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:
- “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
- Journal what He reveals – then do it!
Ask God to place specific people on your heart—the lost, the broken, the discouraged, the prodigal, or even someone who has hurt you. Trust Him to use your prayers in ways you may never fully see.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for loving the lost and broken so deeply. Forgive me for becoming so focused on my own needs that I forget those who desperately need Your mercy. Place people on my heart each day, and teach me to faithfully stand in the gap for them. Draw the lost to salvation, strengthen the weary, heal the brokenhearted, and let my prayers become part of Your work in their lives. May I never underestimate the power of praying for someone else. In Your 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 God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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A believer kneels in prayer while Jesus stands among several hurting people, including a lonely elderly man, a discouraged teenager, a grieving mother, a homeless man, and another person sitting alone. Warm golden light surrounds Jesus as He reaches toward each one with compassion.
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The chaotic transport of the captured Ark proved that divine holiness cannot be managed by human hands, as the terrified captors quickly discovered that "the hand of the Lord was heavy on the people of Ashdod" (1 Samuel 5:6 NKJV).
https://ko-fi.com/veggietalesgang
https://www.patreon.com/cw/veggietalesgang
https://linktr.ee/veggietalesgang
https://discord.gg/Knk4bCXKwG
https://youtube.com/shorts/i3yF4X1C7H0?feature=share
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Do you believe in divine appointments? Are such things biblical? What does the Bible say in that regard? Click or tap the link to read more.
#afaithfulsower #christianity #Bible #Jesus #dailydevotional
https://afaithfulsower.org/2026/07/15/its-not-an-accident-we-met-today/
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Do not envy the sinner his success;
you do not know how that will end.
[μὴ ζηλώσῃς δόξαν ἁμαρτωλοῦ·
οὐ γὰρ οἶδας τί ἔσται ἡ καταστροφὴ αὐτοῦ.]
The Bible (The Old Testament) (14th - 2nd C BC) Judeo-Christian sacred scripture [Tanakh, Hebrew Bible], incl. the Apocrypha (Deuterocanonicals)
Book 22b. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 9:11 (Sir 9:11) [tr. NJB (1985)]
More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/bible-ot/84974/
#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #bible #oldtestament #apocrypha #sirach #ecclesiasticus #badending #envy #evildoer #justdeserts #justice #karma #sinner #success #wrongdoer
Don’t Give Up on People
It can be discouraging to love people who seem determined to reject God. But today's Gem of Knowledge reminds us that heaven sees what we cannot. "You may not fully realize the difference your love can make while in this world, but someday you will. Don't give up on people. Just keep loving, even when they seem lost or too far gone. You just never know what could happen. Amen." Our responsibility has never been to change hearts. That belongs to God. Our calling is to faithfully love, pray, speak truth with grace, and leave the results in His hands. So don't quit - Jesus never does.💎 ✨Click to read the full devotional [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 16:37–18:17, Romans 2:1–24, Psalm 10:16–18, Proverbs 19:8–9
Keep Loving… You Never Know
It can be discouraging to love people who seem determined to reject God. We pray, encourage, forgive, and patiently walk beside them, yet sometimes it feels like nothing changes. The temptation is to believe our efforts have been wasted or that someone is simply too far gone.
But today’s Gem of Knowledge reminds us that heaven sees what we cannot.
“You may not fully realize the difference your love can make while in this world, but someday you will. Don’t give up on people. Just keep loving, even when they seem lost or too far gone. You just never know what could happen. Amen.”
Our responsibility has never been to change hearts. That belongs to God. Our calling is to faithfully love, pray, speak truth with grace, and leave the results in His hands.
In today’s reading, David’s victories in 1 Chronicles were not accomplished overnight. They came one battle at a time as he faithfully followed the Lord. In the same way, God often works in people’s hearts through countless small moments that may seem insignificant to us. A kind word, a patient response, a prayer whispered in secret, or a simple act of compassion may become another step God uses to draw someone closer to Himself.
Paul echoes this truth in Romans 2. He reminds us that it is God’s kindness that leads people to repentance—not our harshness, condemnation, or impatience.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you?… Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” — Romans 2:4 (NLT)
How many times has God’s kindness patiently pursued each one of us? How many people loved us before we finally surrendered to Christ? Most of us can look back and see countless individuals God placed in our lives long before we realized how much they were influencing us.
Psalm 10 reminds us that God sees every hurting person. He hears the cries of the oppressed and strengthens those whose hope is in Him.
“LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.” — Psalm 10:17 (NLT)
That means no prayer is unnoticed. No loving act is forgotten. Even if we never witness the harvest, God does.
Perhaps the person you’ve been praying for will remember your kindness years from now when they reach the end of themselves. Maybe the child who seems uninterested today will one day recall your faithful example. Perhaps the coworker who laughs at your faith will someday seek you out because they know where genuine hope can be found.
We rarely see the entire story while we’re living it.
One day, whether in this life or the next, God may reveal just how many lives were touched because you chose to keep loving instead of giving up.
So don’t quit – Jesus never does.
Keep loving.
Keep praying.
Keep forgiving.
Keep pointing people toward Jesus.
Because you never know what God is doing beneath the surface. 💎
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take just 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:
- “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
- Journal what He reveals – then do it!
Think of one person you’ve been tempted to give up on. Instead of withdrawing, ask God to show you one simple way to demonstrate His love to them this week—whether through prayer, encouragement, forgiveness, or a quiet act of kindness.
Prayer
Father, thank You for never giving up on me. Help me to love people with the same patience and kindness You have shown me. When I become discouraged, remind me that You are always working in ways I cannot see. Give me strength to keep praying, keep loving, and keep pointing others to Jesus, trusting You with the outcome. Use even the smallest acts of obedience for Your 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 God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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A compassionate adult sits beside a troubled teenage boy in a warmly lit living room, gently placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder while offering comfort and hope during a difficult moment.
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I Choose to Encourage: The Power of Words
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." — John 1:1 (NIV) Words are powerful. With a few carefully chosen words, we can inspire someone to keep going, mend a broken relationship, or offer hope in a difficult season. Yet words can also wound, discourage, and leave scars that last for years. Think about the words that have impacted your life. Perhaps someone spoke encouragement over you when you doubted yourself. Maybe a teacher, mentor, friend, or […] [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1 (NIV)
Words are powerful.
With a few carefully chosen words, we can inspire someone to keep going, mend a broken relationship, or offer hope in a difficult season. Yet words can also wound, discourage, and leave scars that last for years.
Think about the words that have impacted your life. Perhaps someone spoke encouragement over you when you doubted yourself. Maybe a teacher, mentor, friend, or family member saw something in you that you could not yet see in yourself. Their words helped shape who you became.
Unfortunately, many of us can also recall hurtful words that have lingered long after they were spoken. Words have a way of embedding themselves in our hearts and influencing how we see ourselves and the world around us.
That is why John 1:1 is so profound:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John identifies Jesus as the Word. Before creation, before time itself, the Word existed. Through Him, God brought life, order, and purpose into the world.
God chose words to create.
Throughout Scripture, we see the power of God’s spoken Word. He spoke light into darkness. He spoke truth into confusion. He spoke life where there was nothing.
If words matter so much to God, they should matter to us.
As followers of Christ, we have an opportunity every day to reflect His character through the words we speak. Our conversations can bring healing instead of hurt. Our comments can build confidence instead of tearing people down. Our encouragement can help others see what God is doing in their lives.
Encouragement is more than simply saying something nice. It is intentionally speaking truth, hope, and life into someone else’s journey. Encouragement reminds people that they are seen, valued, and loved by God.
The world offers plenty of criticism, negativity, and division. Social media feeds, news headlines, and daily conversations can quickly become places where people feel attacked rather than uplifted.
What if Christians became known for encouragement?
What if our words reflected the heart of Christ?
What if we paused before speaking and asked ourselves, “Will these words build up or tear down?”
Every day presents opportunities to encourage:
- Thank someone for their faithfulness.
- Speak hope to someone who is struggling.
- Send a text of appreciation.
- Pray with a friend.
- Remind someone of God’s promises.
Small words can have a lasting impact.
Today, choose to encourage.
Let your words reflect the One who is called the Word. Let them bring light into someone’s darkness and hope into someone’s uncertainty.
Because words are never neutral. They shape how we see ourselves, others, and God. They can unite or divide, heal or harm, inspire or discourage.
May we use our words wisely and intentionally, choosing encouragement wherever we go.
Reflection Questions
- Who has encouraged you with their words recently?
- Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement today?
- How can your words better reflect the love and truth of Christ?
Sometimes the simplest choice—choosing words that give life—can make the biggest difference.
With love and joy,
Laura
This reflection connects with Day 13: “I Choose to Encourage” from the Today I Choose devotional. Each day offers practical encouragement and biblical truth to help you make intentional choices that strengthen your faith and impact those around you.
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I Choose to Encourage: The Power of Words
The sudden defeat of Goliath's brother proves that even the most intimidating obstacles can be swiftly neutralized, as history records that Elhanan "[ended] Lahmi the brother of Goliath" (1 Chronicles 20:5 NKJV).
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There are days, and then there are days, but no day compares to Jesus's second coming. Click or tap the link to read more.
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https://afaithfulsower.org/2026/07/14/come-quickly-lord-jesus/
“How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”
Psalms 84:1-2, 10, 12 NIVUK
#bible #prayer #worship
When human planning hits an absolute limit, believers are called to trust the sovereign navigation of God, remembering that "a man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV).
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As a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, what are your spiritual gifts, and do you use them to glorify God? Click or tap the link to learn more.
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https://afaithfulsower.org/2026/07/13/god-has-a-plan-for-us/
How Can I Make A Difference?
It's easy to think we need to do something extraordinary to make a difference. But God often uses the smallest acts of kindness to create life-changing and eternal impact. In today's Gem of Knowledge, the Lord reminds us, "Giant impacts can come from small things. Think of a meteor. They are fairly small compared to the impact they make. Your loving kindness can be like that to a hurting heart. Amen." What a beautiful picture. A meteor is tiny compared to a planet, yet when it collides with the earth, its impact can be enormous. In much the same way, a simple act of kindness may seem insignificant to us, but we rarely see the lasting effect it has on another person's heart. Do something loving today. 💎 [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 15:1–16:36, Romans 1:18–32, Psalm 10:1–15, Proverbs 19:6–7
Small Acts. Eternal Impact.
It’s easy to believe that making a difference requires doing something big.
We imagine changing someone’s life by giving a large gift, leading a ministry, or accomplishing something extraordinary. Yet God often works in exactly the opposite way. Throughout Scripture, He delights in using what seems small to accomplish what seems impossible.
In today’s Gem of Knowledge, the Lord reminds us,
“Giant impacts can come from small things. Think of a meteor. They are fairly small compared to the impact they make. Your loving kindness can be like that to a hurting heart. Amen.”
What a beautiful picture.
A meteor is tiny compared to a planet, yet when it collides with the earth, its impact can be enormous. In much the same way, a simple act of kindness may seem insignificant to us, but we rarely see the lasting effect it has on another person’s heart.
As I read today’s passages, I was drawn to David’s celebration as the Ark of the Covenant was finally brought to Jerusalem. It was a day filled with worship, rejoicing, music, and thanksgiving. But one detail especially stood out to me. After the celebration, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord, and then he gave every man and woman a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins.
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like much.
It wasn’t a fortune. It wasn’t a grand display of wealth.
It was a simple gift.
Yet it communicated something far greater. David wasn’t simply feeding people. He was reminding every person that they were seen, valued, included, and cared for. Sometimes love is expressed through remarkably ordinary acts of generosity.
Isn’t that how God often works in our lives?
A timely phone call.
An encouraging text.
A warm smile.
A handwritten note.
A sincere prayer.
A meal delivered to someone who is overwhelmed.
None of those things seem particularly large on their own. Yet at just the right moment, they can become the very evidence someone needed to believe that God still sees them.
Paul reminds us in Romans that our world desperately needs God because without Him, hearts become darkened and people drift farther from His truth. In a culture that often chooses selfishness over compassion, every act of Christlike kindness becomes a light pointing people back to the heart of God.
David declared in today’s psalm, “Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them” (Psalm 10:17, NLT). What an incredible thought. God hears the cries no one else hears. And sometimes He answers those prayers by sending one of His children to offer a simple act of love.
Even Proverbs reminds us how lonely life can become for those who are struggling. It says, “The poor are avoided even by their own neighbors—while the rich have many ‘friends'” (Proverbs 19:7, NLT). The world is often drawn to people who have something to offer, but Jesus was drawn to those everyone else overlooked.
As His followers, we are called to do the same.
Never underestimate the power of your kindness.
You may think it’s only a conversation.
Only a hug.
Only a prayer.
Only an invitation.
Only a few encouraging words.
But God specializes in taking what seems small and using it to accomplish something eternal.
You may never know this side of Heaven how one simple act of loving kindness changed the course of someone’s life.
So don’t wait until you think you can do something great.
Do something loving today.
God can make the impact far greater than you ever imagined. 💎
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:
- “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
- Journal what He reveals – then do it!
Allow the Lord to direct you to someone who may need your loving kindness today. Trust Him to use your obedience in ways you may never see.
Prayer
Dear Lord,, thank You for showing me kindness over and over again, even in the smallest ways. Help me never overlook the opportunities You place before me to encourage someone else. Fill my heart with compassion and open my eyes to those who are hurting. Teach me to be faithful in the little things, trusting that You can use even the smallest act of love to make an eternal difference. May my words, my actions, and my kindness always point others to You. In Your 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 God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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A tiny meteor strikes the earth, creating a massive impact crater and brilliant explosion, illustrating how small acts of kindness can create life-changing and eternal impact through God's power.
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalms 34:14 (NIV)
https://bible.com/bible/compare/PSA.34.14
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"Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it." - Psalms 34:14 (NIV)
“For I am not ashamed of the Good News (the gospel), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to God’s chosen people (the Jews), then to everyone else (the Gentiles).
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
Romans 1:16-17 NIVUK
(adapted)
#bible #gospel #faith
Love from a Soft Heart
Have you ever noticed how easy it is for our hearts to become a little harder with each disappointment? In today's Gem of Knowledge, the Lord lovingly says, "Soften your heart towards all people, specially those who are struggling. Find it within yourself to help them and love them as you rely on Me as your Source. Amen." Perhaps today you'll encounter someone who is struggling, or maybe you struggle with them. Instead of allowing your heart to harden, ask the Lord to soften it. Ask Him to let you see that person through His eyes and love them with His love. When we rely on God as our Source, our compassion doesn't run out. Because His never does. 💎 [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 12:19–14:17, Romans 1:1–17, Psalm 9:13–20, Proverbs 19:4–5
A Soft Heart Begins with God
Have you ever noticed how easy it is for our hearts to become a little harder with each disappointment?
Someone betrays our trust. Another person takes advantage of our kindness. We help someone who never says thank you. Before long, we begin protecting ourselves. We become more cautious, less patient, and a little slower to show compassion because we don’t want to be hurt again.
While those feelings are understandable, they are not where God wants us to remain.
In today’s Gem of Knowledge, the Lord lovingly says,
“Soften your heart towards all people, specially those who are struggling. Find it within yourself to help them and love them as you rely on Me as your Source. Amen.”
I love that last phrase: “as you rely on Me as your Source.“
God never asks us to love others out of our own limited strength. If He did, we would eventually run dry. Instead, He invites us to receive His love first, then allow it to overflow into the lives of others. The more we draw from Him, the more compassion we have to give.
1 Chronicles 12-14 gives us a beautiful picture of this. As David’s kingdom grew stronger, people from every tribe continued coming to him. Some had once stood on the opposite side. Others came from different backgrounds, experiences, and loyalties. Yet David welcomed those whom God was bringing to him. He wasn’t building a kingdom based on favoritism or past mistakes. He was allowing God to unite people with different stories into one purpose.
That is still how God works today.
The church is filled with people from different walks of life. Some are mature in their faith. Others have only recently come to know Christ. Some are overcoming addiction. Others are healing from deep wounds, broken relationships, or years of guilt and shame. None of us arrive without scars.
Instead of asking, “Why are they like that?” perhaps we should begin asking, “Lord, what have they walked through?”
That simple change in perspective softens our hearts.
Paul understood this as well. As he opened his letter to the Romans, he declared that he was “not ashamed of the Good News about Christ, for it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, NLT). The gospel is for everyone—the wealthy and the poor, the religious and the rebellious, the successful and the struggling. If God’s grace is offered so freely to all, then our hearts should never become selective in who we choose to love.
David also reminds us in today’s Psalm that God sees those who suffer. He prays, “LORD, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me” (Psalm 9:13, NLT). God hears the cries that no one else hears. He notices the pain that others overlook. When we choose compassion, we begin reflecting the very heart of our Father.
Proverbs warns us that “Wealth makes many ‘friends’; poverty drives them all away” (Proverbs 19:4, NLT). Sadly, the world often values people for what they can offer instead of simply loving them because they bear God’s image. As followers of Christ, we are called to be different. We don’t love people because they can benefit us. We love them because Christ first loved us.
Perhaps today you’ll encounter someone who is struggling, or maybe you struggle with them.
Maybe they’re discouraged.
Maybe they’re lonely.
Maybe they’re difficult to love.
Instead of allowing your heart to harden, ask the Lord to soften it. Ask Him to let you see that person through His eyes and love them with His love. You may not be able to solve every problem they face, but you can offer kindness, encouragement, a listening ear, or a sincere prayer.
Sometimes the best thing we can do for someone is simply reminding them they are seen, valued, and loved.
When we rely on God as our Source, our compassion doesn’t run out.
Because His never does. 💎
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:
- “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
- Journal what He reveals – then do it!
Let God soften your heart today and deepen your love and understanding towards all people.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me with patience, mercy, and grace. Forgive me for the times my heart has become hardened by disappointment or hurt. Fill me again with Your love and help me rely on You as my Source so I never grow weary of loving others. Open my eyes to those who are struggling and give me the courage to encourage them, serve them, and point them to You. May my heart reflect the compassion of Jesus in every conversation and every opportunity You place before me. In Your precious 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 God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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Jesus stands beside an overflowing stone fountain in a peaceful garden while a believer fills a clay pitcher with water to carry to weary, hurting people, symbolizing Christ as the endless source of love, compassion, and spiritual strength.
"Jcob replied, 'First sell me your birthright.'
'Look, I am about to die,' Esau said. 'What good is the birthright to me?'
But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.
So Esau despised his birthright."
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Question for #Catholic / #Christian #Bible reading people: With Pentecost coming up, I was thinking about Acts 2, and how as the disciples, filled with the holy spirit, spoke, each person heard them in their own language. It struck me how Vatican II was such a big thing: bringing the Mass from Latin, into local languages. But, considering Acts 2, why was the mass ever restricted to just Latin in the first place? Jesus never specified anything about only using one language and clearly the Holy Spirit appears to encourage taking the word of God to people in a language they understand.
Just curious what others think.
Biblical morality emphasizes love, justice, and compassion.
It provides ethical guidelines through commandments and teachings
Biblical morality involves abiding by principles found in the Bible, focusing on the Ten Commandments.
It emphasizes love, justice, and compassion as taught by figures like Jesus
Biblical morality is rooted in scripture, emphasizing love, compassion, and justice.
Central teachings include the Ten Commandments and Christ's Sermon on the Mount
Biblical morality is rooted in principles from scriptures like the Ten Commandments.
These teachings emphasize love, compassion, and justice as central virtues
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always…
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever.”
1 Chronicles 16:8-11, 34 NIVUK
#bible #prayer #praise
Learning To Love The Unlovable
It's easy to make assumptions about people. But what if we're only seeing the surface? In today's Gem of Knowledge, the Lord gently reminds us, "Be compassionate and loving to everyone. You don't know all they battle, the enemy that torments them, and the pain they carry. Always show loving kindness, mercy, and grace. Like Me. Amen." Those words invite us to pause before we judge and to remember that every person we encounter is fighting battles we may never see. Sometimes the greatest sermon we preach is simply the way we love people. 💎 [SENSITIVE CONTENT]
Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 1 Chronicles 11:1–12:18, Acts 28:1–31, Psalm 9:1–12, Proverbs 19:1–3
See Beyond the Surface
How quickly we can make assumptions about people.
We see someone who is impatient and think they’re rude. We meet someone who seems distant and assume they don’t care. Someone lashes out, and we conclude they’re simply mean or difficult.
But what if we’re only seeing the surface?
In today’s Gem of Knowledge, the Lord gently reminds us,
“Be compassionate and loving to everyone. You don’t know all they battle, the enemy that torments them, and the pain they carry. Always show loving kindness, mercy, and grace. Like Me. Amen.”
Those words invite us to pause before we judge and to remember that every person we encounter is fighting battles we may never see.
Today’s reading in Acts gives us a beautiful picture of this kind of compassion. After surviving a terrifying shipwreck, Paul and the others washed ashore on the island of Malta. The people there could have viewed these strangers with suspicion or ignored their needs altogether. Instead, Scripture tells us they “showed us unusual kindness.” They welcomed them, built a fire because of the cold and rain, and cared for complete strangers in their time of need.
That simple act of compassion became the beginning of a testimony. Paul would go on to heal many who were sick on the island, and the people who had shown kindness were themselves greatly blessed. Their mercy opened the door for God to work in powerful ways.
How often does God do the same through us?
A smile may brighten someone’s darkest day. A listening ear may become the answer to a prayer. A simple act of kindness may be the very thing that reminds someone God has not forgotten them.
Proverbs reminds us,
“Better to be poor and honest than a fool who speaks dishonestly” (Proverbs 19:1, NLT).
True wisdom isn’t measured only by what we know but also by how we treat people. A gracious heart reflects the character of Christ far more than clever words ever could.
David understood God’s character well. In Psalm 9 he declares,
“The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9, NLT).
If God is a refuge for the hurting, shouldn’t His children become places of refuge too? We are called to reflect His heart by extending mercy instead of condemnation, patience instead of irritation, and compassion instead of criticism.
Imagine if every person you met today was carrying an invisible backpack filled with grief, fear, anxiety, disappointment, or a spiritual enemy that oppressed them.
Would you speak differently?
Would you be slower to judge?
Would you offer more grace?
Jesus did.
He saw beyond people’s behavior and into their hearts. He noticed the overlooked, welcomed the rejected, touched the untouchable, forgave the guilty, and loved those everyone else had written off.
He calls us to do the same.
You may never fully know what someone is carrying. But you can choose to lighten their load instead of adding to it. Let your words heal instead of wound. Let your actions reflect the kindness of Christ.
Because sometimes the greatest sermon we preach is simply the way we love people. 💎
Action (5 Minutes with God)
Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:
- “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
- Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
- Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
- Journal what He reveals – then do it!
Let the Lord reveal your own personal revelation on this today. Then as you walk throughout your day, before reacting to someone’s words or actions today, pause and ask yourself, “What battle might they be fighting that I cannot see?” Then choose to respond with the same compassion, mercy, and grace that Jesus continually shows you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the endless mercy and grace You have shown me. Forgive me for the times I have judged others without knowing their struggles. Help me to see people through Your eyes. Fill my heart with compassion, my words with kindness, and my actions with love. Make me a refuge for the hurting and a reflection of Your grace wherever I go. May others experience Your love through me today. 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 God’s Word to more hearts. Every seed matters—thank you for sowing into this work! 💛
Test everything by the Word and the Spirit (John 16:13)
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A believer looks compassionately at a weary stranger. The image reveals the contrast between the man's outward appearance and the hidden spiritual battle Jesus sees, as chains around his wounded heart begin to break in Christ's healing light.
Spiritual maturity means outgrowing a transactional mindset so that we do not resemble the compromised seeds that withered because "they had no depth of earth" (Matthew 13:5 NKJV).
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Is there a limit to what I can do? How does the Bible answer that question? Click or tap the link to read more.
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New post: When Bible Study Became Too Complicated
https://lanie.work/faith/when-bible-study-became-too-complicated/
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