Something came to me as I was leading Bible study last night. Something that wasn’t in my notes but came out of my mouth anyway.

Peter puts two seemingly unconnected commands back to back. He instructs us to remove ALL malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander from our lives. Then, he tells us to long for spiritual milk (Scripture) so that we can grow up (mature) in our faith.

Here is what occurred to me – these two commands are very much related.

If I don’t have a desire to study God’s Word and I’m not seeing growth in my love for the Lord, love for others, willingness to give, serve, pray, etc. – then I have probably not “put away” all of the sinful attitudes I’ve been told to put away. 😳

And, just in case you read a word like “malice” and think it doesn’t apply to you – read through the definitions of each of the words. You may (like I did) recognize yourself in one of them!

#bible #biblestudy #biblejournaling #biblejournalingcommunity #faith #god #wordbeforeworld #lovethyneighbor #mysisterskeeper #1peter

Go all the places.

See all the things.

Listen to all the music.

Read all the books.

Meet all the people.

Make all the friends.

Tell all the jokes.

Forgive all the offenses.

Drink all the coffee.

Enjoy all the breezes.

Savor all the sunsets.

Don’t leave a single gift from Your Creator unopened.

#god #latenightlessons #jesuschrist #gifts #gratitude #joy #eucharisteo #countyourblessings

She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20

Maybe it’s because I’ve been studying Titus and thinking about the importance of good works evidenced in a life of faith. But Proverbs 31:20 really stood out to me today because, for the first time, I saw it as two different actions.

First, the woman “opens her hand” to the poor. In other words, she responds with generosity and kindness when a need comes to her or she is made aware of it.

The second part is that she “reaches out her hands” to the needy. This is an active, seeking out of needs. She is the initiator. And it’s a both hands, all in, kind of generosity.

She doesn’t make the needy always come to her. She is on the lookout, living with her eyes open to needs around her. What a great example of what it means to love our neighbor.

#bible #biblestudy #biblejournaling #biblejournalingcommunity #lovethyneighbor #mysisterskeeper #god #dogood #gospel #gospelliving #dogospel #god

There are only 46 verses in the book of Titus and Paul uses 6 of them to not just encourage, but insist on good works.

I’ve become increasingly convicted that there isn’t room in Scripture for a person to claim faith in Christ but have no fruit evident in their lives.

In fact, I have discovered over 60 commands in Scripture to do good works. This makes me believe it wasn’t just important to Paul, but to my heavenly Father as well.

Let’s get out there, friends, and do some good today.

#bible #biblestudy #goodworks #god #jesus #lovethyneighbor #mysisterskeeper #fruit #biblejournaling

Because of Jesus, we have peace with God. Through Jesus, we also have grace in which we – currently, present tense – stand. We have hope. We have reconciliation. (Romans 5:1-2)

Peace. Grace. Hope. Reconciliation. 👈 This is our present situation in Christ and I, for one, am grateful.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15

👆This isn’t Paul belittling himself or heaping shame on himself. This is Paul having an accurate view of who he was (past tense) and who he is now (present tense) bc of Christ.

#bible #biblestudy #biblestudytime #grace #hope #peace #jesus #god