Tag: COVID-19

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Eternally Bankrupt Is Far Worse than Temporarily Unemployed

On April 2, 2020, The Washington Post reported that 10 million unemployment claims were filed in the US due to COVID-19. And even though the Wall Street Journal reported on March 25, 2021 that jobless claims fell to their lowest level of the pandemic there were still 684,000 claims made in the previous week.  Even with another round of stimulus checks, there are still many people just trying to make ends meet. As devastating as being temporarily unemployed is, being eternally bankrupt is far worse. Finding yourself unemployed at any time, and especially in the midst of a pandemic, is hard and scary. It raises many questions such as, “How will I feed the kids?” or “What happens if I get COVID and now I don’t have insurance?”

But coming to the end of your life and being spiritually and eternally bankrupt because you rejected Christ as Savior has a far scarier and eternal impact.

You can be the richest American and still be eternally bankrupt

For a moment think about what you would do if you suddenly became the richest American? What would change about your lifestyle? How would you manage your new-found wealth? It might be fun to dream about what you’d do with all that money, but if we are honest with ourselves, probably the first thoughts for the majority of us were rather selfish thoughts. We might have gotten around to helping those affected financially by COVID-19 or making a donation to some organization (even if just for the tax break), and oh yes – let’s not forget the tithe to our church. Based on your denomination, you might have even considered a donation to the church that will help solidify your entrance into heaven. But regardless of the amount you gave, you could still find yourself eternally bankrupt when this life ends.

Being eternally bankrupt

No matter how wealthy a person is while here on earth, money will not get anyone into heaven. Honors, riches, and the greatest of enjoyments of life mean absolutely nothing when one faces eternity without Christ. None of these in and of themselves will suffice to gain entrance into Heaven. If all these were gained, but they cause a person “lose himself” through rejecting Christ, then that person has lost everything that holds eternal value. Any person that dies without Christ as their Savior, will be eternally bankrupt.

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

This in no way implies that a wealthy person cannot be saved. However, money can sometimes be an obstacle to people recognizing their need for a Savior. Jesus taught in Matthew 19:24, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” It becomes very easy for the wealthy to depend on themselves and their money, not unlike the children of Israel with their continual problem of idolatry. Every time they turned to false gods, they forgot the God that brought them out of Egypt. They turned to their own abilities rather than remaining dependent on God.

It is too easy for money to become an idol that we obsess over. And the more of it we have, the less we feel the need to depend on God or to even feel like we need God at all in our lives. However, the less we have of money, the greater we depend on God. We depend on Him to get us from one paycheck to the next, to keep the lights on, to keep food on the table, and to keep a roof over our head. The more we have that belongs to this world, the more we are tied to it. The less we have of this world, the freer we are to be tied to Christ. Therefore, money can become an obstacle to eternal life and cause us to be eternally bankrupt.

The Rich Young Ruler who was eternally bankrupt

In Luke 18, we find the rich young ruler who wanted to know what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. His focus was on how he could earn eternal life. Jesus replied to him: “You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother.” The rich young ruler responded: “All these thing I have kept from my youth.”

But Jesus knew the man had more interest in his wealth on earth than any treasures in heaven. So Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” The man became very sad because he was very rich. As a response to the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” The people standing near said, “who then can be saved?’ Jesus answered, “The things which are impossible with me are possible with God.” It is only possible through placing our faith in Jesus and inviting Him to be our Savior. Only then doe we exchange eternally bankrupt for eternal life. Our treasures are then stored in heaven rather than behind a vault at a bank.

Being wealthy does not mean you are not eternally bankrupt

Wealth, whether one has an abundance of it or a great lack of it, holds no merit on eternal life. No one can be saved by their own efforts, but only through the grace of God is one able to obtain salvation. As for the crisis at hand and the financial burdens many still feel, we pray that God will meet your every need during this time. Even greater, we pray that no one finds themselve eternally bankrupt when they come to the end of this life.

God, may the entrapment of wealth not blind us to a false happiness that leads us away from you. May we keep our eyes on you and your grace that paves the way for us to obtain eternal life with you through the sacrifice of Christ as payment for our sins. Thank you for always meeting our every need and for all the many blessings you give us every day. May we always see You at work in each blessing with a heart of thankful praise. We ask that you provide for those who have lost jobs and that they will see you at work as you meet their every need. 

Revive Renew Redeem logo on self-care post

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

[Download not found]

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

[Download not found]
Bible Reading Plan Download

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

One Year Bible Reading Plan

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

[Download not found]

This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:

Nobody but Jesus

In a world that says, “Look at me!” I want the world to see nobody but Jesus. Based on the song by Casting Crowns. Watch the music video on YouTube

Living for the world to see Jesus
Get the “Nobody but Jesus” shirts and products in black here
Get the “Nobody but Jesus” shirts and products in white here

Graduating Seniors

For all the seniors celebrating graduation in a few months. Includes Jeremiah 29:11. If you have a senior graduating, this design makes a great gift.

Graduating Seniors
Find the “Graduating Seniors” shirts and products here

Here are some of our favorite designs

  • Godfidence
  • Anything is possible
  • With my song I will praise Him
  • All Things New
  • Joy of the Lord
  • Way Maker
  • Walk by Faith
  • Script Unstoppable God
  • Print Unstoppable God
  • Unstoppable Force
  • Steps of a Good Man
  • Something New
  • Seek and Find
  • Revive Us Again
  • Resist the Devil
  • Raise a Hallelujah
  • Path of His Commands
  • Prayer Warrior
  • Beloved- Mr and Mrs
  • Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan
  • Man of God
  • He Left 99 for Me
  • Cast All Your Cares
  • Giants
  • Faith over Fear
  • Faith Can Move Mountains
  • Don’t Worry
  • Don’t Quit
  • Created to Praise
  • All things are Possible
  • What the Lord Requires
  • Living for the world to see Jesus
  • Face Masks now available!
  • All things are possible
  • Run with perseverance
  • Revive Us Again, Lord
    Revive us again, Lord

New in the Teespring Store: The Prayer of Blessing

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store.

God instructed the Israelite priests to pray the prayer of blessing every day over the people. The prayer is found in Numbers 6:24-26. Hang the canvass in your home or carry the mug, tote bag, or water bottle and let the prayer of blessing impact all those who you meet throughout the day.

Find the canvas print here

We’ve also put this design on a poster, coffee mug, a stainless steel water bottle, phone cases, and a few other products.

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

Click here for the Contemporary Christian Playlist
Click here for the Southern Gospel Playlist
Or Click here for the Hymns Playlist

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

Click here to watch the animated devotionals

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

  • Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
  • Conversation Starters.
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
  • Romance Builders.
  • Relationship Builders.
  • Personal reflections.
  • Date ideas.
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

WestBow Press logo

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Christianbook Distributors logo
Everything Christian for less!

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search:
Christianbook.com

Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.

Here’s some of our recent posts.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 

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This is Different

Have you ever read stories in the Bible about people who questioned God and who He is and what He can do? The disciples left all they had and followed Jesus. They were with Him night and day, watching Him do miracle after miracle. Yet, when something scary and different blew their way, where was their faith?

While in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the disciples ran into a fierce windstorm out on the water. Now remember that some of these disciples had been fishermen by trade. They knew the water and they knew how to handle a boat. They had likely been on the water before in a storm. But this is different. Luke 8 tells us the winds were so fierce that they were taking on water and “they were in jeopardy” and they were afraid – even though the creator of the winds and sea was in the boat with them. They had yet to fully grasp that the Son of God was in their boat.

Coronavirus is different

We have all been through storms in our life. An unexpected death of a loved one. An unexpected job loss. Maybe, an unexpected rebellious child. An unexpected divorce. An unexpected betrayal of trust. Or an unexpected illness. Whatever storm you’ve been through before, I’m sure you can join me in saying that this Coronavirus is different. We’ve never seen our government issue “Safer at Home Act” before. We’ve never been asked to “social distance” before. We have never had to go around wearing masks to protect ourselves and others.

In fact, our generation has probably not seen and personally experienced a pandemic virus. I mean – this is stuff you read about in history books before there was penicillin. This is stuff where you go through ancient cemeteries and read the tombstones were people died from typhoid and stuff. Can you honestly say that you would ever think that in our day with all the medical knowledge that we have that we would ever see a national outbreak of a virus? This is different.

Those of us able to work – work from home (except for essential professions). If someone coughs or even clears their throat, everyone moves as far away as they can. This is different. Kids are all doing school online – and the parents are groaning that we have at least another 30 days of “social distancing,” “safer at home” orders, and online school. This is different.  Did you ever think we would live through a shortage of toilet paper? This is different. 

In the “different” do we ask “Where is Jesus?”

In the different, will we be like the disciples in the midst of the storm? They looked around and said – “Where is Jesus?” Remember – they had seen him do all these miracles of healing people, casting out demons, raising the dead. But where was Jesus in their storm? Well – they found Him. He was sleeping. They wake Him up and said, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” They we’re not just informing Him the boat was going down. I can almost hear them saying, “Don’t you care about us? We’re in a pickle here. Why are you just sleeping?” Their tone, almost accusatory. They were scared and their faith went MIA. 

What about us? Are we searching for where Jesus is in the midst of the storm? Do you feel like He’s asleep somewhere and totally unaware of the storm? 

In the “different” where is your faith?

Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and the waves and there was immediate calm. Then He said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?” They were in a boat with the creator of the universe – the one who made the wind and waves – and still they said to each other: “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” They still didn’t get it. If they had gotten it, then they would have known that the safest place to be in the entire universe was right where Jesus was – regardless of the storm raging around them.

Master, we are perishing!

Our nation is at a place of crying out to Jesus and saying, “Master, we are perishing.” The more the number of positive cases and deaths we see with COVID-19, the more likely you will either know someone who has the virus or be a victim yourself. Jesus says, “My child, where is your faith?” If we genuinely trust Him, then we do not need to fear when the storms of life crash in on us. God is not taken by surprise by any storm we face. Certainly, if He chose he could rebuke COVID-19 and wipe it off the face of the earth. But when that doesn’t happen and we see friends and family suffering with the virus or even dying, where is our faith? Does it go MIA like the disciple’s faith did?

The fiercer the storm, the harder it is to see God, but my friend, we can stand on the promises of God like Deuteronomy 31:6 that says, “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Or Exodus 15:26 that says, “If you will carefully obey the Lord your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, I will not inflict any illnesses on you… For I am Yahweh who heals you.”

Promises from God’s Word:

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Exodus 33:14 My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Isaiah 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.

Isaiah 43:1-3 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 145:18-19 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

When we don’t understand the “different”

We also know that God tell us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” (Isaiah 55:8) We may not understand what is going on or why someone is healed and others are not. And that is where faith comes in. Trusting God when we can’t understand the why. But knowing that loves us with an everlasting love and continues to extend his faithful love to us (Jeremiah 31:3), means we can trust Him even in the storms. 

Jesus is asking, “Where is your faith?”

It can be easy to criticize the disciples for not knowing who Jesus was despite all the miracles and listening to His teaching every single day. But do we not do the same? When the storms come and life gets threatening, all the things that God has done for us in the past races right out of our memory as we become focused only on the storm we are going through right now. But today, Jesus is quietly whispering across our hearts and asking, “Where is your faith?” Stand on the firm foundation of Jesus. Trust in His unfailing, everlasting love and know that He is at work. Look for how He is deepening your faith and trust in Him and know that He only has your very best in mind for everything you face. He loves you and He’s there in the storm with us. Where is your faith?

God, it becomes so easy to forget all the times in the past where you held us in the palm of your hand and brought us through the storms of life. Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that you are always in the midst of life’s storms with us, working out your divine plan for each one us. Help us to stand strong in your faith and fully trust You, even when we don’t understand Your plan.

Revive Renew Redeem logo on self-care post

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

[Download not found]

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

[Download not found]
Bible Reading Plan Download

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

One Year Bible Reading Plan

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

[Download not found]

This week’s featured Christian Tees designs:

Nobody but Jesus

In a world that says, “Look at me!” I want the world to see nobody but Jesus. Based on the song by Casting Crowns. Watch the music video on YouTube

Living for the world to see Jesus
Get the “Nobody but Jesus” shirts and products in black here
Get the “Nobody but Jesus” shirts and products in white here

Graduating Seniors

For all the seniors celebrating graduation in a few months. Includes Jeremiah 29:11. If you have a senior graduating, this design makes a great gift.

Graduating Seniors
Find the “Graduating Seniors” shirts and products here

Here are some of our favorite designs

  • Godfidence
  • Anything is possible
  • With my song I will praise Him
  • All Things New
  • Joy of the Lord
  • Way Maker
  • Walk by Faith
  • Script Unstoppable God
  • Print Unstoppable God
  • Unstoppable Force
  • Steps of a Good Man
  • Something New
  • Seek and Find
  • Revive Us Again
  • Resist the Devil
  • Raise a Hallelujah
  • Path of His Commands
  • Prayer Warrior
  • Beloved- Mr and Mrs
  • Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan
  • Man of God
  • He Left 99 for Me
  • Cast All Your Cares
  • Giants
  • Faith over Fear
  • Faith Can Move Mountains
  • Don’t Worry
  • Don’t Quit
  • Created to Praise
  • All things are Possible
  • What the Lord Requires
  • Living for the world to see Jesus
  • Face Masks now available!
  • All things are possible
  • Run with perseverance
  • Revive Us Again, Lord
    Revive us again, Lord

New in the Teespring Store: The Prayer of Blessing

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store.

God instructed the Israelite priests to pray the prayer of blessing every day over the people. The prayer is found in Numbers 6:24-26. Hang the canvass in your home or carry the mug, tote bag, or water bottle and let the prayer of blessing impact all those who you meet throughout the day.

Find the canvas print here

We’ve also put this design on a poster, coffee mug, a stainless steel water bottle, phone cases, and a few other products.

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

Click here for the Contemporary Christian Playlist
Click here for the Southern Gospel Playlist
Or Click here for the Hymns Playlist

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

Click here to watch the animated devotionals

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

  • Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
  • Conversation Starters.
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
  • Romance Builders.
  • Relationship Builders.
  • Personal reflections.
  • Date ideas.
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

WestBow Press logo

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Christianbook Distributors logo
Everything Christian for less!

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search:
Christianbook.com

Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.

Here’s some of our recent posts.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 

Follow us on:

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Praying State by State for healing of COVID

COVID tracking by the CDC

As of January 31, the CDC reported that 25,921,703 people in the U.S. have tested positive for COVID. 1,045,440 Americans have tested positive in the last seven days. 438,035 people in the US have died from COVID. Join us as we pray state by state for those infected with COVID to be healed and for the disease to be eradicated.

Today we are praying for:

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

Verse-Mapping-with-instructionsFREE Download

The Valentine’s Collection

Beloved Collection: This Valentine’s Day, let your spouse know how much you love them. Based on the Bible Verse, Song of Solomon 3:4, the bottom line reads, “I have found the one whom my soul loves.”

Get the Husband’s shirts and products here
Get the Wife’s shirts and products here

I have found the one whom my soul loves: Based on Song of Solomon 3:4 

Find the “Mr.” shirts and products here
Find the “Mrs.” shirts and products here

God’s Plan: God’s design for marriage is one woman, one man Woven into oneness with Christ – this is God’s plan

Get the “Mr.” shirts and products here
Get the “Mrs.” shirts and products here

Greatest Valentine’s: On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate love and there’s no greater love than Christ who laid down His life so that we can have eternal life. Includes John 3:16.

Find the “Greatest Valentine’s” Collection here

Here are some of our favorite designs you can find in the shop:

  • Godfidence
  • I’m only talking to Jesus today
  • Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God
  • Revive Us Again, Lord
    Revive us again, Lord
  • Walk by faith
  • Living for the world to see Jesus
  • Grace Wins
  • 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine
  • Large view 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine
  • Test positive for faith
  • Test positive for faith
  • Way Maker
  • Walk by Faith
  • Script Unstoppable God
  • Print Unstoppable God
  • Unstoppable Force
  • Anything is possible
  • Raise a Hallelujah
  • Giants
  • Faith over Fear
  • Steps of a Good Man
  • Something New
  • Seek and Find
  • Revive Us Again
  • Resist the Devil
  • Prayer Warrior
  • Faith Can Move Mountains
  • All things are Possible
  • Cast All Your Cares
  • Don’t Worry
  • Man of God
  • He Left 99 for Me
  • Don’t Quit
  • Created to Praise
  • All Things New
  • With my song I will praise Him
  • What the Lord Requires
  • Beloved- Mr and Mrs
  • Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan
  • Face Masks now available!

God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars

by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

  • Scripture to memorize and meditate on
  • Conversation Starters
    • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
    • Romance Builders
    • Relationship Builders
    • Personal reflections
    • Date ideas
    • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

Westbow logo
Christian book logo
amazon logo
Barnes and Nobel logo
walmart logo


 Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

Click here for the Contemporary Christian Playlist
Click here for the Southern Gospel Playlist
Or Click here for the Hymns Playlist

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

Click here to watch the animated devotionals

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Christianbook Distributors logo
Everything Christian for less!

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search:
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Revival: It Starts Right Here

2 Chronicles 7:14 - the formula for revival

The Revive America Campaign

Revival starts with “If my people“

2 Chronicles 7:14 begins with “If my people.” This verse is probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible when we think about revival. “If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear them from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.” It’s like a formula for revival. It’s an if-then conditional statement.

In a conditional statement, the “then” part of the statement can’t happen if the “if” part doesn’t happen. For this conditional statement, the “if” part is up to us and the “then” part is up to God. The part we like in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is the “then” part. The part of the formula that God does. His part is to hear us from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. And if ever America needed healing – it’s now.

But the first part of the verse is the “if” part of the conditional statement. That’s our part. The “if” statement begins with “If my people.” Let’s take these three words and go deeper into them.

If…

In the animated Disney film, “Cinderella,” the invitation for the ball is delivered and Cinderella interrupts voice lessons and takes it to her stepmother who reads it. The stepsisters dance around all excited. Cinderella says, “I can go too. It says ‘every eligible maiden’ is invited.” The cunning, unkind stepmother agrees, much to the surprise and dismay to the sisters. She says, “So it does. You can go if you get all your work done. And if you can find something suitable to wear.” Cinderella kindly says, “Yes, stepmother” and gets to work. As she leaves the room the stepsisters look at their mother in total dismay and say, “Do you realize what you said?!” Stepmother says, “Yes. I said IF.” After a moment of that little word sinking into their brains they catch on to the stepmother’s plan and say, “Ohhhh…IF.” [watch the clip here]

You see, Stepmother never had any intention of Cinderella going to the ball. Her “IF” was intended to keep Cinderella away from the ball. If Cinderella wanted to go, then she had to get her work done – a long list of chores designed to be sure that she wouldn’t be able to get it done in time to go. But the IF in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is intended to bring us back to God when we turn away from Him. This “IF” is for us – not against us.

If my…

The next word is “my.” If my. We have to know who is talking in this verse if we are to understand “my.” God is speaking to King Solomon in this verse following the dedication of the temple that he built for God. God fills the temple with His holy presence and tells Solomon that when God shuts up the heavens so there is no rain, or commands the locust to devour the land, or sends pestilence among the people that the people should humble themselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from their wicked ways.

Pestilence is a deadly disaster, usually a disease, that affects an entire community. It is contagious, virulent, and devastating. For example, the Black Plague in Europe that killed over thirty percent of the population during the late Middle Ages was a pestilence. In the Bible, pestilence is usually a sign of God’s judgment on a nation or people group.

Pestilence in the Bible

  • Deuteronomy 32:24. “they shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured by plague and poisonous pestilence; I will send the teeth of beasts against them, with the venom of things that crawl in the dust.”
  • 1 Chronicles 21:12. “either three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.”
  • Ezekiel 7:14–15. “They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but none goes to battle, for my wrath is upon all their multitude. The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour.”

COVID-19 is a pestilence. So, if we follow Biblical example, COVID-19 could, in fact, be a judgement from God because we have turned away from Him and chose to live however we want without any regards to God’s laws and commands.

If my people…

The next word is “people.” “If my people.” Or we could say, “If God’s people.” Who are these “people?” This verse isn’t written for those who are lost and without Christ. Just behind this phrase, the verse says, “who are called by my name.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 is not about evangelizing the lost. It’s about God’s people called by His name – the Christians – returning to him when they have wandered away from him, choosing to live the way they want instead of living to honor and glorify Him by living His way. It is a call to Christians to humble themselves and pray. It a call to Christians to seek the face of God and turn from their wicked ways. When we do so, with a genuineness of heart, then God will hear our prayers from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

Revival

You see, that’s what revival is all about. The prefix in the word revival is “re,” which means, “back” or “again.” So, the word revival, then means, “restore to life or consciousness,” or “regain life, consciousness, or strength,” or “give new strength or energy to.” Revival isn’t for the lost, that’s what evangelism is for. Revival is about restoring spiritual life or consciousness to the Christian. But let me be clear here. Restoring spiritual life doesn’t mean one can “lose” their salvation. Jesus made it clear that nothing can “pluck us out” of His Father’s hand (John 10:29). Paul also told us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39).

Restoring spiritual life is about taking a dull, weak, worn out faith and having the Spirit of God breathe a newness into it to give us a renewed zeal and passion for God. To give us renewed strength and energy to our prayer life. To give us a renewed awe and reverence for God. And when our spiritual life is restored and renewed, the outcome is a renewed passion for worship and a desire to live with passion for Him.

When we have experienced true revival, several things occur:

  • We can’t wait to spend time in Bible study and prayer.
  • Our churches will not have to beg people to serve.
  • We will be excited to share our faith with the lost.
  • Our hearts will become burdened for the state of our nation and our world.
  • We’ll gladly give a tithe – with a joyful heart.
  • Instead of living with fear over our heads, we’ll live by faith.
  • We’ll long for a close, intimate relationship with our Father.
  • Our hearts will be broken for the things that breaks God’s heart.

Revival is about God chasing after us to call us back to Him

You see, our heavenly Father chases after us, calling us back to Him whenever we wander away. But in our pride and stubbornness, God sometimes has to get our attention. Sometimes, we become so complacent that He has to wake us up. And when God has had enough of our stubbornness and complacency, He sends judgement. Isn’t it sad that it takes judgement to make us turn back to God? And if COVID-19 is God’s judgement designed to bring us back to Him, then how bad do things have to get before we – God’s people – humble ourselves and pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways?

Examples of Revival

God gives us the lives of two people in the Bible to illustrate exactly how God loves us and constantly seeks us out and brings us back to Him. This story metaphorically compares Israel’s abandonment of God to a woman being unfaithful to her husband. You’ll find it the Old Testament book, Hosea. In this book. God tells Hosea that he is to go out and find a wife who is a prostitute. So, Hosea marries Gomer. He knows that her lifestyle of being a prostitute will mean that she will be unfaithful to him. And she does, in fact, leave him and go back to her old way of life. But Hosea finds her and brings her home and restores her as his wife once again.

While this is a very brief summary of the books, the point of the book of Hosea is that is repetitive cycles of judgement and restoration, we find that God makes it clear that He will bring judgment on sin, but He will also always bring His people back to Himself. Hosea 2:16, 19, says: ” And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ …And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.

We are like Gomer

Just as Hosea loved Gomer, a woman more interested in herself than anyone else, so God loves His people who are also more interested in themselves. Gomer gives no respect to her husband anymore than God’s people cared to have God’s direction in their lives. They chose idolatry and injustice over God’s commands that were meant for their protection and care.

Today, we are no different. We choose to live like the world, walk like the world, and smell like world. We stray from the love and protection of our heavenly father and exchange the status of “the bride of Christ” to be the “whore with the world.” We reject living God’s way so we can live the way we want to. And when we don’t like God’s commands, we simply toss them out or change it so that our sin becomes okay. The nation of Israel lived as if they were not God’s people, and we do the same. We are just as wayward as Israel was to God – and as Gomer was to Hosea.

Revival starts right here

As a result of their stubbornness and pride that refused to repent, God did judge Israel. But in that judgement God was calling them back to Himself. He was calling them to revival. The judgement of Israel was meant to cause the people to seek the God with humbled hearts of repentance. Today, God is calling America to repent and come back to Him. Casting Crowns released a song entitled, “Start Right Here” that pegs us right where we are:

We want our coffee in the lobby
And watch our worship on a screen
We got a Rockstar preacher
Who won’t wake us from our dreams
We want out blessings in our pocket
We keep our missions overseas
But for the hurting in our cities
Would we even cross the street?

But we wanna see the heart set free and the tyrants kneel
The walls fall down and our land be healed
But church if we want to see a change in the world out there

It’s got to start right here
It’s got to start right now
Lord, I’m starting right here
Lord, I’m starting right now.

You see, revival starts right here with me (and you). And it starts right now when we humble ourselves and pray, and seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways. Will you humble yourself right now before God and allow revival to start right now in your heart?

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God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

  • Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
  • Conversation Starters.
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
  • Romance Builders.
  • Relationship Builders.
  • Personal reflections.
  • Date ideas.
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

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Judges 17:6. A Nation with a Broken Moral Compass

April 5 Judges 17 6

What happens when a nation throws out its moral compass? Everyone does just as each person wants to do. Without a moral compass, there are no absolutes. No absolute truth that guides and determines this is right and this is wrong. There is no absolute in gender and marriage gets redefined. Instead of One God, there are many gods and all are accepted. You’ve probably seen the popular bumper sticker that says, “Co-exist” and each letter represents a different religion. Certainly, we should love others as Jesus loves them, but that does not mean we accept anything that blatantly contradicts the Bible. America has lost its moral compass and without a spiritual revival our nation is doomed to more and more moral decay. How much decay has to happen before we are humbled enough to fall our knees and cry out for God’s mercy? Does it take 239,279 people infected with COVID-19? Does it take over 5,000 people dying in a matter of weeks from COVID-19?

Israel also spiraled down into moral decay and lost its moral compass. In Judges 17, we find a son who stole from his mother – 1100 silver coins. The mom, angry over the theft pronounces a curse on whoever stole the money, not knowing she was cursing her own son. The son hears about it and decides to return the money – not because he is convicted about the wrong but because he’s afraid of the curse. Then we see the mom do something that is becoming more and more common in parents today – she blesses the son. There is no discipline. No discussion about right or wrong. In fact, she is so happy to get the coins back that she says she’s going to dedicate to God and has it melted down and shaped into an idol.

What begins in the home will eventually spread to the community, the government, and the nation. At the point of Judges 17, we see that the nation lost its moral compass and in verse six we read: “In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did whatever he wanted.” The eventual result is God’s judgement on the nation. And it always happens in the same order: Moral decay at home, then the community and the church, and then the government. Then God brings judgement and the people wonder what’s happening. They panic and buy up all the toilet paper. Well, there is a big mess that needs cleaning up, but all the toilet paper in the world will not clean the mess up. What’s needed is a spiritual clean up. We need for the Holy Spirit to sweep in and clean up the hearts of God people. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says:

2 Chronicles 7 14

So how do we bring back God’s glory to America? Perhaps you’re thinking that you’d love to see that happen – for America to truly be great again. But it won’t come from a president. It won’t come from the House, Congress, the Senate, or the White House. It will only come when God is invited back in to our homes, our government, and our nation. So where do we start? The best place is at the beginning.

Rebuilding our foundation:

As we read the story in Judges 17, the Micah mentioned here is not the prophet. This Micah is about as far away from being a prophet as he can get. He’s nothing more than a spoiled brat, used to getting whatever he wanted, taking whatever he wanted and without any consequence. His home is so messed up and spiritually blind that they had no clue that idolatry was strictly forbidden. In fact, his mother thought she was doing God a favor and honoring Him by making an idol to Him. But this home was steeped in idolatry. Verse five tells us Micah had a whole shrine of idols. What we have in this home is a very crumbled foundation. One that was broken to pieces by coveting, stealing, cursing, dishonoring of parents, and idolatry. And that’s just what this story tells us about this family. Only God knows what else was going on in the home. And yet if you were to confront them, they would probably try to take you to court, sue you for some kind of discrimination charge and claim they are entitled to their own opinion and can live any way they want. This is exactly what is meant in verse seven when the Bible says, “Every man did what was right in his own eyes.” 

Doesn’t this sound like America today? Everyone does whatever they feel is right. They have no regard for what God says is right. It’s as if people think they can pass or change laws to make something right, then it will be right and they don’t have to feel guilty. But God’s laws do not change and their guilt is still before the eyes of God.

The same is true about religion. If we don’t like what the Bible says, we choose to “interpret” it differently and start a new religion so we can live exactly the way we want to. We ignore the absolute truth, authority, standards, and morals that God commands in His Word and throw it back in His face in favor of living however we want to live. This attitude runs pervasively throughout the homes of our nation – even in many of the homes that consider themselves Christian.

If we are going to rebuild the crumbling foundation of our nation – it begins at home with parents humbling themselves before God, praying and seeking His face, and repenting of not bringing their children up in nurture and admonition of the Lord. When we as parents get our hearts right with God, we then need to live out the truths of God’s Word as an example for our children – to show them how to live. If you want your children to obey you, then you should be the example by being obedient to the speed limits and other laws. If you want them to be truthful and honest, then you need to be truthful and honest on your taxes. If you want them to speak with kindness, then you need to speak kindly to the person checking you out at the grocery store. If you want them to see church as important, they need to see you eager to go to church. If you want them to read God’s Word, they need to see you in the Word. We as parents need to stop making excuses or sweeping behaviors under the carpet and ignoring them saying, “Its just a phase. They’ll outgrow it.” Let’s call it what it is – SIN – and then be parents. 

If we want to bring God’s glory back to our nation, it begins in your house and in my house – not in the White House. No president can make America great again. Making America great again begins with rebuilding the foundations of our nation and the foundation is the American home that is built upon the Word of God and standing on the Biblical truths God has given us. 

Holy Spirit, convict our hearts of the sin of apostasy that has so befallen our nation. Open our eyes to both the lies of Satan and the truths of God’s Word. Create within us a longing for God to return as Lord of America. Lord, we humble ourselves before you with broken and contrite hearts, acknowledging our sin. Lord, cause us to seek you with all of our heart, mind, and soul for you’ve said in your word that when we seek you with all of our heart we will find you – and oh! how we need to find you! Forgive us, Father, for turning away from you and doing what is right in our own eyes. Forgive the perversity of sin within our land. God, we implore you to hear us from heaven and heal our land. Father, heal our land not only of COVID-19, but of the moral and spiritual decay and bring back your glory. We invite you to once more be God in America. 

 

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Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:

Memorize and hide in your heart one memory verse each week in 2020. If you didn’t start the challenge at the beginning of the year, just jump in now and be sure to sign up to get our weekly Memory verse in your email so you don’t miss a week.

memory verse logoIn 2020 our emphasis is on revival for America with three key words: revive, renew, and redeem. You will begin to see the elements of our website and posts reflect this emphasis. We hope you’ll join us in praying for God to pour out the Holy Spirit with a mighty rushing wind of revival for our nation and around the world.

 

Our key verse for revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.  For the past few  weeks, we have been focusing on repentance. This week, we look at the spiritual transformation that takes place when we surrender our heart to God.

This week’s memory verse:

Exodus 14:13-14

“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” 

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