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Did you remember to read your Bible?

One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional

Today’s Bible Reading: August 7, 2022

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

[Download not found]

Psalm 79-81

Romans 8:1-18

The Most Deadliest Virus

Did you know there is a much more deadlier virus than COVID-19 on the loose – One with 100% mortality rate? While the variants of COVID-19 is once again in the spotlight, acting the lead role of a villain in a horror movie, there is a more deadlier and contagious problem than Covid-19 on the loose. It has stolen, destroyed and killed so many lives and devastated families since the dawn of man kind. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues to today. No one is exempt. Every single person has it.

What is this deadly virus?

It is the SIN of mankind which eventually results in DEATH. The ever increasing COVID-19 death totals truly scares us. Little do we realize that worldwide, aside from these virus-related deaths, even in normal times 3 people die every second, 180 die every minute, almost 11,000 die every hour, and more than 250,000 perish every day. These statistics are shocking, aren’t they?

We are all living in a fallen, infectious, contaminated world dominated by SIN and all it’s ramifications which ultimately results in DEATH.

Symptoms of the SIN virus

Similar to cancer, the SIN virus spreads silently. Many people lead normal lives with cancer, without seeking treatment, because they don’t know they’re carrying a root of death within themselves. Those who live in sin often lead normal lives as well, without seeking reconciliation with God, because they don’t know they’re also carrying a root within that will lead them to hell.

But, just as cancer and other fatal diseases display symptoms, sin also has its symptoms. And the symptom of sin is disobedience.

A sin can be very well hidden, but the actions and reactions of a disobedient person show that sin is in their heart. The same way an internal disease manifests itself externally, in a visible form, through strange signs in the body, sin will also manifest itself externally through rebellious attitudes, in such a way that, what was invisible becomes visible.

Disobedience may be the tip of the iceberg of pride, malice, envy, racism, arrogance, lack of fear, being apart from God, selfishness, spiritual weakness, greed, sexual immorality, idolatry, and all other sins. 

Who has contracted the SIN virus?

The symptoms of SIN may or may not be visible on the outside, but the Bible tells us that every single person on the earth has tested positive for the SIN. There’s traces of it in our head, heart, and hands, and its effects cut across our body, soul and spirit. Globally, as of July 30, 2021, there have been 196,553,009 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 4,200,412 deaths, reported to WHO. That means that of those who contracted the COVID-19 virus, 2.14% died from the virus world wide. Here in the U.S. the CDC reports a total of 34,926,462 confirmed cases with 610,873 deaths. So, for the U.S 1.75% of those who contracted COVID-19 died from the virus.

But the Bible tells us that every single person that has lived, other than Jesus, has contracted the SIN virus. Romans 3:23 says, “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In fact, Adam and Eve were the first to contract the SIN virus and then they passed the virus down to every other person. One could say it’s in our DNA. Each one of us were born with it.

What is Sin?

Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18). Genesis 3 describes Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God and His command. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin has been an “inheritance” for all of their descendants. Romans 5:12 tells us that, through Adam, sin entered the world and so death was passed on to all men because all have sinned. This passed-on sin is known as inherited sin. Just as we inherit physical characteristics from our parents, we inherit our sinful nature from Adam.

So, 100% of the world population is infected with the SIN virus. Not only does 100% of the population have the SIN virus, 100% of the world-wide population will eventually die because of SIN. No one is immune and no one can escape the plague of SIN and DEATH.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…”

The Origin of the SIN Virus

Since Covid 19 was discovered, there has been much research into where and how the virus started. But the Bible is very clear about the origin of SIN and DEATH. In the beginning God created a beautiful home full of potential for His creation of mankind and He placed the very first family in the Garden of Eden. Looking at everything God created, God Himself declared it all “GOOD.” It was all pure without any contamination. So what happened?

God didn’t create Adam and Eve as puppets on a string, they had A CHOICE, either they could trust and obey God to rule the world according to God’s standard OR they could eat from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil and rule the world according to their own standards. Using their free will they decided to cease living God’s way and chose to live their own way. As a result SIN, and consequently DEATH, starts leaking out into the world. Apostle Paul summarizes it in Romans 5:12. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”

Notice the progression in Romans 5:12: sin entered the world through Adam, death follows sin, death comes to all people, all people sin because they inherit sin from Adam.

The SIN Virus is a weapon against humanity

Satan is God’s enemy – but he is also our enemy. In the Garden of Eden, man was deceived to unleash a weapon against himself using his free will by disobeying God. And Satan has dedicated himself to continue deceiving mankind so that we will remove God from our lives. But the result is always the same – death. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Consequences of the SIN Virus

Every choice comes with a consequence. But when we choose to live our way, instead of God’s way, things start falling apart and we begin falling into a downward spiral of moral corruption and rebellion. Generation after generation the intensity and the magnitude of human rebellion increases until it reaches its the results that we see in our world today. The whole world is drowning again in a vicious cycle of Sin and death. It all started with a single act of disobedience and multiplied over the generations to a more destructive and resistant variants. Now what is the status of the good, perfect and uncontaminated world God created. It is all infected with the SIN virus and moving towards eternal DEATH.

God’s plan to rescue humanity

As hard as people have worked to find a vaccine effective against COVID-29, there is no one who can create a cure for the SIN Virus. Nor is there any person who save himself from it. So who is going to bring salvation to mankind? What kind of cure is powerful enough to neutralize the adverse effects of the poison released by the Sin virus? Who is the virologist who can calculate the correct genetic code for the right antivenom to confront and neutralize Sin and cure humanity of its effects? Thankfully, God had a plan to rescue humanity.

Who is capable to save humanity from the SIN Virus?

Even after repeated failures on the part of man, God is faithful to keep His promises. The moment the Sin birus entered into humanity in the Garden of Eden, God promised man that He himself will solve this problem, that God himself will provide THE WAY out for man. Through a promise which will never change God shows mankind a great light at the end of the dark tunnel of sin. God promised to raise THE SEED OF THE WOMAN who will put an end to the SIN and DEATH.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15

No matter how hopeless the situation seems our God can deliver us. A deadly contagious virus has invaded the whole worth but we still have hope. No matter how messed up humanity may seem God is able to bring the answer. And that answer demonstrates the total reckless and extravagant love of God for all mankind. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s right! His Only Son – Jesus – was sent into the world to save humanity from the SIN Virus.

The Antidote to Sin and Death

Yes, Jesus is God’s antidote to the Sin Virus and the death it brings. To understand this, let us refresh our memory on what we learned about producing antibodies for a venom in our science class. For example let’s consider how the antigen is produced to fight snake venom. The venom from the snake is obtained and injected to the host animal. When the uninfected host is injected the venom it’s pure blood forms the antivenom to fight the snake’s venom. The blood from the animal is drawn out the produced antibodies separated then concentrated and injected into the infected person.

Let’s unlock the principle here. An uninfected, pure host has to be injected with the venom of sin and the host’s blood which contains the antidote needs to be drawn out. What do you think would be the status of the host when all this happens?

2 Corinthians 5:11 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The Antidote was made on the Cross

This is what happened on the cross. Jesus lived a perfectly holy life in obedience to God and all His commandments. He never sinned. If He had sinned even once, then He could not have paid the penalty for our sin and become the sacrifice for us. He died as God’s chosen sacrifice to take away the sins of mankind. Our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to counteract the deadly poison of sin.

The only antidote for sin and death is God’s gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus our Lord. Because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), we need a perfect, sinless sacrifice to wash away our sin, something we are powerless to do on our own. Thankfully, Jesus Christ is the Savior from sin! Our sin has been crucified on the cross of Jesus, and now “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). God, in His infinite wisdom, has provided the remedy for the sin we inherit, and that remedy is available to everyone: “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:38).

The Antidote is sufficient

He rose from the grave and proved that His sacrifice alone was sufficient. He ascended to the Father’s right hand and He freely gives the VACCINE, eternal life, to all who repent of their sins and trust Him as Lord and Savior and receive Him by faith. It’s all provided freely, we don’t have to be in the waiting list, stand in line, make an appointment, bribe someone to get it, be scared of the side effects or worry about a second dose. It’s all given to humanity free of charge because Jesus paid the price for us.

So this is it. God provided the WAY, the cure, Jesus the Messiah. God provided the spotless lamb to die on our behalf. He died and His sacrifice gave us life. Humanity is no longer doomed to eternal destruction but we have a WAY out.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Our only hope against the SIN Virus

It is obvious the whole world is drowning in a sea of SIN virus. Humanity, along with the whole of creation, is groaning for salvation. I’m afraid the COVID 19 vaccine can’t fix this problem. The only hope for this dying world is to receive salvation, the cure provided by God Himself. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There is no other way.

The only question is, have you received the free gift Jesus offers to you that will save your from the SIN virus? There’s no time to waste, now is time to receive Jesus into your heart and give your life to Him. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” It is a decision and step of faith that you take in this life. Once you die, it will be too late to decide then. Romans 10:9-19 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

What will you do with the free antidote for the SIN Virus?

Remember earlier we said that every choice has a consequence? What you chose to do with the free antidote to the SIN Virus that God has provided, has eternal consequences. Just as you can chose to get vaccinated against COVID, you can choose to accept the free antidote for sin that God has already provided for you. When you accept by faith that Jesus is God’s antidote and that Jesus paid the price of death for you because of your sin, you will have the victorious consequence of eternal life. But if you chose to reject Jesus as the antidote that saves your from your SIN virus, your consequence is eternal separation from God in Hell. God has graciously provided the antidote. It is His gift to us. You only have to reach out and accept it by faith. What will you do with the free antidote for the SIN Virus?


Click here to listen to our devotions on Spotify be sure to follow us.

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.


Week 31: August 1-7


Visit our three retail experiences:

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We are an affiliate of CBD. We earn a commission on any purchase you make when you enter the store through this link. However, your CBD price is the same. Visit CBD for Bibles, Bible studies, gifts & more

Romans 8:37 – Kneels Before God

Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” Our victories come when we are on our knees praying.

True Story

Scatter Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Kindness never goes out of style. Scatter some wherever you go.

Visit our YouTube Channels for Christian playlists and our short animated devotionals.

Animated Devotionals

Contemporary Christian Music Playlist

Southern Gospel Playlist

Just Hymns


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

Now in the WCM Store! Buy your copy today for only $24.95

paperback edition

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The Most Deadliest Virus

One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional

Today’s Bible Reading: August 7, 2022

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

[Download not found]

Psalm 79-81

Romans 8:1-18

The Most Deadliest Virus

Did you know there is a much more deadlier virus than COVID-19 on the loose – One with 100% mortality rate? While the variants of COVID-19 is once again in the spotlight, acting the lead role of a villain in a horror movie, there is a more deadlier and contagious problem than Covid-19 on the loose. It has stolen, destroyed and killed so many lives and devastated families since the dawn of man kind. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues to today. No one is exempt. Every single person has it.

What is this deadly virus?

It is the SIN of mankind which eventually results in DEATH. The ever increasing COVID-19 death totals truly scares us. Little do we realize that worldwide, aside from these virus-related deaths, even in normal times 3 people die every second, 180 die every minute, almost 11,000 die every hour, and more than 250,000 perish every day. These statistics are shocking, aren’t they?

We are all living in a fallen, infectious, contaminated world dominated by SIN and all it’s ramifications which ultimately results in DEATH.

Symptoms of the SIN virus

Similar to cancer, the SIN virus spreads silently. Many people lead normal lives with cancer, without seeking treatment, because they don’t know they’re carrying a root of death within themselves. Those who live in sin often lead normal lives as well, without seeking reconciliation with God, because they don’t know they’re also carrying a root within that will lead them to hell.

But, just as cancer and other fatal diseases display symptoms, sin also has its symptoms. And the symptom of sin is disobedience.

A sin can be very well hidden, but the actions and reactions of a disobedient person show that sin is in their heart. The same way an internal disease manifests itself externally, in a visible form, through strange signs in the body, sin will also manifest itself externally through rebellious attitudes, in such a way that, what was invisible becomes visible.

Disobedience may be the tip of the iceberg of pride, malice, envy, racism, arrogance, lack of fear, being apart from God, selfishness, spiritual weakness, greed, sexual immorality, idolatry, and all other sins. 

Who has contracted the SIN virus?

The symptoms of SIN may or may not be visible on the outside, but the Bible tells us that every single person on the earth has tested positive for the SIN. There’s traces of it in our head, heart, and hands, and its effects cut across our body, soul and spirit. Globally, as of July 30, 2021, there have been 196,553,009 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 4,200,412 deaths, reported to WHO. That means that of those who contracted the COVID-19 virus, 2.14% died from the virus world wide. Here in the U.S. the CDC reports a total of 34,926,462 confirmed cases with 610,873 deaths. So, for the U.S 1.75% of those who contracted COVID-19 died from the virus.

But the Bible tells us that every single person that has lived, other than Jesus, has contracted the SIN virus. Romans 3:23 says, “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In fact, Adam and Eve were the first to contract the SIN virus and then they passed the virus down to every other person. One could say it’s in our DNA. Each one of us were born with it.

What is Sin?

Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18). Genesis 3 describes Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God and His command. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin has been an “inheritance” for all of their descendants. Romans 5:12 tells us that, through Adam, sin entered the world and so death was passed on to all men because all have sinned. This passed-on sin is known as inherited sin. Just as we inherit physical characteristics from our parents, we inherit our sinful nature from Adam.

So, 100% of the world population is infected with the SIN virus. Not only does 100% of the population have the SIN virus, 100% of the world-wide population will eventually die because of SIN. No one is immune and no one can escape the plague of SIN and DEATH.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…”

The Origin of the SIN Virus

Since Covid 19 was discovered, there has been much research into where and how the virus started. But the Bible is very clear about the origin of SIN and DEATH. In the beginning God created a beautiful home full of potential for His creation of mankind and He placed the very first family in the Garden of Eden. Looking at everything God created, God Himself declared it all “GOOD.” It was all pure without any contamination. So what happened?

God didn’t create Adam and Eve as puppets on a string, they had A CHOICE, either they could trust and obey God to rule the world according to God’s standard OR they could eat from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil and rule the world according to their own standards. Using their free will they decided to cease living God’s way and chose to live their own way. As a result SIN, and consequently DEATH, starts leaking out into the world. Apostle Paul summarizes it in Romans 5:12. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”

Notice the progression in Romans 5:12: sin entered the world through Adam, death follows sin, death comes to all people, all people sin because they inherit sin from Adam.

The SIN Virus is a weapon against humanity

Satan is God’s enemy – but he is also our enemy. In the Garden of Eden, man was deceived to unleash a weapon against himself using his free will by disobeying God. And Satan has dedicated himself to continue deceiving mankind so that we will remove God from our lives. But the result is always the same – death. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Consequences of the SIN Virus

Every choice comes with a consequence. But when we choose to live our way, instead of God’s way, things start falling apart and we begin falling into a downward spiral of moral corruption and rebellion. Generation after generation the intensity and the magnitude of human rebellion increases until it reaches its the results that we see in our world today. The whole world is drowning again in a vicious cycle of Sin and death. It all started with a single act of disobedience and multiplied over the generations to a more destructive and resistant variants. Now what is the status of the good, perfect and uncontaminated world God created. It is all infected with the SIN virus and moving towards eternal DEATH.

God’s plan to rescue humanity

As hard as people have worked to find a vaccine effective against COVID-29, there is no one who can create a cure for the SIN Virus. Nor is there any person who save himself from it. So who is going to bring salvation to mankind? What kind of cure is powerful enough to neutralize the adverse effects of the poison released by the Sin virus? Who is the virologist who can calculate the correct genetic code for the right antivenom to confront and neutralize Sin and cure humanity of its effects? Thankfully, God had a plan to rescue humanity.

Who is capable to save humanity from the SIN Virus?

Even after repeated failures on the part of man, God is faithful to keep His promises. The moment the Sin birus entered into humanity in the Garden of Eden, God promised man that He himself will solve this problem, that God himself will provide THE WAY out for man. Through a promise which will never change God shows mankind a great light at the end of the dark tunnel of sin. God promised to raise THE SEED OF THE WOMAN who will put an end to the SIN and DEATH.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15

No matter how hopeless the situation seems our God can deliver us. A deadly contagious virus has invaded the whole worth but we still have hope. No matter how messed up humanity may seem God is able to bring the answer. And that answer demonstrates the total reckless and extravagant love of God for all mankind. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s right! His Only Son – Jesus – was sent into the world to save humanity from the SIN Virus.

The Antidote to Sin and Death

Yes, Jesus is God’s antidote to the Sin Virus and the death it brings. To understand this, let us refresh our memory on what we learned about producing antibodies for a venom in our science class. For example let’s consider how the antigen is produced to fight snake venom. The venom from the snake is obtained and injected to the host animal. When the uninfected host is injected the venom it’s pure blood forms the antivenom to fight the snake’s venom. The blood from the animal is drawn out the produced antibodies separated then concentrated and injected into the infected person.

Let’s unlock the principle here. An uninfected, pure host has to be injected with the venom of sin and the host’s blood which contains the antidote needs to be drawn out. What do you think would be the status of the host when all this happens?

2 Corinthians 5:11 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The Antidote was made on the Cross

This is what happened on the cross. Jesus lived a perfectly holy life in obedience to God and all His commandments. He never sinned. If He had sinned even once, then He could not have paid the penalty for our sin and become the sacrifice for us. He died as God’s chosen sacrifice to take away the sins of mankind. Our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to counteract the deadly poison of sin.

The only antidote for sin and death is God’s gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus our Lord. Because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), we need a perfect, sinless sacrifice to wash away our sin, something we are powerless to do on our own. Thankfully, Jesus Christ is the Savior from sin! Our sin has been crucified on the cross of Jesus, and now “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). God, in His infinite wisdom, has provided the remedy for the sin we inherit, and that remedy is available to everyone: “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:38).

The Antidote is sufficient

He rose from the grave and proved that His sacrifice alone was sufficient. He ascended to the Father’s right hand and He freely gives the VACCINE, eternal life, to all who repent of their sins and trust Him as Lord and Savior and receive Him by faith. It’s all provided freely, we don’t have to be in the waiting list, stand in line, make an appointment, bribe someone to get it, be scared of the side effects or worry about a second dose. It’s all given to humanity free of charge because Jesus paid the price for us.

So this is it. God provided the WAY, the cure, Jesus the Messiah. God provided the spotless lamb to die on our behalf. He died and His sacrifice gave us life. Humanity is no longer doomed to eternal destruction but we have a WAY out.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Our only hope against the SIN Virus

It is obvious the whole world is drowning in a sea of SIN virus. Humanity, along with the whole of creation, is groaning for salvation. I’m afraid the COVID 19 vaccine can’t fix this problem. The only hope for this dying world is to receive salvation, the cure provided by God Himself. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There is no other way.

The only question is, have you received the free gift Jesus offers to you that will save your from the SIN virus? There’s no time to waste, now is time to receive Jesus into your heart and give your life to Him. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” It is a decision and step of faith that you take in this life. Once you die, it will be too late to decide then. Romans 10:9-19 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

What will you do with the free antidote for the SIN Virus?

Remember earlier we said that every choice has a consequence? What you chose to do with the free antidote to the SIN Virus that God has provided, has eternal consequences. Just as you can chose to get vaccinated against COVID, you can choose to accept the free antidote for sin that God has already provided for you. When you accept by faith that Jesus is God’s antidote and that Jesus paid the price of death for you because of your sin, you will have the victorious consequence of eternal life. But if you chose to reject Jesus as the antidote that saves your from your SIN virus, your consequence is eternal separation from God in Hell. God has graciously provided the antidote. It is His gift to us. You only have to reach out and accept it by faith. What will you do with the free antidote for the SIN Virus?


Click here to listen to our devotions on Spotify be sure to follow us.

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.


Week 31: August 1-7


Visit our three retail experiences:

Bible study and Self Care Resources
Christian Tees, Bags, Mugs & More
We are an affiliate of CBD. We earn a commission on any purchase you make when you enter the store through this link. However, your CBD price is the same. Visit CBD for Bibles, Bible studies, gifts & more

Romans 8:37 – Kneels Before God

Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” Our victories come when we are on our knees praying.

True Story

Scatter Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Kindness never goes out of style. Scatter some wherever you go.

Visit our YouTube Channels for Christian playlists and our short animated devotionals.

Animated Devotionals

Contemporary Christian Music Playlist

Southern Gospel Playlist

Just Hymns


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

Now in the WCM Store! Buy your copy today for only $24.95

paperback edition

Also 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.

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 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.


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Did you remember to read your Bible?

One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional

Today’s Bible Reading: August 6, 2022

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

[Download not found]

Psalm 78

Romans 7

Law of God vs. Law of Sin

Why did I do this?

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of some act of sin and mentally you facepalm your head and say “Why did I do this?” You really didn’t intend to sin, but before you knew it you’d gone and done it anyway. Maybe its a certain area of weakness in your life and every time you promise yourself you’ll not do it again – but then you do. Think for a moment about a certain sin you battle with constantly. Maybe it’s overeating or over spending or bad language or whatever it might be. Why is it so hard to overcome these sins?

Paul says in Romans 7:25 that in his mind he serves the law of God, but in his flesh, he serves the law of sin. As Christians we want to obey God and keep his commandments, but our flesh is weak. Jesus told the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, “Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Overcoming sin is a battle!

The reason overcoming sin is such a battle is because it is exactly that — a battle. Every day we fight a battle between our old sinful nature and the new creation we became when we became saved. (Click to tweet) We can recognize in our mind that we want to keep God’s law because it is holy, just, good, and spiritual. However, at the same time, our sinful nature that was in league and service to Satan tries over and over again to resurface because our sinful nature makes us rebellious against God. Each one of us has a natural inclination to sin and if we are given the choice to do God’s will our own, our natural tendency is to choose to do our own thing.

When we become a Christian, our sinful nature doesn’t just disappear. As long as we live on earth, sin remains in us and we will constantly struggle with the old sinful nature. However, as believers, we do have help. At the time we became a Christian, the Holy Spirit took up resident within us and gives us the power we need to overcome and be victorious over the sin nature within us.

How can I be victorious over sin?

So then how do we battle that old sinful nature…and be victorious?

Sin is our enemy

First, we need to understand that our sinful nature is our enemy. Paul wrote in Romans 8:13 that if we “live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” In warfare, soldiers kill their enemies – not their friends. Our enemy is sin whenever we give in to the temptations that Satan uses as bait to defeat us in the battle of sin.

When you think about your sin, think about what your sin cost Jesus. It was your sin that killed Him. We need to recognize that our enemy, Sin, seeks to devour and destroy us. As a Christian, we cannot be unsaved, but Sin wants to cause us to dishonor Christ and the price He paid so that we could win our freedom from Sin. Because sin is our enemy, we need to develop a strong hatred for sin because of what it cost Jesus and because what it wants to steal from us – the joy of our salvation.

Satan’s tactics to bait us into sin

Sin is a big bully that worms it way in through deceit and manipulation. Satan’s number tactic in temptation is to use half-truths and half-lies. It’s easy to catch a straight out lie, but if you mix a little truth into it, it doesn’t quite sound like a lie any more. He used this tactic with Eve in the Garden of Eden and he’s been using it ever since – because he knows it works on us. (Click to tweet) 

Romans 6:12 tells us, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” The best way to combat the bully, Sin, is through God’s Word. Jesus did this when he was tempted in the wilderness. Satan used his old half-truth/half lie technique and Jesus returned with a complete truth of God’s Word. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” So shed some light on that bully’s half truth/half lie temptations.

We defeat sin by Going all in with Jesus

If we are going to defeat the enemy, we need to have a radical allegiance to the other side, God’s side. We have to make a conscious effort go all in for Jesus by surrendering our mind, heart, and body. (Click to tweet) Romans 6:13 says, “Present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

As we surrender ourselves to God, we are presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice to him. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and please to God.” The only problem with living sacrifices is that they tend to wiggle off the altar. So presenting ourselves God is a continual activity. It doesn’t mean that every time we fail we lose our salvation, but that we have to keep coming back to the altar and surrender our will to our Savior and give Him control of our lives. We must be yielded to Him if we are to be instruments of righteousness.

Don’t open the door to sin

To be victorious over our sinful nature, we need to make sure we don’t open the door to sin – even just a little bit to peek out at it. (Click to tweet)  Romans 13:14 says, “Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” This means that if you struggle with alcohol, you don’t go to the bar telling yourself, your just visiting friends. In fact, it might mean you need to drive an extra 15 miles to and from work everyday so that you do not drive by a bar and be tempted to stop in.  

It means if you struggle with pornography, you don’t leave your computer in a room that only you have access to.

If you struggle with being faithful to your spouse, you don’t ask your coworker that’s been flirting with you to stay late and work on a project where it’s just the two of you.

Whatever sin you struggle with, don’t willingly put yourself in the position to be tempted by that sin. If you need to, find some accountability partners to help stay the course godliness. James 4:6 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Defeating sin means don’t go with the status quo

Defeating our sinful nature means we don’t go with the status quo. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Just because the world says it’s okay, doesn’t change what God says about it. Sin is still sin and in the end only God’s Word will matter.  

Laws can attempt to redefine marriage, but God will still identify any marriage or relationship contrary to His word as sin.

Morality in our world is at an all time low and what once was seen by society as taboo is now the everyday norms and we think nothing about it. D.L. Moody once said, “The ship belongs in the water of the world, but if the water gets in the ship, it sinks.” The world is full of sinking sand, but Christ is our Solid Rock on which we can stand. As we stand on that Rock the light of Jesus should be shinning out on a lost world and inviting them to come to Him.

The Battle begins in the mind

The battle against our sinful nature starts in the mind. We need to continually be renewing our mind and keep our focus centered on Christ. (Click to tweet) Romans 8:5 and Colossians 3:2 tell us to fix our minds on the things of the Spirit and things that are above. Philippians 4:8 says we need our minds to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise. It can be very difficult to do when there are so many stories in the news about the moral decay of our world. It’s also difficult when Satan is throwing temptation our way. He always makes the sin look good and inviting.

When our thoughts begin to stray from where they belong, its a good time to listen to some praise and worship music, or to spend time praying or reading the Bible. We can begin praising God for His work in our lives. We can get together with Christian friends and talk about God’s goodness over a hot and cheesy pizza. Its important for Christians to belong to a body of believers. So be sure you are actively attending a godly church where the truth of the Bible is being preached. The more we surround ourselves with other believers, the more we can help each other in the battle against sin and the more we can work together to be continually renewing our minds so we focus on the things of God.

When sin creeps in be quick to admit defeat and confess the sin

In every battle there are wins and losses. When sin does win the battle, we need to be quick to admit our defeat and confess our sin. Part of the work of the Holy Spirit within us is to convict us of sin so that we can repent and find forgiveness. (Click to tweet) 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Don’t ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As soon as you recognize sin as won a round, confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Then ask the Holy Spirit for His help in defeating sin. Ezekiel 36:27 says, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Then listen to Him the next time your getting ready to fall in sin’s trap and He will help you avoid the trap and win the battle.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome and defeat sin

With the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we have the power to overcome and defeat sin. But the battle is life long and we are not able to do it on our own. If we are to be victorious in the battle of sin, we have to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Click to tweet) No soldier goes into battle without battle gear. Ephesians 6:11-18 tells us about our battle gear:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye  may be able to withstand the evil day, and have done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

So suit up Christian! You’re on a battlefield. You’re a soldier with the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you. Fight on His strength and not your own. In the end, we win because Jesus won the war at Calvary.(Click to tweet)


Click here to listen to our devotions on Spotify be sure to follow us.

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.


Week 31: August 1-7


Visit our three retail experiences:

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Christian Tees, Bags, Mugs & More
We are an affiliate of CBD. We earn a commission on any purchase you make when you enter the store through this link. However, your CBD price is the same. Visit CBD for Bibles, Bible studies, gifts & more

Romans 8:37 – Kneels Before God

Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” Our victories come when we are on our knees praying.

True Story

Scatter Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Kindness never goes out of style. Scatter some wherever you go.

Visit our YouTube Channels for Christian playlists and our short animated devotionals.

Animated Devotionals

Contemporary Christian Music Playlist

Southern Gospel Playlist

Just Hymns


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

Now in the WCM Store! Buy your copy today for only $24.95

paperback edition

Also 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.


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.


See our other recent posts:

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 
Follow us on:

facebook logo link on Bible reading post
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Law of God vs. Law of Sin

One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional

Today’s Bible Reading: August 6, 2022

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

[Download not found]

Psalm 78

Romans 7

Law of God vs. Law of Sin

Why did I do this?

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of some act of sin and mentally you facepalm your head and say “Why did I do this?” You really didn’t intend to sin, but before you knew it you’d gone and done it anyway. Maybe its a certain area of weakness in your life and every time you promise yourself you’ll not do it again – but then you do. Think for a moment about a certain sin you battle with constantly. Maybe it’s overeating or over spending or bad language or whatever it might be. Why is it so hard to overcome these sins?

Paul says in Romans 7:25 that in his mind he serves the law of God, but in his flesh, he serves the law of sin. As Christians we want to obey God and keep his commandments, but our flesh is weak. Jesus told the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, “Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Overcoming sin is a battle!

The reason overcoming sin is such a battle is because it is exactly that — a battle. Every day we fight a battle between our old sinful nature and the new creation we became when we became saved. (Click to tweet) We can recognize in our mind that we want to keep God’s law because it is holy, just, good, and spiritual. However, at the same time, our sinful nature that was in league and service to Satan tries over and over again to resurface because our sinful nature makes us rebellious against God. Each one of us has a natural inclination to sin and if we are given the choice to do God’s will our own, our natural tendency is to choose to do our own thing.

When we become a Christian, our sinful nature doesn’t just disappear. As long as we live on earth, sin remains in us and we will constantly struggle with the old sinful nature. However, as believers, we do have help. At the time we became a Christian, the Holy Spirit took up resident within us and gives us the power we need to overcome and be victorious over the sin nature within us.

How can I be victorious over sin?

So then how do we battle that old sinful nature…and be victorious?

Sin is our enemy

First, we need to understand that our sinful nature is our enemy. Paul wrote in Romans 8:13 that if we “live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” In warfare, soldiers kill their enemies – not their friends. Our enemy is sin whenever we give in to the temptations that Satan uses as bait to defeat us in the battle of sin.

When you think about your sin, think about what your sin cost Jesus. It was your sin that killed Him. We need to recognize that our enemy, Sin, seeks to devour and destroy us. As a Christian, we cannot be unsaved, but Sin wants to cause us to dishonor Christ and the price He paid so that we could win our freedom from Sin. Because sin is our enemy, we need to develop a strong hatred for sin because of what it cost Jesus and because what it wants to steal from us – the joy of our salvation.

Satan’s tactics to bait us into sin

Sin is a big bully that worms it way in through deceit and manipulation. Satan’s number tactic in temptation is to use half-truths and half-lies. It’s easy to catch a straight out lie, but if you mix a little truth into it, it doesn’t quite sound like a lie any more. He used this tactic with Eve in the Garden of Eden and he’s been using it ever since – because he knows it works on us. (Click to tweet) 

Romans 6:12 tells us, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” The best way to combat the bully, Sin, is through God’s Word. Jesus did this when he was tempted in the wilderness. Satan used his old half-truth/half lie technique and Jesus returned with a complete truth of God’s Word. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” So shed some light on that bully’s half truth/half lie temptations.

We defeat sin by Going all in with Jesus

If we are going to defeat the enemy, we need to have a radical allegiance to the other side, God’s side. We have to make a conscious effort go all in for Jesus by surrendering our mind, heart, and body. (Click to tweet) Romans 6:13 says, “Present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

As we surrender ourselves to God, we are presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice to him. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and please to God.” The only problem with living sacrifices is that they tend to wiggle off the altar. So presenting ourselves God is a continual activity. It doesn’t mean that every time we fail we lose our salvation, but that we have to keep coming back to the altar and surrender our will to our Savior and give Him control of our lives. We must be yielded to Him if we are to be instruments of righteousness.

Don’t open the door to sin

To be victorious over our sinful nature, we need to make sure we don’t open the door to sin – even just a little bit to peek out at it. (Click to tweet)  Romans 13:14 says, “Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” This means that if you struggle with alcohol, you don’t go to the bar telling yourself, your just visiting friends. In fact, it might mean you need to drive an extra 15 miles to and from work everyday so that you do not drive by a bar and be tempted to stop in.  

It means if you struggle with pornography, you don’t leave your computer in a room that only you have access to.

If you struggle with being faithful to your spouse, you don’t ask your coworker that’s been flirting with you to stay late and work on a project where it’s just the two of you.

Whatever sin you struggle with, don’t willingly put yourself in the position to be tempted by that sin. If you need to, find some accountability partners to help stay the course godliness. James 4:6 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Defeating sin means don’t go with the status quo

Defeating our sinful nature means we don’t go with the status quo. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Just because the world says it’s okay, doesn’t change what God says about it. Sin is still sin and in the end only God’s Word will matter.  

Laws can attempt to redefine marriage, but God will still identify any marriage or relationship contrary to His word as sin.

Morality in our world is at an all time low and what once was seen by society as taboo is now the everyday norms and we think nothing about it. D.L. Moody once said, “The ship belongs in the water of the world, but if the water gets in the ship, it sinks.” The world is full of sinking sand, but Christ is our Solid Rock on which we can stand. As we stand on that Rock the light of Jesus should be shinning out on a lost world and inviting them to come to Him.

The Battle begins in the mind

The battle against our sinful nature starts in the mind. We need to continually be renewing our mind and keep our focus centered on Christ. (Click to tweet) Romans 8:5 and Colossians 3:2 tell us to fix our minds on the things of the Spirit and things that are above. Philippians 4:8 says we need our minds to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise. It can be very difficult to do when there are so many stories in the news about the moral decay of our world. It’s also difficult when Satan is throwing temptation our way. He always makes the sin look good and inviting.

When our thoughts begin to stray from where they belong, its a good time to listen to some praise and worship music, or to spend time praying or reading the Bible. We can begin praising God for His work in our lives. We can get together with Christian friends and talk about God’s goodness over a hot and cheesy pizza. Its important for Christians to belong to a body of believers. So be sure you are actively attending a godly church where the truth of the Bible is being preached. The more we surround ourselves with other believers, the more we can help each other in the battle against sin and the more we can work together to be continually renewing our minds so we focus on the things of God.

When sin creeps in be quick to admit defeat and confess the sin

In every battle there are wins and losses. When sin does win the battle, we need to be quick to admit our defeat and confess our sin. Part of the work of the Holy Spirit within us is to convict us of sin so that we can repent and find forgiveness. (Click to tweet) 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Don’t ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As soon as you recognize sin as won a round, confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Then ask the Holy Spirit for His help in defeating sin. Ezekiel 36:27 says, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Then listen to Him the next time your getting ready to fall in sin’s trap and He will help you avoid the trap and win the battle.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome and defeat sin

With the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we have the power to overcome and defeat sin. But the battle is life long and we are not able to do it on our own. If we are to be victorious in the battle of sin, we have to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Click to tweet) No soldier goes into battle without battle gear. Ephesians 6:11-18 tells us about our battle gear:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye  may be able to withstand the evil day, and have done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

So suit up Christian! You’re on a battlefield. You’re a soldier with the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you. Fight on His strength and not your own. In the end, we win because Jesus won the war at Calvary.(Click to tweet)


Click here to listen to our devotions on Spotify be sure to follow us.

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.


Week 31: August 1-7


Visit our three retail experiences:

Bible study and Self Care Resources
Christian Tees, Bags, Mugs & More
We are an affiliate of CBD. We earn a commission on any purchase you make when you enter the store through this link. However, your CBD price is the same. Visit CBD for Bibles, Bible studies, gifts & more

Romans 8:37 – Kneels Before God

Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” Our victories come when we are on our knees praying.

True Story

Scatter Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Kindness never goes out of style. Scatter some wherever you go.

Visit our YouTube Channels for Christian playlists and our short animated devotionals.

Animated Devotionals

Contemporary Christian Music Playlist

Southern Gospel Playlist

Just Hymns


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

Now in the WCM Store! Buy your copy today for only $24.95

paperback edition

Also 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.


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.


See our other recent posts:

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 
Follow us on:

facebook logo link on Bible reading post
LinkedIn logo link on Bible reading post
Twitter logo link on Bible reading post
Instagram logo link on Bible reading post
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Pintrest logo link on Bible reading post

Posted on Leave a comment

Did you remember to read your Bible?

One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional

Today’s Bible Reading: May 8

Download the full one-year Bible reading plan here:

[Download not found]

1 Kings 16-18

John 1:29-51

Whom will you follow?

We all know people who claim to be Christian, but if you look at how they live their lives you can’t tell much difference between them and the rest of the world. They dress like the world, talk like the world, and eat and drink like the world. They might show up for church on Sunday, wearing their best clothes and best smile. And they lift their hands in the praise songs and as soon as church is over and they are back in the car, they look just like the world again. It’s as if they can’t decided who’s side they are on – team Jesus or team Satan. It leaves you wanting to ask, “Whom will you follow?!”

Elijah challenges Israel to decide whom to follow

In 1 Kings 18, we find the prophet Elijah who challenges the Israelites to decide what God they are going to follow. Throughout Israel’s history, they had a tendency of worshipping false gods. At this particular time, the false god was Baal. Elijah tells Ahab to gather all of Israel to Mount Carmel along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah and he then issues his challenge.

He pits himself as the loan prophet of God against all the prophets of Baal. He tells the people to built two altars and bring two bulls – one for him and one for all the prophets of Baal. They each prepare the bull for sacrifice and lay the wood on the altar – but Elijah tells them to not put any fire on the sacrifice. Instead the prophets of Baal would call on their God to send down fire and Elijah would call on his God for fire. The God that answered by sending fire to consume the sacrifice would be identified as the one true God. The people all agreed that this was a good solution.

When you follow a false god, don’t expect an answer from him

Elijah then let the prophets of Baal go first. The people prepared their altar and bull and laid the wood on it. They called on Baal from morning till noon – but there was no answer and no fire. They began leaping around the altar – still no answer. Then around noon Elijah calls out, mocking them, telling them to cry louder because maybe he is meditating or busy or away on a journey or sleeping. So they cry out to Baal louder and begin cutting themselves until blood gushed out on them – but still, there was no answer from Baal … and no fire. 

When you follow God, expect an answer

Now it’s Elijah’s turn. He calls all the people near him. He takes 12 stones and rebuilds the altar of the Lord and dug a trench around it. Elijah puts the wood on the altar, cut the bull in pieces and laid them on the wood. Then he told the people to fill four water pots with water and pour it on the sacrifice and wood. They did this three times, so that when they poured the water on the sacrifice and wood, it filled the trench around the altar in the process – in other words, the sacrifice and wood were drenched so that a fire would be about impossible to burn.

Then Elijah steps up and prays: “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” God answered Elijah’s prayer – not in words, but in results! Fire came down from heaven and consumed the drenched sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and dust. It licked up all the water that was in the trench. Only one prayer. God answered. That’s the power of a living God for one who believes and trusts in Him.

We Live in a World of Brokenness

We live in a world full of brokenness. There is pain, poverty, disasters, disease, war, and death. But this is not God’s original design – a perfect design. God has a perfect design for this world He created. But His perfect design moved to brokenness when sin entered our world. Sin is turning away from God’s design and pursuing our own way. And this leads us us to brokenness. Brokenness and sin leads us to death and this death will leave us separated from God forever. But God does not want us to stay in brokenness and sin. So He has made a way out and that way is Jesus. Jesus comes and enters into our brokenness and the death that we deserve for pursing brokenness, Jesus takes our place and dies on a cross as His body is broken for us. Then three days after He died, he rose from the dead, making a way for us out of our brokenness and sin. When John the Baptist saw Jesus, John said, ““Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

How do we get out of our brokenness?

From the first sin in the Garden of Eden to today, people have tried many ways to get out of their brokenness. They search for a way out through careers, hobbies, relationships, sex, drugs, religions, education and countless other things they think will fill the void that our brokenness leaves in our lives. But none of these things will get us out of our brokenness. The only way out is Jesus. And if we turn from our sin and believe that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead, we can leave our brokenness and grow in a relationship with God and pursue His design.

Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – All of us, including me and including you. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” This is God’s free gift to us. There is nothing we can do to earn it. Isaiah 64:6 says, “All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment.” Because sin pollutes us and leave us broken, Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3:3, “I tell you the truth, unless a man [or woman] is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” There is only one way to receive eternal life. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Receiving Eternal Life

So how do we receive this free gift of eternal life? Romans 10:9-11 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord; and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be save. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'” When we confess our sins and believer in our heart that Jesus, who lived a sinless life, died and rose again, paying for us – in our place – the wages of sin that we have earned, we then no longer live for ourselves. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” And in verse 17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.”

There are two types of people in the world. Those who are pursing God’s design and those who are still lost in your brokenness? Which are you? In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” If you are still lost in your brokenness and sin, Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart right now. Will you let him come in?

God is asking America today – In whom will you trust?

Today, America is not longer a nation who can honestly have a slogan that says, “In God do we trust.” We have become a broken nation with no absolutes in what is right or wrong. In the name of equality, we tolerate all religions, regardless of what god is worshiped – and we call it progress. We remove the Ten Commandments from our courts of law. However, the problem with having no absolutes, is that people are gender confused. Morality is non-existent. Crime and violence are everywhere. Truth is relevant to the person and the moment.

There is only one God and He already set the standard for right and wrong. We find that standard in our Bible. We can change His laws so that we can live the way we want to and not feel guilt, but God will never change His laws so we are never guiltless. When we stand before Him, it will be by His laws that He judges us. It is by His laws that we are found to be broken sinners. Our sin separates us from God. By his laws, the wages we earn for our sin, is death.

Each one of us today must decide if we will follow God – or someone/something else. You can’t travel down both paths. Your are either lost in brokenness or you are pursing God’s design. You are either all in for Jesus or all in for Satan. Whom will you follow?

#ReadYourBible #1Kings #John #whomwillyoufollow


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