Christian

A Word for the Young: You Don’t Have to Learn Things the Hard Way

2 Minutes

I have learned so many things the hard way, I could write a book about it!

The only good thing about it is you probably won’t make that mistake twice. For example, once when I was about 9 years old I was playing outside with no shoes on. I was not allowed to play outside barefoot, but I did it anyway. I got a long splinter in my foot and I still remember (62 years later) how painful it was when they dug it out!

That’s a practical example, but I have also learned many spiritual lessons the hard way. God’s Word says one thing, but I did something else. This can happen when you either don’t know (or don’t care) what God’s Word says about a matter.

God said not to do it, but I did it anyway. What did I learn? I learned that God knows best. There’s a reason He says not to sin. It’s for our own good. Sin leads to bad things. Trust me on that. Obeying God will protect you from dangerous consequences.

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 NIV

You might not believe me. You might have to learn this for yourself. But you can avoid a lot of bad things if you trust and obey God’s Word. The book of Proverbs is a treasure trove of wisdom for living. Here are two great verses:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 NIV (emphasis mine)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Sometimes we may argue with God about a certain sin that we struggle with. We may not understand why it’s a sin. But if it’s called sin in God’s Word, it IS sin, and will only bring destruction. That’s where trusting God’s Word comes in.

Sometimes people blindly follow the way of the culture. This is why we must know what God’s Word says. When I was young, I adopted the morals of my friends. That was a big mistake, and I paid for it.

If you are struggling to reject a certain sin, I highly recommend this post from Gotquestions.org.

What Are the Consequences of Sin?

My prayer is that we will always trust and obey God’s Word. Don’t learn things the hard way like I did.

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

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Friday’s Verse, 9/2/22

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6 NIV

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Jana Doro on Unsplash

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The Power of God’s Love: Insights from Lamentations 3:21-24

Verses for Meditation, 7/3/25

Israel had been decimated by Assyrian armies… Judah’s elite (including Daniel and his three Hebrew friends) had been deported to Babylon… The temple was obliterated, the walls of the city flattened. (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)

Yet amid the devastation, the writer of Lamentations says,

“Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”” Lamentations 3:21-24

In His Love, Cindy

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

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Quote of the Week, 8/31/22

Every time we mention God we become theologians, and the only question is whether we are going to be good ones or bad ones.”

J.I. Packer

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Laura Ohlman on Unsplash

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Tuesday’s Verse, 8/30/22

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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Monday’s Verse, 8/29/22

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by wisconsinpictures on Unsplash

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Sunday’s Memory Verse, 8/28/22

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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Are You Expecting a Different Jesus?

When Jesus came to Earth, the Jews rejected Him because they expected a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman Empire and fix all their problems. They didn’t expect a gentle and meek Savior who would eat with sinners, teach love and forgiveness, and die on a cross.

The Messiah didn’t solve all their earthly problems. In fact, His followers were persecuted like He was. So why did He come?

The Messiah came to open the way to the Father, to provide forgiveness for sins, and give us eternal life. He came to bring the gift of salvation to all who would put their faith in Him. That was His mission.

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt.20:28

Do we do the same thing today as the Jews did 2000 years ago? Do we think that Jesus is a means to earthly treasures? Do we think it’s all about this present life instead of what awaits us in eternity?

“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:14 NIV

Do we think Jesus came to give us financial prosperity? The Bible says that those who think that godliness is a means to financial gain have a corrupt mind and have been robbed of the truth.

“These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:2-7 NIV (emphasis mine) Read full chapter

Jesus came to free all people from the chains of spiritual darkness: the oppression of sin.

I am saddened when I think about those who follow Jesus because of what they think He will do for them during this time on earth. I know a man who “got saved” because he was convinced that if he had enough faith he could save his marriage. He became a regular church attender and prayed for his miracle. When his prayer was not answered the way he expected he stopped attending church and gave up on faith.

We must not become so consumed with what we think we need, following Him because of what He might do for us,  that we forget to follow Him just because of who He is.

 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?

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Friday’s Verse, 8/26/22

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 NIV Read full chapter

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Ruben Engel on Unsplash

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Verses for Meditation, 8/25/22

 “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:7-8 NIV

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Gregory Hayes on Unsplash

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