Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13

This part of the passage is direct and tangible evidence of “love must be sincere.” Again I am reminded of my brothers and sisters in foreign lands. War, poverty, disease, persecution, and lack of basic necessities have made life extremely trying and difficult for them. And yet. And yet many live with the assurance “when the only thing in this world you have is Jesus, you have more than enough.” I think we can all learn from that.

Edward Hale said, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do.”

Focus. Single-mindedness. Someone in your “area of influence” is in need. You can’t do everything but you can do something. Find out what that something is and do it. It could be a letter. It could be a meal. It could mean loaning or giving money. It could mean traveling overseas to do it. It may cost you. Pray that God will give you what it takes to accomplish it.

Share with God’s people who are in need.

Written By David Miller
Devotions ChopChop
Used With Permission

The world is full of mixed concepts, and it can be quite confusing to navigate them, let alone be firm in understanding what is truly true. If we’re not careful, we can easily be swayed by the ideas that come our way. In this case, how do we find certainty? How do we discern what is true and what isn’t?

As Christians, we stand firm in the truth found in the Holy Word of God – the Bible. This is the foundation of what we believe. It is God’s love letter to us, through which we come to know who we are and what we are here for. The Bible also reveals who God is and everything that revolves around Him, serving as the solid foundation upon which we should build our lives.

Here are 10 Bible Verses that illustrates the importance of embracing God’s Word as the foundational truth:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” (Psalm 119:160)

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16)Regardless of the changes that happen in the world, we can trust that God’s Word never falters nor wavers. It will remain true until the end of time, just as God never changes. We must keep our eyes firmly fixed on Him and His Word so that we are not easily swayed by the mix of ideas that this world injects into our minds. We must know God’s Word by heart so that we are not deceived.

Addiction is a heavy burden that many of us carry, whether it’s an addiction to substances, habits, or even harmful thought patterns. It often feels like an unshakeable chain, binding us to habits or behaviors that we know are not aligned with our values or our faith. It’s essential to understand that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their spiritual journey.

The Bible acknowledges human struggles and offers guidance and encouragement. As Christians, we are called to live a life of freedom and grace, and overcoming sinful addictions is a significant part of this journey. So here’s a quick and practical guidance for those struggling with addiction, while reinforcing the loving and transformative power of Christ. It is my prayer that you will find these tips helpful as you journey through overcoming sinful addictions.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV), it is written: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” This verse reminds us that while we may face trials, God provides us with the strength and means to overcome them.

The first step towards overcoming any addiction is to turn to Christ. Jesus offers us a new identity and strength to break free from our past. In John 8:36 (NIV), Jesus says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”This freedom is not just a promise of eternal life but also a present reality that we can experience in our daily struggles.

1. Prayer and Surrender: Begin by surrendering your struggle to God in prayer. Acknowledge your weakness and ask for His strength to overcome. Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God’s grace and guidance.
2. Scripture Meditation: Immersing yourself in Scripture can renew your mind and transform your heart. Verses such as Philippians 4:13  which says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” can be powerful reminders of the strength available to you through Christ.
3. Community Support: Surround yourself with a supportive Christian community. Fellowship with others who understand your struggles can provide encouragement and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

While spiritual strength is crucial, practical steps are also essential in the journey to overcoming addiction. God gives us wisdom to know exactly what to do when a situation arises and taking on steps such as these below will help you become better and stronger in overcoming sinful addictions.
Seek Professional Help

Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a Christian counselor, your trusted spiritual mentor or a Christian therapist. Professional help can provide you with strategies to address the underlying issues of addiction and support your recovery process.

Helpful tip: It’s important to find a fellow believer in Christ as they incorporate Biblical guidelines whilst they help you along. It also keeps things faith-centered and not just science or psychologically-focused.
Develop Healthy Habits

Replace addictive behaviors with positive habits. Engage in activities that uplift your spirit and contribute to your well-being. Exercise, creative hobbies, and volunteering can be fulfilling alternatives.

Helpful tip: Make a list and mark your calendar to make sure you don’t forget it. Setting reminders and getting accountability will even make this more achievable. Choose people who are willing to fight this through with you not only through prayers but also through practical steps.

Set Realistic Goals
Break down your recovery journey into manageable goals. Celebrate small victories along the way and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Progress is often incremental, and every step forward is a testament to your perseverance and God’s grace.

Helpful tip: Keep in mind that failures can still happen along the way but don’t let these slow you down. It’s part of being human. Anything is possible when you put your mind to it and give it your best most especially if you have trusted God with the process in the first place.

Establish Boundaries
Identify triggers that lead to addictive behavior and create boundaries to avoid them. Developing a plan to handle situations that might tempt you can help you stay on track.

Helpful tip: Don’t play around with sin. Never trust yourself too much to be confident in your own flesh.
Embracing Forgiveness and Grace
Remember that overcoming addiction is a process and not a destination. You may encounter setbacks, but this does not mean you’ve failed. God’s grace is sufficient for us, even in our weakest moments. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) tells us, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Embrace this grace and allow it to renew your spirit and strengthen your resolve.

Helpful tip: Always remember that our capacity is limited. God is sovereign and He is the high authority. Trust Him for strength and willpower and never stop doing that.

Overcoming sinful addictions may be a challenging journey, but with Christ’s strength, prayer, community support, and practical steps, freedom is possible. Trust in God’s promises and lean on His grace as you navigate this path. Remember, you are not alone; God is with you every step of the way, guiding you towards a life of peace, freedom, and fulfillment.May you find hope and strength in Christ as you work towards breaking free from addiction and living a life that honors Him.