Are you more devoted to worry or Jesus. This post about fear will calm your fears, guaranteed.

 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:34 NIV

1. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Phil 4:13 NIV
2. Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31 NIV
3. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matt 6:25-27 NIV
4. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. Luke 21:14 NIV
5. Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NIV
6. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
7. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken..  Psalm16:8 NIV
8. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  Psalm 62:6 NIV
9.  Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings Psalm 17:8 NIV
10. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  Psalm 91:4 NIV
11. 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.  Isaiah 41:10 NIV
12. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
13. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 NIV
14. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. Psalm 28:7 NIV
15. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
16. They will have no fear of bad news;  their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.  Psalm 112:7 NIV
17. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5 NIV
18. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. Deut 1:31 NIV
19. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil 4:6-7 NIV
20. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
21. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
22. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 NIV
23. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1 NIV
24. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 NIV
25. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3 NIV
26. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6 NIV
27. Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NIV
28. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV
29. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14 NIV
30. I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Psalm 34:4-7 NIV
31. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.  In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.   1 Peter 5:7-10 NLT
32. As for God, his way is perfect:  The LORD’s word is flawless;  he shields all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 NIV
33. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 NIV
34. “The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.  Exodus 15:2 NIV
35. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19 NIV
36. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
37. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
38. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,  so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:5-6 NIV
39. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Romans 4:22-24 NIV
40. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:26 NIV
41. 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.  Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
42. 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 NIV
43. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31 NIV
44. As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.  Psalm 18:30 NIV
45. Are God’s consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you?  Job 15:11 NIV
46. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm34:17-19 NIV
47. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Psalm 25:5 NIV
48. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;  its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:8 NIV
49. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:4-5 NIV

A unique look at temptation.

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread,and forgive us our sins,for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.And lead us not into temptation.”(Luke 11:1-4 ESV)

Notice that Jesus’ instruction on prayer does not end with “lead us not into sin” but instead “lead us not into temptation.”  You may wonder, what’s the difference?

Many times we like to approach sin as an imaginary line.  As long as we stay on the right side of the line we’re OK.  But, as soon as we cross to the wrong side of the line we’re sinning.  The result of this mentality is that we often attempt to get as close to this imaginary line as possible without crossing or sinning. Most of us eventually learn that if we keep walking up to the edge of this line, we’ll eventually cross it.

The motivation of this prayer is not merely trying not to cross an imaginary line or  avoiding sin, but avoiding anything that would draw us away from pursuing God.  In other words the motivation in avoiding temptation is to have one’s heart, mind, and entire life fully focused on living for God.  As the Apostle Paul challenged the young man Timothy, whom he was mentoring: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

What are some specific areas where you need to ask God to enable you to avoid temptation so that you can better pursue Him?

The Christian…are we becoming an endangered specis?

Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of
– 2 Timothy 3:13-14

Not exactly an encouraging forecast is it? Evil men will multiply in number and in wickedness. Not only will they be set on deceiving others, but they themselves will be so hardened against God that they will justify their wickedness to themselves, deceiving themselves.

Why would the author of this part of the Bible, Pau,l be so straight-up about the coming days of hard times and sinfulness? Because he wants us to, in being forewarned, commit ourselves to patient pursuit of the truth. Continue thou…

Of course it is discouraging when fewer and fewer are standing with you for the truth of Jesus Christ. Of course it is disheartening to see increasing numbers of people give in to the deceptive pleasures, propaganda, and media of our age.

But, Paul insists, do not forget the things you have learned and know to be true. Do not compromise God’s perfect word for the fallible thinking of fallen heads. Do not give up, or even reduce, your commitment to live for Christ.

What about you, believer? Have the many voices of modern seducers caused you to question the validity of Christ’s call upon your life?

Do not be deceived. Continue on the course that Christ has set for you, trusting in the truth you have learned from him. And may his name increase in glory, even in the midst of the increasing wickedneswickedness in the world.

Be a resource.

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV)

Paul was training Timothy, and in doing so, teaching him to teach others. Timothy was called to “entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others”, or to invest in those who would move from mere consumption to a deliverer of the Gospel. In the church today we know that those “who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1), or in the least understand the sentiment that leaders should be held to a higher standard. Often though, we of the congregation misuse this truth as a shield against the scrutiny of Scripture in our own lives. We focus on the supposed “higher calling” of leaders to the exclusion of the “heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1) of every believer. Yes, the mantle of training and teaching was here laid upon a leader, Timothy, but there also exists a calling upon the “faithful men” to be trained, and be taught.

There exists then a unified calling, applicable on both sides of leadership; a calling upon the leader to train, and a calling upon the follower to come forth, count the cost, and pay it. Is it time for you to live as a resource for others instead of constantly consuming investments poured into your life? Consider then,

the “land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:7-8).

Are you guilty of living as parched ground that greedily swallows the life giving rain, but never yields a useful crop for others? Do you continually bear the “thorns and thistles” produced by bondage to your sinful flesh? Start using your God given gifts and talents to be a resource in raising up faithful men and women.

Posted from shortdailydevotionals.com I highly reccomend this site.

Work…it’s not just a job!

Have you ever had one of those days where the last thing you want to do is go to work? I’m what they call a bi-vocational Pastor. In other words, I work a secualr job while pastoring. This morning when I got up, I knew that I absolutely was NOT in the mood to go to work and face the drama that I knew awaited me. But since I live in Las Vegas, I know that I need to be grateful to have a job that doesn’t involve drinking or gambling. Having said that, it made me think about though there will be times that we wish we could make a living on permanent vacation, we still need to be grateful for the chance to work.

While I’m blessed to have some great bosses, not everyone enjoys that same blessing. While I face some “interesting” people that I have to work with, the bottom line is that there will always be something that we don’t like about our jobs. While that may be true, we have to learn to look at our jobs from a more positive perspective in order to have a happier and more spiritually mature attitude. Don’t look at your job as something you have to do, because there’s someone unemployed who would love to have that same chance at unhappiness. Don’t look at the job as beeing around ungodly people, see it as a witnessing field. Don’t look at your job as a chance to complain, think of it a an opportunity to be an example of Godly strength to others. I think you see where I’m going with this.

To inspire those of you around the world who struggle with happiness at your workplace, I offer the verses below to inspire you. Please take the chance to read them and become renewed as you think about your job.

 

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

 

Proverbs 14:23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

 

Proverbs 10:4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

 

Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

 

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

 

Proverbs 12:11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

 

Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

 

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

 

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Women as Pastors or leaders. Yes or no? This is what the Bible says

There is perhaps no more hotly debated issue in the church today than the issue of women serving as pastors/preachers. As a result, it is very important to not see this issue as men versus women. There are women who believe women should not serve as pastors and that the Bible places restrictions on the ministry of women, and there are men who believe women can serve as preachers and that there are no restrictions on women in ministry. This is not an issue of chauvinism or discrimination. It is an issue of biblical interpretation.

The Word of God proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). In the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. This is a result of the way mankind was created and the way in which sin entered the world (1 Timothy 2:13-14). God, through the apostle Paul, restricts women from serving in roles of teaching and/or having spiritual authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors over men, which definitely includes preaching to, teaching, and having spiritual authority. I guarantee you that as people read this right now, there are some very angry feelings coming to the surface.

The structure of 1 Timothy 2:11-14 makes the “reason” perfectly clear. Verse 13 begins with “for” and gives the “cause” of Paul’s statement in verses 11-12. Why should women not teach or have authority over men? Because “Adam was created first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived.” God created Adam first and then created Eve to be a “helper” for Adam. This order of creation has universal application in the family (Ephesians 5:22-33) and the church. The fact that Eve was deceived is also given as a reason for women not serving as pastors or having spiritual authority over men. This leads some to believe that women should not teach because they are more easily deceived. That concept is debatable, but if women are more easily deceived, why should they be allowed to teach children (who are easily deceived) and other women (who are supposedly more easily deceived)? That is not what the text says. Women are not to teach men or have spiritual authority over men because Eve was deceived. As a result, God has given men the primary teaching authority in the church.

Many women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching, evangelism, and helps. Much of the ministry of the local church depends on women. Women in the church are not restricted from public praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5), only from having spiritual teaching authority over men. The Bible nowhere restricts women from exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12). Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others, to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and to proclaim the gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15).

God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching or having spiritual authority over men. This logically would preclude women from serving as pastors to men. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them.

 

When the world seems upside down

2 Timothy 2:7

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

 

1 Corinthians 14:33

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

 

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

Psalm 119:34

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

 

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

 

Psalm 119:169

Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word!

 

John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

 

Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

 

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

 

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

 

Matthew 5:1-48

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. …

 

1 Timothy 5:8

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

 

Deuteronomy 28:1-68

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. …

A great post I read on how we should live….a life of simplicity

Definition: In the context used here, simplicity is the state or quality of being free from complications, especially in regards to thoughts, motives, and personal conduct. This section does not refer to the other Biblical meaning of being simple-minded or dull.

1. The Lord has given us a simple plan for living right.

*  Deuteronomy 10:12  And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul?

*  Ecclesiastes 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

*  Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

*  Galatians 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

*  James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the World.

2. It is folly to be “wise” when worldly wisdom only complicates matters.

*  Ecclesiastes 1:18  For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

*  Ecclesiastes 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

*  Romans 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

*  1 Corinthians 3:19,20  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

*  Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

*  1 Timothy 6:20b,21a  Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21a Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

*  2 Peter 3:16b,17  In which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [distort or twist], as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

3. Trying to reason things out in our carnal minds invites disaster.

*  Proverbs 3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

*  Isaiah 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

*  Romans 8:6,7  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

*  Ephesians 4:17,18  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

*  2 Timothy 3:1-4  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be… 4 …heady, highminded.

4. Simplicity is a key to faith and things of the Spirit.

*  Psalm 119:130  The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

*  Luke 10:21  In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight.

*  Luke 18:16,17  But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

*  1 Corinthians 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

*  Colossians 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.

5. It’s wise to be simple.

*  Psalm 131:1  Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

*  Matthew 6:22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

*  Matthew 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. [See also  Mark 10:15 .]

*  Romans 16:19b  I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

*  1 Corinthians 3:18  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

*  1 Corinthians 8:1b  Knowledge puffeth up, but [love] edifieth.

*  2 Corinthians 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

6. Stick to the simple rock-solid basics of the Word; avoid theological hair-splitting.

*  1 Timothy 4:6b,7  Nourished up in the Words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

*  2 Timothy 2:14-16,23  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

*  Titus 3:9  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

*  Hebrews 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats [ceremonial rules about eating certain foods], which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

7. Simplicity is an important part of our sample to others.

*  2 Corinthians 1:12  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

*  2 Corinthians 2:17  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. [See also  Titus 2:7 .]

8. We also need to keep our witness simple.

*  John 12:32  [Just tell the world about Jesus, and you can’t go wrong.] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.

*  1 Corinthians 1:17  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

*  1 Corinthians 2:1,2,4,5  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

*  1 Corinthians 14:9  So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak into the air.

*  2 Corinthians 3:12  Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness [simplicity] of speech.

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