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Bible Gleanings, devotions

Training for Godliness | Bible Gleanings – December 30-31, 2023

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It was unbearable. Experiencing agony like never before, I yearned for relief. Torture devices surrounded me and I didn’t think I was going to escape alive. And I kept asking myself, “Is this some kind of plot to get me killed?” Needless to say, my first time working out in a gym was unforgettable. 

To be clear, physical exercise is not entirely foreign to me, but it’s a different ballgame when you use machinery that is made to work every muscle in your body. Still, I wanted to get in shape instead of just being a shape, and I knew that physical fitness could only be achieved through regular and rigorous training. Being physically fit doesn’t happen accidentally—you have to put forth effort and stay with it. And this is exactly what Paul the apostle said about godliness in 1 Timothy 4:7b-8, “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 

Godliness is not something our sin-cursed bodies are accustomed to, and that is why believers must train for it. Walking the narrow road is strange to feet that have walked long on the wide road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Cultivating a holy heart that loves the Lord is foreign to a heart that has only known love for sin (Jer. 17:9). Because of this, we will never stumble into godliness. We can only attain it through grace-empowered effort and spiritual discipline.

Moreover, training for godliness sometimes hurts. Strains and aches are inevitable for gym goers because they are stretching and strengthening their muscles. Likewise, living a holy life will sometimes be painful as we stretch and strengthen our spiritual muscles. Godliness is costly, and it requires cross-bearing and repentance of sins that our wicked heart cherishes (Luke 9:23). But take heart: such spiritual pain always results in gain, just as muscle soreness from exercise yields greater muscle strength.

Training for godliness must be as consistent as a physical workout regimen, too. We can never take a break from prayer, Bible study, fellowship with the saints, evangelism, and discipleship. Just as muscles shrink without being constantly worked, our spiritual muscles will likewise weaken if they aren’t used. The believer ought to make progress in the Christian life (Phil. 1:25; 1 Tim. 4:15), and progress requires that we keep moving and working.

Finally, training for godliness is much easier when you do so with other saints (Heb. 3:13; 10:25). I always work out with my wife, and she encourages me when I want to give up. And you will find the race of endurance easier to run when accompanied by fellow saints who can encourage, correct, and love you. Are you training for godliness? Are you “working out” your own salvation (Phil. 2:12)?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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Away in a Manger | Bible Gleanings – December 23-24, 2023

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The cries of a newborn were heard from an animal feeding trough in a little town called Bethlehem. God had come to earth as a baby, utterly dependent on the care of Mary and Joseph. The God who created the sun was wrapped in swaddling cloths to keep Him warm. The omnipresent God who cannot be confined by human temples was contained in the temple of a human child. The Lord exalted above the heavens was born as an infant and laid in a dirty and unsanitary manger: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

No doctors or nurses attended Him. He received no medical tests or vaccines. Furthermore, there was no aroma of gingerbread or apple cider in the air—only the stench of manure and the smell of birth. This was not a bright and starry night as depicted by Christmas cards and carols. The Lord Jesus entered the world in the most humiliating manner imaginable. 

Considering that Jesus is the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, [and] Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7), you might expect a more glorious and unforgettable entrance into the world. But instead of a breathtaking and royal arrival displayed to the whole world, Jesus was humbly born in the presence of only Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the company of dirty animals. No red carpet or triumphal band accompanied the arrival of the King of Kings. And this is the way God ordained it.

Jesus was demonstrating what kind of Savior He was from the moment He took His first breath. He had not come to overthrow the Romans. He would not dominate Israel’s opponents by consuming them with wrath from heaven. He would allow Himself to be consumed by wrath from heaven. And being born in the lowliest of places embodies His humility. The apostle Paul summed it up perfectly when he said:

“Though he [Jesus] was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).

And He did it for you. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

A New Creation | Bible Gleanings – December 16-17, 2023

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Research shows that you like new things simply because they are new.  We all prefer new things, not because they are better or more improved, but because the neurons in our brain foster a sense of adventure and fascination when we perceive that something is fresh or new. We are more inclined to buy a seasonal Coke with Santa on the can rather than a regular old Coke. Our brain doesn’t care if it’s the same old product. If it’s in new packaging, the brain assumes it is actually brand new and says, “Hey, you have to get that!” 

Of course, this adds to the exhilaration of Christmas because most people will be giving and getting a lot of new stuff. The latest gadgets, trendiest toys, and most in-style clothes can be found beneath many Christmas trees throughout the world. But much more exhilarating is the truth that on Christmas Day, Jesus brought something new—something far more important than any physical gift: a new creation. 

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a lengthy and seemingly unnecessary genealogy. But, right from the first sentence, it is rich with theological meaning: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ” (Matthew 1:1a). In the first verse, “genealogy” can be translated as “genesis,” which simply means beginning. Matthew is therefore indicating that the coming of Jesus Christ inaugurates a new beginning. God created the world in the beginning, as recounted in the book of Genesis (Genesis 1:1). In the same way, Jesus came to create a new world—to undo the curse of sin and make all things new. 

 It all starts with you. Jesus came to earth to make you a new creation. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” You can be born again and become a new person because of His advent and atoning death. As it is exclaimed in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Jesus was “born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”

It ends when Christ returns in glory and judgment to set all things right, and usher in a new heaven and new earth to replace the old (cf. Revelation 21:1-4). That is why God said in Isaiah: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

O, Christmas Tree | Bible Gleanings – December 9-10, 2023

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Christmas is the most decorative holiday of the year. Wreaths gently garnish the front door. Candles glisten in the foggy windows. Poinsettias and holly bedeck the dining room table. Garland adorns the stair rail. And the sleepy Christmas village sits on a blanket of artificial snow in the foyer.

However, the most essential and emblematic decoration is the evergreen that stands tall and proud in the living room: the Christmas tree. This lively pine graced with ornaments and lights is the centerpiece of decorating for Christmas. It is most often the first decoration erected during Christmastime, and most families put it up the day after Thanksgiving. Even Charlie Brown put up a tree for Christmas, although it was virtually a twig.

The Christmas tree is rich with history and theological significance, too. Thousands of years ago, evergreens like Christmas trees stood inside and outside homes during the winter, as people anticipated the return of greenery in spring. Pagans also erected evergreen trees believing that they would heal their sun god who fell ill during winter. Around the 16th century, Christians adopted the tradition as a Christmas emblem, likely symbolizing the gift of everlasting life Jesus brought by His advent. Evergreens, whose leaves remain green all year, came to represent the forever-lasting gift of eternal life that Jesus graciously gives to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. 

Eternal life has no expiration date. It is life that goes on without end, independent of time. It is the possession of fullness, satisfaction, contentment, and joy that begins in this life and continues in the next. And, according to Jesus’ own words, it comes as a gift to those who believe in Him for their salvation: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). Interestingly, if you possess everlasting life, you will one day be ushered to a heavenly land where the “tree of life” is in eternal bloom (Revelation 22:2). As you hang ornaments on your Christmas tree this year, remember the Christ who hung on a tree to grant you the right to “eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7b).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

Filled With Wonder | Bible Gleanings – December 2-3, 2023

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The shepherds went speedily to look for Jesus after witnessing the heavenly hoopla (Luke 2:15).  When they found the Christ-child, they declared what they saw to Mary, Joseph, and every bystander. And the audience who heard them were in amazement and awe: “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:17-18). The news of Jesus’ birth produced wonder in the hearts of all who heard it.

Wonder is that wow-feeling of admiration and bewilderment that makes your heart quiver. It spawns in your soul when you behold something spectacular. It is the overwhelming sense that sweeps over you when you see the vast mountains of the Rockies or the millions of stars in our cosmos. And it is what you ought to feel when considering the remarkable event of Christ’s birth.

The point of such wonder is worship. Wonder is meant to spur you to look beyond yourself to the greatness of God, so you can say, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3). Sadly, not all who wonder will worship. Those who do not know God still marvel and the intricacy and order of the universe, but they do not give thanks to the God who created it (Romans 1:21).  

Instead of wondering how you will survive this holiday season, take time to ponder the marvelous mystery of the Savior’s birth and the praiseworthy good news that God came down to man so that man could come to God. As John Jacob Phillips wrote many years ago:

“I wonder as I wander out under the sky,

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die,

For poor ornery people like you and like I;

I wonder as I wander out under the sky.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more advent devotions, pick up a copy of Let Earth Receive Her King! available now on Amazon:

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Conformity to Christ | Bible Gleanings – November 18-19, 2023

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It is an enormous celebration, but many people have never heard about it. “Hemingway Days,” as it is known, is a week-long celebration in Key West, Florida, in which writers, fisherman, and fans of the famous Ernest Hemingway gather to honor his legacy. And one of the highlights of the festival is the Hemingway lookalike contest, in which dozens of older men with frosted beards compete against one another for the prize of resembling the great American writer. The contest is held at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, and it is so momentous that it occupies three whole days of the festival! And according to the Associated Press, a winner is chosen on the anniversary of Hemingway’s birthday, which is July 21st.

It must be a great honor to look like the renowned Hemingway, but it is a far greater honor to look like the Author of Salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. And while it is not a contest between believers to see who looks the most like Jesus, looking like Christ is every believer’s ultimate conquest. God’s plan for His people is that they be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29b). Moreover, the Holy Spirit is always shaping and molding all true believers, with the goal of helping them resemble Jesus. As Paul said, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). 

It is through this transformation process that believers may be fully assured that they have been saved by God’s grace. Everyone who truly knows Christ will look like Him: “But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:5-6). Such Christlikeness primarily entails following the example of Jesus in our thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions (John 13:15). Simultaneously, looking like Christ also means looking less like our old selves and less like the world around us. That is why Paul commanded, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2a). 

And the process of becoming like Christ will be completed one glorious day (Phil. 1:6). But it won’t happen in this life; it will happen on the Last Day when Christ comes again. As John assured, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Until then, all believers must resolve to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus until all the world bows before His feet (Phil. 2:9-11).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Best of Both Worlds | Bible Gleanings – November 11-12, 2023

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Odysseus wanted the best of both worlds, and he paid dearly for it. His tale is told in The Odyssey, the world-famous poetic book written by Homer in the eighth century. The narrative centers on his ten-year journey back to the kingdom of Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War, and every reader of The Odyssey knows that his return-voyage was not easy. One hazardous threat he faced on his return trip were the Sirens, two ghastly monsters disguised as beautiful women who enchanted travelers with their lovely melodies in an attempt to lure and devour them. Odysseus and his crew were thus instructed to deafen their ears with wax and chain themselves to their ship so they would not be swayed by the seductive tune.

But Odysseus paid no attention. He ordered his men to bind him hand and foot to their ship, but leave his ears open so he might hear the splendid song of the Sirens without being slain. The magical melody soon danced upon the waters, and Odysseus demanded to be released immediately. Then he started straining against the chains, until they dug deeply into his skin and caused fatal bleeding. And it wasn’t until their ship sailed far away from the Sirens that Odysseus understood the shameful and agonizing cost of having things both ways.

Wanting the best of both worlds might be a theme of an eighth-century poetic novel, but it is a timeless problem that exists for believers in the twenty-first century, too. The duplicitous desire to indulge in the sinful pleasures of the world while concurrently savoring the Lord’s goodness is a tricky temptation that all of the Lord’s saints experience. That is why the Scripture is replete with warnings about trying to hold hands with God and the wicked world at the same time. As James said, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4, KJV). And as Jesus taught, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24a).

Love for the world is simply incompatible with love for God (cf. 1 John 2:15-17). Moreover, the Lord will not settle for such divided allegiance, spiritual adultery, half-hearted worship, or the “leftovers” of our love. He detests lukewarm love and delights in wholehearted devotion (Rev. 3:15-16). And most importantly, only the Lord is worthy of all the love and worship we can give (Psalm 96:4; Rev. 4:11); that is why believers are commanded to love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and not some of it (Luke 10:27). Living a best-of-both-worlds life might sound appealing, but it is simply not worth it—just ask Odysseus.

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Benefiting the Body | Bible Gleanings – November 4-5, 2023

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Underestimating always gets me into trouble. I purchased a drum kit a while back with the impression that learning to play would be simple. Swinging sticks up and down can’t be too difficult, right? Well, I can tell you, it ain’t as easy as it sounds. And the difficulty stems from the hand-and-foot coordination, since you must strike the snare, toms, and cymbals with your hands while simultaneously stomping the kick pedal with your foot.

And that’s the only way to do it right. The hands can’t do all the work, and neither can the feet. Therefore, every good rhythm depends on the cooperation, coordination, and individual contributions of the hands and feet. And this is how the Lord designed the local church to function as well. All believers in Christ have been spiritually united to the universal body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12), and they are commanded to manifest this reality by uniting with a local church, where they can produce a God-pleasing rhythm with other members who do their part.

According to the apostle Paul, some believers are like the feet of the church, while others are like the hands, ears, and eyes (1 Cor. 12:14-30). Just as different parts of the human body have distinct functions, each believer possesses God-given spiritual gifts for the betterment of the local church. As Paul said, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:4-7). The work of ministry is too great for any one person to handle alone, but each of us can contribute in some way, and together we can fulfill the mission God has given us.

All believers have a job to do and a spiritual vacancy to fill. Just as the members of our physical body depend on each other for surviving and thriving, believers are also dependent on other believers and their spiritual gifts, and vice versa. And, contrary to popular belief, the church is not a country club where you pay your dues so that others can serve you—the church is the place where you serve others. Thus, we should never ask, “Should I serve my church?” Instead, the right question is always, “How can I best serve my church?”

Furthermore, the Lord always rewards such faithful service. The writer of Hebrews promised, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Heb. 6:10). Additionally, He will grant you all the grace that you need for service (1 Peter 4:10-11). How are you benefiting the body of Christ? How are you serving your church?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Magnetism of Money | Bible Gleanings – October 28-29, 2023

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The church secretary answered the phone, and a man on the other end requested, “I’d like to speak with the head hog, please.” Surprised, she asked, “Pardon me, sir, who?” He insisted, “The head hog of the church. I’d like to talk to him.” She asked again, “Who?” Frustrated, the man reiterated, “Ma’am, the head hog of the church!” And she finally said, “If you’re talking about our pastor, you may call him reverend, brother, or pastor, but he is not the head hog.” “Well,” the man calmly replied, “I was interested in giving $25,000 to the church, and that’s why I called.” And she bubbled with excitement, saying, “Please hold, the big fat pig is headed to his office now; I’ll transfer you!”

The painful truth is that money changes people. It has a seductive pull that is hard to resist and an enslaving chokehold that is difficult to break free from. It can quickly blind you to what truly matters in life, and it can become a god you worship even quicker. It often hardens the heart, clouds the mind, and corrupts the soul. And because of money’s dominating power, the Scripture speaks strongly and sternly about it from cover to cover. 

Jesus urged that, instead of piling up wealth on earth, we should send spiritual riches ahead of us to heaven: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). He also taught that money is an attractive idol that we may be tempted to worship: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24). Most significantly, Jesus warned that tremendous wealth is a tremendous liability that prevents many souls from entering heaven: “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23-24).

It is no wonder, then, that Paul cautioned that greed is a subtle snare, a fast train to demise, and a hunger that starves people of spiritual life (1 Tim. 6:9-10). How, then, can we avoid loving money and worshiping it as a god? According to the Scripture, the most reliable prescriptions for the disease of Mammon worship are contentment (Luke 12:15; Heb. 13:5), generosity (1 Tim. 6:17-19), faithful stewardship (Prov. 3:9-10), and loving God above all else (Matt. 6:24).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Warning the Wandering | Bible Gleanings – October 21-22, 2023

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Tom, Tim, and Tony were inseparable friends. They went everywhere and did everything together, even skiing in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. And during this ski trip, Tony decided to venture off the designated track, away from the rest of the group. But unbeknownst to him, he was swiftly skiing toward the edge of a precipice. Tom and Tim could see the inevitable danger from their vantage point.

“Tony, get back here!” yelled Tom. “You’re going to kill yourself on that cliff! Tim, we’ve got to get him back on track!” But Tim shockingly retorted, “That’s not very loving. Just let him do what he wants. Who are you to judge? If you offend him, he will probably never ski again!”

Which of the two friends genuinely loved Tony? The answer is obvious: Tom. He was willing to spoil Tony’s fun to save his life. Tim was unloving to the highest degree because he wanted Tony to just enjoy himself, even if it meant ending his life. Tim’s love was all talk, whereas Tom’s love was all walk. Tom loved Tony enough to tell him the truth about his bad decision and do what was necessary to save him from destruction.

Sometimes, fellow believers veer off the narrow path of piety toward a precipice of destruction. And in such moments, it is eternally exigent for other believers to lovingly warn them and extend a helping hand to guide them back to the route of righteousness. The Bible commands, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). James similarly admonished, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

It may be difficult to tell someone the truth about their sinful choices, but it is ultimately unloving to watch a brother or sister destroy themselves without doing or saying anything. As a matter of fact, the Scripture says that we should at the very least say something, and say it lovingly: “[speak] the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Moreover, one of the most important jobs for believers in the local church is mutual encouragement and exhortation, in which we compassionately correct one another when we are in the wrong: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). Will you patiently and lovingly correct believers who are wandering? And will you humbly submit to such correction when you wander?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word: