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Devotions

Category
Devotions

Motivational Attitude

1 Min Read

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer,” (Romans 12:12, Holy Bible, King James Version).

Before this admonition, Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Rome about love, good and evil and business sense. His instructions sound like a high-achiever motivational speaker until he mentions tribulation. Rejoicing is easy when there’s hope, but exercising patience in troubled times? Isn’t God supposed to propel us through difficult situations, looping us back to rejoicing? And what about continual prayer? Other translations render continuing instant in prayer as devoted to prayer or faithful to prayer, but instant is a bolder definition. Instant prayer. Follow Apostle Paul’s advice. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in difficult situations. Take time to pray.

Prayer: Lord, I’m grateful for this ancient advice that is still effective today. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Devotions

Sin = Death

2 Mins Read

The Bible declares in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Nobody is exempt from the fatal effects of sin. It not only separates us from a relationship with God but it keeps us from restoring that relationship on our own. Sin will keep us from understanding God; it will keep us from seeking God and it will keep us from fearing God. The consequence of sin is eternal separation from a holy God. So, is there any hope? Oh, yes! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The mercy of God is calling to all who will recognize their need for a Savior and turn to Him. God will forgive their sin and heal their soul so they can start to relate to Him as He originally intended. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (II Corinthians 5:19). The cross put to death our old, sinful life destined for an eternity without God and the resurrection gave us a brand new life with power over sin and an eternity with God!

Prayer: My sin had sentenced me to death, but O, how You loved me! The results of sin were so serious that You wrapped Yourself in flesh and came to earth to die a cruel death in my place. I was without hope and eternally lost, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were afar off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). Thank You for such amazing, sacrificial love!

Devotion by Julie Long

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Devotions

A Living Witness

2 Mins Read

“Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God’s Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis. Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him.” (I Corinthians 2:14-15 in the Good News Translation of the Holy Bible)

I recently read this quote by an anonymous writer, “When you don’t witness, you just did.” It made me think about how my life is a witness of the truth that God’s Spirit has revealed to me. The ladies at the library; the guy at the gas station; and the gal at the coffee shop cannot understand the awesome power of God’s Truth unless my life reflects the impact the Gospel has made in my own heart.

Today, as you go through your daily routine, ask yourself this question, “Do my words, thoughts and actions bear witness to the transforming love of Jesus Christ or have the stresses of everyday life obscured the beauty of Christ in me the hope of glory?”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your Word has reminded me today how critically important my witness is to the people around me. When others cannot understand the Bible or why I choose to follow you, it is my responsibility to live out the principles of Your Word in such a way that it will bring revelation and understanding of spiritual truths. Help me be a living witness! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Devotion by Julie Long

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Devotions

Drop the Mask

1 Min Read

mask“Buck-up” therapy. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you? In fact, we all have probably subscribed to the philosophy. Pretending that nothing is wrong, we gamely appear to be unaffected by the conflict and stress that fills our lives. After all, asking for help is often perceived as a sign of weakness. The tendency to bluff our way through our problems often prevents us from receiving the help and support we desire. We need each other, and we need God. None of us are capable of maneuvering through the obstacles of life without a Savior.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are our refuge, a very present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Thank You for allowing us to come before You without masks or pretense. You are our safe place.

Devotion by Bonnie Peacock

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Devotions

A Road Map for Life

1 Min Read

roadWouldn’t it be nice to know what lies ahead? Fortune tellers and tarot card readers make money, promising glimpses into the future. But no one can successfully predict what tomorrow or next year will bring. The Word of God is our best source for direction. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word is not a spot light that shines for miles, but it is a lamp. A lamp only casts its light a few feet ahead. But by that light, you can see where to step. After the first step is taken, it reveals the next few feet.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for Your Word. Reading its pages and listening to Your voice provides us with the roadmap for each day. Please help us to hear and understand what You are saying.

Devotion by Bonnie Peacock

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When Obedience Doesn’t Come Easy

1 Min Read

BibleAt times, obeying the Scriptures seems difficult. God asks us to love everyone when obviously some people are undeserving. He expects us to pursue peace when a good fight would be our natural inclination. It would be enjoyable to erupt in anger and retort in sarcasm occasionally, wouldn’t it? Throughout the Bible, God asked men and women to do things that they too thought were hard. In Judges 6:16, God reassured a reluctant man named Gideon, “I will be with thee.”

Prayer: Dear God, help us to understand that Your commandments are not too difficult for us. (See 1 John 5:3.) When we comply with Your will for our lives, we do not live life on our own. Thank You for the power that You give us each day. We can do all things with Your help. You are our strength. (See Philippians 4:13.)

Devotion by Bonnie Peacock

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A Bountiful Harvest

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sunflowerGravity is not influenced by popular opinion. It just exists. Our preference has no effect on its properties. Many other principles in life hold true whether we like them or not. If we plant watermelon seeds we will not harvest corn or tomatoes. How we live our lives today determines to a great extent the quality of life we experience tomorrow. The Bible declares, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Often that statement has ominous connotations, but the opposite is true too. If we sow love, peace, kindness, and gentleness into those around us, we will receive a beautiful crop in return.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help is to be aware of what we are planting each day. Give us the grace and strength we need to consistently sow the right things.

Devotion by Bonnie Peacock

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Devotions

Trust Me

1 Min Read

Bible“Trust me,” my husband likes to tease. But trust is not something that comes easy for me. Fearful and anxious, I am reluctant to try many things. Too often people have let me down, and I hesitate, leery of giving them another opportunity to hurt me. Life is full of pain and disappointments. Who is safe? Is there anyone that I can trust? Do they mean what they say or is there a hidden agenda? Am I being manipulated? The Word of God declares, “God is faithful” (1 Corinthians 10:13). That means that He is trustworthy, true, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, devoted, and true-blue!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. You are a rock in the middle of the uncertainties in my life. I am so thankful.

Devotion by Bonnie Peacock

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Devotions

Waiting in a Hurry

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Waiting

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Someone said that impatience is “waiting in a hurry.” I am prone to do a lot of waiting in a hurry. My stress level rises as each delay and obstacle presents itself. Fretful and tense, I struggle through the day. What a waste! Although it may not be possible to relax amid our stress and chaos, we can rest in God. He has everything under control. What peace can be found when we relinquish our impatience into His Hands.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remember that nothing is ever out of control when You are in control. We wait upon You today. You are our strength. You are our peace.

Devotion by Bonnie Peacock

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