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Devotions

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Devotions

Early Bird Special

2 Mins Read
    “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17).
    Everybody knows that the early bird gets the worm. Department stores have utilized this theory with their “early bird specials.” They put specific items on sale from 6 a.m. in the morning until noon. Only those who make it to the store within that time frame can purchase the advertised item for the sale price. Sleepyheads will miss out on all the bargains.
    Although God is not a department store that operates only during certain hours, He does have his own “early bird” special. His Word promises that those who seek Him early, shall find Him. Early is not necessarily a specific time, but the act of seeking God first at the beginning of your day, whatever time your day begins. If you seek Him, you will find Him. And that is quite a bargain!
    Prayer: Lord, help me to seek first the Kingdom of God every day and in all that I do. I want You to have first priority in my life. I don’t want to miss out on anything special that You may want to do for me or through me during the course of my day. Thank you for helping me to seek you early, that I may find You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
    Devotion by Beth Dillon
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Madame Day & Professor Night

1 Min Read

Psalm 19:1-2 was written by David perhaps as he sat watching his sheep on a Judean hillside gazing at the handiwork of God displayed in the heavens. It was a picture perfect evening. David loved his job and wouldn’t have preferred doing anything else. He leaned back in the lush green grass to take a look at the stars. He was amazed all over again at his God and all that he was learning on-the-job. The Message version of the Bible gives these verses a poetic quality, “God’s glory is on tour in the skies. God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning. Professor Night lectures each evening.”

Prayer: Looking into the infinite sky tonight, I am reminded of how great You are God! What a beautiful display of Your greatness. I stand in awe of Your handiwork. Amen.

    Devotion by: Kaye Singleton
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Be Not Deceived

1 Min Read
    “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:9 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). Deception is an old trick Satan has used throughout the ages. He used it on Eve as recorded in the Book of Genesis and he is still trying to deceive today. Deception causes us to question the truth of God’s Word. The Apostle Paul was aware of Satan’s tactics when he wrote these words of admonition to the Galatians in our devotional verse. Paul warned the believers in Galatia not to be deceived because God will not be mocked or laughed at. The end result of falling for Satan’s deception is we will reap what we sow.
    Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your Word that gives me clear direction. Keep me from falling prey to the trick of deception. One day the Deceiver will be cast into Hell and we’ll be rid of this nuisance forever. In Jesus Name! Amen and Amen!
    Devotion by Kaye Singleton
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A Spirit of Generosity

1 Min Read
    “Their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2 in the New International Version of the Holy Bible). This statement was made by the Apostle Paul about the Christians living in Macedonia who gave generously to the church in Jerusalem which was experiencing a time of famine and poverty. Paul used the Macedonians as an example to others of cultivating a spirit of giving despite the negative circumstances and financial difficulty they themselves may be facing. Generosity doesn’t always refer to giving from our wealth. It is giving from our heart that pleases God. A person who gives to others in ways that may or may not include financial blessings, is a person who has a healthy, “rich”, inner life!
    Prayer: Lord, I must confess that generosity doesn’t always come easy for me. Teach me to have a giving spirit – a heart that is sensitive to the needs of others. Amen.
    Devotion by: Julie Long
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Control Your Fear

1 Min Read
    “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
    Courage is not a quality that I possess. I’m on pins and needles the entire time that my child is playing in the yard for fear that she will wander into the street and be crushed by a car. When my husband is a few minutes late for dinner, I envision an accident on the highway. My blood pressure skyrockets prior to a doctor’s visit. If I’m not careful, fear will rule my day. My family tells me, “You worry too much,” and I know it’s true but I can’t seem to help myself so I call on a higher power – the Name of Jesus!
    Prayer: Lord, give me the strength I need to control my fears. Remind me of Your love for me and those I love. You watch over my family much better than I ever could. Strengthen my heart today, Lord.
    Devotion by Julie Long
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Bring Back the Awe

2 Mins Read
    “When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe…” (Matthew 9:8 in the New International Version of the Holy Bible). This Scripture is refering to the miracle that Jesus performed for a paralyzed man who stood up, picked up his mat and started walking home. No one in the small town of Capernaum in northern Galilee had ever witnessed anything like this before! And furthermore, Jesus not only healed the man He also told him he was forgiven. Can you imagine seeing this happen with your own eyes? The crowd that day were awed by the power of God on display before them – healing and forgiveness all at one time! We are overwhelmed today by awe inspiring advances in science and technology. We’ve become so accustomed to phenominal inventions and medical breakthoughs that we tend to lose our sense of wonder. We must be careful not to lose our sense of awe when it comes to God. Does His power and majesty still take your breath away?
    Prayer: Lord, forgive me if the world that I live in has numbed me to the wonder of who You are. Let my heart and mind be captured again by the awe of Your mighty acts. Amen.
    Devotion by: Julie Long
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Forgiveness Heals Hurts

1 Min Read
    Inspirational speaker Jan Silvious once said “I like to define forgiveness as ‘giving up the right to punish the one who has hurt you.’ That’s what Jesus did on the cross.”
    Jesus was beaten, humiliated and ultimately murdered on the cross. READ Luke 23:34 from the Holy Bible, New King James Version: “Then Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ He forgave them and prayed for them even while they were still hurting Him!
    Perhaps you’ve been hurt by someone. Jesus understands your pain. He wants to help you to forgive them.
    Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me forgive those who have mistreated me. Heal the wounds they inflicted on my spirit. Protect me. Provide me courage to pray for them. I know they also are your child. Let me see them as You see them. Grant me compassion and discernment in dealing with them. Amen.
    Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
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