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Devotions

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Devotions

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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“Join Me.” -Jesus

1 Min Read
    Luke 5:27-28 from the Amplified Bible, “…Jesus went out and looked attentively at a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office; and He( Jesus) said to him, ‘Join Me as a disciple…and accompany Me… And Levi forsook everything and got up and followed Jesus (becoming His disciple..)”
    “Join Me”, Jesus said. Jesus looked Levi in the eye and asked him to be His disciple. He challenged Levi to leave his old life, and begin a new life. In Levi’s new life, he had joy. In his new life he had peace. In his new life he woke up every morning in the presence of God.
    Today, Jesus is still saying “Join Me.” “Be my disciple.” The choice is yours. The life you have now. Or a new life full of joy, peace and presence of God.
    Prayer: Jesus, I choose to join You as a disciple! I’m looking forward to my new life.
    Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
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Never Without Hope

1 Min Read
    A co-worker’s grandson, Max, was born with damaged kidneys. He’s had the best medical treatment available. But still Max is sick.
    Suffering comes to all of us. But, hopelessness only comes to those who are “without Christ”. READ Ephesians 2:12 from the Holy Bible, King James Version: “That at that time ye were without Christ, …… having no hope,…..”

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Followers of Jesus Christ are Never Without Hope! The difference between the Christian and the Non-Christian isn’t their problems. It’s where they’ve placed their hope.

Max’s grandmother, Karen, is a dedicated Christian. Recently Max had surgery. Because he’s a baby, they couldn’t sedate him. We asked God to send angels to surround Max during his surgery. God answered our prayer.

    Karen understands that only Jesus knows Max’s future. This knowledge comforts her and makes her Never Without Hope!
    Prayer: Jesus, thank-you for being my hope. Solve my problems. Meet my needs. Teach me to always hope in You.
    Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
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The Master Gardener

1 Min Read
    Today I tended to my house plants. They looked healthy. But after examining them closely under a bright light it was obvious they needed pruning. They were full of debris. I cleaned them up. Then I gave them a gentle shower in the kitchen sink. This no doubt refreshed them.
    Often, we are just like house plants. We need tending. We need to be examined closely under the bright light of Jesus’ presence. We need Jesus, the Master Gardener to remove the debris in our lives. To shower us gently in the Holy Spirit! We need Him to refresh us.
    Prayer: Psalm 42:1-2 from the Amplified Bible, “…..my soul pants and longs for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, the living God….” O God, remove anything in me that hinders my spiritual growth. My inner self wants to be close to You. Refresh me today.
    Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
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Are You Blessed?

1 Min Read

    Luke 6:20-23 from the Amplified Bible, “Jesus said, ‘Blessed (happy with life-joy and ….. God’s favor) are you who hunger…for you shall be filled…Blessed (happy with life-joy and God’s favor) are you who weep and sob…for you shall laugh…”</ul>

      Are you poor? Jesus said He’ll give you His kingdom. Are you hungry? Jesus said He’ll feed you. Are you sad? Jesus said he’d make you happy. Whatever your problem, Jesus will help you. Do you know Jesus? He knows you. Have you forgotten Him? He’ll never forget you. He’s waiting for you to call out to Him. It’s easy. Just say “Jesus”.
      Prayer: Jesus, I want to know You. Jesus, I love You. Jesus, I need _________ right now. Please provide for me in a way that I will know for certain it came from You! I believe You will. Thank-you Jesus, You are the best!
      Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
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Who’s Opinion Matters Most?

1 Min Read
    Joshua 9:14 from the Holy Bible, King James Version, “Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.” The men of Israel unknowingly did business with deceitful men. Had they asked God’s opinion first, He would have warned them. But they didn’t ask and they suffered for it.
    I wonder how much easier life would be if we all learned to ask God’s opinion first.
    Think about it. God is everywhere. He sees everything. He knows everything. He loves us. He created us. He wants what’s best for us. Doesn’t it make sense to ask God what He thinks about a matter before choosing to do it?
    The men of Israel learned their lesson. The next time they needed to make a decision they asked God’s opinion, and they prevailed!
    Prayer: God, teach me to ask your opinion before making important decisions. Amen.
    Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
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You Are What You Say

1 Min Read
    “You are what you eat from your head down to your feet.” This popular slogan taught that a person’s physical health was determined by what they ate.
    “You are what you say, so guard your mouth today” could have been Jesus’ slogan. READ: Matthew 15:11 from the Amplified Bible, “It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled. It’s what comes out of his mouth; this makes him unclean and defiles him.” Jesus was teaching that a person’s spiritual health was determined by what they said.
    Do you gossip or criticize others? Take the “Mouth Check Challenge!” See if you can go an entire day with only speaking words of kindness and encouragement. The easier it is for you to speak positive, uplifting words the healthier your spirit is.
    Prayer: Jesus, forgive me for using negative words. Help me be spiritually healthy by talking positive. Amen.
    Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
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