EGP Blog Christian quotes, mini-articles, music, and more

“Your love isn’t passive at all, it violently tears down my walls, and one-by-one my worries fall. So take all I have, my heart in surrender. Be all that overwhelms me forever. I want to be consumed only by You.” —Jeremy Camp, “Consumed”

Jeremy Camp “Consumed”

There is a war that’s inside [1 Peter 2:11–12] A battle for my heart and mind [Proverbs 4:20–23; Romans 12:1–2] Some days I feel I just can’t fight [Psalm 69:1–3] I’m not strong enough on my own [Isaiah 41:10–13] Thank God I’m not standing alone [2 Chronicles 20:17] You’re with me wherever I go …

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If you’ve attuned your spiritual ears to hear God’s voice even when you’re not in the quietness of your prayer closet, you will more successfully reveal God’s heart to others.

In Step with the Spirit

In our busy lives, we often overlook the potential for spiritual growth and connection with God in everyday activities, including exercise. While walking or running, we have the opportunity to not only improve our physical well-being but also to draw closer to God, hear His voice, and receive …

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Our Christian endeavors aren’t merely academic, but spiritual. We must remember to continue to rely on God instead of the things of this world. Our instinct should be to seek Him first, then we can use AI to the glory of God!

AI to the Glory of God

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot topic for sure! With the usual “man vs technology” fears aside, there are also concerns from a Christian perspective about appropriate use or even discerning between godly and demonic influence on the results. Titus 1:15 (NLT) Everything is pure to those …

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“So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you.” 1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)

God Wastes Nothing

When upgrading this website, it was quite frustrating to repeatedly start over. I was praying for direction, got guidance from God, developed for a while, and maybe made it a bit further than past attempts. Then I’d undoubtedly hit a hard roadblock and had to start over … again and again. On a bad …

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“The way we talk in our time and culture … You’re blessed when you’re comfortable, and secure, and safe. … Has it ever occurred to you that God’s blessing for your life is to send you into the battle against giants? … There’s nothing Jesus will ever call you to that will be less than what you’re facing right now. … Jesus never died so that we could settle, He died so that we could be the greatest revolution humanity has ever known.” —Erwin McManus, Mosaic, “Choose Your Land”

Blessed for Greater Battles

“The way we talk in our time and culture about being BLESSED by God, you’re blessed when you’re RICH. You’re blessed when you’re FAMOUS. You’re blessed when you’re SUCCESSFUL. You’re blessed when everything is going GREAT. You’re blessed when you’re COMFORTABLE, and SECURE, and SAFE. That’s the …

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“Something so simple as Moses’s curiosity is what stepped him into his future. I cannot stress enough, the curiosity that is important—and I want to imply is even required—to step into the presence of God. … You see, a future without His presence, you’ll have to sustain it. A future with His presence, He will sustain it.” —Eric Johnson, Bethel Church, “Hello Future: His Promise or His Presence”

Curious About God’s Presence

“Moses is doing his JOB as a shepherd and he NOTICES this bush burning. The Bible says Moses noted … it was ON FIRE, but wasn’t being CONSUMED. … We have to understand that Moses did not turn because God SAID, ‘Moses, Moses.’ That’s EASY. How many know that when God SAYS your name, it’s like, …

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“Your fullness is mine revelation divine but, o, to taste to know much more than a page to feel Your embrace” —Shane & Shane, “Be Near”

Shane & Shane “Be Near”

You are all [Psalm 40:17] Big and small [Ephesians 4:6] Beautiful [Psalm 27:4] And wonderful [Psalm 40:5] To trust in grace through faith [Romans 5:1–2] But I’m asking to taste [Psalm 34:8] For dark is light to You [Psalm 139:11–12] Depths are height to You [Psalm 139:7–8] Far is near [Psalm …

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“The will of God—God being glorified—is all I want. I am going to harness my own conversation, and I’m going to make sure that I proclaim that which You are saying, God. … It’s almost like the proclamations are seating the cloud of the rain that’s actually going to fall upon my own life.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, “Power of Confession”

Power of Proclamation

“Many of the problems that exist in our lives were given places of influence, and power, and strength because of improper conversation. For many people, their goal in life is to vent when they have something going wrong. And all they do is add to the strength of that particular problem. … I’m only …

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“The way you develop this relationship of abiding is you need to keep your roots deep in Him. … But we all want to bear fruit without going through the seasons. … He doesn’t want you to need Him the way you needed Him when you started. He wants you to grow in the depth of your need for Him. And that’s part of what happens in a union with God, is He actually makes you whole.” —Erwin McManus, Mosaic, “Hidden Treasures”

Stop Striving and Start Abiding

“Jesus didn’t come to GIVE you a key, He IS the key. And lot of us, we want a key to God’s hidden treasures, but Jesus didn’t come to GIVE us hidden treasures, He came to BE for us the hidden treasure. … A lot of us really want what God HAS for us, but we don’t want GOD. We want whatever Jesus …

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“There are new battles to fight right now and you’re losing them because you keep facing backwards rather than forward. … God wants you to remember your past, but He does not want you to live in the past. … And so if you’re gonna want the new, then be ready to become the new.” —Erwin McManus, Mosaic, “The New”

Become the New

“You’re actually the sum total of the memories you CHOOSE to carry with you. … There are NEW battles to fight right NOW and you’re LOSING them because you keep facing BACKWARDS rather than FORWARD. … You’re STILL fighting those ancient enemies that have long been GONE. … You keep wanting God to do …

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“You’ve got to be driven by a God-sized dream. … If you’re not overwhelmed by what He has assigned for you to do, you’ve not heard what He has to say. Because His assignment is so overwhelming, that it compels us to trust.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, “Promises Fulfilled”

A God-Sized Dream

“PROMISES are the invitation of God into a RELATIONAL journey where TOGETHER we labor to see things happen in the earth that reveal His NATURE. … His DESIRE is to work through sons and daughters. Why? Because … it takes a CHILD to reveal the nature of a FATHER. … He’s revealed for WHO HE IS …

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“It’s this affection. It’s this passion. … That word is translated ‘kiss’ in some places. [So] “If you kiss your kid more than you kiss Me, you’re not worthy of Me. … You don’t get who I Am.” —Francis Chan, “Rethinking Church”

Kissing Christ

Matthew 10:37 (NASB) “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” “That word for ‘love’ there is not ‘agape,’ the word there is ‘phileo.’ It’s this AFFECTION. It’s this PASSION. … That word is translated ‘KISS’ …

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“God, You’ve gotta do something in me because this isn’t okay. This isn’t okay… Here I am again. Teach me how to pray. Teach me how to dialog with You in such a way that things change around me and You’re honored and glorified. Do something in me and through me, so that when we talk, transformation takes place.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, “Promises Fulfilled”

Dreams and Disappointments

“DISAPPOINTMENT is the mother of DEPRESSION. … Not dealing with it in early stages DEEPLY affects our EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, and SPIRITUAL health. … Disappointment actually makes us VULNERABLE to SPIRITUAL DISEASE. … Disappointment is a THIEF, … because it ROBS us of a sense of VISION and PURPOSE. …

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“Every time you faithfully make a conscious effort to draw closer to God in all that you do, you’re building up the enduring skills and abilities to be more effective in the future.” —Equip God’s People

Roll Your Actions toward God

Proverbs 16:3 literally says, “Roll your actions toward Yahweh and your devices will be setup.” While that can seem a bit cryptic at first, there is a lot of beautiful imagery here. “Rolling your actions toward God” shows that there has to be an intentionality behind what you do. The idea is that …

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“LORD, … give me a greater desire and give me a greater ability to work this out. … I want it because You made me want it, but everything within me knows I want this [too]. And I’m working because You are enabling and empowering me to work. But every fiber in my being is working with all of its heart.” —Francis Chan, “The Book of Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians”

Enabled and Empowered to Work

“[Paul] says, ‘WORK OUT your own salvation with FEAR and TREMBLING.’ But he just spent Galatians AND Ephesians talking about how it’s NOT by works. So, what is THIS about? … It’s NOT, ‘work FOR your own salvation.’ Now THAT would be a contradiction. But he says, ‘no, work OUT your salvation’. …

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“It is not enough just to have faith you have to have faith and patience, there’s a time lag. You do the will of God, you meet the conditions, and then you hold on. You don’t give up. And in due course—in God’s sovereignty—the promise is completely fulfilled.” —Derek Prince, “God’s Abundance, part 6”

The Attitude and Action of Faith

“You have to adopt a posture of BELIEVING and then, where appropriate, you have to ACT in accordance to what you believe. Because Scripture says, ‘FAITH without WORKS’—without appropriate ACTS—‘is DEAD.’ … It is not enough JUST to have faith; you have to have FAITH and PATIENCE. When you’ve …

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“If I entertain a thought that accuses somebody that’s in my life, what I’ve done is I’ve put a stone there. Now that stone is not a hiding place for the demonic, but if I keep building on it, pretty soon I have a castle in my thinking … in which the demonic hides.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, “Recognizing Divine Favor”

Freedom from Jealousy and Bitterness

“Both JEALOUSY and BITTERNESS are REASONABLE. There are REASONS. … My REASONING says, ‘This is a LEGITIMATE response to what WAS DONE to me.’ … It is UNRENEWED MIND reasoning; it is not BIBLICAL reasoning. Biblical reasoning works FROM the cross TOWARDS a situation. … The way you walk in …

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“May grace and perfect peace cascade over you as you live in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” —2 Peter 1:2 (TPT)

A Waterfall of Grace and Peace

2 Peter 1:2–3 (TPT) [2] May grace and perfect peace cascade over you as you live in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. [3] Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by His divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich …

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“There’s no allusion in the Bible … that the Christian life is easy, in the sense of escaping suffering. But … God does not load His children with burdens and watch to see how they do. Every burden that He gives, He provides grace to lighten our load.” —John Piper, “How Do I Respond to Blasphemous Thoughts?”

Grace to Endure Burdens

“[Jesus does] not demand OBEDIENCE from people to whom [He has] given no GRACE. … At the last judgment, it will be plain to all the world that ALL disobedience is IN SPITE of much TRUTH and much GRACE. Paul gives the principle in 2 Corinthians 8:12. … ‘If the READINESS is there … it is acceptable …

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“I was formed from the soil. I got dirt inside of me. I was born to be royal I was made for glory. Take me back to the garden. Take me back and walk with me. For Your presence I am longing. Table me back! God, take me back!” —Crowder, “Back to the Garden”

Crowder “Back to the Garden”

I was born to be royal [1 Peter 2:9–10] I was made to be free [Galatians 5:1] But I was torn from the garden [Genesis 3:23–24] When that devil lied to me [John 8:44] I was formed from the soil [Genesis 2:7] I got dirt inside of me [Proverbs 30:12–14; Ezekiel 24:12–14] But I was born to be royal …

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“These weak, seemingly dishonorable, people … are here for you … to show honor to, for you to serve, for you to care for, and show grace toward. … Their suffering is not about their sanctification, it’s about your sanctification.” —John Piper, “How Can God Be Sovereign and Good and Allow Suffering?”

Their Suffering, Your Sanctification

“We usually look for the purposes of suffering for the effect that it has on the sufferer. … But what we don’t usually look for is God’s purposes for OUR weaknesses in the lives of OTHERS. In other words, could OUR weaknesses … or suffering be intended by God to draw out of OTHERS something they …

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“We come into places where we’re enjoying the fruit of yesterday’s yes. That’s an inheritance. All these yeses to God, somehow He adds His Grace to that, and He brings me into a breakthrough that I didn’t even know was possible.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, “The First Deeds”

Yesterday’s Yeses, Today’s Breakthrough

“He said, ‘You’ve lost your FIRST LOVE.’ And what fascinates me … He didn’t say, ‘Memorize these SCRIPTURES until your love returns for me.’ He didn’t say, ‘Go into multiple worship services and WORSHIP until your love is restored.’ He didn’t say, ‘FAST seven days and then your love will be …

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“The goal from which every other blessing in your life is given is that we would revere and honor and esteem and value and treasure Him—His Name—above everyone and everything else. His Glory through your gladness in Him. Come what may. Come. What. May.” —John Piper, “Are We Adopted for Us or for God”

His Glory through Your Gladness in Him

“I used to read and pray the Lord’s Prayer with THIS conception: the first three statements, I felt, … were ACCLAMATIONS or PRAISES, not REQUESTS, and then it was FOLLOWED by four requests. … ‘I PRAISE You Father that Your Name IS hallowed. I PRAISE You that Your Kingdom IS coming. I PRAISE You …

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“There is a vast difference between trying to please God because we love Him and trying to please Him in order to gain His acceptance. The former is worship, the latter is still the self-seeking pursuit of self-righteousness.” —Rick Joyner, “There Were Two Trees in the Garden”

Gaining God’s Acceptance

“Our ACCEPTANCE by the Father was determined at the CROSS and is therefore not based on how well WE are doing on any particular day. Our ability to come BOLDLY before the throne of grace must NEVER be measured by how GOOD or BAD we have been but by the blood of JESUS. Coming on ANY other basis is …

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“If you’re lifting your hands and your heart is not hallowing, cherishing, esteeming, honoring, treasuring Him above everything, those hands are hypocrite’s hands. Our Father seeks our praise because the very heart of praise is finding pleasure in His supreme value and if that is missing, praise is empty.” —John Piper, “Are We Adopted for Us or for God”

Hallowed Be Your Name

“What does ‘HALLOWED’ mean? The word is literally ‘SANCTIFY’ … or ‘REGARD as holy’. We don’t ‘MAKE’ God holy, we REGARD Him as holy, SEE Him as holy, SENSE Him as holy, stand in AWE of Him as holy. … And not just SEE it, the DEVIL sees it. Remember, the DEMONS said to Jesus, ‘We know who YOU are. …

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“When we believe, simply believe, the Spirit of God indwells us and we become transformed so that morality is an extension of inward transformation (not outward working) leading to a love of Jesus.” —Matt Chandler, The Village Church

God-Given Belief

“Most of us just want to be TOLD what to do. ‘What do I DO? Just TELL ME what to do.’ … Jesus’s response is, ‘THIS is the work of God: BELIEVE.’ … It’s not RADICALLY believe. It’s not with your WHOLE HEART believe, … DEEPLY believe, INTENSELY believe, SINCERELY believe. … Why? Because to BELIEVE …

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“In the world, peace is always the absence of something, of noise or war or conflict. In the Kingdom, you can be in the middle of all those and have peace, because peace is a Person. It’s the abiding presence of the Spirit of God in my life.” — Bill Johnson, Bethel Church

A Lifestyle of Peace

“BITTERNESS is immature MURDER. … In other words, it’s just UNDEVELOPED. … ‘LIFE and DEATH is in the power of the TONGUE.’ Even people who don’t murder still speak UNKINDLY and release DEATH into a given situation. … SELF-CONDEMNATION and SELF-HATRED is immature SUICIDE. … It’s the reason we have …

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“If we’re broken, we’re the ones who need God. God does not need us. We’re the ones who are lost. We’re the ones that need someone to show us the way. You were not created to step into religion. You were created for love, for relationship, for life.” —Erwin McManus, Mosaic

Created for Love, Relationship, and Life

“Really, NO ONE is searching for God. … They know their life is MISSING something. They know they’re just EXISTING. They know that something’s WRONG, that something’s BROKEN. There’s a HOLE, a HOLLOWNESS inside of their soul. And they’re trying to find the LIFE that is eluding them. And MAYBE …

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“Most people don’t need to be cheered up, they need you to jump in their pain and say, ‘I get you. I understand you.’ And not try to fix them. They don’t necessarily need to be the answer man or answer woman, they just need you to be there with them.” —Kris Vallotton, Bethel Church

Being Present in Their Pain

“One of the most powerful things that you can actually do is just BE PRESENT. I’m talking about with some of our broken people. Just BE PRESENT. … We do JOY really well. We do FUN really well. … The side effect of our culture is that we don’t do PAIN very well. … Sometimes, in the midst of our …

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“The fight is a fight of faith. It’s not a fight to get out of bed. It’s a fight to rest in God. It’s not a fight to keep all the powers of youth, but to trust in the power of God. The race is run against doubt in God’s goodness and love for us. It’s a fight to stay satisfied in God, in spite of broken hips, and lost sight, and failed memory, and inexplicable fatigue.” —John Piper

We All Must Run the Race

“We ALL must run, whether OLD or YOUNG, whether SICK or HEALTHY, whether BLIND or SEEING. And this is possible for the sick and senile because the race is a race against UNBELIEF, not a race against sickness or senility. … Sickness may come, senility may come, and WE STILL WIN. It is possible for …

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“[Nathaniel] wasn’t under that fig tree to impress anyone else. He wasn’t trying to be religious. He wasn’t trying to establish a reputation. He was on a desperate search for God. You can’t afford to have a faith that is simply displaced in someone else’s experience. You have to find your own ‘fig tree’ and search for God, and find Him for yourself.” —Erwin McManus, Mosaic

Finding God under the Fig Tree

“Jesus saw Nathaniel when NO ONE ELSE saw Nathaniel. … Here’s a man, under a fig tree, trying to CONNECT to God. But if you were trying to connect to God, they would expect you to be in the TEMPLE. … It was the temple that God INSTRUCTED them to build, and in the middle of that temple was SUPPOSED …

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“God brings us to the wilderness because He wants to teach us something. It’s not something you learn by hearing another sermon or singing another song. It’s a heart shift. He’s pulling us away from all the noise so we can hear His voice, the Bread. This is where we find Grace.” —Equip God’s People

Grace in the Wilderness

Jeremiah 31:2–4 (ESV) [2] Thus says the LORD: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, [3] the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you. [4] Again I will …

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“It’s a miracle to experience serious joy when the thorn or the crown of thorns is pressing down on us, or our wives, or our children, or our parents. It’s a miracle to be glad through tears. It’s a miracle to be well-pleased through heaves of sobbing. It’s a miracle. That’s why we exist.” —John Piper

Your Thorn for the Shaming of Satan

“Jesus says to Paul, ‘Paul, this THORN, this messenger of SATAN is going to make you WEAK, in such a way that if you have ANY power, it will be MINE.’ … What’s going on here isn’t that He grants UNSPEAKABLE revelations, not merely that He’s preventing PRIDE, not merely that He’s shaming SATAN, but …

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“The Bible doesn’t provide some sort of perfect formula to follow, but it does point to a wonderfully complex and loving Father. It’s not about memorizing a moral code or task list, it’s about being changed from the inside to look and act more like God.” —Equip God’s People

Intertwined Responsibilities

People often confuse where God’s responsibilities end and ours begin. Perhaps that’s because those two concepts are more intertwined than we realize. Some people believe that Christ did all the work for everything at the cross and we just need to believe Him enough and obey some list enough for …

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“One of the more frustrating parts of my relationship with [God] is the fact that He won’t always tell me what to do. I want Him to give me detailed instruction, kind of like a slave wants, and He’s wanting me to act as a son who He trained to think like He does.” — Bill Johnson, Bethel Church

Thinking like a Son

“One of the more FRUSTRATING parts of my relationship with [God] is the fact that He won’t always TELL ME what to do. All I want is HIS WILL. ‘Just TELL ME what to do. I’ve got Door A, B, C. Just tell me WHICH ONE, and I’m happy. I LOVE Your will. It’s ALWAYS been good.’ There are sometimes I want …

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“For all the excitement that the sign gifts get, every gift given to sinful men and women at their salvation is a gift of God’s Grace. And it’s a miracle … it’s a miracle! It was dead and now it’s alive, saved and sanctified, empowered and set free, and leads to the common good, the building up of the Body in love.” —Matt Chandler, The Village Church

Spiritual Gifts for the Common Good

“Nowhere in the Bible does Paul provide a complete list of the gifts that are available to the children of God. In fact, what we see throughout the Bible is that he provides us a variety of partial lists. … And then even Peter hops in … with yet another list. And these lists do not correspond with …

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“We must earnestly seek to go deep into God’s presence, especially during those painful times, so we can experience God and get true healing. Only then can His love flow freely through us to others.” —Equip God’s People

A Hopeful Love

It’s really hard when family and friends hurt you. Lost people act lost and believers aren’t perfect either, but knowing that doesn’t lessen the pain. When going through those situations, I have to remind myself not to wall up and shut others out, because there’s a spiritual battle going on behind …

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“A new thing I will do in you. A new flame I will kindle. I am preparing a vessel for this flame, a lamp for that light, one that is not tinted and does not obstruct the light.” —Lisa Bevere, “Out of Control and Loving It”

Kindle a New Flame

“I have placed My hand upon you. The same hand that brings anointing also applies pressure. So do not resist My work in you. It is a good work to refine and strengthen, change and renew. A new thing I will do in you, a new flame I will kindle. I am preparing a vessel for this flame. A lamp for …

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“The only way you’re going to reclaim your humanity is if you discover the strength of forgiveness and the wealth of generosity. And you need to understand the freedom of servanthood, because the moment you choose the path of humility, you’ll never lose your humanity.” —Erwin McManus, “Reclaiming Our Humanity”

Reclaiming Our Humanity

“The reason we become so FRAGILE is because we don’t know the POWER of FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness doesn’t make you WEAKER, forgiveness makes you STRONGER. … Instead of always getting HURT by what ‘everyone else’ did, why don’t you just ELEVATE and show them what YOU do? … You should be GIVING more …

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“I want to meet with You God, like Moses met with You. I want it to just be You and me in that room, because there’s nothing like this. And even in a greater way, I believe we’re promised this in the New Testament through His Spirit.” —Francis Chan, “Read Scripture, week 4”

Moses-Type Encounters

I just want to meet with God. I just want to be alone with His Word every morning. I want to meet with you God, like Moses met with you. I want it to just be You and me in that room, because there’s nothing like this. … We want you to have these Moses-type of encounters. And even in a greater way, …

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“It is not enough to be filled with just teaching. The water must be turned to wine. Our knowledge must become life. Those who are poured out too soon seldom ever become wine. The water they serve is refreshing and may bless many, but those who have waited to become wine have shaken the world!” —Rick Joyner, “There Were Two Trees in the Garden”

From Water to Wine

“Each miracle of Jesus had prophetic significance. When He turned the water into wine, His first miracle, He was demonstrating one of the most important, initial lessons we should learn as we start to follow Him. The vessels were set aside and filled with water. Water is often symbolic of the Word …

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“Here I am calling out, Father. Can You hear me, can You hear me? I don’t want to go without You. Here I am, can You talk a little louder? So I can hear You, I want to hear You! I don’t want to move without You. If Your presence goes, I don’t want to stay. If Your presence stays, I don’t want to go. I need You!” —Shane & Shane, “Without You”

Shane & Shane “Without You”

I can walk through the storm I can walk by faith when my sight is gone Just as long as You are here with me And I can gain everything But what do I have if I don’t have the King Oh, I need to know You’re here with me Even though I believe You’ve taken up a home inside me And You’ll never leave I …

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“Breathe. Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do. Pain so deep that I can hardly move. Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You. Lord, take hold and pull me through. Jesus, come and break my fear. Awake my heart and take my tears. Find Your Glory even here, when the hurt and the Healer collide.” —MercyMe, “The Hurt & The Healer”

MercyMe “The Hurt and the Healer”

Why? The question that is never far away The healing doesn’t come from the explained Jesus please don’t let this go in vain You’re all I have All that remains So here I am What’s left of me Where glory meets my suffering I’m alive Even though a part of me has died You take my heart and breathe it …

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“I wonder how many times you’ve hit the wall, you’ve lost your faith, you just felt exhausted and tired from life. Maybe that’s why we keep missing our second wind, because we think [it] is about us. The second wind is really about God revealing Himself in us and through us.” —Erwin McManus, Mosaic

Spiritual Second Wind

“I do think we should notice something though. It says, ‘when he saw the WIND.’ [Matthew 14:30] … We would probably all agree that it’s not really POSSIBLE to ‘see the wind.’ … You see the EFFECT of wind, but you don’t see the WIND, right? … Most of the time we LOSE OUR FAITH because we LOSE SIGHT …

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“Some of the circumstances that seem to be the most impossible, they are no match for a song [of praise]. There’s that decree. There’s that shout. And the LORD says He stirs Himself up and brings about victory.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church

The Power of Rejoicing and Praise

“Sometimes God allows us to be moved to a place of great internal CONTENTION and TURMOIL to bring about answers. It’s not that He CAN’T answer the easy prayer, it’s that He’s trying to DEVELOP something in us. STRENGTH is formed in us when there is a great PASSION, great ZEAL, great BOLDNESS. …

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“Though it will be rough as you face various woes of living in a fallen world, or messengers of Satan himself, God’s high regard for you as His child is like a fortress around you.” —Equip God’s People

Grace for Today

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 (NASB) [7] Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! [8] Concerning this I implored the Lord three times …

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“A poverty mindset looks at abundance as a means to do less. That is not how Kingdom abundance works. It will hurt. It’s always above your capacity.” —Eric Johnson, Bethel Church

Kingdom Abundance

“A POVERTY mindset looks at abundance as a means to DO LESS. That is not how KINGDOM ABUNDANCE works. Kingdom abundance actually means you’re about to work A LOT harder than you’ve EVER worked. So, just keep in mind, when you cry out for abundance, what that means is that you’re going to be REALLY …

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“It’s during those difficult times that we actually draw close to Him. These are ‘ingredients’ He throws into our lives. But what we don’t understand is that He’s concerned about who we are at the end of our lives.” —Francis Chan

Enduring the Ingredients of Pain and Suffering

“The Bible says that God can use the pain that we’re SUFFERING right now for His Glory. He can turn it into a GOOD thing. … James 1:2–4 (ESV) [2] Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And …

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“Oftentimes, the measure of breakthrough and joy in life is directly connected to what we’ve become. The fear of the LORD and comfort of the Holy Spirit: Keep those two ‘gauges’ dialed up and God can trust you with increase, because you’ll know where it came from and you’ll know the purpose.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church

Fear of the Lord and Comfort of the Holy Spirit

“Learning how to maintain PRIORITY and FOCUS in a season of blessing is one of the rarest things in church history. … What has happened—through the early church especially—is they learned how to navigate OPPOSITION so that they got INCREASE. … For many years following that, every wave of …

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“‘I love You! I thank You! You are magnificent! I don’t waste anything on you! I can’t get enough of You!’ That’s what faith is. If you don’t believe right now, it’s not because you don’t have sufficient evidence, it’s because you love something else more. Period.” —John Piper

Faith Is Love, Not Insufficient Evidence

“A few days after Lazarus was raised [from the dead by Jesus], Jesus and the disciples went back to Bethany and had dinner with him. … And in that dinner, Mary takes a little canister of VERY expensive ointment, and she opens it and she pours it on Jesus’s feet. ALL OF IT. And she takes her hair, …

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“The LORD is like the parent who teaches His child to walk by backing away, so the child has to take more steps to reach Him. We must not give up until we have found Him.” —Rick Joyner

Learning to Walk

“Even though the LORD wants us to seek Him and find Him, He would be doing us a great disservice if His blessings were too easily attained. This would only feed our slothfulness. He often makes Himself difficult to find so we will have to search for Him more diligently. In a way, the LORD is like …

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“Picture that dead body, the amount of power to take a dead, crucified, mutilated body and cause it to rise up and come to life. That’s the Spirit that’s in you now.” —Francis Chan, Romans 8:11

The Cross and the Spirit within You

“At the cross, EVERYTHING changed. We could be FORGIVEN. But it’s not just about this ONE TIME decision where we decide, ‘Okay, we BELIEVE that.’ It’s about a change of a LIFESTYLE. … Now I literally have ACCESS to God. I can PRAY to Him and He HEARS me. … Life becomes COMPLETELY different when …

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“Thanksgiving is our response to His works. Praise is our response to His nature. Worship is our response to His presence.” —Bill Johnson

Thanksgiving, Praise, and Worship

Thanksgiving is our response to His works. Praise is our response to His nature. Worship is our response to His presence. It’s not like you, ‘do these three steps and He’ll reward you.’ It’s not that, it’s just He can trust you with more, the deeper you go in. Because the farther you go with Him, …

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“It’s always been about seeking God’s heart with yours, and hearing and following His voice. God has always and will always bring it back to these core values.” —Equip God’s People

Seek God’s Heart, Follow His Voice

It can easily feel like the “Books of the Law” (specifically, Exodus–Deuteronomy) are simply chock full of antiquated and inapplicable laws and commandments. However, God doesn’t change. [Malachi 3:6] And yet, Christ fulfilled the law for us and freed us from it. [Galatians 3:10–13] So, as we read …

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“True faith see’s God’s hands in everything, regardless of the amount of time He takes or the manner in which He does His work. True faith is seeing Him and abiding in Him.” —Rick Joyner

Faith and Patience

“God has ordained that it would take faith and patience to inherit His promises. Time will remove that which is not true and strengthen that which is true. The LORD compared faith to a mustard seed. … But lest we misunderstand, the seed is not the fruit. The seed must be planted, watered, and …

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“Yahweh, your God, is full of compassion. He will not abandon you to the enemy. He will not let you be destroyed. He will not forget His commitment, because His promises span generations!” —Deuteronomy 4:31

God’s Promises Span Generations

Deuteronomy 4:9, 31 (ESV) [9] “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children [31] For the LORD your God is a merciful …

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“What you fear will influence what you worship and will be proven by what you trust. We always become like whatever we worship.” —Bill Johnson, Bethel Church

Trusting the Trustworthy One

“There’s an unusual, seamless connection between three subjects in scripture: FEAR, WORSHIP, and TRUST. … What you FEAR will influence what you WORSHIP and what you WORSHIP will be proven by what you TRUST. Worship isn’t MERELY an act, a song, kneeling, raising hands, or whatever. It is kind of …

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“Admit you need God, Pray for His help, Trust in His promises, Act with His guidance, Thank Him in all things.” —John Piper

APTAT: Admit, Pray, Trust, Act, Thank

In several of his recent sermons, John Piper has been sharing a mnemonic that he has lived by in his Christian walk. This device can be used as a guideline before, during, and after any situation. While this may not be an exact quote, as his expansion of the five keywords changes, here’s a summary …

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“Jethro reminded Moses that you can easily drown in the constant barrage of problems and complaints, but that God called him to be a great leader and to leave a legacy.” —Equip God’s People

Fatherly Mentorship

Growing up, Moses didn’t seem to have much of a father figure. The only mention of his real father was that he was a Levite, that he “took as his wife a Levite woman” (which may or may not imply he simply slept with her), and he’s never mentioned again. [Exodus 2:1] His mother nursed him, but …

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“God, please, give me enough of Yourself, show me enough of the Father and of the Son, by the power of Your Spirit, so that nothing Nothing, NOTHING would EVER move me to deny You.” —John Piper

Strength in Time of Suffering

“I was sitting in my chair in our living room … I had made myself a cup of hot tea, and settled in to enjoy a time of fellowship with Jesus, which I do every morning over His word. I remember pausing before I began to read … and thinking ‘I LOVE this quietness. I LOVE this room. … I LOVE the …

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“God’s creation, all of it, is designed by God as a sign and a foretaste of what it’s like to enjoy God Himself. … We are to move into and through the gifts to Him. And they taste the way He tastes.” —John Piper

What Is It Like to Enjoy God?

“I think many believers know how to enjoy pizza, … football, … friends, … sex. And you put that word ‘enjoy’ or ‘delight’ or ‘be satisfied’ onto God and they just shrug. … ‘I don’t relate to God that way. I DO stuff because He says to DO stuff.’ … God is to be TREASURED, God is to be ENJOYED, more …

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“I realized I used to love Jesus more than I do right now. … I didn’t ever want to make a statement like that! But all the pressure, the insecurities, the lies of trying to match up … and I just forgot to stay connected to Him.” —Francis Chan

I Am the True Vine

“This is what threw me over the edge: I realized I USED TO love Jesus more than I do RIGHT NOW. What the heck am I DOING then? How did I get THERE? I didn’t EVER want to make a statement like THAT! But all the PRESSURE, the INSECURITIES, the LIES of trying to match up to THIS person, to THAT …

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The Spirit has landed to do battle with the flesh. So take heart if your soul feels like a battlefield at times. The sign of whether you are indwelt by the Spirit is not that you have no bad desires, but that you are at war with them!” —John Piper

The War Within: Flesh vs Spirit

“A Christian is not a person who experiences NO bad desires. A Christian is a person who is at WAR with those desires by the POWER of the Spirit. CONFLICT in your soul is not all bad. Even though we long for the day when our flesh will be utterly defunct and only PURE and LOVING desires will fill …

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“If anyone has ever told you that you need to have more faith, they’re saying the exact opposite of Jesus. … Because God can actually just squeeze into that small thing and create the big thing out of it. It’s not how much faith you have, it’s what you have faith in that matters.” —Erwin McManus

The Day of Small Things

There are some of you that see your life as HIDEOUS. You cannot see the BEAUTY in your life. You cannot see the WONDER of your life. Because all YOU see is DARKNESS. All you see is your BROKENNESS. All you see is your INADEQUACY. All you see are your FAILURES. … How is it that when Jesus says …

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Come close to Me, and rest in My Presence. I Am all around you, closer than the very air you breathe. Trust Me with each breath you take.

Rest in My Presence

Come close to Me, and rest in My Presence. I AM all around you, closer than the very air you breathe. Trust Me with each breath you take. Your need for Me is as constant as your need for oxygen. So don’t neglect the discipline of practicing My Presence. Because your mind is easily distracted, you …

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Shane & Shane “I Miss You”

Here is a wonderful worship song that represents a conversation between God and us about savoring Him: Put down your paper plate Come to the table made Deep blue china Found on the table by the wine, so fine Well, it brings out flavor Like You bring out color in life Oh! I miss You so! The feel of …

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Savoring God and His Gifts

Ecclesiastes 5:17–20 (NLT) [17] Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud-frustrated, discouraged, and angry. [18] Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work-whatever they do under the sun-for …

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The Tongue: Tool or Weapon

James 3:2–6 (NASB) [2] For we all stumble in many *ways.* If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. [3] Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. [4] Look at the ships …

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Isaiah 35:1–4 (NLT) “Even the wilderness will rejoice in those days. The desert will blossom with flowers. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel’s pastures and the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display His Glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those who are afraid, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’”

Flowers and Singing and Joy

Isaiah 35:1–4 (NLT) [1] Even the wilderness will rejoice in those days. The desert will blossom with flowers. [2] Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel’s pastures and the plain of …

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Guidelines on Giving

Luke 6:30 (NASB) “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. It’s easy to get jaded in today’s society to the point that our first thoughts when someone asks for money are: “they’re probably just going to buy drugs/alcohol/cigarettes with it,” …

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Surrounded by God’s Grace Unto Righteousness

Isaiah 58:6–11 (NASB) [6] “Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? [7] “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the …

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Preparing to Know Christ Deeply

I will deal with all the things in the world in a way that draws me NEARER to Christ through them or I won’t deal. How are you doing with videos? Spending? I regard everything as LOSS in comparison with Christ…in the sense that as I wear my coat, drive my car, watch a video, I will deal with this …

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A Time to Pray and a Time to Eat

There is an expression amongst those who’ve eaten one too many cold meals thanks to long-winded pre-meal prayers. “There’s a time to pray and a time to eat.” While it is a funny expression, I do tend to agree with it. The problem is, many people only pray in fearful situations and before meals. …

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A Morning Prayer

Starting your day off with prayer can prepare your mind and spirit for the day. [Psalm 92:1-5] But it can be tough getting things going when you “get up while it’s still dark to pray” [Mark 1:35] or just praying while getting ready in the morning. So, I like to start my day off with a prayer using …

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O God, I Praise Your Word

Psalm 56:9–13 (NLT) [9] On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. [10] O God, I praise your word. Yes, LORD, I praise your word. [11] I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? [12] I will fulfill my vows to …

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God Builds His Church

Praise the LORD for HIS work, not His VESSELS’. Now, you can THANK them, you can ENCOURAGE them, you can HONOR them. Don’t EXALT them too high…they’ll run out of AIR. GOD doesn’t run out of air, MEN do, WOMEN do. Be careful you don’t put them in an altitude where they can’t SURVIVE. They’re just …

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David Crowder*Band “God of Wrath”

God of wrath, God of love [Colossians 3:4–7, 2 Corinthians 13:11] God of Earth and God above [Deuteronomy 10:12–14] God of hope, God of peace [Romans 15:13] God of you and God of me [Isaiah 37:16] God of day, God of night [Psalm 42:8] God the Just and God the Light [2 Thessalonians 1:5–10, Isaiah …

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If Christ Has Not Been Raised, Your Faith Is Worthless

Some people say that if you live your life as a Christian and it ends up being false, then at least you spent you’re life as a good person. But Paul offers a different perspective. 1 Corinthians 15:16–28 (NASB) [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; [17] and if …

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Reveling in the Unknowable God

Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT) “There are secret things that belong to the LORD our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we may obey these words of the law. It’s so easy to get caught up in theological debates about things that have little to no direct Biblical …

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Our Hope Is in Tomorrow

Let me say this to you, and I want you to have your CONFIDENCE built in this. For the BELIEVER in Christ—so, NOT humanity [as a whole]—for the believer in JESUS CHRIST, bad days, regardless of how HORRIFIC, regardless of how SOUL-CRUSHING, HEART-FAILING, OVERWHELMING those days are, bad days for …

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Desperately Dependent on the Holy Spirit

I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. I want people to look at my life and know that I couldn’t be doing this by my own power. I want to live in such a way that I am desperate for Him to come through. … I don’t believe God wants me (or any of His children) to live in a …

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How to Pray

Prayer doesn’t have to be structured or even always in words, but it should be genuine. It doesn’t have to be out loud or only internal, but it should be often. It doesn’t have to be with your head down, eyes closed, and on your knees with hands together or with arms wide, head up, and eyes open; …

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No One Can Shut This Door

Revelation 3:7–8 (NASB) [7] “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: [8] ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can …

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From Whitewashed to Washed White

In a series of public rebukes directly against the Pharisees, Jesus said the following: Matthew 23:27–28 (NASB) [27] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all …

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Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander. And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior!

Hillsong UNITED “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”

You call me out upon the waters [Philippians 3:13-14] The great unknown where feet may fail [Isaiah 40:30-31] And there I find You in the mystery [Colossians 2:2-3] In oceans deep, my faith will stand [1 Corinthians 16:13-14] And I will call upon Your Name [Psalm 116:17] And keep my eyes above the …

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Faithfulness in Our Faith

Often times, we tend to “idolize” the believers in the Bible as having some sort of “special faith.” We like to think that they have some level to their spirituality that is unattainable to us “mere humans.” Granted, some were fortunate enough to have an unexpected burning bush experience and/or …

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Experiencing the Spirit Within

Maybe you are reading this and are thinking, “Well, I just don’t experience that kind of intimacy with God … the Spirit in me never cries, ‘Abba, Father!’” If this is you, I don’t have a four-step guide to connecting with the Holy Spirit. I would, however, like to suggest two potential obstacles …

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Let God Be Found True

I don’t know how many of you watched it, but there was a 2.5 hour debate between Ken Ham (president of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum) and Bill Nye (“The Science Guy” and CEO of the Planetary Society) this past week on Young Earth Creationism vs. Evolution. Both sides made good points …

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My Grace Is Sufficient

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (NASB) [7] Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! [8] Concerning this I implored the Lord three …

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Not Just Shadowboxing

There are baseline levels of things that we should all do as Christians (Matthew 22:37-40), but God specifically calls us to a mission. For some people that is in the “mission field” witnessing to people across the world, for others it is a call to preach or another church position, but others …

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Longevity Has Its Place

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know …

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Serving Your Spouse

Back in Genesis 2:7-25, we read that God created the first marriage with the purpose of the wife being the helper of the husband. Often today, these verses are misconstrued and abused by ungodly and abusive men to mean that the man “works his 40 hours at his job and (occasionally) mows the lawn” …

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Dig Deep Into the Truth of God

Most people just want to know what God can do for them rather than desiring to know Him. When we present the gospel, we try to answer one question: How do I keep from going to hell? After that question is answered, we stop asking questions about God. With the American church being so concerned …

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Don’t Have It All Sorted Out

Matthew 21:18–22 (NASB) [18] Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. [19] Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said* to it, “No longer shall there ever be *any* fruit from you.” And at once the fig …

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His Word Is Very Near to Us

Thanks be to God for loving us enough to send His Son down to teach us and die in our places, giving us the choice between eternal life and death, so that in choosing Him, His Word is very near to us…in our mouth and in our hearts! Deuteronomy 30:11–20 (NASB) [11] “For this commandment which I …

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Spiritual Immune System

Throughout Scripture we find that things about our “natural” bodies correlate to things about our “spiritual” bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-49, Romans 2:26-29). So, in this ever-lovely cold and flu season, my wife and I were talking the other day about what would be the “immune system” of our …

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Thirsty for More of God

Psalm 63:8 (ASV) “My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.” O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to …

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What Does God Want from Us?

Psalm 50:16–23 (NLT) [16] But God says to the wicked: “Recite my laws no longer, and don’t pretend that you obey me. [17] For you refuse my discipline and treat my laws like trash. [18] When you see a thief, you help him, and you spend your time with adulterers. [19] Your mouths are filled with …

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The Voice of the Bridegroom and Bride

Jeremiah 33:10–11 (NASB) [10] “Thus says the Lord, ‘Yet again there will be heard in this place, of which you say, “It is a waste, without man and without beast,” *that is,* in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without …

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The Spiritual Man

Romans 8:10-13 unfolds to us the condition of our body, how the Holy Spirit helps it, and what ought to be our right attitude towards it. If we appropriate these verses we will not misunderstand the place of a believer’s body in God’s plan of redemption. “If Christ is in you, although your bodies …

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More Than We Can Handle

When someone is going through a trying time, people will often say to them, “God will not give you more than you can bear.” While this may sound like spiritual comfort and is often regarded as Scripture, it isn’t either. This saying is loosely based off 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has …

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Jesus Wants the Rose

While I don’t know the full context of the original sermon referenced in the video by Matt Chandler, may we never turn the Victorious News (Gospel) into moralistic dont’s and do’s. Jesus always wants the broken, downtrodden, and those deceived by sin…otherwise He wouldn’t want anybody, because we …

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Church Affiliation and Theological Tenets

This past week I had someone ask me about my church affiliation and my theological tenets. To be honest, I’ve never posted anything about that on the site because I’ve felt that sometimes those doctrinal “lines in the sand” can be divisive and can turn people off from what you have to say …

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“You are strong, You are sure. You are Life, You endure. You are good, always true. You are Light breaking through. You are more than enough. You are here, You are Love. You are hope, You are Grace. You’re all I have, You’re everything! Here’s my heart, LORD. Speak what is true.” —Crowder

Crowder “Here’s My Heart”

I am found, I am Yours! I am loved, I’m made pure! I have life, I can breathe! I am healed, I am free! You are strong, You are sure You are Life, You endure You are good, always true You are Light breaking through You are more than enough You are here, You are Love You are hope, You are Grace …

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The Lord Has Need of It

In order to fulfill Scripture, Jesus was to enter Jerusalem on a colt (Zechariah 9:9). When it was time for this “Triumphal Entry”, Jesus told His disciples to go get one. Mark 11:2–6 (NASB) [2] and said* to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a …

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Hillsong “With Everything”

Open our eyes To see the things that make Your heart cry To be the church that You would desire Your Light to be seen Break down our pride And all the walls we’ve built up inside Our earthly crowns and all our desires We lay at Your feet So let hope rise and darkness tremble In Your Holy Light …

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Josh Wilson “Before the Morning”

Do you wonder why you have to Feel the things that hurt you [Psalm 119:49–50] If there’s a God who loves you [Romans 8:38–39] Where is He now? [Psalm 42:9–11] Maybe, there are things you can’t see [2 Corinthians 4:18] And all those things are happening To bring a better ending [Jeremiah 29:11–13] …

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The Sweet Aroma of Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NASB) “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an …

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Show Me Your Glory

During Israel’s wilderness journey, God had grown so tired of them being defiantly set in their ways that didn’t honor Him, that He said if He “went with them” to the Promised Land, He would destroy them on the way. In fact, they’d reached the point where God said He would give the land to their …

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A Time of Preparation

For those wondering about the lack of posts here lately, I’ve been working on a complete overhaul of the website. Apparently rehashing over 10 years of work takes a bit of time, lol. I’m hoping that this make-over will make things work more efficiently for those that use the website and possibly …

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Fasting: A Hunger for God

We’re not earning anything by fasting, we’re saying to God, He’s EVERYTHING to us, and He became that because of Jesus Christ and what He did for us. So, I invite you into a life of prayer and fasting that will deliver us, in some measure, from the creeping idolatries of our life and that will …

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Shane & Shane “Liberty”

The LORD is the Spirit Where the Spirit of The LORD is, now There is liberty And the Spirit lives inside of me Where the Spirit of The LORD is, now There is liberty, there is liberty, There is liberty For freedom You set me free And yes, I am free indeed You rewrote my name And shackled my shame …

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Where Is Your Wilderness?

This is a beautifully shot video about making it a point to take time out of the day God has given you to pull away from everything and spend time talking with and worshiping Him. To some that is in your room, others it is on a walk, others it’s at a mountain or beach…find yours…and go …

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Leading the Thirsty to the Living Water

This is from one of our supporters, Bryan Fields. It’s always awesome to guide the thirsty to the Living Water! Thanks for sharing your story, Bryan. This year I got the opportunity to go to Church Camp as a (sponsor, mentor, councillor, chaperone) however you would like to put it. I had the time …

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Ashes Remain “Without You”

Underneath the cold November sky I wait for You As the pages of my life roll by I wait for You I’m so desperate just to see Your face Meet me in this broken place… Hold me now! I need to feel You Show me how…to make it new again There’s nowhere I can run to And nothing I could ever do I’m nowhere …

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Heavenly Thirst vs Earthly Gluttony

Many people’s thirst mechanism is so weak that they misinterpret thirst for hunger. This is not unlike us trying to satisfy the inherit thirst for the Living Water of God by gorging on things of this world. Feasting on God is as foreign to most Americans as an empty stomach. Why can’t we fix our …

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Children of the Devil

All these recent tragedies prove that people under Satan’s controlling power will use whatever they can to do his bidding… John 10:10 (NASB) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have *it* abundantly. John 10:10 Or *have abundance* John 8:44 …

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Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

The tendency is to think of demonic influences as, “This is something that happens in a weird, dark part of Africa, Bangladesh, or some place where they worship idol gods.” But, demons have a notorious way of acclimating themselves to the area where they are, so for people, it becomes easy to …

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The Importance of the Resurrection

Often in church we talk about Christ’s death. The beauty of Easter is that it reminds us of the resurrection. Anyone can die for what they believe in or stand for, but only Christ had the power to lay down His life and pick it back up again! (John 10:18) Happy Resurrection Sunday, my brothers and …

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Two Huge Cultural Lies

Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate. …

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“Losing Battles” in the Valleys

I have the tendency to overthink things, overdo things, burnout, neglect, rinse, and repeat… I imagine that part of this is from the inherent desire to be like God that Satan has tempted us with from the beginning. I’m thankful to serve a God who has the capacity to oversee all of His creation, …

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Lecrae Interview on PBS

While rap and hip-hop might not be many people’s forte, Lecrae is one of my favorite Christian artists. He always has solid theology and a gift for getting that out in a smooth (and sometimes funny) flow. The following is an interview that aired on PBS where he gave his testimony and how he …

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Understanding Grace and Obedience

People want a God of love (1 John 4:16), but then want to define what “love” means on their own terms. They also want to forget that He’s Holy and Righteous (Isaiah 5:16). Others will follow them because saying, “I can do whatever I want and will be okay in the end,” sounds great (2 Timothy …

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Leading Others to Choose God

If you read Ecclesiastes, you’ll see that everyone is chasing after the wind with some portion of their life…some ways are just more noticeable and some are more socially acceptable. As Christians, we must be very careful that we don’t become self-righteous in the areas that we’ve (at least …

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Resistance After Choosing God

Exodus 5:1–2 (NASB) [1] And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ “ [2] But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know …

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Spurgeon on Choosing God

Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else. —C.H. Spurgeon

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Life and Death, Blessings and Curses

Deuteronomy 30:11–20 (NLT) [11] “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand or perform. [12] It is not up in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go to heaven and bring it down so we can hear and obey it?’ [13] It is not beyond the sea, so far away …

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Shabbat HaGadol – Inspecting the Passover Lamb

God asked the Israelites to be willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their redemption (mesirat HaShem). When God asked the people to obtain a lamb, lead it through the streets, bring it to their homes, and to keep it for four days before finally slaughtering it and dabbing its blood on …

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False Sense of Freedom

Hebrews 2:14–15 (NASB) [14] Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and might free those who through fear of death were subject to …

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Superchick “Beauty from Pain”

The lights go out all around me One last candle to keep out the night And then the darkness surrounds me I know I’m alive but I feel like I’ve died And all that’s left is to accept that it’s over My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made I try to keep warm but I just grow colder I feel …

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The Christian Mindset

Philippians 3:12–16 (NASB) [12] Not that I have already obtained *it* or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of *it* yet; but one thing *I do:* …

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Hillsong UNITED “The Stand”

You stood before creation Eternity in Your hand You spoke the Earth into motion My soul now to stand You stood before my failure And carried the cross for my shame My sin weighed upon Your shoulders My soul now to stand So what could I say? And what could I do? But offer this heart, Oh God …

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Sin Causes Separation

Isaiah 59:1–2 (NASB) [1] Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. [2] But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden *His* face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:2 So …

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Walk By Faith Not Appearance

2 Corinthians 5:6–9 (NASB) [6] Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— [7] for we walk by faith, not by sight— [8] we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the …

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When Things Don’t Work Out as Planned

Creating a running commentary for the Bible in a year ended up being more work than I’m able to handle at this time. Even though the reading of it takes only about 15 minutes, re-reading it, summarizing, finding cross-references, New Testament parallels, and imagery ended up taking about 4–6 hours …

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I come broken to be mended, I come wounded to be healed, I come desperate to be rescued, I come empty to be filled; I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb, and I’m welcomed with open arms, praise God, just as I am

Travis Cottrell “Just As I Am (I Come Broken to Be Mended)”

Just as I am, without one plea [Ephesians 2:8–9] But that Thy blood was shed for me [Ephesians 1:7] And that Thou bidst me come to Thee [Matthew 11:28–30] O Lamb of God, I come, I come [John 1:29] Just as I am, and waiting not [2 Peter 3:9] To rid my soul of one dark blot [Psalm 51:1–2] To Thee …

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Genesis 7–9: The Flood, a Covenant, and a Curse

Many people, think that there were only two of each kind of animal aboard, but there were 14 (seven pairs) of the clean animals. At this time the Levitical law hadn’t been given, so perhaps God revealed it to Noah here (and the details were omitted for brevity), or perhaps it could have been …

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Genesis 4–6: Cain, Abel, and Pre-Flood

The problem wasn’t that Cain brought a non-animal offering, but that he just brought “an offering” of what he had, while Abel brought from the first and best of what he had. God told Cain that if he would just bring God his first and best, his offering would be accepted, but if he chose to leave …

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Genesis 1–3: Creation and the Fall

“In the beginning God…” Right off the bat, there is God…without origin, without explaining why we should believe He exists, just “here He Is, before anything else.” While it may seem at first that there could be some undefined amount of time between the first verse’s, “God created the heavens and …

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Pray About Reading the Bible in a Year

It only takes 15 minutes per day (1% of the day) to read through the Bible in a year. I realize that it’s not about volume but about what you get out of it, but I encourage you, as we celebrate the coming of a new year, to use this opportunity to immerse yourself in God’s Word. If God leads you to …

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Casting Crowns “Slow Fade”

This song has always hit home for me. Most people don’t just make a 90 turn from going the right direction, it’s the little choices you make daily that veer you off the path. You don’t always get to choose what you see or hear, but you choose what you look at, listen to, and absorb. Be careful …

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The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:11–15 (NASB) [11] “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. [12] “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. [13] “Those on the rocky *soil are* those who, when they …

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Thy Will Be Done

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, “Thy will be done.” —C.S. Lewis Zechariah 7:11 (NASB) “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. Zechariah 7:11a Lit …

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All of Creation Is Eagerly Waiting

Romans 8:19–22 (NASB) [19] For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. [20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery …

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Remembrance Through Communion

Usually when people do communion (the Lord’s Supper), they either have a wafer, a small square of cracker bread, or people tear off a piece of normal bread. In Jewish culture, they use matzo (or matzah) bread (which is pretty much an over-sized cracker that’s about 4”–6” on either side). They …

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Kutless “Mary Did You Know?”

Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you… Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give …

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Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

Matthew 2:11 (NASB) “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Melchior: “Gold for the King of Kings.” Balthasar: “Frankincense …

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Praying for a Hedge of Protection

Job 1:6–12 (NASB) [6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. [7] The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” [8] …

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Keep Seeking Him and You Will Find Him

Jeremiah 29:11–14 (NASB) [11] ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. [12] ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. [13] ‘You will seek Me and find *Me* when you …

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No One Knows but the Father

Matthew 24:35–39 (NASB) [35] “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. [36] “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. [37] “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. [38] “For as in …

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All Desires Were Godly Desires

Every desire you have started out as a God-given desire, but many have been twisted and mangled as we’ve turned them from being fulfilled in God or fulfilled in God’s way to being band-aided with our own, sinful means and empty promises from Satan. Life has no meaning without purpose. Just as …

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The Holy Spirit: A Promise and a Pledge

1 John 2:19–20 (NASB) [19] They went out from us, but they were not *really* of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but *they went out,* so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. [20] But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 1 John …

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Advocate and Propitiation

1 John 2:1–2 (NASB) [1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; [2] and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for *those of* the whole …

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Why Do You Call Me Lord?

Luke 6:46–49 (NASB) [46] “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? [47] “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood …

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Kutless “Even If (The Healing Doesn’t Come)”

Sometimes all we have to hold on to Is what we know is true of who You are So when the heartache hits like a hurricane That could never change who You are And we trust in who You are Even if the healing doesn’t come And life falls apart And dreams are still undone You are God You are good Forever …

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Broken People Act Broken But Are Still Responsible

It pains me to see people commit senseless crimes, especially ones involving children. While we can say that “they’re in a better place this Christmas”, my heart goes out the families of these children. To be so close to Christmas…to go home and see their presents under the tree…a time of …

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The Massiveness of His Love

Ephesians 3:14–21 (NLT) [14] When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, [15] the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. [16] I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. …

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Do You Love Jesus?

John 21:15–17 (NASB) [15] So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said* to Simon Peter, “Simon, *son* of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said* to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said* to him, “Tend My lambs.” [16] He said* to him again a second time, “Simon, *son* of …

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Lord, Bring Your Healing

Some time ago, I’d started writing a song. At the time, my grandmother was in the hospital on her death bed and my wife was at one of her lowest points from chronic Lyme disease. In that part of my life, God was teaching me a hard lesson: that we pray to and praise the All-Knowing, All-Powerful, …

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Dealing with Death

Intellectually, we can know that people “broke” the world by choosing what we want instead of God (sin), but Christ will renew it again. Those who put our trust in His saving power will be brought back to life (resurrected), never to die again, He’ll wipe away all our tears, and live with God for …

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MercyMe “Homesick”

You’re in a better place, I’ve heard a thousand times And at least a thousand times I’ve rejoiced for you But the reason why I’m broken, the reason why I cry Is how long must I wait to be with you I close my eyes and I see your face If home’s where my heart is then I’m out of place Lord, won’t You …

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Jericho March “Where’s Your Faith?”

Jericho March is taking it to the stage with this completely original Christian rock song entitled “Where’s Your Faith?” They unashamedly bring the Gospel to the world and challenge believers to check what they’re truly placing their faith in. You say, “We need survival!” Always asking for revival …

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From Creator to Baby to Sacrifice and High Priest

From Creator to helpless Baby to Sacrifice and High Priest, so that we can spend eternity with God! Colossians 1:16 (NASB) For by Him all things were created, *both* in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been …

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The Case for Christmas

Lee Strobel was an atheist journalist married to agnostic wife who recently converted to Christianity. So he wanted to use his journalistic powers to “get to the bottom of this Jesus” spoken of in the Bible (with all intention of disproving Him). After much research and consulting with experts …

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One Percent Workout

Arnold Schwarzenegger (“actor”, Terminator, Governator) recently started a campaign for fitness called the 1% workout. Basically, 1% of your day is 15 minutes, so he’s saying that it’s better to give a single percentage of your time to your physical fitness than it is to not do anything about it. …

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Stories Behind Christmas Traditions

If you’re like me and wonder how the symbols of Christmas came to be Christmas tradition and what they actually have to do with Christ, you should check out *Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas* by Ace Collins. You might even pick up some traditions you didn’t know about. Here’s a …

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Written for the Generation to Come

Ever since I saw this verse, I’ve thought of it as one of the main reasons we have the Bible. Psalm 102:18 (NASB) This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. Psalm 102:18a Or *Let this be written*Psalm 102:18b Or *And*Psalm 102:18c Or …

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Christians Aren’t Dumb

Anyone who thinks that Christians are dumb obviously have never read works from John Piper, Hank Hanegraaff (Bible Answer Man), Charles Stanley, Wayne Grudem, C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, Martin Luther, Irenaeus, John Foxe, Eusebius Pamphili, or The Bible (Hebrews and Romans come to mind …

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Words Bring Life or Death

Proverbs 18:20–21 (NLT) [20] Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person’s lips bring satisfaction. [21] Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life. Proverbs 15:4 (NLT) Gentle words bring life and health; a …

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The Unforgivable Sin

Many people feel that they can’t come (back) to Christ because they’ve “committed the unforgivable sin.” People think that this sin is undefined or is one of the many sins they have done. This is a lie from Satan. So where does the concept of “unforgivable sin” come from? Jesus said in Mark …

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Fallen from Grace

Many people like to use the term “fallen from grace” to refer to those who have “fallen away from God” by becoming “willfully disobedient” or “committing the unforgivable sin.” So what does “fallen from grace” really mean? Galatians 5:4–5 (NASB) [4] You have been severed from Christ, you who are …

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Saved by a Father’s Kindness and His Son’s Work

Job 15:14–16 (NASB) [14] “What is man, that he should be pure, Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? [15] “Behold, He puts no trust in His holy ones, And the heavens are not pure in His sight; [16] How much less one who is detestable and corrupt, Man, who drinks iniquity like …

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I Am the First and the Last

Isaiah 44:6 (NASB) Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I AM the First and I AM the Last, and there is no God besides Me.” Revelation 22:12–13 (NASB) [12] “Behold, I AM coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has …

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Behold, I Am Making All Things Renewed

2 Peter 3:10–13 (NASB) [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. [11] Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of …

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Human Hands Can’t Serve His Needs

Acts 17:24–28 (NLT) [24] “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, [25] and human hands can’t serve his needs-for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need …

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Wake Up, My Soul!

Psalm 108:1–6 (NLT) [1] My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my soul! [2] Wake up, O harp and lyre! I will waken the dawn with my song. [3] I will thank you, LORD, in front of all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. [4] For your …

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Step Away and Connect with God

As we dive face-first into the busiest time of year, don’t forget to step away from the busyness and into your prayer closet for some quiet time with God.Mark 1:35 (NASB) In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left *the house,* and went away to a secluded place, and was …

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Love, Bless, Pray, and Give Thanks

Luke 6:27–28 (ESV) “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” The holidays are a great time for bringing people together that don’t get to see each other often enough. They are also a time of bringing …

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God is Good…All the Time

While this book does tackle what scripture says about Hell, it doesn’t leave it without addressing the practical concerns. Years ago, I came across an article entitled “Two Minutes to Eternity” by Marshall Shelley, one of the editors of Christianity Today at the time. In the article, Marshall …

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Through the Veil

Hebrews 10:19–22 (NASB) [19] Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, [21] and since *we have* a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw …

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Fading Glory of the Old Covenant

In reading Exodus 34:28–35, we find that Moses went atop Mount Sinai to write down the Ten Commandments of the old covenant. Having spent 40 days face-to-face talking with God, “the skin of his face shone”, scaring everyone. After coaxing them to come closer, he told them “everything that the LORD …

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Kristian Stanfill “Always”

My foes are many, they rise against me [Psalm 3:1–4] But I will hold my ground [Ephesians 6:10–11] I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm [Psalm 27:1–3] My help is on the way, my help is on the way [2 Kings 6:15–17] Oh, my God, He will not delay [Deuteronomy 4:7] My refuge and strength …

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Proper Discipline is a Blessing

Ecclesiastes 8:11 (NLT) When a crime is not punished, people feel it is safe to do wrong. How true is this statement today?!? People walk around doing things without respect for others, or even themselves. No punishment…not even accountability… Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV) but exhort one another daily, …

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Dealing with Despair

When you feel oppressed by Satan, or when you sense a spirit of heaviness that inspires you to despair, then offer focused praise to the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, who is enthroned on the praises of His people. Your praise will serve both to glorify the LORD and to vex and oppress the …

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The Right Place at the Right Time

Two seemingly unrelated verses that are very much related… Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NLT) I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not …

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New Life Worship “Great I Am”

I wanna be close, close to Your side [Psalm 16:8–9] So Heaven is real and death is a lie [2 Corinthians 5:1–4] I want to hear voices of angels above, singing as one [Revelation 19:1–3] Hallelujah, holy, holy; God Almighty, the Great I AM [Isaiah 6:2–3] Who is worthy, none beside Thee [Revelation …

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Work for the Lord, Not People or Wealth

Colossians 3:23 (NLT) Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Interestingly, it literally says, “work from the soul.” I’d always taken this verse as, “Don’t let the focus of your work be to make your boss happy, but work …

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Serve Someone Today

Several times, while praying about what to write for this daily devotional, I’m told, “you must serve your wife, before you can serve Mine.” So many times in today’s world, church leaders and laypeople neglect their families and household responsibilities. If you’re married, serve your spouse …

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How to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

Romans 14:5–6 (NASB) [5] One person regards one day above another, another regards every day *alike.* Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. [6] He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, …

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Work Out Your Own Salvation

Philippians 2:12–13 (NASB) [12] So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; [13] for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for *His* good pleasure. Every …

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Phillips, Craig, and Dean “You Are God Alone”

You are not a god created by human hands [2 Kings 19:17–19] You are not a god dependent on any mortal man [Acts 7:48–50] You are not a god in need of anything we can give [Acts 17:24–25] By Your plan, that’s just the way it is [Psalm 115:3–8] You are God alone, from before time began [Genesis …

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Matt Redman “Blessed Be Your Name”

Blessed be Your Name in the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your Name Blessed be Your Name, when I’m found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your Name Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise When the darkness …

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No Longer Me, but Sin Within Me

Romans 7:15–20 (NASB) [15] For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I *would* like to *do,* but I am doing the very thing I hate. [16] But if I do the very thing I do not want *to do,* I agree with the Law, *confessing* that the Law is good. [17] So now, no longer am …

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Be Holy for I Am Holy

God keeps reminding me of His holiness. His sovereignty says, “I can do whatever I want,” but His holiness says, “whatever I do is the right thing, regardless of whether or not you agree.” 1 Peter 1:13–16 (NASB) [13] Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober *in spirit,* fix your hope …

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Matt Redman “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”

Bless the LORD oh my soul, oh my soul [Psalm 103:1] Worship His holy Name [Psalm 86:9] Sing like never before, oh my soul [Psalm 66:4] I’ll worship Your holy Name [Psalm 138:2] The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning [Lamentations 3:22–23] It’s time to sing your song again [Psalm 59:16] What ever …

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In Your Strength I Can Crush an Army

Psalm 18:29–31 (NLT) [29] In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. [30] As for God, his way is perfect. All the LORD’S promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. [31] For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?

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Love the Sinner, but Hate the Sin

Jude 1:21–23 (NASB) [21] keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. [22] And have mercy on some, who are doubting; [23] save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted …

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Test to See If the Spirits Are from God

While seeking God’s direction, it can be difficult to distinguish between what God and His angels are telling us and what Satan and his demons are telling us, especially since “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” John gave us a quick way to test whether or not the spirit talking to us …

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The Unrighteous, Sanctified and Justified

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (NASB) [9] Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, [10] nor thieves, nor *the* covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, …

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No Better Than Animals

People in general like to think of themselves as “evolved”. We think that we are better than animals and each other. We think that we know what’s best for ourselves (and each other). Ecclesiastes 3:17–18 (NLT) [17] I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for …

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Psalm 121: “The Travelers’ Psalm”

As I venture out over the next day or two on a work trip, I thought it might be nice to share “The Travelers’ Psalm” Psalm 121 (NLT) [1] I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there? [2] My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! [3] He will not let you stumble and …

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Plumb “Need You Now (How Many Times)”

Well, everybody’s got a story to tell [2 Corinthians 3:3] And everybody’s got a wound to be healed [Matthew 5:44–45] I want to believe there’s beauty here [Psalm 27:4] So, I guess you’re tired of holding on [Psalm 73:23–24] I can’t let go, I can’t move on [Psalm 55:4–6] I want to believe there’s …

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Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

The iris of our eyes automatically adjust when going from lighter and darker areas. In cameras you have to set several settings to get a proper exposure and adjust them anytime something changes. Cameras do have an automatic mode, but it’s not always accurate…making pictures over or under exposed. …

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Thoughts from Solomon on “The American Dream”

Some thoughts from Solomon on “The American Dream”… Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 (NLT) [1] I said to myself, “Come now, let’s give pleasure a try. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. [2] “It is silly to be laughing all the time,” I said. “What good does …

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God’s Wisdom Revealed Through His Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:7–12 (NLT) [7] No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. [8] But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious …

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Wisdom, Understanding, and Discernment

James 1:5 (NASB) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 Lit *does not reproach* Proverbs 2:2–9 (NASB) [2] Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; [3] For if you cry …

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Agonizing, Fervent Prayer

Luke 22:41–44 (NASB) [41] And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and *began* to pray, [42] saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” [43] Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. [44] And being …

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Distractions and Focus 5 – Use the World But Not Fully

This is part five of the series on distractions: use the world but not fully. This is the final part in the series, so be sure to check out the other parts. 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 (NASB) [29] But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be …

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Distractions and Focus 4 – Possessions

This is part four of the series on distractions: buy but do not possess. 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 (NASB) [29] But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; [30] and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and …

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Distractions and Focus 3 – Rejoicing

This is part three of the series on distractions: rejoicing. Be sure to check out yesterday’s post on weeping if you haven’t already. 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 (NASB) [29] But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; …

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Distractions and Focus 2 – Weeping

This is part two of the series on distractions: weeping. Be sure to check out yesterday’s post on marriage if you haven’t already. 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 (NASB) [29] But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; …

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Distractions and Focus 1 – Married vs. Single

1 Corinthians 7:29–31 (NASB) [29] But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; [30] and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as …

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Be Faithful Now

Pretty much every time I ask God what He wants me to do, His answer is, “Be faithful where I currently have you, with what I’ve already given to you, and in what I’ve already asked of you.” Luke 16:10–12 (NASB) [10] “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is …

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Brandon Heath “Give Me Your Eyes”

Looked down from a broken sky, traced out by the city lights My world from a mile high, best seat in the house tonight [Psalm 119:37] Touched down on the cold black top, hold on for the sudden stop Breathe in the familiar shock, of confusion and chaos [James 3:16] All those people going somewhere, …

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If the Lord Is God, Follow Him

Colossians 3:2–5 (NASB) [2] Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. [3] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. [5] Therefore consider the members …

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Without Resurrection, Your Faith Is Worthless

Many only preach or witness about the blood and the death of Christ. As important as this is, there is more to the Good News than Christ dying in our place. 1 Corinthians 15:16–19 (NASB) [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; [17] and if Christ has not been raised, …

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Give to Whomever Asks

Matthew 5:42 (NASB) “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. This may seem like it’s saying, “give whatever is asked of you to whomever asks it”, but it’s not. If you really think about it, this isn’t even how God works. He is not a vending machine …

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You Have Collected All My Tears

Psalm 56:8–11 (NLT) [8] You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. [9] On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. [10] O God, I praise your word. Yes, LORD, I …

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The Defiled Made Clean Again

Psalm 18:25–26 (NLT) [25] To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. [26] To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. At first glance, this may seem like God is putting on different faces for different people. In …

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What You Meant for Evil, God Meant for Good

Romans 8:28 (NASB) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to *His* purpose. Romans 8:28 One early ms reads *all things work together for good* In the trenches of life, this verse often comes up. Sometimes it offers …

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Right in Our Own Eyes

Judges 21:25 (NASB) In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. In this age of relative truth (i.e., “what’s true for you isn’t necessarily true for me”), people are doing whatever they think is right by their own standards. While we do have rulers, many …

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Who Is God’s Equal?

Often, amazing verses get overshadowed by more popular ones. Isaiah 40:25–31 (NLT) [25] “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. [26] Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name. And he counts them to …

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Precepts, Promises, and the Impossible Made Possible

Sometimes God asks us to do the impossible, because through Him, all things are possible. Meanwhile it is to be noted that the whole Scripture of God is divided into two parts: precepts and promises. The precepts certainly teach us what is good, but what they teach is not forthwith done. For they …

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Rejoice to Endure

The Greek word translated “[strongs id="g5463"]hail[/strongs]” is the same word that’s translated as “[strongs id="g5463"]rejoice[/strongs].” While it wasn’t uncommon to use it as a greeting, it does make some verses very sobering. For example, Judas led a mob to Jesus, then said, “Rejoice, …

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God’s Will for Your Life

Being one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, you’ve probably heard (and maybe said) this verse many times over the years. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NASB) [16] Rejoice always; [17] pray without ceasing; [18] in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I don’t know …

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Here Is the King You Have Chosen

Many people don’t like their current ruler, and those who are fortunate enough to have the ability to vote often feel like they are “picking the lesser of two evils”. Romans 13:1 (NASB) Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and …

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Allergic to Mornings

Mark 1:35 (NASB) In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left *the house,* and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. I’m not a morning person at all, so it’s been an interesting challenge getting up and working out these devotionals before work. I’ve tried …

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Moving Toward the Frontlines

**Johann von Staupitz:** What is it you seek, Aleander? **Girolamo Aleander:** To serve God. To serve Him with all my heart. **Johann von Staupitz:** And that is how you will be tempted. —Luther (a movie that I highly recommend) When choosing to pursue God, we have visions of the heavens opening, …

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A Test of Faith or a Growth Opportunity?

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly come across unbelievers that have all the questions to test your faith. While it’s easy to write them off as “un-ready soil”, remember that it’s our responsibility to throw the seed in hopes that they “may come to their senses …

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Does the Bible Condone Slavery?!?

Many people reading through the Bible have often wondered why it doesn’t speak out against slavery. In fact, it almost seems okay with it, even in the New Testament! As with many confusing Bible passages, cultural differences (and verses out of context) are the cause of confusion. Slavery in our …

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Phil Wickham “Grace”

The sky is gray and the light is far [Job 3:9] The sea is a rage within my heart [Psalm 143:4] I turn my sight to the crashing waves [2 Samuel 22:5–6] I cry in the night just to be saved [Psalm 88:1–2] I need Eyes to be my guide [John 16:13] I need a Voice that’s louder than mine [Psalm 29] I need …

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No Other god Has Done This

Many will remember from the Great Commission that Jesus said, “I AM with you always, even to the end of the age.” And in Hebrews, we’re reminded that God said “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” Check out this verse from Isaiah: Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) When you go through deep waters …

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“The Sunrise from on High will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” Luke 1:78b–79 (NASB)

Sunrise from on High

Luke 1:78–79 (NASB) [78] Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, [79] To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

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People Love Darkness Rather Than Light

Since I work on computers all day, I work with my office light off (it’s easier on my eyes). When I step out of my office into the well lit areas, I almost always notice how dirty my glasses are. I often wonder how I could function with them being so dirty and how I didn’t notice beforehand. John …

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All Things Through Christ

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NU-Text reads *Him who.* Many people who read this think, “I can do whatever I want since I have Jesus.” The word translated “strengthen” (G1743, endunadmoo, en-doo-am-o’-o) literally means “empower”. …

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Yard Work

Genesis 1:17–18 (NASB) [17] God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, [18] and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:17 Or *firmament*Genesis 1:18 Lit *for the dominion of* We have a …

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Jim Munroe “I Am Second”

This whole video is great, be sure to check it out! Learning how to become a magician, I’ve developed a skepticism. … If I was going to believe in this God, if I was going to believe in the Bible, if I was going to acknowledge who ultimately the Bible points to, which is Jesus, if I was going to …

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If You Love Me…

John 14:15 (NASB) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. At first glance, this will seem like a very controlling statement, like youthful peer pressure or a controlling spouse. It is not saying, “If you REALLY loved me, you would do this for ME.” Instead, it’s saying, “When you truly …

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A New Commandment

John 13:34–35 (NASB) [34] “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. [35] “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” At first reading you might think, “New commandment? How is …

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The Greatest Commandment

Whenever a lawyer (an expert in the Old Testament Law) asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, he was essentially asking Him, “What’s the one thing I can do for God so I can forget about the rest?” Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, …

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Meredith Andrews “In Your Arms”

I’m turning the world off, embracing the silence [Psalm 62:1] Walking away from all the voices that are screaming in my ear [Psalm 46:10] I’ve been too caught up, I’ve been so stressed out [Matthew 6:31–34] All of the noise replaced the whisper that used to be so clear [1 Kings 19:11–12] So I …

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Giving to the Owner

Luke 20:22–25 (NKJV) [22] Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” [23] But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, ”Why do you test Me? [24] Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” [25] And He said to them, “Render …

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Love and Respect

The biggest reasons married couples go to counseling, end up in adulterous relationships, and/or end up getting divorced is that the woman doesn’t feel loved or understood and the man doesn’t feel respected. Ephesians 5:25–26 (NASB) [25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the …

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Indiscernibly Discerning

1 Corinthians 2:14–15 (NASB) [14] But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. [15] But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 1 …

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There Were Two Trees in the Garden

One of my favorite books outside of the Bible is “There Were Two Trees in the Garden” by Rick Joyner. In midst of the garden of Eden there were two trees: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life. The premise of the book is “first in the natural, then the spiritual”, so …

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Why Bother Praying?

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably argued with yourself about prayer…especially during a difficult situation. “I want to pray, but I don’t know God’s will in this situation. I’ll just pray for God’s will to be done then. But He knows what I’m thinking and He’ll do what He wants anyway, so …

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Creation Points to the Creator

Romans 1:20 (NLT) From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. If you want to believe that 14 billion years ago …

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Be Still and Know

Psalm 46:10 (NASB) “Cease *striving* and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10a Or *Let go, relax*Psalm 46:10b Or *Gentiles* I always hear this passage as, “be still, and know that I Am God” (KJV/NIV) and the New Living Translation …

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Hillsong “Hosanna”

The only way for a hardened heart to be made soft again is for it to be shattered. I see the King of Glory Coming on the clouds with fire The whole earth shakes I see His love and mercy Washing over all our sin The people sing Hosanna Hosanna in the Highest I see a generation Rising up to take …

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Why “Equip God’s People”?

This ministry exists to “equip God’s people.” Not to fill our heads with knowledge, “but the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Because “knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” My hope and prayer is that these devotionals will churn …

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Whom Have I in Heaven but You?

I can never get enough of this passage… Psalm 73:21–26 (NLT) [21] Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. [22] I was so foolish and ignorant-I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. [23] Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. …

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Making a Defense

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 (NASB) [1] And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. [2] For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. [3] I was with you in weakness and in fear and in …

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More Than You Can Handle

Maybe it’s just semantics, but it’s a pet peeve of mine when people say, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” While it’s true that God won’t allow us to be “tempted beyond what we’re able…to endure” and that Christ’s “yoke is easy and His burden is light,” but God allows us to be …

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Infinite vs. Infinitesimal

Genesis 1:1 (NASB) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. It’s so easy to get lost in the scale of things. Okay, God created the heavens and the earth, awesome! But what that means is that He created every star and galaxy in the universe. Current scientific estimates say that …

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Saved FOR (not BY) Good Works

Ephesians 2:8–10 (NASB) [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, *it is* the gift of God; [9] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we …

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Ambassadors for Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. An ambassador is a diplomatic representative of a foreign government or country often appointed for a temporary assignment. “Our …

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Lord of Your Life

The word “lord” means “one possessing great power; to exercise authority over, restrain, regulate, and direct.” Therefore, whatever rules over (i.e. controls) is lord. Money, career, possessions, loved ones, time, fitness, and religion are just a few examples of what can be lord of one’s life. It …

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But Lord…

“But, Lord …” is an oxymoron isn’t it? It’s a contradiction in terms, because if Jesus is Lord, then we say, “Yes, Sir,” not, “But, Lord.” —Anne Graham Lotz, Why? Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

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The Devil is preaching the song of the redeemed, that I am cursed and gone astray; singing the first verse so conveniently. He’s forgotten the refrain … Jesus saves!

Shane & Shane “Embracing Accusation”

The Father of Lies, coming to steal, kill, and destroy All my hopes of being good enough I hear him saying, “Cursed are the ones who can’t abide” He’s right… Alleluia! He’s right! [John 8:44; John 10:10; Galatians 3:10] The Devil is preaching the song of the redeemed That I am cursed and gone …

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If Your Brother Sins…

Matthew 7:4–5 (NASB) [4] “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? [5] “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:4 Lit …

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Forgiven Much, Loves Much

Luke 7:34, 36, 39 (NASB) [34] “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ [36] Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined *at the …

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Order and Variety

The tendency in this world is to be frustrated with how things are going, seek God, see Him move, and then to repeat exact same actions we did when He moved that one time. John 3:8 (NASB) “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it …

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Joe Sabolick “Come Just as You Are”

Come just as you are Hear the Spirit call Come just as you are Come and see Come receive Come and live forever Life everlasting Strength for today Taste the living water And never thirst again Come and see Come receive Come and live forever Come just as you are Don’t you hear the Spirit call? Come …

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The Still, Small Voice in a Noisy World

Satan and his minions pull us in every direction, the lost and broken world pulls us in every direction, our heart and mind (the flesh) pull us in every direction…but God is the “still, small voice” that beckons us to Him because He “isn’t a God of disorder, but peace!” Psalm 119:133 (KJV) Order …

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Spiritual Renovation

Some people think that when you become a Christian, that you “have it all together,” but here’s what really happens… Our spiritual (inner) man was dead in sin, but upon conversion, was quickened (made alive) with Christ by the Spirit. Now, “though our outer man [i.e., our body] is decaying, yet …

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Messianic Prophecies

Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. The New Testament often states that He fulfilled one of those prophesies, but doesn’t always say that or where it was prophesied. Check out a list of many of those Old Testament Messianic prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment: Prophecy …

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Led by the Spirit

Hearts turn to and fro, following fleshly desires, your treasure, and fickle emotions. Don’t FOLLOW your heart, be LED by the Spirit!

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His Mercies Begin Afresh Each Day

Lamentations 3:18–32 (NLT) [18] I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!” [19] The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. [20] I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. [21] Yet I still dare to hope when I …

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Do Whatever We Ask

I listen to The Word of Promise NKJV Audio Bible (which I highly recommend BTW) on my way to work and a verse came on that made me bust out laughing. Mark 10:35 (NKJV) Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” Perhaps it …

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Casting Crowns “Love Them Like Jesus”

The love of her life is drifting away They’re losing the fight for another day The life that she’s known is falling apart A fatherless home, a child’s broken heart You’re holding her hand, you’re straining for words You trying to make sense of it all She’s desperate for hope, darkness clouding her …

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Salt Is Pungent

It is as true in 2012 as it was 1520… The ears of our generation have been made so delicate by the senseless multitude of flatterers that, as soon as we perceive that anything of ours is not approved of, we cry out that we are being bitterly assailed; and then we can repel the truth by no other …

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A Good Steward

Luke 12:22–34 (NLT) [22] Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. [23] For life consists of far more than food and clothing. [24] Look at the ravens. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put …

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A New Creation 4: Loving Others

This is part four of the series on “The Renewal of a New Creation.” If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the last post in the series: “Living the New Life.” I. It is by our love that we are known John 13:34–35 (NLT) [34] So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I …

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A New Creation 3: Living the New Life

This is part three of the series on “The Renewal of a New Creation.” If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the last post in the series: “Go, Sin No More.” I. Out with the old, in with the new Ephesians 4:17–32 (NLT) [17] With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the …

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A New Creation 2: Go, Sin No More

This is part two of the series on “The Renewal of a New Creation.” If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the last post in the series: “Forgiven.” Introduction Have you ever felt powerless to sin? Have you wondered why you keep on sinning? I. We are not to sin John 5 records Jesus healing a …

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A New Creation 1: Forgiven

This is part one of the series on “The Renewal of a New Creation.” Be sure to check out the upcoming posts in the series. I. We are forgiven by God through Christ A pitiful, sickly, and self-centered kind of prayer and a determined effort and selfish desire to be right with God are never found in …

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Christian Perspective on Death

It REALLY hurts to see a close friend or relative die. It spurs something deep inside you that says, “It’s not supposed to be like this… One minute my world was ‘normal’ and the next…unbearable…” Things like this make everything else seem…small…and…insignificant… You may get angry with …

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Rejoice! God Is in Control

Romans 5:3–5 (NLT) [3] We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. [4] And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. [5] And this expectation …

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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Think of some things that cause stress in your life. When you come up with several, write them as if around a circle. When done, write “Jesus” in bold in the center of the circle. Focus your vision on the word “Jesus” and notice what happens to all the other words. Luke 22:41–44 (NLT) [41] He …

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Keeping a Clear Conscience

1 Timothy 1:5–20 (NLT) [5] The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. [6] But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time …

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Children of Light

Ephesians 5:1–20 (NLT) [1] Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice …

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The Law of Liberty

James 1:19–27 (NLT) [19] Dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. [20] Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight. [21] So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is …

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He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

John 3:26–30 (NLT) [26] John’s disciples came to him and said, “Teacher, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you said was the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going over there instead of coming here to us.” [27] John replied, “God in heaven appoints …

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The Cross We Bear

I. Unbelievers are under the unbearable yoke of the Law Acts 15:4–11 (NASB) [4] When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. [5] But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, …

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Lord of Your Life

Luke 6:46–49 (NASB) [46] “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? [47] “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood …

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“This is the message from the One who has the Sevenfold Spirit of God.” Revelation 3:1 (NLT)

The Sevenfold Spirit of God

Where does this concept come from? In the book of Revelation, the term “seven spirits of God” or “sevenfold Spirit of God” is mentioned several times. Revelation 1:4–5 (NLT) [4] This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace from the one who is, who always …

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The Will of God

Commanded, forbidden, or free to choose The choices that we make from day to day involve only four kinds of things: Those concerning which God has said an emphatic “no.” Those about which He has said an equally emphatic “yes.” Those concerning which He wants us to consult our own sanctified …

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The Definition of God

Finite but united The definition of God is something sought after by generations past and generations to come. The most used excuse for our lack of knowledge of God is limitations of humans. “There is only so much that the human mind can hold or handle.” Due to the boundaries of our cerebra, we …

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Marriage 4: The Covenant of Husband and Wife

Marriage is a covenant The Bible refers to marriage as a “covenant before God.” (Malachi 2:14) The word translated as “covenant” (H1285) in the Old Testament comes from the word meaning “to cut.” This is a reference to how covenants were made during that time. Clean animals were cut in two parts, …

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Marriage 3: The Counterpart

Suitable helper Genesis 2:18–24 (NASB) [18] Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” [19] Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought *them* to the man to see what he would …

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Marriage 2: A Christ-Like Love

Ephesians 5:22–33 (NKJV) [22] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. [24] Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in …

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Marriage 1: God’s Original Intent

God’s Original Intent Genesis 1:26–27 (NASB) [26] Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” …

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