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Christian Devotional – October 27, 2016
Read 1 Timothy chapter 4 VERSE: 1 Timothy 4:15–Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. TRUTH: When we are working on something, often the tendency is to keep it to ourselves until we’ve perfected it. However, this verse is explaining that people need to see our work in progress. They need to see our struggling with what to do next and how to address things. It can be difficult to open ourselves up to that level of vulnerability, but people are drawn to people who are genuine, not people who are perfect. Will we allow others to see our progress?…
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Christian Devotional – October 26, 2016
Read 1 Timothy chapter 3 VERSE: 1 Timothy 3:10–They must first be tested and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. TRUTH: Before we can be truly committed to service, we must first be tested. The church was to test and try those who wanted to serve in the church to ensure that they were truly people of their word and people who desired God above all else. Many of us want to serve and to be seen as “great” when we are around other Christians or in churches. How would we fair if our motives were tested before we were allowed to serve? VERSE:…
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Christian Devotional – October 25, 2016
Read 1 Timothy chapter 2 VERSE: 1 Timothy 2:4–who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. TRUTH: God desires to see everyone come to salvation. God has enough grace for everyone who will turn to Him and acknowledge Him as Lord. For that to happen, people must come to a knowledge of the truth of who God is and what God has done for us. When we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and we commit ourselves to Him, we will experience His grace and forgiveness. We will be saved. But, people must understand that they need this in their lives…
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Christian Devotional – October 24, 2016
Read 1 Timothy chapter 1 VERSE: 1 Timothy 1:5–The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith. TRUTH: Paul had given a command. He had given very clear instruction on what the people who and shouldn’t be doing. However, instead of trying to divide the people, Paul is very clear that he wants to see greater love through His command. Paul knows that the only way people can truly have unity is if they are loving as Jesus Christ loves. Only through Jesus Christ can we have a pure heart. Only through Him is it possible…
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Christian Devotional – October 22, 2016
Read Titus chapter 3 VERSE: Titus 3:7–so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. TRUTH: Heirs is such a powerful word. We are not just someone who receives a little bit from God now. We are the heirs of all that He is. We can know that our relationship with God is so ironclad that we will continue to receive from Him over and over again. Because of God’s grace, He has made us right with Him. RESPONSE: Father, I praise You for all that You are doing. Thank You for making me right with You by Your grace and…
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Christian Devotional – October 21, 2016
Read Titus chapter 2 VERSE: Titus 2:14–who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. TRUTH: Jesus Christ gave himself to redeem us. We were in a horrible state of wickedness and sin and yet Jesus Christ still came to provide us a way back. Through His sacrifice we can be made right with God and purified from our wickedness. When we accept Him and surrender our life to Him, we are His children. We become His people. Have we accepted the redemption that God offers through Jesus Christ? Are…
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Christian Devotional – October 20, 2016
Read Titus 1:16–They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for anything good. TRUTH: Words and actions go together. Here, Paul is warning Titus against people who talk a good talk, but then whose actions fail to deliver. Often, many people will say whatever they think they need to say to please someone. However, we must also line up people’s actions next to their words and confirm that they are actually doing what they are saying. Otherwise, they are unfit for anything good. Will my words and actions match up today? RESPONSE: Father, I desire that my words and action…
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Christian Devotional – October 19, 2016
Read Daniel chapter 12 VERSE: Daniel 12:3–Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever. TRUTH: How do we define being wise? What does wisdom look like? This verse answers both of those questions, but not in the way we would expect. Wisdom is equated with leading others to righteousness. We can only be truly wise if we are leading and directing others toward the source of wisdom. That is what will endure and that is what will last. Those are the people who will shine like stars. Are we being wise in…
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Christian Devotional – October 18, 2016
Read Daniel chapter 11 VERSE: Daniel 11:35–Some of the wise may stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. TRUTH: No one likes to stumble. No one likes to misstep or to fall, yet Daniel received a prophecy here in this chapter which explains that even the wise will stumble. But, the important issue with stumbling is to decide what to do once you’re laying on the ground. For the people that God references here, they will use this as an opportunity to grow and learn and become more and more like…
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Christian Devotional – October 17, 2016
Read Daniel chapter 10 VERSE: Daniel 10:12–Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” TRUTH: Daniel was seeking after God and the Truth from God. So God answered Daniel. When we are earnestly seeking after God’s will in our lives and desiring to know and understand truth, we can be assured that God will work and move in our lives to reveal Himself to us. The question is, are we truly and diligently seeking after God? RESPONSE: Father, I…