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Christian Devotional – November 30, 2015
Read James chapter 5 VERSE: James 5:1–Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. TRUTH: Starting a new chapter now, James is going to move into talking about how people who have trusted in their wealth are experiencing misery. This isn’t usually what we think of when we picture rich people. We must change our perception of what it means to be successful for riches and money aren’t the definition of success. While many people in the world would argue against this, as a believer in Christ, our relationship to Him and showing Him that we love Him daily through our…
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Christian Devotional – November 29, 2015
Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 417–If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin form them. TRUTH: Often we try to forget about this verse. But there it is, reminding us that if we know the right things to do in a situation, then we are to do them. If we choose not to do those things, then we are sinning. Sin is not just about doing something wrong, it is also about not doing something right. How often do we ignore the gentle promptings of the Spirit each day and fail to reach out and help those around us. What…
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Christian Devotional – November 28, 2015
Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 4:16–As it is, you boast in your arrogant scheme. All such boasting is evil. TRUTH: James has been talking about the foolishness of holding to our own plans when we don’t know what the Lord’s will has for us each day. This is the height of our arrogance when we feel that we can make our own plans and assume that everything will work out the way that we plan it. James reminds us that boasting on our own plans is not only the height of arrogance, but it is also evil as well. We Are we trusting in God’s plan for our lives…
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Christian Devotional – November 27, 2015
Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 4:15–Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” TRUTH: None of us know what tomorrow will bring. we can make all different kinds of plans and goals and one phone call can change absolutely everything. We must remember that our lives follow according to God’s plan for us and that we can have plans, but they must be in line with God’s plan for our lives and not just our own. Will we seek the Lord’s will and plan for our lives today? RESPONSE: Father, I will serve You and love You today.…
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Christian Devotional – November 26, 2015
For those of you in the United States – Happy Thanksgiving!! Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 4:13–Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. TRUTH: No matter whether we are a planner or not, we all have a tendency to look forward and have some idea of what we intend to have happen. However, as scripture here says, we can’t even predict what will happen tomorrow. Our life, for all that we try to think of it as, is simply a mist and a vapor that will be here for just…
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Christian Devotional – November 25, 2015
Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 4:13–Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” TRUTH: Are you a planner? I know I am. I love to work out the details of how ideas get done. However, God knows that I can get a little carried away sometimes and this verse starts a section of verses made directly for the planner. Many of us will often create elaborate plans detailing every little aspect of our life and we forget that we are ultimately not the one in control of our lives. God is.…
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Exciting News! – Piecing Together Forgiveness is Coming!
That’s right! The long awaited Bible Study over the book of Philemon is coming and will soon be available for pre-sale. Be watching for more information on ordering, but for now, here’s a bit about this upcoming book: Every one of us has either wronged another person or been wronged by someone else. Talking about forgiveness is great, but most people don’t know what forgiveness means or how to do it. Often our efforts end up looking like a pile of mismatched puzzle pieces leading to more questions than answers. What is forgiveness? How do we ask for forgiveness? How do we extend forgiveness to others? What about when people…
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Christian Devotional – November 24, 2015
Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 4:12–There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you–who are you to judge your neighbors? TRUTH: God created all things, so therefore, He is the only one who is able to judge all things. He made a way to save those who have accepted His gift of forgiveness and He will be the one to judge people. We are to simply hold to the truth that God has given us and to be focused on promoting that truth everywhere. We must realize that leading others to the truth is not judging them, but is leading…
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Christian Devotional – November 23, 2015
Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 4:11–Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. TRUTH: We’ve just been talking about the importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord. If we are truly humble, then we will be humbling ourselves before our fellow Christians as well. We are no better than any other Christian and we must remember that God loves all of us. How are we speaking about other people in our church? What words do…
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Christian Devotional – November 21, 2015
Read James chapter 4 VERSE: James 4:10–Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. TRUTH: Another statement that seems so contrary to the way we think. Go lower to go higher. However, God looks at our hearts. As we submit ourselves to Him and seek to honor Him, He will raise us up and trust us with greater and greater responsibility. At the end of the day, the truth comes down to this: if you want to get ahead, you must first come behind. Stop exalting yourself. Leave the exaltation up to God; He’s much better at it and His exaltation lasts much longer. RESPONSE: Father, I…