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Book Review – Divergent by Veronica Roth
I picked up the book Divergent after seeing a preview for the movie that is coming out next year. It looked interesting as the next in line for the Young Adult crowd, following in the footsteps of the Hunger Games and Twilight, so I thought I’d give the book a try. Beatrice has grown up as part of the selfless and serving faction of people for all of her life, but now that she has turned 16 she is required to take the test to help her know which faction she should commit to join for the rest of her life. In this world, there are 5 factions she can…
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Christian Devotional – January 6, 2014
Read Proverbs Chapter 6 VERSE: Proverbs 6:16–There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him. TRUTH: There are other verses in scripture that discuss how God is love, and He certainly is. However, He does not love everything. The Lord has several things that He does hate. The next few verses here indicate the list of seven things, but essentially, it all comes down to sin. God hates sin. Do we love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates? RESPONSE: Father I desire to love what You love and hate what You hate. I desire to love all people just as…
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Christian Devotional – January 5, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 5 VERSE: Proverbs 5:21–For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. TRUTH: No matter what we are doing, God sees it all. We do not hide our deeds from Him. He has a perfect and clear view of all that we do. Does He like what He sees? The Lord will examine every decision that we make; is He going to be pleased with our daily choices? RESPONSE: Father, I can’t hide anything from You. You see everything I do and examine the choices I make. I desire to please You in all that I do. Keep me as…
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Christian Devotional – January 4, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 4 VERSE: Proverbs 4:23–Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. TRUTH: This is so true! Throughout the day, situations will occur that will try to attack our heart and make us angry or sad or bitter. We must not allow our heart to be swayed from its focus on Jesus. Everything we do is an outflowing from our heart. If we are harboring bitterness and anger in our heart, then that is what will flow from our speech or our actions. The first place that Satan will attack is our heart because he knows if he can cause us to sin…
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Christian Devotional – January 3, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 3 VERSE: Proverbs 3:3–Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. TRUTH: Love and faithfulness are often quickly cast aside when we encounter trouble and difficulties. We start to assume that we must become selfish and trust in our own abilities to get out of situations instead of continuing to love people and trust in God. It requires discipline to continue to love and have faith in God in the midst of difficult situations. We must actively choose these things because they do not come naturally. What will we choose when we are faced with…
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Christian Devotional – January 2, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 2 VERSE: Proverbs 2:8–for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. TRUTH: Wisdom is from God and He bestows it on those who seek Him, but it’s not just wisdom He gives us. God also guards and protects the path of those who are following Him. Even when the path that God asks us to follow is difficult, He is there with us guarding and protecting us. Are we willing to go down whatever path He leads, knowing He will be with us and guard us the whole way? RESPONSE: Father, I will trust You and will follow the…
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Christian Devotional – January 1, 2014
Before we jump into the devotional for today, I wanted to offer you a challenge for the New Year. We are going to begin January going through the book of Proverbs. I want to encourage you to read through the entire chapter of Proverbs each day, not just the one verse here. To make it easier, I’ve provided a link to an online Bible. God has great wisdom in His Word for how to live our lives and it will make a great start to a blessed New Year. Read Proverbs Chapter 1 VERSE: Proverbs 1:7–The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and…
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Christian Devotional – January 1, 2015
Read Psalm chapter 1 VERSE: Psalm 1:2–but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. TRUTH: The person that this describes will be able to stand firm in the face of temptation. She will be prosperous. she will grow and improve. She will see success in all she does. As we start a new year, what are we looking for in the coming year? What are we resolved to see change about our life? We should start with our focus on God’s Word because as we delight in it and meditate on it, we will see everything else in our…
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Christian Devotional – December 31, 2013
VERSE: Titus 3:14–Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. TRUTH: What are we devoting ourselves to? What do we seek after and focus on? Paul indicates that as believers in Christ we are to devote ourselves to doing good. We are able to be productive and to help provide for the urgent and important needs around us. RESPONSE: Father, help me today to see the good things that You have done and have provided for me to be a part of. You have things planned for me and I don’t want to miss anything. I…
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Christian Devotional – December 30, 2013
VERSE: Titus 2:12–It teaches us to say, “No,” to ungodliness and worldly possessions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. TRUTH: What is this amazing thing that helps us accomplish all the things listed in this verse? The preceding verse indicates that it is by the grace of God. The grace of God is what allows us to stay in control and to be obedient to all God has for us. Are we spending our day being led and directed by the grace of God? RESPONSE: Father, I may try, but I will never accomplish Your will on my own. I need Your grace every…