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Christian Devotional – December 29, 2013
VERSE: Titus 1:16–They claim to know God, but by their actions deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for anything good. TRUTH: Paul is warning Titus to be careful of the others around who claim to know God, bur are not truly believers. How would Titus be able to tell the difference? Their actions deny the very God they claim to serve. Do our actions line up with our words? If we claim to be followers of God, then our actions must be in line with our words, otherwise, we will be detestable and disobedient to God with the result that we are unfit for anything good. RESPONSE: Father,…
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Christian Devotional – December 28, 2013
VERSE: 1 Timothy 6:6-7–But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. TRUTH: This life can be given so many different “purposes” by people. The quest for fame and fortune, for happiness, or for whatever we’ve ascribed great importance to, can consume our life and our entire focus. Yet, Paul reminds us that we did not bring anything into the world with us and we cannot take anything out of it with us. Our great gain is to be found in being godly and in finding contentment in whatever situation God has placed us in. We can…
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Christian Devotional – December 27, 2013
VERSE: 1 Timothy 5:8–Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. TRUTH: Our faith is not just something we are to talk about, but it is to be something we live out. Paul, here in this verse, is cautioning Timothy about people who claim to be Christians and yet neglect to care for their own family and relatives who are truly in need. In these days, people who were “religious” would give money to the church thinking that would make people look on them with admiration, even if their own parents or other relatives…
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Christian Devotional – December 26, 2013
VERSE: 1 Timothy 4:10–For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. TRUTH: Why do we work? Why do we do all the things that we strive to do throughout the day? We do these things because we have fixed our hope on God, realizing that He is the Savior of all men. If God is not our hope, if we have no hope, then our lives become pointless and void of meaning. There is no purpose for which we do the things that we do in the day. Are…
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Christian Devotional – December 25, 2013
MERRY CHRISTMAS to EVERYONE! VERSE: 1 Timothy 3:5–If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church? TRUTH: This chapter deals with the leadership positions within a church. Yet this verse explains that it is not just about leading the church, but is also about managing their own family. Ministers and other leaders within the church must remember that they are to manage their own families as well. We must never get so caught up in the ministry that God has for us that we neglect the family God has provided for us. RESPONSE: Father, help me never lose sight of Your…
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Christian Devotional – December 24, 2013
VERSE: 1 Timothy 2:1-2–I urge you, then, first of all that petitions and prayers, intercession and thanksgiving, be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. TRUTH: Whether we agree with their decisions or their positions on things, we are to pray for those in authority. We are to pray for our political leaders and those at our workplace as well as leaders in our churches, families, etc. Do we lift up these people in prayer regularly? RESPONSE: Father, help me have the right words to pray for my leaders, whether I agree with…
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Christian Devotional- December 23, 2013
VERSE: 1 Timothy 1:15–Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. TRUTH: There is only one reason that Jesus Christ came. He came to save sinners. He was the means through which people could be saved. Paul indicates that he is the worst of sinners, yet each and every one of us could take that title easily. Have we accepted the salvation that Christ came to provide? RESPONSE: Father, I am one of the worst sinners and You can to save me. I love You an dI have accepted Your gist of salvation. Take my…
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Christian Devotional – December 22, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 36:13–These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. TRUTH: Moses was giving the people the final words of God before they were to cross over the Jordan to take possession of the land of the promise. God helped the people to see and to plan out all that would come about. God gives us what we need when we need it. He has a plan and conveys it when it is time. RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will continue to guide me and give me exactly what You want me to…
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Christian Devotional – December 21, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 35:10-11–Speak to the Israelites and say to them, “When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. TRUTH: God was setting up the justice system for the people and establishing a means for a person who had accidentally killed another person to be able to receive a fair trial instead of being killed out of revenge first. God made a provision for the people to be able to convey that the accident was not intentional. Our motives matter as well as our actions. God wanted that to be taken into…
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Christian Devotional – December 20, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 34:13–Moses commanded the Israelites: “Assign this land by lot as an inheritance. The Lord has ordered that it be given to the nine and a half tribes.” TRUTH: Even before they have entered the land, the Lord is giving the people direction regarding the distribution of the land between the tribes. God always had His plan laid out and makes provision for His plan to be carried out. Do we trust that God has a plan for us? RESPONSE: Father, You have a plan for everything and You give me the information I need at exactly the right time, not early or late. I will trust Your plan…