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Christian Devotional – January 23, 2014
Read Proverbs Chapter 23 VERSE: Proverbs 23:12–Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. TRUTH: Two questions to ask ourselves from this verse. First, do we seek out instruction and words of knowledge? Second, do we actually apply them to our life? It’s so easy to hear instruction and to think, “oh, that’s nice.” and not actually do anything more with the instruction. So often we don’t take that extra step and we fail to gain the benefits of what we learn. RESPONSE: Father, You have taught me several things and yet I don’t always apply them to the situations I encounter. Forgive me and help me…
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Christian Devotional – January 22, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 22 VERSE: Proverbs 22:9–The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. TRUTH: Do we have a generous spirit? Do we seek for ways to be able to give? The Lord indicates that when people are generous, its not just the person who receives who is blessed, it is also the person who gives who is blessed. Are we willing to give or do we try to hoard all to ourselves? We can be truly blessed as we are willing to give to others. RESPONSE: Father, help me to have the attitude of giving that You have. I want to be called…
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Christian Devotional – January 21, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 21 VERSE: Proverbs 21:3–To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. TRUTH: Some people think God is all about sacrifice, but He is not. God is all about the attitude of the heart. Our heart and our motivation for why we do what we do is vitally important. We show God we love Him by doing what is right. We don’t earn God’s favor by what we do, but because we love God we are obedient to what God has asked us to do. RESPONSE: Father, my actions are to flow from the attitude of my heart. I desire that…
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Christian Devotional – January 20, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 20 VERSE: Proverbs 20:9–Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? TRUTH: The answer: none of us can say this. No one is able to truthfully claim that they have kept their heart pure and without sin. People have tried to claim this, but they are lying. Do we try to deceive ourselves into thinking that we’re not that bad? We are all sinners and have all fallen short of all that God desires. Have we accepted His forgiveness and are we allowing Him to live through us? RESPONSE: Father, I am not good on my own. I am nothing on…
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Christian Devotional – January 19, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 19 VERSE: Proverbs 19:21–Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. TRUTH: Often we plan and purpose and try to work out situations and circumstances in our life. Yet it is important to recognize that even with all our planning, it is the Lord’s plans and purpose that will ultimately work out. Are we trusting in our own plans or are we seeking out God’s plans and purpose? The Lord’s purpose is the one we are to be seeking for it is the one that is going to prevail. RESPONSE: Father, Your plans and purpose are the most important. I…
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Christian Devotional – January 18, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 18 VERSE: Proverbs 18:12–Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. TRUTH: Most people I’ve ever met want to receive honor of some kind, yet most people are not willing to experience humility first. The Bible indicates that only by going through humility do we find the path that leads to honor. On the other hand, pride leads to a downfall and disgrace. As we look at the attitude of our own heart, which path do we find ourselves on? Are we prideful and headed for destruction or are we humble and headed for honor? RESPONSE: Father, You are very clear on what…
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Christian Devotional – January 17, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 17 VERSE: Proverbs 17:9–Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. TRUTH: When someone wrongs us and offends us, how do we respond? According to this verse, we should try to foster love. If we deal with that offense just between ourselves and the other person, we can foster love. However, if we start repeating everything that happened to others, then we will separate close friends. We should take care of the issues and concerns as quietly as we can and not seek to broadcast another’s wrongs to other people. RESPONSE: Father, when we find out something that another…
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Christian Devotional – January 16, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 16 VERSE: Proverbs 16:4–The Lord works out everything to its proper end–even the wicked for a day of disaster. TRUTH: It doesn’t always seem like it at the time, but the Lord always has His eye on the end result. He always works out situations for the correct and proper result in the end. Rarely does it seem that way while we are going through situations in life, but we can take comfort in knowing that each and every situation will work itself out according to God’s plan. Do we trust His plans? Do we trust Him? RESPONSE: Father, when I look at situation I often see…
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Christian Devotional – January 15, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 15 VERSE: Proverbs 15:1–A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger TRUTH: When we encounter anger, do we help turn it away or do we stir it up more? The Lord gives us the secret to dealing with people who are angry. If we maintain our calm and speak with a gentle answer, we will find the wrath turning away from us. A harsh or angry word, on the contrary, will stir up even more anger. How do we respond to people who are angry? RESPONSE: Father, give me the patience to calmly deal with people who are angry. You give gentle answers;…
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Christian Devotional – January 14, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 14 VERSE: Proverbs 14:23–All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. TRUTH: Are we taking or doing? Each and every day we have the opportunity to be involved in the work that is part of God’s plan. Are we talking about the things we ought to do, or are we actually doing them? When it comes down to it, are we willing to do the work that is required to see the plans come together, or are we just going to talk about it and wish it would come together? God desires that we put action to what we talk about; will…