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Christian Devotional – August 23, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 3:5–Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. TRUTH: No matter what it is we are thinking of, we are not competent in anything solely by ourselves. The knowledge we have, the understanding we have, these are all gifts from God. We are to be careful that we do not become prideful about what we think we know. Knowledge is from God and He deserves the glory and praise for it. RESPONSE: Father, You are the only reason I know what I know. It is only by Your grace and understanding, and I praise You for allowing…
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Christian Devotional – August 22, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 2:15–For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. TRUTH: When we are following Christ, allowing Him to live through us, our life has a distinctive aroma. Only the aroma of Christ is pleasing to God and as we allow Him to fill us and work through us, our life gives off the pleasant aroma of Christ. Without Christ, our actions and attitude leave a stench that is disgusting to God. Are we allowing the sweet smell of Christ to define our life? RESPONSE: Father, I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to…
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Christian Devotional – August 21, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 1:9–Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. TRUTH: Paul shares about the comfort of God in this first chapter. He explains how they were experiencing horrible trials and how they all assumed it would be death for them. Why did God allow Paul to go through these difficulties? It says in this very verse that the purpose was to teach Paul not to rely on himself, but to rely on God. God is the One we can trust in any circumstance, but often it is hard for…
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Christian Devotional – August 20, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 52:13–He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. TRUTH: Finally, the destruction Jeremiah had warned them about happened. The Babylonians came and destroyed everything that the people valued. God allowed it because He wanted the people to understand that there are consequences for their actions and that they can’t trust in things because they can be destroyed. We can trust in God because He never fails. He is all that we need, but if we trust in other things, God will actually show us that they can be destroyed so that we…
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Christian Devotional – August 19, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 51:15–He made the earth by His power, He formed the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. TRUTH: God is all-powerful. His power is what enabled Him to create the earth and everything we see. His wisdom and understanding are unmatched and no matter what happens, He understands it and is in control of it. RESPONSE: Father, You are in control. That is the truth what I feel that or not. I will trust in Your power, wisdom, and understanding.
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Christian Devotional – August 18, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 50:34–Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. TRUTH: The Lord prophesied the destruction of Babylon and in the middle of this long chapter about the punishment because Babylon captured Judah, Jeremiah says this verse. The people of Judah can rest and relax in their Redeemer. He is strong. He will vigorously defend the. He brings rest. The Lord is the One who will defend us. He is the only One who gives rest. He is to be our strength. As we…
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Christian Devotional – August 17, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 49:16–“The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s from there I will bring you down.” declares the Lord. TRUTH: Pride and a sense of power are very deceitful feelings. They are deceitful because they deceive the people who feel them into believing they are more than they really are. They feel safe and untouchable simply because of who they are or what they’ve done. However, no one is above God and God can bring down those who…
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Christian Devotional – August 16, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 48:10a–Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work negligently. TRUTH: As Jeremiah delivers another prophecy, the people are told that it’s not just about doing the Lord’s work, it’s about doing it whole-heartedly. Are we diligent or negligent as we follow through with His plans? The Lord has given us all a job to do and responsibilities to maintain in obedience. If we are not diligent about His work, then we are being negligent and God will address that. RESPONSE: Father, You have given me work to do and I will be diligent to follow through with that work. I love You and want to follow through with…
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Christian Devotional – August 15, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 47:6–Alas, sword of the Lord, how long till you rest? Return to your sheath; rest and be still. TRUTH: Even as he was prophesying judgment against the Philistines, Jeremiah was still praying for them and interceding to God for them. Jeremiah knew God’s truth and the importance of the truth that he was sharing, but he also felt compassion for them and was praying that the judgments for sin would be short and simple. Do we pray for God’s mercy to be shown in every situation? RESPONSE: Father God, I don’t feel much compassion or desire for mercy today. I confess to You that is wrong. Please forgive…
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Christian Devotional – August 14, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 46:28–“Do not be afraid, Jeremiah my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go completely unpunished.” TRUTH: Even in the dark times, even in the times where it feels that all hope is lost, God is still in control and there is still a plan. God works to discipline us when we need it, but we can know that He is still with us, even through the difficulties and the disciplines. RESPONSE: Father, things…