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Christian Devotional – August 13, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 45:5–Should you then seek good things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life. TRUTH: Baruch was Jeremiah’s faithful secretary. Now there was a message specifically for him. Baruch was not to seek special positions or greater recognitions for what he did. He was simply to seek God. God had a plan for Baruch and he was to take comfort in that. God has a specific plan for each of us that fits in with His plan to bring Himself glory. We must all seek after the…
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Book Review – Sleigh Ride by Katie Crabapple
In this second book in the series, Millie’s friend Charlotte agrees to come out from Boston to help Millie as she prepares to give birth to her first child. A young farmer, James, in the area agrees to pay for her trip with the understanding that he will be able to court her when she arrives. Still, winter in Minnesota in the 1880s is a difficult place and Charlotte soon realizes that there is much more work to do as a farmer’s wife as she watches her friend Millie struggle with her work load. Charlotte must decide if she is going to be able to trust God to provide for…
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Christian Devotional – August 12, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 44:4–Again and again I sent my servants the prophets who said, “Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!” TRUTH: God tried to warn the people, to get their attention. He sent prophets to warn them and sought to steer them clear of the dangers of their ways. The people were not interested and did not obey, so God was going to bring judgment on them. God gives us multiple opportunities to hear His word and choose to follow it. Do we listen for these promptings. RESPONSE: Father, I want to obey You in everything and I will be looking and listening for ways to show…
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Christian Devotional – August 11, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 43:2–Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying!” The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.'” TRUTH: What is arrogance? Arrogance is believing that you are better than someone else. These men believed they were better than God and knew more than God. They asked Jeremiah to tell them God’s Word, but then once they had heard it, they didn’t like it so they told Jeremiah he was wrong and accused him of lying. How do we respond when God tells us His Word and…
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Christian Devotional – August 10, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 42:7–Ten days later the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. TRUTH: The people asked Jeremiah to tell them the word of the Lord. They wanted to hear and they promised to obey. However, the Lord did not speak right away to Jeremiah. Jeremiah prayed and sought the Lord for 10 days before he received the message to take back to the people. How long will we seek God for answers? How long are we willing to wait for God to reveal His will? God will move in His own timing. We can trust in Him and wait on Him. RESPONSE: Father, You know best. You see the…
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Christian Devotional – August 9, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 41:8–But ten of them said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us! We have wheat and barley, olive oil and honey, hidden in a field.” So he let them alone and did not kill them with the others. TRUTH: Ishmael was not going to stand for the Babylonians setting up a puppet government, so he just went out and killed everyone. Then when eighty more men showed up just to worship, Ishmael began to kill hem, too. Ten of them offered a bribe in exchange for their lives and Ishmael took it. Ishmael was only after personal power and gain, that was what motivated him. What motivates us? Do we act…
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Christian Devotional – August 8, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 40:3–“And now the Lord has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the Lord and did not obey him.” TRUTH: It’s one think for Jeremiah the prophet to share this message. However, this time these words are spoken by the Babylonian commander to Jeremiah. He knew exactly why his country was allowed to overthrow the people of Judah. The word of the Lord, spoken by Jeremiah, had been heard by multitudes of people and that included those who were unexpected. Do we, as believers, hear and respond to God’s Word? God shares His message with the…
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Christian Devotional – August 7, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 39:12–“Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever her asks.” TRUTH: Even in the midst of the destruction of Jerusalem, God provided for Jeremiah. The Babylonian commander issued these orders above to keep Jeremiah safe and protected and provided for. God knows our needs and He has a plan to fulfill His will and display His glory. God is perfectly capable of using whatever means He chooses in order to provide for us. We can trust in Him. RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will keep me and protect me during the difficult times ahead. I know You have a plan for everything…
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Christian Devotional – August 6, 2013
VERSE: Jeremiah 38:20–“They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you and your life will be spared.” TRUTH: No matter what God is telling us to do, we will have reasons and excuses that will come to mind for why we shouldn’t. The Lord has a plan for us, but it can be scary and Satan is quick to whisper all sorts of reasons to us to disobey. The Lord desires our obedience, but He doesn’t try to rationalize with us or explain reasons. He desires our obedience simply because we love Him and know…
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Book Review – Mail Order Millie by Katie Crabapple
Life in Minnesota in the 1880s was difficult. When George’s wife died leaving him with four young children, the women of the local church took to trying to provide meals for the family so he would have time to work the farm. However, after about 6 months, when it appeared that George wasn’t anywhere close to find another wife, the woman decided they needed take it upon themselves to help him out even more. They raised the money for him to get a mail order bride. Millie was from Boston and had just turned 18. Unfortunately, the orphanage where she grew up could no longer continue to provide for her…