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Christian Devotional – June 11, 2013
VERSE: Acts 10:15–The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” TRUTH: Peter had grown up with a very clear idea about people who were considered clean and people who were not. Now that Jesus had come and had died and rose again to provide salvation for all people, God had to help Peter learn to change his perspective. God’s message of hope and salvation is for all people and everyone can know and have an opportunity to accept Jesus. Do we only share with certain people? Do we only want certain people in our church? God desires all people to…
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Book Review – Wounded Heroes Book Three: Betrayal by Anne Patrick
The third book in the Wounded Heroes series by Anne Patrick is titles Betrayal. Sergeant Drew Presley is just back from the front lines of Iraq and is now ready to track down the murderer who killed his wife, Nora, eighteen months ago. He had come back for the funeral, but had chosen to finish out his service before returning, trusting in the local police to do their job. Now, since no arrests have been made and no progress has been apparent on the case, he’s going to figure it out himself. However, the close-knit residents of Dauphine Island in Maine aren’t willing to give up their secrets easily. Drew’s…
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Christian Devotional – June 10, 2013
VERSE: Acts 9:16–I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. TRUTH: Jesus has appeared to Saul and Saul has been miraculously transformed from being a destroyer of Christians to a believer on Christ. However, he has been left blind by the encounter. God comes to Ananias and tells him to go to Saul and pray for him. When Ananias hesitates, God reveals this information about His plans for Saul. This verse is amazing and terrifying at the same time. I and amazed that God has set plans and thoughts regarding His desires for us. This is terrifying because sometimes I know that these plans may involve…
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Christian Devotional – June 9, 2013
VERSE: Acts 8:21-22 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that He may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. TRUTH: Our motivation matters to God. Simon had done many wonderful and amazing things before the people, but when the apostles came, Simon tried to buy their power from them. That selfish and self-serving motivation is sinful and Peter confronted him with the words above. The best part of these verses is that even in the midst of the sin and wrong, there is still…
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Christian Devotional – June 8, 2013
VERSE: Acts 7:53–you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it. TRUTH: Stephen gives an amazing defense. He has been accused and is on trial so he stands before them to tell them what he believes. Things are going well until he makes his final statements, in the end they become extremely upset with him and stone him. Why? He actually accuses his accusers of committing a crime. They had the truth, but they did not obey it. There are very few things that make me as sad as seeing people know and understand the truth about Jesus Christ, but refuse to obey.…
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Christian Devotional – June 7, 2013
VERSE: Acts 6:7–So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. TRUTH: When does God’s word and message spread forth to others? Often it is very similar to the situation in this chapter. A crisis arises. Believers pray and come together. They enact a solution that God gives them through their obedience. God blesses and causes His name to be glorified and others to be drawn to Him. Are we experiencing crisis? God desires to use that to draw people to Himself. Are we seeking Him and His solution so that He will be blessed…
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Christian Devotional – June 6, 2013
VERSE: Acts 5:41–The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. TRUTH: First, the apostles rejoiced through the suffering and persecution they were facing. They considered it something to celebrate. Second, they considered suffering to be a determining factor of whether or not they were being worthy of the Christian life. Do we consider suffering and persecution to be the mark of a flourishing and effective Christian life? The apostles did. The people of this world do not understand our obedience to God and so if we are standing up and sharing the message of Jesus Christ, we will experience suffering…
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Christian Devotional – June 5, 2013
VERSE: Acts 4:12–Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. TRUTH: Salvation is found in the name of Jesus Christ. He alone was raised from the dead, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. People try so many different things to give them a sense of security and belonging, but nothing will fulfill us like knowing and being a part of God’s plan of salvation for our life. No other name holds the power of the name of Jesus. Do we give His name the reverence and respect it deserves? REPONSE: Father, I praise You and…
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Christian Devotional – June 4, 2013
VERSE: Acts 3:19–Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. TRUTH: Peter is sharing with the crowd that has gathered after the beggar has been healed. He shares with the people the message of Jesus Christ, letting them know that they, too, can be refreshed by God. Our sins and wrongs weigh us down. They are cumbersome to carry and hold on to. In order to be truly refreshed, we must allow God to cleanse us from our sins and wipe them out. Do we feel down-trodden? Perhaps there is sin in our life that…
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Book Review – Wounded Heroes Book Two: Trespasses by Anne Patrick
The second book in the Wounded Heroes Series by Anne Patrick is called Trespasses. In this book, forensic sketch artist Mackayla Kensington has come back to her home town to help local authorities identify the remains of three people found buried on the grounds of a US Senator’s home. She is partnered with Special Agent Gabe Landry of the Behavioral Science Unit who is there to determine if a serial murderer is on the loose. As they get closer to the truth, it becomes obvious that whoever it is doesn’t want Mackayla to identify and sketch the victims and will stop at nothing to keep that from happening. I enjoyed…