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Christian Devotional – April 10, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 4:4–They are surprised that you do not join then in their reckless wild living and they heap abuse on you. TRUTH: Non-believers do not understand our commitment to God. They don’t understand our desire to be obedient to what God tells us and as a result, they make fun of us and are mean to us. When we evaluate our relationships with non-Christians, do they see us as different? Do they recognize that we do not do all the things that they do? Regardless of their response to us, we are to commit ourselves to Christ and follow Him. RESPONSE: Father, I will care only about Your response…
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Christian Devotional – April 9, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 3:15–But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. TRUTH: As believers in Christ, we will be asked questions often by non-believers who are watching us. Why do we believe? How can we keep going after something terrible happens? Why do we seem to have hope in hopeless situations? We are to have an answer for them to explain the hope we have. Our answer is to be gentle and respectful, but it is still to be there and…
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Book Review – Ohio Brides by Cara C. Putman
Ohio Brides is another book in the Romancing America series. This book by Cara C Putman contains three Christian romance stories. In this case the stories surround three siblings and is set in the 1940s. In each case, one of the Miller children find themselves presented with a crisis that causes them to look deeper at their relationship with God. One thing I really enjoy about this book is the openly Christian themes and explanations about faith. I found the first story a bit slow and not as interesting as the other two. I had difficulty relating to the characters in the first story. By contrast, I really enjoyed the second…
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Christian Devotional – April 8, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 2:2–Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk so that by it you may grown up in your salvation. TRUTH: There is nothing so incessant as a newborn baby’s desire to be fed. They are single-minded in their focus and desire; nothing else will satisfy. Are we that desirous of God’s word? Only through His word will we be nourished and grow up in Him. We must kindle afresh our passion for the Word of God, the spiritual milk by which we are fed. RESPONSE: Father, You are my everything and yet I don’t always trust You like that. I confess I’ve not always been passionate about You and…
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Christian Devotional – April 7, 2013
VERSE: 1 Peter 1:25–but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached to you. TRUTH: Of all the things that we possess, only one thing will last forever: God’s word. Knowing that God’s word is above all and over all, are we clinging to it as the only thing that will endure through the ages? God gave His word to us. He allowed us to hear the power and message of His word. Are we listening to it? RESPONSE: Father, Your word is holy just as You are holy and You have given it to us. I pray that I will cling to Your…
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Christian Devotional – April 6, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 36:21–The land enjoyed its Sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah. TRUTH: The disobedience of the people of Israel even affected the land they were on. Because they were disobedient to God, they had not taken care of the land the way God had told them to. As a result, when the people were overthrown and deported, it allowed the land to be able to rest as God had intended. God cares for all of His creation and He has asked us to care for it as well.…
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Christian Devotional – April 5, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 35:27–all the events, from beginning to end are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. TRUTH: If someone were to write the story of our life, what would be found there in the pages? Would we be listed as a person who sought God? Whether our lives are being actively recorded by pen and paper or not, we must realize that God keeps record of our life. What will be included and will it show dedication and obedience to Him? RESPONSE: Father, I praise You and lift You up. You see all things and know the entire story of my life and You…
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Christian Devotional – April 4, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 34:19–When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. TRUTH: King Josiah was confronted with the words of God and the laws that God had given. He immediately realized how woefully short he had fallen of God’s commands; how sinful he and his entire nation had been. He was immediately repentant and immediately recognized the seriousness of his actions. When we are confronted with our sin, are we repentant, or do we try to hide it or justify it? God knows what we have done. How are we going to respond? RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will forgive me. I humble myself before…
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Christian Devotional – April 3, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 33:10–The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. TRUTH: How often would this sentence describe us? The Lord desires that we have a relationship with Him, but sometimes we just try to ignore God and give Him the silent treatment. With Manasseh, eventually God stopped trying to talk to Him and just brought judgment. Then through captivity Manasseh started to listen to God. When we don’t pay attention to God, what will it take for God to get our attention? RESPONSE: Father, I will pay attention to You, I will listen to Your voice and obey Your commands. I will choose today to…
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Christian Devotional – April 2, 2013
VERSE: 2 Chronicles 32:20–King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. TRUTH: They were under attack and instead of Hezekiah praying on his own, he gets together with Isaiah and they pray. Do we pray together with others? When we encounter difficulties do we enlist the help of our brohers and sisters in Christ? We must be careful that we don’t become so proud that we refuse to ask for prayer from others. We are stronger as we come together. RESPONSE: Father, You are amazing. You hear me as I come to You with my needs and concerns, but You also bless…