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Book Review – subMISSION by Zeke Lam
If I’m honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I received a copy of Zeke Lam’s book subMISSION. I was contacted by his agent who asked if I’d be willing to take a look at it. Never one to turn down an opportunity to read a book, I accepted.The book is a nonfiction book about how to move into a deeper relationship with God through the concept of submission. In fact, He would argue that being submissive to God is in fact our greatest mission in life. He presents the arguments easily throughout the book and incorporates lots of his own personal experiences which demonstrate how he has lived…
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Devotional – April 2, 2012
VERSE: 1 John 2:5–but whoever keeps His word in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. TRUTH: Many people see the Christian life as a list of rules to be followed. It’s not. We become Christians based upon our personal belief in Jesus Christ, nothing else. Once Jesus has our life and we’ve given ourselves to Him, we follow His commandments. We follow them, not because we think they earn us anything, not because we’re trying to prove anything, but because we love Him and want to do what pleases Him simply because we love Him and want to…
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Devotional – April 1, 2012
VERSE: 1 John 1:9–If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. TRUTH: This is such a beautiful promise of God that is conditional only upon our confession. If we will confess our sins, then He will forgive them, period. No holding grudges; no throwing them back in our faces later (Satan does that, but not God). Even more, God cleanses us and makes us clean and whole again. There is no sin too big or too small. If we will confess it, He will forgive it and clean it. RESPONSE: Father, this is a beautiful promise…
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Devotional – March 31, 2012
VERSE: Haggai 2:5–“As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!” TRUTH: God’s promises do not expire. Hundreds of years had passed from the time in Egypt until these verse were written, but God reminds them that He is still faithful and will still fulfill His promises. We can trust God; He will never let us down. RESPONSE: Father, You remember every promise You’ve ever made to me, even when I don’t. You are faithful to me even when I stray. Thank You for all that You are and all that You’ve done and all…
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Devotional – March 30, 2012
VERSE: Haggai 1:14–So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God. TRUTH: When God gives us a job and a calling, He also stirs us up. He gives us the passion and the desire to see His will and purpose completed. What has God called You to do? What he He given you a passion for? If we’re obedient to Him, He will stir us up.…
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Devotional – March 29, 2012
VERSE: Zephaniah 3:14–Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exalt with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! TRUTH: Rejoice! Be full of joy! The Lord will be victorious and we will be victorious with Him. Do we live each day knowing this is true? Are we rejoicing in the coming victory of God? RESPONSE: Father, some days I let the stuff right in front of me distract me from the truth that You are over all. I will rejoice today in You, knowing that You are over all and will conquer all in the end.
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Devotional – March 28, 2012
VERSE: Zephaniah 2:3–Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances, seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger. TRUTH: In a word, repent. Stop thinking that you can do things on your own, seek out God and learn to lean on Him. Only then can we hope to avoid the judgment that is coming. RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will forgive me for my selfish attitudes, my prideful desires. I only want You and nothing else.
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Devotional – March 27, 2012
VERSE: Zephaniah 1:18–Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the Lord’s wrath; and all the earth will be devoured in the fire of his jealousy, for He will make a complete end, indeed a terrifying one, of all the inhabitants. TRUTH: When the Lord comes to deliver judgment and justice, there will be nothing that will stand between us and that judgment except Jesus Christ. We will not be able to buy our way out of it, no matter how much money we have. What are we placing our trust in? RESPONSE: Lord, my stuff here is only that: stuff. You…
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Book Review – The Secret of Smiley’s Woods by Gailya Keller
As a child, lots of situations can seem scary. In Gailya Len Keller’s book The Secret of Smiley’s Woods, little Sarah finds herself in the woods with only her dog after her older brother and their cousin run off and leave her. Certainly, that situation would be scary enough, but add to that the fact that the two boys had been telling her stories about the scary old man named Ben who lived in the woods and comes out at night, and Sarah is terrified as she tries to find her way home. Gailya’s book is a beautifully illustrated book that shares Sarah’s journey through the woods, her encounter with…
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Devotional – March 26, 2012
VERSE: Habakkuk 3:18–Yet I will exult in the Lord. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. TRUTH: No matter the circumstances, we can know where our salvation is found. We will praise Him, rejoice in Him, and lift up the God of the universe who loves us even as we go through difficult situations. Through Him we are saved. RESPONSE: Father, I love You! I praise You! I rejoice in You! No matter what I face today, I will praise You and life You up.