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The Decay Within – Production Diary, Part 1 – Pre-production
In April of this year, I started a new journey. I signed a contract with Tate Publishing and Enterprises for the production of my second Bible Study book entitled The Decay Within: A Study of Amos. It is exciting, exhilarating, nerve-wracking, and nail-biting all at the same time. This time around, I want to be able to share the process of how a book goes from manuscript to finished product. I’d like to invite you to share in the journey as I write about each stage of the process and ask for your feedback.Once Tate receives a signed contract, like the one I signed in April, the manuscript goes in line…
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Devotional – May 17, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 8:4–And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. TRUTH: Our prayers are likened to a sweet incense to God. He hears and keeps and cherishes our prayers. Do we pray knowing and believing that God desires our prayers? RESPONSE: Lord, I lift up my prayers to You. I pray You will delight in my prayers along with all the prayers of the saints.
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Book Review – Caroline and Rebecca by Alyssa Pierce
Caroline and Rebecca: Rebecca gets into Trouble by Alyssa Pierce tells the story of two little girls who have a choice to make. Should they follow the instructions they’ve been given by their mothers or not? This is a constant struggle for children to know and understand the consequences of their actions. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story easily and explains all about the importance of obeying our parents. Alyssa Pierce does a beautiful job telling the story and bringing to life the two little girls who have a decision to make. The book is great for small children as it is a short book, written in a rhyming…
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Devotional – May 16, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 7:17–“for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” TRUTH: In the final presence of the Lord, we will see Jesus in all of His glory. He will continue to guide and direct us and fulfill our needs and comfort us. The Lord knows our needs, both physical and emotional. He will one day be the final answer, but He is leading us toward Himself even now. RESPONSE: Lord, I look forward to Your final comfort, but I thank You for the way You…
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Devotional – May 15, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 6:10–and they cried out with a loud voice saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” TRUTH: Those who have stood firm in the faith and were killed for their belief in the Lord are looking forward to the time when Jesus will avenge their deaths. They know that the Lord is just and will stand up for them just like they stood up for Christ. Are we standing firm in our faith knowing that God will defend and avenge us in His time? RESPONSE: Lord, help me to stand firm in…
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Devotional – May 14, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 5:9–And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break it’s seals; for You were slain and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” TRUTH: Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross purchased us so we could choose to accept it and be brought into a right relationship with God. This sacrifice was for all people everywhere. Do we seek to share God’s message of redemption with everyone? RESPONSE: Lord, Your work and sacrifice for all of us is amazing. I pray You will use me to help others to accept You as…
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Devotional – May 13, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 4:11–Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. TRUTH: Each of us were created by God because He desired for us to be. He is worthy of all praise as the creator of all things. Do we honor and praise Him in every area we are a part of? RESPONSE: Lord, You are amazing! You have created me and to You be the glory and praise in everything You do through me.
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Devotional – May 12, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 3:19–Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. TRUTH: Are we being corrected and disciplined by the Lord? If not, we need to question why. None of us are perfect and we all need God’s guidance to grow in grace with Christ. God loves us and we should desire to be shown the areas we fall short in so we can repent and demonstrate God’s grace. RESPONSE: Lord, Your discipline is painful, but I desire to be more like You. So, do what You need to do to make me more like You.
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Devotional – May 11, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 2:4–But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. TRUTH: As Christ is going through and evaluating the churches, He mentions this condition at the church in Ephesus. Do we get so caught up in the routine of being a Christian that we fail to take the opportunity to just love and praise Jesus Christ? Do we do what we do out of love and devotion, or out of habit? RESPONSE: Lord, I need to rekindle my first love. Forgive me for just doing Your work out of habit. Help me to love you first and foremost, and to do the things You have…
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Devotional – May 10, 2011
VERSE: Revelation 1:3–Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. TRUTH: Are we reading God’s Word? Are we doing what it says? God’s Word contains truth and words of life. The only way we can experience the blessings of God is to read and heed those things that are in His Word. RESPONSE: Lord, You are over all. Your Word is over all. I pray You will help me to do all that Your Word says as I study and learn from the Bible.