• Devotional

    Devotional – March 1, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 16:15 And when she and her household had been baptized she urged us saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.TRUTH:Following Christ is service. Lydia understood that and immediately looked for a way to serve others. Are we as eager and focused on serving our fellow believers?RESPONSE:Lord, help me to serve both You and Your other children easily, willingly, and immediately.

  • Book Review

    Book Review – Tomato Turtle by Thomas Strock

    You never know what the next day will hold for Tomato Turtle in Thomas Strock’s Tomato Turtle: A Trip to the Park. Tomato is a happy turtle who discovers that he can learn to play several different ways and that it’s OK to try new things that might be outside the ordinary for a young turtle. He also recognizes the importance of learning and playing the regular turtle game. He learns the need to balance the new things he tries with the old things he’s used to doing. A beautifully illustrated, colorful book that both my kids (2 and 4) really enjoyed. Great story and fun to read.To find out…

  • Devotional

    Devotional – February 28, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 15:11–But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way as they also are.TRUTH:The early church had some conflict, and they eventually had to have consensus on exactly what is required for people to be saved. They realized that the grace of God alone is what brings people into a right relationship with God, nothing else. RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for Your grace. Help me to demonstrate and share Your grace with everyone I meet, knowing that Your grace is sufficient for all.

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  • Devotional

    Devotional – February 27, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 14:3–Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.TRUTH:How should we be sharing with others about Jesus? We are to speak boldly while relying upon the Lord. Speaking boldly without relying upon the Lord could be disastrous. And, if we are truly relying on the Lord, He will be prompting us to speak out boldly. RESPONSE:Lord, help me to rely on You in all areas and then to speak with boldness of Your glory.

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  • Devotional

    Devotional – February 26, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 13:52–And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.TRUTH:They had just been rejected and run out of town, yet this is how Paul and Barnabas are described. Do we allow our circumstances to fill us and dictate our mood or do we look to the Holy Spirit to fill our needs and give us joy in ever circumstance?RESPONSE:Lord, no matter what is going on in my life or how I am treated, help me to be filled with Your Spirit and full of Your joy.

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  • Devotional

    Devotional – February 25, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 12:3a–When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also.TRUTH:What’s our motivation for the actions we take? For Herod, he was interested in the approval of the Jewish people and took actions based on that. Ultimately, that cost him his life. We need to be focused on the approval of God, not of man.RESPONSE:Lord, it’s easy to get caught up in the approval of man. Help me seek after only Your approval.

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  • Devotional

    Devotional – February 24, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 11:23–Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.TRUTH:When we see others experiencing the grace and power of God, do we rejoice with them or are we jealous of what God is doing in their lives? We are to encourage others and rejoice when God works in their lives knowing that His plan is best.RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for working in such exciting ways. Help me not be jealous of how You move in the lives of others, but to be thankful that You are using them to glorify Yourself.

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  • Devotional

    Devotional – February 23, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 10:43–Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His Name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.TRUTH:All the Bible points to the truth of who Christ is. The Name of Jesus Christ is the power and the one who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins. Are we pointing people to Christ in our daily life? He is the only hope people have!RESPONSE:Lord, I pray that You will be glorified through me so that everything I do will be a reflection of You.

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  • Devotional

    Devotional – February 22, 2011

    VERSE:Acts 9:16–for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.TRUTH:Many people think following Christ is going to be the easy life. It’s not. It’s a call to an obedient life, a blessed life, but it’s not always easy or pain-free. Jesus suffered and we are called to follow Him. Are we willing to follow Him no matter what?RESPONSE:Lord, You are above all and I will follow You because You are worthy, no matter the cost.

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  • Book Review

    Book Review – Ears to Hear by Ann Correll

    Ears to Hear by Ann Correll is a beautifully crafted story about two young boys, Tommy and Timmy. They experience adversity, which forces them to be left alone, and they both have to learn what it really means to listen to the Father. As Tommy and Timmy struggle with the very real difficulties that they have been placed in, they come face to face with what they have learned about God, the Father. They are challenged to trust Him and encouraged to listen for Him no matter what the circumstances they are faced with. I greatly enjoyed reading this book and found myself eager to turn the next page. This…

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