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Devotional – March 8, 2011
VERSE:Acts 23:11–But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”TRUTH:Paul’s heart was set on sharing the truth of God to everyone, so it was encouraging and exciting to get told that he would share in Rome also. Are we excited and encouraged by the chance to share God’s love with others?RESPONSE:Lord, help me be excited and encouraged by the things that bring You pleasure. It’s all for Your glory!
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Book Review – A Beggars Purse by Toni Nelson
What are the first thoughts that go through our head when we see a homeless person? For Toni Nelson she sees a child of God. In A Beggar’s Purse Toni details her life growing up living around “hobos” and ultimately her mission to care for the homeless all the while learning that every life is important and precious to God. Toni’s book is challenging and reaches out to the audience to bring them with her on her journey toward loving compassion for all people. Toni explains how the changes in her life impacted both her perception of people and also her perception of God. This is a great book to…
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Devotional – March 7, 2011
VERSE:Acts 22:22–They listened to him up to this statement and then raised their voices and said ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth for he should not be allowed to live.’TRUTH:The Jews thought they had God’s plan figured out. When Paul went against their expectation they got angry and tried to kill him. Do we listen to God’s plan or do we try to control God’s plan ourselves?RESPONSE:Lord, I pray that You will help me to accept Your plan in all things, even when it goes contrary to my expectations.
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Devotional – March 6, 2011
VERSE:Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’TRUTH:Paul was completely committed to Christ. Are we? Would we be willing to sacrifice everything for Him, including our lives?RESPONSE:Lord, help me to keep my perspective and to know that You are worth sacrificing everything for.
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Devotional – March 5, 2011
VERSE:Acts 20:32–And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.TRUTH:God and the word of His grace are the things which are able to build people up. Do we look for encourage here or seek it somewhere else?RESPONSE:Lord, help me to look to You and Your word for encouragement and also to share that with others so they will be encouraged.
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Devotional – March 4, 2011
VERSE:Acts 19:15–And the evil spirit answered and said to them ‘I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul, but who are you?’TRUTH:The power and authority of Jesus Christ is well known and feared by the evil spirits. Paul submitted himself to Jesus’ authority and followed Jesus and so was known to them too. Would the evil spirit have known who we are? Are we so surrendered to Jesus that it is His power and authority that comes through us?RESPONSE:Lord, I pray my life so reflects Yours that because of Your power, I am known and feared by those who oppose You.
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Devotional – March 3, 2011
VERSE:Acts 18:9-10–And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.TRUTH:Even Paul needed encouragement and reassurance from the Lord. God loves us and encourages us and gives us what we need to be able to go through the situations He puts us through.RESPONSE:Lord, no matter the situation, thank You for being there through it. You give me everything I need to make it through.
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Devotional – March 2, 2011
VERSE:Acts 17:23–For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.TRUTH:Paul got to know the people and spoke to them using an example that they were familiar with in order to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. Do we meet people where they are at when we share Jesus with them? Do we use those examples that are already part of their life?RESPONSE:Lord, help me get to know people so I can see where You are already working in their lives. Help me share…
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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.
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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…