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Christian Devotional – November 9, 2023
Love and Relationships, Day 5 Relationship. Read Song of Songs 2:7-13. As yhe woman continues to share, we see how important the relationship with her beloved is. She remembers the beckoning of her beloved calling her to come away with him. She desires the relationship. He desires the relationship. When we look at our relationship with our spouse, do we continue to desire the relationship? Do we see the commitment that the other has for us and do we share that commitment? The woman wanted nothing more than to share in the relationship with her beloved. That is to be our desire.
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Christian Devotional – November 8, 2023
Love and Relationships, Day 4 Provision. Read Song of Songs 2:3-6. As the woman continues to speak here, we see her explaining all the ways her beloved provides for her. She is relying on him and is taking her comfort in him. When we are in relationships, we have to trust and rely on each other. There is a sense of being provided for and trusting that is the case. Are we trusting in and relying on the provision of our loved one?
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Christian Devotional – November 7, 2024
Love and Relationships, Day 3 Eyes for their love. Read Song of Songs 2:1-2. In these two verses, the two lovers speak back-and-forth to one another. Their focus is on how much they love the other one. They don’t even see other people when compared to the one they love. Yes, they know there are other people in the world, but their focus is on their love. Are we so focused on the one that we love? We are to be that faithful. When we think about our relationship with Christ, are we so focused in him that we don’t see anyone else?
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Christian Devotional – November 6, 2023
Love and Relationships, Day 2 How do you describe your beloved? Read Song of Songs 1:9-17. As the two lovers are talking back and forth, it strikes me how they talk to each other. They are describing each other with words of affection and love. They are sharing the things they value and how they see each other. Whether we are newly in a relationship or have been married for several years, the way we talk about each other matters. Are we building each other up, or tearing each other down? How do we talk about each other? When I speak about my husband, anyone who hears should be able…
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Christian Devotional – November 5, 2023
Love and Relationships, Day 1 How do we define love in our relationships? Read Song of Songs 1:1-8. As we look at this beautiful love story, we are going to see more clearly the importance and impact of love and relationships in our lives. These can often be a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ. In these first few verses we see the woman declare her love for him. She is longing for him and desires his love more than anything. Our intimate relationships are to be characterized by this type of passion and romance. God created love and intimacy, and when we are obedient to the types of…
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Christian Devotional – November 4, 2023
Evangelism 101, Day 18 God’s concern. Read Jonah 4:10-11. When it comes down to it, the actual definition of evangelism is about sharing God’s concern for others. You see, God has a concern for others and that is why he came. Our responsibility now that we know God and have a relationship with him is to share that message with others. However, the only way we will do that is if we also share the same concern for others that God has. God asked Jonah why He shouldn’t be concerned for all of these people and animals in this city. Jonah wasn’t concerned about them. God was. When we take…
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Christian Devotional – November 3, 2023
Evangelism 101, Day 17 Death because of a plant. Read Jonah 4:9. As this story continues, we see God ask Jonah again if he has a right to be angry. This time, instead of being about the people of Nineveh, Jonah is angry about a plant. In fact, he’s so angry that he says he wishes he was dead. When God is moving, are we still so focused on ourselves that we get mad at any little thing that inconveniences us? Why do we get mad about the things that we can’t control? Jonah had no control over the plant, the worm, or the wind. Yet he was so very…
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Christian Devotional – November 1, 2023
Evangelism 101, Day 16 God provided. Read Jonah 4:7-8. When we read these verses, and even looking back at verse 6 from yesterday. The phrase “God provided” is used 3 times. God provides the plant. God provides the worm. God provides the east wind. Who is to say one of God’s provisions is better or worse than another. Jonah certainly liked the plant more than he like the worm or the wind, but the same God provided them all. When I look at my life, I see the things that God provides. Some of them I instantly like. Other things are profoundly difficult. Still the same God provided them. If…
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Christian Devotional – October 31, 2023
Evangelism 101, Day 15 God continues to provide. Read Jonah 4:5-6. Jonah was mad and God knew it. Still, God continued to provide for Jonah. This wasn’t even a “need” but was certainly more of a “want” for Jonah. God provided shade to comfort him. Now, remember, this was happening while Jonah was waiting on God to destroy the city. The irony of the situation is striking. Jonah was happy with the comfort that God provided him while he waited for God’s judgment on others. Do we want to enjoy God’s comfort while we are waiting and watching for God’s judgment to fall on others? God’s mercy and grace is…
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Christian Devotional – October 30, 2023
Evangelism 101, Day 14 “Is it right for you to be angry?” Read Jonah 4:4. How many times has God asked me that question? So many things happened in my life that weren’t what I planned and aren’t what I want. Do I have the right to be angry? God continues to act without my “permission” and allows things that I never would. Do I have the right to be angry? God’s plan is different from mine. Do I have the right to be angry? While I know in my head that God is God and I am not, and I understand that I don’t know the whole plan, that…