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Christian Devotional – May 4, 2014
Read Romans chapter 16 VERSE: Romans 16:19–Everyone has heard about your obedience. I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. TRUTH: It is so encouraging to hear about the obedience of people we care about. Paul was excited and rejoicing in all that he had heard about this church. He then makes this statement to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. We do not have to know everything about all the sins that the world uses to lure people with, to know that they are evil. We should spend our…
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Christian Devotional – May 3, 2014
Read Romans chapter 15 VERSE: Romans 15:5–May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward others that Christ Jesus had. TRUTH: Endurance and encouragement are two necessary things as we face trials and difficulties. We see and know that God is with us and that by receiving the endurance and the encouragement, we also receive the attitude of Christ. He is the one who is able to endure through any and every situation. I will praise Him no matter what the situation and will trust Him to give me everything I need to make it through with His attitude. RESPONSE: Father, I praise…
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Christian Devotional – May 2, 2014
Read Romans chapter 14 VERSE: Romans 14:8–If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. TRUTH: Our life is His. We are no longer our own. As we commit ourselves to Him, we see that God is the One who leads and directs us. We can trust God to do with us that which brings Him the most glory. Are we content to allow Him to guide and direct our lives, or are we still seeking after our own purposes? RESPONSE: Father, my life is Yours, so whatever You desire is…
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Christian Devotional – May 1, 2014
Read Romans chapter 13 VERSE: Romans 13:7–Give to everyone what you owe them. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. TRUTH: Are we paying people what we owe them? It can be easy to think only of monetary debts, but this also mentions respect and honor. Are we giving honor and respect to those people who, by virtue of their position, deserve it? Even if their actions are wrong, we can still offer respect for the position that they hold. RESPONSE: Father, I thank You and praise You for the people You have placed in my life. Some of…
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Christian Devotional – April 30, 2014
Read Romans chapter 12 VERSE: Romans 12:8–if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. TRUTH: Paul is encouraging the believers that no matter what God has gifted them to do, they should do it. That seems silly to have to remind people to do what they are good at, yet how many times do we try to be someone or something else because we think they are better, have more stuff, bring more glory to God, etc. God has given each of us a gift and…
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Christian Devotional – April 29, 2014
Read Romans chapter 11 VERSE: Romans 11:18–do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this. You do not support the root, but the root supports you. TRUTH: As we look around us, it can be easy to spend time comparing ourselves to other Christians or even non-Christians. We may look around and see ourselves as better than them. Paul makes the point here that we are no better than other Christians because we are all being supported by the same root: Jesus Christ. The root is where the branches get their power. We can’t compare ourselves to non-Christians because they simply haven’t been…
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Christian Devotional – April 28, 2014
Read Romans chapter 10 VERSE: Romans 10:17–Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. TRUTH: Faith comes from hearing. People must be told. We can talk about living out our faith to others, and we must certainly do that, but we must also recognize that the message is heard through the words we speak. Are we sharing with people about the hope we have in Jesus Christ? RESPONSE: Father, help me to be bold to share Your message for it is a powerful testimony. Your word in the hearts of those who hear is powerful and draws people to faith in…
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Christian Devotional – April 27, 2014
Read Romans chapter 9 VERSE: Romans 9:32–Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. TRUTH: Paul is explaining why the people of Israel had missed out on the best that God had to offer for them. They missed it because they thought they could earn it. They thought they could work it up and could see God do amazing and wonderful things because of what they themselves had done. However, they missed the fact that God blesses because of our faith and His mercy. Are we trying to pursue God based on our works? If so,…
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Christian Devotional – Arpil 26, 2014
Read Romans chapter 8 VERSE: Romans 8:15–The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” TRUTH: When we came to Christ, He doesn’t make us a slave to His rules and laws. Instead, He makes us His children. We are children of the perfect Father. He loves us and gives us the structure and support we need to be able to do what He has for us to do. We don’t have to worry because He doesn’t have the same failings that our earthly Father has.…
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Christian Devotional – April 25, 2014
Read Romans chapter 7 VERSE: Romans 7:15–I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. TRUTH: How often do we feel like that! We want to please God and we know what we should be doing to do that, yet we do something else. We know what is sinful and wrong, yet we continue to do those things. There is a war going on inside of us. This war is between good and evil, between the flesh and the spirit. Even though we have committed our life to Christ, we must still, every minute of every…