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Christian Devotional – May 20, 2016
Read Amos chapter 4 VERSE: Amos 4:6–“I gave you empty stomachs in ever city and lack of bread in ever town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord. TRUTH: The Lord brought hardship and trials among the people. Why? He desired to see them turn back to Him. The trials were to drive the people to their knees in repentance as the recognized their need for a Holy God. However, the people just used the trials as an excuse to become more bitter and angry toward God. When we are facing trials, there can be a multitude of reasons, but sometimes, God’s trying to get our attention…
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Christian Devotional – March 17, 2016
Read Joshua chapter 14 VERSE: Joshua 14:12–Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said. TRUTH: “Do you see that really large, difficult, overwhelming problem over there? That’s what I want. Give that area to me!” Essentially, that’s exactly what Caleb said when he made this statement to Joshua. Caleb had trusted God to see Him through, even when almost no one else believed him and even when his entire country disagreed with him and caused…
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Christian Devotional – June 7, 2015
Read Psalm chapter 138 VERSE: Psalm 138:7–Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. TRUTH: We can only find safety and stability in one person, Jesus Christ. As God is with us, walking with us through the difficulties, we can trust in His strength and salvation to help us make it through. I love how it saw “walk in the midst of trouble,” for often God doesn’t pull us out of the trouble we are in, but he will allow us to go through it with Him right…
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Christian Devotional – October 26, 2014
Read Hosea chapter 5 VERSE: Hosea 5:13–When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his sores, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to the great king for help. But he is not able to cure you, not able to heal your sores. TRUTH: Who do we turn to when we are struggling and going through difficult times? For these people, they were going to anyone and everyone except God. Do we seek God in the midst of our difficulties? Or, are we instead turning to everything else that the world offers? God is the only one who is able to save and to restore. Run to Him! RESPONSE: Father,…
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Christian Devotional – October 9, 2014
Read 2 Samuel chapter 16 VERSE: 2 Samuel 16:12–It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today. TRUTH: David was fleeing from his son who was trying to kill him. Now, David was encountering a man who was cursing him. Instead of getting angry, David simply indicates that he will trust in the Lord. When we are going through hard times and when it feels like the whole world is against us, will we rest in God knowing that the Lord will restore his covenant blessing instead of the curses and difficulties? RESPONSE: Father, Your blessing…
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Book Review – Point of Origin by Amanda Tru
From Amazon: “I should have killed you when I had the chance. You have no idea, do you? Life is just a crazy coincidence? That’s fine. I have a feeling even mercy has a limit.” The terrorist’s words haunt Rachel Saunders. Are they the ramblings of a psychopath? Or is there someone else out there who is watching Rachel and deciding if she should live or die? When Rachel stumbles across something she was never meant to see, she discovers all the random events from the past year have connections that are much closer to home than she ever imagined. Now she must elude terrorists intent on killing her and…
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Christian Devotional – September 30, 2013
VERSE: Exodus 20:20–Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” TRUTH: While the people of Israel had been the recipients of the miracles of God, they had not yet had a personal experience or encounter with God Himself. So, as the people were gathered there, He revealed some of His glory and power directly to the people. God knew that it is much easier to follow Him one we’ve experienced and encountered Him. RESPONSE: Father, being tested is difficult, but since I have seen You move and work…
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Christian Devotional – September 15, 2013
VERSE: Exodus 5:9–Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies. TRUTH: Often times the enemy uses this same tactic that Pharaoh uses here. Pharaoh indicates that they should distract the people, get them complaining and focused on the difficulty of their situation and tasks and they will no longer focus on the truth of God. The Lord knows we must stay focused on Him no matter how difficult the day-to-day becomes. The enemy will call it lies, but it is actually the truth of God. He will guide us and His word will sustain us through those difficulties if we…
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Christian Devotional – February 5, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 5:20–They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagities and all their allies into their hands because they cried out to him during the battle. TRUTH: Are we crying out to God when we are going through difficulties? The Lord Himself delivered the people of Gad from their enemies because they cried out to Him. Do we rely on Him or try to do things on our own? What would a summary of our battles say? “They lost and were defeated because they clung to only themselves and not God.” Or instead, “They were victorious because they trusted in God.” RESPONSE: Father, I will cling…