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Christian Devotional – September 7, 2013
VERSE: James 2:10–For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all. TRUTH: The Bible states in Romans that we have all sinned and here is an explanation of why. Obeying God is an all or nothing thing. Either we are perfect and never do anything wrong in our entire life or, if we fall short just one time, then we are guilty of breaking the entire law. God is gracious and knew we could never be perfect so He created a way to redeem us through His Son Jesus Christ. RESPONSE: Father, no matter how good I think I am…
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Christian Devotional – September 6, 2013
VERSE: James 1:4–Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. TRUTH: How do we become mature? Maturity comes as we allow God to move through our life through struggles. In the previous verses, we learn that facing struggles and situation that test our faith produces perseverance in our lives. Then as we allow perseverance to do and complete its work in our life, we experience the maturity that God desires for us. How do we face trials? Do we allow God to move and work no matter what happens knowing that He knows best in all situations? That is how we have…
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Christian Devotional – September 5, 2013
VERSE: Joel 3:21–“Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged? No I will not.” The Lord dwells in Zion. TRUTH: The Lord, speaking here, is reminding the people that He sees and knows all that is going on and all the struggles that they are going through. He promises that He is not going to leave the people to deal with the issues on their own. He will not leave the people without a champion. He will be their champion. He will avenge His people. RESPONSE: Father, You are still on Your throne and You still see all that occurs. You promise that You will avenge You people and I will…
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Christian Devotional – September 4, 2013
VERSE: Joel 2:13–Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. TRUTH: The people of Israel had a tradition that when they were in mourning or showing deep repentance, they would tear their robes. Unfortunately, it had come to be just a tradition and not something that actually reached their hearts. God is reminding the people that it is not about the outward signs of repentance, but the inner signs. Do we allow our hearts to be broken by our sin? Are we being genuine in our…
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Christian Devotional – September 3, 2013
VERSE: Joel 1:15–Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. TRUTH: Joel is describing the disaster of God’s judgment on the people. The people knew that the day was near, yet were not preparing for it. The same can be said about the return of Christ. That day is near as well. For those who are not prepared and ready, that day will be a day of destruction. Are we who are ready seeking to help those who are not? RESPONSE: Father, that day of Your return is a day of great anticipation for some and great dread…
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Christian Devotional – September 2, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 13:14–May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. TRUTH: Grace, love, and fellowship. These three traits are some of those that make up the core of the Christian life. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we can experience grace. God Himself is the author of love, and the Holy Spirit enables us to experience the fellowship of God. These three traits are to be evident in our lives and to be a focus on our daily walk with Him. RESPONSE: Father, help me to apply the grace, love, and fellowship that You…
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Christian Devotional – September 1, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 12:9–But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. TRUTH: Paul was given what he called a “thorn in the flesh” and when he asked God to remove it, God gave him this response. No matter what we face and what situations or struggles we find ourselves in, God’s grace is always sufficient for us. We can rest assured that through His grace we will always have exactly what we need to make it through. How? Because God’s…
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Christian Devotional – August 31, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 11:30–If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. TRUTH: Most people don’t think about boasting in their weaknesses, typically we try to hide those. However, Paul is using his weaknesses and sufferings as a way to explain God’s grace. Paul knows that these sufferings and difficulties are only so that God can be shown to be full of grace and power as He works through Paul to do the amazing things that Paul has been a part of. When we are weak, He’s shown to be strong. Are we boasting in our weaknesses so we can explain about God’s grace through…
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Christian Devotional – August 30, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 10:18–For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. TRUTH: The people Paul was talking to had some other people come by and preach to them as well, but those men were boasting about how much better they were than Paul. Paul reminds the Corinthians that it’s not about trying to earn the praise of men or boasting about oneself, but it’s about the Lord’s approval and commendation for a job well done. Do we boast of our own abilities or are we seeking only the praise of the Lord? RESPONSE: Father, forgive me for not only…
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Christian Devotional – August 29, 2013
VERSE: 2 Corinthians 9:11–You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. TRUTH: God blesses us in so many ways: money, time, experiences, wisdom, just to name a few. Why does God bless us? He blesses us so that we can bless others. We are to be generous with everything that God allows us to have. As we are generous with God’s blessings, others give thanks and praise back to God. God’s blessings lead to our generosity, which results in thanksgiving and praise back to God. RESPONSE: Father, Your cycle of blessing,…