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Christian Devotional – January 19, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 19 VERSE: Proverbs 19:21–Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. TRUTH: Often we plan and purpose and try to work out situations and circumstances in our life. Yet it is important to recognize that even with all our planning, it is the Lord’s plans and purpose that will ultimately work out. Are we trusting in our own plans or are we seeking out God’s plans and purpose? The Lord’s purpose is the one we are to be seeking for it is the one that is going to prevail. RESPONSE: Father, Your plans and purpose are the most important. I…
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Christian Devotional – January 18, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 18 VERSE: Proverbs 18:12–Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. TRUTH: Most people I’ve ever met want to receive honor of some kind, yet most people are not willing to experience humility first. The Bible indicates that only by going through humility do we find the path that leads to honor. On the other hand, pride leads to a downfall and disgrace. As we look at the attitude of our own heart, which path do we find ourselves on? Are we prideful and headed for destruction or are we humble and headed for honor? RESPONSE: Father, You are very clear on what…
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Christian Devotional – January 17, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 17 VERSE: Proverbs 17:9–Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. TRUTH: When someone wrongs us and offends us, how do we respond? According to this verse, we should try to foster love. If we deal with that offense just between ourselves and the other person, we can foster love. However, if we start repeating everything that happened to others, then we will separate close friends. We should take care of the issues and concerns as quietly as we can and not seek to broadcast another’s wrongs to other people. RESPONSE: Father, when we find out something that another…
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Christian Devotional – January 16, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 16 VERSE: Proverbs 16:4–The Lord works out everything to its proper end–even the wicked for a day of disaster. TRUTH: It doesn’t always seem like it at the time, but the Lord always has His eye on the end result. He always works out situations for the correct and proper result in the end. Rarely does it seem that way while we are going through situations in life, but we can take comfort in knowing that each and every situation will work itself out according to God’s plan. Do we trust His plans? Do we trust Him? RESPONSE: Father, when I look at situation I often see…
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Christian Devotional – January 15, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 15 VERSE: Proverbs 15:1–A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger TRUTH: When we encounter anger, do we help turn it away or do we stir it up more? The Lord gives us the secret to dealing with people who are angry. If we maintain our calm and speak with a gentle answer, we will find the wrath turning away from us. A harsh or angry word, on the contrary, will stir up even more anger. How do we respond to people who are angry? RESPONSE: Father, give me the patience to calmly deal with people who are angry. You give gentle answers;…
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Christian Devotional – January 14, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 14 VERSE: Proverbs 14:23–All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. TRUTH: Are we taking or doing? Each and every day we have the opportunity to be involved in the work that is part of God’s plan. Are we talking about the things we ought to do, or are we actually doing them? When it comes down to it, are we willing to do the work that is required to see the plans come together, or are we just going to talk about it and wish it would come together? God desires that we put action to what we talk about; will…
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Christian Devotional – January 13, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 13 VERSE: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but longing fulfilled is a tree of life. TRUTH: No matter what we are hoping for, the longer that it takes for that hope to come to fruition, the more difficult it becomes. Jesus Christ is our hope and our longing is for Him. Some days we can see Him clearly in every aspect of our life. Other days, it may be more difficult to see how He is working things out. Either way, we can know that just because our heart gets sick at the waiting doesn’t mean that we don’t still have the hope in Jesus Christ.…
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Christian Devotional – January 12, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 12 VERSE: Proverbs 12:22–The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. TRUTH: Honesty is of the upmost importance. We are to be honest in all that we say and do because God delights in our honesty, but lying is considered detestable to Him. It is important to remember that the Lord delights in us when we are being trustworthy. Are we delighting the Lord in all that we say and do? RESPONSE: Father, I do not want you to detest anything I say. I will speak words of truth. I desire to be a delight to You in all that I say…
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Christian Devotional – January 11, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 11 VERSE: Proverbs 11:3–The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. TRUTH: As we are going throughout our day, are we being guided by our integrity or are we being slowly destroyed by double standards and deception? This verse indicates that there really isn’t a third option; we are doing one of these two things every day. We must be sure that we are being people of integrity and doing what we say we are going to do, otherwise we will be ultimately destroyed. RESPONSE: Father, keep me in integrity. I desire to walk each day in Your path and…
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Christian Devotional – January 10, 2014
Read Proverbs chapter 10 VERSE: Proverbs 10:9–Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. TRUTH: Walking in integrity will not necessarily make us popular or give us lots of friends. Sometimes, making a choice to walk with integrity will cost us friends. However, we can be assured that as we walk each day in integrity, we are secure in our steps. Those on the crooked path who choose to not have integrity in what they do will actually be found out. Are we walking securely or are we traveling crooked paths. RESPONSE: Father, I love You and I want to act each day…