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Fact Check them

05 Mar

Fact Check them

2 Corinthians 11:3 -4   But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted–you may well put up with it!

The apostle Paul was getting slammed by false teachers in Corinth. He had visited there, spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the early church was started. He had written an earlier letter to encourage them, strengthen them, and help with necessary disciplinary actions within the church. He had promised to return to Corinth. In his absence, there were those in the church who began to slam Paul and his ministry. The lied about many things, all to discredit Paul’s ministry and hurt the cause of Christ. Satan had infiltrated the church. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

We all must come to realize there are most likely more false teachers today; Satan’s captains disguised as angels of light. They flood our airways in all the media outlets, they are with us every Sunday at our churches. They preach soft gospels of prosperity and earthly riches that God wants you to have; to name it and claim it. Christ told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and give it to the poor. Luke 18:22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” When Christ was gathering his disciples, his call was not that of a two week notice; it was one of leaving all you have to follow Him, and reap the eternal reward. Matthew 16:24 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Nowhere in the Bible does he tell us to grab all we can for our short time here. We are told to live for the hope of eternal paradise. In that hope is the eternal peace that is a treasure the world cannot possess or steal from us.

Paul could have lived a life of exceeding any of today’s rich pastors. He could have used his testimony of Christ visiting him on the Damascus road, to his visit to Christ in heaven, (2 Corinthians 12:1-6), all to draw the attention and glory to himself. His understanding and love for Christ kept him humble and persecuted. This gave him a ministry that only glorified Christ and showed the power of Christ that was so evident in his life. When you hear a pastor speak something that either stirs your heart, or stirs a question in your soul, pray and go to God’s Word to find the answer. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Don’t just blindly take their word for it; let God show you the truth himself in His Word.

 
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Posted by on March 5, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Tunnel vision

04 Mar

Tunnel vision

2 Timothy 2:14-15   Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The apostle Paul was encouraging Timothy of how to keep focused; of how to not waste his energies on some of the false profits in that day. Some things are just considered babble, and not even worthy of Timothy taking the time to respond. Paul is pressing Timothy to focus on the Gospel, and the defense of it, but to not spend his time addressing the matters that truly do not matter at all. Focus on his ministry and make sure that it always has substance that benefits the hearers. Do not waste his time and energy on things that truly did not make a difference.

“Rightly divided” is only found here in the New Testament. It means to “cut straight”, like a straight path, or keeping a straight course. Paul is charging Timothy to not let the distractions take his eyes off his ministry. Satan loves to provide the distractions. When you begin to pursue God in his Word and prayer, it is no coincidence that phones ring, something seemingly important arises, you remember a “to do” that hasn’t gotten done, anything and everything to take your eyes off spending time with God. Satan knows the power that comes in a heart truly seeking God; a heart focused on serving God and becoming a disciple for Him. Satan wants to give you every reason, even seemingly good reasons to not come to abide.

A heart for Him is a heart that feels his power in the Word that is given to us. The more time you spend in the Bible, the more the Holy Spirit reveals it too you. 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. With this time cultured in the Bible comes an understanding that brings about a light in your heart that others begin to see. This light is the light of Christ that lives in you, and He begins to use you to teach what He has shown you in his Word. The more time you spend there, the more you live a life focused there, the more you become like Him. Stay rooted in God’s Word and begin to strive to be the best disciple you can be for Him. You will begin to see the distractions for what they are, and your heart will be less bent to respond to them.

 
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Posted by on March 4, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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I am second

28 Dec

I am second

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

There is a movement out there called “I am Second” that focuses on the struggles of life we all face, and presents the testimonies of individuals that have found the answer to their struggles in Christ. Stories of lives changed through the Gospel; stories of people that as a result of that change come to realize that their lives revolve around Christ; not Christ around them. Putting Him first in your life means that you no longer live in the selfishness that the world breeds; you become elevated in a way the world does not understand by becoming a slave to it’s King. A heart transformed in the understanding of Christ as the ruler of your life, is a heart that shines in thanksgiving for His sacrifice and provision of it.

The Apostle Paul got it. He understood the sacrifice that Christ had made for him; he understood the outpouring of grace on a person who formerly dedicated his life to going against Christianity. Paul had such zeal for the Law that he persecuted Christians to death. He was in that pursuit of Christ followers when Christ approached him on the Damascus road in a blinding light. Acts 9:4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Paul had been living a prideful life; he was greatly known and respected in his knowledge of religion. He even was present at the martyr of Stephen, holding the coats of the men who stoned Stephen. This started a great persecution of the Christian church with Paul (then Saul) as a leader.

When Christ came into his life, transformed and saved it, Paul came to realize how bad he was before Christ. He thought of himself as the baddest of the bad. 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. When you accept what Christ has offered you as a child of His forever forgiven, it should move you to a place of humble thanksgiving. It should move you to the pursuit of God and the things of God in every day of your life. It should move you to share what He gave you with others who have not found the answer in Him yet. It should move you to a pursuit in prayer and His Word every day. It should move you to place Him above everything else in your life. Becoming second is no longer the first looser, but is the eternal winner in Christ.

Take a look at this website and the stories of struggles and healing people found in Christ.

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Posted by on December 28, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Strength found in peace

18 Dec

Strength found in peace

Romans 8:38-39   For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have tried to remove myself and my family from the horror of last Friday. We are not watching the news, for the pain of the victims hits so hard at home with our boys those ages. We do not want to see the sensationalism that the killer receives. We do not want to see political agenda’s take spotlights and advantages of such tragedies. We can only pray for the God’s comfort to all those involved; for them to see and seek the need for God in their lives. I did hear of another teacher yesterday using this as an example to share her faith to her students. She spoke of how she would defend them at all costs; for the hope that lies in her is greater than her hope that lies in the world. That confidence as a Christian breeds hero’s in adversity; that confidence goes against the selfishness that society breeds today.

The Apostle Paul is stating in the scriptures above in every way he can, that nothing can separate us from the security of God’s love. Anything and everything may come against us, but God will never leave us once we are His. Hebrews 13:5 For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The security you feel when you know, that you know, that you are going to heaven, is an inner strength to face the unthinkable. This inner strength is something Satan continues to try to rob you of, but the more time you spend with God in His Word and prayer, the stronger that secure feeling becomes. This security breeds an inner peace to face the world and the troubles of it. That peace is my one word description of my faith.

Paul speaks a powerful prayer over those at Ephesus. His long prayer of thanksgiving and for their spiritual wisdom, speaks of that peace gained in the knowledge of Christ’s love and power. Ephesians 1:15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. There is obtainable peace to you in a world spinning out of control around you. This peace in you will comfort you, and enable to comfort those around you in their time of need.

 
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Posted by on December 18, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Daily Failures

17 Dec

Daily Failures

Romans 7:15-17   For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

I seem to be spending a lot of time in Romans lately. God is just speaking to me there. I came upon Romans 7 today where the great Apostle Paul speaks of his continued struggles with sin. He spends much time explaining how the Law (God’s commandments), reveals sin to us. Paul was a great sinner before he came to know Christ. He persecuted Christian’s as a zealous Pharisee, even to the point of death. Christ appeared to him in a blinding light and changed his heart forever. He also told Paul of how he must suffer as a disciple for Christ. Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Christ used Paul’s zeal to reach generations, change the world, and write much of the New Testament.

Paul was far from perfect. He still battled with sin; he still failed every day in some way. In his zeal he most likely agonized in that failure, for he desired with every fiber within himself to honor Christ and not fail in sin. But he also came to realize that he could not even live a day without the failure; for he will never achieve perfection as Christ. That conviction of your daily sin; conviction of the sin just committed; is an evidence of the Spirit living inside of you. Paul continues to agonize with this struggle. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

We have the need to live every single day in God’s mercy and grace. We live in His mercy to not give us what we deserve. We live in His grace to give us what we do not deserve. These mercies and graces should be approached and spoken to before God in prayer. Especially when we feel those convictions of sin. We should desire to keep a humble, clear conscious in our relationship with God. This is key to hearing from God. Those unconfessed sins lie in the way of our relationship. Paul knows there is no hope for him but in Christ, and says so in his closing statement. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! When you fail today, and you will fail today, approach God in prayer. Plea for His forgiveness, and thanksgiving for His daily mercy and grace.

 
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Posted by on December 17, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Who do they see?

21 Nov

Who do they see?

2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

This ministry is never to be my soap box, or in any way to have any hidden agenda. It is to be a platform to bring my every days actions, thoughts, and emotions into the light of Christ. It is to bring the struggles we all deal with every day to reveal what God is showing me in them. He is pointing out my faults and pointing me to Him. Last night at dinner we had a waitress that just opened up to us. We all three shared our faith with and encouraged each other. She even touched on her struggles at work as a Christian. We discussed the same feelings that a mark of Christianity is struggling right now; for we are going against the grain of the world. There was an immediate connection and God used me to encourage her I know; it was very humbling.

I am struggling just like so many of you in so many ways. It all can seem to be overbearing, more than I can handle at times, many times the only thing I can do is to go to sleep at the end of the day to escape. I awake the next day and God shows me things in His Word every morning to open my eyes through my heart. I do believe He has called me to a tough ministry; a ministry that will not make me popular; a ministry to tell the hard truth, and not the soft news that people want to hear. The Apostle Paul spoke of his dedication to spreading the news of Christ to the Corinthians; of giving it his all even when it costs him. Paul even spoke of the area of pride in the scriptures preceding (2:11-13). Paul also speaks of pride in Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

How do you reflect Christ every day; do you reflect Christ? Do people know that you are a Christian without you telling them? The more time you spend in God’s Word the more time you will reflect Christ. The more time you spend in God’s Word the more you will see Christ at work around you. The more time you spend in God’s Word the easier it will become to hear God’s voice. John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. You cannot claim Christianity in an hour every Sunday. Christ called us to become a, and make others, disciples of His. Christianity is a verb; it requires action not simple passivity. My heart lies in prodding you to spend daily time with God. That action will cause everything else to fall into place; but it takes effort on your part.

 
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Posted by on November 21, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Man, have I got a story to tell you

13 Nov

Man, have I got a story to tell you

Acts 26:19-20   “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

The Jews sought to kill the Apostle Paul. He had been rescued of sorts and had been taken to a Roman prison to stand before Governor Felix.  It was at times almost as a house arrest with privileges, because Felix could find no charges against him to merit punishment. For two years Felix’s curiosity with Paul and his message kept Paul close to Felix. Felix was succeeded by Festus, and Paul’s case was brought before him by the Jews again. Festus confronted Paul, and Paul witnessed to him of his faith and the case against him; then he asked to go before Caesar. In the interim, King Agrippa came to see Festus, and they brought Paul before them to hear his story again. Time after time Paul shared his faith and testimony of how Christ changed his life; and of how he could change theirs too. These were the men who held the power of life and death in their judicial system in their hands; and Paul boldly shared his faith.

Are you a walking, talking testimony of the power of Christ in your life? Are you an example of a life with new meaning once you discovered the hope of eternity; the forgiveness of sin; the power of God to transform your heart? Do those around you wonder what changed? Do they ask; do you tell? Your life’s story has a beginning and an end. Somewhere along that line is the point in your life that you experience Salvation through a humble repentant heart. That mark in your life becomes your testimony of the conversion of your life through Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. Every part of your life before and after that mark comes under new light. The before Christ mark allows you to witness to those in the same struggles and place hope in them for a change. The struggles you face as a disciple of Christ show you how to suffer for Christ; to take these challenges and focus in on Christ for strength. All that we face as Christians is to be used to draw glory to God.

There are three things you cannot be taken away: Salvation, your testimony, and God’s Word that you plant in your heart. Your story matters to God, and your story can be used by God to draw others to Him. Are you keeping it to yourself? Are you being bold as Paul and witnessing to those you see every day in your circle of influence? Do they even know you are a Christian by your actions? We live in a nation in dire need of hope, and you can share your hope of an eternally changed life by sharing your testimony. Most likely; the person who needs to hear it most is the person standing before you that God placed there. 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

 
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Posted by on November 13, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Satan’s hole in his camo

12 Nov

Satan’s hole in his camo

2 Timothy 2:3-4   You therefore must endure[ hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

This is a day we remember those who were and are serving our country in our military. They are those who dedicated their lives to obtaining the goal set before them at all costs. No veteran should be so weak as to not lay down their life for their cause. It is instilled in them in training for their focused purposes that may lay ahead. They are to be honored for their service in the face of all types of dangers to protect what so many take for granted in the freedom we so cherish. They serve with a honor and dignity under their commander for the nation they are sworn to protect. It mostly comes with a cost; pain and sometimes death; but that is what they understood upon offering themselves up as a soldier for our country.

The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him in what he knows he will face in the difficulties of being a disciple of Christ’s; even as a soldier for Christ. He is encouraging him to remain focused as soldier to please his commander; to accomplish the goal through any hardships he may endure; to press on. When you begin to step forward in your walk with Christ; that is when it may get difficult. Distractions come in all sorts; but they will come to take your eyes off the mission at hand; to spread Christ’s gospel to those in your circle of influence. The affairs of this life may seem to be blessings, anxieties, timetables, sickness, pain, the list goes on. All of them to take your eyes off Christ; all of them from the enemy as John 10:10 says; 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I live a life of being pulled in all directions. A husband, father, business owner, sole provider, student. I struggle just like all of you in time management with all these titles and more. I am indebted to lenders, indebted to my family, but ultimately indebted to Christ. Being a soldier for Christ does not mean you remove yourself from the world; it means you show Christ to your world. It means that in everything you do, in all that you face, you take that opportunity to share your faith. God gives you opportunities to witness where Satan seeks to bring distractions and strife. When you begin to see and understand all that you face has passed through God’s hands; it becomes easier to remain focused on sharing your faith with those around you. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. A good soldier for Christ can see Satan’s camouflaged distractions and press on to the goal that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Square pegs in round holes

11 Nov

Square pegs in round holes

Ephesians 5:15-17    Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (ESV)

Do you ever have that feeling of being an outsider? That feeling of just not belonging where you are? The closer you get to God; the closer you get to understanding how far this world we live in is apart from God. I could go down the path of listing the evidences of this reality, but if you argue with them, or you are blind to them, you are not grounded in the Word, but in the world. The more you surround yourself with the things of God on a daily basis, the more you will realize how your spiritual senses have been numbed before. All of the media that invades our minds daily dulls our senses to God. There are ways to heighten your senses and become more keen to how God sees the world; but it takes effort on your part.

The Apostle Paul was trying to unify the church at Ephesus to live like Christians. He writes in Ephesians 4-6 of how we “were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”(5:8). Paul is writing to those that are being persecuted; himself being in prison at the time of this Epistle. There was evidence in his life of his belief in Christ. There should be a before and after point in the testimony of your life with Christ. You cannot remain idle once you become saved; idleness is backsliding. You are either moving forward in your pursuit of Him, or you are falling away from Him; you cannot sit still. This pursuit is gained in the time God has given us and how we utilize that time. Matthew Henry said, “Our time is a talent given us by God for some good end, and it is misspent and lost when it is not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must endeavour to redeem it by doubling our diligence in doing our duty for the future.”

The more you begin to seek God every day; the more you will begin to remove yourself from the ways of the world. There will be a hunger that grows, a desire to know more of Him. If you follow that desire in a conscious effort, God will open your mind through your heart. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Your life will never be the same once you begin to pursue God every day. You will find joy in being that outsider; apart from the world; separated to God. Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.

Application: I felt God work in my life in the music I listened to. When I changed my radio to contemporary Christian music and left it there, it made a huge difference in my life. You cannot seek God’s heart one moment and listen to Highway to Hell the next.

 
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Posted by on November 11, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Do you see the red dot on the target?

09 Nov

Do you see the red dot on the target?

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Even as I tried to pray this morning the world rushes in. The tasks of the day, of the next day, of all the busyness of life. All these things that we all try to do, so many times trying to do too much. In today’s rough economy if we are lucky enough to have a job, most likely we are expected to be doing more for less; to make up for the budget cuts. We then take the personal side of our lives and try to pack in every activity possible; even church is hopefully made the cut on the itinerary. Satan smiles; our eyes are on the tasks and not on Christ. Well played Satan; well played indeed. Time we feel is our enemy; and we may pay for it for eternity.

The Apostle Paul was writing to refute all the false teachers in Colosse. and Laodecia.  They had come and presented their “to do” lists to the believers. They had led them astray in all of the ritualistic religion tasks they were tell people they must do to be saved. The pressures of the tasks pointed to people earning their salvation; and not the grace God has given them through Christ. They were taking their eyes off Christ and focusing on what they saw as required tasks. Paul pointed them back to focusing on Christ. Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight– 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Grounded and steadfast – focused.

There is the busyness; then there is the pain that may take our eyes off Christ. It may be the loss of a job, the strain of relationships, the pain of sickness, and the list goes on. The trials of life designed by Satan is to draw our attention away from the target. Satan wants us to lash out at God; to be angry in the “why me”? God allows the trials to grow us and draw us near to Him; Satan’s plans backfire; so Satan will form another plan. A mark of a true Christian is a life of struggle; a life of desiring God in all that they face. A life marked by the pain of the trial, and the ever-growing heart for God. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. We must press within ourselves to realize all we face can seem small when we focus on God. I even feel trapped in my current situation in so many ways; but I strive to not let it get me down. For when I begin to look down into worry, my eyes are no longer looking up to my eternal King sitting on the throne; and I get to join Him for eternity.

 
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Posted by on November 9, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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