Verse of the Day
It's good to be reminded, from time to time, of the promise of joy for those who remain faithful.
"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:6,17 NIV
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Take joy in the job God has provided for you. View it as a gift, an opportunity, a place of mission. Praise Him for where you are.
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him."
Ecclesiastes 3:12-14 NIV
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God gave Noah the plan. Noah was obedient. Through
his obedience, the world was reborn anew. Obedience,
that is a key.
"The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you
and your whole family, because I have found you
righteous in this generation. And Noah did all that
the LORD commanded him."
Genesis 7:1 & 5
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Our God is an awsome God. He reigns from heaven above.
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."
Micah 7:18 & 19 NIV
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Meekness is not a quality you hear much about or is often applauded in this world. Webster has this to say, "enduring ... with patience and without resentment." But what a reward for those who can achieve meekness.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:6
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We must die to our old self and desires. We cannot produce for God's Kingdom unless we give up all that we are to be made an instrument for God's use.
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."
John 12:24-25 NIV
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We have just finished harvest here in Kansas. In the evenings you can see vast fields ablaze with fire, burning the chaff left by the harvesters. That which they have no use for is destroyed. I pray that you are the wheat of the harvest and you are gathered into God's barn.
"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Matthew 3:12 NIV
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When we repent and confess, God's mercy and compassion are released in our lives. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
"When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."
Jonah 3:10 NIV
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When the Lord looked upon his people, he felt great compassion. He saw their unguided spirits. He saw them as they really are. Let us take up His challange. One, to see the spirit of a person and have compassion and two, give them the good news of the great Shepherd.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Matthew 9:36-38 NIV
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Christian differences should not separate us. In Christ we are all part of one body. His body.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."
I Corinthians 12:12
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We cannot condem others for no matter how hard we try, our nature is a barrier to perfection. We want to do right but our nature wars against the Spirit.
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
Romans 2:1 NIV
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As Jesus was leaving this world, He was concerned about you. He still is, concerned and praying to the Father on your behalf.
"I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one."
John 17:11 NIV
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There is room in our "family" for everyone. We want you to belong. We call you to come and join us.
"And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ."
Romans 1:6 NIV
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Do we "stand looking" at the last place we encountered God? Do we sit thinking about the last time we took time to let Him work in our lives? He's coming back. We must work now while there is time to prepare our lives and those around us for His return.
After ... this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Acts 1:9-11 NIV
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How interesting that Jesus says he did not come to earth to bring peace. He did not come to be politically correct. He did not come to be a pal and make everyone feel good. He came to bring the truth and to set free the captives of sin. But this truth brings division. It confronts wrong and evil. Everyone doesn't feel good when confronted with their sin. But they must see it. They must confess it.
"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Luke 12:51-53 NIV
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When we are fully persuaded God will fulfill His promise to us, we can move mountains. We can do what others think is impossible.
"Yet he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
Romans 4:20,21 NIV
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Do you ever feel like whacking some knucklehead to knock some sense into him? Do you think the Lord ever feels like that with you? Thank goodness He does not do it.
"For the LORD had said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites, `You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you."
Exodus 33:5 NIV
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Salvation is not a great journey. It's a few humble, simple steps of repeantance , acceptance and belief.
"He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved..."
Acts 16:30,31 NIV
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Read this prayer that Jesus prayed for his disciples...for you! This prayer for unity with the Father was so beautiful, I didn't know where to stop in quoting it.
"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
John 17:20-26 NIV
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Paul, whom many consider to be a "super" Christian, said this about himself. God's grace extends to us all. Praise the Lord.
"Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me"
Ephesians 3:8 NIV
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Let these words of David, be a beacon to your path, a light to your way. Say them with confidence when you don't feel so confident. Say them with assurance, when temptation comes knocking at your door.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1 NIV
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I thrill when I think of Paul speaking these words. I want his words to become my words. O, that I may be worthy to say them.
"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ"
Philippians 3:8 NIV
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God's forgiveness and love may transform us. But we may have some restitution to make. Some fences to mend. Some consequences to suffer for our past sin. God will walk with us through these difficult times.
"But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Luke 19:8 NIV
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I love these verses.
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you."
Isaiah 60:1,2 NIV
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It is my understanding that the Bible mentions money more often than any other single theme. How we manage our money must demonstrate how we manage our relationship to God.
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Matthew 6:24 NIV
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It's only other people who can't see what is on our "inside." God can.
"In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Matthew 23:28 NIV
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I am a holy vessel, created by God for His purpose. He has made me thus. May I remain holy in Him.
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way."
Daniel 1:8 NIV
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A prayer for God's servants.
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Galatians 6:14 NIV
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It's no great mystery how to share Christ with others. The plain simple truth of what has happened to you, how He has changed you will do just fine.
Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."
Matthew 11:4,5 NIV
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It is said, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Don't be foolish.
When God looks at your home, what does he see?
"Only fools say in their hearts, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; no one does good! God looks down on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks God."
Psalm 53:1-2
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I've been in a "blue funk" of depression for a day or two. Then I looked up this verse. What can I expect but disappointment from the world. They are not my source of strength or encouragement. No, I put my hope in God.
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Psalm 42:11 NIV
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As you look around you at those you come in contact with each day, I trust you recognize the many opportunities to be at the Father's work.
"Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
John 5:17 NIV
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What is the one thing that could make you truly happy? What do you need so that you could relax and enjoy life? Consider your answer carefully. Desire the best.
"Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Luke 12:15 NIV
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It's a wonderful fealing when someone who is bigger, stronger, smarter, more "together," reaches a hand to us to help us along. It makes us feel one with them. Partners in the endeavor. Like we can cope and bear those things that weigh us down.
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up."
Romans 15:1,2
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When we look into the face of Jesus, whether through the Spirit or when we see Him in others, we can praise the Lord. We can see Him because the Holy Spirit reveals Him to us. Others cannot see Him unless we help them to understand spiritual things. What a great opportunity to be part of that revelation.
"When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
Matthew 27:54 NIV
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I wonder if it's more often a question of knowing what is right or wrong, or being obedient to what we know is right over wrong?
"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
1 Kings 3:9 NIV
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It's the little things that "pile up" to become "life." Take care of the little things. Yield them to God and the sum total will be a life lived for Him.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:31 NIV
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Which is farther? The ends of the earth, or my next door neighbor? No matter, I can receive all power, from the Holy Spirit, to make that trip from my yard to his.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8 NIV
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If we know what God wants us to do, no obstacle can interfere to the accomplishment of His will, through us. We may meet roadblocks or setbacks, but ask for strength to meet His plan for us, and we will have it.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
John 15:7 NIV
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A friend of mine shed this light on 1st Chronicles. "Enlarge my territory." Broaden my view of the world around me. Make me feel responsible for others. Help me to look further for those in need and be able to meet their needs. Get my eyes up off myself and out to others needs.
"Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request."
1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV
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When I read this I thought, people who don't know
God cannot see Him. How can they know unless I am
their eyes. If they don't see, it is because I
have not shown them.
"He was not seen by all the people, but by
witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who
ate and drank with him after he rose from the
dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and
to testify that he is the one whom God appointed
as judge of the living and the dead."
Acts 10:41-42 NIV
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If you feel the world is out of control, you are
right. All of the world, that is, except your
heart and mind, if you are a child of God.
"We know that we are children of God, and that
the whole world is under the control of the evil
one."
I John 5:19 NIV
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I've been studying an intimate love relationship
with Jesus this past winter. What would that mean
to you?
[God said, "if you obey], "I will make you into a
great nation and I will bless you; I will make
your name great, and you will be a blessing. I
will bless those who bless you, and whoever
curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."
Genesis 12:2,3
NIV
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"Speaking the truth in love." Why do we say what
we say? Do we often 'speak between the lines' so
to speak? Let's be honest and loving with each
other.
"[Judas said,] Why wasn't this perfume sold and
the money given to the poor? It was worth a
year's wages." He did not say this because he
cared about the poor but because he was a thief;
as keeper of the money bag, he used to help
himself to what was put into it."
John 12:5,6
NIV
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Do you ever have a craving for something special,
something that is really a treat? Craving--what a
strong word.
"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,
so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
I Peter 2:2-3 NIV
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God spoke to the poeple through Jeremiah in a
time of sadness and oppression. All the people
wondered where God was. He was there, hearing
their cries. He hears you as well. He will, in
His timing, bring you into the joy you long for.
"They will come and shout for joy on the heights
of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the
LORD-- the grain, the new wine and the oil, the
young of the flocks and herds. They will be like
a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no
more.Then maidens will dance and be glad, young
men and old as well. I will turn their mourning
into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy
instead of sorrow."
Jeremiah 31:12,13 NIV
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I had a birthday recently, number 46. My body
does not work like it used to when I was 18. My
physical body stumbles and falls. Hopefully my
spiritual body is growing stronger and I grow
more in Christ.
"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men
stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:30,31 NIV
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While mowing the lawn the other day, I was
thinking about this passage of scripture. The men
who followed Jesus and helped to develop his plan
on earth were not great speakers or specially
talented men, they were men who were obedient to
God's call. That's the first step in being part
of His "team."
"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he
saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net
into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come,
follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you
fishers of men." At once they left their nets and
followed him."
Mark 1:16-18 NIV
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God said this of His Son, Jesus. Can Jesus say
this of you, His child?
"And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son,
whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:17 NIV
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We give honor to God. It is due Him. He is
awesome and mighty. Do not give credit for His
deeds to others.
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give
my glory to another or my praise to idols."
Isaiah 42:8 NIV
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God is sometimes a God of second chances. We know
Jonah messed up big time the first time. God
spoke again and Jonah was obedient. God loved him
for this. God gives you a second change, give
yourself that chance too.
"Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second
time: .... Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and
went to Nineveh."
Jonah 3:1&3 NIV
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The popular phrase today is WWJD, What Would
Jesus Do. It was popular back in the Bible days
as well.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did
not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the
very nature of a servant..."
Philippians
2:5-7 NIV
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When I read this verse, I was immediately struck
by the fact that when evil is confronted by
Truth, when darkness is illumniated by Light,
there is a violent reaction against that which
reveals the evil. Evil cannot withstand Truth.
Eventually it will triumph. Share God's Truth
with those in need.
"I and the Father are one." Again the Jews picked
up stones to stone him,"
John 10:30,31 NIV
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I thought, when I read this verse, can people
tell that my God is living by looking and
listening to me? Or would they be astonished to
learn, based on what they see and hear, that is
what I believe?
"He is not the God of the dead but of the
living." When the crowds heard this, they were
astonished at his teaching."
Matthew 22:33-33
NIV
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We in the United States, celebrate the birth of
our Nation today. Established under the law of
man and God. Pray that we return to the intention
of our founders, "one nation, under God." (I love
this Psalm. It is both a hymn and a prayer.)
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of
sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his
delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law
he meditates day and night. He is like a tree
planted by streams of water, which yields its
fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the
judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the
righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of
the righteous, but the way of the wicked will
perish."
Psalm 1 NIV
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We are called out of the darkness into the Light
of Salvation. We come, hearing the Master's
voice. Longing to be in His presence.
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and
they follow me. I give them eternal life, and
they shall never perish; no one can snatch them
out of my hand."
John 10:27, 28 NIV
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Recently, reports have been shown on American TV
about Vietnam prisoner of war conditions. Men,
sitting alone, bound by ropes and bound by
darkness. I'm reminded of the darkness that Satan
uses to bind us. But the good news is that Jesus
sets us free.
"Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had
rebelled against the words of God and despised
the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected
them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there
was no one to help. Then they cried to the LORD
in their trouble, and he saved them from their
distress. He brought them out of darkness and the
deepest gloom and broke away their chains."
Psalm 107:11-14 NIV
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During the transfiguration of Jesus, the presence
of God was seen and felt on that mountain top.
I've been places where I have felt the presence
of God almost that strong. I agree with Peter, It
was good to be there. But now, as then, life is
lived in the valleys, for the most part. The
presence of God can be that strong within you as
you walk the trail of the faithful.
"Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to
be here."
Matthew 17:4 NIV
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Scripture if full of covenants that God makes
with his believers. He is faithful and will
fulfill his part of those agreements, if we are
faithful to fulfill our part.
"Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had
said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had
promised."
Genesis 21:1 NIV
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Do you wonder what the will of God, for your life, is? Many places in the Bible He tells us specifically how we should act. We need not question if that is God's will.
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8 NIV
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You are God's creation, a thing of beauty. Live your life with this glorious knowledge and reflect His beauty in all you do and say.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
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"The eyes of your heart..." What an interesting description of seeing the truth of God.
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given,not only in the present age but also in the one to come."
Ephesians 1:18-21 NIV
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We tend to "beat ourselves up" and carry guilt for our sin, after God has forgiven us. He died "once for all" and when He forgives our sin, that particular sin is forgiven "once for all time." Don't continue to punish yourself for a sin God has forgiven you for.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit..."
I Peter 3:18 NIV
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Oh, that we might shine brightly in this darkened world. Go forth today and radiate His Glory.
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you."
Isaiah 60:1&2 NIV
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What must we endure? What must we sacrifice for eternal life? We have a powerful example in Jesus. Look to Him for the faith to endure, to conquer, to triumph.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
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I have a wonderful son 15 and daughter 12.5. I love them but don't tell them often enough. I need to validate them more often. Tell them how much I love them.
"And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Mark 1:11 NIV
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What glorious freedom to be out from under the law of eternal death. To know that we can be forgiven for our sins and that they will not be remembered against us. Praise the Father for his mercy.
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
Galatians 4:4-7 NIV
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