07 Tuesday Jun 2016
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In today’s reading I love Paul’s simple command in 1 Corinthians 16:14, Do everything in love. If we focused on love as we serve the Kingdom of God, we can’t mess it up.
28 Saturday May 2016
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While we have freedom in Christ, we still struggle with sin at times. Some people even struggle with lifelong addiction. And while our freedom in Christ may allow us to be free to do things that cause others to stumble, we should not do it out of love. In 1 Corinthians 8:13 Paul says, Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. Protecting each other from sin is one of many ways we can love each other. While I may not struggle with a particular sin, I can protect my brothers and sisters by being mindful of how I can protect their hearts as well as mine.
12 Thursday May 2016
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If God’s love truly lives in us, it will be overflowing to those around us. In 1 Thessalonians 3:12 encourages the believers, May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. It is not just being “nice” to others, it is an active outpouring of love to everyone around us as a reflection of God’s love for us.
05 Thursday May 2016
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Jew or Gentile doesn’t matter. We are saved by the love and sacrifice of Jesus. In Galatians 5:6 Paul says, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has an value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Let us make no mistake that Christ died and saved us because of His love for us. There is no other reason or motive. In turn, we are to reflect the love of Jesus to others because of our faith in His love for us. We were created for this purpose.
04 Wednesday May 2016
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For those who were not born through the Israelite lineage, God provided a way for all to be saved through Christ. In Galatians 4:7 Paul says, So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Though we are adopted children, just like any adopted child, we have the right to the full inheritance. God loves us no matter how we became His children.
06 Wednesday Apr 2016
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Today we begin the transition from the Gospel of Jesus to the start of the Church. The Church (with a capital “C”) is what we refer to as the body of believers of Christ. This is not a building. It is not comprised of associations or denominations. It is the body of Christ manifest through those who believe in Him and have a desire to serve Him in the light of eternity. While I am not against the congregation of believers in buildings, I do believe we get too caught up in our own idea of what Christianity is supposed to be about. We also get too caught up in defending our individual nuances of the details of our beliefs. In the end, we are called to do two simple things. 1) Love God. 2) Love others. If we can figure out how to accomplish those two simple things, we will be in great shape.
04 Monday Apr 2016
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I cannot wait to feel the joy of seeing Jesus face to face for the first time. When Mary Magdalene saw Jesus for the first time after His resurrection is probably a good glimpse of what it will be like for us. John 20:15 paints the picture, Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means teacher). When I read the part where Jesus calls Mary’s name, I try to replace her name with mine on the day I see Him for the first time face to face.
26 Saturday Mar 2016
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After Jesus was crucified, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body to be buried. Pilate, though he was surprised Jesus died so quickly, gave the body to Joseph. In Mark 15:46-47 we read about what Joseph did with Jesus’ body, 46 So Joseph brought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in the tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. So… Today we wait. But tomorrow is coming.
25 Friday Mar 2016
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Today is Good Friday, and one of the most painful days in the history of our faith. It all came down to this in Matthew 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. But just remember… Sunday is coming!
24 Thursday Mar 2016
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Today we read Jesus’ prayer to God just before the end of His ministry here on earth. As I read the prayer, I could not help feel a sense of honor that Jesus prayed for me and all future believers in the last part of His prayer. In John 17:20-21 Jesus specifically says, 20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 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. Jesus’ desire was that we all become one body of believers. There is power in unity. His desire was not for us to become a gang, but a loving and encouraging body that cares for each other and as a group can care for others in need. Our body of believers should form a hospital, not a country club. We are here for the sick, not the privileged. Let us always remember this.
Daily Devotion 