Tag Archive for: Life

Dealing with Distractions

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Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

I really love this passage of Scripture.  I love that the author, John, doesn’t beat around the bush.  He gets straight to the point.  I love that!  I learn best from those who get straight to the point.  I have a difficult time with people who beat around the bush, so I can really appreciate John’s straight forward approach to life.

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Worthy of Praise

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Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

I love this verse!  I daily enjoy taking time to thank God for His abundant work in my life.  I love taking notice of every little thing that He has done for me.  Have you thanked Him lately?  If you were to tell someone about the kindnesses of the Lord, what would your list look like?  How many things would you be able to share?

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No Worries

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Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord. For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out its roots by the river; and will not fear the heat when it comes; but its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought nor stop bearing fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8, AMP)

I love the imagery that this passage of Scripture creates in my mind.  I want to be that tree planted by the water, who never fails to bear fruit for the Lord.  Let’s take a look at how this can be done!

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” (Jeremiah 17:7)

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The Powerful Name of Jesus

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For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23, AMP)

Have you noticed that the name of Jesus isn’t used as much as the name of God?  I find in many conversations that I talk a lot about God and I hear a lot about Him.  But the mention of Jesus is rare.  Oh sure, I hear about Him and talk about Him during Easter and Christmas.  Who doesn’t?  But that name, that name that will cause every knee to bow… isn’t always on the tip of my tongue!  Why is that?

Honestly, I think that Satan is trying to silence us because he knows the power that exists in the name of Jesus.  He sees that power and it terrifies him.

Sometimes we see people cower from the name of Jesus, people disengage from conversation when we use His name, some people simply walk away, and still others are harsh when we talk about Jesus.  The name of Jesus stirs up controversy.  Have you seen it? I certainly have.

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Eternity is at Stake

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For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8, AMP)

Today, I have to be honest…  the devotional I’m about to write tears my heart apart.  It breaks me inside and causes my eyes to well up with tears.  In fact, writing about it is difficult.  I would love to gloss over it.  I would love to pretend it doesn’t exist.  But I can’t gloss over it and I can’t pretend it doesn’t exist.  Even if acknowledging it hurts!

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