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The Godly Character of Love
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) We’ve all heard the words, “All you need is love,” and that is the plain and simple truth as long as you know who love is. That’s right, who. The bible tells us that God is love. When you read the verse above, every time the word…
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Treasure Hunting
The other day I went treasure hunting. I was looking for rustic flower pots and decor for my courtyard and decided to visit some local antique stores. It was so fun looking at all the history in the small shops and I even remembered having some of the items on display when I was younger. Those items brought back memories and feelings of nostalgia and made for a very enjoyable day. The next morning as I was reading bible passages that went with my studies I again experienced that same joy and excitement. The study took me to several verses throughout the bible and I found myself on a spiritual…
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Beyond the Moments
Blessed are those……… Matthew 5:4 Matthew chapter 5 is where Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount. It is the message that taught people what God’s Kingdom is meant to be like and it was radically different than what they had been taught or expected. They had an idea of what life would be like when the Messiah arrived, but when He did, it was as a humble servant, a suffering Savior and not a vengeful warrior. They could only see their current situation and not beyond. What they wanted was freedom from Rome and what they got was a whole new way of thinking, being and responding. Jesus was teaching them,…
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Ultimate Rejection
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46 I have always wondered about today’s passage because the bible tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), yet at the darkest, most painful moment of Jesus’ life He was forsaken, abandoned and rejected. I understand that the full weight of our sins were upon Him and that sin separates us from God, which means that the sin separated Him from the Father. I also believe that out of His amazing love for us, Jesus willingly took our sin…
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Take His Yoke
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 Yesterday I shared about the beautiful throne room scene I received where I was able to lay my burdens down and receive rest from deep weariness just as today’s passage mentions. But the next words speak of taking on His yoke and learning from Him which sound like work. If what he promises us is rest, why does he tell…
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Deep Soul Weariness
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:11 Several months ago I was led to purchase a new bible study called, When Strivings Cease, by Ruth Chou Simons. I received it during a very busy season at work and decided to begin the study when things slowed down a bit. Little did I know that I would be living out just about everything the study taught about striving and the result was deep soul weariness. I was burnt out, tired, frustrated, disappointed and hurting all because I was striving to obtain the…
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My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23 Jesus told us that He is the Good Shepherd and that His sheep know His voice and…
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The Older Brother
Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours…
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God is luv
During my devotional time the other day I was praying for the Lord to help me with my attitude, my pride and my lack of desire to help with a friend’s project. My phone rang during my prayer and a client needed to make a hotel reservation. When I asked her for an email address to send the confirmation she said, Godisluv. God is love. In a very unique way the Lord was responding to my prayer. He was reminding me that it isn’t about me, my time, my desires….it’s about loving God and loving people. When I returned to my devotional the next passage was Philippians 3:7-11 But whatever…
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Eating Crumbs
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.…