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DAILY DEVOTION

8/13/2019

Service to Others
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 13:3-15 (Scripture quoted is from MSG)
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Scripture Quote: For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world; They'll continue in the world While I return to you. Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life that you conferred as a gift through me, So they can be one heart and mind. (John 17:11)

Washing His disciple’s feet was about Christ's attitude, not the act of foot washing. Jesus knew that He would soon be betrayed, so He humbled himself to show His disciples what kind of attitude and behavior they should emulate in His absence. Even the most menial task God gives us is important to His Kingdom. God wants us to humble ourselves for service to others.

Jesus sent His disciples the Holy Spirit after his return to the Father. He has provided that same indwelling for all His Believers today. We do have ready guidance for every aspect of our lives once we take the time to study and listen to what God wants to say to us. In the presence of our holy, perfect God, how can we think or act any other way than with humility? Though He has given us purpose and peace in this life, we should not think too highly of ourselves. Since Christ, our Lord and Savior, willingly served humanity it seems appropriate that we would desire to humbly serve Him by serving others as well.

Today’s meditation: Serve others because Christ served us first.

Memory Verse: In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. (John 17:18)

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Daily devotion

8/13/2019

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Service in Marriage
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 13:1-13
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Scripture Quote: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, (Romans 15:5)

When our spouse helps out around the house, jobs are quickly whittled away. Whether she sweeps up the sawdust from his project in the garage, or he vacuums the floor without hesitation when necessary, those acts of service bring with them feelings of love and caring for each other. Sometimes, if we forget to pay attention, we can get too involved with our own agendas and miss those opportunities to serve our spouses. Humility and service can always help reconcile a disgruntled partner and stand as a perfect examples of our love.

We should be ready, after Christ's example, to condescend to all of our spouse's weaknesses and perform whatever act of service seems necessary to restore. Marriage is not an equal give and take, as so many newlyweds anticipate - It is a constant giving on both the partners part. In disputes, the one who needs the victory most should be the winner, which in no way negates the importance of the other. If both partners are intent on serving and giving to their spouse, both are also receiving and being cherished - It's a win, win relationship when we emulate Jesus and His love for us.

Today’s meditation: Serve your spouse, even as Christ served.

Memory Verse: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. (John 13:14 NIV)

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DAILY DEVOTION

8/12/2019

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Serve with a Joyful Heart
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 (All verses quoted are MSG)
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Scripture Quote: That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage." (Mar 10:45)

The Bible tells us, in the book of John, all about our Savior. Jesus is The Good Shepherd (10:11), He is The Vine (15:1-10), The Door (7:9), and The Bread of Life (6:25-35). Christ lights the world (9:5), shows The Way (14:6) and He is The Truth (14:6). Jesus is the Christian’s whole life (14:6). This is the same man who came to earth to serve humanity - The greatest man to ever live, came to make himself the least among men! He was pure, holy and dedicated to the benefit and service of mankind.

Along with Jesus' self-inflicted, lowly state, the Father further extended to Him the cup of deep sufferings (18:11), as payment for, and restoration of man's broken state. Jesus was the Royal Servant, deserving of honor and glory, yet He was beaten, humiliated and murdered because of man's evil heart and lust for blood. But Christ’s divine innocence and purity was the ultimate sacrifice to God and finalized man's redemption from sin's dominion forever. And so it stands: whoever believes in Jesus will not be condemned by the Father and will have everlasting life (5:24).

Today’s meditation: Serve your brothers and sisters with a pure heart.

Memory Verse: It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. (Matthew 20:26)

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DAILY DEVOTION

8/9/2019

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Self-Worth

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
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Scripture Quote: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will -- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV)

All believers are loved by God and called to be His holy people, recipients of his incredibly excellent blessings. We can ask for wisdom and revelation so we can understand Him better. Our privileged position allows us to call the Great Creator of the universe, our loving Father. He gives us enlightenment to know, without doubt, the hope He has placed within each of our hearts – That, and His promise of a glorious inheritance. It is incredible, yet true, that we have great worth to our Father, God.

He has made us joint heirs with Jesus, our Savior. What greater gift could exist? John 3:16 tells us that God loves us, but can we possibly comprehend to what extent? Who among us could ever sacrifice our own child’s life in trade for anyone else? Yet God, through the impulse of His eternal love for us, provided for our rescue with the suffering and death of His Precious Son. How could we ever suffer from low self-esteem?

Today’s meditation: Be still and spend time quietly basking in God’s enormous love for you.

Memory Verse: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 (NIV)

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DAILY DEVOTION

8/8/2019

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Seek God’s Presence
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
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Scripture Quote: Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4 - all verses NIV)

Jesus performed many miracles demonstrating His divinity, salvation being His most glorious of miracles. Some Christians today think that believing in Jesus back when people saw Him first hand and heard Him teach, should have been a slam-dunk. In retrospect, Jews in Christ's day were rigid and reluctant to believe, but are we any different? Miracles still occur today, many for our personal benefit, yet some still say that these occurrences are coincidence or wishful thinking.

Jesus was from the beginning with the Father and has since been seen with human eyes as a man that was touchable and accessible. The Word of Life, our Lord, came to show us the way to God. We could well be like the blind man, afflicted with a different kind of blindness, but still unable to recognize current miraculous works. Believing in Jesus and His miracles, both then and now, has required the same leap of faith for all generations. So let us all leap together into the knowledge that Jesus Christ's divine power delivered to His people in the form of miracles has not diminished with time and it never will.

Today’s meditation: God’s presence is real - Today and always.

Memory Verse: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world doesn’t know us is that it didn’t know him.(1Joh 3:1)

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