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Happy New Year everyone!

12/31/2018

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                                                                 Be Prepared
  
 
What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just think about it - We're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who God is or what He's about. But, that's exactly who we are - Children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up. What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him, and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own. (1 John 3:1-3)
 
There are many false teachers who want to confuse us by their smooth and plausible arguments. We must beware of their clever knowledge of the Bible, which they subtlitly pervert to suit their deceptions. That’s why Believers need to study and know God’s Word. We can only stand firm against the enemy if we know what the armor of God is and what is and isn’t true according to God’s standards for our lives. Knowledge is the perfect weapon against sinful temptations. God’s Word makes all things clear to those who truly seek it’s truth. You can be sure that the opposition will know how to trip you up if at all possible.
 
Co 15:33  But don't fool yourselves. Don't let yourselves be poisoned by this anti-resurrection loose talk. "Bad company ruins good manners."
1Co 15:34  Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can't afford in times like these. Aren't you embarrassed that you've let this kind of thing go on as long as you have?
  
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Daily devotion

12/21/2018

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​                                                              Fulfillment of God’s Holy Law
 
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-15
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Scripture Quote: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV)
 
The standard of God’s Holy Law is impeccable. It demands holiness, love and perfection, which is the character of God. We could never rise to those standards. But Jesus fulfilled every bit of the law by His life and death. The truth is that Jesus came to fulfill the law and thank God that He did because our very best efforts towards holiness, are like filthy rags in comparison to God’s Holy standards.
 
Jesus showed us what it meant to live out the heavenly standards of God, by always doing what pleased the Father. Because the Law’s penalty of sin is death, Jesus also fulfilled that requirement. He lovingly died at the hands of brutes. He was a substitutionary sacrifice in place of us, the sinners that He loves. The Lord Jesus wants to live in and through the lives of His believers, as we continually put our faith in Him.  Jesus fulfilled the Law, defeated death and rose victorious. He is now with the Father forever. Because He lives, we also will live.
 
Today’s meditation: Jesus fulfilled the law for us.
 
Memory Verse: “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4 (NIV)
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Daily devotion

12/21/2018

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​                                                            Free Will Needs Discipline
  
 
Scripture Reading: Psalm 1:1-6
 click to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (CEV)
 
How blessed humanity would have been if we had lived from the beginning for the plan and purpose for which God created us. We'd be happy in the garden and with the dominion of all the creatures God had provided. But as it is, Christians who have received Christ are no longer desperately wicked, but we all slip at times as we transgress and disregard the boundaries God has stipulated for us. How much easier things would be if God had only not given us free will - Ah, but He did, and we must somehow fit ours through that narrow gate!
 
Our behavior directly demonstrates our commitment to God's Laws. We tend to try and complicate that fact, but nothing could be plainer - We are to love God above all else and others at least as much as we love ourselves. If we can capture that mindset, we can then avoid selfishness and inappropriate idols - We can endeavor to make the immortality of our soul and the existence of God’s invisible reality our primary focus, embracing our free will, as we yield it and our slip-ups to our Father's merciful forgiveness.
 
Today’s meditation: Love God, His Word, and others above all else.
 
Memory Verse: Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. Proverbs 13:15 (NIV)

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Daily devotion

12/20/2018

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​                                                        Forgiveness Isn’t Always Easy
  
 
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:8-12
.click to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Mat 6:14-15 (NIV) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
 
Christians are told to forgive an offense, even if we need to forgive it seventy times seven times. Yet, we often seem to have trouble forgiving a single offense. It's easier to forgive if our offender apologizes and asks us to forgive him. But, if our offender does not ask forgiveness, we are still to be kind to that person and not harbor malice toward him - On top of that, we are not to speak ill of him and continue to be helpful to him.
 
God's Truth instructs us to be forgiving without exception, if we want Him to do the same for us. (We may be in trouble here!) Our pride, the bane of our destruction, rears up and claims rightful indignation when someone is offensive to us. God's Word says to offer a gentle spirit of forgiveness as soon as the sting of being wronged is felt. Christian or not, our broken humanity screams out for revenge. Jesus is our only solution to this conundrum – we must cry out to Him for a forgiving heart. When we humbly repent, lean totally on Jesus for the attitude of love that fosters forgiveness, He will provide it. We can forgive, but only if we lay down our brokenness at the feet of Jesus.
 
Today’s meditation: Truly desire to be forgiving.
 
Memory Verse: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (NIV)
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Daily devotion

12/19/2018

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​                                                          Forgiveness And Renewal
 
Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 51:10-17
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Scripture Quote: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1–2 (NIV)
  
To create means to start from scratch where there is nothing, and from that nothing, bring something into being. Our hearts are sometimes very black and void of goodness. We lose sight of the things we believe. We act out of anger, or fear, or pride. We need God's touch as we plead to be something better than we are. Only God's divine power can restore love in a fearful or angry heart.
 
Some versions of the bible say, "renew a right spirit within me." Others say, "a steadfast spirit." They both mean the kind of spirit that is upright, sincere and constant. We all want to be the child of God who has a willingness to yield to that which is good. But, we also all share that inherent bent toward disobedience. We want to do things our way. So, again and again, we yield to temptation and find ourselves begging for forgiveness and cleansing. In His mercy, he allows us to repent. We start fresh, with God's blessing. No matter what we've done, His faithfulness to us never wavers.
 
Today’s meditation: We serve an awesome God who is always willing to forgive.
 
Memory Verse: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalms 18:2 (NIV)

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Daily devotion

12/18/2018

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​                                                                        Forever Illuminated
  
 
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
 click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote:  The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalms 118:27-29 (NIV)
 
When we call out to our Savior, in faith, a great flood of light is released by Him, through Him and for Him. Jesus' lustrous splendor shines out His divine glory into the heart of each Believer and we are forever illuminated - We make God known by His light. Darkness may envelope much of the earth, but the glory of God shines upon His people. Like solar panels, we must be in the right position to receive the energy that turns into power. To absorb the energy and light of our Redeemer, being in an attitude of prayer allows His glory to shine within, as well as through us.
 
Prayer can sometimes be a list of requests, but prayer can also include no words at all. It is our state of mind that matters - Are we focused on deep gratitude for Jesus and all He has done for us? We assume an attitude of humility, "Your Will be done," and it is in these moments that we experience Christ's presence, which illuminates our spirit. Once we receive the light of Christ, it is our delight to glorify and praise the Lord in our worship and in our witness. 
 
Today’s meditation: Light conquers darkness every time!
 
Memory Verse:  You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)
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Daily devotion

12/17/2018

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​                                                                  Fools Are Made Wise
 
 
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
 click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: "How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight." Proverbs 1:22, 8:5, 9:6 (NIV)
 
Just how foolish a person is, depends on the degree to which they resist the instruction of God's Word. They can be naive, or just oppose truth and deliberately scoff at all things Christian. We come across all kinds of opposition to our faith in this world. Christians are deeply aware that God's Ways are much higher than ours and He is trustworthy and willing to help us through life’s trials - But there are actually those who can look at God's visible creation and not see His eternal power and deity - They just don’t get God at all. 
 
The nonbeliever doesn't respect God's authority over their lives. All instruction from God's Word is foolishness to their hardened heart. Christians have accepted God's sovereignty and His right to rule over His creation. We can ask Him to remove any rebellion or confusion in our hearts. Although we can't completely comprehend His Glory, we do know that He is Lord God Almighty. He makes the heart of the simple wise and the lost found. As we receive God’s instruction and grace, he molds and shapes our lives into something beautiful.
 
Today’s meditation: Pray for the scoffers, that they may know God.
 
Memory Verse: The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Psalms 19:7 (NIV)
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Daily devotion

12/14/2018

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​                                                                    Following God’s Law
 
 
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:35-40
 click to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: The heavens will disappear with a loud noise, and the heat will melt the whole universe. Then the earth and everything on it will be seen for what they are. (2 Peter 3:10 NIV)
 
We must be prepared to meet God in His judgment or His mercy - Followers of Christ find comfort and reverence in that admonishment. Believers will escape final punishment, however, people professing to be Christ’s followers, but who reject portions of His Word to suit their lifestyles, will find their lack of wisdom to be their downfall. Reading the Bible and remembering the things others have suffered who chose to disregard God's Law can help our thinking. Following God’s precepts is the foundation of an enlightened life. When His Ways are contrary to ours, we must submit to God's wisdom and be obedient.
 
What sort of example do we make if nonbelievers observe us picking and choosing which of God's directives to follow and which we reject because they are too restrictive for our taste? Is it that we think we have plenty of time to change our sinful behaviors, or is it that we don't think Jesus will return in our lifetime? Either rationale is rather foolish and simply denies the Word of the Lord. Our Savior will come on a day and at a time when we least expect Him. If we are so engrossed with our own agendas that we are caught without thought to following the narrow path, we will be as one who cannot be trusted.
 
Today’s meditation: The Word of the Lord is a light for our path.
 
Memory Verse: So be on your guard! You don't know when your Lord will come. (Matthew 24:42 NIV)
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Daily devotion

12/13/2018

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​                                                    Flee From the Love of Money
  
 
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:20-26
 click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: But you, a man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. (1Timothy 6:11 NIV))
 
There have been ministers, who were eloquent speakers, who also had an indefinable personal attraction so that many were drawn to them. They spoke God's truth and delivered it in such a way that their popularity increased among the brethren. However, they got caught up in the pedestal others have placed them on - They began to enjoy the prosperity of their churches and the excellent notoriety and income they received. Even they are not out of reach of the love of money. Believers do their ministers no favor by trying to elevate their standing to be above that of their congregation - That’s a trap!
 
We are all too easily persuaded to seek after money and all the false promises of wealth. Material possessions slowly claim more of our time and attention. Many of the toys we enjoy seem harmless, but that is only until we realize how distracted from our walk with the Lord we have wandered. God's Word tells us to conform to the image of Christ. We know that Jesus traveled without huge provisions and placed very little importance on them. Seek the mind of Christ and His loving Spirit - Nothing else holds the truth we each need to truly prosper in this world.
 
Today’s meditation: Money can buy the coffin, but that’s about it!
 
Memory Verse: For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:7 NIV)
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Daily devotion

12/12/2018

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​                                                                            Finding Joy
 
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-10
 click to read the scriptures
Scripture Quote:  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:16-17 (NIV)
 
Many brilliant nonbelievers have become harsh and wounded people because they have always relied only on their abilities over God's. We Christians have, on occasion, mistakenly listened to our own counsel too, leaving God's instruction behind. Following what our spirits know to be instruction from God can seem terrifying or even foolish at times. It always comes down to either stepping out in faithful obedience to God, or trusting in our willful pride.
 
Don't you wonder what God must think when He sees us waver in our faith, as so many before us have also done? God has to be saddened by our stubborn unfaithfulness, but His love and patience are boundless - He knows the consequences we will reap upon ourselves. Like our children who have refused our guidance and find themselves in trouble, God watches us with disciplined inaction, so that the bitter lesson is learned. Sacred knowledge and devotion to God are the only means by which we will find true joy in our lives. We can learn to suppress worldly ambition and choose to partake of His Devine Nature instead. God wants us to grow and become what we have not yet been: at peace!
 
Today’s meditation: God’s laws reap joyous and peaceful lives.
 
Memory Verse: The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. Matthew 10-24 (NIV)
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    2 Timothy 3:16-17New International Version (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work
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    Bio: Toni Smothers has written articles for “Total Health”, “Let’s Live”, “People In Action” and “The North American Mentor” magazines.  She is a member of the Faithwriters.com writing community and was previously the editor for the teen section of their on-line magazine. She has written many programs, sermons, and skits and has edited several websites. Additionally, she has answered hundreds of questions for GotQuestions.org, a biblical resource site. Here is just one of their many testimonials: "Thank you for this insightful website! I was able to look up many questions I have asked over the years since becoming saved. The site is easy to navigate and gave me so much biblical background for answers that I feel my armor has been strengthened. You and your staff be encouraged to continue to speak the truth for God's glory." When Toni is not writing, she can usually be found cuddling with her 10 pound, furry, Morky muse, 'Sweet Pea.' Toni Smothers studied homeopathy extensively and became a proficient layman. She wrote about homeopathy for “Total Health” and “Let’s Live” magazines. Smothers describes her experience befriending a refugee family from Laos in her article published in the travel magazine, “People in Action.” Additionally, “American Mentor” magazine has published some of her poetry. Smothers drew upon her fun experiences as a youth pastor to provide the needed insight to function as the editor of the teen section of “Faithwriters” magazine and she is a member of the Faithwriters.com writer’s community. 

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