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- Nov 29, 2019
- 3 min
Water from the Well of Bethlehem
Today’s Verse: And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD. ~1 Chronicles 11:18 Well water was an important and necessary component of life in the arid Middle East during the days of the patriarchs and David. Finding well water meant that you had a great location for herds of cattle, flocks of she
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- Nov 28, 2019
- 3 min
The Attitude of Gratitude
Today’s Verse: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ~Colossians 3:15 A family assembled around the table to eat. The father looked around as his family looked at the youngest member of the family, who was only four years old. “Son, what are you thankful for?” He looked at the sumptuous spread on the table. He said, “I’m thankful that I’m not that turkey!” Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. Whil
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- Nov 27, 2019
- 3 min
He Cares for You
Today’s Verse: And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? ~Mark 4:38 One of the great promises of the Bible is found in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you.” Peter and the other disciples were on that little ship going to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They encountered a storm that was so violent that the water filled the little ship, and th
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- Nov 26, 2019
- 3 min
Contest Rules
Today’s Verse: And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. ~2 Timothy 2:5 Whenever we enter a contest, the judges will always make sure we know what the rules are. Rules are the boundaries and guidelines we must follow to stay in the contest. When the rules are broken, we disqualify ourselves from continuing. Paul uses the metaphor of a runner running to win a long-distance race. He said that the runner cannot be crowned as a winn
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- Nov 25, 2019
- 3 min
Strength Training
Today’s Verse: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ~2 Timothy 2:1 Strength training is a necessity for keeping the muscles in our arms, legs, and torso strong. Aging and inactivity cause us to lose muscle mass, make us weaker, and, over time, make us susceptible to injury and lack of energy. In the spiritual realm, it is vitally important that we are strength training in our Lord. Paul told Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Chris
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- Nov 24, 2019
- 3 min
Lord, Teach Us to Pray
Today’s Verse: And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. ~Luke 11:1 Have you ever thought about what it must have been like to hear Jesus pray? I imagine that the disciples knew that they were in the presence of the Lord. I think that they must have felt so inadequate and helpless as they heard Jesus pray. Thus, after a certain season, when Jes
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- Nov 23, 2019
- 3 min
Will You Be My Neighbor?
Today’s Verse: But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, ~Luke 10:33 One of the more-beloved and favorite family syndicated programs that used to be on public broadcasting was “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” He had a favorite song that he sang, entitled “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” We think of a neighbor as being the person that lives next door to us. The word used by Jesus means any person we meet by chance. It is
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- Nov 22, 2019
- 3 min
A Breath of Fresh Air
Today’s Verse: The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: ~2 Timothy 1:16 Paul was at the lowest point of his ministry. He was imprisoned in the infamous Mamertine prison, awaiting execution. Everyone in Asia turned away from him. He was despised, misjudged, and abandoned. He was considered Public Enemy #1 by the Romans and Jews. Other Christians were afraid to be found associated with him. It was at his lowest
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- Nov 21, 2019
- 3 min
What Makes Jesus Happy
Today’s Verse: In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. ~Luke 10:21 As Christians, we stress the importance of pleasing God, glorifying Him in body and spirit, and honoring Him in our worship. In our devotion this morning, we see Jesus rejoicing in spirit. The word “rejoice”
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- Nov 20, 2019
- 3 min
Good Family Genes
Today’s Verse: And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand. ~1 Chronicles 7:5 How familiar are you with your family genes? In my family genetic history, nearsightedness, lean body mass, and elevated cholesterol are common. Family genes are traits that we pass down to each generation. This morning, we are looking at the families of Issachar. We see three strong and good “spir
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- Nov 19, 2019
- 3 min
Faith Forward
Today’s Verse: And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: ~Exodus 14:15 There are four directions we can possibly go in. Backwards is when we go in reverse and are regressing. Sideways is when we leave the right path and are on the shoulder of the road, making no progress. Upwards is when we are going up to a desired goal. Forward is when we are advancing and also heading to a desired goal. Faith in pr
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- Nov 18, 2019
- 3 min
Failure is Not Fatal
Today’s Verse: For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:) ~1 Chronicles 5:2 Judah was the fourth son of Jacob. His name means “praise.” However, there was a time in his life when there was nothing praiseworthy about him. Over time, Judah rose out of the ashes of his failures and demonstrated that failure is not fatal. Judah is commended by his father in Genesis 49 and by the writer of 1 Chronicles 5. Let us see h
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- Nov 17, 2019
- 3 min
Strangers and Pilgrims
Today’s Verse: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ~1 Peter 2:11 Peter wrote this epistle to believers whose lives were uprooted by persecution. They had to leave their places of comfort and relocate to new areas, where they could find safety from persecution and suffering. They went from having stability to instability. They could not stay in any one place very long because of the intense pressures
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- Nov 16, 2019
- 3 min
The Death of Death
Today’s Verse: But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: ~2 Timothy 1:10 I have read the following humorous conversation between a doctor and his patient: Doctor: “I have bad news and worse news.” Patient: “So let’s have it.” Doctor: “The bad news is that you only have 24 hours to live.” Patient: “I can’t imagine what could be worse than that!” Doctor: “I
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- Nov 15, 2019
- 3 min
Do Not Trespass
Today’s Verse: Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. ~Deuteronomy 2:5 A “No Trespassing” sign in West Texas, with the rancher’s name signed in blood red next to the warning, read: “STOP. I know you’re thinking about crossing this gate. What you should know is that if the Coyotes, Cactus, Mesquite, Heat, Dust, or Rattlers don’t get you, I will.” “No Trespassing
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- Nov 14, 2019
- 2 min
The Real Deal
Today’s Verse: When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. ~2 Timothy 1:5 Iron pyrite is a mineral also known as “fool’s gold.” It looks like real gold, but, constitutionally, it is not. For someone who is not discerning, they can wind up buying the lie that iron pyrite is real gold. Paul referred to an outstanding virtue about Timothy. He said that Timo
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- Nov 13, 2019
- 3 min
As Good as New
Today’s Verse: He restoreth my soul: ~Psalm 23:3a The word “restore” is defined as “to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition.” It also means “to bring back into existence, use, or like; to reestablish.” David said, “He restoreth my soul.” David testified of how the Lord, as our Great Shepherd, can make a weary, worn, and wasted soul as good as new again. We see the rundown. David was at a place in his spiritual life where he was anxious, depleted, empty, power
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- Nov 12, 2019
- 3 min
I Will Not Bow
Today’s Verse: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. ~1 Kings 19:18 There is an old cliché that says, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” This statement has always been an encouragement to compromise to convenience. Whenever there is compromise, something important is given up for convenience. Compromise is when we change our belief to make it fit what others do or want. Someone w
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- Nov 11, 2019
- 3 min
Step On It!
Today’s Verse: But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses. ~Psalm 68:21 In ancient Bible times, conquering kings would take the defeated king and his generals, he make them lie down on their faces, and then he would place his foot on their necks. This publicly represented a defeated foe. It told everyone that the enemy has been conquered, defeated, and done away with. We see the defeat of the devil. “He
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