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Consistency in the Everyday
Consistency is my goal. My walk and my talk should declare the same thing—that I have been with Jesus. An event recorded in Acts 3-4 captured my attention. As two of Jesus’ disciples, Peter and John, entered the temple, a man who had been lame since birth asked for alms. Peter said, “Silver and gold…
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Commercial for Spending Time with God
Journal note: “Feeling thirsty for God…like the deer panting for streams of water. ‘My soul thirsts for God, for the living God’” (see Psalm 42:1-2). This thirst only God can quench. And that can only happen by spending time with him. The Lord instructed Moses to have the Israelites “make Me a sanctuary, that I…
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When You Need a Reason to Praise
Praise the Lord! That’s what we say when he answers a prayer or gives an unexpected blessing. But how do we respond in hard places when we see no reason to praise? In such a place I began making a list of reasons to praise. Immediately I found six in the first six verses of…
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Thanksgiving…an Everyday Lifestyle
Thanksgiving isn’t just a one-day observance. It’s an everyday lifestyle. And it’s sweet when we offer thanks without asking for anything. Gratitude spills from the heart as we maintain an on-going conversation with the Lord. Throughout the day as he pours out his love and mercy, we respond with thanksgiving. Or not. I admit my…
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Can You Trust God When He’s Silent?
Job is one of my favorite Biblical friends. No matter what Satan threw at him, he stood firm and maintained his integrity. His story is the chronicle of incomprehensible loss. He had questions. And he wished he’d never been born. But he didn’t cave. He lost everything that mattered. And God was silent. He felt…
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Why…the Question God Hears Most
Why, God…why did you let this happen? You could have done something! Why didn’t you? Heartbreak sends us to our knees, begging God for answers. If only we understood his purpose in heartbreak… Have you been there, devastated by calamity, crying out for an explanation? Well-meaning comforters sometimes pour on the guilt, saying we shouldn’t…
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Watch Your Step…There’s a Pit Ahead!
I need a safe place to confess…I fell into the pit again. The pit of discouragement. It’s a trap, and I do my best to avoid it. Didn’t even see that dark hole till I tumbled in. Then I knew exactly where I’d landed. I’ve been there before. The plunge happened while I was carrying…
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Trivial–When You Hear This Word, Be Careful
While giving self a lecture on the foolishness of allowing trivial matters to interrupt my fellowship with the Lord, I suddenly had a mental picture of the lush garden called Eden where Adam and his wife Eve enjoyed fellowship with the Creator. In this ideal setting the couple lived in peace, taking care of the…
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Afraid of a Few Lions? God Can Deliver!
Afraid of a few ferocious lions? No worries. God still delivers! Impossible circumstances call for divine intervention. Daniel knew all about that. His story captivates us still. Daniel was among the Hebrews taken captive to Babylon. He had “an excellent spirit” and King Darius showed favor, giving him a distinguished position in his government. Other…
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Who’s Able to Deliver? Only Our God!
Has God shown himself able to deliver you in threatening circumstances? Are you convinced he is able? Three young men who were among the Hebrews taken to Babylon refused to worship the king’s golden image, choosing instead loyalty to their most high God. For disobedience to his royal decree, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the men brought…