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 Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. |
Priceless Expectations Walking out from the worship service last Sunday, everyone was greeting each other as we passed. Being close to Christmas Eve had a lot to do with it, I am sure. You can feel it in the air. Since 911, you sense a difference and I hope and pray this Holiday Season will turn into a spiritual renewal of the importance of church and family. Greeting card: "$1.50." Gift exchange: "Add a few more dollars." Toys for the kids: "What we can afford." Heavenly gift: "Our Heavenly Father's only Son." P R I C E L E S S! Prayer Dear God, not only at this time of year but all year long, bless us with this feeling of giving and the understanding of that miracle that occurred in that manger with a virgin mother over 2000 years ago. Let me focus on what the birth and life of Jesus meant and what it means to everyone today. Additional Scriptures: Luke 2:11; John 3:16; John 20:29
Rod McKenzie
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NOTE: This page contains 5 devotions. Pick
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| Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. |
He Knows Your Name My name, Lisa, means "consecrated to God." I remember when I found that information. I felt a sense of destiny. Out of the three names my mother had on her list, she chose Lisa. Years later, I was doing some research and decided to check the meaning of my second name, Kay. It comes from a Greek word meaning "rejoice!" The meaning of those names literally do seem to point to my desire to worship the Lord continually. Coincidence? I don't think so.  I remember naming my children
and wanting to bless them with names that had meaning. My oldest, Aaron,
with both his names, means "enlightened - messenger - friend. Over the
years, I have often told him that God has a special plan for his life.
In my heart I have kept a promise of Aaron communicating the gospel
one day. However, I have often forgotten to remind him of his destiny.
Sometimes, in the day to day grind of living, I have even forgotten
it, especially when his behavior points the opposite direction from
Godliness! I must remember to cling to the promise, speaking the blessing
of God's word over his life.My youngest child's name,
Eli, means "The Lord is my God and Christ Bearer." I really did not
realize the significance of either son's name at the time of their birth.
But as they grow, they seem to be growing into it, even though I have
failed to teach them the import of this. I pray I am not too late to
help instill this sense of God's ownership and blessing on their lives.In Revelation, the Word says
that God has a new name for each of us. A secret name that will be revealed
only to each individual. I can't help but think the meaning of that
new name will reveal our unique contribution, our purpose in the Lord.
Or maybe it will be an endearment, a reflection of the precious love
He has for us.Jesus, "God with us," is
the Name above all names. His name reflected His unique purpose and
gift to the world. God became flesh and dwelt among us. May all mankind
embrace Him and proclaim the good news!
Prayer Lord, you're alive! You are with us! Your name still remains a promise over all who receive your gift of salvation - that of your living presence dwelling with us. Forgive me Lord, for forgetting to proclaim your promises over my children and those whom I have been given influence. Their darkest moments cannot change who they have been created to be in You. Help me to call forth, Lord, that destiny, that unique purpose you have created them for and to speak the promise of love daily so they, too, will not forget who they are. I pray this in the name to whom all authority belongs to call forth the things that are not as though they are, Jesus Christ. Amen. Additional Scripture Isaiah 43:1; Revelation 2:17; Romans 4:17 Lisa Sowry |
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| I Corinthians 3:11-13 But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundations other than the only one laid which is in Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. |
Priceless Gifts Who makes the portrait of a beautiful young lady and an attractive young man? As a river needs a source for water, people need a source of love. So God planned for families. God supplies the love and it comes down through the families to the pure and innocent child He gives them. I have a balance problem and when I am walking in the dark, it increases.
When I can see a light to walk towards, I can walk straighter. Jesus Christ
is the Light of the World and as I walk toward Him, my life is being
redeemed and made straighter. People have told me I can be proud of my
children and grandchildren. The words pride and proud frighten me, because
God has much to say in the Old Testament about His hatred of pride. It was
the thing that got Adam and Eve into trouble and is still the thing that
separates us from walking close to God. I've seen enough of life to know
that we cannot brag about any "successes " that we have, because what looks
like success one day can look like failure the next. Look at Jesus on Palm
Sunday and then look at Him on Good Friday, when He looked like a complete
failure. Three days later He arose victorious over death! I give God the
glory and rejoice in Him for anything my children and grandchildren do to
glorify Him.Apostle Paul tells the church at Galatia that each one should take pride in
himself without comparing himself to others. Each one of us must carry our
own load. (Galatians 6:4) The confidence Paul had in them as they
faced their troubles was a great encouragement to him.
Let us keep our children and grandchildren held up daily in prayer. What an
opportunity to invite the Kingdom of God on earth. On that Day, the fire
will reveal the quality of our work with our children and grandchildren.
Prayer Dear Jesus, bless these children and let your face shine on them and bring forth Your shield of protection around them so they will be protected from evil and Your Kingdom can come on earth as it is in Heaven. Grant them their daily bread. The Kingdom and the power and the glory belong to You, Dear Jesus. Amen.
Evelyn Rhoades
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| Ephesians 3:20 Now to him (God) who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask (expect) or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. |
Are You Expecting Read Ephesians 3:20 very carefully. Notice that you are able to do immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine according to - whose power? Yours? No, God's power! God has taught me to pray that promise regularly, along with His promise from II Corinthians 9:8-9. God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. Who is able? You? No, God is able! There is such a peace and comfort in knowing that I cannot do any good
thing apart from God. (Romans 7:18) God never intended for me to operate
apart from Him, but rather continually abide in Him and His power. (John
15:5) Go with me to James 4:6-8 where His Word says that He gives more
grace. Yes, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you and give you more
grace to overcome or do whatever He is calling you to do.Perhaps you are dealing with a daily habit that keeps you from even
reaching the good works that God has planned in advance for you to do.
(Ephesians 2:10) And you long to do exceedingly more than you can ask or
imagine. Then start right there. Draw near to God each time you need grace
and power to overcome that habit and hang on to Him. He will not allow more
than you can bear. He will give you the grace and the power to first do
exceedingly more than you could imagine in overcoming what holds you back.
He will become your Holy Hero - The One who gives you strength when you are
weak.
Prayer Oh Gracious God, I love your promises and, most of all, I love that they never fail. Great God, I humble myself before you to say that I can do no good thing apart from you today. My flesh will scream every inch of the way without the power and love of Your Spirit at work in me. I invite and ask that you would do exceedingly, abundantly above all I can even expect or imagine, in, through and for me today. Let me be not just faithful, but fruitful. And not just participate, but be powerful. Yes, let me and all my brothers and sisters know of Your incomparable great power for us who believe. The same power that you exerted in Christ when you raised him from the dead and seated him at your right hand. (Ephesians 1:19-20) I am expecting! I am expecting you to make me a womb of blessing! Let all of your wonderful grace abound towards me for every good work so that others will see Your power and love and I shall delight in giving You all the glory. In Jesus' name. Amen. Additional Scripture I Corinthians 10:13; I Peter 5:6; Hebrews 12:2-4
Becky Curtis
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| Luke 1:66 What then is this child going to be? |
For What It's Worth Everyone who is a parent has asked themselves at one time or another, "What, then, is this child going to be?" We worry about whether the child is eating enough, growing enough, learning enough, along with dozens of other concerns during the years of rearing a child. As Pastor Mike shared with us, there are struggles even when you have a child raised up within the church. Somewhere along the way, the child has to experience Jesus for himself or herself and, separate from the faith of the parents, a faith of their own has to be established. We are all born with a sinful nature. God loved us first in that he sent
his Son Jesus to be a payment for our sinfulness, that we might be redeemed
unto Himself. This shows me how much worth or value I have - that each of
us has - to the Lord. Using a wonderful example, Pastor Mike held up a
twenty dollar bill. He asked us how much it was worth. We replied twenty
dollars. He explained that the reason it was worth twenty dollars was that
a bigger power, the United States government, backed the value of the paper
the money was printed on with gold. This established how much the bill was
worth. God does the same with each and every one of us. He placed value on
us even before birth. Pastor Mike then crumpled, wrote on, ripped and then
stomped on the twenty dollar bill and asked us how much the bill was worth.
The answer was still twenty dollars. Some of the choices we make in our
life, crumple, rip and stomp us down. Does this change our value to God?
Absolutely not!Don't give up on yourself or your children. When you make bad choices in
your life, experience difficult things that nearly break you, or wonder
away from the Lord while chasing those beautiful, tempting butterflies down
another path, the Lord still awaits your return. You are of extreme value
to the Lord Jesus.
Prayer Precious Lord Jesus, thank you for setting our value before time, as we know it, existed. Guide our hearts and our minds in your path of light. Let your light of love shine through us into the darkness of those living without you. Amen. Additional Scripture Luke Chapters 1 and 2; Romans 3:23; John 3:16
Dawn Swinford
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