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In: Bible and Theology, God's love, Prayer and Devotions, Suffering

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19) Today we are handed a fragment of a prayer that begins in verse fourteen and we learn the purpose of it from verse thirteen: So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bowRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Idols, Post-Modernism, Prayer and Devotions

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6) Longing for peace and harmony in your relationships? This blessing in Romans points us to the only source of reconciliation: Jesus. It starts with prayer, filling up on encouragement and endurance from the Lord, opening up to his power to bring  each of us into accord with him. The more like him each of us grows, the more harmony we will have with oneRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Fear and Anxiety, Prayer and Devotions

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Life is a battle. We know what we should do, but so often we end up dragging around with us a garbage bag full of fears, anxieties, and hurts, seeking to distract ourselves from the load and smile and pretend everything is okay. Then we frown in confusion, where is the joy of the Lord? Where is the peace of God? WhereRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's Character, God's love, Grace, Prayer and Devotions, Suffering

“I give [my sheep] eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30) This is a great promise–if we are trusting in Christ to save us from our sins and have committed ourselves into his hands, we will live forever with Him and no one can snatch us out of his hands. He does of course specify that his sheep are those who hear his voiceRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Forgiveness, Grace, Prayer and Devotions

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” (Ephesians 1:7) In the “take your own devotions seriously” category, the day after my devotions reminded us, among other things, to pray about everything and always ask God for direction and his opinion, I let my husband talk me into going out to some marketing class on Saturday morning when I’d wanted to spend a relaxing day at home.  In a classic, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death” moment, we ran off the way that seemedRead More →