Author Archives: famtree2014

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September 17, 2013

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God's Grace & Love

He Loves Us All

The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, powerful, and awe-inspiring God. He never plays favorites and never takes a bribe. [Deuteronomy 10:17 (GW)]

Thank you, Lord, for loving each of us as if we were your only child!

Then Peter said, “Now I understand that God doesn’t play favorites. Rather, whoever respects God and does what is right is acceptable to him in any nation.” [Acts 10:34-35 (GW)]

It matters not what race or gender,
Rich or poor or great or small,
The God who made us is not partial;
He sent Christ to die for all. [Dennis DeHaan]

 

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September 16, 2013

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Faith & Hope, God's Plan, Trusting God

His Way is Better

2013-9-16“My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,” declares the Lord. “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8-9 (GW)]

Lord, help me to understand, and when I cannot understand help me accept. Give me the courage to trust my life and future to your hands. Remind me that when life seems upside down, it is right side up to you!

 

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September 15, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Miracles, Trusting God

Change is Always Possible

He changes deserts into lakes and dry ground into springs. [Psalm 107:35 (GW)]

Thank you, Lord, because if anyone can turn around a bad situation, it is you!

You have changed my sobbing into dancing. You have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy so that my soul may praise you with music and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. [Psalm 30:11-12 (GW)]

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September 14, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness

He Doesn’t Keep Score

If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped. [Psalm 130:3-4 (MSG)]

If God doesn’t keep score, how can I? Father, help me wipe away any pain, anger or disappointment still harbored in my heart. May I be as generous with my forgiveness as you are with yours.

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September 13, 2013

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Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

Be Happy with the Lord

Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Entrust your ways to the Lord. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf. [Psalm 37:4-5 (GW)]

Guide our prayers, O Lord. Give us thankful hearts so that we focus not on what is missing, but on what is there; not on what we want, but on what we already have been given. Let us be less concerned with our needs and more concerned with the needs of others. We trust you with our future. We are in your loving hands and know you will provide everything we need.

I trust you, O Lord. I said, “You are my God.” My future is in your hands. [Psalm 31:14-15a (GW)]

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September 12, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works

God’s Rulebook

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)]

How could Jesus condense over 600 rules and regulations of the Old Testament into two simple laws? Actually, it was pretty easy since we can’t do one without the other! If we love God, we also love our neighbor and, let’s face it, it’s impossible to love our neighbor without loving God! Moreover, once we love our neighbor, our behavior toward him changes. We won’t envy or gossip about him, we won’t violate his marriage, or lie about him. If we love our neighbor, we certainly won’t steal from him, harm or kill him. God’s rulebook is quite simple. We have only two rules: love God and love our fellow man.