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January 21, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Today: Make it Count

Looking Forward

They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the Lord’s good gifts — the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the healthy flocks and herds. Their life will be like a watered garden, and all their sorrows will be gone. The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. [Jeremiah 31:12-13 (NLT)]

Lord, don’t let me spend a lifetime mourning what might have been; open my eyes to what is yet to come.

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January 20, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Promises

Vengeance is His

As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.” [Romans 12:18-19 (GW)]

Sometimes it is so difficult to forgive what seems unforgivable. Lord, don’t let us equate giving our forgiveness with approval of the deed or acceptance of the wrongdoing. Let us equate forgiveness of others with our healing and freedom from the burden of our pain and suffering. Help us to forgive and let go of past hurts. Open our hearts to the promise of a better future, confident that your righteous anger will step in when necessary. Punishment is in your job description; it’s your prerogative, not ours.

I will take revenge and be satisfied. In due time their feet will slip, because their day of disaster is near. Their doom is coming quickly. [Deuteronomy 32:35 (GW)]

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January 19, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Money & Wealth

What’s in Your Investment Portfolio?

Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don’t wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can’t get close enough to destroy your treasure. Your heart will be where your treasure is. [Luke 12:33-34 (GW)]

Having faith, following Jesus, and living our lives as God wants us to live them is a little like having a stock portfolio that never goes down in value and brings great long term dividends! How will you invest your life?

We can’t allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive everlasting life at the proper time, if we don’t give up. [Galatians 6:9 (GW)]

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January 18, 2014

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Prayer, Thanks & Praise, Trusting God

Pray About Everything

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! … Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:4,6-7 (NLT)]

Thank you, Lord, for all that has been and all that is yet to be. My future is in your hands. Reassure me so I don’t lose faith when it seems you are deaf to my pleas. Help me refine my requests so that my desires match your divine will. In you, O Lord, I place my trust in you. Fill me with your peace.

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January 17, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Thanks & Praise

His Grace Rains on Us

So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. [Ephesians 1:6-8 (NLT)]

It was a sudden cloudburst and we were caught in a torrential downpour. Taking cover in a bus shelter was useless; rainwater poured through the roof and gushed over the edges in sheets. Almost immediately, the streets flooded; the water rose over the curb and cascaded across the sidewalk, soaking our feet. We were drenched within minutes. Having read this verse from Ephesians that morning, I couldn’t help but picture God’s grace coming down in buckets like that rain. There is no escaping God’s showers of blessings; He loves us that much!

That evening, the sky seemed clear and I stepped outside to enjoy the evening air. As I held out my arms and lifted up my face to the stars, I felt a fine mist. It reminded me that sometimes we see God’s love showering down upon us and other times we need to step out in faith to receive His blessings.

I will cause my people and their homes around my holy hill to be a blessing. And I will send showers, showers of blessings, which will come just when they are needed. [Ezekiel 34:26 (NLT)]

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January 16, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Trusting God

A Trustworthy Saying

This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.
If we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful,
For he cannot deny who he is. [2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NLT)]

Thank you, God, for believing in me, even when I doubt you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being faithful to me even when I am untrue to you. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for never turning your back on me even when I choose to disregard you. Forgive me for the times I have rejected you; thank you for your steadfast love.