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April 19, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Obedience

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith. [Galatians 6:10a (NLT)]

We’re to do good whenever we have the opportunity, not just whenever it is convenient or when we feel especially benevolent. It doesn’t matter if we like or know the people needing our help or if our actions are advantageous to us or will bring us public admiration. It’s quite simple; do good whenever the opportunity arises!

Lord, make me willing when opportunity knocks!

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April 18, 2013

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Love & Works

TIME TO SHARE

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. [2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)]

Those who are loved, love, and those who are blessed, bless.

Father, show us how to share your love and blessings with everyone we encounter today!

 

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April 16, 2013

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Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, Forgiveness, God's Plan

WHERE WAS GOD?

Note: This was written the day after the Boston Marathon bombing, 2013

Why am I discouraged? What is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God! [Psalm 42:5 (NLT)]

Lord, I’m angry! Where were you when the bombs exploded yesterday? Where were you when the twin towers fell, or when people were shot in the theater or when children died in their school? I’m angry and discouraged because I don’t understand how our almighty and loving God can allow these terrible things to happen. I know I’m supposed to have faith and trust in you, but it is so difficult in times like these.

Thank you, God, for loving and forgiving me even when I have difficulty loving, forgiving, and even believing in you.

I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I feel it not. I believe in God, even when he is silent.[Words found scrawled on a cellar wall in the bombed ruins of Cologne, Germany, following World War II]

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April 14, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Obedience

A TALL ORDER

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. [Matthew 5:44 (NLT)]

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [Romans 12:14 (NLT)]

Although we may not have armed foes, we do have “enemies.” We all have people in our lives who wound our hearts and souls. It may be a boss or a client, a neighbor or a “friend,” an in-law, a child and even a spouse, or simply some stranger met by chance.

Whoever these “enemies” are and whatever it is they might have done to hurt us, Jesus tells us how we are to respond: with love! It doesn’t matter that their behavior is totally unjustified; we are supposed to pray for them. It doesn’t matter how much they have hurt us; we are to respond with love. Instead of condemning them, we are to reach out and bless them. That’s a tall order; are we up to the task? For whom should we pray today?

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April 12, 2013

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Fear & Doubt, Peace of God, Worry

THE PREREQUISITE FOR PEACE

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. [Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)]

“Oh, Lord,” I complain, “My heart is troubled, where is this peace you promise?”

“Foolish child,” He responds, “Where is the trust in me that is the requirement for that peace?”

Trust in The Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.” [Isaiah 26:4 (NLT)]

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April 11, 2013

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Faith & Hope, God's Plan, God's Promises, Obedience, Salvation: A New You

PICK UP YOUR CROSS

4-11-13 Pick up your cross Glenwood Spgs COWEBThen Jesus said to his followers, “If any of you want to be my follower, you must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you for following me. Any of you who try to save the life you have will lose it. But you who give up your life for me will find it.” [Matthew 16:24-25 (ERV)]

O Lord, picking up my cross means making changes in my life and that means leaving my comfort zone. I may not like who or where I am right now, but at least I know what to expect and what is expected of me. I’m afraid to change. Please give me the courage to step out of my old ways and face the unknown so that I may discover the life you have waiting for me.