Love

2 Thessalonians 1:3 – Love: A Faith Barometer

Devotions, Family, Love, Relationships

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV)

Have you ever said to yourself, “I need to increase my faith”? Maybe you have read a book or listened to a sermon series that gave you steps or ideas to increase your faith. Most of the time these are great ideas and steps, but don’t necessarily focus on the outward expression of our faith, which is love. Do you look at your life and say I am not loving others enough, therefore my faith is lacking? Faith isn’t simply head knowledge of the Bible or Jesus. Think of it this way, even Satan and his demons believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead (James 2:19).

We must realize Continue Reading →

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Romans 7:18 – New Year’s Promises

Christian Walk, Devotions, Encouraging, Love

Daily Bible Devotional Verse

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.  For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.  (Romans 7:18) ESV

It’s the start of a new year and gyms all across America will see a spike in new memberships.  Why?  New Year’s resolutions.  Nearly every top ten list includes the following resolutions: getting in shape, losing weight, or quitting smoking.  Unfortunately, most of these resolutions don’t last.  Just wait until mid-February and you’ll have a much easier time finding a parking space at the gym.

We can to do the same thing as we follow Jesus.  We can make big promises about the great things we plan to do for Him.  We can try to impress Him with our performance.  In the process we can forget two important facts: Continue Reading →

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Philippians 4:5 – The Reasonable Christian

Christian Walk, Devotions, Love, Relationships

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; (Philippians 4:5 ESV)

“They will know you by your love.” This saying is often used in the church as we talk of reaching others for Jesus. This is taken from the famous verse in John 13:35. A question we need to ask ourselves though is, “What does this love look like?”. It can be helping those around us, giving to the needy, or just lending an ear to someone as they vent. But, what if showing love meant being a reasonable person?

The greek word for “reasonable” can also be translated to the word “gentle” with its definition: seemly, equitable, yielding. Does this sound like you? Continue Reading →

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2 Corinthians 5:16 – Book Cover Christians

Devotions, Gospel, Love, Relationships

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. (2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV)

“You can’t judge a book by it’s cover” is a commonly used phrase. For the most part, it is also true. One doesn’t really know who a person is by their outward appearance. Time, effort, and intentionality are required to build a relationship with someone and to truly know them. Paul tells the Church in Corinth that he doesn’t judge people by their outward appearance, instead he looks at people through their spiritual condition. He “judges” them by what’s in their heart.

Asking God to help us view people the way Paul does can help us immensely in Continue Reading →

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Galatians 4:4 – Modern Manger

Devotions, Love, Ministry, Relationships

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, (Galatians 4:4 ESV)

If you’ve grown up in a Christian setting, you’ve probably heard the Christmas story a gazillion times. So let’s rewind 2000 years again to Jesus’ birth:

We would expect a well connected royal family…
God chose peasant parents – a blue-collar carpenter with his teenage virgin fiance.

We would choose an influential city- possibly Rome or Jerusalem…
God chose the little town of Bethlehem, where the sheep very likely outnumbered the people.

We would reserve space in a comfortable palace… Continue Reading →

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Isaiah 42:13 – Our God Is a Warrior

Devotions, Encouraging, Love, Relationships

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes. (Isaiah 42:13 ESV)

When you see pictures of Jesus do they often depict Him as a warrior? Do they ever show Him defeating his enemies? Probably not. Generally, he is longingly gazing heavenward holding a child or a lamb. Isaiah, however, is very clear about our God: He is a warrior. In fact, Revelation 19:12-16 reveals what He will look like when He “shows Himself mighty against His foes,”

“His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God…From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

This may appear to contradict what we are called to do as Christians. Continue Reading →

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