Posts Categorized: Devotional

Set Apart

Scripture

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 NLT

You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction.

Consider

Idols are dangerous because they usurp God’s rightful place as Lord in our lives. The idols themselves have no power to control us. Instead, they offer temptations to sin.

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The Good In Suffering

Scripture

1 Peter 2:19-21 NLT

For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow his steps.

Consider

God is not pleased by our suffering any more than a mother is pleased when her child is hurt by a bully at school.

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God On My Heart

Scripture

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NIV

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Consider

God wants to imprint his very nature on our minds and hearts, on our thoughts and our motivations. God wants to be so real and present for us that when trouble strikes, our first instinct is to pray.

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Growing Into the Positive

Scripture

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Consider

Last week’s devotional suggested giving up a destructive attitude or habit as a Lenten discipline. Today’s look at the same Ephesians passage takes our Lenten journey one step further—with each negative behavior we abandon, we make room for positive growth.

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What to Give Up for Lent

Scripture

Ephesians 4:31 NLT

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Consider

Ash Wednesday is right around the corner. What are you giving up for Lent? Lent is a traditional 40-day season of reflection, repentance, and self-denial as we remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our salvation and the triumph of his resurrection. The purpose of “giving up something for Lent” (traditionally, fasting) is to learn to depend on God by temporarily abandoning those things in our lives that we fear we cannot live without.

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