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Do We Have Too Much to Lose?
It's that time of year again when we make promises we intend to keep because we know we need to make some changes. So what's the problem? Contrary to popular opinion, the power of you is not that powerful. The catalyst for real change is the work of the Holy Spirit.
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In Case You Need a Reminder This Christmas
This has been an interesting year. For you, perhaps that’s an understatement. Every December, I ask the Lord to give me a word for the upcoming year. Something I can write in my journal, pray over, and consider throughout the year. When Christmas rolls around again, I look back to see how and where that word came into play.
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A Different Kind of Stimulus Package
We’re all about stimulus these days. It’s our public duty to spend money, right? At least that’s what I keep telling my husband. It’s up to us to eat out. It’s up to us to go through that drive-thru and support that local business and get this economy going again. Come on, mama wants some new furniture. But do you know what’s more important than stimulating the economy? Stimulating the gospel out into a world in desperate need of good news.
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The Most Incredible Invitation to Follow Jesus
If you’d rather listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. And for all my perceptive readers, no, I did not skip Mark 8:34-38. We just already talked about it HERE. Devotional Scripture: Mark 9:1-13 Key Verse: “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.” Mark 9:2-3 I’ve seen some neat things in my time. I’ve watched the heart of man be enveloped by the heart of God as understanding lit the soul. I’ve watched the…
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The Truth I Cling to When I Don’t Understand
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Devotional Scripture: Mark 8:22-33 Key Verse: “And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am? And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others says, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”” Mark 8:27-29 At the center of Mark’s gospel is Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ. I picture it like one of those scenes in a movie where the music stops and everyone holds their breath because this is it. If the main character doesn’t…
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We Don’t Need Another Sign To Believe
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Devotional Scripture: Mark 8:11-21 Key Verse: “And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Mark 8:12 Please Lord, just give me a sign. Most of us have probably prayed those words at some point in our lives when seeking guidance from God. Fearful of making the wrong decision, we ask God to make it clear. I’ll do anything Lord. Please, just show me what to do. The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign too. Mark 8:11 says the Pharisees came and…
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We Already Have All We Need In Jesus
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Devotional Scripture: Mark 8:1-10 Key Verse: “And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” 5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.” Mark 8:4-6 As we round the corner into the next chapter of Mark, we find ourselves face to face with the feeding of the four thousand. When it was just…
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What It Really Means to Carry Your Cross
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo Click HERE. Or check out my latest Revive Our Hearts post: How Can I Focus on Jesus in the Chaos? Devotional Scripture: Mark 8:34-38 Key Verse: “And calling the crowd to him with the disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34 We know the verse quite well—the one about bearing our cross. Jesus said anyone who chooses to follow him must take up their cross. Yet I don’t think cross bearing is something we’re very good at. In fact, I think it’s something we greatly struggle…
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The Greatness of Small Beginnings
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Or check out my latest Revive Our Hearts post: 20 Benefits of Being in God’s Word According to Psalm 119 Devotional Scripture: Mark 4:30-34 Key Verse: “And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth.” Mark 4:30-31 We don’t relish small beginnings. Typically, we want it all and we want it now. I see this in my kids when no one wants to spend time being a stage…
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And Then God Made You a Lamp
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Devotional Scripture: Mark 4:21-25 Key Verse: “And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.” Mark 4:21-22 Light is no longer a luxury, but an ordinary standard of living. If we get home after dark, we simply step inside, flip a switch or two or seven and light spills through every window. The problem is with the ease of light at our fingertips, it’s no longer special. Yet…
