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Are You Called to Go or to Send?
Welcome back to week 3 of missions ministry with Pastor Mike! To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Or feel free to check out my latest Revive Our Hearts post: The Impact of Being in God’s Word “I just feel like with so many needs here, it’s hard for me to focus on the needs far away.” That’s how a conversation with a Pastor friend of mine started when I asked him what he thought about missions. He went on: “I definitely believe missions is important. It’s just not something I’m personally passionate about.” I’ve had this conversation several times throughout my ministry career. In fact, I used to…
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God’s Heart for the Nations From Eden to Eternity
In Genesis 1:28 God creates man and woman and blesses them. In other words, He encourages them to enjoy His grace. And then God gives them a mission—be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth with image bearers who would worship Him. In other words, God commands them to extend His glory. However, it didn’t take long for things to go wrong.
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The Answer to Increasing Your Faith
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Devotional Scripture: Mark 9:14-29 Key Verse: “And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”” Mark 9:23-24 As we turn the page following the most brilliant event anyone has ever observed this side of heaven (Christ’s transfiguration), the phrase “meanwhile, back at the ranch” feels appropriate. Things were not going well for the other disciples. Upon arriving back in town, Jesus, Peter, James, and John, find the others surrounded by a large crowd, arguing with the scribes due to a…
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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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It’s Not Hand Washing That Really Cleanses
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Or you can head on over to Revive Our Hearts to read my latest post: The Gospel Is Worth the Embarrassment . Devotional Scripture: Mark 7:1-23 Key Verse: “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” Mark 7:14-15 I am all about a good and proper hand washing. You can ask my kids. Whether they’ve just come home from school or we’ve just returned from a basketball game or the grocery store or church or a…
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God’s Word to Those Battling Fear and Anxiety
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Devotional Scripture: Mark 6:45-56 Key Verse: “But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”” Mark 6:49-50 Faith is a must when the storms of life batter and bruise us, but it’s not easy. I have no doubt you’ve experienced the struggle to hold on as the waves of anxiety and fear threaten to flip your little lifeboat over, especially in recent days. For me, all it takes…
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For the Day When There Is Not Enough
To listen to today’s Deeper Devo click HERE. Also, here’s a link to my latest post at Revive Our Hearts: This Life Is Not Intended to Satisfy Us Devotional Scripture: Mark 6:30-44 Key Verse: “And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.” Mark 6:41 The fear I struggle with the most is the fear of not enough. Scarcity worries me. What if I don’t have enough time to get everything done? What if we don’t have…
