God Is All-Sufficient

by Curt Dodd on May 8th, 2024

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” - Genesis 17:1 When Abram was at the ripe old age of 99 years old, the Lord El Shaddai appeared to him and said he would be a dad. God would allow him to have a child later by His hand of miraculous touch on the couple named Abraham and Sarah. This is just on... Read More

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Making Sure

by Curt Dodd on May 7th, 2024

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 Yesterday, we began talking about th... Read More

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A Baptism Celebration

by Curt Dodd on May 6th, 2024

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38Baptism is like a big celebration where we show others that we've decided to follow Jesus. It's like wearing a jersey to show which team you're on. But remember, it's not the jersey that makes you a part of the team. It's your love for... Read More

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All Because Of Jesus

by Curt Dodd on May 5th, 2024

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9Today’s verse is such a great reminder of the truth that our salvation isn't earned by what we do. It's a gift from God, given because of His love for us. Sometimes, we might think we need to do certain things or follow certain rul... Read More

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The Danger Of Being Full Of Yourself

by Curt Dodd on May 4th, 2024

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (Philippians 2:3) As sinful human beings, it is easy for us to be full of ourselves. In fact, I would venture to say that most people at some point or another struggle with a narcissistic attitude where they think they are too good, too busy, or too important to be involved in connecting with pe... Read More

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Strengthening Believers

by Curt Dodd on May 3rd, 2024

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. – Acts 14:21-22 The word “strengthening” in today’s key passage comes from the Greek word “episterizo.” It literally me... Read More

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4 Mentalities Around Reading God’s Word

by Curt Dodd on May 2nd, 2024

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Reading the Word of God is something we all need to be making a priority as followers of Jesus. God uses His Word to speak to us, to teach us, to guide us, and to give us wisdom. Like we said ye... Read More

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3 Keys To A Heavenly Perspective

by Curt Dodd on May 1st, 2024

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21) If we want to live this life on earth well, we need to do so with a heavenly perspective at the forefront of our minds. This world is not our home, and one day we will begin our eternity in heaven with Jesus. Therefore while we are still here on this planet, I believe there are three attit... Read More

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Giving and Serving

by Curt Dodd on April 30th, 2024

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. (2 Corinthians 5:14) I love the story of Hudson Taylor when he was interviewing possible candidates for missionary work. During the interview process, he asked each of these young people, “Why do you want to become a missionary?” One of them answered, “I just want to be a missionary because the... Read More

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Be The Church

by Curt Dodd on April 29th, 2024

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." - Acts 2:46-47Going to church for many people means showing up for the services, listening to the sermons, and maybe talking to a f... Read More

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A Salvation Moment

by Curt Dodd on April 28th, 2024

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." - Ephesians 2:8It’s sad how so many people in our world today have misunderstood salvation, thinking it is a gradual process or something achieved through our own good deeds. But true salvation happens in a singular, transformative moment. It's not about being baptized, attending church, or bei... Read More

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Hope in Trials

by Curt Dodd on April 27th, 2024

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) What are you walking through right now? What circumstances are you facing? What trials and tests are you experiencing? As you answer these questions, are you wondering why y... Read More

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God Has a Plan for Your Life

by Curt Dodd on April 26th, 2024

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21) God has a plan for your life, no matter how you have botched it in the past. Read that again. Simon Peter had a journey from fisherman to follower, from the one who had spiritual insight, to the one who was a coward denying the Lord, to the one who would be the leader of the apostolic ba... Read More

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Surrender Your Life to Christ

by Curt Dodd on April 25th, 2024

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:17-18) The resurrection experience that these women had was very po... Read More

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The Triumphal Entry

by Curt Dodd on April 24th, 2024

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:9-11) In the Palm Sunday triumphal entry pass... Read More

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Powerful Prayers and a Burden

by Curt Dodd on April 23rd, 2024

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. (James 5:16-17) Have you ever listened to someone pray and thought, “Wow, that was a power-packed p... Read More

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One Day You Will Give An Account

by Curt Dodd on April 22nd, 2024

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. – Romans 14:12Each of us carries the weight of accountability before God. It's a sobering truth that every soul will one day stand before Him to give an account of their life—every word spoken, every thought entertained, and every action taken.Yet, those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ can rest assured. Through faith, we are en... Read More

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Experiencing Grace

by Curt Dodd on April 21st, 2024

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. – James 4:8Experiencing grace is not always a grand, emotionally charged event. Rather, it is a profound spiritual encounter with God, orchestrated in His perfect timing and manner. When we are open to hearing the message of the gospel preached clearly, the Spirit of God begins a transformative work within us. It's as if He gently nudges our hearts, ... Read More

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Coming Home

by Curt Dodd on April 20th, 2024

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. – Luke 15:32 I grew up in a family where I had three sisters, one who was nine years older than me, and two who were younger. After I got saved, I shared Jesus with my sisters because I wanted them all to know Christ. The sad story was that one of my little sisters got involve... Read More

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Believing The Truth About Yourself

by Curt Dodd on April 19th, 2024

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. (Proverbs 21:2) Chuck Colson wrote a book, Born Again. He got saved in the midst of the Watergate fiasco and served time in prison. God saved him and put him on a path to being a blessing to many people. One of my good friends was his pastor. Colson said in his book that the problem with President Nixon was that he cou... Read More

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Are You Feeling Stuck?

by Curt Dodd on April 18th, 2024

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 Let me ask you a question. Have you ever been stuck? And by that, I mean have you ever been stuck while in a vehicle? I have gotten stuck several times in my life, but one particular instance sticks out in my mind that is ve... Read More

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Allowing God To Do The Changing

by Curt Dodd on April 17th, 2024

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and... Read More

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A Heart Of Repentance

by Curt Dodd on April 16th, 2024

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:8-9 As we talked about last week, there are many ways you can sense the Holy Spirit as a follower of Jesus. One of those ways is when you are convicted of your sins. The moment you gave y... Read More

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Balancing Truth and Love

by Curt Dodd on April 15th, 2024

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. – 2 Timothy 3:16As children of God, we often find ourselves trying to find the balance between love and truth, especially when confronted with situations where maybe a friend is living contrary to God's Word. Our first reaction might be to show empathy, wanting to suppo... Read More

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The Authority of Scripture

by Curt Dodd on April 14th, 2024

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." – Matthew 5:16-17In today’s key passage, Jesus imparts a profound revelation about the authority, inspiration, and sufficiency of God's Word. He says, "Let your light shine b... Read More

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A Father’s Word

by Curt Dodd on April 13th, 2024

The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago. (Lamentations 2:17a) When I was nine years old, my father had promised me on a particular Saturday that he was going to go to the Western Auto Store and buy me a 36-inch Schwinn Tornado bicycle. It was 4:00 and he was taking a nap. And I told my mom, “Hey mom, the store's going to close at 5:00 and dad said h... Read More

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A Familiar Experience With Jesus

by Curt Dodd on April 12th, 2024

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14) As you read the account of the events that happened af... Read More

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A Faithful and Helpful Friend

by Curt Dodd on April 11th, 2024

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13 I have a distinct memory of going to church camp when I was about 11 or 12 years old. Whenever I went to church camp, I always took my fishing pole. When in doubt, fish; that was my philosophy as a kid. During some free time at this particular camp, I had the privilege and the freedom to fish. My bes... Read More

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A Desire To Serve

by Curt Dodd on April 10th, 2024

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28) Years ago, I was studying today’s key Scripture passage. In the middle of preparing a sermon message, I prayed this prayer, “Lord, ... Read More

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A Defining Encounter

by Curt Dodd on April 9th, 2024

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5) One thing that is true for every follower of Jesus is that there has been a... Read More

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Praying with Power

by Curt Dodd on April 8th, 2024

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. – John 16:23-24 Yesterday, we started a discussion about what it looks like to pray in alignment with the will and heart of God. If you missed yesterday’s devotiona... Read More

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Aligned Prayers

by Curt Dodd on April 7th, 2024

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. – John 14:13-14 My job as a pastor is to make sure that God's people are equipped to do the work of ministry. One of the things that I am charged with doing is teaching people how to pray. With many of us, we wonder why our prayers don't get answered... Read More

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Fighting Self-Sufficiency With Prayer

by Curt Dodd on April 6th, 2024

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:23-24. One of the things that keeps us from getting through to God is prayerful inactivity. We think things like, “I got myself into this mess and it's my r... Read More

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Are You Confessed Up To Date?

by Curt Dodd on April 5th, 2024

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16 When I was in my first year of seminary, a missionary named Bertha Smith spoke to a class I was in. She was a godly woman who had given her life for ministry. As she stood before our class, she looked through her glasses at u... Read More

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Sharing Your Story

by Curt Dodd on April 4th, 2024

From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. – Acts 14:26-27 I firmly believe that every believer needs to be in the habit of sharing how God is working in the... Read More

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Committing Others To Christ

by Curt Dodd on April 3rd, 2024

From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. – Acts 14:26-27 As I was praying this morning, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the people who have kids or family m... Read More

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Are You Encouraging Others?

by Curt Dodd on April 2nd, 2024

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 William Barclay, a devotional commentator, once said, “One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement. It is easy to pour cold water on enthusiasm. It is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another.” This is ... Read More

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Don’t Stop Sharing The Good News

by Curt Dodd on April 1st, 2024

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20Have you ever wondered why you exist? Have you found yourself questioning why God put you on this earth? Well, the Bible tells us th... Read More

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What Hangs In The Balance Of Evangelism?

by Curt Dodd on March 31st, 2024

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! – Psalm 96:3Several years ago, I came across a statement from Penn Gillette. He is a magician, comedian, and an atheist. He said, “I've always said that I don't respect people who don't evangelize. I don't respect that at all. If you believe there is a heaven and a hell and people could be going to hell, and not gettin... Read More

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Believing God’s Word

by Curt Dodd on March 30th, 2024

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) Many people are searching for the will of God. Not only do they want to know the will of God, but they want to stay in His will. Consequently, when someone asks me how they can find God’s ... Read More

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