Posts with the category “daily-devotion”

In Your Pain, God Is Near
by Curt Dodd on September 20th, 2024
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)  C.S. Lewis once said, “Pain is the megaphone of God, where He whispers to us in our pleasures, He shouts to us in our pain.” There is much truth in this statement. Have you noticed that it only takes the smallest amount of pain for God to get our attention? All you have to do is have a problem with one...  Read More
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Security Through Christ
by Curt Dodd on September 19th, 2024
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)  While I was in Israel several years ago, a dear pastor friend passed away from an accident. He and I had enjoyed a wonderful conversation just a few days before I left. Needless to say, I was completely devastated when I received word of his home-going. You see, I loved him deeply. I had ...  Read More
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Listen to God First
by Curt Dodd on September 18th, 2024
Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears. (Job 13:17)    My son played baseball while growing up. I remember a particular game where he had hit a double and was standing on second base. The next batter got up and he hit a line drive. My son ran from second base passing third on his way to home plate. The crowd saw the ball thrown in from the outfield and we could see that the...  Read More
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The Power of the Cross
by Curt Dodd on September 17th, 2024
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)  In that moment when you gave your life to Christ, something happened.  Everything that yo...  Read More
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Sit With Those Who Are Hurting
by Curt Dodd on September 16th, 2024
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. – Hebrews 13:1When we hear about one of our brothers or sisters going through a difficult time, we need to come in when the whole world goes out! Whether they are struggling in their marriage, with their health, or with their kids, that is when we need to come alongside them.When you sit with people who are struggling, you are saying, “I may not ...  Read More
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Why You Need A Small Group
by Curt Dodd on September 15th, 2024
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. – Hebrews 13:1In our culture, we need to understand the importance of letting people into our Hula Hoop. We also need to learn how to jump into the Hula Hoops of other people.Let me tell you what I mean by that.The church is more than just a place where you attend, experience worship, music, and teaching, and then go out and live your life. Do yo...  Read More
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Wait in Obedience
by Curt Dodd on September 14th, 2024
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1...  Read More
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Quiet Time Fills You
by Curt Dodd on September 13th, 2024
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) It is important to have a quiet time each day to find peace in the midst of stress. Another reason for spending time daily with the Lord is to p...  Read More
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Quiet Time Relieves Stress
by Curt Dodd on September 12th, 2024
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else -- to the nearby villages -- so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughou...  Read More
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A Long Look
by Curt Dodd on September 11th, 2024
“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.”  (Genesis 45:8)  Joseph’s life was not a straight line. He was blessed by his earthly father with favor, and by his heavenly Father with the ability to interpret dreams. This led to the displeasure of his brothers who probably thought they had been short-changed. They developed a plan to do away with him, but were persuaded to sell him into slav...  Read More
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This World Is Not Our Home 
by Curt Dodd on September 10th, 2024
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. (Hebrews 13:14)    Right now in our country and on our planet,  more things are wrong than right! As a result, this reality creates conflict inside the life of a believer. We want to cry out, “God, how long will you tolerate men and women living with this mentality? How long will you tolerate the treatment that we inflict on e...  Read More
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Tough Times Dont Last
by Curt Dodd on September 9th, 2024
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."- James 1:2-4Yesterday, we began talking about the importance of having a tough times theology. We discussed two of five principles we can apply t...  Read More
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Tough Times Are Guaranteed
by Curt Dodd on September 8th, 2024
“In this world, you will have trouble.†Then He said, “But take heart. I have overcome the world.†- John 16:33God will often use disasters to get our attention. He might use finances, relationships, and our own physical health to get our attention. But remember, He always has a purpose. We can learn some deep spiritual truths while going through tough times.Because of this truth, I want y...  Read More
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Replacing God
by Curt Dodd on September 7th, 2024
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  One of the tragedies that we see in our nation every day is that we have forgotten the Lord and have replaced Him with our activity. Think about that for a moment. Many people want to do the activities of religion, rather than...  Read More
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Real Friends
by Curt Dodd on September 6th, 2024
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:6)  If our world becomes unstable, we need the kind of friendship that is found in stability. With every one of us, there will be multiple times when the only solid tree to lean against (other than the Lord of All) is the one He planted many years ago in our life. A true friend does make it all the way through with u...  Read More
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Praying To Remind Yourself
by Curt Dodd on September 5th, 2024
You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, (Psalm 59:9)  Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God. Praying without ceasing should be the default position for every believer as they live moment by moment. Many of our prayers are more self-reminders than news flashes for heaven. This prayer is the same. The psalmist is verbalizing in prayer a fresh commitment to the Lord to l...  Read More
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Praise the Lord
by Curt Dodd on September 4th, 2024
Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. (Psalm 57:8)   Whether you are a morning person or an evening person does not matter. The words that come out of our mouths every day do matter. The psalmist is calling on himself to engage with praise and we should consider doing the very same thing ourselves every day. Notice the self-talk here and in other passages of Scripture. Sure...  Read More
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Never Stop Worshiping
by Curt Dodd on September 3rd, 2024
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. (Revelation 7:11)    When we worship, we join heaven. Do you realize that nothing is more important than aligning your life with the will and purpose of God in worship?     The angels never stop worshiping. Night and day, they contin...  Read More
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Where Are You in Your Faith Journey?
by Curt Dodd on September 2nd, 2024
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)In the second and third chapters of Revelation, John describes each of the seven churches mentioned in this book of the Bible. The members of each church were in very different places in their faith. It is important that we see where...  Read More
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Set A Fire In My Soul
by Curt Dodd on September 1st, 2024
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)There is an old hymn that always encourages me when my faith fee...  Read More
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Handling Stress
by Curt Dodd on August 31st, 2024
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else -- to the nearby villages -- so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout...  Read More
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Dealing with Problems
by Curt Dodd on August 30th, 2024
That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)  Experiencing fellowship with Jesus Christ is absolutely essential if we want to overcome our fleshly struggles with sin. Because we are imperfect human beings, we will never be able to deal with our shortco...  Read More
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Find Rest in the Lord
by Curt Dodd on August 29th, 2024
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)  We should meditate on these Scripture verses during this difficult time in our world. As we are being burdened by fear, worry, bad news, loneli...  Read More
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God Draws Us to Himself
by Curt Dodd on August 28th, 2024
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:44)  Regardless of where you are in your walk with the Lord, God is always drawing you closer. He wants to have a strong, intimate, and personal relationship with you. He is very intentional when it comes to drawing us near to Him. These are four ways God draws us closer to Him:  God...  Read More
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I Am Innocent
by Curt Dodd on August 27th, 2024
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said, “It is your responsibility!” (Matthew 27:24)  Pilate’s responsibility to his Roman government was to keep the peace in the region. That was his job. However, he would actually wash his hands of Jesus’ case and ...  Read More
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God’s Right Hand Of Blessing
by Curt Dodd on August 26th, 2024
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18)For many of us, when we were growing up; we longed for the hand of blessing from our father. We wanted him to say to u...  Read More
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Fall At Jesus’ Feet
by Curt Dodd on August 25th, 2024
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. (Revelation 1:17)In today’s key verse, we read about a personal encounter that John had with Jesus. When John saw Jesus, he fell at His feet like dead. It completely overpowered him.Think about that for a minute. Have you ever had an experience like that ...  Read More
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The Promise of the Holy Spirit
by Curt Dodd on August 24th, 2024
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17)   The upper room meal was over, and Jesus was preparing the disciples for His departure. Ju...  Read More
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Jesus Is Standing with You 
by Curt Dodd on August 23rd, 2024
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)    When you serve Christ, you are never alone; Jesus is standing with you. Isn’t that comforting? Isn’t that a great reason and reminder why we should be totally devoted to Christ? I believe so! I know it is easier said than done, especially when we are going through a tough and lonely season.     Maybe you are walking thro...  Read More
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Stand on the Word of God
by Curt Dodd on August 22nd, 2024
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13)    And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)    Have you noticed how desensitized our entire population is to right and wrong? Have you observed how...  Read More
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The End Is Near 
by Curt Dodd on August 21st, 2024
Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:32-35)...  Read More
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The Pavement
by Curt Dodd on August 20th, 2024
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him and took the staff and struck ...  Read More
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Stand Together
by Curt Dodd on August 19th, 2024
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,  dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. (Revelation 1:12-13)In the Book of Revelation, John describes seeing the Lord standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands. When you read that, you...  Read More
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Seek Godly Wisdom
by Curt Dodd on August 18th, 2024
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)Do you know where you get wisdom? From the Word of God. Wisdom is the Word of God which is applied practically to your life to show you how to live. Therefore, when you accept Christ, you are coming to Him who is completely wise. He has all the wisdom you need to take the...  Read More
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Taking the Time To Bless
by Curt Dodd on August 17th, 2024
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:2-4)  The last of John’s short letters provides...  Read More
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Living in Denial
by Curt Dodd on August 15th, 2024
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. (Matthew 26:73-74)  Judas betrayed Jesus once, but Simon Peter denied Jesus three times publicly! That statement is not meant to minimize the horrific thing Juda...  Read More
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Immeasurably More
by Curt Dodd on August 14th, 2024
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)  God is not a god of mediocrity or a god of solely meeting our expectations. Instead, He is a God who is more than capable of exceeding expectations. L...  Read More
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Looking Forward
by Curt Dodd on August 13th, 2024
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw -- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, becau...  Read More
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How To Start Reading Your Bible
by Curt Dodd on August 12th, 2024
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)The Bible is alive for you today. If you haven't experienced that, you need to spend time alone with God. As you are hungry to hear His voice, just breathe a simple prayer, “Jesus,...  Read More
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How Does God Speak?
by Curt Dodd on August 11th, 2024
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)Have you ever wondered how God will speak to you? He speaks to you and to me through His Word.The written Word of the Lord is very important! God speaks to you through His Word. Don’t wait for a special word of knowledge. If y...  Read More
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