Posts with the category “daily-devotion”
Did God Really Say That?
by Curt Dodd on December 9th, 2023
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You w... Read More
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Asking out of Faith
by Curt Dodd on December 8th, 2023
Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. (Matthew 20:32-34) One of the things that separates Christianity from all other religions is that we can experience salvation by faith alone. In order to have a person... Read More
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It Is as You Will
by Curt Dodd on December 7th, 2023
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35) Years ago, a little boy had captured a small, helpless bird. He went to an old wise man in his village and he put the bird behind his back. He looked at the man and said, “Old man, tell me, Is the bird I hold in my hand, is it alive, or is it dead?” The wise... Read More
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Don’t Abuse Your Free Will
by Curt Dodd on December 6th, 2023
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” (Matthew 24:12) God has given human beings the gift of free will. Because He has granted you free will, God will never make you do something. He will not force you to do something, even if it is not what He desires. He will abide by your personal will. However, God allows you to experience the fruit of your decisions... Read More
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Say No to Temptation
by Curt Dodd on December 5th, 2023
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness... Read More
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Don’t Forget Your Family Of Faith
by Curt Dodd on December 4th, 2023
With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. - 1 Peter 5:12-14Nothing is more powerful than... Read More
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The Responsibility Of A Christian Parent
by Curt Dodd on December 3rd, 2023
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6The greatest responsibility parents have is to pass on the faith to their children. It is first the parents’ job, not the church's job, to disciple children and teach them how to follow Jesus. The church is there to help, yes. But first and foremost, it is our job as parents to pass the faith a... Read More
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The Holy Spirit
by Curt Dodd on December 2nd, 2023
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26) When you become a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you and guide you through life. These are several ways the Holy Spirit works in us: 1. The Holy Spirit teaches us. God will allow His Spirit to inform you ... Read More
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Refuel Your Spirit
by Curt Dodd on December 1st, 2023
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil…When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-2, 13) During Jesus’ time on earth, He was tempted just like we are tempted. There is an account of Jesus being tempted in the Book of Luke which is ve... Read More
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Just Forgive
by Curt Dodd on November 30th, 2023
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22) Let’s face it: Forgiveness is complicated! When Simon Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother or sister, he already had a number in mind. In fact, ... Read More
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Before the Throne of God
by Curt Dodd on November 29th, 2023
Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God... Read More
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Why Are You Following?
by Curt Dodd on November 28th, 2023
When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. (Matthew 8:1) Why are you really following Jesus? After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus amassed a huge crowd. This huge crowd was made up of individuals who were following Christ for different reasons: 1. Some followed out of interest and curiosity. They just showed up because everyone was headed that way, and they were inte... Read More
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Having A Spiritual Mindset
by Curt Dodd on November 27th, 2023
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12Years ago, I was talking to one of my friends and he mentioned that he had a friend whose child was of preschool age. The little boy was overwhelmed with fear every night. H... Read More
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Overcoming Fear and Worry
by Curt Dodd on November 26th, 2023
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)What are you most afraid of? Do you struggle with feeling anxious and worried all the time? Does fear seem to have a very comfortable seat in your life and seems to refuse to leave?We need to realize that the enemy’s tactic is always fear. He wants nothing more th... Read More
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Control Your Heart
by Curt Dodd on November 25th, 2023
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23) When there is trouble in our lives, we tend to focus on that. We think we can work through it by mental-emotional gyrations. We dream about it, talk to our friends about it, and dwell on it. We devote a lot of verbiage to that trouble. Because we are worrying about it, Jesus is saying, “Don't let your hearts b... Read More
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Avoiding Trouble
by Curt Dodd on November 24th, 2023
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. (John 14:1) Do you realize that trouble is simply part of life? You can't avoid it. It is crucial to understand that through Christ we can overcome the trouble, regardless of what it is. Jesus told us, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) People will not always line up with what you beli... Read More
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Wait in Silence
by Curt Dodd on November 23rd, 2023
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10) We don't like silence and we don't do very well with silence. Have you noticed that we try to fill silence with activity? It is important for us to realize that there are times when we need to be quiet. This happens to many of us. When there is silence and God doesn't move, we do something. When in doubt, do something. Like Simon Peter, when th... Read More
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God Can Defend Himself
by Curt Dodd on November 22nd, 2023
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) When we don't understand what God is doing, we try to explain why God would allow something to happen. Many of us think we have to answer all of the “nay-sayers.” We hear people say, “If God is a God of love, w... Read More
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Blaming Others
by Curt Dodd on November 21st, 2023
And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me -- she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:11-13) Being free of guilt comes from finding fr... Read More
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Pray About Your Anxiety
by Curt Dodd on November 20th, 2023
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7Yesterday, we talked about anxiety and how the root of anxiousness is a spiritual problem. But now that we’ve identified that reality, what do we do about our anxiety? How do we respond in a godly way when we’re feeling anxious and fearful?Let me give you one big step you can take to overcome your anxiety: Practice letting go of y... Read More
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What Are Feeling You Anxious About?
by Curt Dodd on November 19th, 2023
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7If you want to destroy the curse of anxiety, you need to unmask the spiritual problem in your life. When we experience anxiety, we are ultimately dealing with a spiritual problem. Now don’t get me wrong. Anxiety does have physical repercussions, but at its root, it is a spiritual problem. Do you know what that problem is? It is be... Read More
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Stand Firmly
by Curt Dodd on November 18th, 2023
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11) If we are going to be the individuals who the Lord desires us to be, we must learn how to stand firmly in every area of our lives. A solid conviction within our hearts must reveal itself in clear action in our lives. We might stand for an internal commitment or belief, but it needs more... Read More
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Disagreements
by Curt Dodd on November 17th, 2023
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they... Read More
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Learning from Failure
by Curt Dodd on November 16th, 2023
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26) We looked at how we set ourselves up for failure without realizing it. Today, we will continue our conversation on failure, and learn how we can handle failure in a positive way. 1. Own it. When you fail, own it and embrace it. Don't make excuses for it; just own it. Personal failure and s... Read More
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Setups for Failure
by Curt Dodd on November 15th, 2023
Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:36-38) As followers of Jesus, we are not excluded from experiencing failure... Read More
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Enjoying Your Work
by Curt Dodd on November 14th, 2023
Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work -- this is a gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:19) Do you enjoy what you do for a living? Whether it is in an office at home, on the road, on the jobsite, or on the Internet, do you actually enjoy your work? This is a basic question which must be asked and answered by all... Read More
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The Dangers Of Pride
by Curt Dodd on November 13th, 2023
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:5-7The epitome of not having a teachable ... Read More
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Are You Willing To Learn From Others?
by Curt Dodd on November 12th, 2023
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:5-7One of the most important aspects of d... Read More
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Waiting for Healing
by Curt Dodd on November 11th, 2023
Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. (1 Samuel 16:23) Waiting for healing can be a long and agonizing process. When you are in pain, experiencing discomfort, and need help; you want the Lord to intervene immediately. You want Him to remove this struggle from you... Read More
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Showing Love
by Curt Dodd on November 10th, 2023
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 28:19-20) We often say that love is a feeling. I would have to disagree and tell you that love is an action. Love is something we show, not ju... Read More
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A Sense of Obligation
by Curt Dodd on November 9th, 2023
I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:14-16) This is a very powerful passage! If you were ever looking for a simple ... Read More
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Just Be Kind
by Curt Dodd on November 8th, 2023
Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. (Proverbs 11:17) What does it take to be kind? A smile, a helping hand, a thoughtful gesture, or a servant’s attitude can be used. Often, we are influenced by the harshness of those around us who are extremely self-absorbed and bent on getting their own way. It is very easy to allow their behavior to influence ours. I... Read More
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Doing Before Knowing God
by Curt Dodd on November 7th, 2023
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7: 21-23) This... Read More
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Admitting You Don’t Know Everything
by Curt Dodd on November 6th, 2023
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19If you have the mentality that you can always learn, you are in a healthy place. You can learn things from anyone, whether they are older or younger. We all need to have a mentality that says, “I haven't arrived yet, and I can always learn something new because I... Read More
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The Value Of Listening To Someone Else’s Story
by Curt Dodd on November 5th, 2023
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19Someone who really blessed my life when I was a young seminarian was a guy with the nickname Pogo. He trained missionaries before they were getting ready to go on the mission field. When I first met Pogo, I sat down with him and immediately he said, “Tell me abou... Read More
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It’s Not Too Late
by Curt Dodd on November 4th, 2023
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) You might be wondering, “Is it too late for my whole family, or one family member to be saved? I know they have never given their life to Christ.” How many of you have a family member on your mind right now? You k... Read More
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Healing Misconceptions
by Curt Dodd on November 3rd, 2023
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) When we see someone who is going through some kind of pa... Read More
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Grow In Grace
by Curt Dodd on November 2nd, 2023
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18) The character of God is grace; therefore, the character of His people should also be grace. When someone comes into your church and they don't talk like you, and they don't look like you, what is your response? Your response must be, “Welcome!” Everything that we do... Read More
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Show God’s Grace
by Curt Dodd on November 1st, 2023
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5) The very heartbeat of the Church needs to be grace. Under grace, we extend love regardless of who people are, where they are on their journey, and what is happening in their life right now. We just extend God'... Read More
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The Difference the Cross Makes
by Curt Dodd on October 31st, 2023
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19) It is hard to forgive when you have been wronged, but forgiveness is a ... Read More
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January
Finding Godly MentorsYes and No in ScriptureFocus Like an ArcherSeeking the Presence of GodA Defining EncounterOnly by GraceOvercoming ExhaustionExcited and Expectant over PrayerThe Five Parts of PrayerThe Still Small VoiceThe Lord’s Amazing PowerHandling PersecutionDiving into God’s WordReceiving EncouragementA Desire To ServeGiving and ServingA Thrill RideThe Sweet Voice of GodGet off the BenchOut of AlignmentFrustration Is InevitableListening Instead of TalkingWatch God MoveWalking in the LightKnown by Your FruitThe Good ShepherdBoldly Stand for ChristHonor the LordPraying in FaithDealing with DoubtLearning To Be Alone
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