Posts with the category “daily-devotion”

Full of the Holy Spirit
by Curt Dodd on January 21st, 2025
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)  It is very important that you understand several things about the Holy Spirit. His main job is to point people to Christ. Jesus said, “He will speak about me.” He doesn't talk about Himself; He points people to Christ. When you find people who only want to talk about the Holy Spirit, and they...  Read More
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Be Ready For Interruptions
by Curt Dodd on January 20th, 2025
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21No matter how much wisdom, prayer, or preparation goes into it, every plan will experience interruptions. That’s exactly what happened to John the Baptist, as we discussed yesterday. Do you think he planned to go to prison? That was never in the back of his mind. It wasn’t part of his plan.The same ...  Read More
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Trust His Heart
by Curt Dodd on January 19th, 2025
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Provers 3:5-6I love Babbie Mason’s song. These words reveal some great insight:"So when you don't understandWhen you don't see His planWhen you can't trace His handTrust His heart."Maybe you’re in a season where you can't trace God's hand, and you’re...  Read More
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Are You Feeling Stuck?
by Curt Dodd on January 18th, 2025
"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 January 17th, 2025
“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 January 16th, 2025
“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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A Hand Of Blessing
by Curt Dodd on January 15th, 2025
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...  Read More
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A Guilt-Free Life
by Curt Dodd on January 14th, 2025
“Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” (Psalm 38:1-4)  If you’ve ever felt guilty for something you’ve done, you know that this Psalmist’...  Read More
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The Power To Restore
by Curt Dodd on January 13th, 2025
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32Going out of your way to reinstate someone who hurt you is a tall order, but that is exactly what Jesus did. And this is just the opposite of what our culture teaches. Our culture says, “If someone hurt you, maligned you, damaged you or your reputation, destroy them, reject them, and ...  Read More
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Restoring Broken Relationships
by Curt Dodd on January 12th, 2025
"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 20:17-18The first thing Jesus did in His attempt to re-establish His...  Read More
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A Faithful and Helpful Friend
by Curt Dodd on January 11th, 2025
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 January 10th, 2025
“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 January 9th, 2025
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 January 8th, 2025
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 January 7th, 2025
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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God’s Purpose In Your Pain
by Curt Dodd on January 6th, 2025
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28I don't care how much you love God; I don't care how long you have been walking with Jesus. I have no doubt that you have had tragedies and traumas in your life. Some of them have been physical, some of them have been emotional, some have been financial, and some...  Read More
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Faith Beyond Your Family
by Curt Dodd on January 5th, 2025
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." – Genesis 50:20Many of us came to faith in Christ because of our family of origin. Others of us came to faith in spite of our family of origin. Regardless, your family can create unbelievable pain in your life. Your interaction with your siblings, your father, or your mother can ...  Read More
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Sharing Your Story
by Curt Dodd on January 4th, 2025
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 January 3rd, 2025
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 January 2nd, 2025
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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Building Men Over Memberships
by Curt Dodd on January 1st, 2025
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 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 eve...  Read More
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God’s Plan
by Curt Dodd on December 31st, 2024
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the more widely known verses in the Bible. It reminds us that God has a plan for our lives, and that His plan is good. However, it is important to note that the word “prosper” in this passage does not mean what many p...  Read More
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Let Your Light Shine
by Curt Dodd on December 30th, 2024
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes His ch...  Read More
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Trust in God Alone
by Curt Dodd on December 29th, 2024
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” 2 Timothy 2...  Read More
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Praying Instead of Worrying 
by Curt Dodd on December 28th, 2024
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)    As I watch our country vibrate with all kinds of decisions that are being made and look at what is happening globally, I am heavy at...  Read More
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The Impact of Jesus
by Curt Dodd on December 27th, 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)  There has never been anyone who has made a greater impact on history and on our world than Jesus Christ! Jesus is...  Read More
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Disruption in Life
by Curt Dodd on December 26th, 2024
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples  to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.  Ble...  Read More
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The Gift of Security
by Curt Dodd on December 25th, 2024
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)“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 sna...  Read More
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Jesus Is the Messiah
by Curt Dodd on December 24th, 2024
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  (Hebrews 11:6)  One of the greatest debates in human history has been whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. The word “Messiah” means “anointed one.” It is the description of the individual who the Jews were expecting to usher in the redempt...  Read More
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Our Place in the Christmas Story
by Curt Dodd on December 23rd, 2024
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6Christmas is a celebration of Jesus—His humble birth in a manger and His sacrificial death on the cross. But it’s also a reminder that we are part of God’s ongoing story. Just as the first...  Read More
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The Light of Christmas
by Curt Dodd on December 22nd, 2024
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105Christmas is a season of light, and that light begins with God’s Word. The birth of Jesus fulfilled centuries of promises, illuminating God’s faithfulness and love. Just as Psalm 119:105 reminds us, Scripture is our guiding light. When we align our lives with its truth, we discover clarity and purpose. This Christmas, let the ...  Read More
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A Hardened Heart
by Curt Dodd on December 21st, 2024
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.  (Romans 2:5)    Scripture tells us that in the end times, many people’s hearts will be hardened toward the Lord. What does it mean to have a hardened heart? We will look at that today and identify the signs for those who might be on the path of a ...  Read More
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The Center of God’s Will 
by Curt Dodd on December 20th, 2024
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 6:23)    You have probably heard this verse many times before. Unfortunately, when we read this verse, we focus only on the phrase “the gift of God is eternal life,” and overlook the phrase “the wages of sin is death.”     Because of sin, death comes. We live in a fallen world; we are fallen men a...  Read More
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Jesus Is
by Curt Dodd on December 19th, 2024
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (John 1:1)  Jesus is a life changer! He has changed my life and the lives of countless millions over the centuries. People have said these things about Christ:   Napoleon Bonaparte, on the island of St. Helena said this, “I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a mere man.  Superficial minds may see a resem...  Read More
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Share Christ
by Curt Dodd on December 18th, 2024
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  (Romans 1:7)  It wasn’t just to the Romans that Paul wrote these words. To other followers of Christ, he used this same phrase. Why? Because it was very powerful. It set things in order and leveled the playing field. He was saying, in essence, “If you want grace and peace, they only come from the Lord Himself.”   Paul took...  Read More
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Celebrate God’s Provision
by Curt Dodd on December 17th, 2024
Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.  Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.   Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.  (Psalm 150:1-2, 6)  As this year is nearly over, many of us take the time to intentionally look back on the events of the past year. We think about all that has transpired over...  Read More
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Praying In The Waiting
by Curt Dodd on December 16th, 2024
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – Psalm 27:14Sometimes, we don’t learn how to pray until we learn how to wait. Waiting has a way of stripping us of control and forcing us to depend fully on God. It’s not easy, and it often feels uncomfortable. But it’s in the waiting that God shapes our faith and prepares us for His perfect answer.Isaac knew this k...  Read More
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Praying In The Waiting
by Curt Dodd on December 16th, 2024
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – Psalm 27:14Sometimes, we don’t learn how to pray until we learn how to wait. Waiting has a way of stripping us of control and forcing us to depend fully on God. It’s not easy, and it often feels uncomfortable. But it’s in the waiting that God shapes our faith and prepares us for His perfect answer.Isaac knew this k...  Read More
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Wait On God’s Provision
by Curt Dodd on December 15th, 2024
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19When life feels uncertain, and you’re not sure how God will come through, it’s natural to have questions. “God, how are You going to provide?” is a question that many of us have asked, often through tears or moments of desperation. The good news is that it’s okay to ask God questions. He inv...  Read More
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Wait On God’s Provision
by Curt Dodd on December 15th, 2024
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19When life feels uncertain, and you’re not sure how God will come through, it’s natural to have questions. “God, how are You going to provide?” is a question that many of us have asked, often through tears or moments of desperation. The good news is that it’s okay to ask God questions. He inv...  Read More
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focused focusing focus followed followers follower following follow fooled forgave forgiveness forgiven forgive forgiving fortunate forward foundation founders freedom free freidnships fresh friendship friends frustrated fulfilled fulfillment fullness future gathering gave generation generosity generous genuine gifts gift given givers giver give giving glady glad glimpse glorfiy glorified glorify glorious glory godly goodness gospel goverment grace gracious grateful gratitude grave gravity grieve grope growing growth grow guidance guided guides guiding guilty guilt handling happiness happy hardship healed healing health heal hearing heartbreak hearts heart heaven help hesitate holy honest honorably honored honoring honors honor hoped hopefulness hopeful hopeless hopes hope hoping horror humanity humbly identified identifies identify identity ignited ignorant ignore imagine immature impacted impactful impact impatient importance important impossible including inevitable influence information inherent innocent inspiration inspired inspires instance instant intended intensity intentional intentions interceding interesting interest interpretations intimately intimate intrude investment invitation invite itimacy jogging journey joyful joy justifying knowing knowledge known laborers labor leadership leaders leader leading lead leaning learning learn legacy lonely longing lordship loved loves love loving manipulate marriage married mature mediator meditate meditation membership members memeber memorable memory mentality merciful mercy message mindful minds minister ministry miracles miracle miraculous missing mission moment motive moun notice nourished nourishment obedience obedient obey obligation observer observe offering operate opinions opportunities opportunity oppressed outcome overcome overcoming overpowered overpower overwhelmed overwhelming ownership painful parenting particular partnership passage passing passion pastors path patient peace peae perception perfectly perfect perform perishing perish persecuted perseverance personally personal perspective persuade plan pleasing political pondering positioned position possibility powerful power praised praises praiseworthy praise praising prayed prayerful prayers prayer praying pray preached preachers preacher preaching preach prepared prepare presence present preserves pressure prevail prevent pride primary principle proactive probelm problem process proclaim produce productive promised promises promise promote prophicies prosperous prosper protecting protection protect proud proved prove provides provide providing provision purify purity purposes purpose pursuing raises raise realized realize realizing reassured rebelling rebellion receive recieved recover recuperation redeems redeem redemption redemptive referring reflection refuse reignite rejected relationships relationship religion religious remaining remedy remember remembrance reminds renewal renewing repeated repentance repent represent resisted resisting resist resolution respect responsibility rest resurrection retreat return revealing reveals righteous ritual royalty running sacrifice safest safe salvation satisfied satisfies satisfy saved save saving scriptual scripture secured security seeking seek selfish sensitive seperated seperate seperation sermon servants servant served server serve service serving shame shaping shared share sharing showed significance silence silent sinful sinless sinners sinner sin solve soul speaking speak spiraling spirirt spiritually spiritual spirit spread srve stability standards standing starting strengthen strength stressed stressful stress strong struggles struggle struggling submit substain successful success suffering supply supported supportive support surrendered surrender surrounding surround survived sustain talents teachable teachers teaches teachings teaching teach tears temptaions temptation tempted testify testimony thoughtful thoughts through thrown together tolerance tradition transformed translation treat trouble troubling true truly trusted trusting trustworthy trust truth trutyh unbelievers uncomfortable understanding understand unshamed utilize validation valuable values value verbally victory violated vulnerable waiting wants watchful willingly willing wisdom wise witnessed witness wonderful wondering wonder worried worrying worry worshipping worship worthy wrath