Posts with the tag “believe”
3 Keys To A Heavenly Perspective
by Curt Dodd on February 1st, 2025
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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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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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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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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Focus on the Giver
by Curt Dodd on August 8th, 2024
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (John 1:6-8) Because He is so gracious, compassionate, and kind, God gave us many gifts to help us grow and mature in our walk with Him. He gave us the local church so we could belong ... Read More
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Dealing with Problems
by Curt Dodd on July 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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The End Is Near
by Curt Dodd on July 23rd, 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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Everything Will Pan Out In The End
by Curt Dodd on July 8th, 2024
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)When I was in college, I went to a Christian college which required that you take at least nine hours of Bible. At that particular time in my life, I wasn't really interested in the Bible. I had gone to Sunday School and I was majoring in music and speech. Because of my backgr... Read More
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Craving Spiritual Milk
by Curt Dodd on June 22nd, 2024
"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:2-3) As we look at this Scripture passage, we see there is an analogy of being a child, and having a desire for spiritual milk. The Scripture says, “Like newborn babies.” There is an interesting word used here, “brephos.” This Greek word was... Read More
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A Childlike Faith
by Curt Dodd on June 14th, 2024
He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never entre the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4) In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ life and ministry, he tells this simple yet impactful stor... Read More
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4 Mentalities Around Reading God’s Word
by Curt Dodd on June 4th, 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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A Personal Answer
by Curt Dodd on May 18th, 2024
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:15-16 When Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter gave a personal answer. When he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” he was saying it very personally. He was saying, “As far as I'm concerned, regardless of what any of ... Read More
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Jesus Is The Only Way
by Curt Dodd on May 9th, 2024
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 Do you know why the Jews wanted to crucify Jesus, to kill Him? It was because they accused Jesus of blasphemy. He used the name of God to describe who He was. When you say, “I believe in God,” you are saying, “I believe in Jesus.” When you say, “I believe in Jesus,” you are sayin... 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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Every Knee Will Bow
by Curt Dodd on March 21st, 2024
At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) Scripture is very clear that a day will come when every single person on this planet will bow down to Jesus and declare that He is Lord over everything. This means every Muslim, every Jew, every Buddh... Read More
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Jesus Is The Only Way
by Curt Dodd on February 19th, 2024
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6Do you know why the Jews wanted to crucify Jesus, to kill Him? It was because they accused Jesus of blasphemy. He used the name of God to describe who He was.When you say, “I believe in God,” you are saying, “I believe in Jesus.” When you say, “I believe in Jesus,” you are saying, “I... Read More
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Jesus Understands Your Pain
by Curt Dodd on January 12th, 2024
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15) When you are going through a difficult time, it is easy to think that no... Read More
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Salvation Is Simple
by Curt Dodd on January 9th, 2024
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answer... Read More
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Are You Encouraging Others?
by Curt Dodd on January 7th, 2024
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11William 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 what ... Read More
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False Prophets
by Curt Dodd on January 5th, 2024
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them -- bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stor... Read More
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God, Fix It
by Curt Dodd on December 29th, 2023
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7) When your heart gets heavy and there is pain in your life, we pray, “Oh God, take away the pain. Take away the pain, now.” Sometimes, the answer to that prayer is different from how we want it. I really believe there are people who are reading this today, who are going through a desperate situation. They ar... Read More
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Praying Instead of Worrying
by Curt Dodd on December 28th, 2023
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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Wisdom in the Bible
by Curt Dodd on December 24th, 2023
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)The Bible makes it very clear that if we ask for wisdom, the Lord will grant us wisdom. This is one of my favorite promises in all of Scripture. When we pray for wisdom, we can’t just expect God to grant us wisdom. We need to do our part. The best way for us to gain wisd... Read More
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Hope Through God
by Curt Dodd on December 16th, 2023
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22) It has been said, “A person can live a few days without water, a few minutes without air, but not a moment without hope.” Beyond the circumstances, crises and burdens of life, some people believe there is something better just ahead. Hope is something nearly everyone relies on to push t... Read More
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The Cost of Following Christ
by Curt Dodd on December 12th, 2023
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:29) We certainly love the idea of believing in Christ, receiving eternal life and having our sins forgiven. We long to experience cleansing, both positionally and mentally. It is hard to comprehend forgiveness from God’s perspective. From our viewpoint, we see ourselves with... Read More
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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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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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Fearless Confidence
by Curt Dodd on October 16th, 2023
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days... Read More
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We Are Called To Love
by Curt Dodd on September 11th, 2023
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8I love what Charles Swindoll said years ago in one of his books. He said three little girls came together and formed a club in their treehouse. They decided to write the rules for behavior. Here they are: “Number one, no one should act too big. Number two, no one should act too small. Number three, everyo... Read More
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Plans Yet Unrealized
by Curt Dodd on August 26th, 2023
“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) I remember the first time I read this verse in college. Clueless about the next steps for my life, it was completely refreshing to know that He had my life all mapped out. I just wanted a hint at what the first step should be. Too often, I fre... Read More
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It Will All Pan Out In The End
by Curt Dodd on August 6th, 2023
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36) When I was in college, I went to a Christian college that required that you take at least nine hours of Bible. At that particular time in my life, I wasn't really interested in the Bible. I had gone to Sunday School and I was majoring in music and speech. Because of my backgro... Read More
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4 Mentalities Around Reading God’s Word
by Curt Dodd on July 10th, 2023
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 3:16-17Reading 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 yest... Read More
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Looking for Hope
by Curt Dodd on May 30th, 2023
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:24) Is there hope? Why do you attend church? Why do you watch preachers on television? Do you go to church on Sunday to show off your newest outfit? Do you tune into a sermon out of obligation, or to fulfill some expectation? My guess would be that these aren’t the reasons you come to church or watch church on... Read More
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Stay in Love with Jesus
by Curt Dodd on May 24th, 2023
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take th... Read More
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Pray, Just Pray!
by Curt Dodd on May 20th, 2023
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:18-2... Read More
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Defeating Depression
by Curt Dodd on March 19th, 2023
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)When you allow feelings to become your reality, that's when you know you are headed for depression. Many of us are ruled by our feelings and what we are thinking on the inside. For example, “I feel like a failure, so I must be a failure.” Or the mentality that says, “I am afraid right now. I don't ... Read More
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Be Ready for the End
by Curt Dodd on March 11th, 2023
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) Whether we admit it or not, the end times are not very far away. Jesus is coming back soon and we need to be prepared. We might not be here when the events of the end times arrive. This is the pathway that will unfold during the Great Tribu... Read More
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Salvation Is Simple
by Curt Dodd on March 9th, 2023
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answer... Read More
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Facing the Truth
by Curt Dodd on February 13th, 2023
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 middle 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. Chuck Colson founded Prison Fellowship, a prison ministry that touched the lives of thousands of prisoners. One of my ... Read More
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Building Men Over MembershipsAre You Encouraging Others?Committing Others To ChristSharing Your StoryFaith Beyond Your FamilyGod’s Purpose In Your PainAligned PrayersPraying with PowerA Defining EncounterA Desire To ServeA Faithful and Helpful FriendRestoring Broken RelationshipsThe Power To RestoreA Guilt-Free LifeA Hand Of BlessingA Heart Of RepentanceAllowing God To Do The ChangingAre You Feeling Stuck?Trust His HeartBe Ready For InterruptionsFull of the Holy SpiritDefeating DepressionPowerful Prayers and a BurdenThe Triumphal EntrySurrender Your Life to ChristGratitude Is The Gateway To ContentmentGratitude Is A Defense Against AnxietyDealing With DoubtFocus On The WordGiving and ServingListening Instead Of Talking
February
3 Keys To A Heavenly PerspectiveA Faith Rooted in FactA Faith That Draws or DrivesWhy Support Israel?The Danger Of Being Full Of YourselfLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureGod Is All-SufficientGuided By ProblemsJoy In The Midst Of ProblemsRemember Who God IsA Brand New Glimpse Of JesusA Call To God’s ChurchA Childlike FaithA Christ-Honoring EpitaphA Church On FireA Faithful and Helpful FriendA Personal AnswerA Public AnswerBe Sensitive To Your WitnessAwakenings and Quiet TimesCraving Spiritual MilkEmbracing Your Second ChanceSigns Of True RevivalResisting EvilBe DifferentBe AstuteBe Loving
March
Witness with Your WordsGod’s Word Is EnoughStay Rooted In The TruthA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouHave You Met Christ?Focus on the GiverEncountering God’s GraceStanding Accountable Before GodBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardImmeasurably MoreLiving in DenialYour Salvation MomentWhat Does It Look Like To Be The Church?A Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementWhen You Need Hope The End Is Near Stand on the Word of GodA Gracious GiftCelebrating Through BaptismThe Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentGod Draws Us to HimselfFind Rest in the LordBearing The Burdens Of OthersPrioritizing Your Love For Christ