Posts with the tag “believers”

It Is as You Will 
by Curt Dodd on December 7th, 2024
“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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A Sense of Obligation
by Curt Dodd on November 9th, 2024
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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Don’t Get Distracted
by Curt Dodd on October 20th, 2024
"Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so." - Hebrews 13:9In today’s world, it’s easy to get swept up by the latest trends and ideas, especially on social media. We’re constantly bombarded with messages that claim to offer truth and wisdom, but not all o...  Read More
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Transformational Giving
by Curt Dodd on October 5th, 2024
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)   We looked at four ways God enjoys our act of giving. Today, we will ...  Read More
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Be Astute
by Curt Dodd on June 27th, 2024
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  (1 Peter 4:7)  The apostle Peter, writing to the early Christians, reminds them of the urgency of their situation and the necessity of being watchful. Simon Peter is saying, “I want you to be astute. The end of all things is near.”  You need to know about the Second Coming of Christ. You need to understand t...  Read More
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Facing Opposition For Your Faith
by Curt Dodd on June 17th, 2024
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. – Matthew 24:42-44When I began ministry as a pa...  Read More
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Strengthening Believers
by Curt Dodd on June 5th, 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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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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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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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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Sharing Your Story
by Curt Dodd on January 15th, 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 14:26-27I firmly believe that every believer needs to be in the habit of sharing how God is working in their...  Read More
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Strengthening Believers
by Curt Dodd on January 8th, 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 14:21-22The word “strengthening” in today’s key passage comes from the Greek word “episterizo.” It literally mean...  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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How To Live Fearlessly
by Curt Dodd on October 15th, 2023
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:13-15Would you say that y...  Read More
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Are You Fully Committed To Christ?
by Curt Dodd on July 17th, 2023
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5Yesterday we began talki...  Read More
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Remember, Repent, and Return
by Curt Dodd on July 8th, 2023
Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (Revelation 2:5)  We talked about the danger of forgetting your first love, Jesus Christ our Savior. For many Christians today, their faith is not the same as it used to be. They feel distant, lukewarm, and ineffective for the Kingdom. The ...  Read More
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Be Astute
by Curt Dodd on June 25th, 2023
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. (1 Peter 4:7)The apostle Peter, writing to the early Christians, reminds them of the urgency of their situation and the necessity of being watchful. Simon Peter is saying, “I want you to be astute. The end of all things is near.”You need to know about the Second Coming of Christ. You need to understand that G...  Read More
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Take Care of Your Bod
by Curt Dodd on March 20th, 2023
Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. (1 Kings 19:5-6)Many people in our society today are struggling with depression. In the middle of their struggles, most people don’t know what to do to...  Read More
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Politics and Faith
by Curt Dodd on February 15th, 2023
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)Our country is in an interesting place politically right now, and has been for quite some time. Some people are very extreme with their political views and convictions, listening to and repeating everything they hear on the news. O...  Read More
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Watch God Move
by Curt Dodd on January 23rd, 2023
“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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Loving Other Believers
by Curt Dodd on November 6th, 2022
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. (1 John 2:9-11)I have ...  Read More
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The Spiritual Battle
by Curt Dodd on October 2nd, 2022
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)This is a great time of ...  Read More
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Choose Joy over Worry
by Curt Dodd on September 29th, 2022
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)“Therefore I tell you, do not wo...  Read More
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Kingdom abandoned abandoning abandon ability abondoned acceptable acceptance accepted accepting accept accomplishment accomplish accordance accountable acknowledge actions activity addiction admitting admit adoration advancing advice affection affirmation afraid aligned aligning align alive allowedd allowed allowing allow almighty altered amazing amount anxiety anxious appeared appearing apply approaching approach argument arrogant assurance assures assure attend attention attentive attitude audience authority banished baptized beaituful behaviors behavior beieve beliefs belief believed believeibng believerrs believers believer believes believe believing belong benefits biblical blend blessed blesses blessings blessing bless blossomed bond brokenhearted burdens burden burial buried capable careful cares care caring carving celebrate challenges chance change changing charges charge choose choosing churches church claiming clarity climate combat comfortable comforting comfort commanded commandment commands command commitment committed communicate communicating communion community companionship companion compared comparing comparisons compassion competition complete complicated compliment comprehend compromised compromise concerned concerning concerns concern confessed confess confidence confident conflicts conflict confrontation confronting confused confusion connected connection connect consider consistent contact contentment content context contradict control conversation convicting conviction convict convinced convince corrected correcting courageous cover created create creation critical crucial crucified crucifixation crucify culture cure curiosity customers daily death decided decide declaration dedicated defend deflection deliberate delivers denomination denying departure depression describe description deserved deserves deserve desie designed desired desires desire desiring desrtuction destination destiny destruction determine devastated develop devoted devotional devotion dictates dictate difference different difficult directing direction directly direct disappeared disappoint disciples disciple disconenct discouraged discovered discover discuss display disruptions distance dividend educated education effort eliminated embrace embracing emotional emotions emotion emplower employer empower encoraged encounter encouraged encouragement encouragers encourages encourage encouraging encouragment endured endure energy engaged engagement engage engaging enjoyed enjoys enjoy enouragements enslaved ensure equation equip eternal eternity ethical evaluate everlasting evil example excited excitement exciting excluded expand expectations expectation expected experiences expression express extended faithfully faithfulness faithful faith family famous favor fearful fear feelings feeling fellowship finisher finish fire focused focusing focus followed followers follower following follow fooled forgave forgiveness forgiven forgive forgiving fortunate forward foundation founders freedom free freidnships fresh friendship friends 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 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 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 partnership passage passing passion pastors 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 pressure prevent pride primary principle probelm problem process proclaim produce productive promised promises promise promote 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 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 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 strengthen strength stressed stressful stress strong struggles struggle struggling submit substain successful success suffering supply supported supportive support surrendered surrender surrounding surround survived talents teachable teachers teaches teachings teach tears temptaions temptation tempted testify thoughtful thoughts through thrown together tolerance tradition transformed translation treat trouble troubling true truly trusted trusting trustworthy trust truth trutyh unbelievers uncomfortable 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