Posts with the tag “faith”
Surrender Your Life to Christ
by Curt Dodd on April 25th, 2024
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 20:17-18) The resurrection experience that these women had was very po... Read More
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Allowing God To Do The Changing
by Curt Dodd on April 17th, 2024
“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 Defining Encounter
by Curt Dodd on April 9th, 2024
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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Don’t Stop Sharing The Good News
by Curt Dodd on April 1st, 2024
“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 28:19-20Have you ever wondered why you exist? Have you found yourself questioning why God put you on this earth? Well, the Bible tells us th... Read More
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Faith and Understanding
by Curt Dodd on March 5th, 2024
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) We live in a culture where we highly value knowledge and intelligence. Like the saying goes, “Knowledge is power,” we think the more we know, the better off we will be. However... Read More
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It’s Only Jesus
by Curt Dodd on February 25th, 2024
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6Many people think that the way you get to heaven is just to go to church, be a good person, and love your brother as yourself. All of that is important, but you don't have the power to do that consistently without having a relationship with Jesus.Do you know why? Sin! We were born wit... Read More
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Sharing Your Faith
by Curt Dodd on February 14th, 2024
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... Read More
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Praying For Israel
by Curt Dodd on February 5th, 2024
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.” – Psalm 122:6Yesterday, we began a discussion about why we as believers are to pray for and support the nation of Israel. If you missed yesterday’s devotion, I strongly encourage you to go back and read it. But for now, we’re going to continue on this topic and discuss four more reasons why we should support Israel.The fourth rea... Read More
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A Childlike Faith
by Curt Dodd on February 2nd, 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 enter 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 story... Read More
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Committing Others To Christ
by Curt Dodd on January 14th, 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 14:26-27As I was praying this morning, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the people who have kids or family mem... Read More
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Be Ready for the End
by Curt Dodd on January 11th, 2024
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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Actions and Words
by Curt Dodd on January 2nd, 2024
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:... Read More
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Lean on God in Uncertainty
by Curt Dodd on December 30th, 2023
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) When you are in the middle of a season of uncertainty, and have more questions than answers; do you find yourself wondering where God is in the midst of it all? Maybe you ask questions like, “God, where are you?” or “Do you really and truly care about me?” or “What are you trying to do?” Feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety often ... Read More
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Praise God for Your Story
by Curt Dodd on December 14th, 2023
And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1:24) Paul’s reputation definitely preceded him. His story of coming to faith in Christ circulated throughout the east long before he had made one of his “missionary journeys.” Before Christ, Paul was a stone-cold legalist. He even took it upon himself to organize the extermination of early believers. His efforts led to the stoning death of Stephen,... Read More
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The Reality of Persecution
by Curt Dodd on December 10th, 2023
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33In the past year, 360 million Christians (1 in 7 believers around the world) suffered significant persecution for their faith. I don't know if you have ever been persecuted for your faith or overlooked for a raise or promotion because of your f... 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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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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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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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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Are You Willing To Give It All?
by Curt Dodd on October 9th, 2023
“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” - Luke 21:1-4Do you realize that one of the peopl... Read More
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What Are Your Ministry Gifts?
by Curt Dodd on September 18th, 2023
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10In Scripture, we learn that there are several ministry gifts that are granted to believers. There is the gift of giving, the gift of helping, the gift of administration (organization), the gift of mercy, the gift of discernment, the gift of prophecy, the g... Read More
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Partnering With Other Believers
by Curt Dodd on September 3rd, 2023
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) As followers of Jesus, we should be in partnership with other believers. Anyone who loves Jesus, who has turned from sin and placed their faith in Christ – they are on the same team as us. We need to be in partnership with them. Many of us come from a he... Read More
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Walking Humbly with God
by Curt Dodd on September 2nd, 2023
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) This verse is very familiar, a verse which we should be applying to our everyday lives. However, we need to take a deeper look at the end of the verse and define what it means to walk humbly with our God. First, the challenge to walk humb... Read More
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Be Ready
by Curt Dodd on August 31st, 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) Jesus talks more than once in Scripture about people not being ready for His return. That’s why it is so important that we are ready for Jesus to come back. You need to make sure that you know Jesus Christ as Lord of your life. By the way, this is not a denominational t... Read More
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Share Your Faith
by Curt Dodd on August 25th, 2023
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41) After I met Christ as my personal Savior and Lord, the first thing I did was sing and share! As I was riding my bicycle home that Monday afternoon, after praying to receive Christ, I couldn’t help but sing. Although I don’t remember the words of the song, I do remember the joy and the s... Read More
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A Powerful Witness
by Curt Dodd on August 22nd, 2023
They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me. (Galatians 1:23-24) Paul recounts his testimony from others who had certainly noticed a dramatic change in the course of his life. Moving from a persecutor to a proclaimer, he made a deep impact on his culture for Christ. Just think of the 180... Read More
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Memorizing God’s Word
by Curt Dodd on August 21st, 2023
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11) When I was in the fifth grade, I will never forget going to Vacation Bible School (VBS). The teacher challenged us as fifth graders to do something really amazing. She started by telling us a story about some prisoners of war in World War II. They were trying to put the Bible together to read to each other. In th... Read More
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Do You Love God’s Word and His People?
by Curt Dodd on July 23rd, 2023
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. – 1 John 5:13John wrote his three epistles so that you and I could know without a shadow of a doubt that we know Jesus, we understand the gospel, and we have a personal relationship with our Savior. If you read through first John, the author gives us seven questions to answer. The... Read More
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Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus
by Curt Dodd on July 12th, 2023
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) When you line up with the culture, rather than lining up with the Word of God, you will have a hard time seeing Jesus. You might not want to admit that, but it’s the truth. Unfortunately, many... Read More
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Be Loving
by Curt Dodd on July 2nd, 2023
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)If we want to live a life that honors God, we need to be loving. This verse makes it clear by saying, “Above all, love each other deeply.” This is easier said than done because many people have personalities that just don’t seem to mesh with ours.It is easy to be loving in a general sense. “I just love ev... Read More
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Read Your Bible
by Curt Dodd on May 26th, 2023
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 this, you need to spend time alone with God. When you are hungry to hear His voice, just breathe a simple prayer, “Je... Read More
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Jesus Is the Only Way
by Curt Dodd on May 4th, 2023
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Over and over again in Scripture, Jesus describes the exclusive way for us to get to the Father. That way is through Jesus Christ and Jesus alone; there is no other way. Jesus makes this very clear when He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father e... Read More
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Verbalize Your Faith
by Curt Dodd on April 14th, 2023
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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) These words are Christ’s final marchin... Read More
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Jesus Sends Us
by Curt Dodd on April 10th, 2023
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:19... Read More
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Risking Rejection
by Curt Dodd on April 5th, 2023
“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31-33) We live in a culture that loves t... Read More
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God Draws Us to Himself
by Curt Dodd on March 28th, 2023
“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 dra... Read More
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The End Is Near
by Curt Dodd on March 21st, 2023
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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A Public Answer
by Curt Dodd on March 6th, 2023
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)We know that the answer Simon Peter gave to Jesus’ question in Matthew 16 was a personal answer. It was also a public answer. It was not a situation where Simon Peter said, “Jesus, come over ... Read More
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Actions and Words
by Curt Dodd on March 2nd, 2023
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:... Read More
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Power in Jesus’ Name
by Curt Dodd on February 25th, 2023
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)There was a missionary to India by the name of E. P. Scott. God placed it on his heart to penetrate an Indian tribe with the Gospel. Even though it was one of the most violent tribes in all of India, he went without any weaponry. He went alone because he knew that Go... Read More
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2024
January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
February
Come and SeeA Childlike FaithDon’t Miss OutWhy Support Israel?Praying For IsraelHow To Honor GodResisting EvilThe Lord Encourages UsJesus Is the AuthorityGod ProvidesLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureA Heart of RepentanceSharing Your FaithSubmitting to God’s WillSecure in Your IdentityHow Are You Filled?God Is All-SufficientJesus Is The Only WayPray, Just PrayNo Sin Is Too BigThe Purpose in PainFeed Your FaithStay in Love with JesusIt’s Only JesusRemember Who God IsGifts from the Holy SpiritThis World Is Not Your HomeBe Different
March
Admitting You Are WrongMoney Can’t Buy HappinessMy ConfidenceChanged by Christ Faith and UnderstandingDo Angels Exist?Falling at Jesus’ FeetBorn AgainThe Fullness of JesusExperiencing Christ’s FullnessThe Lord’s ProtectionPraying FriendsA Hand of BlessingBe StillYour Heavenly FatherBlessing Your ChildrenGod Is Our ProviderTime To StopSimply Follow ChristFathers Loving MothersEvery Knee Will BowWhen God Repeats HimselfThe Seven ChurchesTaking Up Your CrossMake Peace With GodGod Gives Free WillGod’s Healing PowerGo All in for ChristAbiding and RestingBelieving God’s WordWhat Hangs In The Balance Of Evangelism?