Posts with the tag “focus”
Celebrating God’s Forgiveness
by Curt Dodd on May 27th, 2024
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32When you’re struggling with forgiving someone who hurt you, one of the best things you can do is practice celebrating God's forgiveness to you. Don't focus on the person who did the offending. Instead, focus on how gracious God has been to you. Even though you deserved the death penalty, He ... Read More
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Handling Stress
by Curt Dodd on January 31st, 2024
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else -- to the nearby villages -- so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout... Read More
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Communing With God
by Curt Dodd on December 31st, 2023
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. – James 4:8Many Christians today tend to focus on the externals rather than the internals of our spiritual lives. We get things upside down and that creates much confusion and frustration because we tend to focus more on serving God than communing with Him.If there is no intimacy with the Lord in your life, then the purpose of God in and through your... Read More
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Jesus Is the Messiah
by Curt Dodd on December 25th, 2023
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 redempti... Read More
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Gifts from the Spirit
by Curt Dodd on December 13th, 2023
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13) When the Holy Spirit came, He brought gifts f... 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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Distraction-Free Time
by Curt Dodd on October 27th, 2023
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6) The world we live in is filled with distractions. Everywhere we look, something or someone is begging for our attention. Our phones are constantly buzzing. The TV is chattering in the background. Our desks at work are covered in “To-D... Read More
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Jesus Is The Authority
by Curt Dodd on August 27th, 2023
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8) There are four characteristics or descriptors of Jesus we need to focus on in today’s key verse so that we can better understand the authority Jesus has in our lives and in our world today. Alpha and Omega In verse eight, the Lord describes Himself as the “Alpha and the O... Read More
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Are You Ready?
by Curt Dodd on August 7th, 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) Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21) Let me ask you a question, “If Jesus came today, are you ready?” If Jesus came today before ... Read More
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Qualities of a Church
by Curt Dodd on May 6th, 2023
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16) Yesterday, we discussed three qualities that are important to look for in a church home. Today, we will continue that list and discuss a few more important qualities to consider when looking for a... Read More
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Who Is Jesus?
by Curt Dodd on April 2nd, 2023
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “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.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of... Read More
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Focus Like an Archer
by Curt Dodd on January 3rd, 2023
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)I am a traditional archer. This means that I use a plain wooden bow, not one of those compound bows (with training wheels), nor crossbows. I use a conventional wooden long bow to shoot targets and hunt. Right now, I am hunting and shooting with a bow that I made myself out of Osage wo... Read More
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Distraction-Free Time
by Curt Dodd on October 27th, 2022
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6) The world we live in is filled with distractions. Everywhere we look, something or someone is begging for our attention. Our phones are constantly buzzing. The TV is chattering in the background. Our desks at work are covered in “To-Do” ... Read More
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It’s All About Jesus
by Curt Dodd on September 3rd, 2022
For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:21) I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was 12 years old. The moment I turned from sin and placed my faith in Jesus Christ, I rode my bicycle home singing and praising God. Filled with joy, I made up words to a new song. (I wish I had written the words down because I thought they were pretty good at the time... 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
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