Posts with the tag “heart”
Hope in Trials
by Curt Dodd on April 27th, 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) What are you walking through right now? What circumstances are you facing? What trials and tests are you experiencing? As you answer these questions, are you wondering why y... Read More
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Powerful Prayers and a Burden
by Curt Dodd on April 23rd, 2024
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. (James 5:16-17) Have you ever listened to someone pray and thought, “Wow, that was a power-packed p... Read More
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Balancing Truth and Love
by Curt Dodd on April 15th, 2024
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. – 2 Timothy 3:16As children of God, we often find ourselves trying to find the balance between love and truth, especially when confronted with situations where maybe a friend is living contrary to God's Word. Our first reaction might be to show empathy, wanting to suppo... Read More
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A Familiar Experience With Jesus
by Curt Dodd on April 12th, 2024
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14) As you read the account of the events that happened af... Read More
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Are You Confessed Up To Date?
by Curt Dodd on April 5th, 2024
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16 When I was in my first year of seminary, a missionary named Bertha Smith spoke to a class I was in. She was a godly woman who had given her life for ministry. As she stood before our class, she looked through her glasses at u... Read More
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Are You Confessed Up To Date?
by Curt Dodd on January 21st, 2024
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16When I was in my first year of seminary, a missionary named Bertha Smith spoke to a class I was in. She was a godly woman who had given her life for ministry. As she stood before our class, she looked through her glasses at us ... Read More
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The Pavement
by Curt Dodd on January 20th, 2024
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him and took the staff and struck ... Read More
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A Word of Blessing
by Curt Dodd on January 18th, 2024
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. (Psalm 20:4-5) I can’t forget the moment when I opened a short, encouraging card from a friend of mine and read this verse out loud. Apparently, he knew I needed the encouragement and blessing this ve... 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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Looking Forward
by Curt Dodd on January 13th, 2024
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw -- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, becau... Read More
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A Hardened Heart
by Curt Dodd on December 21st, 2023
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 Holy Spirit
by Curt Dodd on December 2nd, 2023
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26) When you become a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you and guide you through life. These are several ways the Holy Spirit works in us: 1. The Holy Spirit teaches us. God will allow His Spirit to inform you ... Read More
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Just Forgive
by Curt Dodd on November 30th, 2023
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22) Let’s face it: Forgiveness is complicated! When Simon Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother or sister, he already had a number in mind. In fact, ... Read More
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Control Your Heart
by Curt Dodd on November 25th, 2023
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23) When there is trouble in our lives, we tend to focus on that. We think we can work through it by mental-emotional gyrations. We dream about it, talk to our friends about it, and dwell on it. We devote a lot of verbiage to that trouble. Because we are worrying about it, Jesus is saying, “Don't let your hearts b... 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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Do You Give Out Of Guilt?
by Curt Dodd on October 2nd, 2023
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. – Malachi 3:10Have you ever wondered why we give? Why do you give? What really motivates you to give? Keep in mind I am not just talking about... Read More
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Smooth Sailing
by Curt Dodd on September 26th, 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 16:33) Don't you wish that after you gave your life to Christ, it would be nothing but smooth sailing? I surely wish that were the case. After you turn from sin, and place your faith in Christ, from that point on, you would like your life to be sm... Read More
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Friendship During Loss
by Curt Dodd on September 23rd, 2023
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) When you are going through a loss, you sorely need positive, encouraging, life-giving friends. Difficult seasons can bring out the worst in us; this includes bitterness, anger, sadness, and selfishness. In those times, we must remember that we weren’t designed to walk through life alone. We were created to thrive in... 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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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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Attributes of a Christian
by Curt Dodd on August 19th, 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) Let’s look at three specific characteristics of a follower of Jesus. It is important to realize that each of these characteristics should be present in the life of a Christian. However, I would encourage you to read through this list with a posture of self-... 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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The Right Mentor
by Curt Dodd on July 20th, 2023
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) We need someone to sharpen us, mentor us and simply be there for us. Did Jesus have a mentor, someone who taught Him things? Of course. It was Joseph, His earthly father. What a wonderful choice God made! Jesus learned to work with wood as a carpenter and caught the heart of a man of God at home. He followed the example o... Read More
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A Ripple Effect
by Curt Dodd on July 15th, 2023
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) While D.L. Moody’s salvation story is one of my favorites, the story doesn’t end there. In fact, this was just the beginning, because D.L. Moody’s story is proof that you just never know the ripple effect your obedience can have on the lives of others. After D.L Moody was saved, he began preaching all o... Read More
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When God Repeats Himself
by Curt Dodd on June 22nd, 2023
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) As a pastor, I sometimes repeat myself when I’m preaching. In good communications, you tell people the truth, then you remind them of what you told them, and finally, you tell them again, in case they forgot. Repetition is key if you want to remember something. You need to expose yourself to the information over and over ag... Read More
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Be Still
by Curt Dodd on June 14th, 2023
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Finding peace and quiet in the midst of our crazy and sometimes chaotic lives can seem nearly impossible. Between school, work, church, family, friends, hobbies, and errands; it is difficult to make time for a full eight hours of sleep, much less make time to be still while you are awake. We tend to think that if we are not moving or doing something... Read More
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A Hand of Blessing
by Curt Dodd on June 13th, 2023
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) When we were growing up, many of us longed for the hand of blessing from our father. We wanted him to say to us, “G... Read More
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God Speaks to You
by Curt Dodd on May 25th, 2023
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 snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28) Have you wondered how God will speak to you? He addresses you through His Word. The written Word of the Lord is very important! God speaks to you through His Word. Don’t wait for a special word of knowledge. If you dive in... Read More
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Getting Saved
by Curt Dodd on May 8th, 2023
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”(John 14:6-7) As a child, I grew up in church and learned to memorize Scripture before I gave my life to Christ. Little did I know that my choice to memorize Scripture would play a major part... Read More
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Awakenings and Public Prayer
by Curt Dodd on May 1st, 2023
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) We certainly need a Great Awakening in our country! We have to be willing to do our part to allow God to move in us and through us so that the awakening can spread. We learned that great awakenings start in our quiet times with the Lord. When these private devotions are accompan... Read More
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Hope in Trials
by Curt Dodd on April 23rd, 2023
“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) What are you walking through right now? What circumstances are you facing? What trials and tests are you experiencing? As you answer these questions, are you wondering why y... Read More
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Surrender Your Life to Christ
by Curt Dodd on April 9th, 2023
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 powe... 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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A Word of Blessing
by Curt Dodd on March 18th, 2023
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. (Psalm 20:4-5)I can’t forget the moment when I opened a short, encouraging card from a friend of mine and read this verse out loud. Apparently, he knew I needed the encouragement and blessing this vers... 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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Blaming Others
by Curt Dodd on February 12th, 2023
“The king’s heart is in the hands of the Lord. He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” (Proverbs 21:1) I love the story of Ruth Knowlton. She couldn't understand why the woman who had an apartment close to hers didn’t wash her windows. Every time she looked through her windows, she could see her neighbor sitting at her table, eating, or knitting. She was able to see her because the ... Read More
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Be a Light to Others
by Curt Dodd on February 9th, 2023
“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 5:14-16) Once you become a follower of Christ, God wants to... Read More
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Known by Your Fruit
by Curt Dodd on January 25th, 2023
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:18-20)Let’s look at four more signs of our faith. As you read these, keep an open mind and a humble heart, and allow the Lord to point out any areas you might need to tackle. 1. Do you love... Read More
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Diving into God’s Word
by Curt Dodd on January 13th, 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)As you pursue Jesus and grow in your relationship with Him, the enemy will use whatever he can to deceive you and steer you down the wrong path. This is why it is so important tha... Read More
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A Hardened Heart
by Curt Dodd on December 21st, 2022
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 harde... 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?