Posts with the tag “hope”
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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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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Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold
by Curt Dodd on August 5th, 2023
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:9-12) In Matthew Chapter 24, Jesus was talking to H... 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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Focus on the Future
by Curt Dodd on April 24th, 2023
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19) For many of us, when we go through problems, we look back and say, “I can't change yesterday, but it would really help if I could.” If you could just go back and change the past or make dif... Read More
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God Has a Plan for Your Life
by Curt Dodd on April 16th, 2023
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)God has a plan for your life, no matter how you have botched it in the past. Read that again.Simon Peter had a journey from fisherman to follower, from the one who had spiritual insight, to the one who was a coward denying the Lord, to the one who would be the leader of the apostolic band in... 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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Witness with Your Words
by Curt Dodd on March 1st, 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) As followers of Christ, we should con... Read More
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Hope Through God
by Curt Dodd on December 16th, 2022
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 the... Read More
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Asking out of Faith
by Curt Dodd on December 8th, 2022
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 persona... Read More
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You Are an Evangelist
by Curt Dodd on November 26th, 2022
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! (Psalm 96:3) God's plan is that people will come to faith in Christ. I know you are very concerned about your family members and friends who don't know Christ. Because you are burdened for them, you are asking yourself questions like: “How will they hear the Gospel? Will they watch religious broadcasting on television... Read More
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Are You Stuck in Your Sin?
by Curt Dodd on October 24th, 2022
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)The difference between someone who is a believer and someone who is not a believer is like the difference between a sheep and a hog. When a sheep falls into the mud, it will either get out or die trying to get out of the mud. A sheep is not comfortable in the mud. When a hog falls into the mud, it says, “Honey, I'm home.”If you a... Read More
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The Power of the Cross
by Curt Dodd on September 17th, 2022
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)In that moment when you gave your life to Christ, something happened. Everything that you ... Read More
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