Posts with the tag “joy”
Growing Through Uncertain Times
by Curt Dodd on July 1st, 2025
"So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'" (Matthew 28:8-10) Have you ever noticed how God does His greatest work in our lives du... Read More
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It Is Finished
by Curt Dodd on April 18th, 2025
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30) The... Read More
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Joy In The Midst Of Problems
by Curt Dodd on February 10th, 2025
So there was great joy in that city. – Acts 8:8Though persecution scattered the early church, the result was that many more people heard the gospel and experienced the joy of salvation. Joy in suffering is one of the greatest testimonies of our faith. Even in hardship, God is at work for our good and His glory.Many people think Christianity is all about being righteous, holy, sober, and not very h... Read More
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Born and Born Again
by Curt Dodd on October 19th, 2024
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3) Today is my birthday. That’s right. On an early Monday morning, at approximately 2:00 a.m., I entered the world with a pat on the bottom and a scream of shock. Although I don’t remember the event, my mother has recounted it many times, how the event unfolded, often in a crowd of people ... Read More
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Engaged Giving
by Curt Dodd on October 4th, 2024
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3) As followers of Jesus, we are call... Read More
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Stay Close To Jesus
by Curt Dodd on September 29th, 2024
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” - Hebrews 13:5-6If you are a follower of Jesus, the thing that first captivated your heart was to know Christ. Later, the thing that called y... Read More
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Be Loving
by Curt Dodd on May 28th, 2024
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 lo... Read More
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Fighting Self-Sufficiency With Prayer
by Curt Dodd on January 22nd, 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 res... Read More
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Enjoying Your Work
by Curt Dodd on November 14th, 2023
Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work -- this is a gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 5:19) Do you enjoy what you do for a living? Whether it is in an office at home, on the road, on the jobsite, or on the Internet, do you actually enjoy your work? This is a basic question which must be asked and answered by all... Read More
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Choose Joy over Worry
by Curt Dodd on September 29th, 2023
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 w... Read More
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Defeating Anxiety
by Curt Dodd on February 20th, 2023
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)Sometimes, when we are struggling with anxiety, we feel very lonely. We think we are all by ourselves. Throughout Scripture, we are reassured that God will never leave us once we give our lives to Christ.The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit comes to... Read More
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Yes and No in Scripture
by Curt Dodd on January 2nd, 2023
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) For many people, their Christian life is all about, “No, don't do that. Don't do this. You had better not do that. That's wrong. You had better watch out. You're on the wrong side.” They don't realize how many Yeses there are in Scripture. When there are Noes, it is to keep us from driving off the road. The Noes keep us fr... Read More
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Born and Born Again
by Curt Dodd on October 19th, 2022
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)Today is my birthday. That’s right. On an early Monday morning, at approximately 2:00 a.m., I entered the world with a pat on the bottom and a scream of shock. Although I don’t remember the event, my mother has recounted it many times, how the event unfolded, often in a crowd of people (... Read More
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The Lord Will Provide
by Curt Dodd on October 18th, 2022
So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14)This chapter recounts the event which happened on top of Mount Moriah. Abraham, after being instructed to take his son, Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice, journeyed to the mountain with his son and several servants. Climbing the mountain, he took his on... Read More
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Your Life Is an Example
by Curt Dodd on September 30th, 2022
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)Experiencing difficulty, pain, and heartbreak are guaranteed while we are on this earth. There is just no way around it. In one of Jesus’ conversations with His disciples near the end of His ministry, He confirmed this tr... Read More
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Open the Gates
by Curt Dodd on September 11th, 2022
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:20) I had a wonderful worship experience in Nairobi, Kenya. I haven’t been in a worship service like this one where I saw God's Spirit move mightily since the early seventies. Maybe it was because they sang for over an hour nonstop, with no break. They worshiped extravagantly before the Lord with pure joy. These peo... 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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