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God’s Perfect Timing
Dear Heavenly Father, In Psalm 56:1, the psalmist, King David, cried out to you and begged for your mercy. He said that people were hounding him, and his enemies were trying to attack him all day long. Many of us know how this feels. Life can seem like a perpetual stream of hiccups and mishaps.…
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Plugged-In to GOD!
Dear Heavenly Father, In 2Chronicles 7:14(NKJV), You told Your people living in Old Testament times, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” As…
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So Others Can Be Free
Ever had a secret that you held on to for years? You felt so ashamed to speak it that you couldn’t imagine telling a soul. This is what happened to Allison. After celebrating what she now calls her ‘freedom week’, she shared that she had been sexually abused as a child. For years she held…
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The Testing of My Heart’s Desire
Dear Heavenly Father, Life can seem like a rollercoaster sometimes. We pray to receive blessings and to accomplish goals that are really important to us, but it seems that very shortly after we receive them, things kinda go haywire. There are challenges and obstacles that come with the blessing, and when we were praying to…
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A Cautious and Conscientious Giver
1 Thessalonians 5:14(NLT) “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” I pass by the same intersection almost every day, and for a while now I’ve noticed the same man holding a cardboard sign…
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It’s That Time Again
Fall is Here!!! It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the last few months of the year. I hope that most of you enjoyed the sunshine of summer and got a lot of time outdoors with your family and friends…that’s what summer is all about. Although summer is behind us and many dreaded seeing it…
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Before God Blesses You with Something Great
Dear Heavenly Father, Many of us are waiting on You to do something great in our lives. The road that we have been traveling hasn’t been easy, and those familiar with our struggles encourage us to keep holding on to Your unchanging hands. Sometimes, Father, we get knocked down. There are things that we deal…
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I Will Keep My Commitment to You
Dear Heavenly Father, You tell us in Psalm 37:5(NLT), “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” Father, sometimes we read Your direct and plain instructions, but we don’t allow the impact of them to resonate in our souls. In this verse, we understand that there’s work to do…
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Don’t Envy the Proud Crowd
Dear Heavenly Father, The psalmist said in Psalms 73:1-3(NLT), “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.” Many of us…
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God Will Not Abandon Us
Dear Heavenly Father, Through the prophet, Isaiah, You told Your people in Isaiah 41:9-10(NLT), “I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am…
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God Comes First
Romans 1:20-25(NLT) 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give…
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The Right Attitude of Faith
Dear Heavenly Father, You tell us in Ephesians 4:23 to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. The word ‘spirit’ in this verse is equated to the word ‘attitude’. You are letting us know that when we study, read, and soak-in Your Word, it will change our thoughts. And when our thoughts change to…
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Who Are You When No One Else Is Looking?
2 Corinthians 10:10-11(NLT) “10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.” The watering down of the gospel…
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Standing in the Gap for Those in Need
Dear Heavenly Father, A friend came to me and asked if I had a moment to talk. She said something was on her heart, and she wanted to share it with me. When we talked, she confided that she had been struggling with something for a long time, and no one knew about it. She…
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When the Relationship Gets Tough
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT) “1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you…
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Saying “I Love You” Isn’t Enough
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for giving us such a wonderful definition and standard of what it means to love according to Your Most Holy Word. You tell us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7(NLT), “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its…
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Always Remember…
“Always remember to teach your kids this; if they do what needs to be done first, they can do what they want to do later.” This is a piece of commonsense wisdom from a woman I truly admire. Everyone called her Ms. Jenny, and she was my next-door neighbor. When I met them, she and…
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Please Don’t Let Us Go Too Far
Dear Heavenly Father, I am continually overwhelmed by the tender way in which You love us. You have helped us throughout history through people like Abraham, Moses, and David. These men provided great leadership as shepherds. The occupation of a shepherd is mentioned many times in Your Word. King David, the psalmist, beautifully tells us…
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I Get To Do It All Over Again!
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11(NLT) “9 History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember…
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7 Qualities of a Good Friend
Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Has a sympathetic listening ear 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) “11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Provides Godly and wise counsel Proverbs 27:9 (NLT) “9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as…
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Rewards Set to Automatic
Dear Heavenly Father, You tell us in 1John 4:8 that anyone who doesn’t love doesn’t know You, because You are love. You also tell us in 1John 4:16 that everyone that lives in love lives in You, and You live in them. This is beyond wonderful, Heavenly Father. Thank You for loving us the way…
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The Tough Part is Over!
John 14:27(NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” I was thirty-three years old when I broke my elbow. It hurt so bad that I almost went…
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We Must Be Led!
Dear Heavenly Father, I heard a word this week that I absolutely fell in love with. It was inspiring to hear because I see this a lot with people who have a candy store mentality when it comes to Your blessings and empowerment. They neglect the empowerment of Your Word, and only want the rewards…
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God Will Never Forget About You
The other day, I spoke with a Christian man that many perceive as a strong man of God. He’s been very active in the community and in his church; and for some, he’s looked upon as very dependable and a pillar of both. However, he told me that he’s reverting to those old ways, what…
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Let Go of Mistakes and Sorrows of the Past
Dear Heavenly Father, In the Old Testament, You told Your people in Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV), “18 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in…
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God Is Close Beside Us
Psalm 23:4-6(NLT) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows…
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Showing Our Love for You
Dear Heavenly Father, Many people say they love You, Heavenly Father, but they do not show it in their actions. We are all guilty of having attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors that don’t please You, but instead of repenting of these in humbled submission, we say things like, “God knows my heart.” This is true, but…
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The New Creation that is YOU!
Dear Heavenly Father, You tell us in Romans 12:2 (NLT), “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” You are telling us…
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God Doesn’t Accept Leftovers
Dear Heavenly Father, As I think about what I’ve witnessed in my significant relationships, as well as those of some of my friends, we often make assumptions that ultimately cause us heartbreak. We don’t give ourselves time to find out if the person we’re attracted to is someone You’ve presented as a destiny partner. Instead,…
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Courageous in the Face of Dissatisfaction
Dear Heavenly Father, So many people that I know personally are sad because they are not satisfied with their lives. Some of them have tried to accomplish goals but have failed. Others feel very alone, and they are down on themselves because they don’t have a significant person in their lives who has their backs.…