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Giving without Expectations
All of us grapple with moments of selfishness in our lives. We know that it’s not God’s Will for us to be this way, but it’s challenging for some of us to change these tendencies. God teaches us in Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT): “3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of…
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You Don’t Know Their Story
In the midst of winter, my old neighbors moved away, making room for a new family to move into their house. This new family turned out to be a single mother with three children. Initially, they seemed reserved, but my old-school upbringing prompted me to push past surface impressions and extend a welcoming hand. “Hi,…
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Loving God with All Your Heart
Loving God with all your heart isn’t about following a set of rules; rather it’s about diving into a deeply personal and meaningful relationship with Him. Imagine a deep friendship or a romantic partnership. It’s not merely about obeying a list of dos and don’ts; it’s about knowing the other person intimately, understanding their desires,…
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God Never Makes Mistakes
Proverbs 31:10-12 (NLT) beautifully portrays the value of a virtuous and capable wife: “Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Many hold this verse…
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Don’t Follow in Eve’s Footsteps
The Biblical record of Eve in the Garden of Eden isn’t just a cautionary lesson about temptation, but it also serves as a reminder of the influence of women and how we can use it to change the lives of others. Imagine this: Eve, living in paradise with everything she could ever need, including the…
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Embracing God’s Purpose-the Path to Fulfillment and Joy
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) tells us, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” This verse emphasizes our Heavenly Father’s purpose for our lives—to reflect the likeness of Jesus Christ in every possible way. Each encounter, experience, and…
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Now is Not the Time to Be Comfortable
One day, while waiting at a red light in my car, I observed a woman crossing a busy intersection, completely absorbed in her cell phone. It was a stark reminder that we can never afford to take anything for granted. In the rush of daily life, it’s all too easy to become distracted and let…
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Because of Your Little Faith
In Matthew 17:20 (NLT), Jesus is speaking to his disciples after they were unable to heal a boy possessed by a demon. This conversation occurred when a man brought his son, who was suffering from epileptic seizures caused by a demon, to Jesus for healing. The disciples attempted to cast out the demon but were…
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Don’t Be Fooled, Recognize Deception
These days, it’s crucial to watch who we hang out with. There are plenty of folks who may seem nice but are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing. God warns us about these types—they’re sent by the enemy. That’s why having discernment is so important. Jesus also warned in Matthew 7:22-23 (NLT), “22 On judgment day…
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The Joy of Worshiping God
Psalm 100:1-2 (NLT) is a powerful exhortation to engage in joyful worship and praise towards God. It states: “1 A psalm of thanksgiving. Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.” This is a call to all the earth to shout with…
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God Is Always Watching
Ephesians 5:15 (NLT) delivers a powerful truth: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” This verse reminds us that God sees it all, and He’s watching not just what we do but also our faith and love. He knows the motivation behind every choice and action…
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Distractions of Life
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT) serves as a constant reminder of where our focus should lie. It urges us: “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot…
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Shedding the Weight
Hebrews 12:1(NLT) sets the stage for releasing the things that hold us back and embracing the things of God that propel us forward and upward. It states: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially…
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Exempt from Sacrifice
In a world where convenience often takes precedence over commitment, it’s not uncommon for individuals to adopt attitudes that prioritize ease over facing life’s inevitable difficulties. Jesus Christ taught in John 16:33(NLT), “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and…
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Eyes Are on You
In Luke 16:10(NLT), our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, imparts profound wisdom about the stewardship of God’s blessings. He teaches, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” This verse emphasizes the importance of…
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Wait with Anticipation Not Anxiety
If you’re waiting on a blessing to unfold, be excited! The Lord always comes through on His promises. Take the example of Abraham, who patiently waited to receive what God promised Him. He’s a tremendous example of faith, and as believers, we should all want to have faith in God as Abraham did, but the…
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God Doesn’t Need Any Help
While most of us know how to approach God with our desires through prayer, waiting for His answers in His own time and way often proves to be a significant challenge. This waiting period, especially when it comes to something as profound as finding a marital partner, can truly test our patience. I’ve had numerous…
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Faith in Action
Faith Brings Down Walls Hebrews 11:30 (NLT) tells us, “It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.” Jericho’s gates were locked tight, its walls built thick to keep out intruders, but God had already promised His people a land flowing with milk…
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Embracing the Companionship of Pure Hearts
Through the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT), God provides us with clear guidance: “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” Our social circles can either help or hinder our…
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The Blessing of Kingdom Citizenship
Philippians 2:15 (NLT) “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Even for seasoned believers, this scripture can be challenging. It reminds us that striving to live in accordance…
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Reverence Is More Important than Understanding
Exodus 3:13-14 (NLT) “13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to…
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Adjusting Your Expectations
Free-Will is a gift of God that we must intimately understand in our significant relationships. Many women pray for God to change a man for them, hoping He will alter a man’s thought patterns and behaviors without the man’s consent. However, this is an unrealistic expectation. Some women also wait for a man who meets…
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I’ve Been Single Long Enough
“It’s still too early to tell, but I really like this guy I’m seeing…” Vanessa, a good friend I’ve known for many years, confided in me. Despite her hopefulness, she harbors a hint of pessimism, fearing that any man she meets might ultimately disappoint her, leaving her single and unmarried for yet another year. Matthew…
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You Are Mine
Meeting someone you feel compatible with has become increasingly challenging for many people. It appears that individuals, both believers and non-believers alike, are postponing marriage. Some assert that prolonged wait intensifies the desire for marriage, while others abandon the idea of marriage altogether, embracing a “try it and see” attitude. They opt to cohabit with…
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The Prayers of the Righteous Accomplishes Much
Genesis 19:29 (NLT) “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” We are truly blessed to have individuals in our lives who serve as vessels through which God’s blessings flow. These people…
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Lord, Search My Heart
Where We Store Our Treasures In Matthew 6:19–21 (NLT), Jesus teaches us to discern the condition of the soul’s heart by looking at what it treasures. He says, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven,…
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When Love Turns Sour
One of the lessons that we quickly learn as adults is that relationships require work, and sometimes lots of it. Most of us conclude that we grossly underestimated just how much work it takes to make a relationship last. When we’re dating, we might find ourselves being the one that makes an ample investment into…
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If You Thought You Didn’t Need God, Think Again
Hosea 13:4-6(The Message) “I’m still your God, the God who saved you out of Egypt. I’m the only real God you’ve ever known. I’m the one and only God who delivers. I took care of you during the wilderness hard times, those years when you had nothing. I took care of you, took care of…
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Don’t Wander Away from The Father
Jeremiah 3:12 (NLT) “Therefore, go and give this message to Israel. This is what the Lord says: “O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.” As children of our great and wonderful God, we are blessed with the opportunity to establish…
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The Harvest is Great, but the Workers Are Few
Matthew 9:37-38(NLT) “He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”” The word, “harvest” is a very good one, and a good harvest is a very beautiful thing. Harvest…