Visitor Devotion

 

 

August 2018: God’s Encouraging Word … when I am frightened

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

Soon, students and teachers will be headed back to the classroom. Some students will be getting on a bus for the first time, some will be away from Mom and Dad for the first time, or they are headed to a new school and a new classroom.  Many of those children will be very anxious.  The other side of that classroom door is completely unknown.  The worst could possibly happen.  They will wonder if they can even do it!


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July 2018: God’s Encouraging Word … when I am insecure

God’s Encouraging Word … when I am insecure

What is the strongest building in your neighborhood?  I’m guessing that many people have never even thought about it, but if you live in a trailer home in tornado alley or near an ocean where hurricanes can strike, you’ve probably considered that question many times.  When a tornado approaches or a hurricane, being in a building that you know is constructed to withstand the worst, provides a sense of security in the chaos of a storm. 


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June 2018: God’s Encouraging Word … when I am overwhelmed

God’s Encouraging Word … when I am overwhelmed

It’s finally summer. Plans have been made for months. The kids are out of school. Vacations are right around the corner, but rest and relaxation are the farthest thing from my mind. Do you have any idea how much I need to accomplish? My list grows by the day no matter how many things I check off. I feel like I’m swimming. I wish I could give something away, but I can’t.


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May 2018: God’s Encouraging Word … when I feel hopeless

I was staring up through the water at my dad, my uncle, and their friend. I could hear them talking and laughing. I can remember flailing my arms and legs. I tried to scream but water rushed into my lungs. I sank further and further down. I was drowning and I felt utterly hopeless.


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April 2018: God’s encouraging Word … when I deal with death

God’s encouraging Word … when I deal with death

Everyday tragedy bombards you. The world news scene is constantly flooded with horrible stories. Another bombing, another mass shooting, and another natural disaster fill your newsfeed. This sad and frustrating news isn’t just out there. It’s personal. A co-worker is diagnosed with a terminal illness. A close friend dies. You’re attending the funeral of a family member.

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March 2018: God’s Encouraging Word … when I am burdened with guilt

God’s Encouraging Word … when I am burdened with guilt

What she had done in the past weighed heavily on her conscience.  She was living under the soul-crushing conviction that the death of her nine-year-old daughter was God paying her back for her sins.


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February 2018 God’s Encouraging Word … when I am lonely

God’s Encouraging Word when I am lonely
Shortly after we were married, my wife and I planned a trip to Spain.  In order to take advantage of some frequent-flyer miles, I decided to travel there a few days early by myself.  Being young and naïve, I figured I could learn enough Spanish on the plane to get by and then find a place to stay when I got there.  The flight was pleasant and we landed safely.  However, by the time I got my luggage and figured out how to take the Metro into central Madrid, it was already getting late.  After several hours of wandering around the city, I began to realize that 1) my Spanish was unintelligible, 2) I was not in the safest part of town, 3) It was very difficult to find anyone who spoke English, and 4) I needed a place to sleep.  Finally, at around one o’clock in the morning I found a hotel manager who spoke enough English to get me a room that was about the size of a closet.

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2018 – January

God’s Encouraging Word … when I am fearful about the future

2018 is here.  For some, it’s scary how quickly 2017 disappeared.  For others, they can’t wait to turn the page because this is the year they plan to graduate or perhaps get married.  In either case, however, who of us knows what 2018 will bring? In all seriousness, who of us knows what tomorrow will bring? 


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October 2017 – Holy Communion

Holy Communion

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

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September 2017 – Living with Real Purpose

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10

Your life matters. You are living for a reason. Your life has purpose. Without purpose, life is boring and meaningless; there is little sense of life’s significance and value. Having a life filled with purpose is not just for the super-successful and highly important. God doesn’t just look after famous people who have accomplished great feats or individuals who have been placed in high positons of leadership. He cares for everyone. From the macro to the micro level, he declared his love for the world. There is no doubt, he loves you and gives your life real purpose. He does all this, not because you are deserving, but purely by his grace.

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August 2017: The Struggle Against Sin

The Struggle Against Sin

I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. … What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:18-19, 24-25


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July 2017: The Purpose of the Bible

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. – Romans 15:4

Every book has a purpose. Whether it’s a cookbook, music book, history book, novel, science book, biography, or even a comic book, every book has a reason. So what is the purpose of the best-selling book in the world, the Bible?


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