I remember my affliction and my wanderings, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Lamentations 3:19-20 How well do you remember things from your life? Is it hard? Are they repressed? Are they different than other family member’s memories? Do you act out on those memories? Read Lamentations 3:17-20. Can you relate to the emotions implied and expressed in this passage? How actively do you remember your previous afflictions? If you have lived for a while, you probably have plenty of them. Which ones stand out to you the most? Have you ever had a season…
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Confidence Through God
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20 How is your confidence? Is it strong or weak? Can I be honest, I don’t think I always have strong confidence. Especially when I am leaning into myself and not God. In fact, recently, I had low confidence in whether or not I was a good parent, all due to I could not afford things for them. Thank goodness the doctor was very understanding and reaffirmed to me that I am still a good parent and not to let this little thing bring me down. Is there…
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First Love
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand form its place, unless you repent. Revelation 2:4-5 Fervent, personal, uninhibited, openly displayed first love is the devotion to Christ. This characterizes the new believer and is manifested in relationships with fellow Christians and the lost. Do you need to return to your first love? Do you need to return wholeheartedly? How do we recover our first love? In Ephesians, the apostle Paul concludes with a benediction: …
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Thanks To The Lord
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all of our wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2 Thanksgiving Day was yesterday. In our family growing up, My dad would have everyone around the table share what we were thankful for. Let us remember to thank God each day. One way to thank God is through our praise. The Old Testament uses three words for praise: for the Israelites to praise God barak – bless halal – Hallelujah – praise the Lord yada – sometimes means give thanks…
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Holy Spirit Has Many Roles
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. ” John 14:16 God is so good! Jesus asked His Father to give us another Helper to be with us. As soon as He ascended to Heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. The Holy Spirit does many things for us. HE is our helper. The greek word for helper is parakletos. This means literally, one called alongside to help. The Holy Spirit has many roles. He is counselor, strengthener, comforter, helper, adviser, advocate, intercessor, ally and friend. “The helper will teach you everything and will cause you to remember all that I…