Tag: devo
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Rage and the Fool
[11] Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.—Proverbs 29 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20) For anger…
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Prodigal Me, Prodigal You
7The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.–Proverbs 28 It almost seems impossible that Jesus didn’t have this proverb on his mind when he gave his famous parable about the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. In that parable, a son asked for his inheritance…
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Be Refreshingly Different This Thanksgiving
11Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.–2 Corinthians 13 Paul concludes with five commands and one promise. Wear these as attitudes this Thanksgiving especially as you are with family. Be refreshingly different! REJOICE. This is actively living…
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Suffering, Grace, and God
…a thorn was given me [Paul] in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast…
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Taking Thoughts Captive
5…and take every thought captive to obey Christ…–2 Corinthians 10 Paul was teaching the Corinthian church about the spiritual war they were all involved in. He would later famously teach the same truth to the Ephesian church (ch. 6) with the “armor of God” passage. The war is fought not in the flesh as in…
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Ministry of Generosity
10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12For the ministry of this service is not only supplying…
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Money and Integrity
20We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.–2 Corinthians 8 Paul and his team were collecting donations from all the churches he planted…
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Godly Grief and Worldly Grief
10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.–2 Corinthians 7 Paul had written the Corinthian Christians a previous letter that included pastoral admonishment and much correction. And he had just received word from Titus that the letter was received as intended. The church was grieving and…
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The Yoke of Compromise
14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?–2 Corinthians 6 Come to me [Jesus], all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in…
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The Greatest Transfer
We [Paul and crew] implore you [Corinthian church] on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we [followers of Jesus] might become the righteousness of God.—2 Corinthians 5 They are to lay their hand on the head of…
