Devotionals
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Now!
“So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (James 1:21, NLT). Biblically speaking, it’s time to take out the trash! Now! “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6, NLT). Just as you would a best friend or someone you care about. “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their…
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Truth is Death
I have been going through a study of 1 John with the New Living Translation study group on Facebook. It’s a revolutionary way to study the Bible in the 21st century. I love it. I’m learning that truth is death. Here are six things that caught and captured my attention going through 1 John 2: #1 – When we struggle with the Christian life we have an advocate. “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous” (1…
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Whom do you follow?
“Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch” (Luke 6:39, NLT)? Today’s blog inspiration comes from a number of places. #1 – Editing my dating & relationships book for Harvest House #2 – Study of 1 John 1 #3 – Personal reflection & quiet time #4 – Time spent with my boyfriend. #5 – Remembering my first book, “Faithbook of Jesus.” Recently, I was convicted and encouraged by the “blind leading the blind” passage. What a great representation of examining the self, right? David was personal with God; that is why I believe He was called a man after God’s own heart. He continually asked…
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A Father's Legacy
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” (John 14:1, NLT). I just love the picture of a father holding his precious ones in His arms. There is so much love in His embrace. In His arms we are found whole. Complete. No matter what the problems of the day, all we need is to surrender and go running into the arms of Jesus. He is the one who helps us lead a Father’s legacy. I downloaded A Father’s Legacy: Twelve Important Things I Learned from My Dad by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, one of my favorite authors. I hope it encourages you this week…
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10 Things I Hate About You
My favorite movie from high school days is 10 Things I Hate About You. This morning, I was reading about accountability in the book, “Woman of Confidence” by Pam Farrel. Not only is she my mentor, but she’s also a family friend. She has taught by example and shown through her actions over the past 15+ years of ministry that she can be trusted. She exudes confidence. I know if I were to ask her to tell me her secret, she would point me back to the section in the book that I just read and tell me to ask these 11 questions to my girlfriends weekly. “A woman of…
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Don't Touch
“Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong” (Psalm 37:1, NLT). I just had the best week of my life. I just moved my WHOLE life down to San Diego. In the matter of a few weeks it was decided, and I was gone. I can’t believe God told me (1) to go to seminary (2) that I was going to see Him face-to-face and (3) move to San Diego. My roommates are a dream. My place is a dream. Living one mile of the beach is a dream. So much excitement for one person!!! First, I was like “I’m Never Going Back!” Then, I learned that…
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Called to the Altar
When I say the words: promise, dream, and destiny, what comes to mind? Are you excited? Are you afraid? My gut reaction is JOY and lots of it. But if I think about it too long, my day dreams turn into fear and anxiety. Why? Because this is me we’re talking about. I am fearfully [literally] and wonderfully made. I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I don’t trust God with my emotions. I let them overcome me and I run. I mean, I had waited and prayed for a church like this for three years. Don’t get me wrong, I love my church in North County – North Coast Church. It’s…
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How to Hear from God
Hearing from God does not have to scare you. Fear of the unknown. Supernatural. What is it exactly? Last week, I encouraged you in a bunch of reasons why I believe you should read your Bible this year. This week, I want to show you how to hear from God. Yes, sometimes it’s the pizza you ate last night, but chances are it’s a God-sized confirmation. Here are some of the ways He speaks: God speaks through His Word, prayer, wise council, dreams, and visions. Want to know God’s will for your life? Start seeking him. Then keep seeking… Matthew 7:7, NLT says, “Keep on asking, and you will receive…
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15 Reasons to Read the Bible
In 1997, my mom gave me a NLT One Year Bible. I was in the hospital with severe eczema all over my face and feet. She read to me Hosea 6:1-3 that says, “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in…
