Devotionals
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Grace Upon Grace at Christmastime
This is a guest post from my sister, Kelsey. Kelsey has her Master’s Degree in Social Work and mentors new social workers while coordinating case managers. She recently decided to go back to school to learn ASL so she can better assist her clients. In her free time, Kelsey likes to read, write, exercise outdoors, and study the Bible. *** Grace upon grace. The only way I can give grace upon grace is because it was given to me first. I don’t deserve grace, but because of God’s goodness, not my own, the Word became flesh–grace upon grace in human form. He died for my sins. He suffered much. I…
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The Man Born Blind, and You
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9: 24-25 Those who are blind live by the truths of this world. They believe that wealth can satisfy and that they can save themselves. They put their trust in only what they can see with their eyes and physically touch with their hands. They believe that this is all there is. Maybe they hope for…
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The Throne of Grace
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 Hebrews 4:14-16 begins with the phrase “since then.” The word “since” indicates that we should know what comes before this passage and following, the word “then”…
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Self-Control and the City Without Walls
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28, ESV Once I read an article online about abandoned malls. The photos that illustrated these old, broken down malls made me feel sad and slightly disconcerted. I wondered if something like this could happen in my city. How does a once living, thriving, community meeting place turn into an empty building with vines growing over the windows and tiny weeds putting down roots in the cracks in the fountain tile? Did the mall begin to look dilapidated before people stopping coming, or did it happen the other way around? The above verse from Proverbs…
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Anxiety In Our Hearts
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a Man’s Heart Anxiety builds upon itself, as I wrote about in this post. We can even become anxious about being anxious! Anxious thoughts tend to cluster around past or future events, which we have no control over. Sometimes we let anxiety grow in us until we feel anxious all the time, unable to calm down, rest, or think clearly. These anxious thoughts come from our hearts. Our outside circumstances may act as a catalyst, activating these worries inside of us, but ultimately we provide the anxious thoughts. We don’t sin when we…