Author: mary

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Verse of the Day

Colossians 2:6-7

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

Let Your Roots Grow Deep

This verse is a beautiful picture of Christ’s love and what it does in us and through us when we surrender over to the Lord. The roots of His love grow down deep in us and an exhilarating life in Him begins to be built on His principles. Your faith will grow strong in the truths you have been taught. These truths have stood the test of time and have been the foundation for countless Christians who have gone before us. This is what the growth of a Christian truly looks like when we allow God to do His work in our lives.

A life rooted in the Lord and His goodness will overflow with thankfulness. Have you ever seen someone who held on to bitterness or anger? They allow it to fester and take hold of every area in their life until it ruins them. When we allow God to work, He can break those chains and new growth can take place.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
May your truths take root in my life and may I find joy, peace, patience, and hope in you so I can give those things to others. Amen.

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Love Your Enemies

Have you ever had a difficult time loving someone who wronged you? Forget loving, do you have a hard time even liking them? What about someone who tore you down and persecuted you? That can be even harder to forgive. Pain and bitterness prevent us from being able to move on and really love like Jesus loves. Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.”

When I was young there was this girl who made it very hard to be positive. She would say hateful things and treat me like I was nothing. There were many days I would go home very discouraged and cry. Instead of harbouring bitterness, I decided to start praying for this girl every night. I started to notice my attitude toward her change. I would smile and not allow her comments to affect me. What surprised me was that she started being nice and treating me with respect. We developed an understanding and while we weren’t friends, I began to see her the way God created her: in His image. I prayed that God would bless her and I experienced a blessing myself. I got to see God work in my life and hers.

When you pray for God to do a work in someone’s life, He will do amazing things. He will bless you and you will get to be a part of what He is doing.

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Verse of the Day

Psalm 86:11

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

Psalm 86:11

Perseverance

This life can feel weary sometimes. It can be exhausting trying to continuously figure things out and live by your own ways. Only when we give our will over to the Lord and His will can we begin to feel peace. We must seek His ways so we can live according to His truth and Word. The Bible must be our guide for morality and righteousness. If we look to the world instead, we will see many paths but all will lead to death. If we look to God and His Word, we will see one path that leads to life.

We must also allow God to purify us. Sometimes His purification will bring heartache, brokenness, and pain, but it is necessary to bring honor to Him. For instance, if there is a friend in our life who tries to lead us astray and deny Him, He may have to prune our lives so that we are surrounded by people who lift us up. The loss of a friendship can be heartbreaking but rewarding when we see ourselves begin to grow. Give your all to Him and persevere so that you may attain the prize as Paul often said in his epistles.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
I want to run the race well. I want to persevere and grow in my relationship with you. May the things I say and do be pleasing to you. Amen.

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Work Hard

In this world we have to work to survive. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, part of the curse was that they would have to work the ground. So since then, man has been working the ground. That looks different today, but the outcome is still the same: working to survive.

The Bible says “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” in Romans 12:11. We may have to work to survive, but we can do it enthusiastically as if working for the Lord. Everyday that we go to work, we can serve God with gladness and joy in our hearts. Working is an opportunity to show the love of Christ and minister to those in need. Everywhere you go you are a representative of Christ. You have a chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

God is the one who gives us our jobs. We should give Him thanks for all He has done and the many opportunities He gives us to praise His name.

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Verse of the Day

Matthew 6:14

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

Matthew 6:14

Forgiveness

Forgiveness can be extremely difficult depending on how deep the hurt is. The deeper the pain, the harder it is to let go. Imagine the weight of the world’s sins on the shoulders of Jesus Christ as He went to the cross. Yet, He willingly died to set us free from our sins, the weight of it all, and the hold sin had on us.

This verse tells us that if we are able to forgive others, then our Heavenly Father can forgive us. It goes on in verse 15 to say, “But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This is because bitterness and unforgiveness place a weight on our shoulders that causes us to continue to live in the past. We are unable to see freedom. How could Christ forgive us if we hold that bitterness in our hearts. Forgiveness frees you and allows you to move on with your life and truly live.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are freedom. You set me free from my bitterness and unforgiveness when you sent your Son to die for my sins. May I truly live in your forgiveness and extend that to others. Amen.

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Love One Another

How often do we pretend to be interested in someone else’s life. When we say, “How are you” we secretly hope that the person will respond with, “Good.” It feels awkward if they answer any other way. When we see people in the store, we walk down the opposite aisle to avoid them. The only people we truly love are the ones close to us. We put up walls and fail to trust others. Sometimes we struggle with loving others as Romans 12:9-10 states: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

Don’t pretend to love others; really love them. When you say you are going to pray for someone, do it right then and there! How many times do we say we are going to pray for someone and then we never do? Show others you love them by really caring and investing in them. Hate what is wrong- hate the things you say or do that do not bring honor to the Lord. Hold tightly to righteousness. Cling to all that is good. Love your neighbors, your friends, your families, and even your enemies with genuine affection. Always take delight in honoring each other.

This is how you can truly love each other and show each other honor. We must love more than just the people who are easy to love or the people who are close to us. We can show the love of God to the world by being real.

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Verse of the Day

2 Timothy 2:1-2

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

2 Timothy 2:1-2

Ambassadors for Christ

This is what discipleship looks like- teaching others and training them up to be ambassadors in the Word. When someone comes to know the Lord, it is so vital that they get plugged in to some discipleship, whether that be in a small group or one on one with someone. If this doesn’t happen, then it is hard for the Christian to grow. Our job as Christians is to find new believers and mentor them in the faith. Many people are afraid to do this because of their own faith. They may not feel like they are strong enough or knowledgeable enough to teach someone else. So they don’t do anything. Discipleship is not only for the new believer but also for the season believer. By teaching and training someone else in the faith, you will grow too. You will learn more about the Bible and who God is when you take people under your wing. If you never do that then you miss out on this blessing and opportunity. So what is holding your face back? Find a way to get plugged in and begin growing yourself, so you can train other believers to grow as well.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
May I grow in my faith Lord so I can train and teach others to believe as well. I want to be closer to you so that others will be closer to you too. Amen.

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Being a Leader

One gift that Romans 12:8 specifically focuses on is being a leader. It states that “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Paul says here to take the gift of being a leader very seriously. It is an important responsibility.

Being a leader like a pastor, teacher, or leader within the church is an essential position and vital to the church ministry. God has given some people the ability to lead. For the leader, it means leading with grace, courage, and knowledge. A leader must seek the wisdom of Christ. He must seek the Lord’s heart so he can better serve the people. He must be full of grace, extending mercy to those who don’t deserve it and forgiving others as an example for the people to follow. A leader must extend kindness to those around him so that others will also learn to be kind.

Being a leader is a big responsibility as this verse says. It is important for the congregation to support its leaders and lift them up daily in prayer. They will serve better if the body is continuously supporting and loving them.

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Verse of the Day

Hebrews 10:24-25

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Church for the Broken

What is church? Is it a place where you can go to find friends? Or a place where you make traditions? Jesus says in Mark 2:17 that, “When Jesus heard this, he told them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.’” This is what church is. It is a place for the sick and broken. A place where believers can come together and encourage one another as this verse says. Church is a way to meet together to worship as one body of believers.

Church is so important for the health of the body. By meeting together, Christians invest in their relationship with the Lord.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
May your church continue meeting together. Lord give me a desire to be a part of your body of believers. Amen.

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Today’s Truth

Today’s Truth: Godly Gifts

God has given each believer a specific gift or talent- a way to serve Him. These talents all go together to better serve the kingdom in the body of Christ. Take a minute to think about the gifts God has given you. Think about other believers you know and the gifts he has given them. How do these gifts work together as part of the will of God?

Every gift given to believers has a purpose. Romans 12:6 says, “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” He has given gifts of prophecy, encouraging others, giving generously, leadership, and showing kindness. All of these gifts are so important in the church. We need people who are teachers and leaders. We also need encouragers and people who show kindness to lift up others. They work together to make the church a place for the broken and the sick.

The church is to be a beacon for the world to see. When the body of Christ works together and honors God with the way they live, act, and speak, they will draw others to join the body of Christ.