Psalm 77:1-9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (6/22/2020)...

“God has a great curve ball. He also has a good changeup. And he’s not afraid to throw any of them at any point in the count. I mean...there are times when God works in ways that don’t make sense to me. It’s a curve ball or it’s a changeup...and he’ll do it to test my faith. 

Do I trust him when I can’t trace him? Can I obey him in the dark. Real faith will be able to trust God even in the dark. Do I follow my own sense of reason, or do I trust in God?”

Pastor Sandy Adams

Psalms‬ ‭77:1-9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help.

You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? 

Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

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Psalms‬ ‭23:3-4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

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2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (6/19/2020)...

“As Christians, our calling from God is to become like Christ. This is a gradual, lifelong process that will be completed when we see Christ face to face. To be ‘worthy’ of this calling means to want to do what is right and good (as Christ would). We aren't perfect yet, but we're moving in that direction as God works in us.”

Life Application Bible (LAB) note

2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:11-12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

1 John‬ ‭3:2-3‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

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Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (6/18)2020)...

“When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”

Zig Ziglar 

Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

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1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

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Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (6/17/2020)...

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end -- which you can never afford to lose -- with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

Admiral James Stockdale (1923-2005)

NOTE: Admiral Stockdale was a prisoner of war for eight years during the Vietnam War. Following release from captivity, he was asked how he survived those unthinkable eight years of imprisonment.

Psalms‬ ‭37:4-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

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1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (6/16/2020)...

Presently, my morning personal devotions include a contemplative Bible reading of First and Second Thessalonians. In light of the many challenges facing all of us recently, I found the following advice from Apostle Paul most helpful. I trust you do also. Be well my friends.

Rocky

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:14-22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 

Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.

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John 6:35 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (6/15/2020)...

“If Jesus is the Bread of Life, loss of Jesus means starving. If Jesus is the Light of the World, loss of Jesus means darkness. If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, loss of Jesus means wandering alone and lost. If Jesus is the resurrection and the life, loss of Jesus is eternal death. And if Jesus is the Lamb of God, sacrificed for our sins, loss of Jesus means paying that price for ourselves.”

Rebecca McLaughlin

John‬ ‭10:11, 14-15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep...I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”

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John‬ ‭6:35‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

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John‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John‬ ‭12:44-46‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:29‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

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1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (6/12/2020)...

“...the primary ministry of a Christian is the ministry of character. What we are is far more important than anything we ever say. Our unconscious influence speaks more loudly than our conscious influence.”

Wm MacDonald

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:9-12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God—that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.”

Apostle Paul