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Devotional 8:28.26

August 28 –  Remember What Is True Psalm 103:1–5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 4:1-9 Paul’s words in Philippians 4 call us to remember what is true when life feels unsettled. He tells the church to stand firm in the Lord, rejoice, pray instead of being consumed by anxiety, and intentionally set our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Psalm 103 begins with a similar command: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Both passages remind us that our hearts are prone to forget. We can become so focused on what is wrong, uncertain, or difficult that we lose sight of God’s goo...
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Devotional 8.21.26

August 21 –  The Shepherd Who Leads Us Home   Psalm 23:1-4 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 3:12-21   Psalm 23 reminds us that we are not walking through life alone. The Lord is our Shepherd: He provides, leads, restores, and stays with us even when the path leads through the darkest valley. Philippians 3 gives us a similar picture. Paul acknowledges that he has not arrived yet; he is still pressing forward, forgetting what lies behind and reaching toward what lies ahead. The Christian life is both a journey and a destination. We follow our Shepherd through difficult valleys while keeping our eyes fixed on the hope that awaits us....
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Devotional 8.7.26

  August 7 – The Word of Life   Psalm 33:4-5 –  For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.   Scripture Reading – Philippians 2:12-30   The apostle Paul tells us to  hold fast to the word of life  (Philippians 2:16). He is specifically referring to Jesus who is the Word. The Greek word for “word” is  logos , which means speech, message, or argument. In the case of Jesus being described as the Word, he is the ultimate divine message of hope. Jesus said he is  the way, and the truth, and the life  (John 14:6). So when Paul tells us to  hold fast to the word of life , he isn’t just referring to an inspirational speech or sermon. He’s referring to the redemptive message that Jesus is the expression of God himself in human form, the  good news of great joy that will be for all people  (Luke 2:10).   T...
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Devotional 7.31.26

  July 31 – The Joy Set Before Us Hebrews 12:1b-2 –  Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Scripture Reading – Philippians 2:1-11 Joy is an interesting word. It can be used as a noun, a verb, or to describe an emotion. As an emotion it’s sometimes used interchangeably with “happiness.” But generally, happiness is a temporary feeling driven by external events and circumstances. Whereas joy is enduring, coming from a deep-rooted inner state that is not dependent on circumstances. This seems to be the case for the apostle Paul. Despite being imprisoned he uses the words  joy  or  rejoice  at least 14 times in his letter to the Philippians. Paul tells the church to  complete his joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full acc...
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Devotional 7.23.26

  July 23 – Your Life in Six Words Galatians 2:20 –  I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Scripture Reading – Philippians 1:15-30 Dr. Edward Welch is a counselor and faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF). He teaches a class in their School of Biblical Counseling called “Helping Relationships.” One of his assignments is for students to write two one-page personal memoirs with the title describing their life in six words. The objective is to be honest about a personal struggle, but also to recognize God’s sanctifying, transformative work through the struggle.  Dr. Welch referred to this assignment in his keynote lecture last year at the CCEF conference where he explored Paul’s narrative of his life and ministry. He suggested that Paul’s six-word summary tit...
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Devotional 7.17.26

July 17 – Begins With Worship   Psalm 100:4–5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.    Scripture Reading – Philippians 1:1-14 As we begin our sermon series,  All Things Through Christ , Psalm 100 reminds us where the Christian life begins: with worship. We enter God's presence not because we have earned it, but because  the Lord is good , His steadfast love never fails, and His faithfulness endures through every generation. Gratitude is rooted not in changing circumstances but in the unchanging character of God. Paul demonstrates this truth in Philippians 1. Writing from prison, he overflows with joy and thanksgiving because his confidence is anchored in Christ, not in comfort. He thanks God for the partnership of fellow believers and trusts that the God who began a good work in them will bring...
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Devotional 7.10.26

  July 10 – Exalting Christ with Our Lives   Colossians 1:15–17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Scripture Reading – Acts 9, 13, & 16 Paul declares that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God," the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Everything exists through Him and for Him, and in Him all things hold together. These majestic truths remind us that Christ is not merely part of God's plan—He is its center. Yet the same exalted Christ chooses to work through ordinary disciples. Barnabas is a wonderful example. In Acts 9, he welcomed Saul when others feared him. In Acts 13, he faithfully served alongside Paul as the church sent them out to proclaim the gospel. In Acts 16, his earlier ...
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