Monthly Archives: September 2015

Romans 5:3-5 Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And Character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out…..

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On the cross, Jesus Christ paid the price for the consequences of fallen mankind’s sin. Jesus defeated Satan and took away his authority to keep us in bondage, whether spiritually, physically, or emotionally. When we believe in Jesus through faith, the Spirit that lives inside of us gives us the power and authority to resist the lie of the Enemy that healing is not for us today. When I was thirty-eight, and a Christian, I developed asthma, which made it…..

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A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger appeases contention. Proverbs 15 1+18 It is so easy to get pulled into conflict, even when our hearts desire is to be people of peace! What’s really inside our heart is going to be forced out through our mouths’ in times of conflict, stress or anxiety. At some point, we will all find ourselves in…..

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The outward appearance of our lives is often different from what’s really going on inwardly. Many of us work very hard to make the external look good in hopes of convincing ourselves and others that all is well. When our main focus is looking outward, instead of inward, it is easy to fall into religious hypocrisy, superficiality, and judgment of others to cover up our own shortcomings. Because we spend so much of our energy on the outside, we often…..

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“For I have learned how to be content [satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted] in whatever state I am. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation. I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (Philippians 4:11b, 12b, 13) Because of Paul’s surrendered…..

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Just as an occurrence of bad weather can stop us in our tracks and disrupt our plans, so can the storms of life. In these storms, we experience uncertainty and fear when we are suddenly bombarded with trying circumstances. On this certain day, Jesus’ disciples walked with Him, and were privileged to personally see and experience His wisdom, gentle love, and awesome power. Later that evening, Jesus said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”…..

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Psalm 118:5+8-9 Out of my distress I called upon the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free and in a large place. It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. Disappointment with one another is an inevitable part of human relationships. Within our relationships it is impossible to satisfy all the secret…..

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