Tag: Iowa
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What Happens When We Know God’s Love?
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Did you have a grandmother like mine? In my grandmother’s house there were smells and expressions that told me I was loved and safe. Smiles, fresh-baked chocolate chip (or oatmeal) cookies, and hugs were common. So, there…
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Being Willing to Do What is Needed
Being willing to reach out may take effort that we must be willing to do.
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Remembering the Important Stuff
I’ve been reminded over the last month how it is to be a little child. With Bible School a month ago and Children’s Camp last week, I have been reminded of the truths that we teach children. Those truths aren’t minor. Nor are they little. They are the most important truths that we have. They…
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Loving for Real
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been examining Paul’s challenge to the church in Rome regarding love. He calls us to love without hypocrisy. He calls us to commit to loving in a profound way. Love is different from being nice. Love is real. Love is committed. Love rejoices with those who rejoice.…
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The Needed Mercy of God
I was contemplating mercy this week. Mercy is unusual. It is a reality that can only be accepted by those who need it. And yet, many who need it refuse to admit that they do. Why do we need mercy? We need mercy because of sin. Sin make us lost. Being lost makes us separated…
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Conquering in Christ
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:28 It breaks my…
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Praying with Confidence
Think for a moment who you call when you need help… It probably is a short list. Yet, the people on it are people that you can call on with confidence. How do you know that? You know it because those people have shown that they are committed to you. They have been there when…
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Walk through the valley
Mountains and valleys. We seem, as spiritual beings, to desire the mountain top experience with God. In Acts chapter, Peter has quite a mountain top experience with God. Not only does he have a vision, but God also changes his understanding of the gospel message. That’s quite a mountain top! Then comes chapter 11. He…
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Touching the Throne of God
Revelation 4:8 declares that the four living creatures say “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Have you ever thought about what that would be like? What would it be like to just say, all the time and without stopping, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord…
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Desiring God Conference on Prayer
This week I went to a conference that dealt with the prayer life of a pastor. Since the conference speakers quoted the reformers quite liberally, I thought that it would be appropriate to put a quotation on prayer in this week’s devotion. This is from my favorite preacher of the 1800s, C. H. Spurgeon: “Continue…
Pastor John D Jakes 