To start

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The last few days have held some great morning devotions for me.  Some great stuff reminding me of God's power and giving me a needed boost of encouragement as we start the new year.  I am so thankful for God's faithfulness in my every moment and His guidance for my every step.  Here are a few things I enjoyed reading over the last week that have been a source of God's comfort and love to me.  I hope they are the same for you.

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"For centuries, perplexed philosophers have contemplated the mystery of evil, and few answers, if any, have satisfied.  But imagine the counsel within the Holy Trinity before the foundation of the world.  We know God created us that He might be known.  But known how?  In a perfect world He could have demonstrated His power, His purity, His wisdom, His creativity -- all of His attributes.  Except one.  Mercy.  How can a merciful God be known in a perfect world?  He can't.  The imperfect had to come."

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"We must be like [Jesus]... Is hat frightening or exciting?  If you're honest, it's probably some of both.  We want to be fully trained, in theory, but if we get a good look at the finished product, we know it's a different sort of life than we first expected.  It's the life of Jesus... a godly life... We want that... [but] did you choose to follow Jesus just to become better or to become new?  You may have a clear assumption of what a good Christian is.  Scrap it.  That's not necessarily the model Jesus puts before you. He puts Himself before us and says, 'This is what you will be like if you continue with Me and allow Me to fully train you.  You will be different and you will be good; you will be both loved and hated...' Do not expect the Teacher to train you toward your own objectives: a comfortable life, exemption from pain, a just-above-average morality.  Expect him to train you [both] for battle and for glory...."

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"In an effort to face the challenges of life, we often turn to Solomon's words: 'To everything there is a season, a time for eery purpose under heaven' (Eccl. 3:1).  But we readily admit that we would rather laugh than weep, dance than mourn, and gain than lose (vv.4, 6).  Yet we know that as we embrace the lessons and opportunities of every season that comes to us, we find that 'God is our refuge and strength' (Ps. 46:1).  Whatever the season we're in, it's always the season to trust in Him... Whatever the season of life, attitude makes all the difference."

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"As [a human being], I speak of 'catching' my breath, 'holding' my breath, or 'saving' my breath, but these are idioms of language.  I cannot save my breath for use at a later time.  If I don't use the one I have now, I'll lose it, and I may even lose consciousness.  When God breathed into Adam, He gave more than life; He gave a reason to live: Worship! As the psalmist said, 'Let everything that has breath praise the Lord' (Ps. 150:6).  This means that we waste our breath when we use it for something that doesn't honor the One in whom 'we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:28)... When we use our breath to honor our Creator with our unique combination of talents, abilities, and opportunities, we will never be wasting it."

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May you be encouraged by His love today...!

~lk

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