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  Day 6: “Our wild and free spirits” is our prompt for today.   “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV   Timothy was a gifted, valuable man for the kingdom of God; but he seems to have had a timid streak in him. For this reason, Paul often encouraged him to be strong and bold.   “Stir up the gift of God which is in you;" be bold, get going, go for it. Some have gifts given to them by God, but those gifts are neglected. They need to be stirred up and put into action.   Stir u p has the idea of stirring up a fire to keep it burning bright and strong; a fire left to itself will always burn out, but God wants us to keep our gifts burning strong for Him.   “The Greek anazopureo ( stir up ) means either ‘to kindle afresh’ or ‘to keep in full flame’. T...

  30 Days of Gratitude: Day 1 - Day 5 Day 1: Beauty in the Mess   “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV   As Isaiah writes prophetically to Israel, they were mired in the desperate circumstances of captivity and exile. God wants to put their eyes on the new work He will do, so it begins with a reminder to not remember the former things. If they are stuck in the failure and sin and discouragement of the past, they will never go forward to the new thing God has for them. The same thing happens in our lives, when we’re stuck in the past we can move forward. Many times we miss the good thing God has for us.   Isaiah 43:18, in the NKJV puts it this way, do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. This shows us that there is a sense in which we must remember the past, in terms of...

  Veterans Day , a U.S. federal holiday, is a time to honor and thank those who are serving or have served in the military and are still with us. Note that Veterans Day which is a day to reflect and remember those who lost their lives in service to their country. On Veterans Day, think about how you can show a veteran extra appreciation. Attend a Veterans Day parade or event in your area. Ask a veteran about their service and really listen. Visit a VA hospital. Display the flag to salute our veterans! Thank not only a veteran but a female veteran and thank her!   Veteran’s Day Freebies and Discounts! Click here

  1 Corinthians 7:17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. (NIV) “let each person lead the life . . . God has called him.” The following verses make clear that the phrase “God has called him” is not a reference to a social position but to conversion itself. In vv. 17–24 set forth a principle that gives coherence to the whole chapter: becoming a believer does not require a change in status, whether marital, ethnic, or social. This verse has sometimes been misused as evidence that Christians should not attempt to improve their social or economic standing. On the contrary, Paul encourages slaves to obtain their freedom if the opportunity arises (v. 21). Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches. (NKJV) So here is my instruction to all...

  Read Ephesians 3:1-13 No one can stand against the evidence of a changed life. A person’s living testimony of God’s deliverance and transformation cannot be dismissed. This is why our “But God” stories are so important. It’s His light shining within us that draws others to him. Pray that God would give you boldness to proclaim His Word. After describing his role as a steward of God’s grace, Paul emphasizes how unworthy he is of that calling claim to be the “least of all the saints” (3:8). Elsewhere he calls himself “the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called and apostle” (1 Cor 15:9) and the foremost sinner (1 Tim 1:15). Why would Paul emphasize his unworthiness? What does God’s work through someone like Paul communicate about Christ’s redeeming power?  Have you ever felt like God could use you to accomplish His purposes? Some of the most unlikely characters in the Bible were used in God’s plan (Exodus 4; Joshua 2; Ruth 1-4). Identify other verses or stories th...

Trust God - In Him we have Hope!   Called to Hope : Click here  to listen to Podcast   The biggest implication God’s sovereignty has for our lives today is hope. When we talk about the word hope, we usually equate it to wishful thinking. But the authors of the Bible understood the word hope to be the expectancy of a promised outcome or the waiting period before a promise was carried out.   When war appears unending, God will one day give us peace.   When Christians are bullied for their values, God will be their defense.   When families split apart, God offers a family that will never divide.   When society undergoes changes, God will remain unchanging.   Just because the trends of society seem to move away from God’s values, He doesn’t move away from us. God isn’t going anywhere. Our hope transcends what is today and trusts in what God will do tomorrow.   The Spirit prays for you. God wants to lift you above all t...

    Let's Celebrate  Independence Day! Independence Day 2021, also known as Fourth of July, is a federal holiday observed yearly on July fourth. It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence of the United States of America from Great Britain in 1776. The history of Independence Day 2021 dates back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare independence of the United States from Great Britain. On July 2, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. Historians have long disp...