Now
to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think—according to
the power that works in you...—Ephesians
3:20
At times we feel as if we could impress God with all we are trying to do for
Him and His church. Yet God has yet to be impressed with even the most grandiose
human aspirations (Ps. 8:3–4). You
will never set a goal so big or attempt a
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Very
early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His
way to a deserted place. And He was praying there.—Mark 1:35
It was common knowledge among the disciples that they would find Jesus
praying during the early morning hours. When they needed Him, they knew to go to
the place of prayer. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he led his cohorts
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But
the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.—Proverbs
11:18b
There are many ways to invest our lives, but none offers greater reward than
devoting ourselves to the pursuit of righteousness. Every area of our lives
should reflect the holiness of God that is ours by salvation: our thoughts, so
that nothing we think about would be inappropriate for a child of God; our
actions, so that our lives demon
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For
the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge
of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.—Hebrews 4:12
Does God's word ever cause you discomfort? When you read the Bible does what
you read make you uneasy? Do you find when you listen to sermons, that the
Scripture seems aimed directly at you? You a
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Leave
your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your
brother, and then come and offer your gift.—Matthew 5:24
It is useless to give offerings to God while you are at enmity with your
brother. Jesus said that His followers should be reconciled with anyone
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God
wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this
mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.—Colossians
1:27
The heavenly Father's plan from the beginning of time was to place His
eternal Son in every believer. If you are a Christian, all the fullness of God
dwells in you. Christ's life becomes your life. When Christ lives in you, He
brings every divine resource with Him. Every time you face a need, you me
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Therefore
if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away,
and look, new things have come.—2 Corinthians
5:17
You do not become a Christian by asking Jesus into your heart. You become a
Christian when you are born again. Jesus said, "Unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Saying a
prayer or making a public commi
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During
His earthly life, He offered prayers and appeals, with loud cries and tears, to
the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His
reverence.—Hebrews
5:7
The life of Jesus provides the model for our prayer lives. God is seeking to
mold us into the image of His Son (Col. 1:27–28).
If we are to act like Christ, our prayer lives must be conformed to His. Many
Christians are u
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