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WHEN FRIENDS ARE NOT FRIENDS FOREVER
Reflections on Philemon I grew up as a peace-loving middle child. Although raised in a relatively peaceful household, I still worked to resolve conflicts between siblings—and sometimes even parents. But when I found myself playing the role of “bridge” between two spatting friends, I was at a loss. I wasn’t their mother or their middle…
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MORNING & EVENING
Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness…
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BADLY ALIGNED
Connect The Testaments2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37; Titus 3:12-15; Psalm 101:1-8 Like a car with bad alignment, we are prone to drift off course when we’re not focused on steering our faith. Often, we use intellectual pursuits to disguise our drifting. It’s easier to argue an opinion than to respond faithfully. It’s stimulating to have a theoretical…
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WISDOM FROM A CACTUS
Reflections on Titus When my husband and I were newly married, we were given a cactus, which we named Maurice. I had never owned a plant, but the cactus-giver assured me that it would be easy. I carefully avoided novice mistakes, like forgetting to water it, not giving it enough sunlight or allowing the neighborhood…
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MORNING & EVENING
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THE FAITH OF AN ATHLETE: PAUL’S TAKE ON SUFFERING
Reflections on 2 Timothy Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy while in prison, just as he was when he wrote to the church at Philippi. Philippians and 2 Timothy are genuinely encouraging letters, meant to build the faith of the church by urging sincerity, humility, and sound teaching. Even from prision, Paul exhibits confidence:…
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MORNING & EVENING
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BEING MADE NEW
Connect The Testaments2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14; Titus 3:1-7; Psalm 97:1-98:9 We often fall into old habits that reflect the way we once were. Although we’ve been made new, we haven’t been made perfect, and sometimes it shows. People within our church communities might have one perception of us, but others may have experienced another side—one that…