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Righteous? Sinner? Who are you?

Today’s Manna – Our Daily Bread
http://bible.com/116/hos.14.9.nlt
Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

Observation
Oh what a sin it is to think ourselves wise, to set ourselves upon the throne of self exaltation in a prideful stance. If we think ourselves so wise,  if we think that we are so understanding, why do we still find ourselves stumbling? Why do we still find ourselves falling short daily of the glory of God?

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Do, don’t just say.

Today’s Manna – Our Daily Bread
http://bible.com/116/hos.11.7.nlt
For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me.

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Observation
How am I determined to act? Am I satisfied talking about the Lord,  but not honoring Him in my actions?

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Grace isn’t Cheap

Today’s Manna – Our Daily Bread
http://bible.com/116/dan.11.35.nlt

And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.

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Life Application Devotional
God’s messenger described a time of trial when even wise believers may stumble. This could mean (1) falling into sin, (2) being fearful and losing faith, (3) mistakenly following wrong teaching, or (4) experiencing severe suffering and martyrdom. If we persevere in our faith, any such experience will only refine us and make us stronger. Are you facing trials? Recognize them as opportunities to strengthen your faith. If we remain steadfast in these experiences, we will be stronger in our faith and closer to God.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
We will face trials and tests and sufferings and persecution in our walk of faith. This is why we equip ourselves daily with the Word of God. This is why we eat the Bread of Life and drink from the Living Waters. This is why we put on the full armor of God.

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Hungry Lions

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We find such a beautiful reflection of the law and of faith in Daniel 6.

http://bible.com/116/dan.6.20-23.nlt
When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

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Are you ready to travel

It’s summertime,  and many of us at one time or another this summer will be packing our bags to go on a trip. We will plan out what we need to take with us and how much money we need to take with us. We may even plan an itinerary in advance fir what we are going to do.

We will make our preparations.

http://bible.com/116/jer.10.17-18.nlt
Pack your bags and prepare to leave; the siege is about to begin. For this is what the Lord says: “Suddenly, I will fling out all you who live in this land. I will pour great troubles upon you, and at last you will feel my anger.”

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Boast! Yes, Be Bold, Stand Firm!

http://bible.com/116/jer.9.23-25.nlt
This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord , have spoken!
“A time is coming,” says the Lord , “when I will punish all those who are circumcised in body but not in spirit—

Life Application Notes
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“People tend to admire four qualities in others: human wisdom, power (strength), kindness, and riches. But God puts a higher priority on knowing him personally and living a life that reflects his justice and righteousness. What do you want people to admire most about you?”

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Can I worship?

http://bible.com/116/psa.15.1-5.nlt
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord , and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

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Father knows best

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http://bible.com/116/isa.55.8-9.nlt
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord .
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Yes, we are a prideful and rebellious generation.

Yes, there are few who seek to follow the narrow path.

Yes, we are a cold and hard hearted generation of religious zealots.

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Kill the wicked man, burn him, burn him!

http://bible.com/116/isa.48.22.nlt
“But there is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord .

I know the life of a wicked person. I have lived it.

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Love, where subtraction is replaced by multiplication

http://bible.com/116/pro.11.25.nlt
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

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There are all kinds of ways for us to be generous. We can be generous with our money, with our time, with our words, with our actions,  with our forgiveness.

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