Posts with the category “daily-devotional”
Learning Contentment
by Delman Coates on December 26th, 2024
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." – Philippians 4:11-12 If anyone had the right to complain, it was Paul. When he penned the words in Philippians 4, he wasn’t writing... Read More
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The Gift of Becoming
by Delman Coates on December 25th, 2024
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." – 2 Corinthians 3:18 On Christmas Day, we’re used to focusing on the child in the manger; tiny, vulnerable, filled with promise. We see Him as a baby, wrapped in a blanket, sent to save the world. But wha... Read More
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The Gift of Presence
by Delman Coates on December 24th, 2024
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). – Matthew 1:23 As Christmas Eve draws close, there’s a warmth in the air that no string of lights or wrapped gift can fully capture. This night, above all others, is about presence, God’s presence with us. When Jesus came, it wasn’t just to observe humanity from a distance, He ... Read More
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The Trap of More
by Ministry Support on December 23rd, 2024
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” – Hebrews 13:5 We live in a world that’s always pushing us to pursue “more.” More success, more money, more followers, more possessions. This endless drive can leave us feeling empty, even when we’re surrounded by things. It’s like being on a treadmill that nev... Read More
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Choosing Contentment in Every Season
by Ministry Support on December 22nd, 2024
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:11-13 We all face seasons of plenty and seasons of lack, times w... Read More
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Leaving Different
by Ministry Support on December 21st, 2024
"And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way." - Matthew 2:11-12 When the wise men finally found Jesus, they were overwhelmed. Their long journey, ... Read More
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The Faith to Follow the Light
by Ministry Support on December 20th, 2024
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." - Romans 8:14 Imagine setting out on a journey with no map, no clear destination, and no promise of what lies at the end, only a light guiding you through the unknown. That’s exactly what the wise men did. They saw the star rise and, without knowing where it would lead, they stepped out in faith. They couldn’t see what awaited them, yet... Read More
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The Courage to Leave and the Humility to Be Led
by Ministry Support on December 19th, 2024
"Saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.' - Matthew 2:2 The wise men teach us an invaluable lesson, not just in what they left behind, but in how they were led to something greater. They didn’t know exactly where Jesus was; they simply followed the star, trusting that it would guide them. This journey wasn’t just ab... Read More
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It’s Time to Make the Shift
by Ministry Support on December 18th, 2024
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'" - Matthew 2:1-2 The wise men’s journey to find Jesus wasn’t easy. They came from a place far off, traveling through rough terrain, facing obstacles, and endur... Read More
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Following the Right Path
by Ministry Support on December 17th, 2024
"When they saw the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy." - Matthew 2:9-10 The wise men traveled a long distance, following a star that guided them toward something far greater than themselves. Their journey was filled with uncertainty and risk, but they pressed on with one goal in mind: to honor the newborn King. Their story invites us to reflect on our own paths in life. Like the w... Read More
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Keep the Light On
by Ministry Support on December 16th, 2024
“And give no opportunity to the devil.” - Ephesians 4:27 Anger is a powerful emotion. It’s natural to feel angry when things don’t go as expected, when we’re hurt, or when we feel wronged. But anger can be destructive if we don’t deal with it properly. Paul’s advice is to keep your anger exposed to the light. Don’t bury it. Don’t let it simmer in the dark, because when you do, you’re giving the ... Read More
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Process Your Anger in a Healthy Way
by Ministry Support on December 15th, 2024
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” - Ephesians 4:26 When we read Paul’s words in Ephesians, the first part seems pretty straightforward, "Be angry and do not sin." It seems simple enough, just don’t lash out or say hurtful things when you’re upset. But then we get to the second part, "Do not let the sun go down on your anger." At first glance, it might seem like... Read More
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Understanding What Your Anger is Telling You
by Delman Coates on December 14th, 2024
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” - Proverbs 29:11 Anger has a way of rising up quickly, almost without warning. And sometimes, it feels like the best thing to do is just let it all out—blow up, get it over with, and move on. I remember a story about a man who told his pastor that he believed it was best to just explode when he was angry. That way, he... Read More
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Don’t Be Controlled by Your Anger
by Delman Coates on December 13th, 2024
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” - Ephesians 4:26 As we have looked at the last couple of days, anger, in and of itself, isn’t a problem. It’s what we do with it that matters most. Paul’s instruction to the church echoes the wisdom found in Psalm 4:4, where God told David to “be angry and do not sin.” Even when David’s anger was justified by his son Absalom’s ... Read More
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Welcome Your Anger
by Delman Coates on December 12th, 2024
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” - Ephesians 4:26 When you think of anger, you probably picture yelling, throwing things, or lashing out in some way. That’s often how we’ve seen anger expressed, and it’s easy to associate the emotion with destruction and chaos. But here’s a different way to look at anger: it’s not the emotion itself that’s the problem, it’s h... Read More
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A Healthy Relationship with Anger
by Delman Coates on December 11th, 2024
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” - Ephesians 4:26 Anger can be a powerful emotion, and for some, it’s something they wrestle with daily. You might find yourself struggling with irritability, frequent outbursts, and a sense of frustration that boils over in ways you regret later. It’s easy to feel consumed by anger, as if it’s something you can’t control. But a... Read More
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Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
by Delman Coates on December 10th, 2024
“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” - Ephesians 4:22-24 If you’re familiar with hip-hop from the early 90s, you might recall Ice Cube’s hit single “Check Yo Self.” The message... Read More
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Feed Your Faith
by Delman Coates on December 9th, 2024
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” - 1 Peter 1:13 Chronic fear can cloud our judgment and leave us making decisions we wouldn’t normally consider. When fear is in control, rational thinking often takes a back seat. Timothy, facing the challenges of ministry and perse... Read More
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God’s Love Casts Out Fear
by Delman Coates on December 8th, 2024
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” - 1 John 4:18 When fear overwhelms us, it can lead us to question God’s love. It’s easy to think that if we’re facing difficulty or suffering, it’s a sign that God has abandoned us. David experienced this kind of anguish in Psalm 22, crying out, “My G... Read More
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The Power to Manage Fear
by Delman Coates on December 7th, 2024
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 Timothy’s journey in ministry wasn’t an easy one. He had left his family and his community to serve alongside Paul, spreading the Gospel and building up the church at Ephesus. Now, with Paul absent and persecution on the rise, Timothy was feeling the weight of responsibility. Fear began to creep in, a... Read More
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Understanding the Source of Your Fear
by Delman Coates on December 6th, 2024
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 We all experience fear from time to time, but chronic fear, the kind that paralyzes us, consumes our thoughts, and keeps us trapped, does not come from God. Paul makes it clear to Timothy that when fear takes over and hinders us from living the full, abundant life God has for us, we must examine the so... Read More
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What is it Telling You?
by Delman Coates on December 5th, 2024
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 Fear comes in many forms. On one end of the spectrum, there’s constructive fear, fear that helps us avoid danger and make better decisions. On the other end, there’s chronic fear, the kind that paralyzes and controls us. Paul’s message to Timothy was clear: it's not about whether we experience fear, bu... Read More
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Identifying the Nature of Your Fear
by Delman Coates on December 4th, 2024
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 Fear is a natural emotion that every human being experiences, but not all fear is the same. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul makes a significant distinction when he says, "God has not given us the spirit of fear." Notice that Paul doesn’t say, "God has not given us fear." Instead, he addresses "the spirit of fea... Read More
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Don’t Be Scurred
by Delman Coates on December 3rd, 2024
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 Imagine facing the darkest, most uncertain moment of your life. That’s exactly what Paul was experiencing when he wrote his second letter to Timothy. Imprisoned in a Roman dungeon, awaiting his impending death, Paul knew the church was under severe threat. Emperor Nero’s madness was wreaking havoc acro... Read More
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Facing the Fear of the Unknown
by Delman Coates on December 2nd, 2024
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10 There’s a powerful story about a criminal who, when faced with the choice between being hung by a rope or walking through a mysterious iron door, chose the rope. As the noose was slipping around his neck, he asked the king what ... Read More
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Overcoming Fear
by Delman Coates on December 1st, 2024
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7 Fear is a powerful emotion, one that grips our hearts and minds, often leaving us paralyzed or anxious. In the movie Inside Out 2, fear is portrayed in a way many of us can relate to. It's an image of uncertainty and caution, always on alert for danger or the unexpected. If you stop and think about it... Read More
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Put Your Trust in What You Know
by Delman Coates on November 30th, 2024
"Be sober-minded; be watchful." - 1 Peter 5:8 Your mind is powerful, processing countless thoughts every minute, and without realizing it, your mind can lead you into a maze of anxious thoughts. Neuroscientists tell us that the human brain can process information at incredible speeds, up to 268 miles per hour. That’s why it’s easy to get swept away by “what ifs,” especially when life feels unc... Read More
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Release It to God
by Delman Coates on November 29th, 2024
"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 One of the hardest things to do in life is to release control. We often center ourselves on situations we can't manage and try to solve problems that are beyond us. But for the Christian, Peter offers a clear solution: release it to God. He tells us to “cast all your anxieties on Him” because God cares for us. The peo... Read More
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Thank You, God
by Delman Coates on November 28th, 2024
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" - Psalm 107:1 Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the goodness of God in our lives. In the busyness of life, it’s easy to focus on what we lack, what we wish we had, or what we think we deserve. But gratitude requires us to shift our perspective—to recogni... Read More
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Not in Control
by Delman Coates on November 27th, 2024
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." - 1 Peter 5:6 Peter gives us a powerful key to handling anxiety: humility. He suggests that one of the reasons we struggle with anxiety is an overestimation of self, a belief that we are responsible for solving our own problems and managing the future on our own. Theologian Thomas Schreine... Read More
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Shifting Focus
by Ministry Support on November 26th, 2024
"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 In his letter to the early church, Peter spoke to believers who were struggling with deep anxiety about their future. They were living in a time of trial and persecution, dealing with trauma on many levels—social, economic, physical, and emotional. Peter knew their faith was being tested, and the weight of their circum... Read More
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Let Go of What Chokes You
by Ministry Support on November 25th, 2024
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" - Luke 12:25 The word "worry" comes from an ancient term that means "to choke or strangle." It's a vivid description, isn’t it? When anxiety takes control, it can feel like it’s squeezing the life out of you. So, I want to ask you today: what is choking you? What has you feeling so worried that you feel locked in, l... Read More
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Stop Worrying and Start Living
by Ministry Support on November 24th, 2024
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." - Philippians 4:6 Dale Carnegie, the famous writer and lecturer from the early 1900s, struggled with worry and anxiety just like many of us do today. He would panic whenever a storm arose or thunder echoed in the sky. His tendency to fixate on future possibil... Read More
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The Power of Connection
by Ministry Support on November 23rd, 2024
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." - Revelation 12:11 When you’re connected to a supportive community—be it friends, family, a coach, a therapist, a pastor, or fellow believers—something remarkable happens. You find renewed hope, energy, and inspiration in ways you never anticipated. In thes... Read More
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Find People That Nurture Your Joy
by Ministry Support on November 22nd, 2024
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." - Romans 12:4-5 In Nehemiah 8, a striking theme emerges: the emphasis on community. The phrase “all the people” appears repeatedly in the first twelve verses, highlighting the unity of the Israelites as they gather at ... Read More
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Find Places That Nourish Your Joy
by Ministry Support on November 21st, 2024
"For the joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10 When you read about the Israelites’ return to Jerusalem, it's important to notice where they positioned themselves. In Nehemiah 8:1-3, they gathered by the Water Gate, a detail that isn't merely incidental. This gate held significance because it was near the temple, where water was piped in for the sacred rituals of worship. Old Testam... Read More
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Choose Joy
by Delman Coates on November 20th, 2024
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." - Philippians 4:4 Life doesn’t always deliver favorable circumstances. Sometimes, you find yourself in moments of grief, sorrow, or uncertainty. It’s in these times that the Bible challenges us to do something that feels impossible: choose joy. Nehemiah, Ezra, and the priests told the people of Israel, who had returned from exile, to choo... Read More
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Choosing Joy in the Ashes
by Delman Coates on November 19th, 2024
"Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10 Max Lucado once shared a story about teaching his son to ride a bike. As his son zoomed down a hill, out of control, Max yelled, “Hit the brake, son; hit the br... Read More
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Joy That Lasts
by Delman Coates on November 18th, 2024
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds." - James 1:2 Joy is often defined as a feeling of great pleasure, happiness, or excitement. But if you think joy is the same as happiness, you’re missing something crucial. Happiness is tied to what’s happening around you—when things are going well, the bills are paid, your relationships are thriving, or your health is strong... Read More
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Give Up the Remote
by Delman Coates on November 17th, 2024
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." - Proverbs 4:23 I was recently talking to a friend who was struggling through some painful relationship issues. After he finished sharing, I gave him a simple piece of advice: “Give them the remote.” Confused, he asked, “What do you mean?” I explained that much of the stress he was experiencing was because he insisted o... Read More
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January
Let it GoA Prayer for RestorationThe Power of Self-ForgivenessEmbracing FreedomFrom Transgression to RedemptionRelease and FreedomWisdom in ReflectionBlessed Assurance in ForgivenessEmbracing Divine RestTrusting in the WaitingEmbracing Peace in Unresolved MomentsMoving Forward Without ClosureA New Chapter AwaitsRefocusing for a New ChapterThe Danger of Looking BackLet God Be Your DefenseGod's Victory, Not OursThe Author of Your New ChapterThe Faithful Promise KeeperA Promise UnveiledThe Urgency of ObedienceThe University of AdversityThriving in AdversityForging the Future YouTransformative Power of AdversityThe Role of ResilienceThe Gift of EmpathyChanging PerspectiveGod's Purpose in Your AdversityThe Anchoring Power of TrustConsistent in Prayer, Unwavering in Praise
February
Navigating Life's JourneyLessons from the Prodigal SonStaying on TrackA Lesson in PatienceTrusting in God's TimingAvoiding the DriftChoosing Your Company WiselyThe Impact of Your Inner CircleThe Call to Responsible StewardshipFrom Rock Bottom to RedemptionGetting My Life Back On TrackWholeness Beyond Rock BottomWaking Up to ResponsibilityFacing the FactsOnly God Can Make Life Worth Living You Can Do ItYour Transformation MattersBreaking Free from ShameGod's Unwavering CareThe Good ShepherdThe Shepherd Who ProvidesFinding Refuge in God's ProtectionGod's Omnipotent ProtectionGod's Unseen ProtectionOverflowing BlessingsA Unique LoveA Divine ExchangeThe Power in His Precious BloodFrom Trials to Praise
March
Cleansing Body, Mind, and SpiritDetoxifying the MindDetoxifying for Spiritual EmpowermentThe Promise of God's PresenceWalking Purely Under God's ProtectionEmbracing God's Promise of RedemptionEmbracing God's Promise of ReconciliationThe Blessing of God's Adoption and ProvisionGod Desires RelationshipGod's Unconditional LoveGod's Gift of GraceNot OptionalPromises for the ChosenVIP Status in the KingdomThe Necessity of Cleansing for Kingdom CitizensThe Power WithinFinding Peace Beyond the PastHealing WoundsCleansing the TempleUnpacking the Trauma WithinHealing from WithinThe Promise of HealingBeyond the MindFinding Safety in Your BodyThe Power of a WishThe Ultimate WishBeyond Religious PerformanceBeyond Personal AchievementTrue Gain in Knowing ChristKnowing Christ DeeplyThe Power of His Resurrection