Nearer to God Daily Devotional
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Daily devotionalOctober 10 – Living in true freedom
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts,…
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Daily devotionalOctober 9 – Quick to listen and slow to speak
Put away all filthiness and rampart wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. – James 1:17 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalOctober 8 – The good and perfect gifts of God
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. – James 1:17 Scripture Reading: James 1:16-18 Today…
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Daily devotionalOctober 7 – Turning to God when tempted
God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one. – James 1:13 Scripture reading: James 1:13-15 Have you ever been upset with…
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Daily devotionalOctober 6 – The crown for those who are steadfast under trials
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial. – James 1:12 Scripture reading: James 1:12 The world often persuades us that one is important…
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Daily devotionalOctober 5 – True riches
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation. – James 1:9 Scripture reading: James 1:9-11 Yesterday we discussed the need to pray for wisdom to…
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Daily devotionalOctober 4 – Praying for wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James…
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Daily devotionalOctober 3 – Blessed through trials
…and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and compete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:4 Scripture reading: James 1:2-4 For…
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Daily devotionalOctober 2 – Waiting for paradise
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. – James 1:1b Scripture reading: John 14:1-6 James wants us to see something about who we are….
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Daily devotionalIntroduction to October: Living in a fallen world with faith
In living through a world pandemic we as Christians were called to deal with many different struggles and complications by our God. Not only have…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 30 – The authority of God challenged
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. – Nahum 1:7 Scripture reading: Luke 20:1-8 Who are you to tell me what…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 29 – At the end of the warning there is Jesus
For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil? – Nahum 3:19b Scripture reading: Luke 10:1-21 Nahum ends with a question that can only, finally,…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 28 – Evil restrained
There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. – Nahum 3:19…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 27 – Undershepherds of our Shepherd-King
Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. – Nahum 3:18 Scripture reading: Ezekiel 34:1-16 Nahum’s prophecy is eloquently layered for New Testament…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 26 – The Prince who cares
Your princes are like grasshoppers, your scribes like clouds of locusts settling on fences in a day of cold—when the sun rises, they fly away;…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 25 – Wealth and your citizenship in Babylon or Jerusalem
You increased your merchants more than the stars of the heavens. The locust spread its wings and flies away. – Nahum 3:16 Scripture reading: Rev. 18:4-8;…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 24 – God is a consuming fire
There fire will devour you… – Nahum 3:15a Scripture reading: Heb. 12:18-29 What a picture Hebrews gives us. Our God is a consuming fire. Nahum…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 23 – Terrors no longer terrify Christians
There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you off. It will devour you like locusts. – Nahum 3:15 Scripture reading: Luke 10:13-20…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 22 – Living defensive stones
Draw water from the siege; strengthen your forts; go into the clay; tread the mortar; take hold of the brick mold! – Nahum 3:14 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 21 – Are you trained for war?
Behold, your troops are women in your midst. – Nahum 3:13a Scripture reading: Ps. 144 Wait a minute, is the text sexist? Does the Bible…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 20 – Ripe for picking
All of your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs—if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. – Nahum 3:12 Scripture reading: Heb….
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Daily devotionalSeptember 19 – Terrible wrath and greater mercy
Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity; her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street; for her honored men…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 18 – Wait, there is still more
…you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 17 – Prove it
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 16 – Now is the day of salvation
Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts… – Nahum 3:5 Scripture reading: Nahum 3:5-7 and II Chron. 30:1-13 This, humanly speaking, may…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 15 – Appropriately warned
Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts… – Nahum 3:5a Scripture reading: Colossians 3:10-17 Why spend all this time on Nahum and a…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 14 – Humbly serve the living God
The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. –…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 13 – The messenger of God
And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 12 – Haughty lion thrown down
Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered. – Revelation 5:5 Scripture reading: Nahum 2:10-13 and…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 11 – The Lord’s Day restores clarity
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. – Psalm 73:24 Scripture reading: Nahum 2:4-9 and Ps. 73 Confusion. If…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 10 – Believe it or not, judgment is on its way
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. – I Thessalonians 5:2 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 9 – Powerful imagery foreshadowing the New Testament
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 8 – Interesting name for the Lord: the Scatterer
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings… – Psalm 17:8 Scripture reading: Nahum 2:1-2 and Deuteronomy…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 7 – Confronting worthless counsellors
For he [Jesus] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. – I Corinthians 15:25 Scripture reading: Nahum 1:9-11 and Ps. 2…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 6 – An oracle, a burden
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. – Nahum 1:7 Scripture reading: Nahum…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 5 – The sacred sanctuary in time
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 4 – Where is Elkosh?
So that you are not lacking any gift, as you wait for the revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 3 – A parade of God’s power
When he ascended on high he led a host of captives… – Ephesians 4:8 Scripture reading: Nahum 1:3-5 and Ephesians 4:1-17 Why do nations have…
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Daily devotionalSeptember 2 – The Lord the Avenger
The LORD is a jealous and avenging husband. – Nahum 1:2 Scripture reading: Nahum 1:1-3 and Isaiah 54:1-5 There is an expression out there that…
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Daily devotionalIntroduction to the month of September
Nahum is a book that is likely not too familiar for many readers. To be honest, I can’t recall ever preaching from this book. It…
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Daily devotionalAugust 31 – The Bible ends with a menu
Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! – Revelation 19:9a Scripture reading: Revelation 19:1-10 The Bible begins and ends…
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Daily devotionalAugust 30 – The bountiful Tree of Life
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding…
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Daily devotionalAugust 29 – Eating from the Tree of Life
To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. –…
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Daily devotionalAugust 28 – Sanctification, not sanitation
Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in this world, do you subject yourselves to…
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Daily devotionalAugust 27 – Eating and drinking to God’s glory
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians…
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Daily devotionalAugust 26 – One table or the other, not both
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of…
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Daily devotionalAugust 25 – Equally accepted by God
…for before certain men came from James, he [Peter] would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those…
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Daily devotionalAugust 24 – Joy overflowing from tables to tables
So continuing daily in one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of…
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Daily devotionalAugust 23 – Word, table and mission
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to…
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Daily devotionalAugust 22 – A forward-looking supper
But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it…
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Daily devotionalAugust 21 – Still there is room
…and still there is room. – Luke 14:22b Scripture reading: Luke 14:15-24 A guest sitting with Jesus in the Pharisee’s home, exclaims, “Blessed is he…
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Daily devotionalAugust 20 – Table etiquette for Jesus’ followers
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11 Scripture reading: Luke 14:1-14 Jesus enjoyed His…
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Daily devotionalAugust 19 – Eating and being filled
So they all ate and were filled. – Mark 6:42 Scripture reading: Mark 6:30-44 God’s people are in bondage to their sins. Here we witness…
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Daily devotionalAugust 18 – Jesus calls and heals for the feast
How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners? – Mark 2:16b Scripture reading: Mark 2:13-22 Tax collectors were a hated…
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Daily devotionalAugust 17 – The Bridegroom has come!
And Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some…
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Daily devotionalAugust 16 – Eat what is good
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. – Isaiah 55:2b Scripture reading: Proverbs 9:1-6; Isaiah…
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Daily devotionalAugust 15 – The Lord’s banquet for all people
And in this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wine on the lees……
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Daily devotionalAugust 14 – Enjoy your Giver!
For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? – Ecclesiastes 2:25 Scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon…
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Daily devotionalAugust 13 – The witness of God’s open hand
You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. – Psalm 145:16 Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself without witness, in that…
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Daily devotionalAugust 12 – Times of refreshing
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord….
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Daily devotionalAugust 11 – Bringing life into the world of death
Serve it to the people, that they may eat. 2 Kings 4:43b Give it to the people, that they may eat. – 2 Kings 4:41b…
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Daily devotionalAugust 10 – Unending provision
For thus says the LORD God of Israel: The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry,…
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Daily devotionalAugust 9 – A land flowing with milk and honey
You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord…
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Daily devotionalAugust 8 – A feast in God’s presence
But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank. –…
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Daily devotionalAugust 7 – Grace for grumblers
For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. – John 6:33 Scripture reading: Exodus 16:1-12…
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Daily devotionalAugust 6 – The feast of the Passover lamb
For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. – 1 Corinthians 5:7b Scripture reading: Exodus 12:1-13; Matthew 26:26-30 In Exodus 12, the supper follows…
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Daily devotionalAugust 5 – Entertaining angels
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. – Hebrews 13:1-2 Scripture reading: Genesis…
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Daily devotionalAugust 4 – Receiving your food with thanks
…for every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving. – 1 Timothy 4:4 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalAugust 3 – Jesus’ obedient non-eating
But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of…
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Daily devotionalAugust 2 – A disobedient eating
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge…
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Daily devotionalIntroduction to August: on feasting and fellowship
I recall the words of one of my professors at seminary about how the Bible speaks so much about food and feasting. I never forgot…
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Daily devotionalJuly 31 – The Sojourner’s lasting hope
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish,…
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Daily devotionalJuly 30 – Sojourners resist the Devil
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him. – 1 Peter…
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Daily devotionalJuly 29 – Sojourners humble themselves
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He…
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Daily devotionalJuly 28 – The sojourners’ shepherds
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as…
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Daily devotionalJuly 27 – Sojourners are not surprised by suffering
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. – 1…
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Daily devotionalJuly 26 – Sojourner hospitality
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. – 1 Peter 4:9 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:7-11 Hospitality ought to set us apart as Christians. It…
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Daily devotionalJuly 25 – Sojourners’ love covers a multitude of sins
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 Scripture reading: 1…
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Daily devotionalJuly 24 – Sojourners are serious about prayer
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. – 1 Peter 4:7 Scripture reading: 1 Peter…
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Daily devotionalJuly 23 – Sojourners are ready to do God’s will
…that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God….
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Daily devotionalJuly 22 – Sojourners hope in their baptism
There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience…
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Daily devotionalJuly 21 – Sojourners are always ready to speak of hope
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the…
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Daily devotionalJuly 20 – Sojourners love life and see good days
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil…
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Daily devotionalJuly 19 – Sojourner men understand their wives
Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace…
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Daily devotionalJuly 18 – Sojourner wives are precious to God
…rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in…
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Daily devotionalJuly 17 – Sojourners follow in Jesus’ steps
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. – 1 Peter…
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Daily devotionalJuly 16 – Sojourners endure hard things
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully… But when you do good and suffer, if you take…
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Daily devotionalJuly 15 – Sojourners are free to serve
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet…
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Daily devotionalJuly 14 – Sojourners abstain from fleshly lusts
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. – 1 Peter 2:11 Scripture reading: 1 Peter…
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Daily devotionalJuly 13 – Sojourners are God’s own special people
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who…
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Daily devotionalJuly 12 – Sojourners are built up as living stones
…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus…
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Daily devotionalJuly 11 – Sojourners come to Jesus
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. – 1 Peter 2:4 Scripture reading: 1…
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Daily devotionalJuly 10 – Sojourners desire the pure milk of the Word
…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. – 1 Peter 2:2 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-3 We…
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Daily devotionalJuly 9 – Sojourners are born of the Word
…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. – 1 Peter 1:23 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalJuly 8 – Sojourners know Jesus’ blood is precious
…[knowing that you were… redeemed…] with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. – 1 Peter 1:18,19 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalJuly 7 – Sojourners’ hope leads to holiness
…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am…
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Daily devotionalJuly 6 – News so good, even angels can’t get enough
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you… things which angels desire to…
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Daily devotionalJuly 5 – Sojourners love Jesus
[Jesus Christ], Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of…
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Daily devotionalJuly 4 – The sojourners’ fiery trials
…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise,…
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Daily devotionalJuly 3 – The sojourners’ imperishable inheritance
…to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. – 1 Peter 1:4 Scripture reading: 1 Peter…