Nearer to God Daily Devotional
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Daily devotionalMay 4 – Revealed in the world and the word
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork…The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony…
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Daily devotionalMay 3 – Our Creator and our Helper
“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 124:8 Scripture reading: Genesis 1:1-31 The creation of the…
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Daily devotionalMay 2 – Wonderful are your works!
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” – Job 38:4 Scripture reading: Psalm 104:1-35 Faith…
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Daily devotionalMay 1 – Introduction to God’s creation
Can you imagine an artist painting a picture without a plan or purpose for that picture? Even an abstract artist has a purpose for the…
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Daily devotionalApril 30 – It is finished
“…they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.” – Psalm 22:30 Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:3-10 Martin…
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Daily devotionalApril 29 – Covenantal continuity
“Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the LORD to the coming generation…” – Psalm 22:30 Scripture reading: Psalm 78:1-8 It’s quite a…
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Daily devotionalApril 28 – Every knee shall bow
“All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could…
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Daily devotionalApril 27 – It’s on his head
‘All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For…
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Daily devotionalApril 26 – The ends of the earth
“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” –…
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Daily devotionalApril 25 – Joyful affliction
“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!” – Psalm 22:26 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalApril 24 – A cloud of witnesses
“From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.” – Psalm 22:25 Scripture reading: Hebrews…
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Daily devotionalApril 23 – Here is the lowest
“For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when…
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Daily devotionalApril 22 – Praise is the highest
“You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!”…
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Daily devotionalApril 21 – Expressing thanks
“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you…” – Psalm 22:22 Scripture reading: Hebrews…
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Daily devotionalApril 20 – The vital hinge
“Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have…
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Daily devotionalApril 19 – Faith cries
“But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!” – Psalm 22:19 Scripture reading: Psalm 22:9-18…
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Daily devotionalApril 18 – Who won what?
“…they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” – Psalm 22:18 Scripture reading: John 19:23-27 Our text contains the words…
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Daily devotionalApril 17 – Seeing ourselves
“I can count all my bones – they stare and gloat over me…” – Psalm 22:17 Scripture reading: Isaiah 52:13-15 Someone able to count all…
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Daily devotionalApril 16 – Pierced
“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet…” – Psalm 22:16 Scripture reading: John 20:24-29 And…
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Daily devotionalApril 15 – A suffering all of its own
“…my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.” – Psalm…
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Daily devotionalApril 14 – The only way we could die
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast…”…
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Daily devotionalApril 13 – Walking right in
“Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouth at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.” – Psalm…
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Daily devotionalApril 12 – Facing the bullies
“Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me…” – Psalm 22:12 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:18-25 It is all coming a lot closer…
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Daily devotionalApril 11 – There is always prayer
“Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.” – Psalm 22:11 Scripture reading: Luke 22:39-46 What we hear…
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Daily devotionalApril 10 – True trust
“On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” – Psalm 22:10 Scripture reading: Matthew 6:25-34…
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Daily devotionalApril 9 – Yet!
“Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.” – Psalm 22:9 Scripture reading: Psalm…
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Daily devotionalApril 8 – Words do hurt
“All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let…
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Daily devotionalApril 7 – This pains because be belongs
“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.” – Psalm 22:6 Scripture reading: Luke 23:13-25 We…
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Daily devotionalApril 6 – Where the past comes in
“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not…
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Daily devotionalApril 5 – He looks up
“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” – Psalm 22:3 Scripture reading: Revelation 4:1-11 Verse 3 shows this sufferer’s changed perspective. Now…
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Daily devotionalApril 4 – A type of grief
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my…
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Daily devotionalApril 3 – Why?
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my…
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Daily devotionalApril 2 – The psalm of the cross
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Psalm 22:1a Scripture reading: Psalm 22:1-8 These are words we all know. And we especially…
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Daily devotionalApril 1 – Introduction to the prophecies of the Messiah
The Old Testament is full of prophecies regarding the coming Messiah – the greater Son of David. Isaiah has often been called ‘The Gospel According…
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Daily devotionalMarch 31 – The Father of lights who does not change
“…the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” – James 1:17 Scripture reading: Psalm 100:1-5 James calls God,…
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Daily devotionalMarch 30 – We have thought on your steadfast love
“Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that…
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Daily devotionalMarch 29 – God is good
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow…
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Daily devotionalMarch 28 – Lured and enticed to our death
“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” – James 1:15 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalMarch 27 – Be watchful
“Desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” – James 1:15 Scripture reading: 1…
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Daily devotionalMarch 26 – Tempted in our suffering
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” – James 1:14 Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Usually, when we…
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Daily devotionalMarch 25 – Lured and enticed by our own desires
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” – James 1:14 Scripture reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Lord’s Day…
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Daily devotionalMarch 24 – Temptations make us exercise our faith
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts…
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Daily devotionalMarch 23 – We have thought on your steadfast love
“We have thought on Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple.” – Psalm 48:9 Scripture reading: Psalm 103:1-8 The writer of…
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Daily devotionalMarch 22 – Trials and temptations
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”” – James 1:13a Scripture reading: Ephesians 6:10-20 James said that God…
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Daily devotionalMarch 21 – Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth
“Like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls,…
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Daily devotionalMarch 20 – We live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord
“Let the … rich (boast) in his humiliation” – James 1:10a Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-20 We need food and a lot more besides that, to…
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Daily devotionalMarch 19 – Thankfulness in poverty and in riches
“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation.” – James 1:9-10a Scripture reading: Proverbs 30:1-9 By nature, when we’re…
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Daily devotionalMarch 18 – Lowly believers boast in their exaltation
“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation.” – James 1:9 Scripture reading: Philippians 4:4-13 Some people suggest the lowly people James talks about are…
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Daily devotionalMarch 17 – Faith is single-minded in its desire for Christ
“The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose…
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Daily devotionalMarch 16 – The city of God is beautiful
“… the city of our God, which God will establish forever.” – Psalm 48:8 Scripture reading: Psalm 48:4-8; Matthew 16:13-20 We don’t know the exact…
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Daily devotionalMarch 15 – Ask with no doubting
“Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed…
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Daily devotionalMarch 14 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… – James 1:5a Scripture reading: Psalm 111:1-10 Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD…
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Daily devotionalMarch 13 – We know God from his word and in Christ
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let…
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Daily devotionalMarch 12 – Asking God in faith
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let…
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Daily devotionalMarch 11 – Ask God for wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to…
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Daily devotionalMarch 10 – Do you need wisdom?
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.” – James 1:5a Scripture reading: James 1:5-8 It might seem as if James has changed subjects…
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Daily devotionalMarch 9 – The city of God is beautiful
“Within her citadels God has made Himself known as a fortress.” – Psalm 48:3 Scripture reading: Psalm 48:1-3 We confess (in Article 29 of the…
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Daily devotionalMarch 8 – Who wants to be perfect
“…that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:4 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:24-29 I don’t know how much we really think…
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Daily devotionalMarch 7 – The full effect of steadfastness is perfection
“Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:4 Scripture reading: Romans 5:1-11 The school…
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Daily devotionalMarch 6 – Steadfastness in faith
“… you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” – James 1:3 Scripture reading: I Peter 1:3-9 God the Father promises in our…
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Daily devotionalMarch 5 – The good thing God is doing for you when you suffer
“… the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” – James 1:3 Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-20 James says you know at least one good thing that…
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Daily devotionalMarch 4 – Be on your guard against bitterness
“Count it all joy … when you meet various trials.” – James 1:2 Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:3-17 James promises us that God is working to…
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Daily devotionalMarch 3 – God is at work for your good in all things
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” –…
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Daily devotionalMarch 2 – The city of God is beautiful
“His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth.” – Psalm 48:1b Scripture reading: Psalm 48:1-3 In Psalm 46:4, it says,…
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Daily devotionalMarch 1 – Introduction to James
The meditations for this month are based on James 1:1-18. James calls the people to whom he wrote, the twelve tribes of the dispersion. They…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 28 – The aftermath (II)
“Mordecai…sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” – Esther 10:3 Scripture reading: Esther 10:1-3 While Mordecai was proclaiming peace…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 27 – The aftermath (I)
“And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 26 – The restful reversal celebrated (II)
“The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.” – Esther 9:32 Scripture reading: Esther 9:16-32 Mordecai, as we…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 25 – The restful reversal celebrated (I)
“The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.” – Esther 9:32 Scripture reading: Esther 9:16-32 This passage reminds…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 24 – The restful reversal described (II)
“…on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 23 – The restful reversal described (I)
“…on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 22 – The second edict
“…the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives…” – Esther 8:11 Scripture reading: Esther 8:7-17 Haman’s edict…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 21 – The second request of Esther
“…let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite…which he wrote to destroy the Jews….” – Esther 8:5 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 20 – The plea of Haman
“Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king.” – Esther 7:7 …
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Daily devotionalFebruary 19 – The plea of Esther
“Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 18 – The exalted one is humbled
“If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.”…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 17 – The humbled one is exalted (II)
“Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.” – Esther 6:9 Scripture reading: Esther 6:1-13 Haman tasted the bitterness…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 16 – The humbled one is exalted (I)
“And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for [what he did to save the king]?” The king’s young men…said,…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 15 – The correction of an oversight
“And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for [what he did to save the king]?” The king’s young men…said,…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 14 – Haman’s plan to destroy
““…tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon [gallows].” This idea pleased Haman and he had the gallows made.” – Esther 5:14 Scripture reading: Esther…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 13 – Esther’s plan to save (II)
“…let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 12 – Esther’s plan to save (I)
“And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 11 – The response of Esther
“I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:16 Scripture reading: Esther 4:15-17…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 10 – The challenge to Esther
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14 Scripture reading: Esther 4:5-14 Esther…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 9 – The approach to Esther
“When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes…” – Esther 4:1 Scripture reading: Esther 4:1-11…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 8 – The plot against the Jews
“So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 7 – The plot against the king
“Bigthan and Teresh…became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai…” – Esther 2:21-22 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 6 – The appealing candidate
“Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her.” – Esther 2:15 Scripture reading: Esther 2:5-18 In our passage, peace replaces…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 5 – The advice that pleased the king
““And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.” – Esther 2:4 …
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Daily devotionalFebruary 4 – The powerless edict
“He sent letters to all the royal provinces…that every man be master in his own household…” – Esther 1:22 Scripture reading: Esther 1:13-22 A royal…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 3 – God’s providence prevails over the shame
“Let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.” – Esther 1:19 Scripture reading: Esther 1:13-22 As we reflect on…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 2 – A shameful summons
“…the heart of the king was merry with wine…” – Esther 1:10 Scripture reading: Esther 1:10-12 The drunken king of worldly power summons his bride…
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Daily devotionalFebruary 1 – Introduction to the book of Esther
The book of Esther is well-known as the book in Scripture where the name of God is never mentioned, but where the providential hand of…
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Daily devotionalJanuary 31 – Meeting the LORD
“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And…
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Daily devotionalJanuary 30 – The great commission
““Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy…
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Daily devotionalJanuary 29 – The life giving Lord
“And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 15:45 Scripture…
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Daily devotionalJanuary 28 – Unpopular judgement
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom…
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Daily devotionalJanuary 27 – Life in Christ
“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39 Scripture reading:…
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Daily devotionalJanuary 26 – Celebrating life eternal
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing…
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Daily devotionalJanuary 25 – The victory
Psalm 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. Scripture reading: Psalm 16:1-11…