Daily Devotional

[Ronnie W. Stark]

For You
We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT) ( Colossians 1:3 )

You are being prayed over as a reader of this devotion. Sometimes it's a prayer for your spiritual growth and other times it's for protection. This is done not for personal gain, but as a child of God you are cared for and loved. Enjoy your blessings today because you yourself are considered a blessing.


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[Ronnie W. Stark]

For The Good
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT) ( Romans 8:28 )

How do you make sense of suffering when you see others walking through it or you are walking through it? It's wrong to assume it exclusively happens to punish sins. But what if we view suffering as something that God can use for good? No one claims to know everything about God or why He allows bad things to happen. Ultimately, our thoughts on suffering reflect our belief of God's character. Do you view God as good and He can use events to draw us closer to depend on Him?
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

Before His Death
This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave to the people of Israel before his death: (NLT) ( Deuteronomy 33:1 )

Moses was told that very day it would be his last. Suppose for a minute, you knew you were about to say your last few words before you left this Earth. What would your words be like? Would you speak the real, bitter truth because you can? Or would you say sweet nice things so as to boost how you are remembered? Or would you be like Moses and rise above all of that and bless those who have made your struggles even more difficult and challenging? What do you want your last words to be? Don't wait for death to come to proclaim your blessings on others.
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

With One Mind
Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (NLT) ( Philippians 2:2 )

As Christians, we are the body of Christ. Disagreements will occur among each other. We have been called to love one another more than ourselves. It gets especially difficult when toes are stepped on and territories are jeopardized. When conflict happens put a lot of effort in working together to achieve His purpose. If we can't love someone who shares our same beliefs how could we show love to those who believe differently? Are you experiencing conflict with other believers?
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

Made Right
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NLT) ( 1 Corinthians 6:11 )

Do you think God is proud, uplifted, and pleased with you or do you think He's ashamed, disappointed, and disheartened by you? The beauty of this verse is that He's taken away all of the negatives and can see you for who you are at your best. Since this is true, are you living in that freedom? Take some time and truly answer this question: what does God think about when He thinks about you?
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

[Ronnie W. Stark]

A Warrior
The LORD is a warrior; Yahweh is his name! (NLT) ( Exodus 15:3 )

Sometimes we are afraid to fight because we don't believe God wants any fighting to occur. However, there is a time and place to fight. A crucial role of a warrior is knowing when to fight, when not to, and who not to fight (such as fellow believers). The Lord is a warrior and we were designed to fight alongside Him against our fears, our addictions, protecting the poor and needy, bringing justice, or sharing freedom in Christ. What battles are you fighting? Are you bringing the Lord with you to fight your battles?
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

By Himself
After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. (NLT) ( Mark 6:46 )

Prior to this verse Jesus had performed a miracle by feeding thousands with only a bit of food. His immediate reaction is to draw away to pray and rest. Praying has a way of filling you up with energy, restoring, and recharging. It's very important if we have intense schedules or physically demanding duties, we take time to reconnect with God and restore ourselves. If you are able, take today to draw away, in order to draw close to the Lord. If today isn't possible, plan a day this week to do this.
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[Bruce Conkey]

Appreciate you posting Ronnie.

[Ronnie W. Stark]

Be Content
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. (NLT) ( Philippians 4:11 )

Could you learn to be content without a new car, iPhone, or house? If we let them, our desires begin to control us with a never ending thirst that can't be quenched. It is a daily struggle to consistently trust that God will provide for our needs as He has promised. We can learn to be content when we rely on God's promises daily. When you find yourself wanting something today, try practicing contentment with what you have.
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

Clothe Yourselves
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (NLT) ( Colossians 3:12 )

What would it look like if believers took this verse to heart? The business world would be a different place, driving during rush hour would be a different experience, and so too our own homes would be different. The world would be a better place. Do you think the world needs more mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, or patience? Choose one of these clothes and focus on wearing it this week.
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

Never Abandon
Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." (NLT) ( Hebrews 13:5 )

One of the greatest lies we are told is that money provides security. At the heart of our need for security is a fear of not having enough. At some point, when we believe this lie we put money higher than God and money is more trustworthy than God. But God has promised something greater than the lies money has told. God will never leave us. He will not abandon us, even after the security of money is gone. Are you satisfied with what you have?
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

Return To Egypt
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." (NLT) ( Exodus 13:17 )

Rather than take the shortest, most direct route to the Promised Land, the Lord took them on a longer path to avoid the Philistines. Why? God knew they were weak and if forced with choosing between a battle or slavery they would rather be a slave. Are there situations where we choose to be a slave rather than battle? We can be slaves to our guilt, bitterness, or blame rather than do the work to be freed. Have you chosen to be a slave to your blame and resentment rather than do the work to forgive?
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

Safe Path
Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. (NLT) ( Proverbs 4:26 )

Have you set a path for your feet or a mountain to climb? Set a goal and work towards it. Perhaps your goal is to graduate from high school or maybe it is to pay off a credit card. Gather your determination and work hard! Many times we get distracted, veer off the course, and then we lose passion for our path. If you stay focused on your mountain, it will surely be a safe path.
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[Ronnie W. Stark]

Coy Glances
Don't lust for her beauty. Don't let her coy glances seduce you. (NLT) ( Proverbs 6:25 )

Lust is a slippery slope. You give it a little thought and before you know it, your thoughts continuously return quickly, almost obsessively. Then those thoughts can easily turn into behaviors. We do not have to be slave to those thoughts and we can overcome them by setting up a few safeguards. Avoid pictures, books, or any daydreams that push you closer to repetitive lustful thoughts. Quickly change your thoughts when you are faced with unavoidable situations. Most importantly, keep in mind how your thoughts in the moment impact your future.
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