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What is more powerful in your mind? Positive thoughts or negative thoughts? The weight of one is much greater than the other, simply based on the way God designed us. And this means we have some work to do, lest even a single negative idea affect your belief, then your choices, then your life. 

Five Steps for Overcoming Negative Thinking:

1) NOTICE the thought immediately

2) NAME the thought for what it is

3) REPLACE the thought immediately

4) REPEAT that process consistently

5) BUILT positive thought habits daily 

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New GENESIS Daily Bible Devotional!

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Sponsors: 
Spiritbuilding Publishers
Website:  www.spiritbuilding.com

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

II John 

John writes to a selected lady and her children, urging them to continue walking in truth and love. He rejoices that some of them are living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded. He reminds them of the old command to love one another and explains that love is demonstrated through obedience to God's commands. John warns against deceivers who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Such individuals are identified as antichrists. He encourages believers to be careful and not lose what they have worked for, but to remain faithful so they may receive a full reward. Anyone who does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. John concludes with hope to visit soon and encourages ongoing fellowship and faithfulness.

We are encouraged to stay grounded in both truth and love. Knowing what is right isn't enough; we are called to live it out each day. Loving one another shows that we belong to God and are walking in His light. At the same time, we must be cautious of false teachings that seek to distort the truth about Jesus. We guard our hearts by holding firmly to the message we first believed and by remaining connected to the teachings of Christ. When we stay faithful, we grow closer to God and help others do the same. Let us commit to living with love, protecting truth, rejecting error, and encouraging one another to remain strong in our faith.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth that resides in us and will be with us forever. Help us walk faithfully in love and obedience, just as You have commanded. Grant us wisdom to recognize false teachings and the courage to stand firm in the truth of Christ. Teach us to love others deeply, showing grace and kindness in all that we do. Strengthen our hearts to remain in the teachings of Jesus, so we stay close to You and avoid being led astray. Fill us with joy, peace, and a desire to live in truth each day for Your glory.

Thought Questions:

John took great joy in hearing of others walking in the truth. Who are you attached to in Christ, whose faith brings you joy and peace?

Which is more important: the truth about Jesus or the love of Jesus within you? How do you make sure to feature both in your life?

Who qualifies as an “antichrist”? How have you prepared to respond to someone who denies Jesus Christ as Lord?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
YouTube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

I John 5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and those who love the Father will also love His children. Love for God is demonstrated by obeying His commands, which are not burdensome. Those born of God overcome the world through faith. Jesus came by water and blood, and the Spirit testifies to this truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and all agree. Believing the testimony God has given about His Son leads to eternal life. John writes so that believers may know they have everlasting life. He encourages confidence in prayer, especially regarding God forgiving those who battle sin. Christ will protect His people from the evil one, saving their souls, and challenging them to keep themselves from idols. 

Our faith in Jesus gives us true identity and lasting strength. When we believe He is the Son of God, we adopt a new way of living, characterized by love, obedience, and confidence. Loving God means caring deeply for His people and expressing that love by following His commands. These commands are not burdens; they are invitations to walk in freedom. We can approach God in prayer with boldness, knowing He hears us as we pray for others and ourselves. Jesus is our helper and protector. In His name, we are called to guard our hearts against anything that pulls us away from Him. As we stay rooted in Christ, we find victory, clarity, and the life He promises.

Abiding Lord, we praise You for the adoption You provide to believers. We believe Jesus is the Christ and embrace our identity as Your children. Help us remain joyful in Your victory and keep Your commandments with willing hearts. Thank You for the undeniable testimony of Jesus, His baptism, His death, and the Spirit’s testimony about Him. We will pray with confidence through Jesus. We will appeal to His mercy on one another’s behalf and enjoy protection through our victorious Savior. Please help us flee idolatry in every place and keep our eyes on Your Son, now and for eternity.  

Thought Questions:

Do you believe this: “whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”? If so, what about obedience, love of others, and faithfulness?

What does it mean to say that the Spirit, the water, and the blood testify of Jesus? What is the most impactful evidence of Jesus to you?

Are you confident of eternal life? Why do you think so many Christians struggle with assurance of salvation? What would you tell them?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

I John 4

Believers must not accept every spirit but should test them to determine if they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. The true Spirit of God acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, while the spirit of the antichrist denies Him. Believers are from God and have overcome the world because the One who is in them is greater than the one in the world. John emphasizes the essential nature of love. Love originates from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows Him. God demonstrated His love by sending His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Since God loved us, we ought to love one another. If we love, God dwells in us, perfecting His love in us.

We are to stay alert and grounded in truth. Not everything we hear should be trusted, so we must test it against what we know about Jesus. When we center our lives on Him, we gain the strength to stand firm. Love is not just something we talk about; it is something we must live out daily. If God loved us enough to send His Son, then we should reflect that same love to others. This means showing patience, forgiveness, and kindness, even when it is not easy. As we love more deeply, we create space for God to work through us. His presence becomes real in our relationships, especially in deeply committed love toward brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Honorable God, grant us the wisdom to properly discern truth from error. Please provide us with cautious hearts and minds regarding what we hear and choose to believe. When in doubt, lead us to lean into greater love: for You, Your people, and everyone we encounter. Thank You for demonstrating Your incredible love by sending Your Son as the propitiation for our sins. We will draw from that act of kindness to shape how we care for others. Help us develop a perfect love that casts out fear. May we be joyfully obedient to You and kind to our Christian family.

Thought Questions:

What are the “spirits” that you need to test, and how do you do that? Why is it essential to be a consistent, daily bible student?

Why should God’s people love and help and serve one another in a way that is beyond anything the world could ever understand?

How does perfect love cast out fear? How do you develop that level of love for God and others, freeing yourself from fear of punishment?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

I John 3

The Father’s love is demonstrated by calling His disciples His children, a truth the world cannot grasp because it does not know Him. When Christ appears, Christians will be like Him, and this hope inspires believers to live with purity. Those who persist in sin reveal that they do not know Christ, while those who live righteously demonstrate that they belong to Him. A defining characteristic of God’s children is their love for fellow believers. They are called to love other Christians in a world filled with hatred and malice. Hatred brings spiritual death, while love brings life and unity. By following God’s commands and believing in Jesus, they gain assurance before Him. This confidence comes from knowing that God abides in them through the Spirit He has freely given.

We find our identity in being children of God, and that truth changes how we live. We are not shaped by the world’s view of us; rather, we are shaped by the love the Father has shown us. Our hope of becoming like Christ compels us to live with purpose and purity. We cannot claim to follow Him while embracing sin; rather, we must abandon sin and move from death into life. In that life, loving other believers is not optional but essential. Our actions must align with our words, demonstrating kindness, grace, and support. When we love one another well and obey the commandments of our Savior, we defy the world's evil and stand boldly for the truth.

Loving Father, thank You for welcoming us as Your children and promising us eternal life in Your presence. Give us the courage to honor Your grace by pursuing purity and rejecting lawlessness. Root out any sin among us and help us turn away from it immediately, proving ourselves to be Your children. Purge us of any hatred akin to Cain, and help us learn to love fellow believers deeply and with a willingness to sacrifice for their good. May our hearts never condemn us but encourage us to love people and engage in willful obedience to Your commandments in Jesus’ name. 

Thought Questions:

If God is your Father, and you will one day see Him, how does that impact your pursuit of purity, discipline, and ongoing righteousness?

If Jesus’ victory destroys the devil’s work, why do we sometimes still choose sin? How will we react differently to our sin than the world?  

How important is love of the brethren? What helps you grow in serving God’s people, and what motivates you to serve sacrificially?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

I John 2

John encourages believers not to sin but reminds them that Jesus Christ is an advocate with the Father if they do. He is the atoning sacrifice for sins, not only for believers but for the entire world. Proper knowledge of Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His commands. Those who claim to know God yet do not obey are not being truthful. Love for God is perfected through obedience. John urges believers to live as Jesus did. He also presents a new yet old commandment to love one another. Hatred reveals darkness, while love shows that one walks in the light. John warns against loving the world and its temporary desires. He speaks of antichrists and urges believers to remain in Christ, holding to the gospel they heard from the beginning. 

We strive to live in a way that reflects our connection to Jesus. Obedience is not merely about following rules; it is about showing love and loyalty to God. When we fail, we can turn to Jesus, who speaks on our behalf. His grace enables us to move forward. We desire to be people who love others deeply and walk in the light, avoiding anger or bitterness. The world presents distractions and empty promises, but we choose God and eternal life. We aim to remain rooted in truth, steadfast in our faith, and committed to living like Christ. Each day is an opportunity to grow in love, remain faithful, and abide in Jesus, as we devote ourselves to practicing righteousness. 

Glorious Lord, thank You for the gift of Jesus, who speaks on our behalf and covers our sins with His sacrifice. Help us live in a way that shows our gratitude for Him. Teach us to obey Your commands with joy and sincerity. Fill our hearts with compassion so we may love others as You have loved us. Guard us against the distractions and temptations of the world that draw us away from You. Keep us grounded in what is eternal. Help us remain in You, walking in the light, growing in faith, and becoming more like Christ each day.

Thought Questions:

What does it mean that Jesus is your Advocate with the Father? How does His position affect your desire to be obedient to Him?

How important is your love for God and love for others? Why are these fundamental to every single thing you do in Christ?

What are the three basic tools of the devil to allure you to the temporary? How do you ready your mind and will to resist his temptations?

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New GENESIS Daily Bible Devotional!

Please consider adding this tool to your Old Testament study.

Next year could be the best year of your life for study, prayer, growth, and service. You will get through it, quickly, whether or not you're fully prepared. So, let's get ready. Have a plan for daily prayer and consistent Bible study. 

Excel Still More Journal - Amazon

Daily Bible Devotional Series - Amazon

Sponsors: 
Spiritbuilding Publishers
Website:  www.spiritbuilding.com

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
YouTube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

I John 1

The apostle John testifies to the Word of life, which he and others heard, saw with their eyes, and touched with their hands. This life was revealed through the person of Jesus Christ, and John proclaims it so that others may share in fellowship with him, with the Father, and with the Son. He announces that God is light, and there is no darkness in Him. Anyone who claims to know God but walks in darkness is not living truthfully. Yet, if people walk in the light as God is in the light, they experience true fellowship and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. John warns that denying sin is self-deception, but assures that if sins are confessed, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness.

As Christians, our relationship with God must be rooted in truth and light. We cannot claim to walk with Him while living in darkness. Instead, we must strive to live purely and faithfully, allowing the light of Christ to guide our actions and decisions. When we fail, we must not hide or deny our sin. God invites us to confess confidently, knowing He is faithful to forgive and purify us. Our fellowship with one another also grows stronger as we walk in the light together. We must live with integrity, seek accountability, and pursue holiness. Let us remain aware of our need for grace and continue walking in the light that leads to deeper fellowship and lasting joy.

Benevolent Father, thank You for revealing the Word of life through Your Son and for inviting us into fellowship with You. Help us walk in the light as You are, living with honesty, humility, and love. Forgive us when we fall short and try to hide our sins. Give us the courage to confess freely, trusting in Your faithfulness and justice to cleanse us. Strengthen our fellowship with one another as we pursue truth together. Let Your light shine through us, that we may reflect Your character and draw others into Your grace and truth through our lives.

Thought Questions:

Why is John a reliable witness to the godhood and worthiness of Jesus? What does it mean to be in fellowship with John and the apostles?

What does it mean to “walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light”? How do you intentionally engage that commitment daily?

Will the blood of Jesus cover you if you do not admit and confess sin? How do you communicate your guilt to God as you seek mercy?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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II Peter 3

In this final chapter, believers are urged to remember the words spoken by the prophets and the commands given through the apostles. Scoffers will arise in the last days, following their own sinful desires and questioning the promise of Christ’s return. They will deliberately ignore that God once judged the world through the great flood and that He will one day judge it again, this time by fire. Peter explains that the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise but is patient, giving time for all to come to repentance. The day of the Lord will come like a thief, without warning, and the natural creation will be destroyed. Therefore, believers are called to live holy and godly lives as they look forward to the eternal home of righteousness.

As we anticipate the return of Christ, we anchor our hope in His promise, knowing that His timing is perfect. Though the world may mock or ignore the truth, we trust that God is patient and merciful, allowing more people to turn to Him. This truth shapes how we live each day. We do not cling to the temporary things of this world because we know they will pass away. The natural world will be destroyed, but God is preparing a new heaven and a new earth filled with righteousness. We strive to live holy and peaceful lives, growing in grace and truth so that when He returns, we will be found faithful and ready to dwell with Him forever.

Creator God, thank You for Your patience and mercy in giving many the time to turn to You. Help us to live with holy hearts as we await the return of Christ. Teach us to seek the truth, grow in grace, and stand firm when others doubt Your promises. Remind us that this world is not our final home and that You are preparing a new heaven and a new earth for kingdom citizens. May we remain faithful and watchful, ready to meet You. Lead us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Thought Questions:

-       If someone is determined to pursue their own desires, how will this affect their perception of God and His promised day of judgment?  

-       What truths about God, His judgment, and His return do so many people overlook? How do you stay ready for His coming?

-       If everything physical will be destroyed when Christ returns, how should this impact the way you prioritize and live your daily life?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

II Peter 2

Peter warns that false teachers will arise among the people. These individuals will secretly introduce destructive heresies and deny the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways, and as a result, the truth will be maligned. These teachers are driven by greed and exploit others with deceitful words. Peter assures believers that God knows how to judge the wicked and rescue the righteous. He reminds them of past judgments, such as the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These false teachers are bold, arrogant, and corrupted by their sinful desires. They promise freedom but are themselves enslaved by sin. Peter exclaims it would have been better for them never to have known the truth than to malign it so sinfully. 

We must remain alert and grounded in the truth of God’s Word because false teachers still exist and can lead many astray. Their words may sound convincing, but their hearts are filled with pride and greed. We are called to test what we hear against Scripture and stay committed to sound teaching. We cannot follow the crowd or be swayed by messages that distort the truth. God is just and will judge those who corrupt His Word, but He also knows how to protect those who remain faithful. We must hold tightly to what is right, turn away from sinful desires, and live in a way that honors Christ. Our freedom is in Him, and we must never forsake our Savior. 

Righteous Lord, guard our hearts against deception and help us stay anchored in Your truth. Grant us wisdom to recognize false teachings and courage to stand firm in what is right. Protect us from those who twist Your Word for their personal gain. Strengthen our faith so that we do not follow destructive paths but remain loyal to You. Assist us in seeking purity in our thoughts, actions, and desires. Lead us by Your Spirit so we may walk in truth and reflect Your holiness. Thank You for being just and for rescuing those who remain faithful to Your righteous way. 

Thought Questions:

-       How can you identify someone as a false teacher? Explain how it is about much more than just the accuracy of the message.

-       What do the stories of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Lot teach you about the power and sovereignty of the almighty God?

-       Is it possible to be entangled in the world and lost after being saved through Jesus? Why is that worse than never having obeyed at all?