1 Samuel 15:13-23 It is natural to want to cut corners. This is dangerous when it comes to God’s commands. When the Israelites came before God, they begged for a king because they wanted to be like the other nations. It was an ill-advised request. God’s original design was to be the one and only […]

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Psalm 121:1-8 When I was younger, my aunt had a short wall made of flat sandstone around her raised lawn. I had vision problems and frequently stubbed my toes on the hard stones. I became afraid of that short retaining wall. Some senior adults develop a fear of tripping and falling in later life. They […]

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Psalm 119:49-56 “In the night, Lord, I remember your name, that I may keep your law” (Psalm 119:55). There are times in our lives that seem more night-like. In the northern parts of our planet, some nights last longer than others. The Arctic Circle receives no sunlight for up to 67 days. That is one […]

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2 Corinthians 1:1-7 Some people I know have a hard time letting go of the bad things that have happened to them. This is particularly true for those with eidetic memories–what has been called a photographic memory. A friend remembers anyone who mistreated her. I blissfully remember all of those people in my life who […]

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1 Peter 5:6-11 1 Peter reminds us that the devil liked to pretend he is a lion, but he is really a snake. However we view him, he is our opponent (v. 8). When we resist him, God steps in and strengthens our faith. These last couple of years have been a challenge, with a […]

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1 Peter 4:12-19 When Christie and her sisters were growing up, they were known as the Goehring girls. Their father was 12 years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed, and the United States entered World War II. Being a child with the last name Goehring was not easy. Their great-grandfather never spoke German, not wanting […]

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Amos 4:7-13 We lived in a beautiful little town for five years, complete with a river running through it and mountains forming a stunning backdrop. It is a pristine spot for filming movies. Yellowstone Park lies just a hop, skip, and jump away. This town had just one downside: The wind would whip through the […]

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Amos 4:1-6 Amos 4 took place near present-day Golan Heights, an area fertile for raising cattle. These ancient ranch families were the elites of the day, affording them many luxuries. They were tithing faithfully and giving offerings. They had financial clout. Life seemed good. They partied with the right people, not with the “riffraff” begging […]

The post Correcting Our Priorities first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Isaiah 48:4-11 Even though blind from infancy, Fanny J. Crosby (1820–1915) composed the words to thousands of hymns, many still sung today. Living in poor areas of New York City, Fanny took an interest in those on the margins, including immigrants, the poor, and the addicted, doing what she could to alleviate physical and spiritual […]

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James 4:11-17 Charlotte was bitter, feeling depressed and useless. Then on May 9, 1822, under the counsel of evangelist Cesar Malan, she gave her life to Christ. Her focus now turned to Scripture and living the Christian life. She wrote and published Christian poetry, especially for people who were also invalids. Sometime around 1834, her […]

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