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Key verse For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Romans 4:3 NKJVThe incredible thing about relating to God is that He always has one desire—that we would believe Him. We see the Old Covenant with the Ten Commandments and all of the detailed rules and regulations about how to relate to God, but that was never what He wanted. Before the Old Covenant ever came
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Key verse They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NIVOne early morning before dark, I got to church ready to help set up at our Viera location. I was feeling fully exhausted, rubbing sleep out of my eyes, and hoping the coffee in my hand would give me the energy I so desperately needed. As I rounded the corner, one particular man,
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Key verse You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:14 NIVAt first glance, this verse makes friendship with God sound so conditional and almost contractual, as though friendship with God is something that we must earn on our own merit. But God is so relational! This verse, out of context, doesn’t sound very loving. But as we unpack the surrounding verses, we see key themes beautifully interwoven showing God’s heart
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Key verse Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLTI can’t recall the last occasion I glanced at my wife and said, “Good morning! I’m your husband, Keith. I hope you have a good day.” In fact, if I ever have, I’ve got serious problems. No. Conversations with my wife typically pick up from the last time we spoke to one another. Though there may be moments when we haven’t seen each other for what feels
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Key verse What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:12-14 NIVAs we begin to break down this passage of scripture, we see King David ask, “What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to
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Key verse The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Matthew 13:44 NLTJesus often taught people about the kingdom of heaven using parables or stories. In this parable, we get a glimpse of what it means to be so enraptured with Jesus that we would be willing
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Key verse I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:20-21 NKJVIn 1911 a woman by
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Key verse Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NIVJohn 8:32 is one of the most widely quoted verses. Yet, to this day, I’m not sure how many people really understand what it is saying. I remember when I first heard that verse. I was super excited and thought that I had discovered gold. I remember reciting it over and over saying, “You will know the truth,
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Key verse So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world…So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:9-10, 16 NLTI have spent far too much
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Key verse I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. Luke 7:47 NLTThis has always been one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. A woman who was overwhelmed by sin breaks a beautiful alabaster jar filled with perfume to wash Jesus’ feet. This act of worship and sacrifice causes tension and concern from the