Focused Devotions

Did you ever go to a circus or watch a talent show where a performer put plates on rods and started them spinning? Their whole act was keeping those plates spinning. What is the purpose of all those spinning plates? Have our lives served a singular purpose? How many jobs have you held? How many…

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“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’” (Matthew 9:2 NIV) This chapter gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ incredible authority and His deep understanding of our greatest need. The need for forgiveness and…

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“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” (Matthew 8:2-3 NIV) In Matthew 8, we encounter one of the…

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When we look for teachers, mentors, or counselors, what attributes are most important — age, wisdom, effectiveness, experience, authority — what do we look for in a teacher? Who are the people we choose to follow? From the moment Jesus called His first disciples, He traveled from place to place preparing people for the Kingdom…

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Do you ever do anything randomly or without purpose? Students in my classroom on a daily basis react to something I’ve said with, “Well, that was so RANDOM!” Truthfully the statements are never unplanned. The perceived randomness is to inspire a search for connections. Chapter 6 of Matthew, Jesus is teaching aspects of a devoted…

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Are we coming to the Lord today looking for advice and instruction? As Jesus began His public ministry, crowds began to follow Him. The life-lessons He taught covered huge areas of our life experiences — the blessed attitudes, being salt and light, obedience to the law of God, dealing with enemies and anger, adultery, divorce,…

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Our reading today begins with the temptation of Jesus. How often have we heard these narratives? Because the stories are so familiar do we somehow put our minds on auto pilot? Pray with me. Father, as we read these accounts of Jesus, His temptation, the calling of the first disciples, and the crowds that came…

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Do you like watching movies where the main character is introduced in the opening scene as a child, and in the next scene He is an adult on a mission to save the world? Well, that is what happens between yesterday’s reading and today’s. The life of Christ can be seen in glimpses throughout the…

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What makes Christmas, “Christmas” for you — meetings with angels, shepherds and a manger, visits from wise men, or an escape into Egypt? These opening chapters of the New Testament focus our attention on the miraculous hand of God as He unfolds the plan of salvation. In our reading today, each piece of the story…

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Wow, We are beginning the year 2025! Growing up I thought, “Jesus was coming back ANY DAY — everyday!” I never thought I’d make it out of my teens. Who would have guessed, we’d still be here on Earth in 2025? Now I’m a year away from retirement. So, Happy New Year, and may we…

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