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Why the Increased Pressure?

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  “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you.…And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.” Exodus 7:3–5, NIV Why the Increased Pressure? After God told Moses to go and tell Pharaoh to let the Israelite slaves go free, Moses was overwhelmed with insecurities and feelings of intimidation, by the pressure to do something he didn’t feel qualified to do. Then on top of it, God caused Pharaoh, one of the most powerful rulers in the world, to be stubborn and say no. Why? The pressure was a setup. God was using Pharaoh to create so much adversity that He could show His power in a greater way when He set the slaves free. It would be a greater miracle. There are times when God will lead you down a path, open a door, but then He’ll increase the pressure. People come against you, there’s a setback or a betrayal, the door closes. You’re right wh...
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What Control You - Earthly Desires or Heavenly Ones?

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  What Controls You – Earthly Desires or Heavenly Ones? Scripture: Romans 5:20, NIV “ The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. ” (Romans 5:20, NIV) We must be careful about what we desire. Desiring only earthly things, with no thought of the eternal implications, is a formula for disaster. “ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ ” (Philippians 3:18–20, NIV). It is critical that the resurrection power of Christ be at work in our life. As this power grows in the heart of the believer, the spiritual desires to invest our time, talent, and treasure in the Kingdom will overcome desires of a perishable nature...
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1 King 19:1-21!

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  1 Kings 19:1–21: Elijah flees from Queen Jezebel’s wrath and prays for God to take away his life. He is told to go to Mount Sinai where he hears the voice of God. Following God’s instructions, Elijah calls Elisha to succeed him as prophet. Today’s Key Verse: 1 Kings 19:10a GNT [Elijah] answered, “LORD God Almighty, I have always served you—you alone.” Read 19 King Ahab told his wife Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had put all the prophets of Baal to death.  2  She sent a message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't do the same thing to you that you did to the prophets.”  3  Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. Leaving the servant there,  4  Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree and wished he would die. “It's too much, Lord,” he prayed. “Take away my life; I might as well be dead!” ...
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Is Knowing God Your Top Priority?

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  Is Knowing God Your Top Priority? Scripture: Philippians 3:10, NIV and Job 22:21–25, NIV “ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death ” (Philippians 3:10, NIV). “ Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you ” (Job 22:21–25, NIV). Here it is in a nutshell: Knowing God through Christ is priority number one in the life of the Christian. As we get to know God and store his Word in our heart, the Word of God will become personally operative in our life. Paul  wanted to know Christ and the power of his resurrection above all. Job  realized ...
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1 King 18:41-46!

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  1 Kings 18:41–46: Elijah instructs King Ahab to return home as the drought ends and heavy rain falls over the land. Today’s Key Verse: 1 Kings 18:41 GNT Then Elijah said to King Ahab, “Now, go and eat. I hear the roar of rain approaching.” Read 41  Then Elijah said to King Ahab, “Now, go and eat. I hear the roar of rain approaching.”  42  While Ahab went to eat, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bowed down to the ground, with his head between his knees.  43  He said to his servant, “Go and look toward the sea.” The servant went and returned, saying, “I didn't see a thing.” Seven times in all Elijah told him to go and look.  44  The seventh time he returned and said, “I saw a little cloud no bigger than a man's hand, coming up from the sea.” Elijah ordered his servant, “Go to King Ahab and tell him to get in his chariot and go back home before the rain stops him.” 45  In a little while the sky was covered with dark clouds, ...
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The Power of God’s Word!

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  The Power of God’s Word Scripture: Isaiah 55:11, NIV “ …So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. ” (Isaiah 55:11, NIV) No wonder the Scripture says,  “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord ” (Deuteronomy 8:3, NIV). God’s Word is powerful. Active. It accomplishes. Wherever it is sent, it prospers. To fulfill God’s purposes, we need more than material things. We need to absorb God’s Word. As we do so, we learn more about the mind of God and open ourselves to receive revelations he wants us to know and enjoy. Jesus says, “ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life ” (John 6:63, NKJV). By his Word we are renewed inwardly. His Word is like discovering the treasure of treasures. “ For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lor...
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Pass It On !

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  I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God. 2 Timothy 1:5–6, NIV Pass It On The apostle Paul mentored a young man named Timothy who had gotten discouraged in his ministry. Paul wrote to him: “Stir up your gifts. Fan the flame. Get your passion back. Keep the faith.” And he reminded Timothy that when he did, his faith was not just making his life better, but it would impact his children and grandchildren just as the faith of Timothy’s grandmother and mother impacted him. Every time you stand strong, do the right thing when it’s hard, and believe for your dreams even though circumstances are against you, you’re making it easier on your children and grandchildren. It’s not just personal; it’s generational. That should inspire us to live a life of faith. You’re making it better for your children and grandchildren. Yo...
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