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2019 Do Not Be Afraid 3 9 19 & 4 12 23 The Way 3 22 19 2018 The God Of Hope 3 1 18 He Is Risen 4 1 18 The Word Became Flesh 12 23 18 2017 Is Heaven Both Present And Future In Your Life? 3 11 17 Followers Of Christ 12 20 17 |
2016 Children Of God 2 15 16 Love One Another 3 5 16 He Is Risen! He Is Not Here 3 22 16 Put Jesus First 12 16 16 2015 I Am The Life 3 12 15 & 9 4 20L The Second Adam 3 18 15 & 9 10 20 |
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Saturday, March 9, 2019 & Wednesday, April 12, 2023 |
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Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6 (NIV) - "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he had said. Come and see the place where he lay.'" Message: This experience would make the women want to rush to declare the impossible good news; Jesus has been raised! There is plenty going on in the world today and possibly in our personal lives as well - that seems as earth shattering as the crucifixion and the death of Jesus. But we know that with some experiences with dramatic change: sudden loss, and world events, that we cannot control, we can tap into the truly inspired faith that Jesus Christ's relationship with us can bring! Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us all to be able to show others that Jesus can and will bring saving grace to us by displaying love in: needs, attitudes and words. In His Name. Amen. Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Saturday, March 23, 2019 |
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Scripture: John 14-6 (NIV) - "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." Message: There are some people reading this who believe that knowing God, and or about Him, is all that is needed for anyone to obtain salvation. Jesus assures us that HE is the only way to God. Jesus is not one way among many ways, but THE way (and THE truth)! The Bible gives us proof that Jesus requires a relationship with us for Easter to happen for us. Prayer: Lord, as the days draw near Easter, help us to become more aware of everything Jesus has done for us. Amen! Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Thursday, March 1, 2018 |
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Scriptures: Romans 15:13 - "May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."John 1:12-13 (NIV) – “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Message: At first glance, this verse does not seem to contain a message for Easter. However, "The God of Hope" is open to all who believe in Him.* Hope cannot be conjured up by man's effort; it is God's gift by His Spirit. This verse is a prayer for satisfied souls in Christ to know and experience the peace, the hope, the love, the victory, the joy, and the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. This is He who makes us one in Jesus Christ our Lord. There could be someone reading this message who is not a member of God's family and is wondering how to accomplish the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The apostle John wrote in his book that completes the gospel story: “Yet to all who did receive [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Membership in God's family is by grace alone - the gift of God. It is never a human achievement. This gift must be opened and believed in accordance with God's sovereign will. When we have this gift of belief, we trust in "The God of Hope," who will fill us with all joy and peace. Lord, You alone are the God of Hope. May You help each of us trust You so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Jerry Cloud (deceased)*Editor’s note: The edit, [However, “The God of Hope” is open to all who believe in Him.] was approved by Pastor Chris Jones. Back to top |
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Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 |
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Scriptures: Luke 24:5b-6a (NASB) - "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen." John 14:5-7 (NASB) – “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.’” John 11:25-7 (NASB) – “Jesus said to her [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.’” Message: Easter is the most important celebration in a believer's life. For a Christian, believing in Jesus and following Him is a grace-given ticket, to heaven. For a non-believer, Easter symbolizes the possibility for anyone to become a believer and secure salvation and eternal life. There are skeptics and those who simply cannot comprehend Jesus being raised to life after He was crucified, dead, and buried. Didn't Jesus wind up just outside Jerusalem on a cross? Wasn't He crucified? He died, didn't He? Too bad if He were really God, as He claimed, death would not have stopped Him. Instead, He would have come more alive than ever. The Good News of Easter is that death did not stop Him. The empty tomb is still empty. He is alive today - more alive than ever. Other individuals will say, “I believe in God. Isn’t that enough?” But Jesus said, “no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6b). The Bible tells us Jesus also declared, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” (John 11:25-26a). He is risen. He is risen indeed! Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are so very grateful that You brought Jesus to us from heaven through His incarnation and for what Easter means to each of us. In His holy name. Amen. Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, 2018 |
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Scriptures: John 1:14 (NIV) - "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Matthew 5:9 (NIV) – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” John 1:12 (NIV) – “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” Romans 8:14 (NIV) – “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Galatians 3:26 (NIV) – “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,” Philippians 2:15 (NIV) – “so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” 1 John 3:1 (NIV) – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” Message: The phrase “became flesh” means the Word became human or incarnate. By doing so, Christ became the perfect teacher. He was also the perfect role model of how we are to think, what we are to become, and how we are to live, giving us the power to live as He did. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice as He gave Himself for all our sins, and His death satisfied God’s requirements for removing our sin. “The one and only Son, who came from the Father” means Jesus is God’s only and unique Son. Jesus enjoys a one-of-a-kind relationship with God, unlike believers, whom Scripture calls “children of God” and “born of God”. When Jesus was born, God became a man. Probably the two most common errors people make about Jesus are: to minimize His humanity; or to minimize His divinity. He was not part man and part God; He was completely human and completely divine. Before Christ came, people had only a partial knowledge of God. But after Christ came, people could know God more thoroughly because He became visible and tangible in Christ. Jesus is the perfect expression of God in human form. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are eternally grateful for You sending Jesus - the Name above all names, our Lord and Savior - to us. In this Advent season, help all believers, preachers, and teachers to focus on Jesus, His life, and His teaching and not on the meaningless material things we encounter. In His name we pray. Amen. Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Saturday, March 11, 2017 |
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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV) – “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,” Message: The apostle Paul tells us that since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. How can we be declared guilty for something Adam did thousands of years ago? Many feel it isn’t right for God to judge us because of Adam’s sin. Yet each of us confirms our solidarity with Adam by our own sins every day. We are made of the same “stuff” as Adam and are prone to rebel. We are judged for the sins we commit because we are sinners. It isn’t fairness we need – it is mercy. If you have committed your life to Jesus, have been born again, and you have asked for the forgiveness of your sins; heaven is both present and future in your life. As you walk along your life-path following Jesus and holding His hand, you are already in touch with the essence of heaven: nearness to Him. You can also find many hints of heaven along your pathway, because the earth is radiantly alive with His presence. The absolute certainty of your heavenly home gives you peace and joy to help you along your journey. You know that you will reach your home in Jesus’ perfect timing: not one moment too soon or too late. Let the hope of heaven encourage you, as you walk along the path of life with Him. Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to celebrate Easter realizing that without Jesus' resurrection there would not be any hope of heaven for mankind. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017 |
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Copyright Issue - Devotional cannot be viewed at this time (deceased |
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Monday, February 15, 2016 |
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Scripture: John 3:36 - "...Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." Message: As this Lenten season leads us to Easter Sunday, let us be mindful that in the life of Jesus, His death on the cross and resurrection was by far the most important event in all of the world's history. Many people believe that any human being living on planet Earth is one of God's children. However, the Scripture does not agree with this belief. It states... "Yet to all who receive Him, to those who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of Godhildren born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (John 1:12-13) Also, most people believe that good people go to heaven. The Bible declares, "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36) What about the question of how many people will go to heaven? The scripture tells us - "Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) These are a few of God's standard revelations given to those who want to spend eternity with Him. For those who know "these facts," our purpose is to inform others of these truths. May we ALL serve Him this season by sharing with many, some basic spiritual truths.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us all to be obedient to Your Word and Will in
our daily lives, and to be witnesses for Jesus wherever we may be. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Jerry Cloud
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Saturday, March 5, 2016 |
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Scripture: John 14:6 "When Jesus came to Earth as His virgin mother's newly born child, His ministry was always to testify to the truth and to love others. During his life he spent most of his time teaching, preaching the Gospel message and healing the needy. Nearing the end of His time on Earth, he told his disciples; 'I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the father except through me.'" Message: The Way - Jesus is not One way, but the Only way for a relationship with God the Father. The Truth - Jesus is not the Only truth, but the Absolute Truth. Meaning that Biblical truths are for all people, in all places and at all times. The Life - Whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! This is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. (The Message - John 3:36) As we prepare our hearts and minds for a blessed Easter Sunday, let us always be mindful that God the father and Jesus the Son love us all, each one of us, as we are still sinners. They sustain us with their love and compassion. There is something we should do for the Father and the Son, "Love your Neighbor as Yourself." Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to be followers of Jesus wherever we go and whatever we do. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Tuesday, March 22, 2016 |
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Scripture: Mark 16:6 - "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here." Message: When Mary Magdalene and her companions were bringing spices to anoint Jesus' body, they were told; "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here." (Mark 16:6) This was the most wonderful news of all time. Easter Sunday, was then established, and it is now and will be until end times, celebrated as Jesus' Resurrection Day. Easter Sunday, symbolizes Jesus' triumphant battle with Satan in which all believers will one day share. The Bible relates; "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?" This gives everyone a benchmark by which they can choose to follow Jesus or follow Satan. However, believing in Christ and following his teaching (the Bible) will guarantee that a person's soul and spirit will spend eternity with our Heavenly Father and His Son in Heaven. For those who do not decide to conform to this, their soul and spirit will be subjected to God's wrath for all of eternity. We must all remember that Scripture tells us Jesus said; "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Thus our only way to heaven is having a personal relationship with Jesus. Prayer: Help us to be willing and able to tell others what a wonderful and fulfilling life a believer has and will always have. Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Copyright Issue - Devotional cannot be viewed at this time Jerry Cloud (deceased) |
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Thursday, March 12, 2015 & Friday, September 4, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: Luke 24:5b-6a (NIV) – “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”Message: This is the message received by the women who had been faithful in following Jesus. They were the first to learn of His resurrection as they were bringing spices to anoint His body for burial. Earlier, Jesus responded to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26 - NIV). The resurrection and life of the believer is present right now because Jesus is the Lord of life. A life that is of such quality that the believer will never die spiritually. At death, the spiritual part of a believer, their soul and spirit, goes to be with the Lord. This has become available to all people because of Jesus’ life and resurrection. Also, it is by far the most important and meaningful event in all of the world’s history. Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that more and more people are able to learn of Jesus’ life and resurrection and what the true meaning of its wonderful results implies for all humanity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Jerry Cloud
(deceased) |
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015 & Thursday, September 10, 2020 - "The Connection" Series |
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Scripture: Romans 5:18 (NRSV) – “Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.” Message: In the verse above, “one trespass” was Adam’s original sin, which condemned all of mankind. Thus, everyone born since then was born spiritually dead. Their souls and spirits would stay in that condition until they made the decision to be reborn, or born again. Also, the phrase “one act of righteousness” was Jesus’ response to that trespass. By being crucified, then being resurrected on Easter Sunday, all humanity could be redeemed and have eternal life. However, only those who make the choice to follow Him will be born again. Sometimes Jesus is referred to as the “Second Adam,” meaning that what He has done for righteousness (dying and being resurrected) solved what the first Adam did to cause the condemnation of all people. The term “born again” is synonymous with being saved when used in a spiritual connotation as recorded in John 3:5 (NSRV) – “Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit’”. This is one of many reasons why Easter Sunday, is so special! Prayer: Dear Lord, our heavenly Father, we thank You for all of our many blessings and opportunities in life. We cannot find the words to praise You enough for the word in the Gospel of John 1:14a (NRSV) “And the Word become flesh and lives among us,”. Your Son has become our only hope in this fallen world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Jerry Cloud (deceased)(first published in 2015) |
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