Tag: Randy Willis
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Devotional for August 16th, 2017
I. The Word: Isaiah 1:10-17 10Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11“The multitude of your sacrifices what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals;…
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Devotional for July 19th, 2017
I. The Word: “1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was…
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Devotional for June 21st, 2017
I. The Word: Luke 14:25-35 25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.27And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot…
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Devotional for June 15th, 2017
I. The Word: Hebrews 4:12-16 12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is no creature hidden from His…
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Devotional for June 2nd, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 16:21-24 21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. 24 The grace of our…
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Devotional for May 25th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 15:14-21 14And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that…
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Devotional for May 11th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 13:11 11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. II. Reflection Questions: 1. What is the words, “Do this…” commanding us to do? 2. What does “knowing the time” mean? Historically? Literally? Spiritually? Biblically?…
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Devotional for April 28th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 11:28-32 28From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have…
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Devotional for April 21st, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 10:14-15 14How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a proclaimer? 15How will they proclaim unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of…
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Devotional for April 20th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 10:12-13 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” II. Reflection Questions: 1. What does it mean to “call” upon…
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Devotional for April 14th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 9:19-29 19You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” 20On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21Or does…
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Devotional for April 13th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 9:19-29 19You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” 20On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21Or does…
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Devotional for March 31st, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 7:13-25 13Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.…
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Devotional for March 24th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 6:15-22 15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in…
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Devotional for March 20th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 6:1-4 1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His…
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Devotional for March 13th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 5:1-2 1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we have confidence in hope of the glory of God. II. Reflection Questions: 1. We have talked a…
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Devotional for March 9th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 4:13-15 13For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15for the Law brings about…
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Devotional for March 6th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 4:1-3 1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” II. Reflection Questions: 1. What…
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Devotional for March 2nd, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 3:19-20 19Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through…
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Devotional for February 27th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 3:1-4 1Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4May it never be! Rather,…
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Devotional for February 23rd, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 2:17-23 17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a…
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Devotional for February 20th, 2017
The Word: Romans 2:1-4 1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you…
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Devotional for February 16th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 1:18-23 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal…
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Devotional for February 15th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 1:15-17 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.…
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Devotional for February 13th, 2017
I. The Word: Romans 1:1-7 1Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4who was declared the Son of God with power…
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Devotional for February 6th, 2017
This week in Starter we are going to spend looking at the background of the book to the Romans. The goal for this week is to set you up with all the context and insights you would need to have in order to launch into this next four months of studying Romans. Starting on the…
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Devotional for February 2nd, 2017
Continuing with our theme for this week that Pastor Chris introduced this past weekend, why are we studying Romans, I came across this blog entry that stirred up my affections for the Bible, and for Romans. I would agree with his thoughts and encourage you to meditate on them today as well. Preparation builds expectation, a…
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Devotional for January 30th, 2017
I. The Word: Colossians 1:25-29 25Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27to whom God…
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Devotional for January 26th, 2017
I. The Word: Psalm 119:145-152 145I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will observe Your statutes. 146I cried to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies. 147I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. 148My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate…
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Devotional for January 19th, 2017
I. The Word: Philippians 2:3-13 3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, although He existed in the…
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Devotional for January, 16th, 2017
I. The Word: Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” II. Reflection Questions: 1. What does it mean to “Bear a burden”? 2. What does it look like to belong to a church that does this well for one another? 3. Take a literal minute and ask yourself this…
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Thursday, January 5th, 2017
I. The Word: Psalm 63:1-8 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 1O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2Thus I have seen You in…
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Devotional for January 2nd, 2017
I. Word: Psalm 115:1-8 I have divided the 8 verses into two parts. Verses 1-3 will be referred to as “Part A” and verses 4-8 as “Part B”. 1Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. 2Why should the nations say,…
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Devotional for December 27th, 2016
This week, the last week of the year, we are reflecting on the year here in Starter. I encourage you to do the same with us. In my two post I will share some personal reflections then some reflections on the church. 2016 was quite a year for me personally. The highlight was Eleanor and…
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Devotional for December 22nd, 2016
I. The Word: Matthew 2 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16When Herod realized that he had been…
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Devotional for December 19th, 2016
I. The Word: Matthew 2 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard…
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Devotional for December 16th, 2016
I. The Word: Luke 2 36And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings…
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Devotional for December 15th, 2016
I. The Word: Luke 2 25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had…
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Devotional for December 14th, 2016
I. The Word: Luke 2 21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 22When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present…
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Devotional for December 12th, 2016
I. The Word: Luke 2:8-20 8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be…
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Devotional for December 11th, 2016
I. The Word: Luke 2 1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4Joseph also went up…
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Devotional for December 8th, 2016
I. The Word: Matthew 1:1 “The book of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” II. Reflection Questions: 1. Why are David and Abraham the only two selected to focus the genealogy of Jesus? 2. What do genealogies teach us? 3. Who is someone you wish could be…
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Devotional for December 7th, 2016
I. The Word: Luke 1:1-4 1Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out…
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Devotional for December 5th, 2016
I. The Word: Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 Luke 2:41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But…
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Devotional for December 3rd, 2016
I. The Word: Revelation 22 1Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the…
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Devotional for November 30th, 2016
I. The Word: Revelation 21:1-4, 6 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.…
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Devotional for November 22nd, 2016
So for the week of Thanksgiving the Starter team has decided to share with you all sermons with some of our favorite teachers and preachers. So 7 days of getting into the word with the best preachers/teachers according to the team. My (Randy) last teacher/preacher I am thankful for is Duane Sheriff. He is an…
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Devotional for November 21st, 2016
So for the week of Thanksgiving the Starter team has decided to share with you all sermons with some of our favorite teachers and preachers. So 7 days of getting into the word with the best preachers/teachers according to the team. This is my (Randy) second day of sharing who I am thankful for. Ray…
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Devotional for November 20th, 2016
So for the week of Thanksgiving the Starter team has decided to share with you all sermons with some of our favorite teachers and preachers. So 7 days of getting into the word with the best preachers/teachers according to the team. So I, Randy, am up first. This is a no-brainer for me and anyone…
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Devotional for November 19th, 2016
I. The Word: Job 42:7-9 7It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. 8“Now therefore, take for yourselves seven…
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Devotional for November 17th, 2016
I. The Word 13“Be silent before me so that I may speak; Then let come on me what may. 14“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth And put my life in my hands? 15“Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. What…
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Devotional for November 10th, 2016
I. The Word Romans 8:5-14 5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,7because…
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Devotional for November 5th, 2016
I. The Word: Exodus 40:33-35 33He erected the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the veil for the gateway of the court. Thus Moses finished the work. 34Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35Moses was not able to enter the tent of…
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Devotional for November 3rd, 2016
I. The Word: John 16:5-15 (NASB) 5“But now I (Jesus) am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6“But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for…
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Devotional for October 24th, 2016
I. The Word: Psalm 119:9-16 9How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. 10With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. 11Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. 12Blessed are You, O LORD;…
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Devotional for October 23rd, 2016
I. The Word: 2 Timothy 3:10-17 “10Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13But evil men and…
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Devotional for October 22nd, 2016
I. The Word: Acts 8:26-40 (ESV) Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[a] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a…
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Devotional for October 20th, 2016
I. The Word: Psalm 85 (ESV) Revive Us Again 1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah 3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your…
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