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The Bent Knee Time – November 24

DON’T!

 Matthew 18:15-22

Unwise criticism is the commonest and most hurtful thing in life, next to sin. Its acid touch burns and blights everywhere. Jesus gives us here the simple love-law of criticism; this: Never criticize anyone, with four qualifications: (1) except to help; (2) then alone with the person concerned; (3) then only from your knees and on your knees; and (4) in the spirit of utmost humility and persistent forgiving love. When that fails personal responsibility ends. But—“love never faileth.”

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The Bent Knee Time – November 23

A CHANGED STEP

 Genesis 32:24-32

No; he didn’t. The “Man” wrestled with Jacob. It says so. Jacob clung to the “Man.” Jacob was thinking about the terrible danger. But God was thinking about Jacob and the world-plan that centered in him. Jacob was so stubborn. God had to change his step before he would walk God’s way. Jacob’s stubbornness made the case desperate, exceptional. Then weakened Jacob, awake at last, clung in desperation. And God could bless him.

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Daily Memory Verse – November 22

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  

Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?

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The Bent Knee Time – November 22

EXPENSIVE SELFISHNESS

 Genesis 32:13-23

Selfishness is expensive. Sin comes high. It costs time, strength, heartache, and bitter tears. Jacob was terribly frightened when he was willing to part with all that valuable livestock, the choicest he had, representing long years of sweat and skill and sleepless nights. That was the rarest wealth to him. It was for just such wealth he had cheated and deceived and lied. Sin’s charges are terribly high. Selfishness is awfully expensive. Better stop before you start.

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The Bent Knee Time – November 21

PUSH UP THE CALENDAR

 Genesis 32:3-12

Sin breeds fear. Perfect love makes fear turn tail and flee. If we could be freed of all sense of fear, we’d have new bodies, the physician’s calling would be largely gone; we’d have keener minds, saner judgment, and better-balanced lives. Some day Jesus, in actual control, will turn fear out-of-doors to freeze in the winter blast. And that “some day” may be pushed nearer on our calendars than most of us think.

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The Bent Knee Time – November 20

WINNING BY BENDING

Genesis 33:1-11

Pray, and do your best, and then pray some more, and things will come out right. But “pray” means a strong will bent to the higher will. Jacob’s exquisite tact and studious preparation coupled with dependence on God won Esau’s heart. But it was a new Jacob now, broken-legged and bent-willed, weakened in his own human strength. God could help now. His strength was being made perfect in action through a bended human will.