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MATERIALS: Scripture portions for personal study and preparation are provided for students and adult leaders. Discipleship materials are being developed for ICCM

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ELECTRONICS/EQUIPMENT: Jump seats, consisting of an electronic quiz box and 6 jump seats are being provided to International Child Care Schools and churches.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Students are receiving scholarships to be able to continue their education beyond primary school.

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June 29 to July 3, 2020

202o FM Bible Quiz Finals

1 & 2 Corinthians

Matt Whitehead Bishop Matt hails from the Pacific Northwest,

where he served as Superintendent before becoming Bishop. In the 1980s he coached a

Bible Quiz team from Newberg, Oregon. * For fun, he likes to hang out with his three

grandsons in Everett (WA). * His favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. * Psalm 139 is his

family’s grounding text. * He once totaled an acquaintance’s car (long story, big trouble).

* He was once attacked by the recycle bin in the front yard (long story, multiple stitches).

Bishop Linda knows what it’s like to be a Bible Quizzer under pressure: She was on the

Championship FM Bible Quiz team from Spring Arbor in 1971 (defeating Greenville that year). Before becoming Bishop, she directed International Child Care Ministries. Before that, she pastored churches in Michigan, Illinois and New York (including New Hope in Rochester). * Her favorite song is Is He Worthy? * Her favorite snack is popcorn with enough salt and real butter * Her favorite verse is John 15:16.

Bishop Keith planted and pastored churches in Georgia and held other leadership posts in the

FMCUSA before becoming Bishop. While he did not have the opportunity to quiz growing up, he

engaged in Sword Drills and other Bible-learning activities that established his love for

Scripture. * His favorite outdoor activity is “treasure” hunting for anything old: coins,

bottles, artifacts, etc. * He likes Riesen chocolate. * His favorite verses are John 15:5 and

Psalm 62:5-8. He follows his home teams for fun: Braves, Dawgs, Falcons.

Keith Cowart

Linda Adams

Team Competition Senior Teen Veteran THE ELITE 8 8.......................................................... 7.......................................................... 6.......................................................... 5.......................................................... THE FINAL FOUR 4.......................................................... 3.......................................................... 2.......................................................... 2020 Alpha Omega Winner: 1..........................................................

Awards Ceremony

Seniors who have quizzed 5+ years 10 years

Melody Gray

Aldersgate (Indianapolis, IN)

8 years

Josh Anderson

Freechurch (Rochester, NY)

7 years

Paul Robert Stackhouse

Wilmore (KY)

Ben Wilkins

New Hope (Rochester, NY)

Hannah Wall

Vincennes (IN)

Bekah Wall

Vincennes (IN)

Kate Madill

Wilmore (KY)

Jessie Thompson

Wilmore (KY)

Gabe Hulbert

Holland (OH)

Tim Ockrin

Pearce (North Chili, NY)

Ashlyn LeBaron

Albion (NY)

Anna Blankenship

Wilmore (KY)

6 years

Sam McFarland

Bethany (Seattle, WA)

5 years

Zephaniah Brewer

Aldersgate (Indianapolis, IN)

Becca Kremer

Freechurch (Rochester, NY)

DAVE MARKELL NOMINEES

Ashlyn LeBaron (Albion, NY)

Gabe Hulbert (Holland, OH)

Anna Blankenship (Wilmore, KY)

Kate Madill (Wilmore, KY)

Josh Anderson (Freechurch/Rochester)

Becca Kremer (Freechurch/Rochester)

Jessie Thompson (Wilmore, KY)

27

Individual BUZZER Competition: Young Teen Rookie Individuals 5.......................................................... 4.......................................................... 3.......................................................... 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Young Teen Veteran Individuals 6.......................................................... 5.......................................................... 4.......................................................... 3.......................................................... 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Senior Teen Rookie Individuals 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Senior Teen Veteran Individuals 6.......................................................... 5.......................................................... 4.......................................................... 3.......................................................... 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Team Competition Young Teen Rookie 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Young Teen Veteran 2.......................................................... 1..........................................................

Awards Ceremony

Individual KAHOOT! Tournament: Young Teen Rookie: 3.......................................................... 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Young Teen Veteran: 3.......................................................... 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Senior Teen Rookie: 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Senior Teen Veteran: 3.......................................................... 2.......................................................... 1.......................................................... Spit Shine Award Winner: ............................................................ Dave Markell Excellence in Attitude Award: Rev. David Markell served as the Direc-tor of Youth Ministries during the 1980s, before his untimely death from leukemia. His leadership and advocacy of quizzing lives on through the lives of hundreds of quizzers, officials and coaches to whom he ministered. His attitude, even as he faced death, was always one of calm, wisdom and strength. His family has consented to the use of his name to honor the Senior who most exemplifies the life of Christ through their attitudes and behavior in quizzing. Winner:..............................................

26

Stand Firm. When the Regional Directors and I discussed and decided on this theme for 2020 Quiz Finals, little did we imagine just what our world would soon have to endure … just how hard it might be to Stand Firm amidst internal and external forces challenging our health, our values, our perceptions … the entirety of how we live and react when our world is shaken. This was the more pleasant way of phrasing the theme of endurance that weaves throughout Paul’s letter. Paired with some tough-love parent-heart warning and discipline is Paul’s example of sticking it out in the face of hardships. He tells his Corinthian family that he’s been through it all—and survived, even in the depths of despair. So you can, too. He reminds them that he himself is not the one who has carved out his survival path … it is God’s grace, God’s power, God’s comfort that has buoyed him along and brought him back from death’s door. That’s an important Little Bit we can hold onto: We are not alone. We are not the first and we will not be the last to experience and endure suffering. But that’s also not to be flip about it. “This, too, shall pass …” Yes, but when we are in the midst of it, that pain, those troubles are very real. Paul doesn’t deny us that reality. Thorns. Betrayal. Danger. Grief. Life is not rosy. The life of a Christian in Christ’s service is no better (might even be worse). Write those words. Own them. Speak them. Life.Is.Hard. Unfair. If that were the last word, the only word, then we might as well throw in the towel. But it’s not. Paul reminds his readers that there is hope and peace and comfort—for us and through us. Deliverance. Restoration. And the greatest of them all … LOVE. We are to persevere, to stand firm, to endure … because the end is worth it. Salvation for ourselves and others, reconciliation … and ultimately, resurrection! New bodies, a new way of experiencing. We don’t have to wait forever—we get a glimpse of that new creation when we come to know Jesus while here on earth. That is my prayer for you this week. Let him into your heart; let him see your pain; and let him give you what you need to make it through whatever each day brings. Hold tightly to his promises. Stand firm … knowing Jesus is by your side … and he knows. He knows what you’re going through. He knows you. —Laura Christensen Colberg, Denominational Director, FM Bible Quizzing

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Zoom Central Paul Stackhouse

Cell Phone (859) 534-7344

Zoom B Laura Christensen Colberg

Cell Phone (206) 218-6575

WELCOME TO 2020 BIBLE QUIZ FINALS! 3

WASHINGTON Seattle (Rainier Avenue), STV Seattle (Rainier Avenue), YTR Seattle (Bethany), STV OHIO Holland, STV

NEW YORK Rochester (New Hope), STV Pearce Memorial (North Chili), STV

MICHIGAN Clarkston (Waypoint), YTV Lapeer (combined), YTR KENTUCKY Wilmore, STV-1 Wilmore, STV-2 Wilmore, YTV-1 Wilmore, YTV-2 Oakdale (combined), YTR INDIANA Vincennes, STV Vincennes, YTR Bedford, STV Bedford, YTV ILLINOIS Alton, YTR

TEAMS REGISTERED FOR 2020 QUIZ FINALS

Plus INDIVIDUALS from …

NEW YORK Albion

The PHILIPPINES TAJIKISTAN

4 Page 25

Round Opponent Ours Theirs Mine

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T1

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Upcoming Quiz Finals

Quiz Finals 2021 @ Roberts Wesleyan College July 12-16, 2021 Quiz Finals 2022 @ Asbury University June 27 to July 1, 2022

24

Proofreader

Bob Swank

Tournament Director

Paul Stackhouse

Stats

Heidi Stackhouse

Individuals

Christa Stackhouse

Your Volunteer Staff … THANK YOU! Quizmasters

Mark Scandrett

Bethany Hartzell

Kendall Stephenson

Joe Kirkpatrick

Jody Saunders

Lindsay Canon

Kevin Crabtree

Grant Perkins

Regional Directors Scott Sittig (Eastern) Paul Stackhouse (Mid-East) Kendall Stephenson (Mid-West) Anne & Jon Bartlett (West Coast) Conference Directors Lyle & Dawn McCoon, Sr. (Michigan) Benjamin Coates (New South) Glenn Hasslinger, Jr. (PNW) Nick Willis (Oregon) Brian Daniels (Harvest/Keystone) Tanya Perkins (Genesis) Todd Stendeback (Gateway) Matt Coakley (North Central) Jonathan Coates (Wabash) Bruce Kaufmann (Florida) Greg Fields (Great Plains)

5

REMINDERS How to reach me:

• Laura’s cell is (206) 218-6575 Zoom Room conduct:

• Please MUTE yourself when not speaking • Please UNMUTE to answer … your time will begin when

you unmute yourself, provided you do so promptly when called upon to answer

• Please do not eat onscreen; taking a quick sip is OK • Please do not create a distraction when someone else is

speaking • Please use a background that is appropriate and likewise

not distracting to others • Please be fully clothed • Please alert household members about your session to

minimize Zoom-bombing or pass-through distractions • Please ensure that your microphone is working • Please have all chargers and cords within reach • Your name (first and last) must be displayed and you

must be visible on video, preferably in a horizontal (landscape) view

If your Internet goes down or you lose connection: • Text your Zoom Room host or Quizmaster or Coach • Your team’s one-minute time-out(s) may be taken to

allow for restarting or reconnecting • After one minute, the quiz will resume

6

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M O N D A Y ’ S S C H E D U L E

Monday – June 29, 2020

PACIFIC/EASTERN TIME 4:00 PM/7:00 PM Technology Test and Q&A Zoom Central 4:45 PM/7:45 PM Login for Opening 5:00 PM/8:00 PM Opening Session - Zoom Central Welcome from Laura Greeting from Bishop Matt Whitehead Meet your Quizmasters Slide Show Captains > Team Introductions

ON YOUR OWN TIME …

(see links in digital version)

• Introduction to Dallas Christian College

• Introduction to Asbury University • Introduction to Warner University

• Introduction to St. Louis Christian College

• Introduction to Greenville University

• Intro to Central Christian College of the Bible

• Introduction to Olivet Nazarene University

• Introduction to Milligan College

• Introduction to Central Christian College of Kansas

7

T U E S D AY ’ S S C H E D U L E

Tuesday – June 30, 2020

8:45 AM/11:45 AM Login to Zoom Central 9:00 AM/12:00 PM Group Gathering - Zoom Central Welcome - Laura Music Message from the Word (Scott Sittig) Prayer Spitshine Gallery Tournament Summary - Paul 9:30 AM/12:30 PM Round Robin 1 10:15 AM/1:15 PM Round Robin 2 10:50 AM/1:50 PM Round Robin 3 11:25 AM/2:25 PM BREAK—15 minutes 11:40 AM/2:40 PM Round Robin 4 12:15 PM/3:15 PM Round Robin 5 12:50 PM/3:50 PM Round Robin 6 4:00 PM/7:00 PM Debrief de Day

Message - Tuesday, June 30, 2020

STANDING FIRM > ______________ Speaker: Scott Sittig Text: _____________________ Best line:

8 F R I D A Y ’ S D E V O T I O N A L

C A L L I T W H A T I T I S Read: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Truth in Advertising. Ever wonder how anyone would sign up to preach the gospel after hearing

about Paul’s experiences? He wouldn’t be my pick for the Missionary Recruitment Board. But

there’s something refreshing about Paul not sugar-coating things. We often hear of Christian

ministry and how rewarding it is. True—eternal rewards. But here on earth and in the moment:

Not so sweet. Despair. Distress. Troubles. Being under-appreciated. Misunderstood. Rejected

when the next smooth-talker comes through. Danger. And the best label: The Scum of the Earth.

Any takers?

Reality Check. Life as a Jesus follower ain’t pretty. It can be life-threatening. Exhausting—

psychologically and emotionally as well as physically. What kept Paul going? (He tells us the

answer, of course: Christ’s love compels ...) And while Paul finds and acknowledges those bright

spots—usually when people come across his path (Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus … Titus and

Timothy)—those moments of reprieve do not temper the anguish he admits to: despairing of life

itself.

You? Are there moments when you have felt your soul reach rock bottom? Where the pressures

you’re facing or feeling seem unbearable? Where you’d just as soon give up? “Welcome to my

world,” Paul says. Or, rather, “I’ve been there. I understand. It’s a crappy place to be.” Let’s talk.

Like Paul, you can name your pain—be honest about what you’re going through. Don’t pretend.

Don’t put on a mask or think it’s un-Christian to feel depressed, anxious, fearful. There’s no need

to sugar-coat that reality.

Higher Power. Where did Paul turn in those moments? He remembered what God can do … raise

the dead. And if God can raise the dead, he can certainly bring Paul back from the brink of death

(physical or spiritual). Deliverance. It happened once and it would happen again. And again. But

how? … as you help us by your prayers. It’s not a solo effort. Paul didn’t summon his own will-power

or boast of his self-control. No, he relied on his friends—he pleaded with them to keep praying for

him. Two things happen when we pray for one another. First, we intentionally invite God into a

situation and in doing so, there is surrender: an acknowledgment that we cannot solve our

problems. We need help. His help. Second, we invite others alongside us and there is something

divine in the exchange—the giving and receiving both of the privilege of helping, and the relief for

the one being helped. We journey together and find a safe space to take off our respective masks,

to expose our areas of need, and then to find healing when God does his thing between the three

of us.

Paul talks of mysteries. This is one of them. Beaten, and yet not killed. Dying, and yet we live on. Hard

pressed on every side, but not crushed … The world does not have the last word. God does. And his

word—his gift—is victory, not defeat.

Pray that God will give you words and space to name any hurt that you’ve experienced, and will give you the

opportunity to open up to someone who can listen, pray and walk with you toward deliverance.

21

F R I D A Y ’ S S C H E D U L E

Friday – July 3, 2020

8:45 AM/11:45 AM Login to Zoom Central 9:00 AM/12:00 PM Group Gathering Buffalo Bonus Questions Slide Show Message from Bishop Linda Adams Music … Reminders KAHOOT! INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENT: Achievers of Accuracy [Includes QUIC Quizzing] 9:30 AM/12:30 PM Games 1-4 (20 Questions each) QUIC Team scoring 11:00 AM/2:00 PM Half-time BREAK (30 minutes) 11:30 AM/2:30 PM Games 5-8 (20 Questions each) QUIC Individual scoring 1:00 PM/4:00 PM End of Competition Tabulation 5:00 PM/8:00 PM Awards Ceremony - Zoom Central

MESSAGE—Friday, July 3, 2020

STANDING FIRM > _________________ Speaker: Linda Adams Text: ________________ Best line:

20 T U E S D A Y ’ S D E V O T I O N A L

S U P E R - S U F F E R E R

Read: 1 Corinthians 4:8-13 and 2 Corinthians 11:22-29

Sum up. Paul has quite a resume of suffering. Put yourself in his shoes. Which of these challenges would have been the most difficult for you to endure? Which of them would be most likely to make you question your faith (or abandon it altogether)? Why do you think Paul kept on keeping on?

Look in. If you were to make a list of hard things you’ve endured, what would be your Top Five? Write them down. Is there something or someone that gave you hope while you were going through those challenges? Did you come close to giving up?

Look out. Think of someone you know who is going through a hard time. Do you see in that person any qualities or practices that help them day by day? If you can’t think of someone right now, ask your parents or other household members about the hardest time in their life, what they were thinking, how they coped at the time.

Bottom line. Sometimes Paul comes across a little boastful—as much as he goes on about not boasting! It can be off-putting at first, to wonder if we have suffered enough to measure up to Paul’s standard. It’s as if he’s trying to prove that he’s the real super-apostle, even if the Corinthians were a bit too dense to see it. We get it, Paul, you have the credentials. You’re the real deal. On the human side, I think there is an element to Paul’s lengthy descriptions of his ordeals, a need to be seen, heard and recognized for what he’s gone through. But there is also value in hearing these stories, knowing that he has suffered and endured … and still proved faithful, still rejoicing in the grace and love of Jesus. It shows us a way through our own doubts and despair and dark times.

What about you? Your story, too, matters. What you have experienced, what you have endured, the pain and distress you have known … there is someone in your world who is going through that right now. Or there will be someone in your future who will need to hear from you that you understand. You’ve been there.

Take-away. What is the point of suffering, of having it rough? “Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us …” Paul writes these words to the church at Rome. Be comforted, Paul says to those in Corinth. Comfort leads the way to patient endurance. Comfort doesn’t mean it all goes away. It means someone is there alongside who cares. And when we know someone cares, when we are comforted, we can endure … (a little more) patiently.

Find the Comforter in your world, whether Jesus through his words, or the hands and arms of Jesus through another person. Be the Comforter someone else needs.

Pray for those on your team today. Consider that they may need a comforting word even if it

doesn’t show on the surface. Ask God to give you the eyes to see … and the right words at the

right time to share his comfort and love with someone today.

9

Page 19

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W E D N E S D A Y ’ S S C H E D U L E

Wednesday – July 1, 2020

8:45 AM/11:45 AM Login in to Zoom Central 9:00 AM/12:00 PM Group Gathering Music/Message (Phyllis Sortor) Tribute to Seniors Slide Show 9:30 AM/12:30 PM Individual Prelim #1 10:15 AM/1:15 PM Round Robin 7 10:50 AM/1:50 PM Round Robin 8 11:25 AM/2:25 PM BREAK 11:40 AM/2:40 PM Individual Prelim #2 12:15 PM/3:15 PM Round Robin 9 12:50 PM/3:50 PM Round Robin 10 1:25 PM/4:25 PM INDY FINALS (Young Teen) 4:00 PM/7:00 PM Communion/Testimony Service - Zoom Central Pre-recorded testimonials slide show “Open-mic” sharing and prayer Communion—

Message - Wednesday, July 1, 2020

THANK YOU to Greg

Sanders and his team at EZCard

for allowing us to experiment with

this digital communication tool!

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STANDING FIRM > ______________ Speaker: Phyllis Sortor Text: _____________________ Best line:

12 T H U R S D A Y ’ S D E V O T I O N A L

M O N E Y T A L K S

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

What about you? What is the most generous thing someone has ever done for you?

What is a generous thing you have done for someone else? What happens when you

are on the giving end and the receiving end of generosity?

What it’s not. Reading Paul’s words here, I’m sometimes tempted to see this as a

formula: If I give more, I’ll get more, right? But the problem with generosity—true

generosity—is that no one’s keeping score. And if no one’s keeping score, you can’t

really measure how much you put in versus how much you get out. The exchange, the

transaction, isn’t really about the pocketbook—it’s about the state of your heart when

you’re faced with a situation where you have what it takes to be the answered prayer

for someone else. Are you looking inward and holding tightly? Or are you looking for

ways God can use you to help someone else?

Are you learning? God loves a cheerful giver. Does that mean he doesn’t love someone

who gives grudgingly? I don’t think it’s about the person, but rather the event: God

loves it when a person gives cheerfully. Think of a parent watching a child learning to

share their treasured Cheerios. Or goldfish crackers. That child is starting to see and

consider someone other than themselves, and sharing their treats is a way of

communicating: “Here. Have some. This brings me joy. You should try it.” I think

that’s what God has in mind when he sees us sharing our resources, our gifts, our

time, our treasures. “Aha!” he might think. “So you’re finally getting it. That’s a good

thing … No, it’s a GREAT thing!” I imagine him clapping his hands in delight in those

moments when we intentionally connect and let go … and give.

Real treasure. It’s a gift, really, to be able to give, to help others. Imagine a world

where no one needed anything you had to offer. That’s not our reality. If we only

open our eyes, there is someone next door, across the street, on social media …

someone who needs something that each of us have. A kind word. A smile. Help

with a house project. Money to pay the bills. Prayer. If God were the only one to

meet those needs without us ever getting our hands dirty … we’d miss out on the thrill

of knowing we’ve made a positive difference for someone. And doing so in Jesus’

name … means the glory and gratitude circles back to God, the giver of all good

things.

It’s a different economy, to be sure—but it works.

Pray that God will show you ways that you are holding tightly to things that do not bring you

joy. Ask him to help you see ways to resist the pull of the world’s economy—more is more and

bigger is better—and to invest in people in kingdom ways.

17

T H U R S D A Y ’ S S C H E D U L E

Thursday – July 2, 2020

8:45 AM/11:45 AM Login to Zoom Central 9:00 AM/12:00 PM Group Gathering Hall of Fame presentations Music/Message/Prayer 9:30 AM/12:30 PM Tournament Round 1 10:15 AM/1:15 PM Tournament Round 2 10:50 AM/1:50 PM Tournament Round 3 11:25 AM/2:25 PM BREAK (10 minutes) 11:35 AM/2:35 PM INDIVIDUAL FINALS - STV 12:30 PM/3:30 PM BREAK (15 minutes) 12:45 PM/3:45 PM Tournament Round 4 1:20 PM/4:20 PM Tournament Round 5 1:55 PM/4:55 PM Tournament Round 6 2:30 PM/5:30 PM Tournament Round 7 (Super-Final)

STANDING FIRM > _________________ Speaker: Matt Whitehead Text: ________________ Best line:

MESSAGE - Thursday, July 2, 2020

16

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T H I N G S A R E N O T W H A T T H E Y S E E M Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 >> Pretend you’re hearing these words for the first time.

Imagine. What do you think it was like for Paul’s readers to hear these words? Imagine

being part of a culture that valued thought, wisdom, philosophy, words, clever speech,

eloquent orators. Would you be insulted?

Evaluate. Put it this way—are there things about the gospel story that embarrass you or

that you find hard to explain or justify to your friends? Does it seem nonsensical? Ask

yourself why. Write down your answer.

The world in its wisdom did not know Jesus. What “wisdom” in your world rejects Jesus?

Why? God was pleased, through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Do you agree that parts of the gospel story seem foolish? Why do you think God would

want it that way—for his message of salvation to not make sense to some people who

earnestly seek out truth and just don’t “get it”?

If you ask me. I like order. Predictability. Not “control” so much as knowing what’s

coming. You can throw me a surprise party … within certain parameters. It’s better if I

have a hint (I’m perfectly willing to act surprised if that helps). If I’m honest, I probably

would have been among the rulers of this age who missed the things that pointed to

God’s wisdom. I would have wanted to connect the dots in a manner that drew a familiar

and predictable picture, not one that turned my world upside down.

There’s something our minds can’t quite wrap themselves around—how the God through

whom all things came would sacrifice himself, through his Son, to pave the way for us to

be reconciled to him, to get a fresh start. Everything we know and experience about

humankind and power tells us just the opposite—leaders in power more often tend to

abuse that power than to surrender it to serve their subjects. But Christ is the one who will

destroy all dominion, authority and power.

We’ve seen abuses of power and authority in recent days. That’s the outcome we’ve come

to expect from human leaders based on history and experience. And yet God speaks into

that history, intersects our world—and does something completely different. Mind-

bogglingly foolish. The cross seemed like defeat, but was his moment of victory.

What about you? Where do you have trouble with the gospel story? What seems too

good (or too foolish) to be true?

Pray that God will open your eyes to see the world as He sees it—and not be too quick to write off

events or persons who don’t fit your expectations of what the kingdom of God should look like.

W E D N E S D A Y ’ S D E V O T I O N A L 14

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