Posts with the category “devotions”

Our lives in sin before we believed in Christ are likened unto being in a horrible pit from which we could not escape. But we have a Deliverer!He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.- Psalm 40:2We were stuck and sinking in sin, and try as we might, we could never climb out, jump out, or otherwise rescue ourselves. ...  Read More

By faith, we believe that God created everything by His powerful Word. And since He is self-existent and eternal, He certainly existed before the beginning of time and creation. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." - Genesis 1:1  Read More

This is a dangerous world, and it is full of many temptations for the believer. But we are certainly not on our own. "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy." - Psalm 33:18  Read More

It is good to hear and to know Bible truth, but that is only half of what we are called to do. "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. " - Matthew 7:24-26  Read More

Our God in His greatness is everywhere present all of the time. That being the case, He is never far from any of us. "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us." - Acts 17:27  Read More

We have duties to fulfill in our spiritual lives, just as we do in all the other areas of life. But our Christian lifestyle and behavior should be directed by love rather than driven by guilt. "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." -2 Corinthians 5:14-15  Read More

We all prefer happiness and laughter, but every person must go through pain, heartbreak, and brokenness. "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." - Psalm 34:18  Read More

When we think of our heritage, we usually think of something handed down to us from our family in previous generations. And while that can be good, God has something far better in store for us. "The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." - Psalm 16:5-6  Read More

There is no circumstance in which it is acceptable to hate another human being. But there are certainly some things that we should hate. "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." - Proverbs 8:13  Read More

What are the symptoms of moral decline in our world today? It is the promotion of “self-love.” "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves…" - 2 Timothy 3:2  Read More

Most good practices are difficult at the start, but the longer we engage in them, the stronger we become. "Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner." - Proverbs 13:6  Read More

We all have deeds that we have done that we wish we could undo. We have words we have said that cannot be taken back. We can praise God that there is forgiveness to be found with Him. "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD." - Psalm 25:7  Read More

We know that the Lord Jesus was not accepted when He was on earth, and much less so today. We who have believed on Him are called to stand up and live unashamedly for Him. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God." - 2 Timothy 1:8  Read More

The Christian life is compared to a race in which we are always moving. An important question to consider is from what are we running, and what are we pursuing? "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - 2 Timothy 2:22  Read More

Believers in Christ can be assured that we never go through anything alone. Even if there is no human support, our God is always with us. "For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." - Psalm 22:24  Read More

One of the great tests of our character is how we respond to correction or rebuke. It is usually hard to take, but it is certainly necessary for all of us sometimes. "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." - Psalm 141:5  Read More

While it is sometimes true that bigger is better, that is certainly not always the case. God delights in using small things and people that are considered to be small. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." - Micah 5:2  Read More

We need to maintain a good testimony in our public lives, but it is equally important that we live right at home and in our private lives. "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart." - Psalm 101:2  Read More

Sometimes we make a serious error in judgment when we think that others will understand or appreciate what God is doing in our lives. "For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not." - Acts 7:25  Read More

We learn quickly after coming to faith in Christ that there are battles to fight in the Christian life. And the Lord has provided us with the whole armor of God so that we can live victoriously. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."  - Ephesians 6:16  Read More

The most precious possession that believers possess is the Word of God. And while our flesh may sometimes shrink back from it, our souls desperately need it. "The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." -Psalm 19:9b-11  Read More

It is not possible to go through life without being hurt many times by others, but we must never allow bitterness to take root in our hearts. "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby may be defiled." - Hebrews 12:15  Read More

There are many good things that we desire in life, but desire is only the first step. It must be followed up with action. "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat." - Proverbs 13:4  Read More

Our tendency in life is to focus on our own situation, whether it be in triumphs  or in heartbreaks. But God wants us to also look around so we can minister to others as they experience life’s highs and lows. "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." - Romans 12:15  Read More

We loved our sin and we were largely controlled by it before Christ saved us. But it was an offense to God that had us heading to eternal judgment. Salvation in Jesus Christ changed all of that. "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." - Micah 7:19  Read More

Many times the demands of life are more than we can handle. We find ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually broken down, but we were never meant to face all of these difficulties alone. "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." -Isaiah 40:28-29  Read More

Many believe that we need to show off whatever benefit, strength, or advantage that we have to let others know about our perceived greatness. But that is wrong, and it is the way of the world. "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" - Proverbs 20:6  Read More

The will of God is considered by many to be a mystery, but much of it is clearly revealed in the Scriptures. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18  Read More

We all desire kind and fair treatment from others. That is a reasonable expectation. But our focus should be first on how we are treating others. "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." - Luke 6:31  Read More

We will experience many physical dangers because we live in a sinful world. But even more so, we will be constantly under attack from the devil and his hosts because we belong to the Lord. But we need not fear. "For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." - Psalm 5:12  Read More

The world’s way to receive honor is by self-promotion, boasting, and raw ambition. But it is just the opposite in the kingdom of God. "A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." - Proverbs 29:23.  Read More

One of the descriptions of believers is that we are Christ followers. We like to follow Christ when it is easy, but we must stay the course even in difficulty. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." -1 Peter 2:21-23  Read More

As sinners, we have nothing in ourselves to commend us to God. All our talents, strengths, and other advantages could never earn God‘s favor, because they all come from Him. His grace is what makes the difference. "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." - Ephesians 3:8  Read More

Being open-minded can be a good thing when it refers to being humble and having a teachable spirit. But we must be discerning and on guard against temptation and deception. "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge." - Proverbs 19:27  Read More

REAL PEACE, UNLIKE THE WORLD’SThe Savior knew that He was going to suffer and die on the cross in a matter of hours. Yet He was filled with peace. In fact, He had enough peace to give to His disciples who were full of anxiety and trouble. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27  Read More

We spend a lot of energy trying to keep ourselves together and things under control, but in reality we are not in control at all. "And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." - Colossians 1:17  Read More

The Lord will give us many wonderful experiences in this life, and we are thankful for them all. But there is something more important than those experiences. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." - 2 Peter 1:19  Read More

Love is certainly not merely an emotion that comes and goes. And love is not an accident. We really don’t “fall” in love. Love is a choice made possible by the grace of God working in us. "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." - Ephesians 5:1-2  Read More

There are many dangers, toils, and snares through which we must pass in this world. And there are so many decisions to make. We cannot find our way on our own. "Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face." - Psalm 5:8  Read More

Part of the evidence of a cleansed and transformed life in a Christian is a cleansed and transformed tongue. We should no longer speak as we once did before we were saved. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." - Ephesians 4:29  Read More