Posts with the category “devotions”

It is a blessing to have intelligence, strength, and abilities. But perhaps more importantly, we need to have an excellent spirit like Daniel. "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." - Daniel 6:3   Read More

The belief that all roads lead to God is false. It is a device of the devil to deceive people who do not know the Scriptures. "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." - Isaiah 43:11  Read More

The trials and troubles of life that seem to be intent on destroying us are actually working for us. They are not in control. Our God is. "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:3-5  Read More

Every person lives in bondage to sin from which we cannot escape. But the Lord can surely deliver us. "And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me." - Acts 12:7-8  Read More

The troubles of life that we face are sometimes compared to being in a boat on a stormy sea at night. And that can be terrifying. "But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea." - Matthew 14:24-25  Read More

It is sad that some who have believed in Christ for salvation have been ashamed to let it be known to others. But it should never stay that way. "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus." - John 19:38  Read More

God’s Word is powerful and life-changing, but if we reject it or neglect it, we will not receive the needed benefits that it provides. "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." - 1 Thessalonians 2:13  Read More

There are many battles that we face in this life, but the battle against Satan, sin, and death we could never win. Our Lord has graciously won it for us. "O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory." - Psalm 98:1  Read More

Sometimes in the midst of hardship, it is difficult to see our blessings. But even then, we must learn to look for them and be thankful to the Lord. "And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage." - Acts 28:15  Read More

We discover early that there are many inequities in life. Some are rich in material goods, health, friends, and opportunities. At the same time, some are poor in these and other ways. Where do they meet together? "The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all." - Proverbs 22:2  Read More

As we grow in grace, we must continue to strive for consistency in our walk with the Lord. But there will be times when we are weaker than others, and we will find ourselves slipping in some way. "When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up." - Psalm 94:18  Read More

Our bodies are likened to containers or vessels, and we come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. We should earnestly desire to be vessels that God can use for His glory. "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." - 2 Timothy 2:20-21  Read More

We tend to expect instant results for everything. We desire instant answers to prayer, instant deliverance from difficulty, and even instant results in work and ministry. But that is not usually the way God works. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. - Luke 8:14-15  Read More

Our God owns everything, and He has an abundance of everything that we need. No matter what our material needs are, our spiritual needs are greater. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. - Psalm 86:6, 8  Read More

As we grow in our walk with the Lord, He will continue to shape our character and develop our integrity. This integrity will be a helpful guide in making life‘s decisions. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. - Proverbs 11:3  Read More

The Lord will send or allow some difficult circumstances to come into our lives that we don’t understand. Even while we are questioning to ourselves why this is happening, we must continue to trust in Him. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. - Matthew 11:6  Read More

It is a wonderful truth that God is the model Father, and we are fashioned after him, rather than it being the other way around. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? - Matthew 7:9-11  Read More

It is important for us to know that the Lord has some special things for us to do that no one else could do exactly like us. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. - Acts 9:11-12  Read More

Stormy circumstances will come to every life, and some more severe than others. How we respond to them is most important. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. - Matthew 8:24-26  Read More

It is often easy to show love and concern for those whom we consider to be important. But our Lord gives us a much higher standard. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. - Matthew 25:40  Read More

There is a lot of talk today about justice, and various forms of it. God is the ultimate Judge, and He is always just. The world cannot understand this, but believers surely can. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. - Proverbs 28:5  Read More

We all desire the blessing of God on our lives, but the pathway to blessing is not to seek what we want, but to seek the Lord first and what He wants. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. - Acts 13:22  Read More

There will be times when we need to confront others in love, or to restore those who have fallen; but we must judge ourselves first. Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. - Luke 6:42  Read More