Recent Devotions
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things . . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (I Peter 1:18-19) When people hear the word gospel, many immediately think about the New Testament — the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While that is true, the message of salvation did not suddenly appear in the New Testament. From the earliest pages of Scripture, God was already revealing His plan of redemption. A PROPHETIC PICTURE The Old Testament is not separate from the Gospel. Instead, it foreshadows and prepares the way for it. As we read Exodus chapters…
Faith is often tested in difficult moments. Many believers remain steady when life is peaceful, but true faith is revealed when trials come unexpectedly. The Apostle Paul experienced such a test in Acts 28. While traveling to Rome as a prisoner, he survived a violent storm and a shipwreck. After…
The events of 1 Kings 13 occur during the time when the kingdom of Israel was divided. After Solomon’s reign, the northern kingdom was ruled by Jeroboam, while the southern kingdom was ruled by Rehoboam. Jeroboam feared that if the people continued traveling to Jerusalem to worship, their loyalty might…
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“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 42:11 An anchor represents our steadfast hope in the promises of God. We come to the Lord in faith believing that His love for us will never fail, and that we can trust Him to guide us in every aspect of our lives. Under the old covenant, to enter the most Holy place would mean death. Only the High Priest could enter once a…
The greatest obstacle preventing the Israelites from escaping Egypt and entering the Promised Land wasn’t Pharaoh and his vast army. It wasn’t the daunting Red Sea or the fortified Canaanite cities. The greatest obstacle to the fulfillment of God’s promise was the grumbling of God’s people. Grumbling gives voice to our distrust of God’s sovereignty in our lives. God said, “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me” (Numbers 14:27, ESV). Like a parent who has reached the end of their patience, God had…
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Oftentimes during the Christmas season, I meditate on the reason Jesus came to earth, more often than focusing on how He came. I love the birth story of Jesus; it is a powerful prophecy that was fulfilled. However, I try to reflect on Jesus’ purpose for robing Himself in flesh to dwell among us (John 1:1, 2, 14). He came to save His people from their sins,…
“How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You are like tombs that are painted white. They look beautiful on the outside. But on the inside they are full of the bones of the dead. They are also full of other things that are not pure and ‘clean.’ (Matthew 23:27 NIRV) When I was a little girl, I loved tea parties. My mother put them together just for me and my sister. It was always a special time, away from our two brothers and childhood responsibilities. She would pull out her fine china, set the table…
