Recent Devotions
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 Do you know those days that you want to give up? Life has taken another twist and you are blindsided once again with circumstances that are out of your control. Maybe the holiday season didn’t live up to the expectation of, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” as you…
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which being interpreted means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23. As you celebrate Jesus’ birth today, know that God is with you; whether you are alone in your home or surrounded by many people.…
“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…
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“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NKJV) It was a mixed crowd that gathered that day. In fact, the crowd may have been larger than any previous such event had drawn. This was no family picnic or social gathering. The scene unfolding before them was ugly, gruesome. It was a crucifixion. Simon, a Cyrenian, had been compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the crosspiece of a cross for one of those about to be crucified. Had he heard of this Man now heading to His…
“Because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins.” Leviticus 16:30, NIV. The Day of Atonement was the most solemn and sacred day in Israel. On this day, the high priest would cleanse himself before entering the Most Holy Place. He would enter into the Holiest of Holies with the blood of an innocent lamb who was sacrificed, to make atonement for the sins of all of the people. This was a day of fasting, repentance, and humility. The entire Nation of Israel would…
“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15 The third attribute of God that David mentioned in this Psalm is “longsuffering.” As we read the Old Testament, we know that this word certainly describes God’s patience in His dealings with the Nation of Israel. Repeatedly, they went against His commandments and walked in their own way. He sent prophets to warn them of the consequences, but they refused to listen and turn from their sin. When Jesus began His ministry on earth, the Jewish leaders did not…
“And they shouted it with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them, in order that they might take the city.” (II Chronicles 32:18, ESV) Once again Jerusalem was surrounded by her enemies. An emissary of the Assyrian king loudly taunted the Jews, mocking their God and trying to terrify the people so they could overtake the city. (The story is given in both II Chronicles 32 and Isaiah 36-37.) The Assyrian strategy sounded good, at least to them, but they made two mistakes. First,…
