Recent Devotions
“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, ESV) I planted a small tree today, but I know it will never grow any taller or develop any fruit. Fertilizing and pruning won’t help it grow. It’s fake. I was tired of trying to keep something growing in an empty spot by my house. Then I had a crazy thought. I’ll buy a fake tree and place it there. Unless someone stands close or touches it, they will never…
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17, ESV) When Ephesians 6 describes the armor of God, it covers piece by piece the soldier’s protective gear. From head to toe, we are to put on the helmet of…
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” (I Samuel 17:33, NKJV) The Philistine giant Goliath made an imposing sight. His height (over nine feet), his…
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“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” Mark 1:4-5 From all the land of Judea, crowds gathered to hear this strange preacher who had suddenly come on the scene. He was different in so many ways; he didn’t dress like most people; even the food he ate was not what they were used to. And yet, somehow the message he proclaimed convicted…
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 Have you ever had company arrive at your door unexpectedly and been overwhelmed? You rush around, trying to tidy up the house and at the same time welcome your guests. So many things go through your mind. Have they had lunch? If not, what can I prepare in a hurry? Imagine how Mary and Martha felt when Jesus and His disciples…
“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families.” (Psalm 68:5-6, NKJV). More than once I’ve heard an acquaintance declare he would be happy to live as a hermit. He enjoys spending time alone out in the country—a great way to destress—but would he really thrive with long-term isolation? I doubt it. We need people in our lives. That’s just how God designed us. He never intended for us to go through life alone. “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for…
“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.” (Psalm 112:7, ESV) Recently, a family in my church lost everything in a tragic house fire. Thankfully, all escaped unharmed. I’ve known others who have experienced tornadoes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters. These victims often feel that their lives will never be the same, and to a degree this is true. When such things happen, so much is lost. Although material goods can eventually be replaced or restored, some things are irretrievably lost. When tragedy overwhelms us, it is so easy to ask the age-old…
