Recent Devotions
“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” (Luke 6:48, ESV) The sales brochure of a construction company specializing in oceanfront homes informed prospective buyers that “the foundation is the most important thing you will put in your house.” The ad went on to describe dimensions, depth of placement, and its ability to meet building codes. One of their key selling points was the stability and integrity of…
“After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah…
“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out…
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“For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone” (Psalm 86:10, KJV). Con·text (‘kän-,tekst): “the circumstances that form the setting for a statement or idea, by which it can be fully understood and assessed; the parts that immediately precede or follow a word or passage and help to clarify its meaning.” Information is shared through words. A sentence or paragraph’s full meaning and intent are not just the sum of the words and their definitions. More importantly, it must also include consideration of the setting surrounding the text—or the context. We can often guess the definition of…
“Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23, NKJV) For the past few days, we have examined some key words of wisdom from the Book of Proverbs. According to I Kings 4:32, Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. Although we have only touched on a few of his wise sayings, we have discovered some truths that when applied will help us successfully navigate life. We’ve also seen how these proverbs align with other Bible passages. God’s Word is an instructional manual for life. That’s why it is so vital that we not…
“You will only look on with your eyes And see the retaliation against the wicked. For you have made the Lord, my refuge, The Most High, your dwelling place.” Psalm 91:8-9 NASB RECOMPENSE / shillumah / reward, reparation, retribution Bible Hub: “The term ‘shillumah’ refers to the concept of recompense or reward, often in the context of repayment for actions, whether good or bad. It conveys the idea of receiving what is due, either as a reward for righteousness or as a consequence for wrongdoing.” Webster’s 1828: “To require; to repay; to return an equivalent; in a bad sense.” FOR YOU HAVE MADE…
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act . . . Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:5, 7, ESV) Patience seems in short supply these days with many people. They resent waiting in line, expect service in mere seconds, and feel their time is more important than anyone else’s. We live in an impatient world. Sometimes I just wave them ahead, and smilingly say, “I’m retired. I have time to wait.” The one or two minutes I might save by pushing forward just doesn’t matter that much. There’s a lot…
