Today's Devotion
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV) Have you ever gone on an organizing spree at home. sorting things for a garage sale or to donate to charity? It took time, but when you looked at the stack of things that will soon be gone, it felt good. Most of those things were probably used or possibly gifts that didn’t work for you. While the items…
“Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15, NKJV) At the time of this writing, I am experiencing a weed problem in my yard. I have tried pulling them out…
“And when he (Jesus) was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit… But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him.” Mark 5:2, 6. The man introduced in Mark 5:1-20 is possessed by thousands of devils. Many people would probably think, oh no, that poor man, there is no hope for him. Many of us wouldn’t even try to converse with someone so bound by Satan. However, these scriptures tell us that the man didn’t wait for Jesus to come to him. As soon as…
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:24-25 Because of who you are, I give you glory. Because of who you are, I give you praise. Because of who you are, I will lift my voice and say, Lord, I worship you because of who you are. We began this week by asking ourselves if we loved the Lord…
When you hear someone talk about the book of Exodus, what story do you think of immediately? Perhaps the story of the burning bush, or the deliverance out of Egypt, or the crossing over the Red Sea. Those are all wonderful accounts of God’s power and authority, but I would like to focus on a person who is not always on the highlight-reel; Moses’ mother, Jochebed. When we read Exodus chapters 1 and 2, we learn that Jochebed had jurisdiction over the evil decree was given by Pharaoh. Exodus 2:2 says, “And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and…
“While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and lying face down on the ground in front of the Temple of God, a very large crowd of people from Israel—men, women, and children—gathered and wept bitterly with him.” (Ezra 10:1, NLT) After years of exile in Babylon, Artaxerxes, king of Persia, decreed that any of the people of Israel who desired were free to return their homeland. Ezra, a priest and scribe, led a group of fellow Jews back to Jerusalem. Their journey took four months, but they were finally in the land God had given them long ago. What…
