Recent Devotions
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ (Luke 14:18-20, ESV) Some years ago, my doorbell rang one evening. I wasn’t expecting anyone, but there stood a coworker. We were work friends but not of the “pop over for a visit anytime” variety. He quickly…
“Do all things without complaining and disputing.” (Philippians 2:14, NKJV) A friend of mine just got a promotion at work. She is now a team leader. It sounds impressive, especially since she only began the job a few weeks earlier. It’s not an easy job—physical labor—but with everyone working together…
“Now may the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21, ESV) Some jobs are difficult! They can…
Readers Loved
If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? (1 John 4:20, The Message) What a reminder! How we love our neighbor is a representation of the love we have for God. It is easy to forget this simple commandment, especially when people are frustrating us to no end. Showing your love to others does not look the same for every person. You don’t have to constantly be hugging…
“And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.” Mark 8:12. Have you ever heard someone say, “If I could just see a miracle, then I would believe”? When Jesus was here on earth, He performed many miracles, people believed on Him for awhile, but they were always looking for something more. This grieved the Lord. When it…
“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.” (Isaiah 59:1, English Standard Version) Imagine the crowds, and the curiosity, that day on Mount Carmel. Why has everyone been summoned to gather here? Is that Elijah standing beside King Ahab? And are those the prophets of Baal and prophets of the grove gathered over there? This is quite a crowd. What’s going on? (Read I Kings 18:20-40.) Choose Your God This was destined to be a day those gathered would long remember. The people of Israel watched and listened as…
“For the word of God is living and powerful.” (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV) We are now in the second month of the new year. Many people begin a reading program designed to take them through the entire Bible by the end of December. Even those who may not make it to Revelation 22 by the end of the year will have gained from whatever time they spend reading and meditating on God’s Word. It’s a win-win situation. I love reading the Bible, but I have a confession to make. I struggle to get through some parts. Long lists of “begats” I…
