Recent Devotions
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 This week we are looking at the Beatitudes and considering how we can apply them to our lives in a way that brings us to the place where the Lord calls us blessed. Over the last months, a lot of us have lost loved ones, and have had reason to mourn for them. The typical meaning of the word “mourn” is feel or show deep sorrow or regret for (someone or their death). When we are facing these situations, we know that the Lord provides comfort and gives…
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,” Matthew 5:1-2 We are all familiar with the story recorded in Matthew 5-7, often referred to as The Sermon on the…
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. (I Thessalonians 5:12-13, NKJV) October is Pastor Appreciation Month, so today…
Readers Loved
“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: So he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay…
“The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps” (Proverbs 14:15, NKJV). Have you ever been confused about what’s true and what isn’t? I have. I read articles on the internet that make me wonder. Some sound plausible but others seem questionable at best, even ridiculous. Misinformation, or fake news, is more readily available and spreads faster because of our modern technology. It doesn’t matter the subject—politics, health, financial investments, God’s Word—false information comes wrapped in smooth words and impressive presentations. How can we determine what to believe? Proverbs 14:15 warns us to be cautious about what…
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified” Isaiah 61:3, New King James Version). I overheard a conversation between two ladies at church, both going through difficult times. One had battled her situation for several months, the other not as long. The “veteran” was advising her friend, “When things get really bad, I just begin to praise.” For her, putting on the…
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45) David was the youngest of Jesse’s boys. He was a shepherd, possibly in his teens. He was not able to join the Israelite army because he was too young, but his brothers were old enough to enlist. One day, Jesse asked David to take some food to his brothers. When David arrived…
