Category: Daily Devotional

Devotional Thought for Today – 01/26/2021

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Romans 7:14-25

Some of your bibles may have a heading for this section of scripture that says something like; dealing with sin, conflicting natures, or something similar. It is clear from the context that Paul is saying the LAW of God was created for those who are Spiritual people but I in my human flesh am the opposite, a sinner. 

All of us are like Paul! Until the Holy Spirit does His work in us, convicts of our sins and we repent and make Christ Lord and Savior of our wretched lives we are but sinners incapable of practicing good.

In our text v.24-25, above Paul makes ends this portion of scripture with an important reminder:

      1. He (we) are wrenched in our natural states
      2. Only Christ can deliver us from eternal death
      3. Even then there will be a conflict
      4. Our Spiritual Minds will want to serve God
      5. While our natural flesh will still desire to serve the world

I pray today that you have yielded to the Holy Spirit’s call. That one day will rejoice together in paradise praising our Savior all day long. 

 

 

Devotional Thought for Today – 01/25/2021

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:1-8

Thinking Marvelously 

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes a simple plea; think, focus on, the blessings of life. 

In today’s world, it is so easy for everyone, “Christians” included to get caught up in the day to day bitterness, evil, and sadness around us. We have a choice go with the flow, as they say, and be like those of the world, or as Paul says in Colossians 3:2 we are to set our minds on kingdom things, not on earthly stuff. This is not some self-help guru book this is straight from the WORD of GOD. No greater source, no greater help can be given.

Today I encourage everyone to focus on Christ, on the things that are true,   honorable, and worthy of respect, pure and wholesome, lovely and brings peace, admirable and of good repute, anything worthy of praise, On these things think continually.

Devotrional Thought for Today – 01/23/2021

No photo description available.

Matthew 14:22-36

There are many great commentaries on what this passage of scripture is all about.  I am not arguing with them, I just want to emphasize one point that I see as something that likely could have been me. 

Peter in the situation plays a doubting Thomas when he recognizes Jesus’s voice but still says v.28; Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

It is easy to understand the fear and disbelief at first. Only God can command nature and Jesus had just done so. Yet when Peter is assured by His voice there remains lingering doubt. 

Today’s question? Is there any lingering doubt in you? Or are you fully committed to Christ as you LORD and SAVIOR! 

Additional Resources:

What was the meaning of Jesus walking on water?

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels

 

Devotional Thought for Today – 01/22/2021

Who is the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7? | NeverThirsty

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

In this portion of scripture, Paul is describing the Man of Lawlessness and the coming “Day of the Lord.”

Our text in the picture above combined makes a clear and convincing argument that God is not sitting on the sidelines while the world is running amuck in chaos. Despite what the naysayers and poorly read theologians think, God and God alone restrains evil. 

Today I offer an article/sermon from John Macarthur and Grace to You ministries on the subject. May it bless you greatly. 

“Why Does Evil Dominate the World?”

Devotioanl Thought for Today – 01/20/2021

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except what is ...

1 Corinthians 10

This chapter is all about a reminder to remember how the nation of Israel continually disobeyed God, and for the Corinthians not to make the same mistakes. 

Probably the most recognized and most wrongly quoted verse is v.13,  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)

Folks consistently use this to say, the “Devil Made me do it”,  the old Flip Wilson theology. But Paul is NOT saying that.   He in context is saying your insistence on sin (idolatry in any form) can be overcome if you only trust God.  It is not Satan making you do anything, it is our own sinful heart.

Everyone wants someone to blame, they need to play the Blame Game, but God says the fault lies within. We need to trust in Him for the solution. Are you trusting in Christ today? 

Devotional Thought for Today – 01/19/2021

Expository Sermon from Luke 18:9-14 | In Whom Do You Trust?

Psalm 146

 One of my friends Laszlo sent me this Psalm the other day with the third verse highlighted; Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation (help). (AMP).  The last dozen-plus years in our political climate and especially the past election cycle have been a clear reminder of this. 

Maybe it is because I am old enough to remember the days of civility and reason in the houses of congress. When bi-partisanship, for “The Good of the People” and “In God We Trust” really meant something.  

Some thought Obama was the coming savior and his legacy was that of failure after scandal. President Trump’s unpolitical style and lack of decorum caused both sides of the aisle to dislike him.  Both men of great power and yet in them both was found no hope or lasting help. Joe Bidden will be the same or worse. 

The psalmist makes it clear that the only true help, the only one we can truly trust in count on day after day is God, v.5; How blessed and graciously favored is he whose help is the God of Jacob (Israel), Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Today’s question is simple, have you surrender to the call of the Holy Spirit? Have you placed your trust in the one and only who will never disappoint?  The time is now and Christ is waiting. 

Short Prayers For Trusting God

Devotional thought for Today – 01/18/2021

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:14-16

Philippians 2:12-18

This morning among my devotionals and bible verse reads was this gem. It got me thinking about all the grumblings or murmurings  I have done this past year. Not intentionally mind you but I am sure some of my posts related to my frustration with the current political climate in America came across as grumbling and murmurings. 

It is human nature to complain. I do not think it is biblically wrong to complain, I but I strongly believe it is biblically wrong to grumble and murmur,  v.14.

In context, Paul here v.12-18 is explaining how we as Christians ought to live. The emphasis is, look at what Christ has done for us, and you are complaining about a little difficulty in life? 

Again even applying outside the Spiritual, we can point out the issues of the world without seeming like just another angry complainer.  Of course, God through Paul does not leave us on our own, v.15  prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness]. 

In other words, if you are going to open your mouth do so in such a manner that Glorifies God and edifies the body of Christ (the church).

Devotional Thought for Today – 01/16/2021

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Jeremiah 9

Jeremiah 9 is a continuation from Chapter 8, a lament of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem because of the nation of Israel’s rebellious (turning their backs on God) ways. 

As bad a Jeremiah feels about this he wants to escape the events, v.2. I think so that he would not be a witness to the final days of complete debauchery/disobedience more so than the destruction. 

The people should be wailing and crying out for forgiveness but,  their religiosity is superficial.  God uses the rite of circumcision, to make His point saying in verses 23-26, we see that righteousness is not a compliance issue, but a heart issue. God says all who are only circumcised in the foreskin, ‘those ones who are wise and skillful boast in their own insight’,  but not in the heart will be judged swiftly and righteously.

Many years ago I went forward to an altar call said a little prayer, “got saved”, and all was supposedly all good. EXCEPT like Judah my heart was uncircumcised, I wanted the get out of jail card but not the LORD of my life part. 

The question for today is your heart circumcised? 

 

Devotional Thought for Today – 01/14-2021

Job: Chapter 29 - Faithlife Sermons

KJV, AMP, RVR 1960

Sometimes I think God can be quite the trickster. I mean that in no disrespectful way as He does everything for our own good, it’s just sometimes I have to laugh at the approach. 

Today’s devotional is a prime example. I have had a song by the Judds, called “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” running in my head for days and could not figure out why or get it to stop.  Then this morning one of my daily reads was from Job 29, and it all made sense. 

We all should be familiar with the Book of Job, this rich guy that has it made, and then Satan says to God he is not really faithful. To prove His point God allows Satan to tempt Job and make his life miserable. Stripping Job of all his wealth, family, and comforts. 

Here in Chapter 29 specifically in v.1-6 Job talks about those ‘Good old days’ when he had former prosperity when God preserved or watched over him. 

Today’s question is what at you longing for that has passed? Is it the same zeal you had when you were first saved?  Maybe it is a better prayer life, or a closer relationship with a spouse, family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker. 

The solution of course is trusting is God for like Job. Even in the toughest of times, we can have a heart like Job and say with him “Though He slay me, I will trust in Him”? May God grant us that strength always. 

Matthew Henrey’s Method for Prayer

It has been but for a season and when there was need, that I have been in heaviness, through manifold temptations; and I beg that all the trials of my faith may be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, I love, in whom, though I now see him not, yet believing, I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and am longing to receive the end of my faith, even the salvation of my soul. 1 Peter 1:6-9(KJV)

Devotional Thought for Today – 01/13/2021

Yes, I am back at the college grind, so we are back to short versions of my devotional. 

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Matthew 6:25-34

While there is no doubt that in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is speaking on Anxiety, (You can search those in the Search Box in the upper right) but we will not be looking at that today. 

Our text v.28a says (KJV) And why take ye thought for raiment? The (AMP) And why are you worried about clothes?  The (ESV) text above And why are you Anxious about Clothing?  The obvious is the anxious worrisome theme Jesus is addressing. But I read this morning thinking how much effort we put into clothes and other material things and not into Godly things.

The context of these verses is that God has our backs if He can make the flowers bloom clothes the lilies beautifully, how much more so will He take care of the needs of His faithful servants. 

So today’s question is where do your priorities lie? In clothes and other material things, or in the treasures of the kingdom of God, Matthew 6:19-21.