Many people believe that the Bible is too deep and difficult for them to understand. In their opinion, studying the Bible should be left up to the Pastor or Sunday School Teacher. Indeed the Bible is the world’s most profound book; yet it is not beyond our understanding. Though there many countless details found within the pages of scripture; the Bible as a whole can be divided into three scenes.
Devotional: ‘The Power of a Pure Heart’
Psalm 126:1 Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. 3 For Your faithful love is before my eyes, and I live by Your truth. 4 I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites. 5 I hate a crowd of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, Lord, 7 raising my voice in thanksgiving and telling about Your wonderful works. 8 Lord, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. 9 Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed 10 in whose hands are evil schemes, and whose right hands are filled with bribes. 11 But I live with integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; I will praise the Lord in the assemblies. CSB
The Bible does not tell us what the occasion was that caused David to write this psalm. Perhaps it was at the time when Saul hunted for his life. Perhaps it was during the day when his son Absalom was trying to overthrow him and take the throne. Regardless of what the event was, it caused David to cry out to God for help.
Devotional: ‘There Will Never Be a More Convenient Season’
Acts 24:25 Now as he (Paul) spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I find time I’ll call for you.” CSB
Paul had been arrested for preaching the gospel; yet he did allow his difficult circumstances to cause him to become silent. Even in prison he continued to appeal to men to be saved. As he stood before a Roman official named Felix, Paul boldly proclaimed our need of salvation. Consider these three important parts of Paul’s message:
Devotional: ‘Serving With the Right Motives’ pt. 2
Matthew 19:27 Then Peter responded to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You. So what will there be for us?” CSB
Peter and his fellow disciples were paying a great price in order to follow Christ. They had walked away from their boats and fishing nets. Some had not seen their families for many days. They often slept on the ground and ate whatever someone was willing to share with them. Above all, there was an attitude of animosity among the religious leaders that was steadily growing against them. Considering the price they were paying – what would be the reward?
Devotional: ‘Serving With the Right Motives’ pt. 1
Matthew 19:27 Then Peter responded to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You. So what will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. CSB
Devotional: ‘God On Our Side’
Romans 8:31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. CSB
Devotional: ‘The Light, Love and Joy of God’s Presence’
“May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.” (Andrew Murray)
What a wonderful day it would be if we could spend every single moment in the light, love and joy of God’s presence. Almost sounds like heaven, doesn’t it? Such a blessing will not be totally possible until we are in heaven. Not until our fallen nature has been completely eradicated will we be totally free from the presence of sin. Yet much of each day can be a taste of heaven. Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we can spend many moments of this day in the joy of God’s presence.
Devotional: ‘A Conscience Void of Offense’
1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they give you the confidence to fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples of this. I turned them over to Satan so they would learn not to blaspheme God. NLT
The Apostle Paul often referred to our conscience. (see Acts 23:1; 24:16; Rom 2:15; 9:1; 13:5; 1 Cor 8:7; 8:10; 8:12; 10:25; 10:27-29; 2 Cor 1:12; 2 Cor 4:2; 1 Tim 1:5; 1:19; 3:9; 4:2; 2 Tim 1:3 and Titus 1:5) What is our conscience and why is it important?
Devotional: ‘A Perfect Portrait of Grace’
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10 We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. CSB
From the very beginning of his ministry, Paul was told that he would suffer. His suffering included beatings, stoning, shipwreck, sleepless nights, imprisonment and hunger. Yet in all of these things he was more than a conqueror. (see Rom 8:31-39) Why? What gave Paul the victory during his times of trouble?
Devotional: ‘We Need Each Other’
Exodus 17:8 At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us, and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.” 10 Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put [it] under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword. CSB
