Daily Devotionals

Devotional - Glorious Day

2020-01-23T05:35:00Z

“and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.’” – Revelation 15:3

The Christian song, “Glorious Day” sung by the group Passion is all about what God has done for us said Kristian Stanfill, their lead singer. “When you start singing about that and singing about coming back to life and our dead heart beating the life of Jesus, it really brings a joy out of people,” Kristian said.

Kristian wrote the song in 2017. Going a little deeper into the song, the guys from Passion said, “What I like so much about God is that He didn’t stop at saving us… In the bridge, that’s what we start singing about… We start claiming things about our lives. That we were dead, but now we’re alive! And we may have felt alone, but we’ve actually been invited to be a citizen of the kingdom of heaven! So, the future is bright.”

All of the Lord’s marvelous works are to bring us to salvation and restored fellowship with Him. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His love towards you.

“You called my name And I ran out of that grave Out of the darkness Into Your glorious day” – Kristian Stanfill

God’s Word: “And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” – Revelation 5:9

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON

2020-01-22T05:49:00Z

“The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath.” – Revelation 14:19

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician in the early 1700’s during the Baroque period. Many of his compositions were centered on Biblical texts.

There are more than 1000 pieces of his music that have survived. One of his lesser-known works is known as “Christ in the Wine Press.” It is an allegory of the suffering Savior. The bass aria with trumpet of the Ascension cantata by Bach celebrates in song the 63rd chapter of Isaiah.

The translation of Bach’s lyrics is:

“It is He, who completely alone has trod upon the winepress full of sorrow, torment and pain, to save the lost ones through a precious purchase. You Thrones, stir yourselves, and set a wreath upon Him!”

Bach's word-painting is combined with the music from a trumpet and bass solo, with the numerous leaps that represent the jumping up and down of Christ as he tramples the grapes in order to redeem mankind.

Through the troubles of this earth, we must realize that the Lord is returning and bringing a new Heaven to those who eagerly await Him. Today in prayer, praise Jesus Christ for His love towards us. Praise Him that He was crushed for our sin and He is coming again!

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me: As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on.” – Julia Howe

God’s Word: “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.” – Isaiah 63:3

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - The Mark

2020-01-21T05:55:00Z

“He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.” – Revelation 13:16-17

When Patrick McMullan wants a Diet Dr Pepper while he’s at work, he pays for it with a wave of his hand. McMullan has a microchip implanted between his thumb and forefinger, and the vending machine immediately deducts money from his account. At his office, he’s one of dozens of employees who have been doing likewise since 2017.

McMullan is the president of Three Square Market, a technology company that provides self-service mini-markets to hospitals, hotels, and company break rooms. In August 2017, he became one of roughly 50 employees at its headquarters in River Falls, Wisconsin, who volunteered to have a chip injected into their hand.

The idea came about in early 2017 when he was on a business trip to Sweden—a country where some people are getting subcutaneous microchips to do things like entering secure buildings or booking train tickets. It’s one of the very few places where chip implants, which have been around for quite a while, have taken off in some fashion.

The chips he and his employees got are about the size of a very large grain of rice. They’re intended to make it a little easier to do things like get into the office, log on to computers, and buy food and drinks in the company cafeteria. Like many RFID chips, they are passive—they don’t have batteries, and instead get their power from an RFID reader when it requests data from the chip.

Steve Kassekert, vice president of finance, is so used to using his hand to pay for a soda at work that he was annoyed when the RFID reader on the vending machine went down a couple of months ago.

“It’s just become such a part of my routine,” he said.

Christians need to live by faith that only God will provide and not any implanted RFID chip. Today in prayer, ask the Lord for wisdom and fully give Him your heart this day.

“The seal of God marks out people belonging to him, and so for preservation for his kingdom. The mark of the beast similarly identifies men as his servants, and this mark they cannot live.” – G.R. Beasley-Murray

God’s Word: “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.” – Revelation 14:9-10

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - The Vanquished Accuser

2020-01-20T05:52:00Z

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.’” – Revelation 12:10

Robert Henry Best was born in Sumter, South Carolina, a son of Rev. Albert Hartwell Best, a Methodist minister. After graduating from Wofford College in 1916, he joined the Coast Artillery in October 1917. He was commissioned in 1918 and stayed in the U.S. Army until 1920. Then he went to the School of Journalism at Columbia University, graduating in 1922.

He went to Germany and soon fell under the influence of the Nazis. When World War II began, Best began delivering radio propaganda broadcasts for the Nazis. Best's broadcasts continued to blast the alleged enemies of Germany with unbridled vehemence. He ranted against 'funny Frankie,' FDR, as the dupe of America's Jewish interest. Best was arrested on January 29, 1946 by British forces in Carinthia, Austria and handed over to the US Army. He was then flown to the United States to stand trial for treason. He was found guilty and served the rest of his days in federal prison. He was buried in South Carolina, next to his sister Louise Best. She was a long-time Methodist missionary and honorary citizen of Brazil.

Satan, the Great Accuser, has been hurled down through Christ’s victory on the Cross. Today in prayer, rejoice and praise God that He is Lord of all and the Great Accuser has been vanquished.

“His (Satan’s) accusations against the righteous continue day and night. But by the virtue of the death of Christ he is unable successfully to lodge a charge against God’s elect.” – Robert H. Mounce

God’s Word: “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.” – Zechariah 3:1

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Unrepentant

2020-01-17T05:51:00Z

“The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.” – Revelation 9:20-21

Some of the final acts of World War II were the trials at Nuremberg against the Nazis who committed war crimes. On 16 October 1946, 10 Nazi leaders were condemned to death by hanging in the bomb-blasted gymnasium of the prison.

The first to hang was Joachim von Ribbentrop, who was Foreign Minister of Nazi Germany. He shouted his final words "I believe in Germany!" – as he fell to his death.

Next was Julius Streicher who was a member of the Nazi Party. He was the founder and publisher of a virulently anti-Semitic newspaper. He too was unrepentant to the end.

Only one man, Hans Frank, was repentant. Hans was known as the “butcher of Poland”. He was the Nazi appointed Governor-General of the occupied Polish territories. During his tenure, he instituted a reign of terror against the civilian population and became directly involved in the mass murder of Jews.

But while in prison, Frank gave his life to Jesus Christ. His last words were spoken in a quiet tone: “I am thankful for the kind treatment during my captivity and I ask God to accept me with mercy.”

Unrepentant sin cannot only harden our hearts, but it can give us a false sense of self-identity. Today in prayer, confess and repent of any sin in your life and thank the Lord for His gift of grace.

“A noble mind disdains not to repent.” – Alexander Pope

God’s Word: “I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.” – Revelation 2:21

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Plagues Of Locusts

2020-01-16T05:35:00Z

“And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.” – Revelation 9:3

In November 2019, the United Nations (UN) reported that if an Ethiopian locust infestation is not brought under control then the crop-devouring insect could "invade" neighboring countries.

The Ethiopian government has called for "immediate action" to deal with the problem affecting four of the country's nine states, a UN statement said.

In northern Amhara state some farmers have lost "nearly 100%" of their crop of the staple grain, teff, it added.

Efforts to control the infestation have so far not been effective.

"We need to act fast and mobilize the required resources urgently to scale up control and preventive measures," FAO Ethiopia representative Fatouma Seid said.

Overall, the desert locusts have devoured crops and pasture across a swathe of land covering parts of the Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regional states.

The FAO estimated that the insects were eating 1.8 million tons of vegetation a day across 135 square miles of the country.

If additional control measures fail then the locusts "could continue moving within Ethiopia and invade" northeastern Kenya, parts of Eritrea, and Sudan's southern coast, the FAO said.

The locusts are thought to have spread from Yemen.

During natural calamities, Christ is still Lord of all. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that no matter what calamity may occur, God is always in control.

“Oh! For a spirit that bows always before the sovereignty of God.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “Moses then left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind, which caught up the locusts and carried them into the Red Sea. Not a locust was left anywhere in Egypt.” – Exodus 10:18-19

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - A Great Fire

2020-01-15T05:22:00Z

“The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” – Revelation 8:7

Australia is being ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades, with large swathes of the country devastated since the fire season began in late July 2019.

A total of 28 people have died nationwide, and in the state of New South Wales (NSW) alone, more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. State and federal authorities are struggling to contain the massive blazes, even with firefighting assistance from other countries, including the United States.

There have been fires in every Australian state, but New South Wales has been hardest hit.

Blazes have torn through bushland, wooded areas, and national parks like the Blue Mountains. Some of Australia's largest cities have also been affected, including Melbourne and Sydney -- where fires have damaged homes in the outer suburbs and thick plumes of smoke have blanketed the urban center. Earlier in December, the smoke was so bad in Sydney that air quality measured 11 times the "hazardous" level.

In total, more than 7.3 million hectares (17.9 million acres) have been burned across Australia's six states. In comparison in California, which is known for its deadly wildfires, just over 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) burned in 2019, and about 404,680 hectares (1 million acres) in 2018.

Horrific events continue to occur, but in these tragedies Jesus can be found. Today in prayer, pray those who have been through a terrible event so they may find comfort when they place their faith in Christ.

“In this picture of terror John has the vision of God using the elemental forces of nature to warn man of the final destruction to come.” – William Barclay

God’s Word: “The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire.” – Revelation 16:8

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Reaching Every Tribe

2020-01-14T05:46:00Z

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” – Revelation 7:9

In 1983, Braulia Riberiro was a 19-year-old missionary and part of a team of four Brazilian young people that planted a mission station among the Paumarí in a remote part of the Amazon jungle.

Braulia could speak to the Paumarí in their language. The first person the team met was an older woman. They engaged in some basic niceties about the missionaries’ trip.

Then the woman asked why they had come.

“We are missionaries,” Braulia said. “We want to help you to know Jesus, the Son of God, and if you want, we can also help to set up a school to teach everyone to read.” The lady looked at me with a puzzled expression and started shouting for her grandson, Danilo. “Come over, Danilo. The missionaries have arrived. Take them to their home.”

“Our home?” Braulia asked. She pointed to an empty tall hut nearby. “Danilo and I built this hut two summers ago, preparing for your arrival. We heard in the radio about the Creator God, and how his Son, Jesus, wants to help us. I said, ‘If that is true, he will send us his people.’ So we built the hut for you.”

The team stayed six months and many in the community gave their lives to Jesus Christ.

There will be believers from every tribe and nation in heaven. Today in prayer, give thanks that the Gospel is traveling throughout the earth. Pray for those who are delivering its eternal message of Good News.

“God had only one Son – and He was a missionary.” – David Livingstone

God’s Word: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - The Witnesses

2020-01-13T05:48:00Z

"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.” – Revelation 6:9

In 2013, there were some 2,100 Christians killed for faith-related reasons across the globe. In 2015, that number rose to at least 7,100, according to a recent report from an advocacy group.

“The persecution of Christians is getting worse – in every region in which we work – and it’s getting worse fast,” said Lisa Pearce, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland. “Many countries have dropped down the list, not because persecution there is decreasing, but simply because others are getting worse faster. And it wasn’t good three years ago.”

Pearce continued: “There is always hope, and yet we are in unmarked territory – the pace and scale of persecution of Christians is unprecedented and growing fast. We should not expect that to change unless we are part of changing the situation.”

She found hope in areas where Christian churches grow despite persecution. In countries like Syria, Christian communities care for their Muslim neighbors. In places like Mandera, Kenya, Muslims opposed anti-Christian attackers, saying, “You kill all of us or none of us.”

Many Christians throughout history have suffered and died for their faith in Christ. Today in prayer, give thanks to those faithful Christians who have died for the faith. Pray for those who today are facing persecution in the world.

“You can kill us, but you cannot hurt us.” – Justin Martyr

God’s Word: “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:22

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Our Lamb

2020-01-10T05:36:00Z

“In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” – Revelation 5:12

In August 2009, a Scottish sheep owner paid £231,000 ($369,000) for one lamb. It is the world’s most expensive sale of a sheep.

Jimmy Douglas paid the large sum for an eight-month-old Texel tup (uncastrated), named “Deveronvale Perfection”, in Lanark, Scotland. Bred in nearby Banffshire by sheep farmer Graham Morrison, this very valuable sheep was used for breeding purposes.

Douglas bought the sheep in the hope of more than recouping the purchase price.

The high price has been put down to the lamb's strong physical attributes.

Seller Morrison said the price was beyond his “wildest dreams”.

However, he said the sheep lived up to his name and was indeed “perfection”.

“Breeders are looking at the decades of sheep that this bloodline can produce,” said British Texel Sheep Society Chief Executive, John Yates. “When breeders see the 'Perfect' Ram, they will stop at nothing,” said British Texel Sheep Society Chief Executive, John Yates.

Jesus Christ is the perfect Lamb of God, who has taken away our sins by His death on the Cross. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for His triumph over sin and death.

“The precious Lamb of God gave up his precious fleece for us.” – Christopher Nesse

God’s Word: “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” – Revelation 5:13

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Worship Him

2020-01-09T05:44:00Z

“the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say” – Revelation 4:10

William Temple was an English Anglican priest, who rose to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury. He worked for improved social conditions for workers and for closer ties with other Christian Churches. On the subject of worship, Temple wrote:

“For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose -- all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.”

We need to look to Jesus and respond to Him in worship. Today in prayer, actively worship the Lord, adoring Him as Lord of all.

“Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me.” – Tim Hughes

God’s Word: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker” – Psalm 95:6

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Open The Door

2020-01-08T05:53:00Z

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20

Coral Castle is located in Leisure City Florida and was constructed by Latvian immigrant Edward Leedskalnin. The 5’, 110 lb. man was able to single-handedly over the course of 28 years carve a Coral Castle from the ground up. No one knows exactly how it was constructed because Ed kept his methods a secret.

One of the most interesting features of the castle is its door. The door to enter the castle is a huge rear-swinging gate he built into the back wall

The door to the Coral Castle is nothing more than a single coral block. At nine tons, 80” wide, 92” tall and 21” thick, it’s strange enough how it got there, but how it opens is even weirder. With the gentlest fingertip push from a child, the coral block swings open.

The door to our heart can only be opened with the slightest of ease if we yield to Christ’s knock. Today, open your heart and let Jesus live and reign in you.

“True conversion will involve the mind, the affection, and the will.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” – John 14:23

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Wretchedly Rich

2020-01-07T05:32:00Z

“You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” – Revelation 3:17

Lisa Arcand of Lawrence, Massachusetts was a single mother when she won $1 million in the lottery in April 2004.

Soon after winning, Arcand said she was aggressively pursued by Stone Street Capital, a financial services company that offered her a lump sum of money up front in return for all or a portion of her $35,000-a-year lottery proceeds. “They call people who hit the lottery and offer to buy the ticket off you,” she said. “The offer was less than half the cash value. But I sold a piece of it — $15,000 a year, and I got $200,000 up front.” The up-front money helped her buy some of the things she’d never been able to afford, but it also put her in a higher tax bracket, leading to a further erosion of her winnings.

She took the lump sum from her winnings and bought a house and new furniture, went on a couple of vacations, enrolled her son in Central Catholic School and opened a restaurant. Then reality struck. The restaurant failed and she lost all of her savings less than four years after striking it rich. “I emptied my savings to get this place,” she said. “Now I’m behind on my bills.”

“Winning the lottery is not all it’s cracked up to be,” said Arcand. “Actually, it’s been very depressing.”

Money does not make us rich. Knowing Jesus Christ makes us truly wealthy. Today in prayer, confess any sin that takes your heart away from Jesus and seek Him in all that you do.

“Temporal prosperity is very unfavorable for spiritual development.” – Charles Simeon

God’s Word: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” – 1 Timothy 6:9

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Endure Patiently

2020-01-06T05:52:00Z

“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” – Revelation 3:10

The Hawaiian translation of the Bible remains the largest single volume ever printed in Hawaiian, with over 1,400 densely packed pages.

It is probably also the largest and most demanding single literary project since Hawaiian became a written language, requiring the active involvement of at least nine regular participants (four American ministers and five Native scholars) and numerous others who contributed to a lesser, but significant, degree over a period of more than ten years.

Despite the complexities of the Hawaiian language, New England Christian missionary Reverend Hiram Bingham completed the translation of Matthew in just three weeks. With the help of others, the team was able to complete translation of the four Gospel accounts in 1828. The team patiently endured and completed the New Testament in 1932. It would take another seven years to complete the entire Old Testament in 1839.

The Lord calls us to endure patiently. Today in prayer, look to Jesus and patiently endure any hardship in your life.

“He deserves not the name of patient who is only willing to suffer as much as he thinks proper, and for whom he pleases. The truly patient man asks (nothing) from whom he suffers, (whether) his superior, his equal, or his inferior...But from whomever, or how much, or how often wrong is done to him, he accepts it all as from the hand of God, and counts it gain!” - Thomas a Kempis

God’s Word: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” – Ecclesiastes 7:8

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Suffering Persecution

2020-01-03T05:51:00Z

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10

In December 2019, Pastor Wang Yi from Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Sichuan, China was sentenced to nine years in prison for “subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations.”

In 2005, he gave his life to Christ, was baptized, and started to serve in the house church movement. He was among the few pioneering Christian human-rights attorneys in China.

Wang Yi met with President George W. Bush at the White House in 2006, with other Chinese human rights attorneys, to discuss religious freedom in China.

Wang’s lawyer, Zhang Peihong, who has been prevented from representing him, commented online about Wang’s nine year sentence, “Woe to you, for you see evil as kindness and see kindness as evil. You are not sending a criminal to prison, [instead], you are crowning a righteous man.”

Christians still face persecution in this world. Today in prayer, pray for believers that face persecution that they may be faithful to Jesus.

“The servant of Christ must never be surprised if he has to drink of the same cup with his Lord.” – J.C. Ryle

God’s Word: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” – 2 Timothy 3:12

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - We Need To Repent

2020-01-02T05:47:00Z

“Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” – Revelation 2:5

On Sunday, 30 June 2019, thousands of cyclists competed in the HSBC National Championships in Great Britain. The men’s 120-mile road race began in Norfolk and took the riders through Norwich city centre after cycling along the coastline.

In the village of Hoveton, hundreds of cyclists took a wrong turn during the race.

Spectactor Dave Wilson managed to capture the exact moment the bike racers accidentally went down the wrong track before turning and pedaling back.

Dave said he rode out to watch them race pass through Hoveton.

“The leaders had formed a break away group of three riders and they managed to follow the (correct) route,” he said.

“But the peloton, a group of riders, followed about 30 seconds later and accidentally made an unscheduled turn before the marshals could correct them. This just caused a chaotic scene.”

When you take the wrong road, it is best to backtrack and get on the right one. The Lord desires us to repent of our sins. The sooner we turn away from our sins, the quicker we are restored to fellowship with Christ. Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life, repent and turn away from sin and follow Jesus.

“A Christian is not one who never goes wrong, but one who is enabled to repent and begin over again after each stumble—because of the inner working of Christ.” – C.S. Lewis

God’s Word: “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” – Matthew 4:17

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - God's Grace

2020-01-01T06:20:00Z

“John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne” – Revelation 1:4

On the subject of grace, Pastor J. Vernon McGee wrote:

“I have said this again and again: God is overloaded with grace. You and I just don’t know how gracious He is. He has an abundance of grace. Grace has been defined as unmerited favor, but I call it love in action. God didn’t save us by love. He gave His Son, and it is by His grace that we are saved. He has so much of it. You may say, ‘Oh, I am so wrong on the inside, so sinful.’ Go to Him and tell Him you are wrong on the inside, and ask Him for grace to overcome it. He will give you grace. He is the living Christ, interceding at God’s right hand for you. Now some may doubt the surplus of His grace. May I say to you, all the medicine in the world cannot cure the sick; the remedy must be taken. Likewise, God has the grace, my friend; lay hold of it! It is possible for a man to die of thirst with a pure spring of water right before him. He has to drink of it; he has to appropriate it before it can save his life. You don’t blame soap and water for the fact that there are dirty people in the world, do you? There is plenty of soap and water to clean you up, my friend. ‘God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.’ This is the kind of container that the grace of God must be carried in; it must be carried in an humble individual.”

There is no greater gift than God’s grace! Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His Amazing Grace to you.

“The ultimate test of our spirituality is the measure of our amazement at the grace of God.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

God’s Word: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 1:3

DEVOTIONS IN REVELATIONS

Devotional - Son Of The Resurrection

2019-12-31T05:46:00Z

“Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.” – Matthew 28:7

Dr. Joseph Hartounian was an American Presbyterian theologian and a former professor at McCormick Theological Seminary. He wrote widely on theological matters and on the role of the church in the world.

His family had immigrated to America from Armenia. One day a well-meaning friend said to him, “Your name is difficult to pronounce and difficult to spell–it could hurt your professional career.

Why don’t you change your name to Harwood or Harwell or something like that?”

Dr. Hartounian asked, “What do those names mean?”

His friend said, “Well, nothing. They’re just easier to remember.”

Dr. Hartounian replied, “In Armenia, when my grandfather was baptized, they named him Hartounian which means ‘Resurrection.’ I am Joseph Hartounian and I will be a son of Resurrection all my days.”

Everyone who believes that Jesus rose from the dead is a son of the Resurrection. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His resurrection and that one day we will see Him and be with Him.

“Belief in the Resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith.” – John S. Whale

God’s Word: “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” – Luke 24:5-6

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW

Devotional - The Victor's Shout

2019-12-30T05:49:00Z

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.” – Matthew 27:50

In his commentary on Matthew, William Barclay wrote the following about Jesus’ last moments on the Cross: “Some thought he was calling on Elijah; they must have been Jews. One of the great gods of the pagans was the sun--Hellos. A cry to the sun god would have begun "Helie!" and it has been suggested that the soldiers may have thought that Jesus was crying to the greatest of the pagan gods. In any event, his cry was to the watchers a mystery.

But here is the point. It would have been a terrible thing if Jesus had died with a cry like that upon his lips--but he did not. The narrative goes on to tell us that, when he shouted with a great shout, he gave up his spirit. That great shout left its mark upon men's minds. It is in every one of the gospels (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46). But there is one gospel which goes further. John tells us that Jesus died with a shout: "It is finished" (John 19:30). It is finished is in English three words; but in Greek it is one--Tetelestai --as it would also be in Aramaic. And tetelestai is the victor's shout; it is the cry of the man who has completed his task; it is the cry of the man who has won through the struggle; it is the cry of the man who has come out of the dark into the glory of the light, and who has grasped the crown. So, then, Jesus died a victor with a shout of triumph on his lips.”

For those who trust in Christ as their Savior - there awaits the victory over death. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that through His death on the Cross, your sins are forgiven and you have eternal life with Him.

“Christ took your cup of grief, your cup of curse, pressed it to his lips, drank it to its dregs, then filled it with his sweet, pardoning, sympathizing love, and gave it back to you to drink for ever!” – Octavius Winslow

God’s Word: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – John 19:30

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW

Devotional - Keep Watch!

2019-12-27T05:59:00Z

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” – Matthew 25:13

On 8 November 2018, a pilot of a small aircraft missed his destination because he was asleep. An Australian freight pilot fell asleep at the controls and overshot his flight landing, according to officials.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) classified the incident as “pilot incapacitation” after the flight between Tasmania and King Island carried on going and had to turn back.

The pilot was the only person on board the freight flight.

"During the cruise, the pilot fell asleep, resulting in the aircraft overflying King Island by 46 kilometres (30 miles)," the ATSB said in a brief statement.

Aviation expert Neil Hansford said that Australia had strict rules relating to pilot fatigue.

"There is no way in the world that someone should've taken on that flight fatigued," he said.

As events unfold each day, we need to keep watch for Christ’s return. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that Jesus Christ will return. Seek to faithfully prepare for His arrival.

“The best way to prepare for the coming of Christ is never to forget the presence of Christ.” – William Barclay

God’s Word: “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” – Luke 12:40

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW

Devotional - Be A Big-Godder

2019-12-26T05:55:00Z

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” - Matthew 23:13-14

Dr. Robert Dick Wilson was a professor of Hebrew at Princeton Seminary in the early part of this century. He knew almost 40 languages! But he was not only a scholar; he was a man of faith. Once Wilson went to the seminary chapel to listen to his former student, Donald Grey Barnhouse, who returned to preach. Afterwards, he said to Barnhouse, “If you come back again, I will not come to hear you preach. I only come once. I am glad that you are a big-godder. When my boys come back, I come to see if they are big-godders or little-godders, and then I know what their ministry will be.”

Barnhouse asked him to explain. Wilson replied, “Well, some men have a little god and they are always in trouble with him. He can’t do any miracles. He can’t take care of the inspiration and transmission of the Scripture to us. He doesn’t intervene on behalf of His people. They have a little god and I call them little-godders. Then there are those who have a great God. He speaks and it is done. He commands and it stands fast. He knows how to show Himself strong on behalf of them that fear Him. You have a great God; and He will bless your ministry.”

The Lord desires us to exercise our faith, not lock it away. Today in prayer, draw near to Christ and place your faith in Him.

“So run the race with patience. Don’t lose heart. Don’t become discouraged. Don’t quit. Keep on running the race that has been set before us.” – Melvin Newland

God’s Word: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW

Devotional - The Christmas Star

2019-12-25T05:53:00Z

“and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:2

Dr. Jason Lisle is a Christian astrophysicist who researches issues pertaining to science and the Christian Faith. In an article entitled “The Christmas Star” he wrote about Matthew 2: “From the biblical text, we infer that the Christmas star (1) was seen and understood by the magi, but no others, or at least no others are mentioned. (2) The magi saw the star on at least two occasions: before meeting with Herod and again after. They apparently saw the star when it first rose, and their meeting with Herod occurred less than two years later. (3) The star moved or at least appeared to move, going ahead of the magi. (4) The star stood over (remained stationary) over the location of Christ, apparently guiding the magi to the correct house. This means the object must have revolved along with Earth’s rotation so as to remain directly above Bethlehem. (5) The magi recognized this star as signifying the Messiah’s birth.”

Dr. Lisle does not come to a certainty of what the star was, but in his conclusion in the article he wrote: “Perhaps the main point of Matthew chapter 2 is that God’s chosen people, who should have been anticipating His coming, were largely oblivious to the sign of His coming. So God allowed people from a pagan nation to be blessed with the opportunity to see the Creator of the universe enter His creation. Is it possible that many Christians today miss out on God’s blessings because we too fail to seek the Lord?”

During this Christmas season, seek the real star of Christmas is Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for becoming a man.

“The birth of Jesus is the sunrise of the Bible.” – Henry van Dyke

God’s Word: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:8-11

DEVOTION FOR CHRISTMAS

Devotional - Loving Your Neighbors

2019-12-24T05:51:00Z

“Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”” – Matthew 22:37-39

Fred Rogers was an American television personality, musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and Presbyterian minister. He was the creator and host of the preschool television series “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood”, which ran from 1968 to 2001.

Fred had a difficult childhood. He was shy, introverted, and overweight, and was frequently homebound after suffering bouts of asthma. He was bullied and taunted as a child for his weight, and called "Fat Freddy".

In his television show, Fred taught children how to be a good neighbor. He taught young children about civility, tolerance, sharing, and self-worth "in a reassuring tone and leisurely cadence". He tackled difficult topics such as the death of a family pet, sibling rivalry, the addition of a newborn into a family, moving and enrolling in a new school, and divorce.

At its height, “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood” was watched in 1.8 million homes.

The Lord desires us to love our neighbor and to actively live our life for Christ. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can love your neighbor.

“He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.” – Bede

God’s Word: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.’” – Mark 12:31

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW

Devotional - Serve A Great God

2019-12-23T05:53:00Z

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26-28

On June 5‚ 1998‚ Timothy Stackpole was severely injured in a five alarm fire in Brooklyn. Two of his fellow firefighters were killed and more injured in a collapse of the building. Timmy spent over two months in the Burn Center with fourth and fifth degree burns over 40% of his body. He endured many surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation. He had two goals: to recover and spend as much time as he could with his family‚ and to return full-duty to a job he loved. Against popular opinion‚ he succeeded. On March 10‚ 2001‚ Timmy returned to his lieutenant’s job serving full-time. He was promoted to Captain on September 6‚ 2001‚ and was in FDNY headquarters‚ off-duty‚ the morning of September 11. He responded and was one of the fire fighters that ran into the second tower on September 11, 2001 to try to save some people. When he did, it collapsed and took his life. He knew his calling—to serve and save people.

During this Christmas season, seek to serve our great God – Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can serve others in His name.

“Do not be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ and to seem poor in this world.” – Thomas a Kempis

God’s Word: “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW

Devotional - The Dangers Of Wealth

2019-12-20T05:47:00Z

“Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:21-23

The results of three studies over the last seven years show that people driving expensive cars were more likely to cut off other motorists and less likely to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. They drive like entitled jerks. They're middle-finger-pointing, ride-up-your-trunk-bullying, outta-my-way motorists. That's the authoritative word from researchers who keep track of this sort of thing.

Dr. Paul Piff, a University of California, Irvine, professor of psychology and social behavior who conducted a motoring study of his own, "money makes you more likely to exhibit the characteristics of being a jerk."

Wealthy people, Piff said, are less willing to take up the perspective of another person and less concerned about another's well-being, and they tend to equate being better off with being better than others. Money makes people feel more deserving of success, he added, and less needful of others.

The love of riches has destroyed many men. Today in prayer, ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to be a steward of the possessions He has blessed you.

“There is nothing wrong with people possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess people.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” – Matthew 19:24

DEVOTIONS IN MATTHEW