Daily Devotionals

Devotional - Praise Naturally

2019-11-15T05:45:00Z

“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” – Isaiah 25:1

In an article entitled: “Here's Why Praising God Should Come Naturally for Us”, written after Christmas 2017, author Rachael Keefe wrote the following:

“No matter what is happening in the world, God is still God. God created the world. God so loves the world. God became flesh and lived among us. God reveals the way of Love. If the world is overwhelmed with hatred and poverty and fear, it is not God's doing. God is still God in the midst of the mess we have created. God was God on that first Christmas when Jesus took his first breath. God was God on that first Good Friday when Jesus took his last breath. God was God on that first Easter morning when Christ emerged from death. God is God, even now, when we live in fear, when we struggle for health and wholeness, when Pharaoh and Babylon are on the rise again, when we forget that nothing can extinguish Love. God is still God. God waits for us to recognize God's presence here and now. God is waiting for us to sing praises to God even when we don't feel like it.

There is plenty to sing about, really. God loves humanity collectively and individually, even when we don't seek out God's ways, even when our sin has lasting effects. Praising God for the goodness of creation should come naturally to our lips. Praising God for God's amazing love for humanity should be as natural as breathing. We have forgotten to step back and look beyond our own lives, beyond this moment in time, beyond the remnants of this Christmas. We have forgotten to listen to the stories of those who have gone before us. We have forgotten to come before God in awe and gratitude for the gift of life and Love. Perhaps we have forgotten how truly loved we are. If we remember, we can change the world. If we remember, we will become known for our songs of praise.”

Because God is God I can praise His wonderful name. Today in prayer, reflect on the greatness of God and praise Him!

“Praise is a declaration, a victory cry, proclaiming faith to stand firm in the place God has given you. Praise is a proclamation that the enemy's intent to plunder you will not rock you. Praise declares that you will not be moved by the enemy's attempt to snatch you away.” – Darlene Zschech

God’s Word: “You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.” – Psalm 118:28

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - More Love

2019-11-14T05:33:00Z

“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

Elizabeth Payson Prentiss was born in Portland, Maine, on October 26, 1818. She was known throughout her life as a saintly woman, who continually practiced the presence of Christ.

On one occasion she wrote:

“To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul … out in the woods, and on my bed, and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!”

While ministering to a church in New York City during the 1850s, the Prentiss’ lost a child, and then a short time later their youngest child also died. For weeks, Elizabeth was inconsolable, and in her diary, she wrote, “Empty hands, a worn-out, exhausted body, and unutterable longings to flee from a world that has so many sharp experiences.”

During this period of grief, Elizabeth began meditating upon the story of Jacob in the Old Testament, and how God met him in a very special way during his moments of sorrow and deepest need. She prayed earnestly that she too might have a similar experience. She also thought about Sarah Adams’ hymn text, “Nearer, My God, to Thee”. While she thus meditated and prayed, she began writing her own lines in almost the same metrical pattern that Sarah Adams had used in her writing. Elizabeth completed all four stanzas of “More Love to Thee” that same evening; but she never showed the poem to anyone, not even her husband, for the next thirteen years. It was eventually published in 1869 and later made into a hymn.

As we grow older, let us grow more in love with Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, may your heart’s desire to have more love for Jesus.

“More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee! Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee. This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee.” – Elizabeth Payson Prentiss

God’s Word: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” – 1 John 4:10

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - Praise God No Matter What

2019-11-13T05:39:00Z

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” – James 5:13

On November 5, 2017, Devin Patrick Kelley walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas and fatally shot 26 people and wounded 20 others. The attack was the deadliest mass shooting in Texas and the fifth deadliest mass shooting in the United States.

Julie Workman was in church that day. She saw the gunman shoot her son. He was paralyzed but survived the attack.

Julie also was shot. She was sitting in the second pew and had just beaten breast cancer. Her recent reconstruction surgery deflected the bullet that entered her chest and saved her life.

“I think God used that as a protection for me,” she said.

Julie wants to remember the event and hopes her story can help prevent others from experiencing the same pain.

First Baptist held a remembrance event on the anniversary of the tragedy.

“It’s a day of thanksgiving. It’s a day of praising God for His grace,” she said.

Even in the worst of times, we can still praise the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for His grace towards you.

“We can always find a reason to praise. Situations change for better and for worse, but God's worth never changes.” – Matt Redman

God’s Word: “Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” – Acts 16:24-25

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - Great God Of Wonders

2019-11-12T05:48:00Z

“O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” – Psalm 51:15-17

Samuel Davies was the first dissenting minister; he was a Presbyterian, to be licensed to preach the Gospel in the colony of Virginia. He preached to several congregations in Hanover County despite suffering from tuberculosis, and he did much to lay the foundation for religious toleration in Virginia. The American patriot Patrick Henry claimed that he learned his oratorical skills listening to Davies preach as a boy.

Samuel eventually was elected as the fourth President of the College of New Jersey, which became Princeton University, in 1759. He succeeded Jonathan Edwards and like Edwards, his time there was shortened by his death in 1761 at the age of thirty-seven.

Davies wrote over 100 hymns including “Great God of Wonders”. In the hymn, he asks the recurring questions of “Who is a pard’ning God like thee? Or who has grace so rich and free?” This is in the heart of every Christian who has experienced the pardoning grace of our holy God and praises Him.

Our God is a Great God of Wonders. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for pardoning your sins.

“O may this strange, this matchless grace, This Godlike miracle of love, Fill the whole earth with grateful praise, And all th’angelic choirs above, And all th’angelic choirs above. Who is a pardoning God like Thee? Or who has grace so rich and free? Or who has grace so rich and free?” – Samuel

God’s Word: “And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!” – Psalm 107:22

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - Thank Him For Peace

2019-11-11T05:41:00Z

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

Kevin Sorbo is an American actor who best known for the roles of Professor Radisson in “God’s Not Dead”, Hercules in “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”, Captain Dylan Hunt in “Andromeda”, and Kull in “Kull the Conqueror”. At 13, he went to a Billy Graham Crusade and gave his life to Jesus Christ.

It took a series of strokes while filming Hercules in 1997 for Kevin to fully rest in Jesus.

“My true strength comes from God and certainly from my family right after that,” said Kevin. They’re the most important things in my life.”

He said: “I think people need to start realizing that God is a pretty important element to happiness in your life and to stability and to being calm in your life and not being so impatient and angry.”

When we abide in Christ, we have a peace and calm in our lives. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord for the peace He brings to you.

“Christ alone can bring lasting peace - peace with God - peace among men and nations - and peace within our hearts.” – Billy Graham

God’s Word: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - I Thank God For You

2019-11-08T05:47:00Z

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:2

In 1989, at the height of South America’s drug wars, Kurt Muse was the most-wanted man in Panama. He is a U.S. army veteran who was raised in Panama. Muse first rose to fame when he led a band of Panamanian patriots for two years in a plot to overthrow the oppressive narco-military dictator General Manuel Noriega. He used an underground opposition radio station dubbed “The Voice of Liberty”. He was captured by Noriega, was subjected to intense interrogation, paraded in front of the press, threatened, and ultimately placed in solitary confinement for nine months. Then on 20 December 1989, an American Special Operations Force freed Muse from his prison.

Kurt Muse is a grateful man. Each anniversary of his rescue Kurt calls each of his 23 rescuers to thank them and to update them on the life and family of the man they saved.

Let us be grateful to God and to others for all they have done for you. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His love and give thanks to all the people who have helped you through your life.

“In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God’s Word: “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,” – Philemon 1:4

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - Abide In Jesus

2019-11-07T05:25:00Z

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” – John 15:4

Henry Francis Lyte was an Anglican priest and vicar of All Saints Church in Brixham, England. He was also a published poet and accomplished hymn writer who also penned “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” and “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven.” For most of his life Lyte suffered from poor health, and he would regularly travel abroad for relief, as was the tradition in that day. He developed tuberculosis and, at the age of 54, came near to the end of his life in 1847. His daughter, Anna Maria Maxwell Hogg, recounts the story of how the hymn “Abide with Me” came out of that context.

“The summer was passing away, and the month of September (that month in which he was once more to quit his native land) arrived, and each day seemed to have a special value as being one day nearer his departure.

His family were surprised and almost alarmed at his announcing his intention of preaching once more to his people. His weakness and the possible danger attending the effort, were urged to prevent it, but in vain. “It was better”, as he used to say often playfully, when in comparative health, “to wear out than to rust out”. He felt that he should be enabled to fulfil his wish, and feared not for the result. His expectation was well founded. He did preach, and amid the breathless attention of his hearers, gave them a sermon on the Holy Communion. . . .

In the evening of the same day he placed in the hands of a near and dear relative the little hymn, ‘Abide with Me’, with an air of his own composing, adapted to the words.”

Henry Lyte went to be home with the Lord seven weeks later.

Nothing brings peace to a soul than abiding with Jesus. Today in prayer, give praise to the Lord and abide with Him.

“Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.” – Henry Lyte

God’s Word: “whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” – 1 John 2:6

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - Praise Him For Delivering Us From Our Fears

2019-11-06T05:26:00Z

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:3-4

The Camp Fire, a wildfire in 2018 in Northern California, burned more than 150,000 acres, destroyed nearly 14,000 structures and killed 86 people,

Courtney Werblow was in tears when she returned to the Paradise, California property where her parent’s home once stood. But it wasn’t the ravaged property that had her crying. Rather, it was the sight of her beloved cat, Timber.

“You look so good,” she said, breaking into tears as Timber approached. “You made it! You made it! It's okay baby. We are right here. We are here for you!”

Timber, a female with beige coloring and a brown face is “special” Werblow said. Timber came into her life after she and her husband married and she was expecting their second child.

Timber was living with Werblow’s parents at the time the Camp Fire blazed through the Butte County area because her rental property did not allow cats.

“NEVER LOSE HOPE! One month today since the fire, we received an escort to my parents' property & my cat Timber was discovered!! She’s alive. Praise God!!” she wrote.

The Lord is good; He delivers us from our fears. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is our deliverer.

“Even if God never did another good thing in our lives, we could spend the rest of this life praising Him for what He has already done.” ― Dillon Burroughs

God’s Word: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” – Psalm 68:19-20

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - Wherever He Leads

2019-11-05T05:48:00Z

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” – Mark 8:34

It was 1936 and two friends serving together at a Sunday school conference in Alabama were at lunch, sharing what God was doing in their lives.

One, a missionary to Brazil home on furlough, told the other, a hymn writer leading the music for the conference, that a health issue would keep him from returning to the country he had grown to love. The news, received just days before, had broken his heart.

The hymn writer asked, “What will you do?” And through tears, the missionary, R.S. Jones, told the hymn writer, B.B. McKinney, “Wherever He leads, I’ll go.”

McKinney was so moved that he penned the classic hymn that afternoon and sang it that night after Jones had preached. Since then, this song has been sung at invitation times and crusades, revivals and worship services.

There is no better way to give praise to the Lord than to follow Him. Today in prayer, dedicate this day to Jesus and follow Him in all you do.

“‘Take up thy cross and follow Me,’

I heard my Master say;

‘I gave My life to ransom thee,

Surrender your all today.’

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.” – B.B. McKinney

God’s Word: “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - Criticizing God

2019-11-04T05:52:00Z

“‘But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” - Romans 9:20

In August 2008, Nebraska Judge Marlon Polk presided over an unusual case: a lawsuit of state Senator Ernie Chambers vs. God.

Chambers cited the Almighty’s role in “fearsome floods… horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes… widespread death, destruction, and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth’s inhabitants.” The state senator, who’d served some 35 years, sought an injunction against all of these wrongdoings.

Judge Polk quickly dismissed the suit before it could truly get started. Polk threw out the case because the defendant (God) couldn’t be properly served, “because of his unlisted home address.”

Chambers countered by saying that “The court itself acknowledges the existence of God. A consequence of that acknowledgment is a recognition of God’s omniscience. Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit.”

Nevertheless, Polk dismissed the suit and the matter came to an end.

The opposite of praise is criticism and blame, and we should never doubt God’s goodness towards us. Today in prayer, confess any sin of criticism and praise the Lord for He is good.

“The most insanely daring thing that any man can do, the most exceedingly foolish thing any man can do, the most desperately wicked thing that any man can do, is to reply against God, to enter into controversy with God, to criticize God, to condemn God. Yet that is what many people are doing.” - R.A. Torrey

God’s Word: “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing’?” - Isaiah 29:16

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional -Ingratitude

2019-11-01T04:35:00Z

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." - Romans 1:21

The Italian historian and statesman Francesco Guicciardini is best known for his book “History of Italy” which covers the period from 1492 to 1532. He was a friend and critic of Niccolò Machiavelli, he is considered one of the major political writers of the Italian Renaissance. In 1516 he was appointed governor of the papal state Modena and in 1517 also of the state of Reggio. Until 1534 Guicciardini served the papacy almost continuously.

As governor, he had to face internal disorders as well as external dangers, Guicciardini showed outstanding administrative gifts. His severe and sometimes ruthless measures were effective in restoring order but also caused him unpopularity.

Guicciardini wrote the following about ingratitude: “Even though many people prove to be ungrateful, do not let that stop you from benefiting others-for not only is beneficence in itself a noble and almost divine quality, it may also happen that while you practice it, you will encounter someone so grateful that he will make up for all the others' ingratitude.”

We need to be grateful for all that the Lord has given us. Today in prayer, confess any sin of ingratitude and be thankful to the Lord.

“Ingratitude is always a kind of weakness. I have never seen that clever men have been ungrateful.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

God's Word: "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy" - 2 Timothy 3:2

DEVOTIONS IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Devotional - The Eternal Christ

2019-10-31T04:42:00Z

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

What is the oldest living thing in the world? Some scientists believe it is the “Pando” in central Utah. “Pando” is a Latin word that means, “I spread.” The Pando of Utah is a group of 40,000 individual quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Pando originated from a single seed and spreads by sending up new shoots from the expanding root system.

Pando is believed to be the largest, most dense organism ever found at nearly 13 million pounds. The clone spreads over 106 acres, consisting of over 40,000 individual trees. The exact age of the clone and its root system is difficult to calculate, but it is estimated to have started at the end of the last ice age, an astounding 80,000 years old. Some of the trees are over 130 years old. It was first recognized by researchers in the 1970s and more recently proven by geneticists. Its massive size, weight, and prehistoric age have caused worldwide fame.

In 2006 the U.S. Postal Service honored the Pando Clone as one of the “40 Wonders of America” with a stamp in its commemoration.

Though are some living things are remarkably old, they are not eternal. Jesus Christ lives before, during and well after these old trees. Today in prayer, praise Christ Lord that He is our eternal Lord!

“The Savior is the Fountain of Life; the Gospel is a Message of Life; the Volume that John saw opened in heaven was the Book of Life. There is infinite comfort in that.” - Arthur Penrhyn Stanley

God’s Word: “You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” – Hebrews 1:12

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Remember Those Imprisoned For Christ

2019-10-30T04:45:00Z

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” – Hebrews 13:3

In July 2019, Iranian regime police arrested a young Christian woman, Fatemeh Mohammadi. Fatemeh was filing a complaint about being assaulted when the police decided to arrest her. She was held a few days and then released on bail. Fatemeh became a Christian in November 2017. Since then she has served a six-month prison sentence for membership in Tehran house church. “She is a rare public Christian activist inside Iran and has raised a number of issues to the forefront of conversation,” reported International Christian Concern. “She has publicly accused her interrogators of sexual harassment and published material questioning the government’s treatment of Christians. She has particularly raised awareness about how the government’s persecution of Christians is in violation of Article 23 of the Iranian Constitution, which says that ‘no one may be molested or taken to task for simply holding a certain belief.’”

Throughout the world, there are still men and women being imprisoned for their faith in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, pray for those in Iran and ask the Lord to comfort them and free them from their prison.

“Those that are themselves at liberty must sympathize with those that are in bonds and adversity as if they were bound with them in the same chain: they must fell the sufferings of their brethren.” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'” – Matthew 25:36

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - The Fruit Of Discipline

2019-10-29T04:35:00Z

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11

Long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi of Finland was called the "Flying Finn" as he dominated distance running in the early 20th century. Nurmi set 22 official world records at distances between 1500 meters and 20 kilometers, and won nine gold and three silver medals in his twelve events in the Olympic Games. At his peak, Nurmi was undefeated for 121 races at distances from 800 meters upwards. Throughout his 14-year career, he remained unbeaten in cross country events and the 10,000 m.

How was Nurmi so dominate? He was considered a pioneer in regard to training; he developed a systematic all-year-round training program that included both long-distance work and interval running. His training program included walking, sprints, and calisthenics. When he was in the Finnish Army, he developed new training methods. He ran behind trains, holding on to the rear bumper, to stretch his stride, and used heavy ironclad army boots to strengthen his legs.

He was one of the first to use a stopwatch in his hand to check his performance. Through discipline, Nurmi became a world-class runner.

Discipline is never pleasant, but it is necessary to become more like Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise Jesus for the discipline that has come into your life and seek to learn from it and to walk closer to the Lord.

“Discipline is the secret to godliness. You must learn to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” – Jay Adams

God’s Word: “Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law” – Psalm 94:12

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Persevere!

2019-10-28T04:51:00Z

“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

In 1787, he came into contact with a group of anti-slave-trade activists. They persuaded Wilberforce to take on the cause of abolition, and he soon became one of the leading English abolitionists. He headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807.

Wilberforce supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire. Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured.

William Wilberforce said: “Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success.”

The Lord has called us to follow Him. Persevere in your calling. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His perseverance to the Cross and pray for His strength to continue following Him through all difficulties.

“Our motto must continue to be perseverance. And ultimately I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success.” – William Wilberforce

God’s Word: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” – Hebrews 10:36

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Faith Is Seeing The Unseen

2019-10-25T04:31:00Z

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” – Hebrews 11:13

Kenneth Peter "Ken" Medema was born almost blind; his eyes let him tell light from shadow and see outlines of major objects. He began playing the piano when he was five years old, and three years later began taking lessons in classical music through braille music, playing by ear and improvising in different styles.

In 1969, he majored in music therapy at Michigan State University in Lansing, studying both piano and voice. Afterward, he worked as a music therapist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and later at Essex County Hospital in New Jersey.

In 1973, he began performing and recording his own songs while at Essex County Hospital. "I had a bunch of teenagers who were really hurting," he says, "and I started writing songs about their lives. Then I thought, 'Why don't you start writing songs about your Christian life?' So I started doing that, and people really responded."

His lyrics generally provide social commentary on themes such as justice, hunger, poverty, homelessness, and Christian charity as it pertains to them.

Ken said: “Jesus is my teacher and guide, my way of seeing the world and seeing divinity and holiness.”

Though you may not see what God is doing, have faith in Him that He will work in you. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His faithfulness and place your faith in Christ.

“Faith is nothing but believing what God promises or says.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” – Hebrews 11:39

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Spur One Another

2019-10-24T04:54:00Z

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

Pastor and author John Piper writes that stimulating one another to love and good deeds should be a focus in our life. He writes: “Here is what you aim at from morning till night as a Christian. Notice carefully: it is not what you might expect. It is not: consider how to love each other and do good deeds. That would be Biblical and right. But it’s different: ‘Consider how to stimulate each other to love and good deeds.’ Focus on helping others become loving people. Aim at stirring up others to do good deeds. And of course the implication would also be that if others need help and stirring, we do too, and so we would be aiming at what sorts of ways we can think and feel and talk and act that will stir each other up to love and to do good deeds. The aim of our lives is not just loving and doing good deeds, but helping to stir up others to love and to good deeds.”

Are you spurring others to love and good deeds? Today in prayer, ask the Lord how you can stimulate others to love and good deeds.

“Let us go out of ourselves as soon as we can, and find our blessings in blessing one another.” – A.B. Simpson

God’s Word: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Unswerving Hope

2019-10-23T04:30:00Z

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

Dr. Billy Graham wrote:

“Perhaps the greatest psychological, spiritual, and medical need that all people have is the need for hope.

For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.

Christ wants to give you hope for the future. He wants you to learn what it means to walk with Him every day.

When you come to Christ, God gives you eternal life— which begins right now as you open your heart to Him.

Faith points us beyond our problems to the hope we have in Christ. Christ’s second coming reminds us that ultimately our hope is not in this world and its attempts to solve its problems, but in Christ’s promise to establish His perfect rule over all the earth.

Man has no ability to repair this damaged planet. The flaw in human nature is too great. God is our only hope!

Earth’s troubles fade in the light of heaven’s hope. My hope does not rest in the affairs of this world.

It rests in Christ who is coming again. Only because Jesus is God and we have confessed Him as Savior and Lord, can He bestow and we receive these benefits, this blessed assurance and hope (see Romans 10:9).

Our world today desperately hungers for hope, and yet uncounted people have almost given up.

There is despair and hopelessness on every hand. Let us be faithful in proclaiming the hope that is in Jesus!”

In Jesus Christ we have an eternal hope. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that He is our Hope.

“One day we will meet beside the river and our Lord will dry every tear. For now, we must live in the joy of that promise and recall that for every generation life is hard, but God is faithful.” – Bodie Thoene

God’s Word: “But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” – Colossians 1:22-23

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Destined To Die Once

2019-10-22T04:49:00Z

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:27

In the 1970s, University of California sociologist David Phillips started exploring the relationship between death days and significant events.

In one of his first research papers, he examined whether famous people died after their birthdays because of the public attention: These subjects also provided more accurate records at a time when death certificates for the general population were not as readily available.

Of the 1,251 subjects, 86 died in the month before their birth month — this was 17 percent fewer deaths than expected if it was totally independent, Dr. Phillips wrote.

Later, he looked at the influence of race and culture on postponing death. In a 1990 paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Phillips and his co-authors found that for Chinese, deaths dipped by 35.1 percent in the week before the Harvest Moon Festival, one of their most significant holidays, and then peaked by 34.6 percent the week after.

We are all destined to die and appear before Jesus. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that after death we will see our Savior’s face and live with Him forever.

“He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his foot in the grave.” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - The New Covenant

2019-10-21T04:44:00Z

“By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” – Hebrews 8:13

Beginning in 1784, first Spain and then Mexico carved the Southwest into vast tracts of land, called ranchos that authorities used to reward California's leading citizens and soldiers. These lucky rancheros then became virtual princes, ruling over their fiefs from an adobe ranch house.

After California became a territory of the United States in 1847, many grantees struggled to hold on to these ranchos as U.S. tax law and a cumbersome title-confirmation process forced them to sell or mortgage their vast estates.

At The Sherman Library in Corona del Mar, California, documents for Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana in Orange County, California are stored. These faded land grants are no longer valid. The charters to these ranchos were replaced with new United States land titles.

Old, fragile covenants have disappeared and are replaced by the “new” living and eternal covenant we have in Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that the old covenant has faded and we have a vibrant new life found in Jesus.

“It is a new heart-righteousness which the prophets foresaw as one of the blessings of the Messianic age. ‘I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts.’ God promised to Jeremiah. How would he do it? He told Ezekiel ‘I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes.’” – John Stott

God’s Word: “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” – 1 Corinthians 11:25

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - The Superior Mediator

2019-10-18T04:59:00Z

“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.” – Hebrews 8:6

George Kohlrieser was born in November 1944 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He entered a Catholic seminary at the age of 13. He received a BA degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio and a doctorate from Ohio State University in 1988, where he wrote his dissertation on the cardiovascular recovery of law enforcement officers following high-stress situations. From 1968 to 1992 he was Director of the Shiloah Center for Human Growth in Dayton, Ohio, specializing in individual, group and family therapy. In the same period, he worked as a hostage negotiator and police psychologist for the Dayton Police Department and the Montgomery Sheriff’s Department.

George was taken hostage four times during this time period and was successful in mediating each of the situations.

He is author of “Hostage at the Table” which discusses the proven techniques and psychological insights used in hostage mediation can be applied successfully to any personal or business relationship.

Jesus Christ is the superior mediator of all time. He was able to successfully mediate the difference between sinful man and Holy God by giving His life as a Holy Sacrifice. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is our mediator.

“Christ’s work as Mediator is unique; it was to restore us to divine favor and to make us sons of God” – John Calvin

God’s Word: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” – 1 Timothy 2:5

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Our Permanent Pastor

2019-10-17T04:37:00Z

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.” – Hebrews 7:23-24

In October 2019, the Rev. Charles G. Adams, the senior pastor at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, announced he was stepping aside after more than 50 years.

The 82 years old pastor was hailed in Ebony magazine as among the nation’s greatest black preachers and most influential African Americans. He has spoken before the United Nations, met with U.S. presidents and earned many honors.

“He used to try to preach in the garage and have an audience of other children,” said Eleanor Foster, age 98, a longtime family friend and the church’s oldest member. “I think he was born to be a minister.”

Adams went on to graduate from the University of Michigan and Harvard Divinity School and was a doctoral fellow at Union Theological Seminary in New York before spending about seven years presiding over Concord Baptist Church in Massachusetts.

His appointment as Hartford’s pastor in 1969 marked a seismic transformation for the house of worship.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor emeritus for Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, called the retired Pastor Adams a mentor and noted his absence at the pulpit. "It feels very strange" without him there, he told the congregation.

We have a permanent Priest, Pastor and Friend in Jesus Christ. His ministry is eternal. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has a permanent priesthood.

“There can be no vacancy in this (Christ’s) priesthood, no hour nor moment in which the people are without a priest to negotiate their spiritual concerns in heaven. Such a vacancy might be very dangerous and prejudicial to them; but this is their safety and happiness, that this ever-living high priest is able to save to the utmost—in all times, in all cases, in every juncture—all who come to God by him” – Matthew Henry

God’s Word: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - The Anchor That Holds

2019-10-16T04:46:00Z

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain” – Hebrews 6:19

On March 24, 2017, the crew aboard “Star of Abu Dhabi” dropped anchor at a Mississippi River anchorage on a clear spring evening following a long voyage from the Canary Islands. Soon afterward, the captain signaled he was finished with the main engine. The overnight hours did not go as planned. The ship’s port anchor chain broke at about 2:30 am on March 25 and its starboard anchor began dragging. Eleven nerve-wracking minutes later, the bulk carrier slammed into a loading dock near Gramercy, Louisiana before continuing downriver. Its movement stopped after the ship’s engine came back online. The impact opened a 14-by-7-foot hole in the vessel’s hull above the waterline, causing about $232,000 in damage. The Louisiana Sugar Refinery dock fared worse: It partially collapsed and cost $4.6 million to repair.

Investigators found that the port anchor was carrying much more weight than the starboard anchor that caused the port anchor to snap.

Jesus Christ is an anchor that holds us when the most violent of storms in life hit us. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you can put all your hope in Him and Christ is an anchor that can hold.

“The anchor holds, Though the ship is battered, The anchor holds, Though the sails are torn, I have fallen on my knees, As I faced the raging seas, The anchor holds, In spite of the storm” – Ray Boltz

God’s Word: “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:8

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Waiting On God

2019-10-15T04:41:00Z

“And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” – Hebrews 6:15

In his book “Waiting on God,” Pastor Andrew Murray writes the following:

“If an army has been sent out to march into an enemy’s country, and tidings are received that it is not advancing, the question is at once asked, what may be the cause of delay. The answer will very often be: ‘Waiting for supplies.’ All the stores of provisions or clothing or ammunition have not arrived; without these it dare not proceed. It is no otherwise in the Christian life: day-by-day, at every step, we need our supplies from above. And there is nothing so needful as to cultivate that spirit of dependence on God and of confidence in Him, which refuses to go on without the needed supply of grace and strength.”

The Lord desires that we develop the characteristics of patience and dependence on Him. Today in prayer, confess any impatience you may have and patiently wait on Jesus.

“There is no patience equal to the patience of God.” – Oswald Chambers

God’s Word: “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS

Devotional - Teach Others

2019-10-14T04:45:00Z

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” – Hebrews 5:12

Eleanora Anderson was the longest-serving Sunday school teacher when she died in December 2014. She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Valmeyer, Illinois and Taught for 75 years.

She was asked how she began teaching Sunday school. Eleanora replied: “I was the only one still going to Sunday school in my class. A class of girls one after the other dropped out I was the only one left. This one lady was teaching and she quit teaching. Then they asked me to teach and I started. It was in 1941 that was. I had graduated from high school in May and this was August that same year.”

Her largest class was only 7 or 8 children but through the years she impacted hundreds of people.

Her advice to other Sunday school teachers: “Study your lessons.”

The Lord desires us not only to follow Him but also to teach others. Are you teaching others how to grow deeper with Christ? Today in prayer, thank the Lord that we are never too old to begin teaching others about the love of Jesus Christ.

“I touch the future. I teach.” – Christina McAuliffe

God’s Word: “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God” – Hebrews 6:1

DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS