Daily Devotionals

Devotional - Test The Spirits

2020-10-23T04:51:00Z

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” – 1 John 4:1-3

In his sermon entitled “When Unbelief is Right”, Pastor Ray Stedman says: “It is significant and striking that every cult, every deviant group, every movement of our day that seeks to solicit support, religiously speaking, does so in the name of love. As we have already commented, this word is used in a thousand different ways to describe a thousand different reactions and impulses. Love means one thing to a hippie in Haight-Ashbury; love means quite something else when it is used by a psychologist in his counseling room. Love is still something different on the lips of a movie-struck teenager; love is different yet when used with reference to the relationship of nations. There is no word, perhaps, in our language, that is capable of being stretched in so many directions as this word, love. Yet so many people seem utterly gullible about it. If someone comes talking about love, this to them is the earmark they must be of God, they must be "of the truth," despite the fact that the oldest trick in Satan's bag is to show a spirit of friendly concern and to appear to offer the fulfillment of love and desire.”

The Lord asks us to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we can test the spirits to see whether they are from God or not.

“As we well know, the imbecility of ‘profound’ philosophers is so immense that it is exceeded only by the infinite mercy of God." - Giovanni Papini

God’s Word: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.” – 2 Peter 2:1

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Rest In His Presence

2020-10-22T04:45:00Z

“This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” – 1 John 3:19-20

According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.

Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, "Now, answer the riddle if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows imply."

The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, "If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it."

People are also like that. We need to take time to rest in the Lord.

Is your heart troubled? Today in prayer, rest in the presence of Jesus.

“Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.” – Fanny Crosby

God’s Word: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Seeing A Brother In Need

2020-10-21T04:34:00Z

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” – 1 John 3:17

Years ago, David Shearin was a homeless drug addict who was no stranger to jail. Today, Pastor David Shearin’s life is transformed and he is helping others make their own fresh start. He brings hope to the homeless in Redwood City, California.

“Thank you so much for blessing us this morning,” Shearin says as he leads a circle of prayer, giving a message from the Bible before a hot breakfast in a parking lot across the street from Rise City Church.

With his wife Shawn working alongside him, Shearin has led Street Life Ministries since 2008.

“He’s a very good friend to a lot of people here,” said Dee Henry, a program participant for several years who recently secured a space in low-income housing.

Its weeknight gatherings for the homeless and at-risk people provide free dinners and a sermon, plus clothes and sleeping bags.

Under Shearin’s leadership, Street Life Ministries serves about 1,200 people a week, providing more than 35,000 meals over the course of the year.

Seeing someone in need means you need to get involved, just as Jesus did. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for opportunities to get involved in people’s lives and show His love to them.

“The answer to the question, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ must always be ‘No! I am my brother’s brother.’” – Paul Klapper

God’s Word: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Stopping The Sin

2020-10-20T04:53:00Z

“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” – 1 John 3:4-6

When John Collier was a child, his house was a battle zone.

"My father had a background of violence," John said. "He abused alcohol and drugs. He was a womanizer, and he pretty much terrorized our home."

John’s anger toward his father grew. He stayed in trouble at school and ran away from home twice.

After a failed attempt at running away, the police officer that brought him home left a lasting impression on the young boy. John saw something in this stranger that he never saw in his dad.

"That police officer actually seemed to care about me or take an interest in me," he remembers. "When he did, I wanted to be like him. I saw him as a hero. So that’s something I wanted to pursue. I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement."

After college, John became an Indiana state trooper. Meanwhile, during this time, his dad was in and out of prison. His mom had become a Christian and reached out to her son.

John wasn’t interested in his mother’s faith. His main focus was his work as a state trooper, where his service was exemplary.

"I had received a lot of awards from the superintendent," John says. "I’d been assigned to the governor’s detail. It was like everything I did was to basically just credit myself, pat myself on the back."

But, after a heated dispute with a supervisor, the model officer found that the rebellion he had as a child was still there.

"Something kind of rose up inside of me, something I couldn’t quite understand and I couldn’t control. I resented those who were in authority over me that I worked for, and so I began to act out. Part of that was through alcohol and then I started using drugs. I became like a rogue cop, just kinda doing my own thing. People that I would stop on the highway, if they had drugs in their possession, instead of arresting them like I had done in the past, I would take their drugs. If they had their money, I would take that, and I would say, 'Hit the road.'”

John lost his badge and his respect for the law.

He was caught breaking into a store and was sentenced to 18 months behind bars. After his release, the lure of fast money was too great. One night, he cracked open the safe at a local business. Just as he was about to empty it out, the police showed up. John was sentenced to prison for eight years. He became a Christian in prison and was released after serving his sentence.

"I’m so grateful that God has always been there for me through the good and the bad," John said. "One thing I can honestly say is my best day without Jesus was never as good as my worst day with the Lord."

We must forsake our sin and unite with Jesus Christ. Only then does the sin in our lives. Today in prayer, confess any sin that is in your life and live in Jesus Christ.

"We live in a world full of people struggling to be, or at least to appear, strong in order not to be weak; and we follow a gospel which says that when I am weak, then I am strong. And this gospel is the only thing that brings healing." - N.T. Wright

God’s Word: “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” – Galatians 5:13

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Knowing Love

2020-10-19T04:20:00Z

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1

Pastor Donald B. Strobe, writes the following: “G. K. Chesterton once said that the really great lesson of the story of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is that a thing must be loved before it is loveable.

A person must be loved before that person can be loveable. Some of the most unlovely people I have known got that way because they thought that nobody loved them. The fact of the matter is that unless and until we feel ourselves loved, we cannot love. That’s not only a principle of theology but of psychology and sociology as well. Just as abused children grow up to abuse their children, loved children grow up to love their children. Loved persons are able to love. Unloved persons are not. Christianity says something startling. It says that God loves and accepts us ‘just as we are.’

Therefore we can love and accept ourselves and in so doing, love and accept

others.”

We have a Heavenly Father who loves us far greater than we can ever know. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He loves you and one day we will be reunited face-to-face with Him.

"Our doctrine of equality and liberty and humanity comes from our belief in the brotherhood of man, through the fatherhood of God." - Calvin Coolidge

God’s Word: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” – Galatians 3:26

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Continue In Him

2020-10-16T04:49:00Z

“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” – 1 John 2:28

Even at 100 years old, Lucille Nelson still attends church every Sunday. And she is the pianist for her church.

For most of her 100 years, Lucille’s music has filled Baptist churches, including the First Baptist Church in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

It’s what gets her through the hard times. Lucille lost her husband decades ago, and in recent years her daughter.

“We were married for 32 years, and then he passed away. He had a heart attack…. She passed away three years ago. She had multiple sclerosis,” Lucille explained.

Lucille has three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

But it’s teaching children music that’s helped Lucille reach 100 years old.

“They always needed somebody to play for the little ones,” she said. “They are the ones that I love and they were cute. A lot of people think, ‘Well, why should kids learn these old hymns?’ But a lot of what we believe is written in those words.”

Lucille said she shows up every week, no matter what.

Out of all the songs she’s played, she said one stands out as her favorite.

“When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, I’ll be there,” she sang with a smile.

Our days are numbered by the Lord, but we can all make the most of them by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice and to continue in Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for your life in Him and give Him all of your life today.

“A living faith is not something you have to carry, but something that carries you.” – J.H. Oldham

God’s Word: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him” – Colossians 2:6

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Many Deceivers

2020-10-15T04:30:00Z

“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” – 1 John 2:18-19

Saul B. Newton founded The Sullivan Institute in 1957 with his wife, Dr. Jane Pearce, in an attempt to create a viable alternative to the traditional nuclear family, which he viewed as the root of all social anxiety. Located in three buildings on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the Sullivan Institute operated as both a therapy center and a polyamorous commune, despite the fact that Newton, the leader, had no formal training as a therapist. Unlike other practicing therapists who worked under a strict code of ethics, there were no such boundaries for the Sullivanians, as the members of the Institute were known, with therapists and other members of the community sleeping with each other regularly. In fact, they were forbidden from engaging in exclusive relationships. Any children born to Sullivanians were sent away to boarding school or caretakers with very little visitation from their parents. All members were encouraged to cut ties with their former friends and family members. In the 1970s, the group – which had around 500 members – merged with a progressive theater collective call the Fourth Wall and relocated to Orlando in 1979. After seeing a decline in membership in the 1980s, the Sullivan Institute ended with the death of Newton in 1991.

There are many deceivers professing they are Jesus Christ, but they have a destructive agenda of their own. Today in prayer, pray for those who are caught up in a cult that they may have the courage to leave and follow Jesus.

“By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unaware; but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware.” – John Flavel

God’s Word: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” – 2 Timothy 4:3

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Do Not Love The World

2020-10-14T04:45:00Z

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16

In 2012, Waylon Prendergast, 37, of Tampa, Florida committed a spur-of-the-moment robbery while on his way home from a late-night drinking session. A very inebriated Mr. Prendergast forced his way into the house through an open upstairs window. He then filled a suitcase with cash and valuables before setting the living room on fire to cover his tracks. He then escaped through the back door and made his way home, chuckling all the way. Only as he turned the corner into his own street, however, and discovered three fire engines outside his house, did Prendergast realize that in his drunkenness he had, in fact, burgled and ignited his own property. His comment: “I had no idea I had so many valuable possessions.

We rob ourselves of our own happiness when we love the world. We are to love and follow Jesus. Today in prayer, thank Jesus for all that He is and seek to resemble Him in all that you do.

"Love not the world, for it is a moth in a Christian's life." - John Bunyan

God’s Word: “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” – James 1:14

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - God's Forgiveness

2020-10-13T04:40:00Z

“I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” – 1 John 2:12

On November 25, 1862, Union General Fitz John Porter was arrested and court-martialed for his actions at the battle of Second Bull Run. He had complained to Major General Pope, his commanding officer, about the Union’s battle plan. General Porter was found guilty on January 10, 1863, of disobedience and misconduct, and he was dismissed from the Army on January 21, 1863.

Following the Civil War, Porter spent most of the remainder of his public life fighting against the injustice of his court-martial.

In 1878, a special commission exonerated Porter by finding that his reluctance to attack probably saved Pope's Army of Virginia from an even greater defeat.

Eight years later, President Grover Cleveland commuted Porter's sentence and a special act of the U.S. Congress restored Porter's commission as an infantry colonel in the U.S. Army, backdated to May 14, 1861, but without any back pay due. Two days later, August 7, 1886, Porter, seeing vindication after 25 years, voluntarily retired from the Army.

On the account of Jesus Christ, we have been unconditionally pardoned from our sins – past, present, and future. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for forgiving you.

“We have a free, full, final, forever forgiveness in the atoning work of Christ.” – J. Sidlow Baxter

God’s Word: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Loving Your Neighbor

2020-10-12T04:44:00Z

“Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” – 1 John 2:10

On 6 May 2020, Eyas Tran, 3 years old, was out for a walk with his mother, Minh Tran, in Hampton, New Hampshire. He noticed three newspapers stacked on Peggy Pilat-Roth’s steps.

One of Eyas’ favorite chores is taking the newspapers that are delivered to his elderly neighbor’s driveway and placing it on her doorstep.

When Eyas noticed there were already 3 newspapers on the doorstep, he promptly rang her doorbell. When Peggy didn't answer, his mom called the police. When police found Peggy, she had been trapped in a windowless basement room for 4 days.

Once she heard the door lock behind her, Peggy knew she had to be patient and wait for help. But she also knew her little neighbor would help her.

Now, Eyas is receiving an award

For his quick thinking that saved his neighbor's life, Eyas was given an award by the Hampton Police Department that is usually reserved for law enforcement officers.

When we love others, people see the glory of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His love towards you and love others.

“To love another person is to help them love God.” – Soren Kierkegaard

God’s Word: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Walking With Jesus

2020-10-09T04:20:00Z

“But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:5-6

J. Oswald Sanders was a general director of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (then known as China Inland Mission) in the 1950s and 1960s. He authored more than forty books on the Christian life.

Commenting on John 6:66, which reads: “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more”, Sanders wrote: “They turned back from walking with Jesus; not into sin, but away from Him. Many people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are not really walking with Him. One thing God constantly requires of us is a oneness with Jesus Christ. After being set apart through sanctification, we should discipline our lives spiritually to maintain this intimate oneness. When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you, all your striving to maintain that relationship by some particular method is completely unnecessary. All that is required is to live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.”

When we walk with Jesus, our lives are transformed. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for a new life in Him and seek to walk continually with the Lord.

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.” – Helen Keller

God’s Word: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” – John 13:15

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Born A Rebel

2020-10-08T04:56:00Z

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” – 1 John 2:3

In 1989, artist Shepard Fairey designed a unique silkscreen. It was a picture of the face of wrestler Andre the Giant with the single word “Obey” written at the bottom of the picture. The silkscreen was duplicated and soon the “Obey” campaign was ubiquitous street art. The picture was made into stickers that were plastered throughout inner cities. It has made its way into numerous movies and videos. It attempted to stimulate curiosity and bring people to question both the campaign and their relationship with their surroundings.

It is an odd object of art that sparks rebellion. Fairey said: “The thing about the Andre stickers is that they are so absurd that I’m hoping that if people question this that maybe that will start a domino effect.” It has made the word “obey” into a rallying cry to rebel.

We are all naturally born rebels. It takes a supernatural rebirth through Jesus Christ to be obedient to the Lord and to love his commands. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His goodness and His commandments and seek to follow Him with all of your heart.

"The secret of true obedience is the clear and close personal relationship to God. All our attempts after full obedience will be failures until we get access to his abiding fellowship. It is God's holy presence consciously abiding with us that keeps us from disobeying Him. I must consciously include the Lord in every thought, activity, and conversation until the habit is established." - Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” – John 14:15

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Our Defense

2020-10-07T04:35:00Z

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” – 1 John 2:1

Judge James R. Lanzo did not want his oldest son, James E. Lanzo, to follow in his footsteps. "I tried to convince him to go to medical school instead of becoming a lawyer and getting involved in this rat race," the judge said. "The hours are unbelievable. You can work from seven in the morning until eight at night."

Yet, there was Jim sitting right next to his father amid another busy day at their law office in Ohio.

"I couldn't persuade him otherwise," Judge Lanzo said.

The judge, 61, and his oldest son, Jim, 34, smiled and laughed as they recounted their time together.

In spite of the long hours and hard work their job entails, it is obvious the attorneys enjoy their lives.

Judge Lanzo began practicing law in 1973. In 1976, he became the law director for Struthers. In 1993, he became a judge. Today, the elder Lanzo works as a judge part-time and as a private lawyer.

"I really like the challenge," Judge Lanzo said of his profession.

While growing up, Jim idolized his hard-working father.

"Listen, I thought my dad was the greatest thing going," he said. "He was pretty much my hero."

In Jesus Christ, we have a supporter and a family member who can speak to the Father in our defense. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is Righteous and confess your sin to Him.

“If we sin, we’re not written off the list or kicked out of the family, for we have an advocate, a defense attorney in Jesus Christ.” – Jon Courson

God’s Word: “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” – Romans 8:34

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - The Need To Confess Sins

2020-10-06T04:30:00Z

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

In December 2019, Lt. Tim Watkins of the Thomas County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office reported that a man called the police to say he had stolen a car in Thomasville and was about 12 miles away in the smaller town of Boston.

A Boston police officer went looking for the Chevrolet Impala and 29-year-old Quent Rashed Lankford, but could find neither. Lankford called back again and finally called a third time to say he had broken into a convenience store and was drinking beer.

“He wanted to confess and turn himself in,” Watkins said. “He called three times.”

That was enough for Boston police to track down and arrest Lankford. The car was later found in Thomasville.

Lankford was charged with second-degree burglary and theft charges.

If we confess our sins to Jesus, he is faithful to forgive us of our sins. Today in prayer, confess your sins to the Lord and know He is faithful to forgive you and to purify you from all unrighteousness.

“The confession of evil works is the beginning of good works.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Deceiving Ourselves

2020-10-05T04:42:00Z

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8

Pastor Allan Descheneau grew up in Canada and is a graduate of Taylor Seminary, Edmonton AB. Pastor Allan hosts a podcast called “Art of the Christian Ninja” where he broadcasts how to “pursue a deeper, consistent and more meaningful relationship with God”.

In his podcast entitled “There’s No Deception Like Self-Deception”, Pastor Allan relates the following story: “One time someone came over to me and saw my devotional bible – which is almost destroyed, has no cover, is covered in tape, stains, highlights, and pencil marks – and asked me how they can get one that looks just like it. My answer was, “Go buy a new one and read it for 20 years.” He wanted the look of a person who had studied his bible for years and years, without actually having to read it.”

We should not deceive ourselves. Today in prayer, confess your sins to Jesus Christ and seek His grace.

"The problem with people who have no vices is that you can be fairly certain that they have some pretty annoying virtues!" – Elizabeth Taylor

God’s Word: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:40

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Walk In The Light

2020-10-02T04:51:00Z

“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:6-7

Mike Burden was orphaned at a young age and a family that was involved with the local Ku Klux Klan adopted him.

In 1996, the town of Laurens, South Carolina, was thrust into the international spotlight when Michael opened a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan on the community's main square. Journalists and protestors flooded the town, and hate groups rallied to the establishment's defense, dredging up the long history of racial violence in this formerly prosperous mill town.

Shortly after his museum opened, Michael Burden abruptly left the Klan at the urging of a woman he fell in love with. Broke and homeless, Michael accepted the help of Reverend David Kennedy, an African American preacher and leader in the Laurens community. Reverend Kennedy took him into his home.

“The turning point for me was he had the cour¬age to ask me to help,” recalls Reverend Kennedy. “Jesus Christ did some very unpopular things,” added the reverend. “When it’s time to help, you do what God wants you to do.”

We need to put our relationship with Jesus Christ first in our lives and when we walk in His light, all of our relationships will be correct. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His fellowship and seek to follow Him in all that you do.

“A habit of devout fellowship with God is the spring of all our life, and the strength of it.” – H. E. Manning

God’s Word: “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” – 1 John 1:3

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - The Life That Will Continue

2020-10-01T04:46:00Z

“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” – 1 John 1:2

King Henry VIII of England claimed to be a Christian, but in many cases he made laws that went against God's law. He also demanded that his religious and political advisers agree with him. Those who chose to obey God rather than the king were often killed. John Fisher, a close friend of the king, chose God's law above Henry's. He was sentenced to die. On the day of his execution, he asked to be brought his best clothes. "This is my wedding day,'" he explained, "and I ought to dress as if for a holiday." Carrying his New Testament, he was led to the execution platform. There he prayed, "Lord, grant that I may find some word of comfort so that I may glorify You in my last hour." The first words he saw as He opened the Scriptures were these: "Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). "That will do," he said. "Here's learning enough to last me to my life's end."

All who trust in Jesus Christ have eternal life. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His gift of eternal life.

“For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.” – William Penn

God’s Word: “so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:7

DEVOTIONS IN LETTERS OF JOHN

Devotional - Working Faithfully

2020-09-30T04:53:00Z

“The men did the work faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites--all who were skilled in playing musical instruments” – 2 Chronicles 34:12

In the 1880s a young man who was an earnest Christian found employment in a pawnshop. Although he disliked the work, he did it faithfully as unto the Lord until a more desirable opportunity opened for him. To prepare himself for a life of Christian service, he wrote on a scrap of paper the following resolutions: “I do promise God that I will rise early every morning to have a few minutes—not less than five—in private prayer. I will endeavor to conduct myself as a humble, meek, and zealous follower of Jesus, and by serious witness and warning I will try to lead others to think of the needs of their immortal souls. I hereby vow to read no less than four chapters in God's Word every day. I will cultivate a spirit of self-denial and will yield myself a prisoner of love to the Redeemer of the world.” That young man was William Booth, who later led thousands to Christ and founded the Salvation Army.

The Lord desires us to be faithful in every task given to us. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus for the work He has given you and pray you can be a more faithful worker.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my little apple tree and pay my debts.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 28:20

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

Devotional - He Chooses Leaders

2020-09-29T04:21:00Z

“Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” – 2 Chronicles 9:8

Peter Muhlenberg was the eldest son of the Lutheran patriarch Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg. He grew up in Pennsylvania during the latter half of the eighteenth century. He served briefly in the British army and even traveled to England in 1772 and was ordained into the priesthood of the Anglican Church. He moved to Woodstock, Virginia and was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1774, and was a delegate to the First Virginia Convention.

Toward the end of 1775, George Washington asked Peter to raise and command the 8th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army. At the conclusion of his sermon in January 1776, in front of his congregation, Peter threw off his clerical robes to reveal the uniform of a Virginia militia officer. He went on to serve with distinction throughout the war, Peter commanded a brigade that successfully stormed the British lines at Yorktown. He retired from the army in 1783 as a brevetted major general.

The Lord has placed unique men and women into leadership positions. Today in prayer, pray for your leaders that they may lead wisely and be guided by the Lord.

“The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.” – Walter Lippmann

God’s Word: “Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.” – 1 Kings 10:9

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

Devotional - Giving With Devotion

2020-09-28T04:42:00Z

“Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple” – 1 Chronicles 29:3

Hobby Lobby, an arts and crafts store, was established in 1972 and has since grown into 462 stores that operates in 39 states. Its vision statements reads: "Hobby Lobby partners with organizations working to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the world."

Founder David Green said: “Coming from a family of preachers, the idea of giving back has been part of my life as long as I can remember. When Hobby Lobby was created in the early 1970s, I was committed to use profits to help ministry work.”

David and his wife Barbara have contributed to missions throughout the world, orphanages and ministries in the U.S., among many other things.

“Hobby Lobby,” he stressed, “has always been a tool for the Lord's work. For me and my family, charity equals ministry, which equals the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Let your giving be out of your love for Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you can give so He may be glorified.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

God’s Word: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” – Proverbs 11:24

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

Devotional - Being Impartial

2020-09-25T04:47:00Z

“They divided them impartially by drawing lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar.” – 1 Chronicles 24:5

Until the eighteenth century, most medical experiments had a bias to them where the patient would report an outcome that may or may not be true. Then in 1784, Benjamin Franklin, while serving as an American ambassador to France, was asked by the Académie des Sciences to co-chair a commission on animal magnetism. The claim that invisible forces exerted by animals provide therapeutic relief in humans was first made by German physician Franz Mesmer; the term mesmerism is alternately used to describe this supposed phenomenon. Mesmer’s ideas influenced medical practices for nearly a century in Europe and the United States.

Franklin teamed up with French chemist Antoine Lavoisier to investigate this claim. Without realizing it the team would define the future of medical science by creating the first blind trial. Mesmerists were given flasks filled with vital fluids to find out if the essence of certain objects, such as trees, would improve their health. The patients had no idea what was in the flask. The answer to the experiment was a resounding no. The experiment disproved mesmerism because it had no bias.

The Lord is impartial and desires us to also to be free of prejudice. Today in prayer, confess any sin of prejudice and thank the Lord that He is impartial to all people.

“Prejudice is a disease caused by hardening of the categories.” – William Arthur Ward

God’s Word: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS AND CHRONICLES

Devotional - Only Room For One God

2020-09-24T04:38:00Z

“For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” – 1 Chronicles 16:26

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a Japanese warlord and politician who ruled over Japan in the late 1500s. He is known as the second "Great Unifier" of Japan.

His lasting legacy in Japan, included Osaka Castle, the Tokugawa class system, the restriction on the possession of weapons to the samurai, and the construction and restoration of many temples some of which are still visible in Kyoto.

To unify the Japanese people, he commissioned a colossal statue of Buddha for a shrine in Kyoto. It took 50,000 men five years to build, but the work had scarcely been completed when the earthquake of 1596 brought the roof of the shrine crashing down and wrecked the statue. In a rage, Hideyoshi shot an arrow at the fallen colossus. "I put you here at great expense," he shouted, "and you can't even look after your own temple."

There is only one God, the Maker of Heaven and earth. Today in prayer, confess any idolatry and any love of things. Seek to love and follow Jesus with your whole heart.

“That to which your heart clings is your god.” – Martin Luther

God’s Word: “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” – 1 Corinthians 10:14

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS, AND CHRONICLES

Devotional - Heed The Warnings

2020-09-23T04:54:00Z

“The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: ‘Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.’” – 2 Kings 17:13

On May 7, 1902, Martinique’s Mount Pelée began the deadliest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. The following day, the city of Saint Pierre, which some called the Paris of the Caribbean, was virtually wiped off the map.

Mount Pelée was a 4,500-foot mountain on the north side of the Caribbean island of Martinique. On April 2, 1902, new steam vents were spotted on the peak, which overlooked the port city of Saint Pierre. Three weeks later, tremors were felt on the island and Mount Pelée belched up a cloud of ash.

Caught up in the midst of an important election, residents of Saint Pierre failed to heed the mountain’s warnings and evacuate. The nearby residents mistakenly believed that the only danger from the volcano was lava flow and that if lava started to flow, they would have plenty of time to flee to safety. In fact, some people came from outside the city to view the action, even after ash from the eruption began to block roads.

On May 7, activity on the volcano increased dramatically and the blasts grew significantly stronger. Overnight, there were several strong tremors and a cloud of gas with a temperature of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit spilled out of the mountain. Finally, a tremendous blast in the early morning hours sent an avalanche of boiling ash down the side of the mountain. The death toll was more than 29,000 people. Only two people survived.

The Lord warns us multiple times in order to protect us and to provide for us. Today in prayer, heed God’s Word and do not be complacent in following Jesus.

“Warnings aren’t meant to condemn us—they are meant to help us grow up so that we can be effectively used in building God’s kingdom on earth.” - Crystal McDowell

God’s Word: “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11

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Devotional - In His Time

2020-09-22T04:38:00Z

“In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the LORD. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the LORD. Then he showed them the king's son.” – 2 Kings 11:4

Winston Churchill had nearly reached the height of political power in Britain early in his career; by the age of 33 he was a cabinet minister and one of the nation’s most popular speakers. Yet a series of events and unpopular positions caused Churchill to lose his political standing and become a subject of ridicule and rejection. By the early 1930s, he had been excluded from the seats of power. Churchill’s prophetic warnings about Adolf Hitler were ignored by an English public that preferred to hear comforting worlds of peace.

When Britain was plunged into World War II, Churchill was already 65 years of age, eligible to retire on a government pension. Yet that is the moment when the nation turned to him, and Churchill became the prime minister who inspired the British people to remain firm during her darkest day of the war.

God’s timing is perfect. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus that He is always on time.

“In God, time and eternity are one and the same thing.” – Henry Suso

God’s Word: “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” - Habakkuk 2:3

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Devotional - Eyes Wide Open To Reality

2020-09-21T04:44:00Z

“And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:17

Nabeel Qureshi was born in San Diego, California to Pakistani parents who immigrated to the United States. With his father in the U.S. Navy, he moved many times as a youth before settling in Virginia. In 2001 he attended Old Dominion University and served as the president of the Pre-Medical Honor Society. Nabeel also studied Islamic apologetics and engaged Christians in religious discussions. After one such discussion with a Christian at Old Dominion University, David Wood, the two became friends and began a years-long debate on the historical claims of Christianity and Islam.

After one debate, Nabeel prayed to God for a sign:

“I was at the foot of a hotel bed, and I prayed, ‘God, I don’t know. My eternal life is on the line. I ask you to tell me what the truth is. Provide me with a vision. Provide me a dream, anything.’”

“That night, as soon as I prayed that, everything went dark, and there before my eyes were hundreds, maybe thousands of crosses. As soon as they had come they had gone. I knew what had happened – I had received a vision. But I didn’t want to believe it! So I looked up to God and I said, “God, that doesn’t count! That could be my eyes playing tricks on me.” So I said to God, “Forget I asked for a vision. How about you provide me a dream?” That night Nabeel had a dream of Christ and when he awoke he gave his life to Christ.

There is a reality that is beyond our eyes that only faith can reveal. Today in prayer, praise Jesus that He is Lord of all the seen and the unseen.

“My knowledge of that life is small, The eye of faith is dim, But ‘tis enough that Christ knows all, And I shall be with him.” – Richard Baxter

God’s Word: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2

DEVOTIONS IN THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS, AND CHRONICLES