Daily Devotionals

Devotional - Pray Continually

2019-07-23T04:44:00Z

“pray continually” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In Belfast, Ireland, in the 1930’s, a church that ran about 200 attendees experienced revival. Between 12 and 20 people were saved every night. Every morning at 6 a.m. found 50 people in the church praying for an hour.

J. Edwin Orr described one of these prayer meetings. The prayers were short, simple, to the point. Someone prayed for God to reach her wayward son who had gotten into bad company. There was a chorus of “Amens” and “yes, Lords.” One prayed, “Lord, bless the poor woman down the street, the one with the black eye. I’ll try to bring her tonight.” Someone prayed for God to bring conviction and conversion to the man who gave her the black eye.

An hour of prayer like this every morning preceded the 12 to 20 souls saved every night. Orr continued describing this prayer meeting.

“A second year theological student was in the meeting, and these brief, humble prayers ill-suited his idea of homiletics. He decided to show the folks how to pray, and soon was launched upon an oration with introduction, excellent paragraphing, and a theme running throughout the prayer.

“‘We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that in spite of the disobedience of our first parents, the seed of the woman didst bruise the serpent’s head, and Thy plan didst triumph. We thank Thee, that in spite of the wickedness of the antediluvian world, Thou didst shut the family of Noah in the ark to preserve Thy seed, and Thy plan didst triumph....’

“The theological student prayed on about Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the children if Israel, and Moses. He was traveling with great velocity through the book of Second Kings when the minister interrupted him. ‘Open your eyes, man,’ he said. ‘You’re not praying. You’re preaching a sermon.’

Orr concludes: “We returned to the profitable intercession and sincere petition and we saw the answers come.”

Let your prayers come from your heart, not the print in a book. Today in prayer, open your heart to the Lord and talk to Him in prayer.

“Conversational prayer is a dialogue with God, not a monologue to God.” – Mark Stepherson

God’s Word: “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Ephesians 5:20

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Be Joyful

2019-07-22T04:42:00Z

“Be joyful always” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16

In the sermon “A Recipe For Joy”, Pastor Adrian Rodgers said the following:

“Joy is the birthright of the child of God. Every child of God ought to have conscience joy. Every child of God ought to have conspicuous joy. Every child of God ought to have continuous joy. Every child of God ought to have contagious joy. Joy is the birthmark and the birthright of the child of God. And if you're not living a life of joy you're living beneath your privileges as a Christian. And it's so important that you have joy to win the lost. If you want people to believe in your savior dead friend, the mark of the authenticity of Christ in your life is the joy of the Lord Jesus Christ. They're not all that interested in your creed. They're not all that interested in your doctrines. They're not all that interested in your organizations. They want to know is it working for you and there's nothing more attractive in winning the lost to the LORD Jesus Christ than the joy of the Lord.”

No matter what circumstance we find ourselves, we can find Jesus. And in Jesus, we can find joy. Today in prayer, seek the Lord in all that you do and He will give you joy.

“One filled with joy preaches without preaching.” – Mother Teresa

God’s Word: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” – James 1:2

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Do Not Be Idle

2019-07-19T04:28:00Z

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Some people refer to Paul Railton of Consett, England, as the laziest man in the world. That would be difficult to prove, but his legal troubles certainly provide evidence that he is in the running for the title. In December of 2009, Railton was reported to the authorities by a cyclist who saw him “walking” his dog by driving his car slowly and holding the leash out the car window! Railton admitted that his unusual method of exercising his dog, “Was a silly thing to do and there was an element of laziness,” and pled guilty to a charge of “not being in proper control of a vehicle.” He was fined sixty-six pounds and ordered not to drive for six months.

The Lord warns us not to be idle, but to be diligent to do His work. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the work He has given you and seek to do it with all your heart.

“Even if you're on the right road, you'll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers

God’s Word: “If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.” – Ecclesiastes 10:18

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Be Self-Controlled

2019-07-17T04:55:00Z

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:8

In a longitudinal study of 140 eighth-grade students, Doctors Angela Duckworth and Martin Seligman (2005) asked them to complete measures of intelligence and self-control. At the end of the school year, Duckworth and Seligman collected the students’ grade point averages (GPA).

What did they find? Self-control was over twice as important as intelligence in predicting end-of-year GPA.

This result breathes fresh air into students’ lives. IQ often doesn’t budge, but self-control does. If our students want to get better grades, they need to stop trying to boost their IQ. Their success depends on how hard they work, how much they persist in the face of failure and how well they overcome temptation. These findings suggest a major reason for students falling short of their intellectual potential: their failure to exercise self-discipline.

We need to be self-controlled in all areas of our Christian walk. Today in prayer, as you face choices and challenges this day, ask the Lord to give you the strength to be self-controlled.

“Control your appetites before they control you.” – John Climacus

God’s Word: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:13

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Our Hope Beyond This Life

2019-07-17T04:53:00Z

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13

George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, critic, and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. He wrote more than sixty plays, including major works such as Pygmalion (1912) and Saint Joan (1923).

He is perhaps most renowned as a freethinker and liberal philosopher. He was an atheist and he put no hope in Christ. But in his last writings he wrote, "The science to which I pinned my faith is bankrupt. Its counsels, which should have established the millennium, led, instead, directly to the suicide of Europe. I believed them once. In their name I helped to destroy the faith of millions of worshippers in the temples of a thousand creeds. And now they look at me and witness the great tragedy of an atheist who has lost his faith."

Only in Jesus Christ can we find true hope. Today in prayer, praise Christ that when we place our trust in Him, we receive eternal life.

“Do not look to your hope, but to Christ, the source of your hope.” – Charles H. Spurgeon

God’s Word: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” – Romans 15:4

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Live A Quiet Life

2019-07-16T01:42:00Z

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

At the Philadelphia Meeting House, Kenneth Boulding, a Quaker, delivered a message entitled “The Practice of The Love of God”.

Kenneth discusses the importance of being quiet before the Lord. He said the love for God is “more constantly and perhaps more truly expressed in the quiet devotion of everyday life.”

He concluded his thought on quietness saying: “There is a quiet, open place in the depths of the mind, to which we can go many times in the day and lift up our soul in praise, thankfulness and conscious unity. With practice this God-ward turn of the mind becomes an almost constant direction, underlying all our other activities. As a compass swings towards the north immediately after each disturbance, so we swing towards the Pole that draws the life of our being the moment a temporary distraction is removed.”

The Lord is honored when we quietly serve Him. Today in prayer, give thanks to Jesus for the quiet moments of each day.

“O God, make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace.” – Clement of Rome

God’s Word: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Be Holy

2019-07-15T04:58:00Z

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:7

John Charles (J.C.) Ryle was an English evangelical Anglican bishop. He was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool.

In his book entitled “Holiness,” Ryle gives observations on holy living still apply to all believers living in a world hostile to Christianity:

“A holy man will follow after spiritual-mindedness. He will endeavor to set his affections entirely on things above, and to hold things on earth with a very loose hand. He will not neglect the business of the life that now is; but the first place in his mind and thoughts will be given to the life to come. He will aim to live like one whose treasure is in heaven, and to pass through this world like a stranger and pilgrim travelling to his home.”

The Lord calls us to be like Him and to be Holy. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that we are called to be holy and listen to Jesus to live a pure and holy life.

“Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.” – John Brown

God’s Word: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” – 1 Peter 1:15-16

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Avoid Sexual Immorality

2019-07-12T04:50:00Z

“It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

In January 2017, O. Jermaine Simmons, pastor of Jacob Chapel Baptist Church in Tallahassee, was caught in the act of adultery.

The husband, Benjamin Stephens, chased after the pastor with a pistol, but police found Simmons first, hiding with no clothes behind a fence.

Simmons, who is married, said that he was sorry that his members had to try to defend him, and that acknowledged that sin cannot be defended. But he contended that he couldn’t step down from preaching because it will appear like his worthiness to serve as a pastor is based on his performance.

Ironically, Simmons was just about to hold a signing of his new book “I Need a Man,” which talks about integrity and “offers a fresh perspective on the issues of godly manhood and mentoring.”

Sexual immorality ruins lives and it is sin. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His warning on sexual immorality, confess any sin of sexual immorality in your life and pray that you will not fall into any temptation.

“Within marriage, sex is beautiful, fulfilling, creative. Outside of marriage, it is ugly, destructive, and damning.” – John MacArthur

God’s Word: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Loving Others

2019-07-11T04:27:00Z

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Bob Pierce was the founder of World Vision, the international Christian relief agency. In his latter years, he had advanced leukemia, but he chose to visit a colleague in Indonesia before he died. As he and others walked together through a small village, they came upon a young girl lying on a bamboo mat next to a river. She was dying of cancer and had only a short time to live.

Bob was indignant. He demanded to know why she wasn't in a clinic. But his friend explained that she was from the jungle and wished to spend her last days next to the river, where it was cool and familiar.

As Bob gazed at her, he felt such compassion that he got down on his knees in the mud, took her hand, and began stroking it. Although she didn't understand him, he prayed for her. Afterwards she looked up and said something, "What did she say? Bob asked his friend.

His friend replied, "She said, 'If I could only sleep again, if I could only sleep again.'" It seemed that her pain was too great to allow her the relief of rest.

Bob began to weep. Then he reached into his pocket and took out his own sleeping pills, the ones his doctor had given him because the pain from his leukemia was too great for him to sleep at night.

He handed the bottle to his friend. "You make sure this young lady gets a good night's sleep," he said, "as long as these pills last."

Bob was ten days away from where he could get his prescription refilled. That meant ten painful and restless nights. That day his love cost him greatly. But even in the midst of his suffering, God infused him with a supernatural sense of satisfaction that he had done the right thing.

We need to bring the love of Christ to the world, even if it is uncomfortable for us. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you can share the good news of the Gospel with those who He has placed in your life.

“Our Lord does not care so much for the importance of our works as for the love with which they are done.” – Teresa of Avila

God’s Word: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Resist Temptation

2019-07-10T04:56:00Z

“For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:5

William Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow.

On the subject of temptation, he wrote:

"Temptation is not meant to make us sin; it is meant to enable us to conquer sin.

It is not meant to make us bad, it is meant to make us good.

It is not meant to weaken us, it is meant to make us emerge stronger and finer and purer from the ordeal.

Temptation is not the penalty of being a man, temptation is the glory of being a man,

Temptation is the test which comes to every man whom God wishes to use.

So, then, we must think of this whole incident,

not so much the TEMPTING, as the TESTING of Jesus."

We are all tempted in different areas of our lives. But the Lord is faithful and we can resist temptation through the power of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, confess any weaknesses to temptation and ask the Lord to deliver you from sinning.

“Believe that as sure you are in the way of God you must meet with temptations.” – John Bunyan

God’s Word: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Be An Encourager

2019-07-09T04:53:00Z

“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith” – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

In the 1970’s, Audrey Hunt was teaching music appreciation at a California Community College. One of her students was named Edward. He was a withdrawn young man. “As weeks progressed and tests were given, Edward did not do well” she remembers. “He managed to turn in homework which was marked way below his ability level with my notes. He never participated in the class discussions or offered to answer any questions.

To my knowledge, he had no friends at school. Edward missed too many classes and when he did come, he carried himself like an old man as though he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

At the end of the term, students individually met with Audrey as she explained their grades. When Edward arrived, he was late and looked terrible.

“I know that I'm getting a low grade on my final” Edward said. “I realize that I haven't been participating in class and that I am an embarrassment to others. I'm a lazy, selfish, stupid and an ugly no-good-for-anything person. I have no place on this earth and what’s more, no one can ever love a person like me. I am a hopeless case with absolutely no future.”

Audrey listened and said: “Edward, your final grade is an A”. His reaction was one of total and complete surprise. “You are giving me an A? Me? Why would you give me an A when I did such a poor job in class, on my assignments, and on my final exam. Why would you do that?”

My answer to Edward was this. “You may appear to be a D student, but you are an A person. I believe in you now and I will always believe in you. I am here for you now and I will always be here for you. Never, ever forget that. Now, go and create the life you dream of. Believe in yourself. I will be watching. And by the way Edward - I love you.”

In all of her years of teaching, Audrey had never graded a student this way.

That night at 3:00 a.m. the phone rang. The man said: “I am a priest from Edwards’ Church and I have something to tell you.” I want to thank you on be-half of Edward’s family and myself for saving his life today.” Edward had planned to commit suicide after his meeting with Audrey and had left a note. It was her encouraging words that changed his life.

We all need encouragement to grow in the love of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the encouragement you have received and seek to encourage others in following the Lord.

“Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.” – Robert Collier

God’s Word: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Our Joy

2019-07-08T04:52:00Z

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Reuben Archer (R.A.) Torrey avoided becoming a Christian as a child. At the age of fifteen he entered Yale University, and having no spiritual life, he easily fell into the ways of sin. He associated with a fast crowd and became reckless. However, he continued to go to church and to prayer meetings, as well as daily reading the Bible and praying. During his junior year, life became an utter burden for Torrey. In sheer desperation, one night he rose from his bed, and told God that if He would give relief he would preach the Gospel, should He so desire him.

R.A. Torrey went on to be an evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer.

Reflecting on his life, he said: “There is more joy in Jesus in 24 hours than there is in the world in 365 days. I have tried them both.”

There is a joy living with Jesus and leading others to Him. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for all the people who have helped you in your Christian life and seek to help others in their walk with the Lord.

“A great part of heaven’s bliss for the redeemed will be the joyful presence of those whom they have been used to reach.” – John MacArthur, Jr.

God’s Word: “Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” – Philippians 4:1

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Living Lives Worthy Of God

2019-07-05T04:51:00Z

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

The Reverend Janvier Newton and his wife Frances arrived in Firozpur, India in 1877. In 1882 when he took charge of the Mission work in Firozpur, he opened a small dispensary. He daily treated a number of patients during the summer, while in the winter he connected medical work with his preaching. He traveled to the surrounding villages on a camel carrying his saddlebags of medicines and equipment. He worked mainly among men.

Frances was concerned about the women as there was no medical facility for them. She started running a dispensary for women and children from her residence. Later on, her daughter after taking a short medical course in America joined her. It was the mid-1880s that this dispensary from the Newton home began. While Frances was on leave in the U.S., the Lord led her to dream of a hospital for the women and children of the Firozpur area. She started talking about it and praying about it. The result was the Frances Newton Hospital and a 50-bed hospital that opened in 1894.

Live your life worthy of Jesus Christ. When you do, the Lord will bless you with greater opportunities. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the wonderful news of the Gospel and be encouraged to let Jesus shine through in all that you do.

“God, the King, wants his royal children to live lives worthy of their paternity and position.” – J.I. Packer

God’s Word: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - The Tent-Makers

2019-07-04T04:51:00Z

“Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:9

Increasingly pastors find themselves having to work part-time in a secular profession. They have to do so either for financial reasons or by choice. They are known as “tent-making pastors” or "bi-vocational" pastors. Robin Tedder is one such pastor.

Robin is owner/operator of the landscaping service Tedder Enterprises, LLC. One of his clients where he mows the grass is New Elim Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. In addition to keeping the grounds, Robin serves the church as pastor on a bi-vocational basis. An advantage to being a bi-vocational pastor, said Robin, is that members of the congregation tend to be more involved in the overall ministry of the church. “As a bi-vocational pastor, people understand you have a job and they have to undertake more ministry,” he said.

Ministry is not just for the full-time pastor. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for tent-maker pastors and seek to be more involved in ministering to others.

“The man who has had the greatest impact on my life as a Christian and mentor was my father, who was a bi-vocational pastor. When he passed away a few years ago, the words he used to define his ministry were carved on his gravestone: ‘I work to live, but I live to preach.’” - Seaborn Dell

God’s Word: “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Not Trying To Please Men

2019-07-03T04:53:00Z

“On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5

On 12 August 2015, a series of explosions killed 173 people and injured more than 700 people at a container storage station at the Port of Tianjin, China. The largest explosion involved the detonation of about 800 tons of ammonium nitrate, the equivalent of 336 tons of dynamite. That is 500 times more than the explosives used in the Oklahoma City bombing.

Investigation of Rui Hai International Logistics, the state-run chemicals firm, revealed many short cuts were taken. The company handled the export of the most dangerous chemicals made in China, promising “outstanding service” and “good results.”

Rui Hai began handling hazardous chemicals before it obtained a permit to do so, and it secured licenses and approvals from at least five local agencies that conducted questionable reviews of its operations. Local authorities outsourced one safety review required for a storage permit to a private contractor that Rui Hai selected and paid.

“Nobody wanted to stand in their way,” said one chemicals exporter in Tianjin, who asked not to be named to protect his business from reprisal, when asked why regulators took no action.

The Lord desires that we please Him, not the desires of men. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that we should live our lives so that we speak as men and women approved by God.

“Whether men be pleased or displeased, or how they judge you, or what they call you, will seem a small matter to you as their own interest, in comparison to God’s judgment. You live not on them. You can bear their displeasure, censures, and reproaches, if God be but pleased.” – Richard Baxter

God’s Word: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Let Your Faith Be Known

2019-07-02T04:50:00Z

“The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it” – 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson Jr. is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. Bubba is a two-time Masters Golf Tournament winner, but he has said that being a great golfer is not his most important purpose.

"I want to be Christlike as possible," he said. "I'll never be perfect. I'm always going to mess up. My whole goal is to be the role model for my son. ... I want to be the role model, the guy he looks up to and tries to emulate or be better than."

Behind the colorful character is someone who loves the Lord. After Bubba won the Master’s at Augusta for the first time in 2012, he declared, “I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

His walk with Christ started when he was 19 when a neighbor invited him to church. Later in 2004 he got baptized with his new wife, Angie, and renewed his faith. Bubba’s objective is “getting more in the Word and realizing that golf is just an avenue for Jesus to use me to reach as many people as I can.”

Trust in the Lord in all you do, and let others know where your trust lies. Today in prayer, place your faith in Jesus knowing that you are in the best of hands.

“Everyone knows how to have faith. We do it all the time in countless ways. When I get in a car and turn the ignition key I have faith that my car will start. When I pick up a ball point pen and press it down on a sheet of paper, I'm exercising faith in the ability of that pen to write. When I sit down to eat and put my wife's cooking into my mouth I am exercising faith that my wife hasn't poisoned the food. Day by day, in countless ways we exercise faith in the people or things around us. Likewise, when Jesus asks us to have faith in him he is only asking us to do what is natural for us to do.” – Bill Gordon

God’s Word: “See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright-- but the righteous will live by his faith” – Habakkuk 2:4

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Imitating Others

2019-07-01T04:54:00Z

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Rich Little is a Canadian-American comedian, impressionist and voice actor. He has been nicknamed “The Man of a Thousand Voices”. One of Rich’s favorite people to imitate was President Ronald Reagan.

He did a remarkable impersonation of President Reagan, and the President was a huge fan of Rich.

“He was the best audience I've ever had in my life,” Little said. “He screamed with laughter. And of course, when I saw him laughing, that took the pressure off and gave me more confidence.”

Rich remembers, “The first time I ever met him personally, I was invited to an afternoon function at the White House. I was late. I couldn't believe it. I was hung up in traffic. I ran down the corridor to the Lincoln Room, where this function was being held, and he was standing outside the door talking to the press.

“And this is at the time of Grenada. And I could see that he wanted to get in and mingle with the people and have something to eat. And when he saw me coming, he said, 'Rich, thank heaven you're here. You do me better than I do, so would you finish this interview for me? I'm going for a sandwich.' And he turned and walked away and left me with the press.” Rich finished the interview with a comedic imitation of the President.

How much better it is to imitate Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for the example mature Christians have shown you and seek to be more like Jesus Christ in all that you do.

“Imitate Christ, who is supremely perfect and supremely holy, and you will never ere.” – John of the Cross

God’s Word: “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:16

DEVOTIONS IN 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

Devotional - Be Strong And Courageous

2019-06-28T04:55:00Z

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

On September 11, 2001, Mychal Judge was a Catholic priest who was serving as a chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. Upon learning that the World Trade Center had been hit by the first of two jetliners, the 68-year old Mychal rushed to the site. Rudolph Giuliani, the Mayor of New York City, met him and asked Mychal to pray for the city and its victims. Mychal prayed over some bodies lying on the streets, and then entered the lobby of the World Trade Center North Tower, where an emergency command post had been organized. There he continued offering aid and prayers for the rescuers, the injured, and the dead.

When the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 am, debris went flying through the North Tower lobby, killing many inside, including Mychal. At the moment he was struck in the head and killed, Mychal was repeatedly praying aloud, "Jesus, please end this right now! God, please end this!"

No matter what situation you find yourself, be strong in the Lord. Today in prayer, praise Jesus Christ that when our faith is tested, we can be strong in Him.

“Courage is not measured by the fear you never feel, but by the fear you manage to overcome.” – John Eddison

God’s Word: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY

Devotional - Choose Life

2019-06-27T04:56:00Z

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” – Deuteronomy 30:19

As a teenager, Kim Avery thought about suicide. “My mom had always had problems with her kidneys and she had all kinds of prescription medicine in the cabinet. I decided I would take all the pills in the cabinet. Everything that was in the cabinet I would put on the kitchen table and sit down and start taking pills until I passed out. By the time it was morning and my mom got up, I would be dead,” she thought.

But Kim was involved in a traffic accident before she got home. “The next thing I remember was waking up thinking I was at home in my bed and I was waking up from a dream” she remembered. “I suddenly began to remember what had happened. I had been in a wreck. Everything was pitch black dark and I couldn't see. I tried to move but I couldn't. I felt a horrifying fear come over me. I must be dead. I tried harder to get out of the darkness but I couldn't and I became more and more afraid.

Words cannot begin to describe how terrified I was when I realized I must be dead. I had wanted to die and now I had my wish. I didn't want to be dead if this was what it was like. I couldn't see or move; I was just lying there in total darkness with overwhelming fear and loneliness.

I began to call out to God. ‘Please God don't let me be dead. I promise to stop smoking and drinking and I will quit thinking about committing suicide.’ As I prayed to God, he quickly came and brought me out of the darkness. I began to crawl out from underneath the truck and I saw my friends standing there.” Kim became a Christian and thanks the Lord for saving her.

Every day we are confronted with choices. The most important choice you have is who is Jesus Christ? Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His sacrifice and choose life and follow Him in all that you do.

“Nature gives man corn but he must grind it. God gives man a will but he must make the right choices.” – Fulton J. Sheen

God’s Word: “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY

Devotional - Be A Faithful Giver

2019-06-26T04:55:00Z

“Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” – Deuteronomy 16:17

Pastor Brian Kluth wrote the following: “After my ‘40-Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life’ book became an unexpected bestseller, I was contacted by NBC to do a TV news story. When the TV reporter interviewed me, she asked, ‘So, you think God wants everyone rich?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t believe that.’ She was a little surprised by my answer and then asked, ‘Well, what do you believe?’ I responded, ‘I believe that everyone needs to learn to become more generous with whatever God has given them.’ She then asked, ‘Well, didn’t your book becoming a bestseller make you rich?’ I replied, ‘No, it helped me become more generous!’ The truth is--every one of us in America is rich when you compare us to the rest of the world. What each of us needs to learn is how to become more generous with whatever God entrusts to us.”

We need to be faithful in giving to the Lord’s work. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for all that He has given you and seek to be a cheerful giver to His work.

“God loves a cheerful giver. He who gives cheerfully, gives better. The best way to show our gratitude to God and to our neighbor is to accept their gifts with joy. Joy is a net of love in which souls can be caught. We impatiently await God's paradise, but we have in our hands the power to be in paradise right here and now. Being happy with God means this: to love as He loves, to help as He helps, to give as He gives, to serve as He serves.” – Mother Teresa

God’s Word: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY

Devotional - Love The Lord

2019-06-25T04:54:00Z

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5

In his article “Love God with Your Everything,” Dr. Jason DeRouchie ends with the following conclusion:

“This truth means that every closet of our lives needs to be opened for cleaning, and every relationship in our lives must be influenced. This call to love God this way destroys any option of being one person at church and another person on a date. What you do on the Internet needs to be just as pure as what you do in Bible-reading. The way we talk to our parents needs to be as wholesome as the way we talk to our pastors.

There needs to be an authentic love for God that starts with God-oriented affections, desires, and thoughts, that permeates our speaking and behavior, and then influences the way we spend our money and how we dress, and drive, and our forms of entertainment. Whether we’re eating or singing, jogging or blogging, texting or drawing, love for Yahweh — the one true triune God — is to be in action and seen.”

We are called to love the Lord with all of our heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Today in prayer, praise the Lord and love Him with all of your heart.

“We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s Word: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:37

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY

Devotional - Do Not Forget God's Words

2019-06-24T04:50:00Z

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” – Deuteronomy 4:9

At the time of our Nation's bicentennial 1976, political science professors at the University of Houston began to ask some key questions: Why is it that the American Constitution has been able to stand the test of time? Why has it not gone through massive revisions? Why is it looked on as a model by dozens of nations? What wisdom possessed these men to produce such an incredible document? Who did they turn to for inspiration? They spent 10 years cataloging 15,000 documents of the Founding Fathers.

They found that 34 percent of all of the quotes and the writings of the Founding Fathers were direct word-for-word quotes from the Bible. Further, another 60 percent of their quotes were quoting men who were quoting the Bible, so that an incredible 94 percent of all of the quotes in these 15,000 documents were direct quotes from or references to the Bible.

The Lord desires us to remember His words and to live them out in our lives. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for His Word and seek to remember and apply all of His Word.

“The tumult and the shouting dies, The captains and the kings depart; Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, A humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet Lest we forget, --lest we forget.” – Rudyard Kipling

God’s Word: “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” – Psalm 78:7

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY

Devotional - God Does Not Lie

2019-06-21T04:52:00Z

“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19

In a sermon entitled “God Can’t Lie,” Pastor David Elvery lists three implications for man because God Can’t Lie:

“We are surrounded by lies, but that is not what God is like. It is impossible for God to lie and that has some important implications for us:

1. We can Hold on to God’s PROMISES.

Because God can’t lie, we can hold on to the promises that God makes. 2 Corinthians 1:18-21 says “But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas a and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

2. We can TRUST God’s motives.

Since God cannot lie to us, we can trust his motives. His motives are good. I think you’ve seen enough and know enough about relationships to know this: there is no relationship if there’s no trust. It takes trust to have a relationship. It’s the same with God. I have to trust that God’s motives are pure in order to have this relationship, in order to hold on to his promises.

3. We can rest in the TRUTH OF GOD.

Since God will never lie to us we can rest in that truth. Jesus says in John 14, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.” He didn’t say, “I point to the truth….” He didn’t say, “I stand for the truth.” Or “I represent the truth.” He said, “I am truth.” He is the truth. We don’t have to strive and seek any longer to find the truth. Jesus Christ is God and He loves us and He will never lie to us. That’s the truth.”

When we trust that God cannot lie, we can then stand on the Truth. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He does not lie and in Christ, we see all the fullness of truth.

“Lying is the acme of evil.” – Victor Hugo

God’s Word: “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,” – Titus 1:2

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY

Devotional - Do Not Be Afraid

2019-06-20T04:55:00Z

“Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” – Numbers 14:9

On May 18, 2018, a gunman opened fire at Santa Fe High School in Crosby, Texas. Ten people were killed including Christian Riley Garcia. His friends, pastor and fellow classmates described Riley as a "hero," remembering him as the young man that sacrificed his life to stop the gunman and save others.

During the funeral service at Crosby Church, Pastor Keenan Smith said Riley truly exemplified heroism.

"He used courage in the face of fear," said Pastor Smith. "When evil tried to win, he said, 'Not on my watch.'"

In an honorary military presentation, members of the Crosby High School JROTC saluted the Garcia family, thanking Riley for his bravery and selflessness during the deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School.

"He blocked the door, allowing others to escape," added Pastor Smith. "Not only that, but I think keeping the shooter there a little longer, so that he wasn't somewhere else either. Finally, the shooter shooting through the door and taking Riley's life."

Pastor Smith said it was evident that since he was a young boy, Riley's calling was to serve. His lifelong goal was to serve his country in the military, and even in the last moments of his life, Riley did not hesitate to continue living out his purpose.

"I thought it was so fitting that he didn't wait until some day to serve," said Smith. "He served on that day and he paid that supreme sacrifice for others."

The Lord asks us to trust in Him and not to be afraid. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that when we put our trust in Christ, we do not have to be afraid of anything.

“Jesus came treading the waves; and so he puts all the swelling tumults of life under his feet. Christians – why afraid?” – Augustine

God’s Word: “say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’” – Isaiah 35:4

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY

Devotional - Don't Go It Alone

2019-06-19T04:35:00Z

“I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.” – Numbers 11:17

Sandra Drummond left few possessions when she died. British police found in her bedroom a pot of Vaseline, a hot water bottle, a stuffed koala, a roll of Sellotape and a child's snow globe. It wasn't much to show for 44 years. But these scattered items were the only clues to her identity. Her body had lain undiscovered for almost 12 months until the gas company forced the door to her upstairs flat in Hulme, Manchester, in July 2007. The corpse was so decomposed that an inquest could not determine the cause of death. No living relatives could be traced. No mourners attended her funeral.

At the time of her death, she was living on a council estate of 700 residents, yet in the five years before her body was discovered her neighbors hardly noticed her. Because her rent was automatically deducted from her benefits, the bills continued to be paid and no suspicions were raised until almost a year after she died.

“Dying alone is a modern phenomenon because there is a lack of extended family,” said the Rev Akasha Lonsdale.

The Lord never designed us to live life alone. We need the fellowship of the Lord and the love and comfort of friends and family. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He is closer than a friend, and seek to draw closer to family members or friends you haven’t talked to recently.

“The soul hardly ever realizes it, but whether [we are] a believer or not, [our] loneliness is really a homesickness for God.” – Hubert Van Zeller

God’s Word: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” – Psalm 25:16

DEVOTIONS IN EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS, AND DEUTERONOMY