Devotional Thoughts

Psalm 78:4     "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done." I realize I used this passage yesterday, but my mind is drawn back to it this morning. I understand this had a primary purpose for the people of Israel in that the writer revisits the "wonderful works" that God did for the people of Israel in bringing them out of bondage. He refers to many miracles that were done in their great deliverance. Let's be reminded of some of the things he mentioned. In verse 13, "He divided the sea." In verse 14, "He led them with the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night." In verse 15, He "clave the rocks to provide rivers of water for the people." In spite of all His wonderful works, the people still doubted and murmured and complained while traveling. In verse 19, we see them questioning the ability of God: ...

Introduction   The Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Rome is, without question, his most sterling effort at setting forth the doctrines of God, especially the doctrine of justification by faith alone. As the apostle introduces himself and praises the saints of Rome, he proceeds to give them the reason for his writing. First, he thanks God through Christ “that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8); second, that he has a tremendous desire to come by the will of God to visit them personally, but he notes in verse 13 that his coming to them had been hindered in his desire to visit them; third, that he “might impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of both you and me” (vss. 11-12); lastly, and most importantly, the apostle emphasizes his desire to “preach the gospel to you that are in Rome also” (Romans 1:15).  This brings us to the focal point of th...

1  Corinthians 1:18-19     “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” These verses of scripture are often read as though this were teaching how the preaching of the cross is different to the child of God than to those who are not God’s children. We often refer to those that are not God’s as being spiritually dead, and we consider this in terms of a loss of life. However, one who has not been quickened by God is not dead in those terms. If one is never quickened, then from a spiritual standpoint they are dead like a stone. It is not that they have lost life with God; they have never had life with God. Like a stone, these individuals do not accept or reject the word of God. I can line up stones of all shapes and sizes and declare the alphabet to them for hours. This is not foo...

Psalm 78:1-4  Maschil of Asaph.   "Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  (2)  I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:  (3)  Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  (4)  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done." "Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth." God is saying to us, "Listen to me!"  Too often, God's Word is viewed as suggestions that we should follow if we want to get our way in life. "If you do this, God will do that." God's Word is not a suggestion; rather, it is the only way to find peace and joy through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is the word of assurance that is needed in a society that doesn't always mean what they say. There was a time when a man's word was hi...

1 Corinthians 1:14-17     “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” In our way of thinking today, Paul’s comment in verse 14 is almost shocking. We who have the privilege of administering baptism rejoice in seeing God’s children manifest the answer of a good conscience toward God (1Pe 3:21). Paul was making a point here that he was not keeping a tally of those he had baptized. This was important to Paul considering the division that existed in the church at Corinth at the time of Paul’s letter. Apparently there were some who were trying to give Paul and others credit for their conversion and being added to the church. He was making sure tha...