Devotional Thoughts

Ephesians 3:8-13     "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  (9)  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  (10)  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,  (11)  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:  (12)  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.  (13)  Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory." "That's too hard! I can't do that! There's not enough of us to be able to do that. Somebody else needs to do that."  How many times have we heard that, or maybe even been guilty of saying it or ...

Matthew 5:27-30     " Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." Jesus continues to teach His disciples from the mountain. In earlier verses, He begins by telling us about the many ways in which we are blessed and what the fruit of those blessings is. He then begins to address man’s idea of righteousness as opposed to God’s idea of righteousness. The kingdom life is found in understanding and seeking the st...

Ephesians 3:1-7    "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,  (2)  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  (3)  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  (4)  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  (5)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  (6)  That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  (7)  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power." I used seven verses this morning because that is one complete sentence. Paul wrote long sentences. Just a side note here - I never thought 4th grade diagramming sentenc...

Matthew 5:21-24     " Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."   Remember that the words we are reading were spoken by Jesus to His disciples. As His followers, we are held to a higher standard than simply what is acceptable from a legal standpoint. Jesus had just declared that our righteousness must exceed that of the lawyers and the self-righteous (Matthew 5:20). ...

Ephesians 2:18-22    "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Notice something that has been consistent since the first verse of the first chapter? That's right - everything is centered on and focused upon JESUS! He has preeminence in all matters concerning our Heavenly Father and heavenly matters. He is our redemption. He is our salvation. He is our forgiveness. We are accepted by God through the work of Jesus Christ. He is our peace. He is our resurrection. He is our strength. He is our everything. It is through Hom, and only...

Matthew 5:17-20    " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Romans 10:4 tells us that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes. The Greek word translated as “end” is defined by Strong’s as “the conclusion of an act or state.” Jesus tells us in our verses today that He is the conclusion of the state of the law and the prophets. He ...