Devotional Thoughts

Psalm 119:41-42    "Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.  (42)  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word." Noah built a boat in the middle of the desert. Moses heard the voice of the Lord from a burning bush. Gideon defeated hundreds of thousands of the Midianite army with only 300 men holding trumpets and lanterns. David faced a giant by the name of Goliath. Peter walked on water. Saul was overtaken by the presence of the Lord Jesus as he traveled to Damascus. Paul shook the serpent off his hand.  Do you ever read God's Word and wonder if those things could still happen? The answer is yes, God speaks to us and deals with us every day of our lives. Does He call us to build a ship, strike a rock, break a lantern in the darkness, defeat a giant, or any of those other wonderful works of which we read? I doubt any of us have experienced exactly those things, but what God doe...

1 Corinthians 11:8-10    “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” As we consider these scriptures, we cannot lose sight of the focus of Paul’s instruction; that we should be followers of Christ (1Co 11:1). He gives us instruction of how that we are to behave ourselves in the worship of God. In order to truly worship Him, our attention must be on Christ and His church. Regardless of the “natural” order of things, nothing supersedes our need for, and devotion to, Him. Paul’s instruction was to be sure that we see Christ. The man should have his head, which is Christ, uncovered . Nothing or no one should overshadow the influence of Christ. The woman should have her head, which is the man, covered . Even her husban...

1 Corinthians 11:5-7    “But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” Before we begin any discussion of these verses, we need to be reminded of what is ultimately under consideration. In verse three of this chapter, Paul says “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” We must not lose sight of Christ in the discussion of this or any other scripture. Although it is often socially unacceptable in this day and time, the word of God established an order to things. Over the years, the male gender has abused this order and in return ...

Psalm 119:33-36    "Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.  (34)  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.  (35)  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.  (36)  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness." As you know, the entire 119th Psalm is devoted to the Word of God and its importance in our lives. It is the longest chapter in the Bible which again speaks to me of its importance in my life. Today's four verses show us how we should approach the Word of God. It is a prayer for the Lord to teach, give understanding, and enable me to follow in the Word of God each day. Without God, I cannot find the understanding that is found through God's Word. The word, teach, speaks of the words of the Bible flowing into our hearts and minds. We are taught to read the Bible from an early age. I admit to you that th...