Devotional Thoughts

Ephesians 6:18-20     "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Recently we saw the whole armour of God and the necessity for each of us to put it on every single day. We must seek to strengthen the core of our being. We must guard our hearts so that they do not grow cold as a result of the actions of the worldly minded people that are around us. We must be ready to answer the call to follow Christ in service by sharing the wonderful news of redemption in Christ Jesus - the forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of our Saviour. We must always carry the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts that are hurled at us everyday...

Matthew 8:23-27    " And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.  And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.  And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"   After healing many people, Jesus entered into a ship to escape the multitude that had gathered around Peter’s house. Jesus entered into a ship and His disciples followed Him. This is such a simple statement that it is easy to overlook the powerful example given to us. If we are disciples of Jesus, we are going to follow Him wherever He goes as much as we are able. There is no destination given for this journey other...

Matthew 8:18-22    " Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.  And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.  And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.   And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."   As related in verse sixteen of this chapter, on the evening of His visit to Peter’s house, many came to Him to be healed of all sorts of ailments. Luke records this same event in this manner, “and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” The point is that Jesus did not simply step to the door of the house, look out at the crowd, and declare, “You are all healed.” He touched each individual and He healed them individu...

Matthew 8:14-17     " And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.  And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.  When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."   We do not get many glimpses into the lives of the disciples. The focus is on Jesus, and it should be. However, we also need to realize that His disciples when He was here on earth were not a group of “super” Christians. They were everyday men and women with everyday existences made extraordinary by the presence of Jesus. It appears that Peter owned a home. Historically, this was uncommon for fishermen in that day. They were generally not well-off economi...