Devotional Thoughts

Isaiah 58:6-8      "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  (7)  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?  (8)  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward." We do not hear as much about fasting as we used to. Is there a reason for that? Some may believe that it is not taught in the New Testament. Some may choose to overlook it because it puts us in a place where we are uncomfortable.  I believe fasting is a subject that is very personal and should be on a personal level. I have been burdened to fast on a few occasions during...

Ephesians 4:24-27     “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Paul has described to us in the previous verses the change that occurs in our behavior when we have learned Christ and have been taught by Him. As he continues this narrative, he tells us we are clothed or endued (put on) with the new man. We are plainly told here that this new man is not of our making or our doing. The new man is  created . This new man is created blameless (in righteousness) and in real (true) sacredness. We are, in this, made in God’s likeness (after God). The new man is created by God in Christ Jesus; we have no power in the creation of this new man. When the truth of Christ renews the spirit of our mind (v. 23)...

Isaiah 57:15      "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Where does God live? Some say He lives in heaven, and He does. Some say He lives everywhere, because God is not contained in one single place. And that's true. Solomon spoke those words when he prayed the prayer of dedication for the temple. He asked a question and then made a proclamation. "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (2 Chronicles 6:18)  Would God actually dwell with men on earth? He is bigger than the heaven of heavens. There is no place in this universe where God is not found. He is in all places at all times at the same time. So where does God live? W...

Ephesians 4:20-23     “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” The verses immediately prior to the ones under consideration here have been speaking about to us about living a life estranged from God. They have described our condition when we walk after the flesh and not after the Spirit. This is not what the walk that is ours when we learn Christ. Notice that Paul did not say that we have not learned  about  Christ. It is most likely that many of those who were walking after the flesh had learned about Christ. They had probably heard the stories about this man who claimed to be the Son of God; this man who claimed to be born of a virgin; this man who claimed to be risen from the dead. Maybe there was a time th...