Devotional Thoughts

1 Peter 5:6-7     "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  (7)  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." We have been looking at some of the promises of God in the past few weeks. We know He is faithful and true and not one of His promises have ever, or will ever, fail. We are in the family of God because of His promise of salvation through His Son, Jesus the Christ. Our home in heaven is secured through the work of Jesus on the cross when He laid down His life for us. This morning, I want to think about His eternal love and care for us. There are so many passages that we could choose to look at where this promise is reinforced. "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100:5) Aren't you thankful that His mercy and His truth endures "to all generations."  That tells me that the same love and care that was exhibited toward Abrah...

Galatians 5:9-12     “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” I find many people today who love the doctrine of salvation by grace. I also find that many of them do not fully understand that precious doctrine. I hear them staunchly defend the truth that our salvation is in the shed blood of Jesus Christ and in Him alone. Often, in the same sentence, they will tell you that  all you have to do  is believe it or have faith. On the surface that may seem like a small thing and it will certainly not prevent me from loving them and having fellowship with them. However, they do not understand the principle of “a little leaven.” If we ha...

 INTRODUCTION   In 1 Samuel, the nation is now moving into a new era of governance. Initially, Israel was a Theocracy and God Jehovah was their king. In 1 Samuel 8, we notice the following:  And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us, and Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto th...

John 16:7-11      "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  (8)  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (9)  Of sin, because they believe not on me;  (10)  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  (11)  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." We remember these words were spoken by Jesus after He had told them that He was going away. He was going back to the Father's House. They were disappointed and sad, but in those hours, Jesus gave many promises that were all to come true. One of those promises was that the Father would send the Comforter - the Holy Spirit. Although they would not have the visible Jesus with them, they would not be left alone. The Comforter would bring to their remembrance all ...

Galatians 5:5-8     “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.” What a glorious expectation we have in our Lord, Jesus Christ! Through God the Holy Spirit, we have a full expectation (see Strong’s definition of “wait for”) of being justified by our reliance on Christ for our salvation (see Strong’s definition of “faith”). We know, through the Spirit that we cannot be justified by the law. Our hope is not in either the keeping of the law or the spurning of the law. It is not either of these positions that matter. What matters is faith that works by love. We can be self-righteous in our efforts to keep the law and it does not amount to  anything. At the same time, resisting the law just for the sake of resis...