Devotional Thoughts

Posts

Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” Paul did not simply take it upon himself to preach Jesus to the Corinthians. He was compelled by the Lord to do so (Act 18:5). Neither did he take it upon himself to remain there for over a year. The Lord spoke to Paul and encouraged him in his ministry to the brethren at Corinth (Act 18:9-11). In the phrase “when I came to you” Paul is reminding them that this was the will and work of God. As servants today, we need to spread the gospel of Jesus as we are pressed in the spirit. We need to expect God to open doors for us to bear witness of Him. When those doors are opened, we need to be ready to step through them. We should study the word of God (2Ti 2:15) and be ready to give an answer for our hope (1Pe 3:15). However...

Sermon (Video): Out With the Old In With the New - Isaiah 43:14-28

Daily Devotion: Psalm 84:1-4

Psalm 84:1-4 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! (2) My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. (3) Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. (4) Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah." There has been an empty place within mankind from the time of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden. Because of sin, we were separated from fellowship with God our Creator, our Heavenly Father. That separation left a void within us and humanity is constantly trying to find something to fill that empty place within us. Verse 2 begins with three words that describe this empty place: "My soul longeth...." People go from place to place trying this, that,...

Daily Devotion: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” In verse twenty-seven Paul begins a statement about God that ends in verse twenty-nine. God is the “him” that Paul is referencing again in verse thirty. We are in Christ of Him (God). The Greek word (ek) translated as “of,” according to Strong’s, denotes “origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds).” God is the origin of our being in Christ. He is the source of the action that places us in Christ. The Greek word (apo) translated as “of” in the phrase “who of God” has a different connotation. According to Strong’s, this usage denotes “off” or “away.” Strong’s further clarifies this to include separation, departure, and completion. This does not denote that Christ is separated from God as though there was division or cont...

Daily Devotion: Psalm 83:1-2 and 18

Psalm 83:1-2 A Song or Psalm of Asaph. "Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. (2) For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head." Psalm 83:18 "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." Both Psalm 82 and 83 are prayers for God to place His judgment on those who seek to destroy the people of God. There seems to be a theme throughout the Bible of individuals, or groups of individuals, who raise the question: "How long, O Lord?" When are you going to show yourself on behalf of those who are being persecuted? We live in a world today where there is still persecution of Christians. We might find ourselves asking that question also, "Lord, how long will this continue?" We hold the thoughts in our minds that the Psalmist expressed when he said, "Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not stil...