Devotional Thoughts

Matthew 11:7-10     " And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?   But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.   But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.   For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness wearing rough garments of camel’s hair and a leather belt (girdle). John’s appearance was similar to the description we have of Elijah (Elias in the Greek language) found in 2 nd Kings 1:8. John was well-known among the Jews and considered by them to be a prophet. Because John was held in regard by the people, Herod was afraid to have him executed (Matthew 14:5), so he was holding John in prison. ...

Genesis 22:1-4     "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.  (2)  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.  (3)  And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.  (4)  Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off." "God did tempt Abraham." We need to investigate anytime we have a question about a particular word. For most of us, there is one word that glares back at us as we read this passage. Yes, that word is "tempt." Why would God tempt Abraham? We are told in the book of James 1:13, "L...

Matthew 11:4-6     "Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.   And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." John the Baptist was sitting in prison for telling Herod he was sinning against the law of God for taking his brother’s wife. Even in prison, John heard about all the things that Jesus was doing in the region. John sent two of his disciples (yes, John had followers) to ask Jesus a question. Through his disciples, John asked Jesus if He was really the promised Messiah. Jesus’s answer was not simply a “yes.” His answer was to call attention to the works that He did according to the will of the Father. His actions fulfilled all the law and the prophets, which was claim no other could make. It is instruction that is benefi...

Genesis 16:1-4     "Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.  (2)  And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.  (3)  And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.  (4)  And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes." I mentioned yesterday that though Abram was a great man of faith, there were times when he tried to fall back onto his own devices. I'm reminded of the words of Solomon, "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." (Proverbs 19:21) Abram listened to Sarai when she had...