Devotional Thoughts

Trial of the Apostle Paul by Nikolai Bodarevski And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Acts 26:6 The greatest accusation against a Christian is that their hope in the salvation of God does not waver or yield to the temptations and follies of this world.  Like the Apostles and great saints before us, we can rejoice in good times and bad knowing that the promise made by God is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Our Emmanuel was born indeed to be God with us, and the Spirit of Christ rules in the hearts of the hopeful.  Stand ready to be judged guilty of being a Christian.  Live boldly.

Hebrews 11:23    "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment." We will begin with a short review of the time in which Moses was born.  After the days of Joseph and the Pharaoh who had elevated him, "there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph." (Exodus 1:8) This Pharaoh saw how the people of Israel had grown and multiplied and became concerned they would overrun the Egyptians. He began to increase their work load trying to run them down. When that did not work, he made another decree based upon his own fear and his own desire to remain in control.  He commanded the midwives to kill all male babies as they were being born. The midwives would not do that, so he made another decree to the people that every male baby born should be thrown into the river.  He was a calloused man, wasn't he?  Who could possibly kill little babies

Heb 11:20-22   "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.  (21)  By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.  (22)  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones." We saw in verse 13, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises." Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob believed the promise of God concerning a great nation, but did not live to see it take place. Yet, they believed.  Joseph was sold as a slave; yet, God raised him to be the second in command over all Egypt. His faith sustained him throughout all that time. Yet, he did not live long enough to see the promise of a great nation come to pass.  All of these men believed God is able to perform that which He had promised. Joseph believed the promises of God to the extent that he made them promise to take his bones with them whe

Hebrews 11:17-19    "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  (18)  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:  (19)  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." Let's review the words of God when He called upon Abraham.  God said, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee." (Genesis 12:1)  It seems every step taken by Abraham was one of, "Follow me, I will show you when you get there." Each step taken was in faith of God's promise to him.  What was the ultimate promise given to Abraham? "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee." (Genesis 12:2)  So as Abraham took each step of the journey, he surely had to keep this promise of God fresh in his heart and mind. God promised

Jeremiah on the ruins of Jerusalem by Horace Vernet, 1844 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Jeremiah 17:7 Blessings are found throughout the Bible, and all true blessings come from the Lord.  Do you want blessings? Trust in the Lord. Do you seek truth? Trust in the Lord. Do you need forgiveness?  Trust in the Lord. Need we say more? Trust is the basis of any relationship, and the trust in the Lord can never be misplaced.  The Holy One is ever faithful and true, and He will never abandon us.  If you trust the Lord with forever, can’t you trust Him with today?  It seems obvious.  

Heb 11:14-16    "For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  (15)  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  (16)  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." These verses continue a thought started back in verse 13: they "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."    "They that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country." Do you ever find yourself wanting more?  That question can apply to several different instances in life.  Do you ever find yourself, at night, standing in the kitchen wanting something but you don't know what you want?  In some cases, we keep going back until we find that right thing or until we are so full we can't hold any more.   As I look back on my life, I realize I

Hebrews 11:13    "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." We all have experienced disappointment when something did not turn out the way we wanted it to happen. Sometimes we recovered fairly quickly. Other times, we recall the hurt over and over. Sometimes the result was a loss of confidence in someone or something. Can you identify with what I'm saying? Today's passage tells us Abraham and Sarah (plus the others listed before these) lived their entire life without seeing the end result of God's promise to them. I could bring myself to a state of grief, if I allowed myself to dwell on this part of the verse. But Abraham did not allow himself to dwell in a state of mind where he only thought of promises not received. How could he do that? The answer lies in the first two words that are found in most o

Hebrews 11:11-12    "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised (12)  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable." "Through faith... Sara... received strength." We might look at the age of Abraham and Sarah and say, "They had good genes."  Humanity tends to want to put reason for every outcome. When I say reason, I mean we want to be able to use science, or human rationale, to be able to explain every happening.  We are given the reason in these verses of Scripture for the conception of Isaac and that reason is not "good genes". Through faith, Sara received strength. Does that mean Sarah was able to conceive because her faith and her ability to believe was strong enough to cause it to happen?  You see? T

Hebrews 11:9-10    "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  (10)  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." There is an old Gospel hymn that begins, "This world is not my home. I'm just a passin' through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue."  We read in today's passage, "By faith he (Abraham) sojourned in the land of promise, as in a stange country." The Lord took Abraham to the land of Canaan and promised that land to his heirs. He lived in temporary houses because that was not his permanent home. It was a strange country to him. I do not know how long it took Abraham to arrive in Canaan, but we can safely assume it was at least twenty five years. He was looking for a place where God reigned supreme. When he arrived in Canaan, he saw the people were idol worshipers. I s

Hebrews 11:8    "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." As I sit down to write, I cannot seem to get past the first two words: "By faith".  We, sometimes, tend to look at the Old Testament saints as if they were some supernatural beings that were larger than life. The good things accomplished by them were purely and simply "by faith" in the Almighty God.  He constantly reminded them of Who He is and what He was going to do for them. They made mistakes just as you and I make mistakes. They were imperfect beings; yet, they are listed in this wonderful chapter concerning faith.  God is able to do great things with weak human beings. Abraham (Abram as was his name when God called him) "was called to go out." He lived in a place where idolatry was rampant. We are first introduced to him while he was still in that land. We ar

Hebrews 11:7    "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Wickedness was rampant in the days of Noah. We believe the world to be in terrible shape in our day, but it is evident that it was even worse in the days of Noah. "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." (Genesis 6:8) Can you imagine how it must have felt for Noah to live among such conditions of life? And yet, we can find encouragement in that he is described as being a "preacher of righteousness" even in that time. See 2 Peter 2:5. What moved Noah to spend over one hundred years building this huge ark? How did he endure when surely those people around him made fun of him building such a boat on dry land? Can you imagine their laughter at this old man day after day, month after month, year after year?  I imagine som

The Caravan of Abraham by James Tissot (circa 1896–1902) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. Romans 4:18 We often struggle to believe as we ought.  Whether it is sin or the cares and distractions of this world, our old nature chafes to trap us into unbelief.  Some people succeed in resisting this impulse better than others, and their lives are remarkable. One such person was Abraham.  Following the direction of God, this already aged man left his home to follow God’s instruction. He had no worldly assurances of success, but he hoped against hope in the Lord. God blessed Abraham and forgave him much as well because Abraham ultimately trusted in Him.  May the Lord bless you to hope against hope when all seems strange around you. Rest assured, the Lord is working in your life.

Hebrews 11:5-6    "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  (6)  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." I included verse 6 with Enoch this morning because the wording says Enoch "pleased God".  We know very little about Enoch. Actually we only know two facts about him other than his age. He was the father of Methuselah and he pleased God. The Genesis account of Enoch says, "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (Genesis 5:24)  I want to add one more verse from the Old Testament at this point.  "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) Now the pieces of the picture are beginning to come together. What is the glue that holds these pieces togethe

Hebrews 11:4    "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh." We all remember the account of Cain and Abel.  I've often wondered about the difference in their offerings. The law had not been given at that time concerning sacrificial offerings, so we cannot use the law as judgment for or against either of these sons of Adam and Eve. But we will use it in trying to examine the difference between their offerings. For there is a principle that should be applied before the law was given, after the law was given, and even today when the law has been fulfilled by Christ. That principle of heart and mind tells us that we should always give our best unto the Lord. He gave His best to us. Why would I bring that principle into this particular devotion? We look at the two offerings made by Cain and Abel. Some say God accepted Abel's sa

Hebrews 11:3    "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." I read once of two astronomers who had an ongoing "discussion" concerning creation.  One took the stance of the big bang theory and evolution. The other believed  God spoke this universe into existence in a perfect manner.  The astronomer who took the stance that God spoke the universe into existence was given a model of the solar system built to scale.  One day the astronomer who believed in the big bang theory walked into the office of the other and saw this model. He was amazed at how perfectly the model had been built to scale. He asked the creationist, "Where did you get that perfectly scaled model of the solar system?" The creationist looked at him and said, "The other day I heard a large crash and when I walked into my office, this solar system had suddenly appeared."  Of cour

Hebrews 11:1    "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2)  For by it the elders obtained a good report." "For by it the elders obtained a good report." By faith, the elders obtained a good report.  For just a quick review, let us be reminded "faith is the substance, (or ground, or confidence) of things hoped for."  Because of their confidence, the elders obtained a good report. The patriarchs, or forefathers, that are listed in this chapter obtained a good report.  We get our word martyr from the original Greek word used for elders in this passage. We will see they "obtained a good report" in that they were used by God to accomplish great things. We will also see they GAVE "a good report" by the things they accomplished.  But we will also see they suffered great things (martyred) as they gave "a good report". These saints of God, listed in this chapter, endured great hardships as

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. - Luke 3:4 John the Baptist was one of a few Biblical figures born with a known purpose and calling.  John was the promised voice of one crying in the wilderness. He was born to prepare the way of the Lord crying out this message turning the minds of men back to God and away from their sins. Today, you and I have the same charge.  We were born and born again to cry out in the wilderness of this world, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”  While we cannot perform the quickening work of the Spirit of God, you and I can declare that the Savior has come. He lives and reigns today.  The children of God must still repent for the Kingdom of God and Heaven is at hand. This is the Good News.  Let us rejoice together and cry with a loud voice.  Hosanna to the King!

Hebrews 11:1   "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We are now beginning the walk through the Hall of Faith. Before we can truly appreciate the individuals who are listed in this chapter, we should be reminded of the Biblical definition of faith. We often think of faith as being the ability to persevere. Chapter 10 concluded with those thoughts: "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." (Hebrews 10:38)  We think of faith as being the ability to believe the truth of God's Word.  We think of faith as being the ability to stand strong in the middle of adversity.  We think of faith as being the ability to have good things come to us, if we can believe hard enough. Contrary to that, we think someone must not have had enough faith if good results do not come about.  But is that really the reason God gave His children the gift of faith? What does our verse for to

Hebrews 10:35-36    "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  (36)  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Have you ever ordered one of those little handy dandy gadgets that are advertised on television?  If so, were you ever disappointed with its performance once you received it?  They make everything look so good on tv, but do not always follow through on performance. After a few disappointments, you lose all confidence in their word to make life better for you. I've often heard people reply to the message of God's sovereign grace with something like, "That's too good to be true. God sent His Son to die for sinners?  He did it freely? No cost to us? Everything has a catch, so what's the catch to this free grace thing?"  Well, the truth is this:  "It is good and it is true."  Not only did God send His Son to die for His people, Jesus

Hebrews 10:31    "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." I will start out with a stark statement concerning the society in which we live:  We have lost our fear of God.  How did it come to this?  Who is at fault? We can begin in so many different places. We could say our government has tried to become our God. We could say the ungodly is at fault. We could even say the men in the pulpit are at fault for trying to present God as our "best buddy". But it seems to me it won't be corrected until I, personally, take responsibility. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." We can look at so many individuals in the Bible and see how they wandered away from the Lord. We can see Adam in the Garden of Eden. We could say he was living in paradise on earth until he forgot God. He was cast out of the Garden. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Moses was doing such a wonder

Hebrews 10:19    "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" Have you ever felt hesitant to pray? Can you think back on a time when you know you needed forgiveness for something you had done, but were hesitant to go to God and ask Him to forgive you?  I think it is human nature for us to think we need to clean ourselves up a bit before we ask God to forgive us. It's human nature to think we need to present a picture of trying to help ourselves before we ask God to help us.  I think that is the source of the incorrect theology that says, "God helps those who help themselves."  Quite honestly, we would never go to God if we could help ourselves. I think of the Prodigal son and his predicament in the world. He could not help himself nor could he find anyone in the world that would help him. The world used him to obtain what they wanted and then sent him continuously on his downward spiral. It was when he remembered home

  1 Chronicles 29:16 O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. Since the beginning of history, we know that the followers of God were commanded to prepare for the Lord, and He was preparing them also. From prayers and sacrifices to services and obedience, preparations and participation in worship are a part of daily life of believers. King David was well acquainted with the desire to serve God and honor Him above all things. Yet God limited the king of Israel that David was not allowed to construct the Temple. Rather, his son Solomon would oversee the completion of the Temple and David was left to prepare the materials needed for this immense project. It took years to gather the great wealth of timber, stone, precious metals and precious gems along with the expertise to construct the Temple, and David acknowledged God’s sovereign hand in all these things, saying “O Lord our God, all this s

Hebrews 10:22-25    "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  (24)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  (25)  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." We are now given instructions as to how we are to receive and apply in our lives that which Jesus has done for us.  We have been given boldness to approach the throne of God. This boldness is not through our own works or goodness; rather, we can be bold because the blood of Jesus Christ has been offered and accepted by the Father. We are given access, not through a dead animal's sacrifice, but through the sacrificial offering of the risen Lord Jesus Chris