Devotional Thoughts

Galatians 4:6-9     “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” There is a popular doctrine in the world that basically says when we decide that we want to be a child (son) of God, then God will place the Spirit of Jesus in us and we will become His. Paul plainly sets forth here that the reason God sends forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts is because we  are  sons, not because we decide we  want to be  sons. Our familial relationship with God is the direct result of Jesus coming and redeeming us from the law (Gal 4:4-5)...

Psalm 103:1-2     "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  (2)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" Psalm 68:19    "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." Yes, the Lord  loads us with benefits (blessings) every single day that we live.  In Psalm 40:5, we are reminded that "... they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee..." In other words, they are more than we could possibly number; yet, we are to strive to maintain a grateful heart unto the Lord. It is quite an honor each day to try to list those blessings as we give thanks unto the Lord. I am thankful that we have a day set aside each year that we call Thanksgiving; but, we all know that every day should be that day of thankfulness unto the Lord. Notice the word, "daily," in the 68th Psalm. If God blesses us daily, then we should also be thankful to Him each day.   ...

 More and more I am hearing preachers on radio addressing their audience with statements such as: “God is trying to do this or that” or “Won’t you let God do this or that.” I saw a tract in a bookstore some time ago entitled, “God’s Simple Plan of Salvation.” On the back side of that little tract were the words, “Please let God save you this very moment!” I really don’t understand how anyone who has given any serious time and attention to the word of God could make such a statement!  Consider the implications of such a statement. Is God honored and glorified by such statements? Do such statements exalt and magnify God in the mind of the hearers or readers? But even more, do such statements have any Biblical support, either by precept or example? The answer is NO, absolutely not! The whole word of God is open rebuke to those who make such statements.  To me such statements are belittling and dishonoring to God. Does the puny, sinful creature give his Almighty Cr...

Galatians 4:1-5     “Now I say,   That   the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” The third chapter of this book ends with the declaration that, being Christ’s, we are Abraham’s seed and therefor heirs of God’s promise. Lest we think too highly of ourselves, Paul points out a fact of life for heirs under Jewish law. As long as the heir is a child his lot is no different from that of a servant. It does not matter that he will someday possess all that his father has: he is no different than a servant in his father’s house until he reaches maturity. T...

Psalm 121:1-2     "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  (2)  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." Some of the first words spoken by toddlers are "I can do it myself." Independence is a wonderful asset and is an early learned thing. Some of the hardest words ever spoken are "I need help." We really want to think we can do it by ourselves. Those first words stay with us for most, if not all, of our lives. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) I have heard many people say that this is one of their favorite verses. But even with the Lord, we sometimes find it difficult to ask for help. We find the Lord being declared as our help in many verses; yet, there are fewer verses when the writer is actually asking for help. Yes, we love the verses in our text. We love Psalm 46:1. We quickly declare the Lord is our help, but how quick are we to ask Him for help?...

Galatians 3:26-29     “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye   be   Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” In rightly dividing the word of God, it is important to understand that Jesus Christ met every demand of a just God in atoning for our sins. He left nothing for us to do in order to dwell with our Father in Eternity. Eternal life is God’s gift to us (Rom 6:23). Our salvation, and the grace and faith that accompany it, is God’s gift to us (Eph 2:8). Our adoption is sealed by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of the Father’s will (Eph 1:5). Paul has established in this letter that all of this has come about by God’s covenant of promise and not by any work that we ...

Galatians 3:23-25     “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster   to bring us   unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Our God is kind and longsuffering in His purpose. Those whom he has chosen to walk in this kingdom of heaven here have never been left to their own devices. Before we were of sufficient maturity to walk by faith (reliance upon Christ for salvation – see Strong’s), we were kept (to hem in, protect – see Strong’s) under the law. In His love for us, God gives the law to hedge us in until we have grown in grace and knowledge of the truth sufficiently to completely rely on Jesus Christ. God’s law is used to subdue (shut up) those He calls to be kings and priests (Rev 5:10) until we are able to walk by faith. This faith is revealed after we have been subd...

Psalm 34:6-8      "This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.  (7)  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.  (8)  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (4)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:3-4)  God has promised blessings of comfort upon His people who see themselves as being in great need. This need doesn't always represent monetary needs or even physical needs. The greatest need that any of us have is within our hearts and minds. There are many things in this world that bring upheaval and unrest that can overwhelm us. Jesus promised it. We are to believe it and act upon it. Psalm 34 was written by David at a time when it seemed everyone had turned against him. He even resorted to his own ...

Galatians 3:19-22     “Wherefore then  serveth  the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;  and it was  ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not  a mediator  of one, but God is one.  Is  the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” If the covenant of God was established by promise (Gal 3:18), then of what use is the law? The law does not justify us before God, and it is a curse to us if we try to use it to do so. The law was added, after the promise, because of transgression. As human beings, we have a difficult time with the concept that we are sinners. Sin is not so much about what we do ...

Psalm 23:1     "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." On Tuesday, we went through a beautiful place called, Antelope Canyon. The beauty of it cannot be expressed in words. But this morning, I want to talk about our guide. He was patient with us. He was very knowledgeable about the area. He pointed out things of interest and spoke of them with great passion. We could tell that he loves that place and receives joy by taking others through it. He warned us of places to watch for and knew the right times to stop and let us rest. He showed us the best places to take pictures in order to help preserve memories. It was an incredible experience as he shepherded us through that narrow canyon. I am thinking this morning of the most wonderful guide and shepherd - my Lord Jesus Christ. If I listen to Him and follow His lead and instructions, this experience called life can be most wonderful. Jesus knows the places that help preserve memories of wonderful times ...

Galatians 3:15-18     “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though   it be   but a man’s covenant, yet   if it be   confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say,   that   the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance   be   of the law,   it is   no more of promise: but God gave   it   to Abraham by promise.” Paul speaks here in a manner that was easily understood by his audience, both then and now. He is speaking in terms that everyone can recognize: it does not require any special teaching or interpretation. Even a contract entered into by men is honored. If the contract (covenan...

Galatians 3:10-14     “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed   is   every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God,   it is   evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed   is   every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Claiming our works as having anything to do with our justification is a curse. It is a curse because, if we claim justification by the law, then we must  continue  in  all  things which the law requires of us. We can ne...

Psalm 32:8     "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."   I want to first say that I am beyond thankful that our Lord watches over us. We just spent three days in an area that has such wonderful beauty. Some of it goes beyond anything I have ever seen. All of the area demands an awesome wonder at the manner in which our Lord spoke this universe into existence. I'm so thankful for the experience.   Since we left home, we have tried to pray each day for the Lord's guidance and protection over us. It is the longest and farthest trip we have taken. On our last evening there, we learned something about the area. The crime rate is six times higher than the national average. I'm thankful we learned that on our last evening.  I am thankful (I can't use that word enough) for our Lord's watchful eye.  I want to say in that place where we spent those three days, some people looked at us suspiciousl...

Galatians 3:5-9     “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you,   doeth he it   by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham,   saying,   In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” God ministers (truly, fully supplies – see Strong’s) to us the Spirit. If we are blessed to really consider what is being said to us here, it is overwhelming. The Creator of the universe  ministers to us  and works miracles among us. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever: He is still a miracle working God. However, He does not supply us the Spirit because...

James 1:5      "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." I have found myself using a particular phrase quite often on this trip. Being an educator, Debby's search to know things has caused her to ask many questions about the culture in this area.  Mainly she was thinking out loud, but I felt like I needed to give an answer. For about 99% of the time, my answer has been, "I don't know." Her response has been, I want to research that in order to find out. I have to admit there are many things in life to which I have no answer. I believe there are many things that we will never know in this life. My answer to that is this: when we get to heaven, it won't matter. Maybe I am too nonchalant about some things. But I try not to worry too much about unanswerable questions of life. For those things that I do need to have an answer, I know where to go. Sometimes I can find i...

Galatians 3:1-4     “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if   it be   yet in vain.” Paul is reproving the Galatian brethren quite strongly, but he is not calling them fools as we think of the term. The Greek word translated here as foolish implies  sensual  (see Strong’s). Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines sensual as “pertaining to or given to life according to one’s physical appetites and desires rather than in obedience to the Holy Spirit.” These brethren had given their attention (been bewitched) by those whose confidence was still in the flesh. When we place ...

Galatians 2:19-21     “For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Most of us go through a season in our lives when we think we can live good enough. Some have thought (and some still think) we can live good enough to earn a place with God in eternity. Even those of us who, by the grace of God, come to realize that our home in eternal heaven comes only by the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for those the Father gave Him, often think God’s blessings are directly tied to how obedient we are (living good enough). We need only to look at Israel as they wandered in the wilderness to know that God does not bless us in relation to how well we obey Him....

2 Corinthians 12:9      "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." I am trying to focus on God's precious promises for us. As I tried to pray and seek the guidance of the Lord this morning, I felt the Holy Spirit asking me a question.  In regards to these promises, I heard He asked, "You want to know the promises, but what are you doing with them?" Hmm, now what? So I do ask myself the question (maybe it applies to you also) - but WHAT AM I going to do with God's promises.  Paul gives us a good answer. He had asked three times for the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh. Three times the Lord said, "No, I won't." That could have been a source of disappointment for Paul, but instead he was motivated all the more to hold to the promise of Jesus. "My grace is sufficient for thee....

Galatians 2:15-18     “We   who are   Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners,   is   therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.” Many of us have been members of the church from the days of our childhood. We hardly remember a time when going to church, praying, singing hymns, and reading the Bible was not part of our regular routine. As a result, we can identify to some extent with Paul’s statement “We who are Jews by nature.” Just as being natural born Jews was a blessing under the law service...

Matthew 6:33     "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." "All these things shall be added unto you." Jesus was addressing something that many, if not all, of us have to deal with. He is speaking about anxiety. Several times in the previous verses, He spoke the words, "Take no thought...." In other words, do not allow these things to take your thoughts into captivity. How can we avoid that happening? His answer: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God." How do we go about that? First, we must understand what the kingdom is. Paul tells us in Romans 14:17 that the result of seeking the kingdom is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." But we must also understand that the kingdom has a King, and His name is Jesus. So, in order to seek the kingdom, we must seek to please the king by doing the "right thing" in His sight  which is righteousness. It is th...

Galatians 2:11-14     “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before   them   all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” Peer pressure can be a powerful thing, and standing up to someone of reputation is not easy to do. We find both situations occurring in the verses under consideration here. We also clearly see Paul’s zeal for the truth and in the need to set an honest example before God’s people. At ...