Devotional Thoughts

Romans 13:8-10     “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if   there be   any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love   is   the fulfilling of the law.” For many of us, one of our goals in life is to get out of debt. We want to live our lives without owing anyone. This is an admirable goal in many levels. However, there is one thing that we should always feel the debt of. Regardless of how affluent or independent we may become in life, we owe it to one another to love each other. This is not some new age mantra or fresh world philosophy. This is the teaching of God’s word. Love is not just something we give: it is som...

Psalm 51:10-13    "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (11)  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  (12)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  (13)  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." This particular Psalm was written after David had been convicted of the sin in his life. He was brought to a place of humility when he realized the fact that sin brings separation. We can say that this Psalm was concerning a particular sin after David had committed adultery and then planned the death of Bathsheba's husband, Uriah. But any sin in our lives brings about the same result of separation of sweet fellowship with our Heavenly Father. This Psalm can be a parallel passage to the words of the Prodigal Son when he returned home. We are told in the book of James, "But every man is tempted, when he is d...

Romans 13:5-7     “Wherefore   ye   must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute   is due;   custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Paul began this thirteenth chapter with instruction to obey the civil law. He gave counsel that government exists according to the will of God. When acting according to God’s will, the higher powers of government are there for our benefit. God established them to exalt good and to punish evil, but that does not mean that ungodly men will never come to power. We are cautioned here by Paul to be subject to government. This is not something we are to do only when it suits our personal desires. There are some who do so only out of fear of the consequences of not doing so. However, for the obe...

For many believers, including myself, Christmas has always been a happy season. A joyful time filled with worship, spending time with family, beautiful decorations, lights, pleasant memories and lots of great food! Personally, I always remember how my mother would prepare a tremendous dinner of fried chicken and chocolate cake, my favorite foods. She and my father would try their best to make it a special time because Christmas Day was also my birthday. Precious Memories! How they linger!  Yet, as we grow older, it often becomes difficult to approach this season with the same happiness. We experience the loss of loved ones, or are weighed down and burdened by the many struggles of life. Our circumstances change. Sometimes, those precious memories sting. It becomes important that we remind ourselves and others why we celebrate and set our minds on heavenly truths and divine promises.  Christmas is a season in which we celebrate the Nativity and Incarnation of our Lord. It is a ...

Psalm 50:1-2    A Psalm of Asaph "The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.  (2)  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." We read in Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." How do the heavens declare the glory of God? This may sound very simple, but it seems to me that every day the declaration of God's faithfulness is made as the sun is rising. Last night, we looked into the heavens and saw the stars shining. I look out the window this morning and there is a breeze blowing. There is a mixture of blue sky and gray clouds. I see the birds flying and hear them singing. In other words, the heavens and all that is in them declare the glory of God simply by being what they were created to be. Today's passage tells us that "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined." God's glory shines out...

Romans 13:1-4     “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to   execute   wrath upon him that doeth evil.” In today’s world, it sometimes seems a difficult task to be subject to civil authority. Our world appears to be flooded with corrupt leaders whose only goal is to increase their own power. Many of them would completely stifle the Church if it were possible. We often hear people wonder why God put...

Psalm 49:6-9    "They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;  (7)  None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:  (8)  (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)  (9)  That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption." Without actually seeing the word, we can see grace written all over these verses. The New Testament is very specific to instruct us and to reinforce within us that we are not saved by our works; rather, it is purely and simply by God's amazing saving grace. The word, precious, is used in today's passage and that word jumped off the page to me as I read it. The redemption of our soul is too precious for it to be cheapened by thinking anything we could ever do or say would accomplish it. Redemption speaks of the price being paid for something. It literally means going to the market, paying the price, and bringing h...

Romans 12:20    “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” How often have we heard the expression concerning our adversaries that we should “kill them with kindness?” There are some that would try to convince you that this is the meaning of this scripture. When we feed our enemies, or give them something to quench their thirst, what is our motivation? If it is the idea that in doing so, we are somehow getting even with them for some wrong, then it would be better if we did not do it at all. Such an attitude flies in the face of all that Paul has taught up to this point. We should have great compassion on our adversaries. If they are hungry and it lies within our means to feed them, then that is what we should do. Should we find them fatigued from thirst, we should gladly give them something to drink. Being kind to our adversaries...

Psalm 48:1-3   A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.  (2)  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.  (3)  God is known in her palaces for a refuge." I sit here and look at these three verses in awe and wonderment. "Great is the LORD." As I think about these four words, my heart is humbled to know that I can read those words and realize that the greatness of our God is beyond any words that I might think, say, or type on this page. I think about the fact that I am absolutely nothing without my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Immediately after those four words are the words that describe "the city of our God." These are Old Testament words that are the equivalent of the New Testament Church. We read in Isaiah 2:2,  "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the m...

Romans 12:17     “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but   rather   give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance   is   mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” To the natural man, getting even is a reasonable goal. If someone makes us look (or feel) foolish, we seek the first opportunity to repay in kind. When we are hurt physically or emotionally, we begin to plot how we can do the same in return. Usually, the only thing we accomplish is an escalating conflict until someone is too hurt to continue. The scripture says we are to never pay back a worthless (see Strong’s definition of evil) act with another worthless act. There are all kinds of reasons why we might be taught this, including being encouraged to not stoop to someone else’s low level. However, the only reason we really n...

Psalm 47:1-2     To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.  (2)  For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth." Psalm 47:5    "God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet." Acts 1:10-11    "And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  (11)  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Scripture will always prove Scripture. Although the various books of the Bible were written by different people over a period of thousands of years, they still prove each other. This 47th Psalm speaks prophetically of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. This Psalm, as well a...

Romans 12:14-16     “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  Be   of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” As a general rule, we do not much care for persecution. We complain about the unfairness of it. It is something that we want those around us to recognize and commiserate with us. Our natural inclination is to want others to see that a person, or group of people, is being mean and treating us unjustly. The scripture requires that we behave in just the opposite manner. It is such a vital principle that Paul commands it twice in the same statement. We are to bless them which persecute us. The word translated here as bless simply means to speak well of them. We are told not to give in to our carnal nature. To curse not means that we do not wish to see evil visited upon those who have wrong...

Psalm 46:1   To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth   "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Today's Psalm is "a Song upon Alamoth." To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what Alamoth means, but the root of it speaks of something veiled or hidden. The Word of God teaches us that no man, in the flesh, can look fully upon the face of God. We see Him by faith as we study His Word. Peter writes to us concerning Jesus, "Whom having not seen, ye love..." (1 Peter 1:8) No, we have never seen God in His fullness; yet, we know and love the fact that He is our Creator, Lord, and Friend. Today's passage tells us that He is "a very present help in trouble." The world often asks, "Where is now their God?" But you and I know that He is more real than we are. From everlasting to everlasting, He is God! So, other than His very being, what is hidden concerning our God? Why would David write a...

Romans 12:9-13    “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” God is love. What a simple yet wonderful statement concerning the character of God. God is love and we love Him because He first loved us. Since our love comes from God, the love we have for one another should be sincere and honest. We cannot truly claim to love God if we do not have a genuine love for our brothers. One indication of sincere love is that we are motivated to abhor (truly detest) evil. This is not just about detesting evil in others, but to also detest it in ourselves. We should be consistent in our stand against malice (evil) in all its many forms. Abhorring evil is ...

In this article, we will examine Joel 2:28-32. This passage has what is perhaps the most memorable verse in the book of Joel. We are probably most familiar with it because we find it again in the New Testament. This Old Testament passage is pregnant with promise that is fulfilled in the New Testament. It was on the day of Pentecost that the Apostle Peter quoted some of these verses in his sermon. We will compare that portion of Peter’s sermon to this text, and we will see what Peter had to say about it. Most of what we have read in Joel so far has not been good news. Most of what we have read in Joel thus far gives us an understanding of why prophets were not very well-liked. The first part of this book gives some understanding of why the prophets were burdened by the revelations they were given. It was only in our last message that we covered the turning point in this book. Prior to verse 18 of chapter two, Joel has not been easy to read, or to hear. That is not the case with the text...

Psalm 45:6    "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre." How long is "forever and ever"? We could also say it is "always and forever". Strong's Concordance speaks of it as being a time or place that is concealed or at a vanishing point. Where is the vanishing point? For some reason, those words are stirring my heart and mind this morning. Is there a stopping place where the throne of God ceases to exist? If it is at the vanishing point, then every day takes that point one day farther into the future. In other words, there will never be a time when the throne of God ceases to exist. One might ask, "Well, what about the day when life ceases to be?" Is that the vanishing point? Hmm, let's think about that for a moment. What does God's Word say about it? Paul was inspired to write, "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father..." (1 Corin...

Romans 12:6-8     “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy,   let us prophesy   according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry,   let us wait   on   our   ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth,   let him do it   with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Paul continues his exhortation here concerning the different functions of the members of the body of Christ. Let us keep in mind that these functions follow his admonishment to not think more highly of ourselves than we should. We do not have to look to hard to see that we do not all have the same gifts. Rather than stirring envy, we should rejoice that God has fitted each of us for His purpose in His kingdom. The Greek word translated here as gifts has some wonderful meanings attached to it. Strong’s Exhaustive ...

Romans 12:3     “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think   of himself   more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we,   being   many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” In verse two of this chapter, Paul admonishes us not to be conformed to this world. Being conformed to the ways of this world (carnal thinking) will cause us to be arrogant and self-serving. Every one of us are to guard against such behavior. Paul recognized that there was a time when he was guilty of this very thing. For this reason, he is careful to let us know that he is telling us this, not as Saul of Tarsus, but as a man who has been given grace. By the grace of God, we (like Paul) can refrain from yielding to our vain pride. Instead ...