Devotional Thoughts

2 Chronicles 36:15     "And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: (16)  But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy."   We wind our way down in the study of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah. The last several kings did evil in the sight of the Lord before they were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. I won't even mention their names in this devotion. The nation went farther and farther away from God until "there was no remedy". We know the Lord had said, "If my people...", but His people were not humbling themselves. They were not praying. They were not seeking His face. They were not turning from their wicked ways. As long as a people are in that situation, there is no remedy. If you remem...

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? – John 5:6 Jesus asked many rhetorical questions. As a master teacher, the Lord seemed to use nearly every occasion not only to glorify God the Father but also to instruct disciples. He did not lecture but rather used life’s many issues to reveal the truth. Thus He used questions to make people (re)examine their motives and perspective. In John 5, when Jesus asked the lame man if he wanted to be made whole, it is clear that He wanted the man to express his desires and admit what he wanted. Too often we see people who are so accustomed to their situation that they are unwilling to change even when given the opportunity. Maybe it is bitterness or skepticism, but all of us suffer from apathy. Having tried and failed again and again on our own, we grow weary of risking disappointment again even if offered help. Enter Jesus the Good Shepherd and Savior. Jesus Christ is...

2 Chronicles 34:26-27    "And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; (27)  Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD." Manasseh had died. His son, Amon, began to reign in his place for two years. Amon was so wicked that his servants killed him. Now Josiah is reigning as king. The Lord has touched his heart and he begins to clean the dilemma that has occurred in Judah. As his great grandfather, Hezekiah, he started with the House of the Lord. They began to repair the house of God and cut down all the groves of trees where worship of idols occurred. They also cut the idols into pieces to rid the nation of the...

2 Chronicles 33:14-16    "Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. (15)  And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. (16)  And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel." This is written of King Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah. He began to reign when he was twelve years old after his father died.  I skipped over the parts of his life where he was a failure. To be quite honest, I find myself sometimes becoming low in spirit in this study of the kings of Judah. I say that, and yet, I k...

Philemon 1:4-5   "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,  (5)  Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints" This morning's devotion is to say,   HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I thank my God for each of you and pray you will have a blessed day with your family and friends. God bless each one as we stop this day to offer thanks unto the Lord for all the many blessings He has heaped upon each one of us. God bless you!