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 babie...

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 ...

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...