Devotional Thoughts

Matthew 12:9-14     " And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:  And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?   How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.   Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him."  Most of us have heard the adage “No good deed goes unpunished.” The scripture tells us that the hearts of men are only evil always (Genesis 6:5). Men, left to their own devices, do not seek the good of others u...

Exodus 4:2-3     "And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.  (3)  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it." We continue our look at Moses this morning. We read this verse last week, but I want us to think about the mercies of God as He uses the things we have been given the ability to use. Moses had tried to explain to God that he was incapable of doing what the Lord was calling him to do. "What is in thine hand?" Moses was quick to answer because he had used this instrument for 40 years. "What's in your hand? A rod." This morning I saw something that I've never noticed before. When God asked Moses what was in his hand, He then told him to "Cast it on the ground." I pray I am not reading more into this than is intended, but I see something very important in Moses' casting the rod on the ground. May I indulge in my thoug...

Matthew 12:1-8     " At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;   How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?   Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?   But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.   But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.   For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath...

Exodus 4:1-2     "And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.  (2)  And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod." Exodus 4:10-12     "And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.  (11)  And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?  (12)  Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." Several years ago, the Kingsmen Quartet sang the song, "Excuses." Quite honestly, we are all good at making excuses when we feel the need arises. Am I right? If it's something we really want to do, we will not allow anything to prevent us from doing it. But...

Matthew 11:28-30    "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.   For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Jesus did not say, “Will you come” or “I wish you would come.” Strong’s Greek Dictionary tells us that the word translated as “come” is an imperative. In other words, it was a direct command and not a request. I assure you, there is no more irresistible voice in the world than this. Jesus declared that His sheep HEAR His voice, and they FOLLOW Him! The command to come was not issued to everyone within hearing distance. This was not for those who believed they had everything under control and did not need any help. It was not a command given to the self-righteous and self-important. This command was for those who were burdened down by sin and weary of a load they could not stand up under. This rest w...