Morning Devotional March 29, 2017

Romans 16:17

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

The Apostle Paul wrote much in his letters to the churches about false preachers/teachers and others who caused problems in the churches. He warned them many times to guard against false doctrine and false gospels. Even in those early days of the churches we see they struggled with the same problems we have today. What Paul warned them of is also very relevant to the Lord's churches today. There are many out there who seek to divide and conquer the Lord's churches for the sake of money and other worldly lusts. Paul tells us in this verse we are to mark those that cause problems. Another words we need to make sure everyone knows who they are and what they are about. It needs to be heralded to all the Lord's churches when such a one is prowling about to see whom they may devour.

Why does Paul seemed so concerned with all this? Why must we be on continuous guard against those who seek to divide and offend the Lord's people? Paul even goes so far to say to avoid them.

Paul understood how precious the churches were to our Lord. He understood they are the bride of the Son of God. He knew that they must be prepared and presented as a chaste virgin to her Groom.

O my prayer today is that we would take the care of our Lord's churches as Paul did! O that God's ministers would spend the time to warn the people and to teach them the whole counsel of God in hopes that they would not stray from the doctrines from which they have learned!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 27, 2017

Romans 11:33

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

O what a marvelous God we serve!!! O how small we are in comparison to Him. His ways are so much more than we can ever come to understand. The very simplest things in His creation confound the minds of man.

With all the technology we have today we still prove daily our ignorance of the things of God. As man attempts to increase in wisdom and knowledge he does nothing more than to prove how much deeper the things of God are. And yet there are times when our Lord opens His mysteries to us. When He increases our wisdom and knowledge and He opens our understanding of certain things He desires us to know. And with all the proof we can produce the man of the world will deny it is from God every time.

O praise God for His wisdom and knowledge being so much more than our own!!! Fore where would we be if it was all left up to us? Where would this world be if man was left in control or man had all sovereignty and he things he does?

Praise God we are not in control!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 26, 2017

Psalm 1:1-2

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

As we start a new week, I encourage you all to stay in the Word of God. Study His Word daily. Read of His love for His children. Study His laws and commandments. Study how He expects us to obey Him. See how His love makes those laws and commandments not grievous for us to follow.

Flee the lusts of the world and follow Christ.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 25, 2017

Ecclesiastes 7:1

“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.”



Last time we looked at the last part of this verse. So this time let us look at the first part.
“A good name is better than precious ointment;”
What is a good name? Many of us have looked up and studied our ancestry to see who our forefathers were and where they came from. But this verse is talking about the “now”. It is talking about us. Do we have a good name?
Do people know us by our name? Have we left an impression on those we have been around that they will never forget? Was it a good impression? When we pass from this life to the next, what will be remembered when our name is mentioned?
There was a time where a man could borrow financially just on his name. If a man had a good reputation others trusted him to pay back what he borrowed.
How is your name dear Christian? How is your name, not just with man. But how is your name with the things of God? Are you honest? Are you truthful?Do you follow the Lord in a way that others have no doubt who you are and whose you are?
We must be of good report with our brethren. And more importantly with our Lord. Remember having a good report with the brethren doesn't mean giving into worldly lust. It means following Christ. Follow Christ and His commandments. Preach the truth. Be willing and ready to go where God has for you to go. Do these things and Lord will build your report with the brethren.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 23, 2017

Ecclesiastes 7:1

“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.”

In our society today we put much attention on the birth of a child. All through our lives we celebrate the birth with celebrations and parties. Some have even set aside a day of celebration for the so called birthday of our Lord. Yet in God's Word, we see God Himself instruct us to put more importance on the death of His saints.

Why is this? Why does God instruct us to rejoice in death instead of birth? The going home to be with our Heavenly Father is the most precious event to happen in our lives. It is the hope we have hoped for since the day of our salvation. We are finally freed from this old sinful world with it's pain and disappointments. We are at last with our Lord and Savior. All things temporal are done and eternity future has began. O how we ought to be jealous with a holy jealousy of our loved ones who have gone on to be with our Lord!!!

Yes there is a natural time of grieving for that one who has left this world for the next. And no doubt they shall be missed. But O the joy of knowing where they have gone and who they are with!!! Praise God we have that hope of being there one day ourselves!!! Praise God He has made a way for us to join our brothers and sisters again in that place where we will worship our Lord for evermore!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 22, 2017

Psalm 139:1-7

“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”

O how often we think our private lives and secret thoughts are known only to us? And yet, as children of God, our Heavenly Father is always there. Watching and listening to our every deed and word.

The Psalmist gives us a clear reminder in this chapter that we are not alone and our very thoughts are known to God. O how we often forget that we are His Holy Temple where His Holy Spirit resides. We can never escape His presence.

Yet how many times, just in one day, not to mention in a life time, do we act as though we never knew Him? From the television shows and movies we watch to the jokes we laugh at that our co-workers tell to the rage and foul language we may us when driving in traffic. He is there through it all. And then there is that phone call or text or Facebook message where we gossip about another one of His children. Do we not think these things grief Him? Do we actually think we will get away with these things unpunished? What would we react to our own children doing these things? Sadly many of us would think nothing of our own children doing these things because we have taught them so well to follow the world not God.

O child of God I encourage you today to think before you do those things that dishonor our Lord. Stop and think before laughing at that joke. Stop and think before you sit down to watch television with the family. Stop and think before before rage over takes you in traffic. Stop and think before you gossip about your brother or sister in Christ. Contemplate “What is God going to think when I do that or say that?” Follow Christ.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 21, 2017

Romans 13:14

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

O what a sad state we are in today. O what a disgrace we are to our Lord in so many ways. The lusts of this flesh and of this world are consuming so many of God's children or at least those who make that claim.

Over and over in scripture our Lord tells us to flee the lust of the flesh and to be seperate from the world. But time and time again we follow right after that which He has forbidden. We are a rebelious bunch. Foresaking the very God and creator who loved us so much He sent His Son to die in our stead.

O child of God, let us not forget who's we are and who we are!!! We are the children of God!!! We have been adopted into the family of God!!! If we would just follow Christ and His commandments. If we would just turn to Him during our trials. If we would just praise our Heavenly Father in all that we do.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow not after the lusts of the flesh!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 19, 2017

Romans 9:15

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”



On this first day of the week and the day that God's people come together to worship, has our Lord shown you mercy and compassion? O what a glorious thought to know that His mercies and compassions are on us. What a blessing to know He loves us enough to show us His grace.
O child of God, praise the Lord today for His mercy and compassion on you!!! Praise God for His electing grace and for saving your soul and giving you eternal life!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 18, 2017

I Corinthians 10:31

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Are we doing everything we do to the glory of God? I challenge you child of God to ask yourself this question. Contemplate these things. Do we really love our Lord enough to do all that we do to His glory and not our own?

With the simplest things in life such as eating and drinking, do we do those things to His glory? When it comes to what we consider mediocre in life. Those things that come as habit in our daily lives or those things that just seem to come natural. Do we do them all to the glory of God? And then there are the complex things in life. A new job. Marriage. Children. Finding a true church. Do we consult with God in these things? Do we give Him the glory when He answers our prayers in these matters? What if the answers He gives are not what we wanted or what we expected? Do we still give Him the glory for all?

O child of God, follow the Word of the Lord today and every day!!! Give God the glory for everything in life!!! No matter the severity. No matter if it is what we wanted or not. Give God the glory for all!!!

Remember, all things are done for His glory and for our good.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Morning Devotional March 16, 2017

Luke 15:10

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”



O what a joyious occasion it is when one of God's elect repents of their sin and our Lord saves them!!! How often we see the exitement in them as our Lord begins to open unto them the mysteries of His Gospel. When, as a new born babe, they begin to see their Heavenly Father and His love for the first time. O what a joy that is!!! Child of God do you remember that precious time in your life? That time when God revelled Himself to you and showed you the greatest love you had ever known? Then why do we not rejoice with others when this happens to them? I have seen in many churches where God's people will shun a new born babe in Christ. O it's cute and adorrible when it a small child. But what about when that person is an adult? Why do we not take as much pleasure in the fact that our Lord has saved the soul of an adult?The verse above tells us that even the angels in Heaven rejoice when a sinner repents. Should we not rejoice also?
We should be praising the Lord when we see a sinner repent and our Lord save them. There is no greater thing for a lost sinner.
Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 14, 2017

Psalm 119:105

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”



O how glorious is the Word of God!!! What a blessing it is to be able to read the Word for ourselves and in our own time and space. We think back on our forefathers who were persicuted far more than we who strove to have the written Word of God passed done through the generations. All because they knew the importance of God's people having access to His Word.
Yet while it is so easy today for us to have that Word how often we neglegte the reading there of. How often we take the great blessing from our Heavenly Father for granted. How many of us have woke in the morning, ate breakfast, had our coffee, and went off about our daily duties and never opened God's Holy Word and communed with Him? What a shame we are to the witness for Christ!!!
Child of God, I encourage you to start today. Start every morning with prayer then prayerfully study God's Word. See the blessings He has for His children there. Learn of His ways. Learn what He expects of us. Learn of His great love for us!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 10, 2017

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.”

O that we would all as God's children would heed these words. O that we would delve into this verse and understand what Paul was saying.

Our first thought while reading this verse goes to those false preachers and teachers who we see leading so many astray today. Those who claim to be of God but have no respect for God nor His Word. We see men and women who claim to be the Lord's ministers, yet their very testimonies are all about self. No concern for the truth of God. Not an ounce of humbleness in them at all.

But what about ourselves? Have we considered ourself in this verse?

O child of God, how self pride rears it's ugly head in our lives so many times. How often we think highly of ourselves. Often times when the Lord brings us blessings. Financial, physical, even Spiritual. O how we let pride taken over and consume us. O what a shame we are. O what a poor example we can be to others.

As the children of God we are to be humble, without pride, and giving God the glory for all instead of seeking the glory for ourselves.

O child of God, I encourage you today to look to God, follow the example His Son, Jesus Christ, taught us while He was on this earth. Follow Him!!! Seek His face in all things.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 9, 2017

Romans 11:5

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

O child of God, we ought to be praising God constantly for His electing us to be part of the remnant He has set aside for adoption unto His eternal family. O how gracious and loving our Lord is unto us. So much more than we ever deserve. But, yet, He loved us before the foundations of creation. He loves us no matter how many times we rebel against Him. He will love us for all eternity all because it pleases Him!!!

O praise God for His unending love for us His children!!! O praise God for His grace and forgivness unto us a wicked and rebellious people!!! O praise God He is God and not we ourselves!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 8, 2017

Proverbs 30:5

“Every word of God is pure; he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”



O how precious the Word of God should be to us. The Bible is the purest and most profound volume of books ever written. It is a personal letter from God to His chosen people. The very personal thoughts and lessons from our Heavenly Father. God's telling of His love and how strong that love is for His children. Yet we so many times neglect the reading and the studying of God's Word.
Child of God I encourage you to delve into God's word today and everyday. Make it point to read every morning and evening what our Lord has for us. Fore it is by constant study of God's Word that we might stave off the fiery darts of the devil. It is by the reading of God's Word that He will shows us how to live and how to deal with the old wicked world we live in. By the study of God's Word we are reminded who we are and whose we are.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 6, 2017

Lamentations 3:18-41

“18And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord:
19Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
27It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
28He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
29He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
30He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
31For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
32But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
33For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
34To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth.
35To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High,
36To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.
37Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
38Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?
39Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
40Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
41Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 5, 2017

Psalm 124:8

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”



Praise the Lord He is our hope and our help. No one or nothing in this old sinful world can give us true help in this life. As the children of God we must rely on Him who is our Heavenly Father. Fore it was our Lord who created heaven and earth and everything therein.
Yet in our sin we turn our backs on Him who is our salvation and try every imaginable thing we can to help ourselves. O what a sad shape we are. O what disobedient children we are.
Child of God, as we enter another new week, I encourage you to turn to Lord, to lay all your burdens at His feet and trust Him for our help in time of trials. Praise His name!!! Stay in pray continually!!! Sing praises to Him!!!
Praise the Lord for His never ending love for us His children!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 3, 2017

Proverbs 3:11-12

“My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”



O what a glorious thought that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to chastise us and correct us when we do wrong. But at the same time what shame and humiliation it is on us that He has a need to do so.
Yet after we have been given a new birth, brought to life from the death of sin, we are in dire need of instruction and training. As with our earthly children, it takes our Heavenly Father chastising us and correcting us to teach us how He expects us to be and what He expects of us in our service to Him in this life. And though the punishment maybe severe at times and the lesson learned in much difficulty we should count it all joy and a blessing to be taught by our Lord and Savior the commandments He has laid out for us in His Word that we may glorify Him in all that we do.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 2nd, 2017

James 1:2-4

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

What a strange thought for us today. In the society we live in we are taught to fear trials. We are told, even in religious circles, that if we are going through trials and tribulations and being persecuted that we have in some way offended God. But God says He sends us trials. Why? To strengthen our faith and to teach us patience.

O and how we need faith in God and patience with what we see going on around us in the old sinful world. If not for the faith God gives us in Him and for His grace and mercy we would be right out there with the unsaved living and indulging in every sin imaginable. But God, has saved us from a life steeped in sin.

Praise God for His saving grace!!! Praise God He loves us enough to teach us faith and patience!!! O how we should count it a blessing and be joyous that our Heavenly Father loves us so!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional March 1st, 2017

Genesis 1:31

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”



Notice God said He “saw everything that he had made, and, behold it was very good.”
As lowly creations of the Almighty Creator why would we ever think we have a freewill to do as we please without Him knowing or without Him being in control of whatever we do?



Praise ye the Lord!!!