Morning Devotional April 27, 2017

Psalm 7:17

“I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.”

O how we ought to be continually be praising our Lord!!! Whether in word or in song or in deed. He desreves our praise so much more than we know. In this life full of sin our greatest relief from the cares of this old world is to praise the Lord of our salvation!!!

In the midst of trials and persecutions we must praise Him. When all seems lost and we are at our lowest in this life, we must praise Him. When everything seems to be going our way. When the blessings overwhelm us and our cup runneth over. We must praise Him.

Through the good and the bad. Through tribulations and blessings. Praise Him!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 26, 2017

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

O what a wonderful God we serve!!! O how comforting it is to know He is there in our trials and tribulations. We all go through difficult times. We all learn lessons in those difficult times. Lessons that strengthen our faith in our Heavenly Father. Yet every time diffcult times come we fall back into that weakened state of doubt and fear. But, God loves us and cares for us, gives us rest from the battle and strengthens us to fight again.

O child of God, if you are suffering today in the trials you are in, look to our Lord. Go to Him for rest. Pray without ceasing. Stay in constant communion with Him. Stay in His Word. We have no right to fear the enemy. We are children of the King!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 24, 2017

Luke 24:44-45

“44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”



And so it is with us today. Only Christ can open our understanding of the scriptures. Until He does they remain a mystery to us. But praise God He gives us understanding!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 22, 2017

1 Timothy 4:1-6

“1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

As part of Paul's training of the young preacher and soon to be pastor Timothy, we see Paul instructing Timothy how and what to look for in the near future and what to do about it when it comes. In the early churches as it is in the Lord's churches today we see many who are trying to and are leading the Lord's people off into false doctrines. Paul refers to it here as the “doctrines of devils” and refers to these false teachers as “seducing spirits”. Those are pretty strong accusations.

Yet we hear people today say that the preacher just needs to preach the gospel and nothing else. Or all we need to be concerned with is preaching the gospel to the lost. But what about those whom the Lord has saved? Are we not to teach them too? Did not Christ instruct Peter to “Feed my sheep”?

Even Paul here tells Timothy to bring these things to the remembrance of the brethren. Yes we need to be reminded of the gospel. Even the saved need that. But we also must preach the whole council of God. God's people need to be feed the truth or they will follow after every false doctrine that comes along. And that is what we see happening now. Many of the Lord's churches have fallen the way of the world and the way of organized religion. Our pastors and teaches have forgotten the feeding of the Lord's sheep. Many false teaches and preaches have deceived the Lord's people. All because they were not reminded of the whole council of God.

Preachers/teachers, preach the gospel. But forsake not the feeding of the sheep in the process.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 21, 2017

Mark 7:1-23

“1Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
14And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
17And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”



I challenge you all to study these verses. Do we obey God or man? Do we follow Christ or the traditions of man? What saith the Lord?



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 19, 2017

1 Corinthians 14:37

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”



O if modern preachers would only follow this! The Apostle Paul knew his letters to the churches were truth as the Lord had taught him. God had given Paul the knowledge and the boldness to write what he wrote. He had the authority as the apostle to the gentiles to chastise and correct the churches when they followed after false doctrine and false teachers.
The very commandments of the Lord. Why would God permit these letters to be a part of the canon of scripture we call the Holy Bible? Because they are truth.
Now notice Paul wrote that “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual,” another words if a man thinks he is a preacher or teacher, one who is proclaiming the Word of God, or if he thinks himself to be more spiritual than others, he is to acknowledge that Paul's writings are the commandments of the Lord. Not just nice words or a good story. But they are the commandments of the Lord.
I have heard men who claim that Paul wrote his own thoughts and feelings in these letters. They claim this because they try to find every excuse possible to not follow the commandments Paul wrote of in his letters. But, according to Paul if we deny the commandments he has written we are denying the very Word of God. That is a very serious matter.
We are commanded to preach the whole counsel of God. Just because we don't like what a particular writer wrote on a particular topic does not give us liberty to refuse what they wrote. If what that writer wrote goes against what we believe then we are in the wrong not them. Remember the writers of the scriptures were holy men of God inspired to write by the Holy Spirit of God. To say that what one of the writers wrote was his own words and not what God intended is a very serious matter and puts in jeopardy the whole of the scriptures. Just because we don't agree or don't understand a teaching does not make the writer at fault.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 17, 2017

I Corinthians 10:14

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”

How much more plain does the Lord have to be? Over and over in God's Word God warns His people, He commands His people to flee idolatry. He tells us to have nothing to do with idolatry. And yet like Israel of old the New Testament saints continue to rebel and refuse to follow this simple commandment.

The religious world just celebrated another idolatrious holy day. And supposedly in the name of Christ and His resurrection many of the Lord's true churches have fallen in to the same. The age old question has been do God's people celebrate these holidays that have come from the harlot in Rome or not? We claim to be Landmark Sovereign Grace Baptist. We claim to be able to trace the doctrines and believes we hold dear back to Christ and His first church in Jeruselam. But the very things our forefathers died fighting against we have claimed as our own. What is wrong with the Lord's churches today? Have we become so cowardly that we will not make a stand to our friends and families on these matters? Where is the boldness to stand for and to preach the truth we hear so many pastors and teachers claim they desire? Why do we not hear the whole council of God on these matters? Why has God's people fallen into idolatry? The very idolatry we all preach against until it comes holiday time.

A little study of God's Word and we can refute the false doctrines of these idolatrious holy days. Everyone is steeped in lies and witchcraft. Yet God's people follow right along. Trying to justify our lust of the flesh by adding the name of Christ to our idolatry. What a blasphamous lot we are!!! We claim to love our Lord but we refuse to follow His commandments. Where is our love really? Is it with the Lord or is in ourselves?

Child of God, I challenge you, search the scripture. When it comes to holidays that we celebrate. Search God's Word. Compare the teachings of the holiday with what God's word says. Is there anything about what we are observing that is plainly taught against by our Lord? If so, then stop. Follow the Lord. If you love Him follow His commandments.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 7, 2017

Psalm 3:1-3

“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”



Have you ever had someone tell you that you are not of God? Or that what you believe is not of God? Because of you following the Lord's Word and His commandments has someone accused you of being hateful and unloving? All because of your stand for the Word of God.
As followers of Christ we are many times rebuked and ridiculed by those who want to claim the name of Christ but have no love of the things of Christ in them. So by them proclaiming us as evil and ungodly they show themselves to be just that.
When these times come. When we are tried and persecuted for our faith in the Sovereignty of God look to God for comfort. Look to God's Word for reassurance of what He has said. Our Lord will be our shield during these times. I encourage you to look up. Stay in constant communion with our Heavenly Father. Pray without ceasing.
O child of God, don't be one of those who are so quick to persecute others for their stand on the God's Word. It is one thing to judge righteous judgement but you better make sure it is righteous judgement and that you are righteous enough to make the judgement.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 6, 2017

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”



When all is gloom and it seems the world is against us, where do we turn? To whom do we turn? For the child of God there is but one. Our Lord promised us a Great Comforter would come and He is here! For He is the Lord Himself !
O what a glorious Lord we serve!!! O what a blessing to know in our greatest time of need He will be there to comfort and guide. In this old sinful world, what is there that can harm us? Who is there that we should fear? For as the children of God no one can so much us touch us without the permission of our Heavenly Father. And even then He will bring us comfort through every trial and persecution that comes our way.
Praise the Lord He is our light and our salvation!!! Praise Him for strengthening our faith in Him by trials. Fear only Him!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 5, 2017

Ephesians 6:18-20

“18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”



O child of God how we ought to pray every morning that God would give us boldness to present His Gospel to others. The great commandment our Lord left with His bride, His church, was to preach His Gospel to all the world. As we are out in the world every day, as we come across people who are not saved, when our Lord gives opportunity, we should count it a blessing to present the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to those who have no hope. And even though we have no idea who His elect are, it is still our duty to tell others of the grace and mercy of God.
Pray God will give you boldness today to carry out His commandments. Pray He will give you that opportunity to boldly proclaim the glory and grace of our Heavenly Father. Praise the name of Jesus Christ to all the world!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 4, 2017

Proverbs 31:10

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”



O what joy it is for the man of God when our Lord gives him a virtuous woman. To have a wife who is of like faith and a godly woman, trained up in the ways our Lord instructed for a wife is a great blessing to a man in the ministry of our Lord. And yes, her worth to her husband is much more than any precious gem. More so than any wealth this world could ever afford.
For the single child of God, I encourage you to wait on the Lord for a spouse. Pray God sends you a godly spouse. Forget what the world thinks we should look for. As with everything in this life, look to God for guidance and wisdom. Follow what God's Word tells us for finding a mate for this life. Flee those who would lead you astray in this most important area of life.
For those who are married to that special one that God has provided, cherish them. Let them know how important they are to you. And if that one is not virtuous and godly? God can take care of that too.
Pray without ceasing. Give God the glory for all!!!



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 3rd, 2017

Job 19:25-27

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”



O how glorious it is to know our Redeemer!!! But to know that He liveth and will come for us soon is the greatest hope of the child of God!!!
O child of God where is your hope today? What are you looking for concerning the future? Are your thoughts consumed with this world or with the coming of our Redeemer? He tells us to occupy till He comes. Are you carrying out His commandments and the work He has given you?
O unsaved friend, where is your hope? Do you have hope? If you know not the Lord Jesus Christ you have no true hope. Your only hope is to live life to the fullest here in this life. But what about after this life? Where is your hope in things to come? If the Holy Spirit is convicting you of your sins and you are desiring this hope of the next life, then follow Christ. Believe on His name and thou shalt be saved.



Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional April 2nd, 2017

Psalm 95:1

“O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”

As we begin a new week in our Lord, let us be joyful and thankful to the one who has chosen us and saved us unto Himself for His glory. Sing His praises today and every day. If you are able, be with His people today in worship to our Heavenly Father. If you are not able, He has provided multiple ways we can worship Him. With technology you may be able to watch or listen to sermons or even whole church services. If not simply read and study His Word.

Make a joyful noise to Him. Part of our prayer life is praising our Lord in word and song. Remember, prayer is communication with God. Find scriptural psalms and hymns and songs. Learn new ones. He tells us to sing unto Him a new song.

Praise Him in song. Be in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ today. For many today maybe the only day every week that they have opportunity to fellowship with God's people.

Start the week off right. Give God the glory and honor He deserves. Give Him the praise and adoration He desires from us. He is the rock of our salvation.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

 

Morning Devotional April 1st, 2017

Romans 16:18

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”



In his letter to the Lord's churches the Apostle Paul warns many times of those who desire to lead the Lord's people astray. Over and over Paul tells us that these false teachers are mostly after fame and fortune. At the expense of drawing God's people into deception and false promises they come in unsuspectingly and through trickery. By taking God's Word out of context or by misquoting they promise the moon and all the wealth in God's creation and good health for all. They speak with eloquence and big words.
And there are those who will fall every time. Those unlearned in God's Word, those who have refused to study, and those seeking an easier way in life. A way other than following Christ. A way that gives them freedom from the holds of our Lord and Savior. Their desire is to have it their way and not the way of God. Paul calls them “simple” in this verse. O how true it is. The hearts of the simple will be turned with every wind of deceit that comes along. Anything that promises anything other than the truth of God's Word.
O child of God, study to show thyself approved. Do as the Bereans did. Study what the preacher/teacher brings. If what he says is not according to the Holy Script then run as fast as you from them. Warns others. Warn the weaker brothers and sisters of the charlatan. So many of the Lord's churches have fallen because a devil crept in and spoke kind, fancy, and/or promising words.



Praise ye the Lord!!!