Morning Devotional June 29, 2018

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

O what comfort we have in the promises of our Heavenly Father!!! Through trials and tribulations and persecutions He is always there to give us comfort. But not only for ourselves. Notice Paul says “that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,”. So through our tribulations and trials we are to learn of the comfort we get from God and when we see others in trouble or struggling to give comfort to them in the same way.

Isn't it a amazing how our Lord has provided for us in this life. God teaches us to be a Christ like comfort to our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is part of our continuous walking and communing with our Heavenly Father. We are to have compassion on others. Especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.

When we see a one in trouble and they are requiring council or they have some physical need or maybe all we have to offer is prayer, we must be willing and able to help those of our own spiritual family through whatever means our Lord provides us with. It is our Christian duty. God commands we love each other and help each other when the need arises.

Yes, we have the Great Comforter who is the Holy Spirit of God who lives within us. And God's children must do all things in the Spirit. But we are also commanded to be a witness and a help to those our Lord loves. He uses each of us to touch others way more than we know. “that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 28, 2018

Psalm 23:6

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

O the grace and mercy our Lord has bestowed upon us!!! O what love and compassion like no other!!! O the promises He has made and we know He will keep!!! O the hope we have for His return for us!!! O the promise of an eternity with Him!!! Praising Him for all eternity!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 26, 2018

Psalm 19:14

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 25, 2018

Hebrews 13:5-6

“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 24, 2018

Joshua 1:9

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 23, 2018

2 Corinthians 13:5

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

These are very strong words from the Apostle Paul. The church in Corinth had many problems. They had followed false doctrine. They had failed to enact church discipline when it was needed. The members had personal issues they had not addressed. And if we knew the whole story I am sure the list could go on and on.

The truth is the church in Corinth was very much like many of the Lord's churches today. When false doctrine enters the teachings of the local church there are always those who will defend that false doctrine to the “death”. While those who will defend the truth are ridiculed and scorned. In some cases we see whole churches alienated by other churches because of their standing on God's truth.

Paul challenges the Corinthian church to examine themselves. As God's children, we must examine ourselves first. Before casting judgement on another for something we don't agree. We must examine and prove ourselves to see if what we say and believe is according to God's Word or if it is our own thoughts or the teachings of another we have trusted. Are we trusting God's Word by faith or are we trusting in something or someone else because it is easier to believe or because what they say is more pleasant than the words of God?

Before we accuse one of being legalistic or to harsh on a matter, examine yourself and see if what you believe on the matter is what God's Word says. We can become legalistic to false doctrine ourselves if we refuse to listen to truth.

O child of God, examine yourselves. Seek to follow Christ. Are you living by faith in Christ or by faith in self and the world? Before opening your mouth to try and disprove someone else, prove yourself with God's Word first. Prove you are the child of God you claim to be.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 21, 2018

Psalm 92:1-5

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 20, 2018

Psalm 47:6-7

“Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 18, 2018

Proverbs 3:5-6

"5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Morning Devotional June 17, 2018

Psalm 103:13

“ Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.”

In many places in scripture we see the love a father has for his children compared to the love our Heavenly Father has for His children. We know how unruly and rebellious our children can be at times and we also know we are the same with God.

Our fear of the Lord is a fear of love and respect and devotion. The exact same type of love we are to have for our earthly father. In this life we fall far short of the fear of both. Just as we fail our earthly father at times how mush more so do we fail our Heavenly Father?

God tells us we are to honor our father and mother. We have set aside two days a year for this. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. But God didn’t set a number of days for this honor. Just as we honor our Heavenly Father daily so ought we to honor our parents.

So, as we honor our earthly fathers today, don’t forget to thank the Lord for the father He has given you. And especially if the Lord has given you a father who is a follower of Christ.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 16, 2018

Proverbs 31:10-31

« 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. »

God teaches us much about husbands and wives in His Word. Some good, some not so good. But the examples He gives that are pictures of Christ and His Church are the most beautiful examples our God gives us. The teachings of how we as husbands are to love our wives, just as Christ loves His Church. The way a wife is to be lovingly submissive to her husband, just as the Lord’s Churches are to Him. They are all examples of how we are to live in our earthly marriages.

In the verses above we commonly think of the wife. But notice the husband. Notice it is his duty to find a virtuous woman for a wife. A woman he can trust with everything he has. Not only is she a devoted wife to him but she also is devoted to the Lord. So much so that everyone around knows this by her works. She is not only a witness to her husband but more importantly she bares the fruit of a woman devoted to God. It is through her devotion and love for her Lord that her husband is known and respected by the elders of the land.

Also, notice her children and her husband recognize and see these virtues and they call her blessed and her husband praises her. Verse 30 says “but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

O what a blessing it is to have a wife who fears the Lord!!! Brethren, if you have such a wife, praise her for her faithfulness to God and to you. Praise God for giving you such a wife. Sisters fear the Lord and lovingly submit to your husband.

Children of God be the husbands and wives God teaches us to be in His Word. Follow not the example of the world. Forget the modern teachings from the religious world and follow Christ in your marriage.

On the day of our Wedding Anniversary I want to praise my wife for her fear of and her dedication to the Lord and for her devotion and love to me. But, more importantly I praise our Heavenly Father for the virtuous woman He showed me would be my wife and for Him bringing us together as husband and wife.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 14, 2018

Psalm 40:1-5

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”

O what a God we serve!!! O what love and compassion our Heavenly Father has for His children!!!

O how we fail Him daily. O the disgrace we are in our witness of Him to those around us.

But God, still loves His own!!! Praise God, for His grace and mercy on a poor old retched sinner such as I!!! Praise God for sending His Son to pay the price for my sins!!!

O child of God, put all your trust in the Lord!!! Follow not the world but follow Christ!!! If ye love Him, follow Him!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 12, 2018

Psalm 32:11

“Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 11, 2018

Colossians 3:23-24

“23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

As many of us enter into the first of our work week, let us not forget who we ultimately work for. We commonly think of pleasing our management. Which is a noble cause. Some even think of the money they make that supports their family and even this is just in our eyes. But who do we give all the glory for our jobs? Who do we praise for the pay check we receive?

Often times we forget it is our Lord whom we should seek to please. By satisfying our boss and by working hard to receive a pay check should be ways of witness for Christ. If we are continuously grumbling and complaining about who we work for or or for our pay or just having to work at all, is a poor witness on us and for our Lord.

We are to do everything to the glory of God and not to us or other men. Give God the glory for your job today. Praise His name for waking you each day and for giving you a way to support your family. Do a good job for His namesake.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 10, 2018

Psalm 31:23-24

“O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 9, 2018

Luke 12:4-5

“4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”

As Jesus was preparing His disciples for the ministry, He often warned them that their life as followers of Him would not be physically easy. But, He encouraged them by reminding them that no matter the physical cost, their soul could not be touched. All the persecution and torments they would suffer would be because the world hated Him first and hated them because of their stand for Him.

When there is a threat of bodily harm to us or someone close to us, our first reaction is fear of the perpetrator. It is a reaction that comes natural to us. We have been taught to fear certain things and certain types of people from our youth. Yet, our Lord instructs us to step away from what we have been taught and from what seems to come natural and fear only God.

In all reality, the child of God has nothing to fear in this life if he is following the Lord. The fear we have of God is a reverence and respect of His authority. It is a sign of our deepest love for our Heavenly Father. It is likened to a child having respect and fear of their parent. We must remember it is only Him whom we have to answer for whatever we do and say.

As God's elect, we know He will lead us and guide us through this life. Even through trial and tribulations, when we thing all is lost and we are at our lowest, He have that blessed hope that our Lord is there with us. We have that promise from Him that all things, no matter how good or bad, are for His glory and our good. All He requires is that we follow Christ.

O child of God, where are your thoughts today? Whom do ye fear? Are you following Christ or yourself or someone else? Look to Christ in all things!!! Pray without ceasing and seek His face in whatever comes your way.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 7, 2018

Psalm 100

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 6, 2018

Amos 5:10

“They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.”

Why is it that man hates the one who has been sent of the Lord to preach the Lord's Word in whole? Sinner and Saint alike will grumble and complain and even persecute anyone who comes speaking truth.

We are such a wicked lot in this flesh that when the truth of our sin is pointed out by using God's Word we tremble and crinch at the thought that we could be wrong. For the unsaved it is their lack of the Holy Spirit and their dead state that would accuse anyone of speaking against their sin as being judgemental or unloving. But for the Saint of God, God's own children, it is our total rebellion against our Heavenly Father and His Word that we fall flat on our face in our sin. Our flesh desires to follow this world but God's Holy Spirit that lives within us says follow Christ. So we must follow and when the temptations come from the world, we must follow Christ. When the chastisement from our Heavenly Father comes to rebuke and to teach us of our wrong doing, we must follow Christ. We must follow Christ in all things we do. As the world around us denies their very Creator and we see friends and family following the ways of the devil, we must continue to follow Christ.

O child of God, forsake not the commandments of our Lord. Follow Him in all we do. Pray without ceasing. Stay in constant communion with our Heavenly Father. Follow Christ!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 5, 2018

Psalm 103:1-5

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 4, 2018

Psalm 115:1

“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.”

As we enter into a new work week, we must not forget to whom we are to give all the glory and praise. Without our Lord's mercy and grace we would be nothing. Without His truth we would have nothing. No hope. No life. Nothing.

We deserve no glory in ourselves. For it is our Lord who is Sovereign and not we ourselves. Only our Lord brings us hope in our life and our salvation. Only He gives His elect a hope for His glorious world to come and a longing desire to leave this old sinful world we currently travel through.

O what a thought!!! To know that one day we will shed this old sinful body and have a body like unto His!!! Eternity in a place with no sin. No aches and pains. No more tears.

Praise the Lord for the hope of the things to come He has given us a small glimpse of through His Word!!! Give our Lord the praise and glory that only He is due!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 3, 2018

Hebrews 4:14-16

“14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 2, 2018

Psalms 105:1

“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.”

As we begin another weekend, a time of rest and relaxation from our jobs for many, let us not forget who made it all possible. Let us give thanks and praise to the One it is due.

For many, Saturday is the day we want to spend forgetting the rest of the week. We have a busy, hectic, week on the job and now we're ready to spend time doing what we want to do.

But, the work of the Lord never stops. When we have time to do the things we want to do we are still bound to follow Christ and His commandments. Our witnessing to those around us never stops. Our prayers still should be without ceasing. Our praise through songs and hymns and spiritual songs must continue.

You may say “well that sounds pretty harsh. That keeps me from doing what I want.” But in reality if we love our Lord as we claim and we have the desire to serve Him as we say, then why do we make it such a struggle to do these things when we have time off from the work week?

Going to the park or doing something with our family and friends can be God honoring, depending what it is of course. Mowing the lawn, cleaning the house are being good stewards of what the Lord has given us. Saying a kind word or simply a friendly smile to the cashier as we shop or stopping to help someone having trouble on the street, can all be ways others see our witness for Christ.

The point I am trying to make here is that just because we have time off from our normal everyday routine does not mean our work for our Heavenly Father stops or suffers. Being a child of God never stops. But how we show our love for our Lord speaks volumes to the world around us.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 1, 2018

Psalm 27:14

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

All through God's Word we see Him teaching His people patience. We see our Lord teaching us to wait for His timing in so many different areas of our life today too. As we live in a fast paced world where people have been trained to “take it now”. We are taught from an early age to not wait for anything but rather to jump right in with both feet and take what we want. Even the modern religionist teach a “name it and claim it” gospel.

A lack of patience has lead many to the false gospel of salvation by works or the gospel of man's free will. A gospel in which man is instructed to not wait on God's timing for our salvation but to pray a “sinners prayer” and to “accept” Jesus today. All because man wants something so bad that he is willing to go around God's true plan for salvation and to force God to accept him. What foolishness!!!

God, in His Word tells His people over and over again to wait for His time. God has a set plan and purpose for each of us. And even when we try to force things to fit our will, God's will is still Sovereign and He will only permit that which is His will.

Now this does not mean we are to sit back and do nothing while we wait on the Lord. He has given us a mission. He has given us work to do. We are still to be good stewards of what He has given us and we are still to be about our Father's buisness. We can not be lazy or slack while we are waiting for His answer or for His timing in a matter.

As the verse above states, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart:”. If we will just wait on the Lord and follow His lead in all things and at the same time continue in the work He has given us how much more peace and joy would we have in this life?

Follow Christ in all things. Seek to please Him in all we do. Remember, we are here for His purpose and not our own.

Praise ye the Lord!!!