Morning Devotional September 30, 2020

 

Morning Devotional

2 Chronicles 7:19-22

“19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.

21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house?

22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.”

Remember that all popular verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

People are quick to quote from verse 14 and dream of the physical blessings they think our Lord has promised for His people. Yet, very few will read the rest of the chapter and see verse 14 in context much less read verses 19-22 were God tells what will happen to Israel if they don't follow what He said in verse 14.

Remember the rest of the story. Israel turned their backs on God. They forsook His statutes and His commandments which He set before them. They also went and served other gods and worshiped those other gods. Sound familiar? Are we to think we are any better in our day? Look around us. Are we to think the condition of God's people in our land is any better than what Israel was? Where is the cry for revival in our land amongst God's people? More importantly, where is the desire for revival in God's people in our land?

The answer? 2 Timothy 4:3-4

“3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

The falling away spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is here now. Why? Because the preachers have forsaken the instruction of Paul to Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:1-2

“1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

Revelation 22:20-21

“20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 29, 2020

Romans 3:1-8

“1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 28, 2020

Proverbs 4:23-27

“23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” 

Morning Devotional September 27, 2020

 

Matthew 3:17

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 26, 2020

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

“13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 25, 2020

 

Hebrews 3:4-19

“4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.

17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 24, 2020

 

1 Timothy 6:3-16

“3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 23, 2020

 Luke 12:22-34

“22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Morning Devotional September 22, 2020

 Proverbs 20:15-17

“15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”

 

I thought these verses very fitting for what has been going on around us this past year and for what seems to continue on.

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

 

Morning Devotional September 21, 2020

 Ecclesiastes 8:17

“Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 20, 2020

 

Malachi 3:17

“And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 19, 2020

 

Hebrews 9:24-28

“24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 17, 2020

 

1 Thessalonians 5:21

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 16, 2020

 

Proverbs 24:1-2

“1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.”

 

Who are your friends? Who do you desire to be around? Does God's Word give us excuse to befriend evil men just because there are none or not many godly men around us? A child of God should seek the people of God. Even in the remotest of places in the world most of us still have social media, phones, email, etc. We should count that a blessing if it keeps us in touch with our brothers and sisters in Christ and keeps us from the wiles of the devil.

 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 15, 2020

1 Corinthians 13:11
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

It is sad to see in our day how some adults are less concerned with being in the Lord's service than their children and grandchildren. Rebelling against their Heavenly Father as though they were a child. But could it be because they have never fully matured into the adult they ought to be? 
What example do we set for the younger generations, especially when it comes to serving the Lord?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 14, 2020

Mark 5:19
“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”
O that we all would tell the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our unsaved friends and family!!!

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 13, 2020

John 4:23-24

“23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Are you worshiping the Father in spirit and in truth or following after false religion? Notice the verse says “in spirit and in truth”. Our worship can not be one or the other but rather must be both. Do we truly worship in spirit and in truth? If not, then why not? This is required by God. As the verses plainly state, our Heavenly Father “seeketh” after those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. So why do we seek to worship Him any other way? The answer is simple. It is because of our sin of pride and the lust of life. We want things our way or we want things in our time. But God has given clear instruction in His Word on what He expects from His people in their worship of Him. We must separate ourselves from the world and follow Him and only Him. We must keep our eyes and our thoughts and our hearts on the Lord and nothing and no one else.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 12, 2020

Exodus 4:10-12
“10 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.”

I know several men who are in the ministry who will, very humbly, tell you their experience of when the Lord first called them to preach. And how much like Moses was their reaction. Remember Moses was a very educated man. Having been taught right along side the son of Pharaoh as he grew from a child to a man. Yet Moses says he was not an eloquent speaker. Moses says he was slow of speech and of a slow tongue. Kinda of reminds of the men I know from different regions of the USA. In the North they make fun of our Southern dialect and slow manner of speaking. In the South we make fun of those from the North with their fast speech and quick tongue. Then there are other regions who may have a combination of all these. I would assume it is the same in other countries or regions who speak the same language with different dialects. 
But the moral of the story is that no matter what the speech impediment, God is able to make a man get the message out that God wants the listeners to hear. King David was a lowly shepherd boy. The youngest of his brothers. Remember the tradition of David's day was that the father put all his energy into teaching and training the oldest son because he was the one who would be in charge of the family once the father was gone. But David was God's man for king over God's people. 
Look at most of the Apostles of Jesus. They were lowly fishermen. Not much education. But Oh! How the Lord used them to spread the gospel and to teach the early churches. 
Down through the ages there have been many brethren who the Lord had to help with their speech. Why would our Lord use such men when there are so many who are able bodied speakers? Our Lord has a long record of using the simple minded and the physically impaired and the lowest of the low amongst His people to accomplish the greatest of His plans. 
We hear people quote “Through Christ all things are possible”. If so, then why not also with the men He calls into His ministry? Many people will shy away from a “dumb ole' country boy” preacher because of his lack of education from the teachings of man made schools but that simple minded preacher many times will have the best practical knowledge and wisdom of God's Word than a man with multiple degrees for the highest of institutions. 
The letters after a man's name doesn't always prove his knowledge of God's Word nor does it make him the best pastor over one of the Lord's flocks. Only a man who is truly trained of and by the Lord has the qualifications to be used by the Lord to preach, teach, and pastor. 
Be wary of the one who brags of his qualifications and his education but cherish and pray for the one who humbly thinks he is unworthy of the position and understands it is only by the grace and mercy of God he is what he is.

Praise ye the Lord!!! 

Morning Devotional September 11, 2020

Philippians 4:6-7
“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Have you been before the Lord in prayer yet this morning? If not, why not? 

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 10, 2020

Revelation 19:16
“And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 9, 2020

Philippians 2:5-16
“5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 8, 2020

1 Corinthians 2:6-16
“6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 7, 2020

John 6:26-29
“26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

Which is more important to us? The physical or the Spiritual? When we awake in the morning, are we seeking physical nourishment first or do we seek the Bread of Life first? We need to examine our priorities and get them straight. Otherwise we will forget our first love.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 4, 2020

Mark 1:35
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

I believe this to be one of the greatest examples our Lord gave to His people. Rising up early, finding a quite place, and praying to our Heavenly Father. Matter of fact I believe it should be the way all God's children start their day. Yet we often grumble and complain about waking early and about how busy we are. But, what greater joy do we have in this life but to rise early and spend time with our Heavenly Father? What is it in our life that has us so busy we can't spend a little quite time in prayer? 
Maybe we need a reminder of who it is that gives us another day in this life.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 3, 2020

2 Corinthians 6:14-16
“14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

My wife and I will be going to a Bible Conference the next few days. As I sat down to write this morning I was reminded of the wonderful times we have had at different conferences the past few years. Like so many we know who, because of distance, are unable to attend regular fellowship in person or even go to Bible Conferences or other meetings with the Lord's churches, we too were once hindered from going. But our Lord has blessed us with a way now and so as a Pastor of one of the Lord's churches we go as representatives of the little flock we are now a part of. 
The people of the world we are around daily have no understanding of our need or desire for fellowship with others of like faith and doctrine. They wonder why we travel several hours to sit and listen to men sent of God stand and preach His Word over several hours and sometimes days. They wonder why there are so many others with the same desire. It is only by God's grace and mercy that His people seek out fellowship with His other children. It is our Lord who gives us this desire for Christian fellowship. 
As the children of God we should have no desire to fellowship with unrighteousness. We must remember we live in this world but are not of this world. For a time, a few short hours or days we can leave behind the things of the world and have sweet fellowship with like minded, Godly people. Our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 2, 2020

Ephesians 6:10-20
“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional September 1, 2020

Romans 8:1-15

“1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!