Morning Devotional January 31, 2024

 

Proverbs 2

“1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 30, 2024

 John 16:7-15

“7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 29, 2024

 

Galatians 1:10-12

“10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 28, 2024

 

1 Corinthians 2

“1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

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 January 27, 2024

 Psalm 99:9

“Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 26, 2024

Daniel 6:10

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

I wonder what the Old Testament Prophets would have thought about the modern day teachings on Romans 13? Many teach we should bow to the demands of Caeser. But Daniel: “he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Daniel never changed his worship of God.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 25, 2024

 

Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 24, 2024

Matthew 7:21-23

“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 23, 2024

Ephesians 1:3-14

“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 22, 2024

 

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

“1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 21, 2024

 

Psalm 37:18

“The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 20, 2024

 

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

“1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 19, 2024

1 Kings 19:9-18

“9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 18, 2024

 

John 3:36

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Have you believed on the Son of God? If not, why not?

If so, do others see that belief in you? If not, why not?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 17, 2024

 

1 John 2:28

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

Most scholars agree that the books of 1,2,and 3 John were written by the Apostle John while he was the Pastor of the Church at Ephesus and possibly an overseer of sorts over the Churches in Asia mentioned in Revelation.

That being said, I think we can get a better understanding of why John referred to the people he was writing to as his “little children” several times in these letters. By this time in his life John would have been of old age and as it is with many older pastors, they think of the younger members of their congregation as though they are their own children. Having raised them and nourished them in the teaching of the truth of God's Word.

John is the example of a good and faithful minister. He cares for the children of God as though they were his own. Especially those in the Bride of Christ. The Church at Ephesus certainly would have been well versed in the teachings of the Bridegroom and His Bride(Ephesus 5). So, notice in our text, John is encouraging his readers to prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom. This seems to be the theme of all three letters. We must prepare ourselves for the coming of our Bridegroom. And how do we prepare? We must “abide in him”. Studying God's Word to learn more about our Lord and Savior. Praying without ceasing. To be in constant communion with our Heavenly Father. “Singing psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs”. Why? Because it is through these things that Christ will prepare His Bride and “That He might sanctify it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”(Ephesus 5:27)

Where will you be when the Lord returns for His Bride? Will you “be ashamed before Him”? Or will you be ready for His coming?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 16, 2024

 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

“1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 15, 2024

 

Luke 15:1-7

“1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 14, 2024

 

Job 37:1-14

“1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 13, 2024

Proverbs 15:31-33

“31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 12, 2024

 

Galatians 6:3

“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

The Apostle Paul writes much about a great rift that was in most of the churches in his day. The Jews were trying to force physical circumcision on the Gentiles. The Jews had a problem understanding the meaning of the purpose of God teaching them on circumcision in the law. It was an example of spiritual circumcision of the heart. Yet, for several generations the Jewish priest had taken the Law of God and made changes to it to suit themselves. Similarly as men have done with God's Word today. By following after the Great Whore in Roman and her Harlot Daughters and the world in general, some have forsaken the truth of God's Word and are now proudly preaching what “seemth right unto a man.”

There are all kinds of new doctrines appearing on the scene. There are heretical teachings being taught by men who have been taught the truth, yet they rebel against that very truth. Often we worry and fret over these things. Especially when it is by those we have been close with in the past. But, I ask you, is this not the very things Jesus and His Apostles warned the first churches would happen in the last days? Are we not seeing that time of Apostasy the Bible warns so much about? Did not Paul tell the church at Thessalonica “Comfort one another with these words”? What words was he speaking of? I Thessalonians 4:16-17 “15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The key here is this; do not let the false preaching and teaching get you down. Do not let these things come between you and your worship of the Lord. Do not let them affect your witness for Christ. Stand fast in the truth and flee the false teachings out there and follow Christ.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 11, 2024

 

1 Kings 18:21-22

“21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.”

The old adage that says there is safety in numbers is not always correct for the children of God. We see many times throughout God's Word where His people were in the minority. As it is today. We know the Lord has not promised His churches great numbers. Matter of fact, many times down through history since the day the Lord scattered the Saints in Jerusalem after the death of Stephen, most of the Lord's churches have been small in number compared to other religious orders.

The key to a successful church is not in how many members they have on the roll but rather if they are uncompromising in being faithful in preaching and following the truth of God's Word and if they are faithful in carrying out the Great Commission given by our Bridegroom. We have been given something to do till He comes for us. That something is to be witnesses for Him in our local area, state, nation, and to all the world. We have not been called to compromise with the world in which we live (all though we do have to live here we are not from here) we are called to proclaim the truth of God's Word by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are unsaved. But we are never to compromise and water down the Word of God for fear of running others off. The Lord has His elect people out there. If it is His will for them to hear the Gospel we preach and to come and seek to worship Him with us then that is His purgative. If it is not His will we have no right to compromise the preaching of the truth for the sake of swelling the membership for ill sought gain.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 10, 2024

 

1 Peter 5:7

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 9, 2024

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 January 8, 2024

 

2 Timothy 4:1-5

“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.

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.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

It has been a great blessing from God to be able to work with and teach some people on the other side of the world. Several men who have been listening to our sermons and reading our articles have requested teaching through video chat. The ones I have met so far make very strong professions of faith and as I learn more about them I am thoroughly convinced they are truly God's children. They have come to me and another pastor(who has been a good friend of mine for some time), seeking the truth of God's Word and we are seeking God's guidance in this work. They are seeking help in teaching the truth to the congregations they have been meeting with and with training other men there to go out and preach the Gospel.

There are so many out there today we “will not endure sound doctrine”, yes, even many in the Lord's own churches. Yet, our God has His elect, here in our own country and around the world who are seeking truth. Are we prepared to take on the task of teaching others the truth from God's Word or are we happy just with the status quo? God has blessed us with the technology to preach and teach almost anywhere in the world. What are we doing with this blessed opportunity?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 6, 2024

 

Ephesians 3:14-21

“14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Wow!!! What a prayer the Apostle Paul prays for the Church at Ephesus. But, wait. Look at that last verse. “throughout all ages”. Paul not only prayed this for the Church at Ephesus and for the other Churches in his day. But also for all the churches to come. The Church Age or Dispensation of the Church did not end when the Apostles died as some would teach. It goes on until the return of our Lord and Savior. When our Lord returns for His Bride He will find sound, faithful churches. Meeting together to worship Him and ever learning about her Bridegroom.

Pastors/Elders, how is your stewardship with the Lord's Church? Are you teaching them through the Word of God as He commanded? Are you preparing them for the coming of the Bridegroom by teaching them the ways of the Lord?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 5, 2024

 

Acts 20:17-38

“17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.”

Pastors/Elders, when is the last time you studied and I mean really studied this message from Paul to the Elders of the Church at Ephesus? How seriously do we take the many teachings of the Apostle Paul to the Elders of the early churches? They are still good for us today and they still apply to us today.

Many have left or are in the process of leaving “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Seeking after the doctrines of men rather than the doctrines of God. Where are you today dear pastor? Are you setting the example by seeking the truth of Christ in His Word? Or are you seeking your own thoughts and wants in the hearts and minds of men?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 4, 2024

 

John 8:31-32

“31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

We hear much preached on what the religious world calls “Christian” Liberty today. Many are claiming a new found freedom from what they were taught and maybe even taught themselves in the past. Our text verses are a good rule of thumb to follow when seeking liberty or freedom from religious ways. If at any time we have to go outside the Word of God or we have to change the Word of God to fit what we think is freedom or liberty, then we must beware that it is nothing more than returning to the bondage of sin. It is only by staying in God's Word and following the commandments He has laid out for His people that we are truly made free from the bondage of false doctrine and the doctrines of devils.

Many of God's people are starting the New Year by beginning a Bible reading program to read through God's Word in the year. This is a wonderful way to learn more of our God. But, do not just read the Bible through like any other book. Study, contemplate, and pay attention to what is written as you read. Seek the truth and not the traditions of man.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 3, 2024

 

Philippians 2:1-4

“1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Some of us need to examine ourselves as we study this passage.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 2, 2024

2 Peter 1:3-14

“3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional January 1, 2024

 Romans 13:11-14

“11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

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

Praise the Lord!!!