Morning Devotional June 29, 2024

 

Proverbs 29:11

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”

I wonder how many of us have contemplated this verse and truly sought the Lord's guidance in this matter?

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 28, 2024

 

Hebrews 13:7-17

“7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 27, 2024

 

Jude 3-4

“3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 26, 2024

 

1 John 4:19-21

“19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 25, 2024

 

2 Peter 2:1-3

“1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Often times the Bible will answer a question we may have within the very text we have questions about. As is the case here. How many of us have questioned who these “false prophets” and “false teachers” are that Peter has written of here?

Verse 1 makes it clear the false prophets were of old as he has put them in the past tense. We know by reading the Old Testament there were many false prophets in the nation of Israel back then. Look in the book of Jeremiah where the prophets were preaching that everything was good, God was going to continue to bless the nation. Yet, God was giving Jeremiah a word of warning to preach to the people. A word of eminent destruction that was coming if they did not repent of their sins.

Then Peter switches to the future tense when speaking of false teachers. He says they will be “among you”. Peter also tells of how these false teachers will bring in damnable heresies. How? “Privily” Or privately. In Other words these false teachers will sneak in their false doctrines little by little until they have captivated a following among the people. And how will they do this? The very next part of verse 1 “even denying the Lord that bought them”. These are saved people Peter is talking about. Unlike other passages that talk of false prophets and false teachers as being of Satan. These people are God's own people. How do we know this? Peter says they are going to deny the Lord that bought them. Who has the Lord bought? Who did He pay the price for by making Himself the ultimate sacrifice on the cross? Matthew 1:21 tells us he came to save His people from their sins. The false teachers Peter is writing of and is warning the churches of, are saved people. Some of God's elect. Maybe even men the Lord has called to preach but have fallen off into heresies. They are preaching the doctrine of devils. They are teaching after the traditions of man.

How will we recognize these false teachers? They will begin speaking evil of the truth of God's Word. They will try to justify everything they teach by proclaiming the very doctrines they were taught and may even have claimed to have believed themselves in the past are false. They will debate and argue against the very truths of God's Word. Many will claim to have some new found doctrine and will begin to pick and choose the scriptures they thing will justify this great reformation in their lives and in the ministry God has put them over.

They are nothing more than robbers of the Bridegroom and His Bride. Stealing away those once faithful members of the Lord's churches. All for personal gain and/or personal gratification.

2 Timothy 3:5

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Romans 16:17-18

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

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.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 24, 2024

 

John 21:15-17

“15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Sadly today we are seeing pastors who are more concerned with feeding goats than taking care of the Lord's lambs and sheep in which the Lord has placed them over. Yes, we are called to preach the gospel to all nations. But pastors must not forget the sheep who need nourishing and strengthening in the ways of the Lord. Every example of a pastor given in the New Testament is of a man who took care of the flock who the Lord called him unto. Many of the Lord's people are leaving the churches and/or are contemplating leaving because of a pastor who has strayed from the truth and are starving the sheep.

One thing that seems to be forgotten. It is the Lord who will give the increase, if it is His will. It may not be God's will to grow every congregation in numbers. It may be His will to grow a small flock in faith only. As pastors we are called to preach the truth and nothing but the truth.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 22, 2024

 

Luke 14:25-35

“25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 21, 2024

 

Proverbs 13:13-14

“13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 20, 2024

 

Matthew 9:36-38

“36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

We seem to be in a day and time when the Lord is not raising up very many good sound men for the ministry. Many of the Lord's churches are without pastors. Many mission works have no missionaries or not enough missionaries. We should be praying daily that the Lord of the harvest will send forth labourers.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 19, 2024

 

Proverbs 6:16-19

“16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Notice in verse 19, Solomon says “brethren”. He is speaking of men who are children of God in this passage. There are many brethren out there today who fit this bill. As we read over the list of seven things that God considers abominations let us not only recoginize those brethren who are purposely sowing discord among us but let us also examine ourselves that we do not find ourselves guilty of the same.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 18, 2024

 

Romans 3:19-31

“19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 17, 2024

 

Revelation 21:14

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

Imagine if you will for a few moments. Here is the Apostle John. By this time he is a very old man. He has lived a full life. He is the last of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is known as the one who was so loved by the Lord that Jesus entrusted John with taking care of His mother Mary as He was dying on the cross. He has suffered much persecution in his own life for the preaching of the Gospel. He has seen or at least heard of the cruel deaths of his fellow Apostles and many other followers of Christ and his own death has been attempted many times.

John is the last Apostle. He was there on the day of Pentecost and saw the working of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles and saw those thousands of Jews saved and added to the Church after the hearing of the Gospel. It is said he was the longtime Bishop of the Church at Ephesus. The point here is John has witnessed a lot in his life, all for the glory of God. And now that he is close to the end of his life while he was in the “Spirit on the Lord's Day”. I take it that this is saying John was in his time of worship on the Lord's Day. When the Lord came to him and took him away to show him great and mighty things to come. John would see what we refer to as the End Times and The Great Tribulation and all that happens before and after.

Then towards the end of the Book John is shown the New City of Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven. A glorious sight indeed! And John sees the names of the twelve Apostles on the twelve foundations of this great and most beautiful city. His name!!! The name of John!!! Oh! What a glorious sight that must have been for Old Brother John to see his own name there on the foundation of the City of the Lamb of God!!! What a reward this dear brother in Christ has coming for him for all eternity!!!

What is John's response? We see in Chapter 22:20. John says: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 14, 2024

 

Ephesians 3:20-21

“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.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 13, 2024

 

Micah 6:6-8

“6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Oftentimes in our lives our works seem to be pleasing to others. We can be in the church service every time the doors are open, we can proclaim the Word of God to others, we can even preach or teach things the crowd loves to hear. But if we are not walking humbly with the Lord, following His commandments, and communing with Him always, are we truly doing what is good in the sight of God?

Many are out there tickling the ears of the crowd but their worship goes no higher than the ceiling of the house. The sad fact is as sinful men we can put on a false act when we want. We can lead others astray by simply preaching a false gospel or false doctrine.

Read verse 8 again and contemplate on these things. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 12, 2024

 

Psalm 103:17-18

“17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 11, 2024

 

Psalm 90:2

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 9, 2024

 

John 6:37

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 8, 2024

Hebrews 13:15

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 7, 2024

Romans 16:17-18

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

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.”

The Apostle Paul warned the early churches over and over again about those who were out there trying to make a name for themselves and those who were trying to draw God's people away from the truth into some new found religion based on their own whims. Paul had traveled around, preaching and teaching these early churches and wrote them letters when he could not go in person. He taught them the Word of God. As early churches Paul taught, not only the Gospel of Jesus Christ but also the doctrine of how they were to conduct themselves as churches of the Lord Jesus Christ. He warned them of those men who were teaching contrary to what he taught. The difference was Paul's teachings were inspired by the Lord Himself and did not go contrary to the Word of God. While the others were after their own gain.

Today we see the same thing going on all around us. Men are seeking to make a name for themselves and seeking to fill their pockets with filthy lucre and are causing divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine we have been taught from the Word of God. The same warnings Paul gave the early churches are still relevant for the Lord's churches today. “Avoid them”.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 6, 2024

 

Ephesians 1:15-23

“15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 5, 2024

 

Jeremiah 5:30-31

“30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;

31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”

Be careful who you follow. Many are out there preaching false doctrines. Many put enough truth in their sermons and writings to draw in a crowd then sneak in the doctrines of devils when you least expect it.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 4, 2024

 

1 Corinthians 14:33

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

Many things can bring confusion to the saints in the Lord's churches. The introduction of false Bible versions, fellowship with those who are not of like faith and order, the preaching of all kinds of false doctrines, the lack of church discipline, all these and many more will cause confusion and a lack of peace among the brethren in one of the Lord's churches. And yet, we see it all around us.

Peace does not come with compromise. That is false peace and it will not last. Peace comes when the congregation is following the Lord and worshipping the Lord according to His commandments. A peace that comes as the result of compromise with the world and modern religion does not have God as it's author and brings confusion and unrest.

The members of the Church at Corinth had a lot of problems and a lack of peace according to Paul's first letter. But by the time he wrote the second letter they had begun to follow the Lord again and peace was coming to the congregation. Peace that was authored by God. Do you want peace? Follow the Lord and His commandments. God will fix the problem or He will remove the problem.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 3, 2024

 

Genesis 2:7

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

The true origin of man.

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 2, 2024

 

Jude 17-25

“17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!

Morning Devotional June 1, 2024

 

John 6:47

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Praise ye the Lord!!!