Posts with the category “daily-devotional”

Psalm 62:8 (NIV) - Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. SelahYou may be living with unpleasant memories and results from your past.Surrender them to Christ.Your present circumstances, either good or bad, might not be what you expected.Surrender them to Christ.You may be anxious about your future.Surrender it to Christ.Scripture tells us to always...  Read More

Exodus 19:17 (NIV) - Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.Moses was a leader.He was imperfect but, he was chosen by God to lead the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land.You are also a leader.God has placed you where you are.You have influence over others and opportunities to exercise this influence.It might amaze you to make a...  Read More

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) - 6  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Today is Memorial Day.This is the day our nation remembers those who died...  Read More

If we were in a life-or-death situation and someone offered to save us, would we accept their help?I would like to think so.  The truth is we ARE in a life-or-death situation.  Solomon wrote to his son about wisdom and its value.Though we’ve already looked at it this week, let’s do so again: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to hi...  Read More

Proverbs 3:7-8—Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.“Do not be wise in your own eyes” is an explanation of what it means to lean on one’s own understanding from verse 5.  It means to regard our wisdom as better and greater than God’s wisdom.To fear the Lord and depart from evil is the natural result of trus...  Read More

Proverbs 3:5-6—Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.Solomon advised his son to live a life of trust in God.He had found that God was worthy to be trusted.It is our nature to put our trust in something or someone, even if it is our self.The word translated “trust” in verse 5 means to “lie...  Read More

Proverbs 3:3-4—Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.Solomon wisely told his son to keep God’s loyal love and faithfulness (truth) close, so close that it would be as if they were a necklace on him at all times and written “on the tablet of your heart.”Matth...  Read More

Proverbs 3:1—My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.Solomon’s fatherly advice to his son begins with a warning to never forget his teaching or his law.Solomon didn’t mean “my teaching” in the sense of his own personal decrees, but he was referring to God’s law.He advises his son to “let your heart keep m...  Read More

Everyone’s life is surrendered to something.It could be any number of things such as money, success, popularity, recreation, sports….The list goes on and on.Our greatest need is to be surrendered to Christ as our Savior and Lord.If you have not yet surrendered to Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you will do so today by:Admitting you are a sinner      Romans 3:23 (NIV) – “for all have sinne...  Read More

Acts 15:37-40 (NIV) – “37  Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,38  but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40  but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace...  Read More

Colossians 3:23 (NIV) – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”We may think that our service to God is limited to church involvement.Scripture, however, teaches that each aspect of our lives is committed to him.Our jobs take on new meaning when we work at them for the Lord, not just for people.We will see work as an opportunity to serve God, grow in...  Read More

Galatians 2:20 (NIV) – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”As Christ followers, our former self was crucified with Christ.Christ now lives in us.We are yielded to him.Each Christian now lives under the white flag of surrender to Christ.F.B. Meyer wrote,...  Read More

Colossians 3:13 (NIV) – “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”Each of us experiences anger at times.Some of us live in a state of anger.Living with constant anger damages ourselves and others.It also hinders our walk with Christ.Do you need to surrender your anger?This happens through forgiving people and circumstan...  Read More

Some people attempt to work their way to eternal life.According to Scripture, we gain eternal life only when we surrender to Christ.Christ has already done everything necessary for our eternal life.We simply surrender, through faith, to his finished work.If you have surrendered to Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you are growing in your faith and sharing him with others.If you have not yet...  Read More

Ephesians 5:16 (KJV) – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”Many of us struggle with time management.We continually add more to our schedules thinking that being busy adds to our self-importance.Our digital devices encourage us in our overcrowded schedules and our twenty-four availability.A better alternative is to surrender your time to Christ by focusing on his leadership in your life...  Read More

John 8:32 (NIV) – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”Surrender is a discouraging word for most of us.Just the idea leads to negative images.For Christians, however, surrender is positive.According to Scripture we are free only when we surrender to Christ.We begin our walk with Christ when we surrender to him as our Savior.Our discipleship continues with a daily surrend...  Read More

Matthew 7:12 (NIV) – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”Listening is difficult.It requires placing the needs of the other above your own.It requires asking clarifying questions.Listening is an active exercise.If we are honest, we might admit that many of our conversations are more like swapping stories instead of genuine l...  Read More

John 3:16 (NIV) - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”Only God offers eternal life through faith in Christ.We need to listen to and accept this good news.If you have received Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you are growing in your faith and sharing him with others.If you have not received Chris...  Read More

Proverbs 25:11 (NIV) – “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”Have you ever taken time to listen to yourself?This may be a strange question but, what are you saying to yourself?It is important to speak God’s truth to yourself just as you do to others.God’s truth will encourage and transform you.At times you may find yourself dwelling on past criticisms, failures, and ot...  Read More

Proverbs 19:20 (NIV) – “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”There have been many people in my life who have given me advice and instruction.Some in formal ways, others informally.Honestly, I have listened to some but, not all.Looking back, I probably should have listened to some people more and others less.The important point is that listening to godly advice ...  Read More

Psalm 85:8 (NIV) – “I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints-- but let them not return to folly.”Many people want us to listen to them.Listening to God, however, is our top priority.Sometimes listening to others satisfies us.At other times we are simply left confused.Only God promises peace when we listen to him.We listen to God through Scripture, pr...  Read More

Paul came to the church in Corinth “in weakness, in fear, and much trembling.”  Paul said that he didn’t come with fancy speech and persuasive words of wisdom.Instead, he came as a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.Paul came to Corinth for one reason: “to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).  Paul’s message was simple: Don’t place your faith in human...  Read More

I have often thought, “How can God want to use someone like me?”  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:16, “Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.”In other words, there was nothing special about them.Looking back in Matthew and Luke at the genealogies of Jesus, there are a few big names, but mostly just common ...  Read More

For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. —1 Corinthians 1:22-23.Paul had been brought up with a Jewish education, so he knew the history of the Jews.The Jews always sought miracles and signs from the Lord.The Greeks were constantly seeking wisdom and discussing philosophy.Paul believed and ...  Read More

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. —1 Corinthians 1:18The message of Christ’s death for sins sounds foolish to those who don’t believe.I’ll admit, it does sound rather absurd.However, Paul explains that God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom…meaning our wisdom cannot compare in any way to God’s wisdom.God...  Read More

April 26, 2021Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. —1 Corinthians 1:10Paul noticed many good things about the church in Corinth, but he also saw divisions and contention.Rather than speak harshly to them, Pau...  Read More

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV) - 19  This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live    20  and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your f...  Read More

Deuteronomy 30:20 - …For the LORD is your life…Moses reminded the Israelites that God was their life.God is life today.God created life.God sustains life.God gives abundant life.People look for life in many places.Life, however, is only found in God.My prayer for you today is that you are enjoying and sharing your life in God.Expecting God’s Best,Bro. Rob...  Read More

Deuteronomy 30:20  -" …and hold fast to him."God knew the Israelites would be tempted to leave him when they entered the promised land.That is why, before they entered, he called them to hold onto him.There are many opportunities for us to stray from God.Satan is wise.He tempts us with tailor-made precision.It is urgent that you and I hold fast to God today.When we do, we will see God’s faithfulne...  Read More

Deuteronomy 30:20 - …listen to his voice…When the covenant was renewed Moses called the people to listen to God.God still calls us to listen to him.I believe God speaks to us in different ways such as through the Holy Spirit, our fellow Christians, and even circumstances.However, I believe God mainly speaks to us through Scripture.Sometimes God speaks loudly.Sometimes he speaks to us in a still sm...  Read More

Deuteronomy 30:20 (NIV) - "and that you may love the LORD your God…"Moses renewed God’s covenant with the Israelites when they were close to entering the promised land.Part of this covenant renewal was a call for the Israelites to love God.God still desires each of us to love him.Our love for God inspires our faithfulness to him.Our love for God keeps our relationship with him healthy and vibrant....  Read More

Scripture teaches us that Christ is God’s only plan for eternal life.There is only one door into heaven.It is Christ.If you have received Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you are growing in your faith and sharing him with others.If you have not received Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you trust him today by:Admitting you are a sinner      Romans 3:23 (NIV) – “for all have sinned a...  Read More

John 13:4-5 (NIV) - 4  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.Jesus redefined authority.Authority, following his example, is a calling to serve others.When you are in a position of authority, I encourage yo...  Read More

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV) - pray continuallySome of those in authority over us are rather inaccessible.Jesus is different.Through prayer, each Christian has complete access to Christ.It is amazing that the One who has all authority has given us all access.Are you regularly spending time with Christ in prayer?If not, I encourage you to begin today.Prayer honors Christ and strengthens your spiritua...  Read More

Ephesians 5:2 (NIV) -  and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.Some people exercise authority with selfish motives.Their main agenda is to promote themselves.Christ’s authority, however, is motivated by his selfless love.Christ proved this love for us on the cross.When put in the perspective of his love, we desire Chri...  Read More

Matthew 28:18 (NIV) - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Some people exert authority over us.Other things such as habits, thoughts, past events, and even anxieties over our futures, also claim authority over us.Some people say they are their only authority.Christians understand Christ is our highest authority.In the noise of the competition...  Read More

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) - 18  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."Before Jesus ascended...  Read More

Matthew 28:9 (NIV) - Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, went to Jesus’ tomb.An angel appeared to reveal that his tomb was empty.As they were hurrying away to tell his disciples, Jesus appeared to these women.They fell to worship him.These two women gave the one appropriate respo...  Read More

John 21:12-13 (NIV) - 12  Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13  Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.After his resurrection, Jesus remained on earth for forty days.During this time, he maintained his relationship with his disciples.Among other things Christ ate with...  Read More

Luke 24:32 (NIV)  - They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"Two disciples met Jesus on the road to a village named Emmaus.Scripture says they were kept from recognizing him.They did, however, recognize Christ after he ate with them.Jesus then disappeared from them.After Jesus disappeared, “They asked each ot...  Read More