The Devotional - Faith and the Good News

The Devotional

Comment: The disciple John as he ended his gospel said: This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that His testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. – John 21:24-25. John also writes in chapter 20 these comforting words “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of the Living God, and that believing you may have life in His Name – John 20:30. 

Devotional: The children of God are children of faith in God, the One God who created the heavens and the earth. We have not sliced up our Creator into three gods like some current religions and cults of our day. Jesus is NOT an angel, nor is He the brother of Satan as some of the current sects make Him out to be. 

The witness of ONE God is in every child of God, this witness comes from those who were eyewitnesses; those of the New Testament and those of the Old Testament. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews puts it this way. 

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith, who for the joy (statute) that was set before Him endured the cross (precept) , despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:1-2”.

Idolatry is a heavy weight to carry around, idols cannot walk, these gods do not speak, hear or live. Idolatry is like dragging a dead person with you everywhere you go. Therefore the more a person involves their life in idolatry the more sin ensnares them. Idolatry and immorality stand hand in hand in the corridors of life and MANY people walk in those corridors. In other words these people are not living by faith in Jesus Christ, even though they are involved in religions and sects that name the name of Jesus Christ, their Christ is not the Messiah.

As we go forward we will be looking into the gospel of John and as we approach the future our eyes ought to always be focused on the return of Jesus Christ who is coming to remove His Bride the church. Pray that we will be ready when He comes in the air and takes His church home. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, pray also that those who are asleep in religions and cults will WAKE UP, do not be like the foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

The Devotional - The depth of God's Wisdom

The Devotional

Comment: The apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans is discussing the temporary departure of the Glory of God in Israel, the fault is not God since it is Israel as a nation who rejected God for the worship of idols and the practice of immorality. (Romans 11:1-10). This rejection in not final as some say today. This temporary trespass of the nation opens the world (the Gentiles) to the riches of God. Today you and I can serve God, even as Israel can. There is a Deliverer, His Name is Jesus Christ and He has taken the SIN of the world away and has opened the door to eternal life for whoever calls upon the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13). Paul says “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out – Romans 11:33.

Devotional: Psalm 119:169 -176 – Well here we are looking at the last eight verses of Psalm 119. The Hebrew letter “TAU” is shaped like a house. I believe this is important for the last section speaks clearly of God’s overall protection. This provision of God is a statute for all of His children, what a comfort it is to know that God has covered us according to His Word. Even when we fail, His Word does not fail.

God gives understanding to all of His children, when we pray He listens and provides His wisdom to deliver us. This is never magical, God’s wisdom comes from His Word, all we need to do is look into His Word and our lips will utter PRAISE to Him. The teaching of his statutes and His commandments produce in us HIS righteousness. His helping Hand will even guide us to use what He has given to us properly. His precepts (His plans) for us is the salvation that we all long for, He will not forsake us - Hebrews 13:5-6.

The soul is alive forever, so why does the psalmist say “let my soul live”? While we might not be able to fully understand this, there is this thought. We relate to people daily and it is what they see in us that gives light. If the dominant “me” is present, that is my heart, they see just another man like them. But if my soul is dominant (Spirit filled), they see God the Holy Spirit and where the Spirit of God is, there too is Christ. This is the glory of the New Covenant – 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, read this as it is awesome. 

From time to time we do stray but do not make light of this or open the door for opportunity to stray. The time spent away from God is not recoverable, it is as serious as the soul that goes into eternity without the love of God. Stewardship of our time on earth will determine reward in eternity. Too often we do not consider this; that while we do not forget the commandments of God, we do rely too heavily on God to search for us as a lost sheep. This is a divided heart, even unstable at times, see James 1:2-8, profit from the trials of the day and God will prosper you.

The Devotional - Rejoice, there is a Redeemer and He Lives

The Devotional

Comment: I know that my Redeemer lives, I know His Name and I also know that part of His love for me is revealed in the crown of thorns that was placed on His head – Matthew 27:27-31 Sorrow and Love is expressed at every death by those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Our mourning and love flows freely from our eyes and our tears participate in our sorrow. Yet in the death of Jesus we see only His love for the world He dies for. From His head to His feet, His love for you and me is visible (not in tears) but in the Blood. Verse 34 of Luke 23 – and Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Yes there were those present who mourned the death of Jesus Christ, His mother and the other women who were at the crucifixion, the apostle John and even the Roman Centurion who said “Truly this was a Righteous Man” Luke 23:26-49. In Luke chapter 24:1-53, Jesus is Risen from the dead, if you wish to be a disciple of the Risen Savior then as well as know and believe that Jesus died for your sin, and you may mourn. You also need to know and believe that Jesus lives again for your redemption and go ahead - rejoice.

Devotional: Psalm 119:161-168 – The Word of God is an unchanging STATUTE of Truth, in other words the Word of God CANNOT be changed; from Genesis to Revelation the WORD of God is a “great treasure of absolute truth”. All day long we children of God are persecuted for our faith. We stand on the commandments and judgments of God, while the world around us stands on the liberal lies of human wisdom. In verse 163. Like the Psalmist we hate and abhor (literally – hate, hate) lying, but I love your Law. The word “but” is not in the original and without it the statement is emphatic or striking. “I hate lying, I love Your Law”.

Prayer and meditation is not optional in the life of the children of God, it is optimum (optimal). As mentioned earlier, each stanza of eight verses in Psalm 119 is a day in the life of the writer, each verse covers a three hour period and in each verse there is clear reference to meditation on all of God’s Word. Seven times a day I praise You, even in sleep the writer is conscious of the great peace available for those who love God’s Law, nothing causes us to stumble as we have strong confidence in our relationship to God and do His Commandments – 1 John 4:17-21 and 1 John 5:1-5.

God’s precepts and testimonies are far greater truths to pursue since it is in these that our ways are matured as God’s children. Our ways are open for the world to see, while the world hides in darkness God openly clothes us in His Light and all of our ways are visible. Our soul keeps the testimonies of God because we love them.