Whoops! Did I Do That?

May 19, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

1 Samuel 28:6
And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Have you ever played Follow the Leader? In this game, you were to follow right behind the person in front of you and do exactly what they did. The person in the very front sets an example for the entire group. Now imagine you are in the middle of the line, but you keep jumping out of line, doing your own thing, and not following the example of leaders before you. All the people who are behind you follow your example and not the true leader before you. However, their disobedience was because of you, not the real leader. Suddenly, the one leading just stops. No movement at all. Now what? You say, “Ok, I will do what you say.” However, the leader refuses to move. Not left, right, forward, or back. You yell, “OK I will do what you do,” but the leader seems not to listen. The leader is still there and can hear you. Still, you cannot make them respond because you have disrupted them too many times, and they will not move.

     That is somewhat how things were with King Saul. He had been disobedient so many times, that God finally decided, “I am not listening to you or responding to you anymore.” What a terrible feeling this must have been for someone like Saul who relied on God’s direction for success in leadership.

     The concept is still relevant in our lives today. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” God may not listen until we repent from sin and ask for forgiveness. While He can still hear us, He may refuse to respond until we begin to obey. What a terrible place to be in for those of us who rely on God’s direction for success in life – and for those who are following behind us.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     In 1 John 1:9, it says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We need to ask God to forgive us of anything that might stand between us and Him. Then we can let God lead again.

How important is God’s leading in your life today?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  May 19, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
1 Samuel 28-29 / Psalm 115
Proverbs 18-19 / Acts 21-22

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Kings 6-7  /  John 5:1-27

 

Smile, People Will Wonder
What You’re Up To

May 17 & 18, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     You know it has long been a documented fact that happy, smiling people tend to be healthier and live longer. In fact, there was a study done one time that concluded that people who smile live longer than people who do not.

 

     Stop reading just for just a moment and go look in the mirror. By the looks of things, it sadly appears that some of you might not make it through this day!

 

     I have long said Christians should be the happiest people in the world. We have so much more to look forward to.

 

     If something would happen to me today and my life would be ended here on earth, God says I have a home waiting for me in heaven.

 

     If I live through this day, God says He will never leave me nor forsake me.

 

     If I am hurting physically or spiritually, He is the Great Physician.

 

     If I am lonely or distraught, He is always ready to listen, and through the power of the Holy Spirit whispers sweet peace to me.

 

     Why shouldn’t we be happy? Our text today says; “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:”

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” If you are feeling down, try this. Get out an old Hymnbook, find the peppiest song you can find, and start praising God. It may surprise you that in just a few minutes of following this practice, you will find joy once again. Try it!

What song is flooding your soul today?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

 

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  May 17, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
1 Samuel 24-27 / Psalm 113-114
Proverbs 17 / Romans 16

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Kings 3-5 / John 4:39-54

 

WHAT TO DO ON SUNDAY:

    There will not be a Daily Devotion sent out on Sundays. Instead, we encourage you to attend your church and listen intently to what God has prepared in the heart of your Pastor. Write down all the scriptures he uses in that message, then when you get home re-read those passages for today’s reading. God has given to your Pastor exactly what He desires for you on that day.  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  May 18, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

Following The Light

May 16, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 112:7
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     I recall one time when I took a flight from Jacksonville, Florida to Chicago’s O’Hara Airport, and from there to Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. By the time we approached the final destination, It was evening and very dark outside. On the last leg of my flight, I was riding in the front seat of a smaller plane. The cockpit door was open so I could see exactly what the pilots were able to see.

     As we flew over Lake Michigan, everything was engulfed in darkness. However, as we began to get closer to the shores of Michigan, I started to see a little light off in the distance. The closer we got to the airport, and the city of Grand Rapids, the brighter the lights became. Then, as I looked ahead, I could see two rows of lights, which would guide us to a safe landing at our destination and once again back onto solid ground. The control tower told the pilots how to approach these lights, and what the weather was like, and assisted them in maneuvering to the runway. The closer we got to the ground, the brighter the lights became. Finally, we were on the ground and safe.

     To me, the Bible is very much like those runway lights. As long as I keep the light of God’s Word in view, direct my path toward it, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, I know I am going to be all right. Refuse to listen, and I am in trouble. If I think the lights are misleading and go my own way, I will end up on unstable ground. However, if I watch The Light, Trust in the High Tower, eventually He will help me land on the streets of Gold.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     In John 8:12 Jesus said, “… I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”He is the Light of LIFE. Head toward the Light. JESUS! Trust in the LORD. He will guide you safely Home.

What do you trust to get you to your final destination?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  May 16, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
1 Samuel 22, 23 / Psalm 112
Proverbs 16 / Romans 15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Kings 1-2 / John 4:1-38

Just Between Us
May 15, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

1 Samuel 20:42
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

     Jonathan said to David, “The LORD be between me and thee.” What does this mean? Do you see this as if God were now standing between them as a sort of invisible boundary line during their newly separated living arrangements from this point on? Well, my friend, it is quite the opposite. The LORD has become their only connection in which to recall and intercede for one another. No phones, no telegraph, or e-mail. Their only connection to one another was through the LORD.

 

     With travel so easy today and people moving about so much, we have many Christian friends who have relocated. Yet, in our thoughts and prayers for them, they are as close as our Saviour is. They may move from your area. They might be gone for long periods. Nevertheless, with the LORD as our connection, they are never far away.

 

     Have you ever walked into a church in which you have never been before, maybe while traveling or on a business trip, and almost immediately you felt at home? That is the connection of the LORD. A connection between you and another believer you have never met. It is the Holy Spirit binding hearts together. This is the same binding God uses over miles. The Holy Spirit in each of you is the same Holy Spirit in both of you. A connection that cannot be undone.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     As you go through this day, think of an old Christian Friend who has moved or has been gone for a while. Maybe a Sunday School Teacher, Pastor, Christian Leader, Missionary, or Evangelist who you have not seen in a while. Maybe it is a Christian acquaintance from a former workplace or someone from a school who you have not seen or heard from. Take them to the LORD today. Enjoy your time together in Him as you find the Lord… “Between Me and Thee.”

 

Who might you take before the Lord today?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

 

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  May 15, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
1 Samuel 20, 21 / Psalm 111
Proverbs 15 / Romans 13, 14

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Samuel 23-24 / John 3