Do This, Do That, Does It Ever Stop?

June 6, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Every child in the world has heard the words, “Listen to your mother or father” at one time or another. We usually heard this when we most likely did not want to. Why? Because it seemed they were trying to keep us from having fun. Do not do this, Do not do that, clean this, put that away, come here, or go there. It seemed like a never-ending list of to-do’s and don’ts. Why do parents have to do that? Well, now that I am a parent, I know of three reasons for sure.

 

They most likely had, “been there – done that.” I know it’s hard to imagine that these old people may understand where you are in life. However, trust me (an older person now) they do. Possibly, they were there themselves. Maybe they knew someone else who had been there. They may have had the good fortune to have parents who warned them about this. Any way we look at it, they are trying to lovingly protect us. This brings us to point number two.

 

They do not want you to suffer through their old mistakes. Why is it so important to them when it seems so minor to you? Because they know how it will end. How do they know? Well, let’s just say they were not always grown-ups, okay? Finally,

 

They only want what is best for you. I know it sounds cliché, but it is true. Parents always want to see their children succeed. ALWAYS.

 

     So next time Mom and Dad start in with “do this” or “do that,” see if you can hear at the end of the phrase, “because I Love you.”

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Parents are a wonderful gift from God. Godly parents are the best. If you have unsaved parents, pray God will use you as a witness. If your parents are saved, thank God for them. Also, be sure to tell them occasionally you love them too.

 

Are you using your life experiences to lead others by a Godly example?

 

 

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:  June 6, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
1 Chronicles 9, 10 / Psalm 122
Proverbs 6 / 1 Timothy 4-6

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Kings 18-19  /  John 13:1-17

 

Preserved For A Later Date 
June 5, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 121:7-8
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     People do not do as much canning as they did when I was younger. I remember hot summers without air-conditioning, my mother would work in our small kitchen boiling tomatoes for days. It was already hot, and now she was boiling tomatoes and the steam from her cooking made it even worse. When the tomatoes had cooked just so long, she would skin them, place them in jars, and then screw a special canning lid on the jars. Then she would place the jars back in this cooker and keep cooking them. This sealed the Mason jars, and they were ready for storage. Whatever she canned this way, tomatoes, green beans, or peaches were preserved for a later date. They would stay good until someone broke the seal on the jar. In addition, the jars were burglar-proof. If you tried to open them before Mom said you could, the lid would make a loud POP noise, and you would be caught. Yet, as long as they were held in the jar with the seal unbroken, they stayed good.

 

     Our verses today say God also preserves us. Placing us in His Son Jesus, He preserves us from evil. Satan cannot have us any longer. The old devil can pick at us and torment us, but we are safe inside the preserving care of Jesus. This is not just an earthly promise, but also the verses say He preserves our very soul. For how long will that be good? Just exactly what the text says, “and even for evermore.” It is not up to my powers or abilities to preserve my soul. It is all about the preserving power of God. Whom may I ask you is stronger or more powerful than God? Are you? Am I? Is Satan? No, No one is. How could I possibly lose such a preserved salvation?

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     The saving grace of Jesus is eternal. The protecting power of God is everlasting. I have been preserved by God for His Son Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh how great is our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

What does “For Evermore” in today’s verse mean to you?

 

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:  June 5, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
1 Chronicles 7, 8 / Psalm 121
Proverbs 5 / 1 Timothy 1-3

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Kings 16-17  /  John 12:23-50

 

Can You Hear Me Now?

June 2, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 2:4-5
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     As the Pastor of an average-sized local church, I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard a mother or father say, “If they would have only listened, I tried to warn them.” Neither can I recall the number of messages preached on obedience to God, only to find someone trapped in the grips of sin later, and I have thought to myself, “If they would have just listened to the message.” All too often, we find people who have run from the truth and destroyed their lives and are now in seemingly helpless conditions. I wonder if they are not saying in their heart, “I wish I had listened when I had the chance.”

 

     I have a bit of good news for you today. If you are still breathing and can read this devotional, there is still hope for you. No matter your condition today or your sense of hopelessness, God is still in control. Jesus is the same forever. He still loves you just as you are. He still wants to make something of your life right where it is. If you have found yourself struggling with the temptations of this old world, Jesus understands the torment you are going through. He is waiting to change your life if you will completely give it over to Him. The question again today is… Will you listen NOW?

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Today is the day of salvation. Make your life count for the Kingdom of God. Give yourself completely to Him and watch Him do miracles in your life. You can almost hear God leaning down from heaven and asking … “Can you hear me now?”

 

When God speaks to us, do we listen and obey?

 

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:  June 2, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
1 Chronicles 1, 2 / Psalm 119:145-160
Proverbs 1-2 / Hebrews 11-13

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Kings 9-10  /  John 11:1-37