Can You Control God?

September 29, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 78:40-41
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Here is a good question to start the day. Be sure and think just a bit before you answer, because you know it is a trick question. Here it is. Do you think it is possible for you to control God? The all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere at every moment God. The one who can do anything He desires. Can you control Him? Well, we know we cannot have total control of Him, I mean, get real, He is God. However, you can control His actions toward you.

 

     Imagine that. You can have full control of how the Almighty reacts to you. How? Well, the Bible says that if you harbor sin in your life, God will not hear you (Psalm 66:18). In Proverbs 1:23, it says that if we listen to His voice of correction and wisdom, His Spirit will help us understand His Words. What do you think God’s View is on the “Get Rich Quick” schemes in life? You did not think He noticed, did you? However, in Proverbs 28:20, God says His blessing is on the people who are faithful or consistent, but the ones who are always trying to make it in the lottery or trying to trick some other person for a quick cash deal, well, you read it and figure it out. In each of these passages of scripture and many more, God has given us a part in the decisions of what He will do toward us.

 

     The Children of Israel limited the “Holy One of Israel,” God, when they turned their back on Him. What might you be allowing or stopping God from doing for you?

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

   God’s desire is for us to have a rewarding life. Not always happy, fun, or exciting, but rewarding. Taking us through the valleys of life helps us depend on Him even more. Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus. (Remind you of a tune you have sung? Well, sing it again and believe it. It is true.) When we do our part, God always keeps His promises. Trust him.

 

How might you take part in how God works 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:  September 29, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Jeremiah 26, 27 / Psalm 78:34-55
Proverbs 28-29 / Acts 9-10

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
GEcc. 9-10  /  Gal. 3

 

Who Is The “ME” They See?

September 27 & 28, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 27:19
As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Have you ever heard any of these statements before? “What you do while alone is really who you are.” How about, “Actions speak louder than words!” Maybe you have heard, “What you say and what you do are often two different things.” You may, or may not have heard them, nevertheless, they are pretty much all saying the same thing, and today’s verses declare it well.

 

     It is not who we say we are, or what we do while we know others are watching, that makes us who we are. Our private thoughts, convictions, and beliefs make up who we really are. I have spoken with people before who began by saying they believe in this or that; however, by the end of our conversation, I knew they did not believe that at all. What they wanted was for people to believe they believed it. How did I know? Because they had shared their heart long enough to let me know what they truly believed. Their heart gave them away.

 

     As your reflection in water displays the real you to you, so will your heart display the real you to others by what you genuinely believe. We can only fool people as long as we keep our mouths shut and stay locked away from society.

 

     Abraham Lincoln, who was a Bible Scholar, once said, “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” Therefore, before trying to convince others of what you say you believe, you might want to ask yourself, “What Do I Really Believe?” In addition, “What and Who Do I Believe In?”  

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    Another quote is, “It’s better to keep quiet and let people think you’re a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” We should be sure when we do open our mouths that people not only hear the real us, but they also hear Jesus in us.

 

When you speak, what is it that people hear?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself what MY THOUGHTS are 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: September  27, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
Jeremiah 23-25 / Psalm 78:1-33
Proverbs 27 / Acts 8

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ecc. 7-8  /  Gal. 2

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 your Pastor exactly what He desires for you on that day.  

 

GOD TALKING TO ME: September  28, 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

 

What Will They Do With The Truth?

September 26, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Acts 7:54
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     People do some strange things when confronted with their sin. Some find themselves before an almighty God and realize the only hope for redemption of their sin is in the person of Jesus Christ. Some will wonder with amazement at the awesome price paid and intellectually try very hard to figure it out. The sad thing is that too often, while they are still trying to figure it all out, they die, and then it is all figured out for them. Sadly, at that time, it is too late to change your mind.

 

     Still, yet, we find there are many people today who respond in the same ways as the people referred to in today’s verse. These people had heard Stephen share with them the truth about Jesus Christ as their Saviour. When confronted with their sin, they are cut to the heart, or in other words, the truth cuts like a knife to their conscience. However, these people respond in anger instead of repentance

 

     How can we know how a person will react to the gospel? Will they repent of their sin, question their salvation, or get angry at the reality of it all? How can we know? That is easy. Just share it with them and watch.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    An interesting footnote to all this is that Stephen was stoned to death for sharing the gospel. Nevertheless, even at the end of his life, Stephen asked God to forgive them for what they were doing. It is ironic that the love he had for these people in life, which caused him to share Christ with them, was the love he had for them even as these same people put him to death. The love of God is not something you can figure out or understand until you have it in you. It is beyond us. It is God in us.

 

Who might you show God’s love to today that you may consider unlovable?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself what MY THOUGHTS are 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: September 26, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Jeremiah 21, 22 / Psalm 77
Proverbs 26 / Acts 7

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ecc. 5-6  /  Gal. 1

 

Oops, Did I Say That?
September 25, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalms 76:7
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     I remember once (and only once) as a young boy sitting on the steps of our house with a neighborhood friend when my dad said, “Come in, son, your mom said it’s time to eat.” My friend said, “Tell him no, you are not coming.” With no thought of the consequences, I did just that. I said, “No, I am not coming in.” One of the dumbest things I ever did. Before I could turn to see if he was coming, I felt my body lifted from the steps, and a piece of leather snapped across my rear end a few times. I was told, “Do not you ever talk back to me or mom like that again!” To which I promptly agreed. In addition, as far as I remember, I pretty much kept that promise. Later, my dad took me to the local Five and Dime store and bought me a cherry Coke. The real kind, with real cherries made at the fountain. He never once said he was sorry for spanking me. However, as I tried to sit and drink my soda, I knew by this gesture he was saying he still loved me.

     Today’s verse asks a question. “Who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?” Most would say no one. No one could stop the wrath of God. This is true, but that is not what it asks. It asks who might have permission, “who MAY stand in thy sight.” The answer is those He loves, His children. You see, my dad corrected me appropriately for my disobedience in a way I never forgot. However, that was not the wrath of my father but the love of a dad who taught me to be respectful. He was big enough at the time to destroy me, but he did not. I never really had to face his wrath. God is to be reverenced by believers. However, the wrath of God is to be feared by unbelievers. They are the only ones who will truly face His wrath one day.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     How wonderful to be corrected by a loving God. His love for us keeps us from ever facing His wrath. We may stand in His sight when He is angry and not fear destruction, but rather anticipate His love. Even during the correction.

Looking back, when have you noticed God’s loving correction in your life?

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: September  25, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Jeremiah 18-20 / Psalm 76
Proverbs 25 / Acts 6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ecc. 3-4  /  2 Co. 13