DEVOTIONS

Unveiling The Way

 NOVEMBER 16, 2023
 Daily Reading – Ezekiel 1-4 / Hebrews 11

 GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        The question rings out loud and clear from Genesis 4:9,“…Am I My Brothers Keeper?” Cain had just murdered Abel, and God was asking him where his brother was. Cain is sort of saying, am I responsible for the welfare of my brother? On the one hand the answer must be no. No one can secure the complete safety or security of another person. However, we also must answer the question, “yes.” Everyone is somewhat responsible for doing the best they can to keep one another from harm.

        In today’s verse Ezekiel is given the position of watchman. You could sort of call him the assigned, “Brothers Keeper.” God explains to Ezekiel what the job entails. He said, I have given you a warning for the people. If you do not share the warning and they die, it is just as if you killed them. You will be responsible for their death. However, if you do the best that you can to warn them and they do not listen, your hands are clean, you did the best you could. Jesus gave us the same charge in Mark 16:15-16,“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” We can never save the world. God knows that. Still, we can do our part. God knows that too. “Am I my Brothers Keeper?” “Yes,” you are a watchman, for today. You are called to unveil the way

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        God knows what we cannot do and does not expect that of us. However, we and God both know what we can do. He does expect that of us. Are we doing our part? Are we visiting the lost, witnessing, sending, and handing out tracks?

Are we unveiling the way of salvation?

 

Until Then

 NOVEMBER 15, 2023
 Daily Reading – Lamentations 3-5 / Hebrews 10

 GOD’S WORD:

Lamentations 4:6 For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Growing up, I recall several different methods my parents would use to punish me when I had done something wrong. The reason I remember so many of them is because it seemed I was always doing something wrong. I am not sure of this, but it may have been that my dad and mom sat up at night trying to think of new ways to make me behave. I was stood in the corner, sent to my room without supper, (most of you who know me can see that I never starved,) made to do a chore that I hated, (which was most of them,) and the list goes on. Thinking back, I believe one of the worst punishments that my mom dished out was the famous line, “You wait until your father gets home and I tell him what you did. Go to your room and wait for him.” Now folks, this was before computers, television in every room, cell phones, or any phones for that matter. When I went to my room, all I could really do was imagine the spanking I was going to get when my dad heard of my newest naughtiness. Until then, fear. I was not afraid of my dad. I loved him and knew he loved me. I was afraid of the punishment he would have to give me for my misbehavior.

 

        In Lamentations 4:6, Jeremiah says the punishment for Israel’s sin was worse than that of Sodom. Why? Well Sodom’s punishment was over in a day. Done. However, the people of Israel got to think about what they had done, and how it hurt God, year, after year, after year. 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Why the difference in punishments? Israel knew God intimately and sinned anyway. Do you have an intimate relationship with God? If so, just know, we never get away with sin. God will deal with his children. Until then…

You do remember, your heavenly Father loves you, right?

 

Unmarked Paths

 NOVEMBER 14, 2023
 Daily Reading – Lamentations 1-2 / Hebrews 9

 GOD’S WORD:

Lamentation 2:15 All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        The beauty, the splendor, how magnificent was the temple Solomon had built. People from everywhere came to marvel at the place he built for his God. A visible mark on earth of the Majesty of the God he served. However, the children of Israel had taken God for granted. The glamour of the temple did not matter, the worship inside was fake and pretentious. God had warned them if they forsook Him what would happen. God never lies. The city and temple now lay in ruin and the people of this God were mostly in captivity. Did God forsake them? No, they forsook God. So gradual was the turning from God to the world, many may have been taken by surprise. They should have known. The scrolls, the temple, and God dwelt among them. Yet, life was good. They did not see a need for God. Gradually they walked away from the way of life God created for them to enjoy.

 

        Our churches today do not enjoy the standing they once did. There has been a gradual turning from God’s way, and perversion of God’s Word. Society has redefined the family structure. Youth today know little of God’s Word because, we know little ourselves. Christian’s lives resemble the world, and we wonder why unbelievers shake their heads and laugh at Christians today. Not what God intended nor what His Word declares. We have not cleared a path for our children to walk or voiced the truths of God’s Word for fear of our pride being hurt. 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        What more can we expect of those who follow if we are not willing to proclaim the Gospel. Find a way to open up about your faith. Memorize scripture and share it with your children. Be open about what you believe and mark out a path for them to follow.

Where are we leading today?

 

Understand The Danger

 NOVEMBER 13, 2023
 Daily Reading – Jeremiah 51-52 / Hebrews 8

 GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 52:13-14 And burned the house of the LORD, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire: And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        The feeling of security is something everyone loves. In America, for so many years, many people have felt the absolute sense of “I am safe here.” However, we must look at the past.

        Israel had a temple built by Solomon for God, by God’s own design. One of the most spectacular structures said to have ever been built. When it was finished, God Himself said He would dwell there among His people. God’s Home, you might say. Therefore, for many years, God had protected the land from destruction. Nothing and no one seemed to be able to get to them. Their enemies could not defeat them and all who lived there felt safe. Babylon was a distant country for travel at the time. Security was not on their mind, because they had always felt secure. Their ancestors had followed God, so God protected them. They felt so safe, that they began to forget, God was providing their security. They had begun to follow other gods. Oh, they still with lip service honored God, but He was one among many now. It was because of their disobedience and rebellious life God allowed His people to be taken slaves, the land to be destroyed, and His very own dwelling place including all the articles inside to be destroyed and taken.

        Looking at America and the way it has gone, how safe do you feel NOW? Pray that your elected officials might come to know God and do His will. 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        We need to fall on our knees once again and ask God to give us the courage to stand up in the face of sinful, liberal lies that tell us, sin really does not matter. My friend, it matters greatly. If not to us, it matters to God. We must understand the danger of sin.

Do you see the dangers of sin?

 

COMING SOON – OUR FIRST PUBLISHED IN PRINT DEVOTIONAL BOOK –
“Work Week DEVOTIONS – Through The Book Of PROVERBS”

Their Restingplace

 NOVEMBER 11 & 12, 2023
 NOVEMBER 11 – Daily Reading – Jeremiah 49-50 / Hebrews 7
 NOVEMBER 12 – NO READING

 GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Oh, what a sad commentary for the children of Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 50:6. God refers to them here as “lost sheep.” They are still His sheep, but they have followed other shepherds. Shepherds who have caused them to follow after the wrong things, and to go astray. It says, “they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill,” People of that time burned incense to idols on these hills. God’s lost sheep had followed them to worship one idol on one hill, and then being led by another, to worship another idol on another hill. Never finding contentment. They had forgotten “their restingplace” in the Lord.

 

        As I read that verse today, I could not help but think of all the Christians and churches, especially in America in the twenty-first century. It seems today that the sheep at times are lost. Wandering from this leader to that leader. Following this promise or that. Who has the best show? Who promises ME the most things. It is not about doctrine anymore. It is often not even about what the bible says on a subject. It is simply what makes me feel good today. Then, when that does not satisfy, well, they simply pick up and move to the next church down the road. Mountain, to mountain, to hill. Following man-made religion. Until they become burnt out with church, and just quit altogether. WHY? “…they have forgotten their restingplace.” JESUS! 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” I am not for re-writing scripture, but this could actually say, come unto me, and I will BE YOUR REST. Do not forget Jesus, your restingplace.

 

Have you found that rest?

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

        God is our refuge and strength. We can trust Him. We saw what happens when people do not Trust In the Lord this week in:

  ● There Is Hope
  ● Truth Be Told
  ● Take Time To Listen
  ● They Did Not Listen
  ● Time To Set Sail
  ● Their Restingplace

        No matter what many may say or promise, it is always safer and secure when we just learn to Trust In the Lord.

       Enjoy today with your church and hear what God has prepared in the heart of His man for you this week.

   See you tomorrow.  

 SUNDAYS:

       Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastors heart. Whatever scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs.

November 13, 2023	Jeremiah 51-52	Hebrews 8
November 14, 2023	Lamentations 1-2	Hebrews 9
November 15, 2023	Lamentations 3-5	Hebrews 10
November 16, 2023	Ezekiel 1-4	Hebrews 11
November 17, 2023	Ezekiel 5-8	Hebrews 12
November 18, 2023	Ezekiel 9-12	Hebrews 13
November 19, 2023	No Passages Assigned

Trust In The Lord