DEVOTIONS

Satisfied By Thy Word

OCTOBER 30, 2023
Daily Reading – Jeremiah 13-15 / 1 Timothy 5

GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Back in the 1980’s and 90’s there was a potato chip commercial that tempted people to eat only one of their chips. The slogan was “No one can eat just one.” The commercials were relatively simple. There was an open bag of their chips, and someone said I can eat just one. They would take a chip from the bag and eat it. Then, after a short pause, they would smile and start scoffing down the chips. The commercial was effective, and also very true. It would be hard for most people to eat only one of those chips. Once that salty taste was in your mouth, well, you just really wanted another and another.

        Jeremiah refers to the Word of God very much the same way. In Jeremiah 15:16 he says, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” It was if he had read the words of the Lord and found them so satisfying that he desired more. The words of the Lord brought joy and rejoicing to his soul. David in Psalm 34:8 said, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Once you know the author of this book, and have a personal relationship with Him, one verse is never enough. Your desire for the Word increases with your desire to know Him more and more. Until the day we meet the Lord in Glory, we find our satisfaction in His Word. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        It is not just a book for the believer. The author of the Bible resides within us. In 2 Peter 1:21 it says, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 

Do you find God’s Word satisfying?

Rely On God’s Direction

 OCTOBER 28 & 29, 2023
 OCTOBER 28 – Daily Reading – Jeremiah 10-12 / 1 Timothy 4
 OCTOBER 29 – NO READING

 GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        In Jeremiah’s prayer here in Jeremiah 10:23 we find a profound admission. He says, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jeremiah is not saying that man has no freedom to walk his own way. That would be foolish to believe considering what God is telling Jeremiah He is about to do. God is bringing judgment on the children of Israel for doing just that. They have walked their own way for way too long. They have created idols, worshipped them, and forsaken their love for the one true God. If that is not walking in the wrong direction, well, I do not know what is. 

 

        Man has a free will to live as he chooses. However, to choose to live apart from God and His direction is not wise. In this verse Jeremiah was stating that fact. Man, apart from God’s leading, will wander aimlessly into destruction. We read this throughout scripture. One such passage is Proverbs 3:5-6 where it says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We see in here the same thought. We have obligations. It says, we are to trust Him, our choice. Next it says not to lean on our understanding, again our decision. It then says to acknowledge God, again our duty. If we do these things, God directs our steps, that is our blessing. 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        When going somewhere it is always easier if you have someone who has been there and knows the way to lead you. The Bible says Jesus is the way. Not only is He the way to salvation, but He is the way to navigate life. Get into His Word and rely on God’s direction.

 

Who are you following?

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

        In all that Israel had done, God never completely turns His back on them. We can take comfort in that truth and Rejoice in the Lord. As we saw in:

 

  ● Really Long Verse
  ● Remembered No More
  ● Relationship That Works
  ● Read, Study, And Obey
  ● Real Wisdom
  ● Rely On God’s Direction

 

        Though we stumble and fall, God will never leave us, nor forsake us. For that we should always Rejoice 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.

 

October 30, 2023	Jeremiah 13-15	1 Timothy 5
October 31, 2023	Jeremiah 16-19	1 Timothy 6
November 1, 2023	Jeremiah 20-22	2 Timothy 1-2
November 2, 2023	Jeremiah 23-25	2 Timothy 3-4
November 3, 2023	Jeremiah 26-29	Titus 1
November 4, 2023	Jeremiah 30-31	Titus 2-3
November 5, 2023	No Passages Assigned

Rejoice In The Lord

Real Wisdom

OCTOBER 27, 2023
Daily Reading – Jeremiah 7-9 / 1 Timothy 2-3

 

GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        It would almost seem as if the prophet Jeremiah was writing these words to the people of today. In the technological society we live in, education seems to be the benchmark of success. Yet all our wisdom seems to cause us to need more wisdom to continuously compete. One benefit derived from all this wisdom, it has brought us to a day and age where people live longer. Health and exercise have taken front row in the minds of many. If we live healthier and wiser, we live longer and can get more things, more wealth. Still, at the end of it all, our health does seem to fail us. No matter how well we have taken care to do all we can, this body begins to break down. The relevant wisdom we had twenty years ago has become obsolete. Microchips replaced transistors; The digital age took over CD’s. Time marches on. The money we saved over a lifetime is not as valuable as it once was. In fact, it costs everything we have just to live.

 

        Man’s wisdom, might, and money will someday all fail him. Yet, one type of wisdom never fails. Understanding that God is the owner of all there is in heaven and earth. That He not only supplies all our needs, but also supplies things above our needs at His discretion. Our main role in life is to continuously look to Him for guidance and trust Him to supply. If you were wise enough to accept Christ as Saviour, Jesus never fails. Real wisdom finds its strength and wealth in Jesus. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        In a hymn we sing it says; “Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails, heaven and earth may pass away, but Jesus never fails.” How long is never? For Jesus never is forever. Jesus will be yours for eternity.

 

Education, Strength, Money, or God. Which do you think is more reliable?

 

Read, Study, And Obey

OCTOBER 26, 2023
Daily Reading – Jeremiah 4-6 / 1 Timothy 1

 

GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 5:15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        I live in a multi-cultural community. Each group brings with them part of their culture, and many, their own language. Now friends, I have enough trouble with English, let alone trying to be like Apostle Paul who spoke many languages. I have been on an elevator with people speaking another language, and immediately felt uneasy. I have also been out visiting in neighborhoods, knocked on a door and had someone greet me that did not speak English. Have you ever noticed that everyone becomes a sign language expert when a person does not understand them? Or, for some reason we think if we yell the words louder, somehow that will help.

 

        Communication is something we all need in our life. Not only to be understood, but also to understand what people are saying. In today’s verse we read that God sent a nation to capture Israel, “a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.” The children of Israel could not plead for help, mercy, or anything. They did not speak the language. Nor could they respond to any of their commands because they did not understand them. For many, this became a death sentence as they were viewed as rebellious. God’s Word is clear and understandable. Yet, we must be willing to listen, read, study, and obey exactly what it says. To enjoy life, we must communicate with God and with others, clearly, and in love

. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        It is never enough to just say words if they mean nothing to the listener. Do not be afraid to ask for an explanation or to be sure your words were understood. It is easier to take a moment to be clear, than to spend a day of apologizing later.

 

Has God’s Word been made clear to you?

 

 

Relationship That Works

OCTOBER 25, 2023
Daily Reading – Jeremiah 1-3 / 2 Thessalonians 3

 

GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 2:27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Children are naughty by nature. Tell them “Do not get into the cookies.” A minute later the child is gone. Where are they? In the cookie jar, enjoying what you told them not to. Then, when you walk up behind them and ask, “what are you doing,” it scares the socks off them. Why? Not because they have realized cookies will spoil their appetite for a nutritious meal you have planned. Nor because they are sorry that they have done this and will never do it again. (Yeah right!) Why are they upset? “THEY GOT CAUGHT!”

 

        Before you get to upset with the little ones, think about this. When times are going well and everything is ok, do you spend as much time communicating with God as when things are bad? If things are going well, we find lots of things to do besides spending time praying. An occasional “thanks God” seems sufficient. But let things get bad and we are on our knees crying, “Oh God help us.” The worse things get, the more time we spend with Him. Yet, it is often not until WE GOT CAUGHT! Caught neglecting God. Caught making other things more important than God. Caught falling in love with something else, until it becomes an idol that has taken the place of God. I wonder if sometimes God does not allow trying times in our life, just so we will stop, and talk with Him a bit. Our lives become so complacent with God and others that we spend days busy around each other, but never really talk. It is time to talk to those we love. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Could it be that our days would be better and less trying if we spent more of our good time with one another and God, and not just our sad times? I love to talk with happy people more than I do mad people. I believe God does too!

 

How much time have you spent with those you love?