DEVOTIONS

Hiding In The Church

AUGUST 15, 2023
Daily Reading – Psa. 52-57 / Rom. 7

GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 55:19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        In today’s Psalm, David shares a hurt that many who have been in church for years have also experienced. It is not that someone might attack our testimony. That is part of standing up for Christ in a sin filled world. Whenever the righteousness of God is allowed to shine through us, it becomes an immediate revelation of the sinfulness of man. Then man does what man does. He lashes out at what he feels has insulted his lifestyle. It is true that hurt people, will hurt people. We should expect that. However, the hurt comes when we befriend someone who we believe also loves the Lord, then they suddenly turn on you. They attack the church, the pastor, and by evidence of their life, the Lord. Hiding in church does not make you a Christian, any more than walking through a wealthy neighborhood makes you rich. You may fool man, but you do not fool God.

 

        In Psalm 55:12-14 David says, “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.” Why would they do such a thing? Verse 19 tells us. “…Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        The hurt is real. Sadly, it causes some to never trust or reach out again. When this happens, Satan wins. We should never let our hurt stop us from loving others. Jesus took so much pain for us at Calvary and has been hurt so much worse. Let His love shine through you.

 

Will you still love?

 

 

Heaven Can Be Bought

AUGUST 14, 2023
Daily Reading – Psa. 48-51 / Rom. 6

GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 49:6-7 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        MONEY! That stuff that everyone wants more of. Oh, I know, there are some who say, “I really do not care if I have money or not.” But then offer them a hundred-dollar bill with no strings attached and see how fast they scarf it up. Every preacher knows that the church needs money to function. To pay the bills, to support missions, and to purchase supplies. Every Missionary knows they need money to get to the field God has called them to. Most often when they get there, they see the needs of the people they are called to minister to and ask others to consider helping with additional finances to aid in that work. We have been led to believe that having a desire for more money is almost sinful, greedy, or against the will of God. However, it is not the need or desire that is sinful. It is when that desire becomes your driving force, consuming your thoughts. When money, and not God, become the center of your life, that is when it becomes sinful. 

 

        In Psalm 49 there is a warning, not against having wealth, but against worshiping and trusting in it. Money is not evil. It is the love of money that is evil. You can do a lot of good things with added finances. Yet, as our text says, you cannot buy someone’s entrance into heaven with it. Still, Heaven can be bought! In fact, it was bought by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, on the cross of Calvary. Heaven can be bought, with the right currency. The blood of Jesus Christ. 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        In 1 Peter 1:18-19 it says, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

 

Do you have a home money cannot buy?

 

 

Glowing Review

 August 12 & 13, 2023
 August 12 – Daily Reading – Psa. 42-47 / Rom. 5
 August 13 – NO READING

 GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Who does not like to hear good things said about them? Actors and actresses delight when a good review is given about the work they have done on stage or film. Restaurants have been made popular by a good review, or sometimes put out of business by a not so good report. Many workplaces review their leadership staff annually to see how things are progressing in their companies. Children from pre-school through college are given reviews or report cards stating their achievements in the classrooms. Face it, we are a people groomed from youth to look for and long for good reports. Glowing reviews. 

        Psalm 45 is a Psalm that paints a glowing review of the Christ to come. It is entitled “Shoshannim” which means a “Song of Lilies,” also known as “A Song of Love.” It is a marriage song for the Lily of the Valley, Jesus, the bridegroom, coming to claim His bride, the church. In the very first verse it says, “My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king:” meaning his heart is overflowing with good things to say about the King. He follows that with a glowing review of how God has chosen Him for who He is. About His glory, might, graciousness, majesty, and His honesty and righteousness. He shares of His eternal rule and authority, His love for what is right and hatred of sin, and how desirable He is. The conclusion says, everyone must know this, so I will tell them. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Folk’s, everyone does need to know just how awesome your Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord, really is. How He came to earth, lived, loved, died, rose again, ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us, and promised to come again for us. Everyone needs to know.

Will you tell them?

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

      When looking back over the past weeks’ devotionals, what joy we have in our hearts seeing God’s Riches poured out on His own. We see it in:

  ● Great Reward
  ● Gospel Is Revealed
  ● Guidance Received
  ● Grace Redistributed
  ● Guaranteed Results
  ● Glowing Review

      Compared to all the temporal things man has here on earth, I think you would have to agree, God’s Riches far outshines them all.

       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.

August 14, 2023	Psa. 48-51	Rom. 6
August 15, 2023	Psa. 52-57	Rom. 7
August 16, 2023	Psa. 58-64	Rom. 8
August 17, 2023	Psa. 65-68	Rom. 9
August 18, 2023	Psa. 69-72	Rom. 10
August 19, 2023	Psa. 73-77	Rom. 11
August 20, 2023	No Passages Assigned

God’s Riches

Guaranteed Results

AUGUST 11, 2023
Daily Reading – Psa. 37-41 / Rom. 4

GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 37:1-2 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        How do we deal with worries and troubles in life? Many people have their own solutions to try to cope with these annoying situations. David gives us some advice in Psalm 37 that if followed, there are guaranteed results.

        Beginning in Psalm 37:3 it says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good.” In vs 4 he tells us to, “Delight thyself also in the LORD.” In Vs. 5 we are instructed to, “Commit thy way unto the LORD.” When we get to vs 7 David adds, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.” Then finally in vs 8 we read, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:” To summarize it says we should trust God and do good, delight, or find our greatest joy in the Lord, commit to follow His leading, rest, which is another way of saying submit patiently to God’s ways and His timing, and do not get angry and try to get even. What are the guaranteed results? You will find the answer a few verses later in Psalm 37:23-25 where it says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Basically, if we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, He does all the rest. Hey, I believe read that in other Bible verses. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        This Biblical idea reoccurs often. Prov. 3:5-6 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.”

If God repeats Himself often, do you think it is important?

Grace Redistributed

AUGUST 10, 2023
Daily Reading – Psa. 33-36 / Rom. 3

GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Today’s verse is really a clear picture of the two types of life. One is the never satisfied life of the unbeliever, the other is the satisfied life of the child of God. You cannot measure a man’s contentment by the items they have collected. Things never have provided true satisfaction.

 

        The young lion crying for hunger is a very clear depiction of the lost soul in this world always wanting more from the world. As a young lion may hunger while the older lions feast, both are never satisfied with what they have that day. Their attention is always on the next meal. There is no refrigerator, restaurant, or marketplace to gain their next meal from. They are always on the hunt, searching, and never able to be satisfied. It has been studied and said that over 50% of wildlife does not die of natural causes. Even the aged lion becomes too old and weak to hunt and will often go off and die of starvation. Yet our verse today goes on to say; “…but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” Follow the Lord’s leading and He will supply for you. The difference is where our attention is focused. The young lion is seeking what the world might give. The believer is seeking the Lord. Jer. 29:13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Once you turn your attention on Him the hunting is over. He knows where everything is on earth and in heaven. He will lead you to what you need. 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        God’s grace is redistributed to those that seek Him. When talking about earthly things, Matt. 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Makes sense.

 

Who will you rely on, Man or God?