Who Is In Control?
July 10, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

2 Chronicles 26:16
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     James S. Hewett once wrote that a newly elected politician was visiting Washington, D.C., to get acquainted. He was visiting the home of one of the ranking senators, who was trying to interpret the bizarre wonder of the capital. As they stood looking out over the Potomac River, an old, deteriorating log floated by in view on the river. The old-timer said, “This city is like that log out there.” The fledgling politician asked, “How’s that?” The senator came back, “Well, there are probably more than one hundred thousand grubs, ants, bugs, and critters on that old log as it floats down the river. And I imagine every one of them thinks that he’s steering it.”

 

      It is often this way in other areas of life. Once people feel they may have gained a little control, they then seem to want it all. When, truly, the only time humanity is in complete control is after we turn complete control over to God. Letting God lead your life shows you have learned to control your will by letting God’s will lead. Once we try to rule our destiny, rejecting God’s leading, God removes His hand and lets us do just that. Then, 99% of the time, we will make a mess of it.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     When we learn to control our desire for control, life becomes so much more enjoyable. We need to give to God what is due Him. He deserves all our allegiance and all our lives. We must strive to yield total control to the One who created us. After we do so, it is hard to control the joy we sense from the freedom of not having to be the one who steers the log down the river of life anymore.

 

What might be in your control that you need to give to God?

 

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:  July 10, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
2 Chronicles 26-28 / Psalm 10
Proverbs 10 / Matthew 13

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
GEzra 8-10 / Acts 12

 

The Perfect Attorney

July 7, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 7:10-11
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Lawyers often get a bad rap. They have been looked upon as dishonest, deceitful, and someone you can’t trust. Some of them may have earned that label by their tactics in the courtroom. Yet, it seems unfair to label them all this way. What a great feeling it would be, to walk into a courtroom with an attorney that everyone knows has never told a lie about one detail of one case ever. To have an attorney who would never take the case of a guilty person, only to defend them by manipulating the truth and hiding the fact of their guilt. A defender so honest that when they got in front of the judge instead of pleading their innocence, they would simply turn the guilty person over to the court for the punishment they deserved. Then, when the judgment is given, this advocate for justice would step up to the bench and say, “I will stand in their place and pay the debt owed.” Wouldn’t it be great if your legal defense were not only your defender when you are in the right but also the judge, passing down the sentence? This sounds almost impossible, right?

 

     As believers, we have this defender. “Jesus.” Jesus is our advocate, or representative with the Father. He defends us against the evil accusation of Satan and the world. The word “defence” in our verse today means, “like a shield hovering over us to protect us.” However, this shield of protection goes two ways. Not only is He protecting the redeemed child of God, but He is also hunting out the evil that may be done against His people and judging it.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     How do the evil intentions against God’s church often end up? Frequently the trap laid for another will spring back to ensnare the setter. The anger and hostility aimed against another person will often settle in their own heart. They then live a bitter disgusted life because of their resentful work toward another. We should pray “Oh God that my heart would remain soft toward you and your will. That I might let only you be the judge of all, including me. AMEN.”

 

Have you ever witnessed this misguided anger backfire?

 

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:  July 7, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
2 Chronicles 19-21 / Psalm 7
Proverbs 6-7 / Matthew 9, 10

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Chron. 34-36 / Acts 10:1-22

 

“WOW!!!”… Oooooh, Awwww

July 5 & 6, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Matthew 8:27
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     “WOW!!!” … WOW would probably be a word we would use today to describe what the men were feeling when the Bible says they “marvelled.” It would be one of those glassy-eyed stares with your mouth wide-open sort of moments. You know, sort of like when a magician does a magic trick you cannot understand. You say oooooh, aww, and think, how did he do that? However, this was more than magic. Jesus was not trying to play a trick of any type on them. There was no sleight of hand here. This was a miracle.

 

     Some in that day may have thought it to be part of a paranormal experience. That possibly Jesus was a witch or sorcerer, or maybe even a demon. However, Jesus proved that untrue as he cast out demons. No, this was not a demonic show.

 

     Some may have thought He was one of the many gods people worshiped at the time. Nevertheless, He was continually pointing to one God, His Father in Heaven. He was not “a god.” He was and is today, “THE GOD.” They marveled, they ooohed, they awed, they stood in amazement at what Jesus could do. Because He did, what only He could do. Be GOD.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Do you remember when you realized you were a sinner? When did you understand that the only hope of your salvation was Jesus and His atoning blood from Calvary? Do you remember humbling your heart to Him and asking Him to forgive all your sins? Do you remember how you “marveled” at what He had done in that split second? Removing your sin and setting you free. Do you remember? That my friend was a real “WOW!!!” … Oooooh, Awwww moment in life. ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT!

 

do you remember that
“WOW!!!” … Oooooh, Awwww moment 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:  July 5, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
2 Chronicles 14-18 / Psalm 5-6
Proverbs 5 / Matthew 7, 8

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Chron. 31-33 / Acts 9:20-43

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

 

GOD TALKING TO ME:  July 6, 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