There Is A Real Hell

June 23, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     I am sure you have said, or heard someone say, “This or that will happen when Hell freezes over.” Can you imagine all the wild and crazy things people must have attached to that phrase? I will get married, sing a solo, give you my car, or whatever wild idea comes up just before the phrase, “when Hell freezes over.” Living in Michigan most of my life there was kind of a joke about the phrase, “when Hell freezes over.” There is a city not far from where I lived in Michigan by the name of Hell. In the winter months, we would get a lot of snow, and as you may have guessed, sometimes Hell would actually freeze over. We were waiting to see if any of those promises would come true on that day. What a crazy day that would be.

 

     Another phrase you hear concerning this place called Hell is, “Hell on Earth.” What a phrase. What a thought. Most often, when someone uses that phase, they are referring to something terrible happening. Like when the hurricane ripped through the southern U.S. and destroyed entire cities, people said, it was like Hell on earth for some.

 

     The hurricane hitting may have seemed like the worst thing that could happen to them. But as terrible as that was, or as bad as your worst possible day has been, it will not compare to the day when God and the angels ban Satan from Heaven, and he takes up residence on this earth. Friends that will be the closest people living on earth will ever come to real Hell on earth.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

The good news is, we do not have to be here when it happens. In Thessalonians, the Bible talks of the church being taken away before the tribulation period on earth. All we need to do is accept Christ as our Saviour before that day of real “Hell on Earth.” Some might say, “I will get my life right with God when Hell freezes over.” Well, Hell froze over in Michigan several times. Are you a real person of your word? Why not get things right today?

 

How bad must things get before people realize, all of God’s Words are coming true?

 

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:  June 23, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
1 Kings 12, 13 / Psalm 143
Proverbs 22-23 / Revelations 11-13

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Chron. 26-27 / Acts 2:1-36

 

Hands And Hearts

June 21 & 22, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 141:1-2
LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     There are those times in life when we may feel like the author of this Psalm. “Oh Lord, I need you to answer my prayer right now. Not five minutes from now, and not tomorrow, but today!” We have all had those moments in life. However, did we come to the Lord as David did? The verse says, “the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” What does that mean?

 

     Some denominations lift their hands all the time. Others make no gestures at all in church, or in private from what we gather. Some teach that raising your hands is the only correct posture in which to approach God. Others say it is a prideful motion and people use it to simply draw attention to themselves and therefore it takes away from glorifying God. So, which is right?

 

     It seems the ancient gesture in the Old Testament and some New Testament churches was a sign of surrender and supplication. Total surrender showed they had no weapons in their hands and a state of defenselessness. Supplication in that their hands were empty and waited upon God to fulfill their every need. Most believe it was then, and should still be today, an outward gesture to demonstrate the heart of the individual. A heart lifted to God and open to His will. The Bible records many postures for prayer and worship. The one thing God is always concerned with is your heart.

 

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     So, is it right or wrong? Really, God cares more about your heart than your hands. Trying to show you are spiritual by lifting your hands does not impress God nor should it impress man. However, if it is a humble expression of your heart, raise them high. The most important matter is where is your heart with God.

 

Will you lift up your heart in total surrender to God 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:  June 21, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
1 Kings 9-11 / Psalm 141-142
Proverbs 21 / Revelations 8-10

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Chron. 23-25 / Acts 1

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:  June 22, 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 Is Real Perfection?

June 20, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

1 Kings 8:60-61
That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     I heard a woman once look at a pie she had made and exclaim, “Perfect.” By the way, I tasted that pie; it was exceptionally good. However, was it perfect? Was it perfectly rounded, or could it have been just a smidgen off on one side? Was all the dough cooked to a perfect golden brown, or was there possibly a small area that did not look like the rest? To her, and to all who looked upon this pie, it appeared perfect. To those who were privileged enough to taste the delectable baked goods, it seemed perfect. It was perfect enough for the purpose intended. She did her best.

 

     Solomon built a temple that was to be the dwelling place of God. It was declared one of the most beautiful buildings of all time. Additionally, God did dwell there. However, was it perfect? Could it have been that one of the dimensions might have been just a quarter of an inch off? Is it possible that one of the stones used may have had a flaw in it somewhere? The question remains, was it perfect? Probably not, but it was good enough for God to say, “Well done,” and dwell there. Solomon had done his best.

 

     Today God desires to dwell in your heart. In the verses today, Solomon tells the people to be perfect with the Lord. Can we be perfect with no sin ever? No, no one can. However, our desire can be to be the best we can be for Him. Walk in His ways and ask for forgiveness when we fail. Not perfect yet but perfecting daily. After all, it is the dwelling place of God. We should simply do our best.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Godly perfection in the Christian Life really means we are to be single-minded toward God. Make Him the center of our life, and He will make our life, A REAL LIFE!

 

Did you realize that daily God is perfecting you?

 

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:  June 20, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
1 Kings 8 / Psalm 140
Proverbs 20 / Revelations 6, 7

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Chron. 20-22 / John 21

Thou Art Worthy, O Lord…
June 19, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Revelations 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Some people have a problem with worship. They simply cannot understand why it should be that we as Christians would devote an entire day for the purpose of worshiping this Jesus. Why is the morning not good enough? On the other hand, they may wonder why we should have to go at all. However, the reason is simple. Are you ready to hear this very deep theological answer? Here it is…

HE DESERVES IT! JESUS DESERVES OUR WORSHIP!

     Ok, this was probably not the most in-depth answer, but I believe it is the best one. He deserves it because He made all the stuff we think we own. He created all the things that we allow to take us away from worshiping Him in the first place. He made the water in which many go out on their boat, instead of being with His church. He made the woods that many decide to hunt in, instead of gathering to sing praise to His name. He made the campgrounds some go and stay at every weekend all summer long, instead of serving the one they say they love so much. He made it all. He even made the day in which people do all those things. He is the creator of everything. Is it too much for Him to ask people to spend one day out of seven to gather and praise Him? Oh, and one other thing, it was all made FOR Him and His Pleasure. This was not created just FOR YOU OR ME. In a way, you might see that He simply allows you and me to play with His things. ONE LAST BIT OF REALITY. HE CAN TAKE EVERYTHING BACK ANY TIME HE CHOOSES!

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Someday everyone will understand. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Nevertheless, someday it might be too late. People need to figure it out today. “Thou art worthy, O Lord.”

In your heart today, why is God worthy of your praise?

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:  June 19, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
1 Kings 7 / Psalm 139
Proverbs 19 / Revelations 4, 5

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Chron. 17-19 / John 20