Look, No Hands!

August 15, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Isaiah 3:10, 11
Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     When I was just a young boy, I recall riding my bicycle on the street in front of my house. My dad was sitting on the steps reading the paper. As I rode past, I took my hands off the handlebars, sat straight up on the seat, and yelled to my dad, “Hey, look, no hands.” (Do not tell me you never did that before too.) So, what do you think happened next? You guessed it. When I looked at my dad while showing off my newfound skill, it also caused the balance of things to go haywire. The next thing I knew, in just a split second, the handlebars began to wobble back and forth, then, down I went. Fortunately, I landed in a grassy area just off the side of the road. My bike was fine; I was fine, and even the yard I landed in suffered no damage. However, what happened next sure crushed my ego. My dad sort of snickered and said, “See what you get for showing off? You get what you deserve.” Was my dad just being mean? No, he was trying to teach his young son that show-offs often stumble over their own pride.

 

     Our verses today say the righteous will receive the rewards of their doings, and the wicked will receive the rewards of their doings as well. It is the same “you will get what you deserve” idea my dad shared that day. When you look at life, you see that God’s word is true. God often rewards us for the good we do serving Him. Then, just as promised, the unsaved one day will receive God’s judgment.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

      What is even better is that as a Christian, I do not get what I do deserve. When I fell off my bike, I could have hit the pavement and been hurt. However, I landed safely in the yard. At life’s end, I could have wound up in hell for the sin in my life. That is what I deserve. However, God, through His mercy, has saved my soul. Then, by His grace, He gives me what I do not deserve, HIS LOVE! Oh, what Amazing Grace.

 

How amazing is God’s Grace 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:  August 15, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Isaiah 3-5 / Psalm 41
Proverbs 15 / Luke

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 58-64  /  Rom. 8

 

What Do You Want In Good Measure?
August 14, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Give! It almost seems every person in the world is asking us to give. The Churches, Charities, Schools, Television Evangelist, the Government, and people on the street, we do not even know. So, who is it that we should give to that would make God happy?

 

     The answer may be as simple as this. Give as God gives, and to whom God might give. How does God give? He gives with no expectation of repayment. What can we give back to God that He does not already have and own? When God gives out of His love, there is no advantage for Him to gain from this. No repayment could be enough. God does not bless us expecting a bonus from His gift. He does so simply because He loves us, and because He can. The only thing we can give God that He does not automatically have is our love and undying devotion to Him for all of who He is. How does He repay our love? Our verse says with good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. This term was used in the old days when a merchant would measure out grain. They would be sure of a good measure or all they could get if they pressed it down, shook it so it would settle, and then kept filling it until it ran over. This is how God repays us for our gifts of love to Him. Completely. So, whatever we give to God, whether talent, treasure, or time, we must remember to give it in love. Paul told the church in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     “Give and it shall be given unto you…” Does this mean what we give is what we get? Money for money? Well, sort of, but then what good is a dollar for a dollar? It also means that if you give with an unselfish, loving heart, then you will receive unselfish love back. Pour out blessings, receive blessings. Pour out anger, and it comes back too. 

 

So, my friend, what do you want in good measure coming your way 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:  August 14, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Isaiah 1, 2 / Psalm 40
Proverbs 14 / Luke 6

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 52-57  /  Rom. 7

 

The Good Supplier

August 11, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Hosea 7:14
And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     It seems to me that there may be a big misconception among people today as to how and why people are saved. Some feel that if they can just get a person to say a prayer, they will have eternal life. Others think that if they can scare them out of hell, they will be saved. I wonder if that might be the reason that today we may not have churches full of misguided people converted from hell and not sin. Possibly, others are feeling safe with the prayer they said and yet have not given their life over to God. Too many people come to God looking for a stamp of approval on the life they live now, instead of salvation. Yet others are simply looking for safety from hell, but not the Saviour.

 

     As we can see in the verse today, God has always wanted people to come to Him because they have given their hearts to Him. Sadly, many loved the idea of what God could do for them, yet they did not love Him with their heart. God desires that we love him with our whole hearts. Not that He might be their “good’s supplier,” but truly loving Him for who He is. Then we realize that He is not a “good’s supplier,” but He is the “Good Supplier.” People need to humble their hearts before a loving God and yield to Him in everything. Then, and only then, the Bible says, He will direct our paths and supply all our needs.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    Oh God, forgive us if we have led someone astray to believe that the words of a prayer alone will save him or her. Forgive us if we have tried to scare him or her out of hell alone. Help us, Lord, to show them the Love of Jesus so they may turn to you with a broken and repentant heart and love you in return. Amen. 

 

Do we often see God and a Good’s Supplier or a GOOD Supplier?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself what MY THOUGHTS are 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: August 11, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Hosea 1-7 / Psalm 37
Proverbs 11 / Luke 3

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 37-41  /  Rom. 4

 

Who Wants To Know?

August 9 & 10, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Through the years, as an Evangelist first, then a Pastor for 28 years, and now returning to Evangelism, I have seen many people come to know the Lord. What a grand event it is in their life when Jesus comes into their heart and changes them forever. However, I have also witnessed another truth about those people who receive Him. These people were searching for something, and God had prepared their hearts to be saved. They were looking for wisdom in this life. They needed something that made sense and was secure. They were ready to listen, to learn, and to receive the truth when it was given. Then, when presented with the gospel, God made a difference in their life because they wanted to know the truth, and the truth then set them free from their sin debt forever.

 

     By contrast, I have seen men and women pour their hearts out, sharing the gospel with people who did not want to hear it. They may have pretended to listen out of courtesy, but often did not even do that. Why? It is simple. They did not want to learn. They believed they had it all figured out. Even though the truth was being presented to them, they had no desire to know the truth of God’s love because Satan was blinding their heart from it. Some people want to know the truth, and some people just don’t care.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     So, how can we tell the difference? The truth is, we often cannot. This is why it is important to tell everyone you know. Do not prejudge anyone. They might be listening even if they appear not to be. On the other hand, God may be using you to soften their heart, so the next person can share Christ with them, and they might receive Him. You were still a very valuable tool in the hands of God because those who did not know have now become a little wiser.

 

How might you be used by the Lord today?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself what MY THOUGHTS are 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:  August 9, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
Amos 7-9 / Psalm 36
Proverbs 9-10 / Luke 1-2

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 33-36  /  Rom. 3

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

 

GOD TALKING TO ME:  August 10, 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

 

Whose Righteousness?

August 8, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 35:28
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Christians today will often think of the term righteousness in a modern Biblical interpretation as being right with God, or better yet, being made right with God. We understand righteousness as a virtue or a characteristic of who God is. This is true, but that is not how we see Old Testament saints understanding the righteousness of God.

 

     When we read in the Old Testament how it speaks of declaring God’s righteousness, it is in combination with God’s keeping of His covenant promises to the people. Old Testament believers talked of how God did not break His Word to them through the covenants that had been made with them as a people. They were telling people they could trust this God, our God, who never goes back on His Word. The God we serve is faithful to keep every covenant He makes. When the Old Testament writers said they would speak of the righteousness of God, what they were saying was that they would tell everyone about God’s promises and how He had kept them. They went back to the scrolls, re-read the promises, and hid them in their heart. They knew God’s Words and how He would keep them.

 

     Our position in Christ makes us righteous. We are made right with God through His Son Jesus Christ. However, God’s righteousness secures the place we have in Christ. It is the fact that God will never go back on His Word that binds our righteousness. For He has declared a New Covenant in the blood of His Son Jesus. In the book of Hebrews, it is called a Better Covenant. Why, it is because this covenant is ALL in Christ the Son, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is believe in the promise of Salvation that was completed in Christ on the cross of Calvary. He is still a God who keeps His Word. His Covenants can still be trusted today.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    We should be telling everyone we know of the righteousness of our God. That He is still a covenant-keeping God. He has made a covenant with you.

 

Who might be the first person that comes to mind whom you could tell?

 

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:  August 8, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Amos 4-6 / Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 8 / Mark 16

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 27-32  /  Rom. 2