Life Can Be Like A 3-Legged Sack Race
August 7, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Amos 3:3
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Some of the most fun things people do at a church gathering will include both the children and the adults. One year at a church function I attended, we had an old-fashioned 3-legged sack race. The rules stated that it had to be an adult and a small child together. Well, as you can imagine, it was often hilarious to watch. As I watched, I observed several of the teams struggling with this race. With some, I saw the adult almost pick up the child and run with them. The child was sort of dangling in mid-air as this adult was dragging them through the race. With others, the adult almost appeared to become frustrated, waiting for the child to catch up with their tiny steps to every one of the adult’s giant steps. Both groups were having the same problem, which is what made it funny to begin with. The problem was that they were unevenly matched. The two could not walk as one because of the difference in size and the difference in abilities between them.

 

     Some Christians have tried to live their lives this way. Hanging out with unsaved people and then wondering why they always feel so out of place. Going into business with a partner of different beliefs might seem like a small thing, but it always causes headaches later as directional decisions for the business come up. Even worse, a Christian marries a lost person, hoping to change them. They usually find themselves in years of misery by not waiting on the Lord and finding the right person first, as the Bible says. Can two walk together as one if they do not agree? The answer is always, NO!

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     When choosing for the future, look to the one who holds the future. God knows today what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year, and forever. Do you? If not, (and I know you do not,) why not trust someone who does? Ask for His leading before you walk down the wrong path with the wrong person.

 

Who are you walking together with in 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 7, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Amos 1-3 / Psalm 35:1-16
Proverbs 7 / Mark 15

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 22-26  /  Rom. 1

 

PAID IN FULL

August 4, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

     If you have ever had a large debt that you have been paying off for a long time, it sure feels good when the final payment is made. I am talking about a really large bill, such as a mortgage, a car payment, or a business loan that took a long time to pay off. At times during the process, it may have seemed as if there was never going to be a payoff date. You may have felt as if you were paying that one bill for the rest of your life. Then came that great day, it is paid for. PAID IN FULL. You own it now and are free and clear of this burden. What a wonderful freeing feeling that is.

 

     Can you imagine how great it might be to feel that wonderful sense of completeness every single day? Well, you can if you are a Christian. Every day you can go to the Lord, make a deposit of your sin, and withdraw a life that is marked with the blood of Jesus Christ, “PAID IN FULL.” Free from the penalty of sin, and free now to live for Jesus. What a wonderful feeling of complete forgiveness. To know that at one point, I made the wisest investment of my life when I deposited my life into the hands of an almighty and merciful God. In return, He not only washed away all my past sins but also washed away my future sins as well. All I had to do was give Him my life, and in return, I would receive an eternity of available forgiveness. This is not a liberty to live in sin. The truth of the matter is that if someone has been freed from their sin debt, they should not desire to live in that life of sin any longer. That was the debt from which they had just been freed.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    “Selah” is a word put into the musical Psalms that means to rest, or pause, and reflect for a moment. The placement of the word Selah in today’s Psalm is wonderful. Now, we can rest and reflect on the day in which Jesus Paid It All, and “All To Him I Owe.”

 

While you take your time of “SELAH,” what will you reflect on 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 4, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
2 Kings 22, 23 / Psalm 32
Proverbs 3-4 / Mark 11-12

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 6-10  /  Acts 27:21-44

 

What About ME?

August 2 & 3, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     We all live in a “ME first” mentality. “What about ME?” “What is in it for ME?” “When will I be recognized?” “Why have they not rewarded ME?” We need to just admit it; it is always nice if people recognize what we are doing. Everyone likes to be thanked for doing something well. It is great to hear another person say, “My, you have done such a great job at that,” or “Thank you for your service.” However, if we are doing things just for the applause and recognition of man, we are going to miss the greatest compliment of them all. Even Jesus, while on earth, said He had not come to be served or ministered to, He came to serve or to minister to others. He went so far in serving us that He gave His life for us. Can you imagine dying for someone? You will never hear them say thank you, good job, or anything if you are dead. I mean, you are dead, right? If you cannot speak, see, or hear, what good would a thank you do? Once you are dead, there are no more compliments, right? Wrong!

 

     The greatest compliment from the greatest voice will be heard the moment after death if we have served for the right reasons. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The voice of God will outshine all the compliments and applause you ever received while here on earth.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     To serve in the Royal Army of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and to be able to follow His directions all the way to the streets of gold should be the desire of every Saint of God. Ask God today to help you be willing to serve without a “what’s in it for me” attitude. Instead, let’s have a “What’s in it for God” attitude. 

 

Ask yourself as you live to serve Him today, “What’s In It For God 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 2, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
2 Kings 18-21 / Psalm 30-31
Proverbs 2 / Mark 10

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 1-5  /  Acts 27:1-20

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 3, 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

 

HELLO! God, Are You Listening?

August 1, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 1:28-29
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Almost all people call on God when they are in trouble. They may have little or no knowledge of who He is, but when trouble hits, He is one of the first ones called upon for help. It is a comforting thought to know God hears us when we pray. To know that we are not sending empty wishes into the star-filled heavens. For Christians to have the assurance of communicating with the heart of a loving, caring, able, and compassionate God. We are touching the throne of heaven when we pray.

 

     That is, if we are saved. However, if not, God has no obligation to hear that prayer. The unsaved have heard of God. We know this because when trials come, they often pray to Him. However, they have previously rejected God. God spoke to them, and their knowledge of God was not what they wanted. The reverence for God was not in their heart. So, in a time of trouble, God is not obligated to respond to a person who only loves Him for what He can do for them while in trouble. Then, when the problem is gone, so is their desire to have God around.

 

     What a terrible thing it would be to think that God would choose not to listen to us! You can, however, guarantee an audience with God. How? Love Him freely now. Ask Him to be your heavenly Father today.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

   Is God not hearing me? Is God not listening? What a terrible thought! It does not have to be that way. Even in the midst of trouble, God always hears a repentant and humble heart crying out to Him for forgiveness and believing on His Son Jesus for salvation. Once we have entered the family of God, then the FATHER will always listen to His children. I am so glad I am a part of the FAMILY OF GOD.

 

Have you ever felt alone, as if God was not listening?

 

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 1, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
2 Kings 17 / Psalm 29
Proverbs 1 / Mark 9

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 39-42  /  Acts 26

 

I Do Not Deserve This
July 31, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 28:4
Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     “Why is this happening to me? I do not deserve this!” We have all heard someone make comments like this and possibly have said them ourselves. However, if the truth were known, we would deserve everything we get and a lot more. Only the grace of God keeps us from getting what we really deserve. All the things that happen between people here on this earth that make us feel as though someone has done us wrong or sinned against us. When in reality it was a sin against God, not us. Think for a second, how could they sin against us? We are not gods, nor are we sinless or perfect. Others may commit a sin that includes us, and it may be offensive. However, people cannot sin against one another. All our sins are sins against a Holy God.

 

     Our little white lies to one another are an insult to who God is. He is the truth. Our unconcern for others daily is a slap in the face of a God who commended His perfect love toward us, even when we were unsaved. Our unbelief in the power and abilities of an almighty God is like telling Him we do not believe He can fix our problems. Our lack of communication with Him daily through fervent prayer and Bible reading is hurtful to Him since we go around telling others He is our best friend.

 

     If we were treated as we treat God, we would lose our patience with people like us. Nevertheless, the grace of God toward His children seems never-ending. In all reality, we actually get what we DO NOT deserve. Oh, how glad I am for that.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     We should take a moment and thank God for his undying love and patience with the imperfect life we live. Those who have believed in Jesus as their Saviour will never get what they really deserve. Oh, how I love Jesus because He first LOVED ME.

 

If you received in life what you really deserve,
how might your life be different?

 

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 31, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
2 Kings 15, 16 / Psalm 28
Proverbs 31 / Mark 8

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 35-38 / Acts 25