Just Keep Looking Over Your Shoulder

July 28, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Most of us who are old enough to drive are familiar with the feeling we get when driving down the highway, not paying attention to our speed, and then we see a police car pass us on the other side of the interstate. Immediately, we check our speedometer to see if we are going over the speed limit. If so, our next glance is in the rear-view mirror to see if the police car has turned around and is now coming to get us. However, you realize that you have gone too far to be able to see. So, for the next 5 miles or so you keep glancing back, just to see if they were coming. After a while, you finally relax, realizing there has been no one following you after all.

 

     That is one example of what it is like to live a sinful life. Always wondering, “Am I going to be caught?” Looking over your shoulder to see who is watching or who may have heard what you said. Always wondering if the lie you told yesterday is going to catch up with you today. Always running and never being able to get away from the constant uneasy guilt. Knowing in your heart, one day it will all catch up with you.

 

     Even if the world never catches you, God is always watching and sees every sin. Romans 6:23 says, “the wages of sin is death.”

 

     Death comes to every person eventually. In Heb 9:27 it says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” On that day, it will be one day too late. On that day, the wages of sin are more than just physical death, it will be eternal death. An eternal separation from God.

 

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Oh, how wonderful and freeing it is to know that when I took my sin to the cross of Calvary, Jesus paid the price for them all. They are all washed away. No more looking over my shoulder, no more wondering about my life. The life I live, I now live for Him.

 

What might you thank Jesus for taking to the cross from your past?

 

 

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 28, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
2 Kings 8-10 – Psalm 25
Proverbs 27-28 – Mark 4-5

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 26-29 / Acts 22

 

I’ll Believe It When I See It. Really?

July 26 & 27, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

2 Kings 6:17,18
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     I know people who have the attitude “I will believe it when I see it.” Many people are like that. If we are honest, most of us feel this way. We want to see evidence to believe something. Visible evidence seems best. However, sometimes, visible evidence can get us into trouble. What we see is not always real. While in Wisconsin Dells one year, I saw a magician who had some of the best illusions I have ever seen. Nevertheless, they were just that, illusions, or sleight of hand. My eyes were deceiving me. Today, just like in Bible times, there are people preying on true-seeking believers. Showing them tricks, illusions, and calling them miracles from God. They will gain a following and then empty the pocketbooks of these people, but it is all deception.

 

     In today’s verses, God opened the eyes of one seeking the truth but blinded the eyes of those following a man. The servant of Elisha’s eyes were opened to what God was doing around him. However, the men following the orders of the King of Syria were blinded by God. Jesus warned the disciples of deceptive sight in Mark 13:22. He said, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” You see, it is not about what we see; it is about who we are focused on. Are your eyes focused on God or man?

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     In Hebrews 11:1, it says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Our faith needs to be in Jesus, not in miracle workers. Faith is God’s miracle in your heart.

Where will you focus your attention this week, God or man?

 

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 26, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
2 Kings 5-7 – Psalm 23-24
Proverbs 26 – Mark 3

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 21-25 / Acts 21:18-40

 

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:  July 27, 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

 

The Doctor Will See You Now

July 25, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Mark 2:17
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Picture this in your mind for a moment. You are sitting in a doctor’s office when a man comes in with a cut to his right arm. The nurse rushes him in, and the doctor examines the wound. In the rush, they leave the door open, and you can see and hear them in the next room. “Yup,” says the doctor, “that will require stitches.” So, he removes his crooked needle and sterilized thread, grabs the patient’s arm, and begins to sew. You would probably say, “Wait a minute, doc, that arm does not need stitches.” To which he might reply, “Well, I sure do not want to mess with the other arm, look at it, it is all cut up.” Sounds crazy, right?

 

     All too often, this is how we seem to think of our faith in God. We want to keep the healing truth of God’s Word and continually discuss it with our saved friends. Now, there is nothing wrong with Bible Studies and the fellowship of the believers. Through them, we grow and become stronger in our faith and understanding of God’s Word. However, there comes a time when we need to take the truth to the hurting. Those who are weary from the world kicking them around and are looking for help. Jesus said the ones who are not sick do not need a doctor. Nevertheless, the maim of this world needs to know there is an answer to their search for true happiness. The answer is Jesus.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     It is always easier to talk with someone who agrees with us. However, that does not help the ones who are lost and hurting. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share the healing truth of Calvary today. Share Christ with someone. It is like telling them, “The Doctor will see you now!”

 

What healing power from God’s Word might you share?

 

 

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 25, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
2 Kings 3, 4 / Psalm 22:22-31
Proverbs 25 / Mark 2

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 17-20 / Acts 21:1-17

 

Is The Horse Pushing Or Pulling?
July 24, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 24:27
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     My dad had another way of saying what verse 27 says. He would say, “Don’t get your cart before your horse.” In other words, do things in order. I guess a horse could push a cart, but not too fast, not too far, and not very often. In life, we often want to get ahead of ourselves. Before we take the time to get ourselves well-equipped for something, grounded with knowledge and truth, we run off half-prepared. We, at times, can still do it, just as a horse can push a cart, but it is harder than it was meant to be.

 

     This happens at times in churches with new Christians who want to help. Because churches need helpers, these young believers are often allowed to fill positions for which they are not prepared. This also occurs in business, when people dream today, but do not envision the hurdles of tomorrow. It happens in marriages as well. A man who is unstable in his morals, manners, money, and with his Maker wants to lead a home. However, he has not prepared himself to stand on his own two feet before taking on the responsibility of building a home.

 

     I am not trying to say we need to have all the answers to all of life’s questions before we do anything. If that were true, no one would be doing anything. However, we need to have the important issues of life covered. Such as…

• • Who is the real leader in your life?
  • Where do you go for direction, especially when things get out of whack?
  • How are decisions made?
  • What or who is the final authority?
  • Or, when I make a mistake, where do I need to go to fix it?
  • Then, finally, if someone asked me these questions, can I show them where to find the answers in writing?
    
    

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     The answers to all the questions above are, “God and His Word.” God is the final authority in everything. He has written the answers to life in the Bible. Now it is up to us to study to show ourselves approved unto Him.

 

SO, is your horse pushing or pulling?

 

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 24, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
2 Kings 1, 2 / Psalm 22:1-21
Proverbs 24 / Mark 1

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 13-16 / Acts 20

 

Monkey See, Monkey Do

July 21, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Matthew 26:35
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Oh, how easy it is to get caught up in the moment. We want so much to do what is right, and yet sometimes we find ourselves doing just the opposite. Our desire as Christians is to do what is right in the eyes of God, but we find ourselves being deceived at times into doing something else. Satan often uses subtle trickery to confuse us into doing the wrong thing. His craftiness is so clever that at times it may even appear as though we are doing what is right. Especially if we see other believers that we trust doing the same thing. It is like a Christian version of Monkey see monkey do.

     In our verse today we find Peter telling Jesus that there was no way he would ever betray or leave Him. Even though Jesus had plainly told Peter, in the presence of all the disciples, that this was exactly what was going to happen. Peter’s human logic said no way. In addition, when the other disciples heard Peter’s statement, it seemed to make sense to them also. Why would they ever leave the Lord of Lords? Why would they walk away from someone who had proved Himself to be the Son of the Living God? Leaving just did not make sense. However, Jesus said it would happen, just before they said it would not.

     No matter what we seem to understand with our logic, if God has said differently, believe God. He is never wrong. However, if we find ourselves deceived and on the wrong side of the fence, it is good to know that when we repent, God forgives and restores our fellowship as if it never happened. In Acts 1, just before Jesus ascended back into heaven, Peter and all the other disciples were together. Jesus gave all the disciples, including Peter, the responsibility to carry on His ministry. It was obvious that our loving Saviour had totally forgiven them.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     As we go through this day, let’s pray God will help us to walk by faith and not only by sight. Walking and talking with the Lord as He, through the Holy Spirit, guides our steps.

Have you lived by the example of man, or the example of 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 21, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Ecclesiastes 10-12 / Psalm 19
Proverbs 20-21 / Matthew 25-26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 1-4 / Acts 18