Our Safety Net Is God
May 8, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 106:43-44
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Our security in the United States is often a subject of debate. How should the government go about making sure we are secure? Just how many of what we have for centuries consider to be our God-given freedoms and liberties are we willing to give up or compromise to have a feeling that we and our families are safe? However, our outlook on the subject might be a little bit different if we only knew how many times, unaware to us, we have been protected from danger. It might change our opinions if we knew how many terrorist organizations could not reach us because of the security net our nation developed which these terrorists could not penetrate. We often base our view of life here in this country on incomplete information. Many terrorists break through these networks, not because of the government’s negligence, but because a citizen will let them in.

     The same is also true with Christians. How many times has God protected you, and you were not even aware of it? Then when things do go wrong, people tend to blame God. Asking God why He let this or that happen. When, if we could step back and see it from God’s perspective, we would see that our lifestyles and the things that we do bring about many of our problems. We, like those who have gone before us, are often brought low or troubled in life as today’s verse says, because of our own sinful habits and desires.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Nevertheless, we can see that there is a rainbow of hope in these verses. When we have finally had enough of ourselves and our sinful ways and we cry out in true repentance to God, He will regard our afflictions. Even though our problems are of our own design, He is waiting for you to call on Him. He wants to help.

When looking at our problems in life, do see ourselves as the problem?
Or do we blame others or even 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:  May 8, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
1 Samuel 8, 9 – Psalm 106:34-48
Proverbs 8 – Romans 1

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Samuel 7-10  /  Luke 23:27-56

Your Friends Are Your Mirrors

May 5, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 5:8-9
Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     When I was a young boy, my parents would tell me, “Son you’ll be judged by the people you hang around with.” In the courts, it is called guilt by association. As much as we may not like this, it is true. People form an opinion about you by the people with whom you spend the most time. Is that really fair? Can someone know you by other people’s character? Well, let’s take a closer look.

     List all the things you like. Music, sports, movies, places to go, things you like to do, the clothes you wear, anything you can think of. Now take a look at the people you spend the majority of your time with outside of work or school. Most of the things you like, they like. Why is that? Because you will hang out with people who are most like yourself. It just makes sense. Why would you want to buddy up with someone who always hates what you like or likes what you hate? Therefore, when others look at the people you spend the most time with, people can see what you like, dislike, believe, and even who you are. Even if this is not true 100% of the time for you, it is still true for your friends. If they will hang with you, you must be doing what they like to do or they will soon find someone else to be with.

     So, if you ever want to see a good reflection of your life, how and what others think of you, look at your closest friends. They are a great mirror.

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Today’s verse says to stay away from the worldly crowd. This does not mean we can never talk with them or be friendly toward them. In fact, we need to be out there with the world to win them to Christ. However, the worldly crowd should not be your closest friends. Christians should have Christian friends.

What is your life mirror reflecting about 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:  May 5, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
1 Samuel 1, 2 / Psalm 105:1-45
Proverbs 5 / Romans 20 & Ephesians 1, 2

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 28-31 Luke 22:1-34

Do You Love Me?

May 3 & 4, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Ruth 1:16
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Love is a funny thing. It will cause people who never knew each other before to start dating and marry. It also causes people to do and say some funny things. I heard a story about some men who were standing in a locker room at a country club. A cell phone on the bench rings and one man reaches over and turns on its speakerphone. The caller said, “Honey, it’s me. Are you at the club?” The man replied, “Yes.” The woman’s voice said, “I am at the mall and found this beautiful leather coat. It is only $1,000. Is it okay if I buy it?” the man replied, “Sure if you like it that much go ahead.” The woman proceeded saying, “I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new models. I saw one I liked.” The man asked, “How much?” She said, “$60,000,” he said, “Okay, but for that price I want all the options.” The excited voice on the other end said “Great! Oh, and one more thing, the house we wanted last year is back on the market. They are asking $950,000.” From the locker room, she heard “Well, then go ahead and give them an offer, but just offer $900,000.” She replied “OK. I will see you later! I love you!” The man replied, “OK, have a great day” and hung up. The other men in the locker room are looking at him in astonishment. Then he asks, “Anyone know whose phone this is?”

     That was not love. It cost the man nothing. However, in our passage today we find Ruth has fallen in love with her Mother-in-law, her family, and their God so much that she is now willing to forsake everything to be near her. Have you ever thought that this is exactly what we are asking every person to do who hears of the Lord Jesus? Be willing to forsake everything for Him. Forsake their sin, their old life, and receive life more abundant. They need to know; that it is worth it.

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Love will make you do some crazy, outrageous, silly, wonderful things. Have you told the Lord that you loved Him today? You should!

How might you show God your love for Him 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:  May 3, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
Ruth  / Psalm 104:18-35
Proverbs 3-4 / Acts 19 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 25-27  /  Luke 21

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:  May 4, 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

Even If You Can’t… GOD CAN

May 2, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

     Pastors worldwide have all had people saying things like, “I cannot do that” or, “That is not my Spiritual Gift.” How about, “I could never do that as well as so and so” or maybe, “God has not called me for that.” The funny thing is most of these people are doing nothing or little for the LORD in the first place. Maybe they cannot because they do not try! If one thing is not someone’s gifted area what is? Some think their gift is to sit every Sunday. (Pew warming is not a gift.) No one will ever know if God has called him or her to do something if they keep talking about what they cannot do and refuse to listen to God saying, “Let Me do it through you.”

     Could simply trying, even in your weakness, bring God glory? It sure could. Imagine people watching you, who know you have never done this or that but see you stepping forward and saying by the grace of God I am going to try. As they see you doing work for the Lord, they will know it is God working in you and not you doing the work yourself. If they see God work through you, maybe they will step up and let God work through them also.

     What is it that you want your Christian friends, your children, and your God, to hear from you? “I cannot do that…?” Well then, God has no chance to show Himself mighty in you. Those listening may well follow in your footsteps and say, “I cannot do that either….”  On the other hand, should they be hearing, “I have never done this, but God, if you will help me, I will try.”  Well, God will help you. Imagine what a testimony you will have been.

     

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Just remember, Even if you can’t… GOD CAN!

What might God do through you 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:  May 2, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Judges 20, 21 – Psalm 104:1-17
Proverbs 2 – 2 Corinthians 12, 13 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 21-24 / Luke 20:27-47

I Hate Being In The Dark
May 1, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

     You are sitting at home, minding your own business on a Tuesday evening. Nothing special is happening so you decide to catch up on some reading. The wind begins to blow a little outside, and so you cuddle up with a good book and some hot cocoa. After just a little while of reading, you are so into the book that you do not even realize the storm raging outside around you. That is until suddenly, everything goes dark in the house. All the lights go off and it is pitch black. Two minutes ago, the light bulb in the lamp was the last thing on your mind. Now, you just wish that somehow the light would come back on. Then when they do, you look at the light as if almost to say, thank you. I just feel better when the lights are on.

     Often people do not realize the soothing Light of God’s Word all around them daily. The comfort He gives us day after day. Then suddenly the storm of the moment makes life seem dark and lonely. It is in those trying times that people will cry out for God, wanting some reassurance from the Light of His Word. To receive the light and the wisdom of God’s Word we must realize where it comes from. It is not just words on a page… these are GOD’S WORDS WHICH BRING LIGHT.      

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     God’s Words are special. The words are not special because of the words, but because of who said them. The fear or reverence of the Lord and His wisdom and instruction are only the beginning of knowledge. Nevertheless, it all starts there. A wise man once told me, “If you grab hold of God’s hand in the Light, you will never have to search for His hand in the dark.” Grab hold of God’s hand through His Word while the Light is shining today.

Have you taken hold of the mighty loving hand of 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:  May 1, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Judges 18, 19 – Psalm 103
Proverbs 1 – 2 Corinthians 10, 11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 18-20 / Luke 20:1-26