Turn On The Light

January 24, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

    In the state of Kentucky, they have beautiful caves that go deep into the mountains. In these caves, the temperature remains the same year around and the atmosphere stays very damp. If you have never been in a cave, you may not have ever experienced what I am about to tell you.

    When I was young, my parents took me to such a cave. As we went farther into the heart of this mountain, the guide described the stalactites and stalagmites. He told how they had formed over time by mineral deposits. Then at one point, he said, “Stand very still, and no one move.” That is when it happened. He turned off the lights. I mean there was no light from anything. At first, there was this gasp from the crowd, then a little murmuring, but over just a few seconds it grew very silent. It was the darkest darkness I had ever experienced. Even though there were people all around me, there was also this eerie feeling of being all alone. Then the guide struck a match. The little light from that match seemed to fill the entire room of that cave. When he turned the lights back on, I must admit I felt somewhat relieved. The tension of the uncertain darkness was gone.

    In today’s verse, the psalmist is asking why God had forsaken him and why He was so far away. Yet the truth was, God had never moved. In the darkness of this world, it may seem sometimes like we are all alone. As believers, we must remember we are never alone. God is always there. He is even there in our darkest hour.     

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Does it seem at times as if God is not there? That for some unknown reason He is not listening. Does it appear the world around you has become a very dark place? May I suggest you turn on the light of His Word in your life? Just a little light in a very dark place can bring a whole lot of peace to your soul.

Does it seem at times as if God is not there?

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:  JANUARY 24, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Genesis 43, 44 – Psalm 22:1-21
Proverbs 24 – Mark 1

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Genesis 49-50 – Matthew 15:21-39

God Has A Plan…
January 23, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Genesis 42:8-9
And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

      I have worked in factories and restaurants in the past with people who were not happy with their boss. I have heard them say, “If I were in charge, I would do this or I would do that.” They claimed that they would change everything. There would be no more hardships for the little guys if they were the boss. Then it happened. They were put in charge. In addition to the promotion, they apparently got a free case of amnesia along with their new title. Everything they said they were going to do; they forgot. In fact, sometimes they were worse than the previous boss. Why do you think they would do that? It is all because they had forgotten the things they had said before. Those issues seemed unimportant anymore in light of their new responsibilities. They were in charge. They were now the BOSS!

     In today’s verses, it would appear that Joseph is being tough on his brothers. However, in the end, he is being kind. Just remember, they had stripped him of his coat of many colors, put him in a hole in the ground, made fun of him, sold him into slavery, and implied to his dad that he was dead. He had every right to be upset with them for what they had done. Instead, he uses the power God has afforded him to do good for them. Why, because Joseph remembered the dreams God had given him years before, telling him this was going to happen. Everything that had happened to him was carrying out God’s perfect will. How could he be mad about what God had planned?      

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Life might not seem fair. The world may seem like it is against you, against your God, and your faith. Well, let’s try to be a little like Joseph and not be too mad at them. After all, God told us in His Word it was going to be like this. We must use the power God has afforded us for their good and God’s glory. What power you might ask? PRAYER. Pray for them and then see what God may do through you. 

When it is hard to see God’s will in life,
will you trust He has a plan for 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:  JANUARY 23, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Genesis 42 – Psalm 21
Proverbs 23 – Matthew 28

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Genesis 46-48  – Matthew 15:1-20

What’s The Right Answer?

January 00, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 18:47
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

    When I was a little boy, I remember those days when something would go terribly wrong with one of my friends and I was not happy, I would run home to tell my mom or dad. I could count on them. No matter the situation, they always would somehow take care of it. When I ran into the house squalling, I was sure I was right and whomever I was upset with that day was wrong. Nevertheless, right, (or maybe occasionally wrong,) I would often hear these familiar words, “I told you do not go there or not to do that in the first place, why won’t you listen?”

 

    Those words still ring in my ears today as I now find myself often running to God with many problems with which I am sure I am right. However, in my heart, I hear His voice saying, “I told you do not go there or not to do that in the first place, why won’t you listen?”

 

    The avenging of the Lord is always right. He takes care of me. He watches out for me. Even if it means reminding me that He had warned me that this would happen. I have found that sometimes my greatest problem in the whole wide world… is me! I have also come to know that my greatest friend and ally in all the universe is God.   

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    As we move through life, we must never stop running to God. Even if He reminds us, we caused the problem. He always has the right answers for every situation. In addition, He is waiting and ready with love and compassion to guide us with the right answer for our next situation in life too.

 

Will you run to God and let Him guide 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:  JANUARY 20, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Genesis 35-37 – Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 19-20 – Matthew 25

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Genesis 40-41 Matthew 13:1-35

 

Light The Way… How?

January 18 & 19, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Matthew 23:3
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

      You remember the old saying, “Do what I say, and not what I do.” Who was the genius who thought up this crazy line? I mean really, what makes anyone think that others might think this is a clever idea? Think about it, when someone tells you to do something and then will not do it themselves, do you really want to do it? Even worse, they tell you how horrible something is, like smoking or drinking, and then they turn right around and do what they are telling you not to do. You begin to wonder if you can believe them. You may begin to ask yourself if what they are saying is what they genuinely believe.

 

    Do we teach children not to swear by cussing at them? Do we teach them to respect others by cutting down everyone we know? Does any of this make sense? No! Yet we want people to come to Christ and live the life of a Christian but then live just like the world lives. Can you expect someone to want to become something you are not willing to live out? Where is the joy in the Christian life of which you speak? Where is the love for God, you tell them you have? What about this great fellowship and love for the people you speak of but never seem to want to be around more than once a week for one hour at a time? Yes, I am convinced. I am convinced that James was right when he said in James 2:20 “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”   

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    If we want to make a difference in a person’s life, we need to be a living example of what we are saying we believe. We must live for Jesus every day. Ask God to help us through the power of His Holy Spirit who resides in us. He is our strength and our guide. We as believers must walk in the light of His Word. Then we can watch others be attracted to the light, His light. 

 

How might others see God’s Light
in your life 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:  JANUARY 18, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
Genesis 32-34 – Psalm 18:1-36
Proverbs 18 – Matthew 23-24

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Genesis 38-39 – Matthew 12:38-50

 

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:  JANUARY 19, 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

 

Easy, Quick Or Great?

January 17, 2025

 

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

     The world today seems to want to make everything easier and quicker. We have fast food restaurants, online stores, and online or drive-through banking. I even heard of a McDonald’s-type church service: quick in and out, no frills, just the basics. WOW. When you have so little time for God, it just does not sound like worship to me.

 

     Nevertheless, friends, it is not a new idea. Even when Jesus walked the earth, people were asking, “Give me the basics, I mean just the barest I need to know.” Therefore, Jesus did just that. He told them first, love Me completely. Not just part of you, all of you. Make me the center of everything in your life. Next, show the people around you the same type of love that I have had for you. The idea was that if you had given Jesus your whole self, heart, mind, and soul, then loving others as He did should be no problem.

 

      Do you know what happened? They walked away the same way they came. Looking for something more out of something less, they missed the simplicity of salvation because of unbelief. Salvation is so simple. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ completely, and He will save you completely. True worship will take time. Salvation happens in a moment.

.     

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

   The answer is in total surrender. If you will simply surrender your life to the one who created you, who wants the best for you, and put your faith in Him, He will be your Lord, and you will be a child of God. He does not want to ruin your life and destroy your happiness. He wants to guide you into real everlasting joy.

 

Will you walk to, or away from
the Lord’s Leading in your life 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:  JANUARY 17, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Genesis 31 – Psalm 17
Proverbs 17 – Matthew 22

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Genesis 35-37 – Matthew 12:1-37