Daily Devotions

Do You Want What The Neighbor Has?

July 18, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Ecclesiastes 5:10, 11
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Sometimes we forget what is valuable. We look at our neighbor with their boat and think, “If I only had a boat, I would be happy.” So, we work lots of extra hours to get the money to buy the boat, only to find it costs a lot of money to maintain a boat. Therefore, we must work more hours to maintain the boat and then find it takes up a lot of space to store a boat. Again, we work more hours to be able to pay for the place to store the boat. Then there is the license, the yearly cleaning and preparing of the boat to go in and out of the water, the docking fees, the gas, repairs, and so on and so on. After all the time spent earning the money and taking care of the boat, we find we have little time left to go out on the boat and enjoy it. That was the reason we thought the neighbor was so happy, to begin with. I have heard it said that the two happiest days in a man’s life are when he buys his first boat and when he sells his first boat.

 

     In life, some people live much the same way. They spend their entire life chasing riches that will flee from them. The more we have, the more we want. The more we want, the more protective we become of what we think we have obtained. Also, we find that more of our valuable time is consumed in getting and keeping all that stuff. In addition, when we get to the end of our life we look back and see, all we really had to enjoy was time. And sadly, now that is gone too.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

   In a few more verses after today’s text in Ephesians 5:15-16, it says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Satan loves to see Christians waste their time and their resources on worldly possessions that will be left behind at life’s end. We need to look ahead and see where we need to spend our TIME. Time is one of the most valuable gifts God has given us. Also, do not forget to spend some of that time thanking God for this gift called LIFE as well.

 

How will you invest your great gift of TIME 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:  July 18, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Ecclesiastes 3-5 / Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 18 / Matthew 23

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Esther 1-4 /  Acts 16:25-40

What Is The Truth?

July 16, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 16:5
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

    It seems like today, many people are against the work of God’s people. The popular view is the order of today. It is not about what is right or even what is wrong, it’s simply whatever man wants. The democracy of humanity rules today’s morals. If enough people proclaim something to be right, with a loud enough voice, for a long period of time, people begin to believe it must be so.

 

     For example, some Christians today are confused over the claim that homosexuality is a lifestyle determined at birth. A prolonged battle, loud opposing voices, and financially backed claims have clouded the truth of scripture. Even though God proclaims in all of scripture that this way of life is sinful, since man now proclaims it is not, we must make laws and spend thousands of hours and dollars in our courtrooms to keep homosexuality away from our children in school. Why? Because we have begun to believe the lie spoken by man.

 

     If this is a lifestyle from birth, and God creates all people, God has then created them to do something He repeatedly says He hates. Yet the same Bible says He loves all men. Something is wrong here. What is it? It is that man has begun the process of discarding parts of the truth. God hates sin yet loves humanity. So, this sinfulness could not be created by God. People have joined hand in hand, promoting this sinful life. God does not hate people, He hates sin. All sin.

 

     This is but one example. The same is true in churches, homes, and businesses worldwide. Selecting the truth of the scripture, we want to obey and discard the rest. The Bible says those who do so “shall not be unpunished.” Or should we also toss that part out of the Bible?

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    We must again realize that the entire Word of God is true, not just the parts that fit our current lifestyle. We should mold our lives after the Bible and not mold the Bible to fit our lives.

 

How do you mold your life to meet the desires 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 16, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Solomon 5-8 / Psalm 16
Proverbs 16 / Matthew 21

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Neh. 11-12 / Acts 15:28-41

 

Build Up Or Break Down

July 9, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Matthew 12:25
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Arguments, yelling, screaming, fighting, and disagreements. What do these words bring to mind? Some might say home. “That is all it seems we do at home is fight.” Some could say work. “Every day is a battle at my workplace.” Some might say the world today. “There appears to be a war on every horizon.” Sadly, some might even say Church. “No one seems to agree, and there are cliques everywhere.”

 

     Jesus was pretty clear about the outcome of such situations. Any home, city, or kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Why? Because they are constantly figuring out how to pick at the people in their own group, instead of considering how they might help them. For anything to work well, there must be a foundation of agreement. In the home, the father should be the leader who leads the family to the Word of God for answers. At work, God’s Word says we are to submit to the authority over us and obey the rules they put in place. In the world, we need to point people to Christ, pray, and as much as possible live peaceably with others. In the church, God is the head. He will never lead people in two different ways. If there is a division in the church, one or both parties have taken their eyes off God and placed them back on self. Unfortunately, they have become much like the world they are trying to influence and have fallen into the trap of not seeking what God wants, but rather only what they may want.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Divisions equal destruction. Destruction of the Christian life is what Satan wants most. God is about building a Christian Life. Satan is about destroying it. Believer, who do you want to be working with, Builder or destroyer?

 

How might you be a Builder with Jesus 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:  July 9, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
2 Chronicles 26-28 / Psalm 10
Proverbs 10 / Matthew 13

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ezra 4-7 / Acts 11

 

It Is Good To Know He Is Always There

July 2, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

2 Chronicles 7:15
Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     Children are such a blessing to watch. Whether they are yours or those of family and friends, they all eventually want to be independent. Well, sort of. At about one to two years of age, they begin to walk away from mom and dad just a little bit. They will often hold onto a table or the sofa, but all the while they are toddling around, they continue to look back at Mom and Dad with that drooling smile. Almost as if to say, “Look at me, look what I can do, am I doing this right?” On the other hand, maybe their little eyes were saying, “Are you still there, are you still watching me? Because you know I might fall?” Then when they do fall, you step over and help them up, tell them it is ok, and get them right back to walking just as they were before they fell.

 

     As a child of God, we should be something like that. Always looking to our Heavenly Father saying, “Look at me, look what I can do, am I doing this right?” All the while also saying, “I always want to know you’re right there. You know I might fall.” The best thing is that when we do stumble in our Christian life and fall, He is right there to pick us up. He tells us it will be ok and teaches us why we fell. Then, He gets us right back to walking just the way we should.

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     God has told us that His eyes are upon us, and His ears are listening. It is so wonderful to know our Heavenly Father cares, and that He is always there.

 

How much do you rely on the hands of God to catch you and hold 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:  July 2, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
2 Chronicles 7, 8 / Psalm 2
Proverbs 2 / Matthew 3, 4

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Chron. 21-23 / Acts 7:30-60

 

The World Goes Round And Round

June 25, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 145:16
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Is it just me or does it not seem somewhat amazing to you that everything on this planet is taken care of by God? The birds are given wisdom and supplies to make their nest and food enough to eat. The fish are given the globe for an aquarium to dwell in and some feed on microscopic particles that we cannot even see. Animals have all found different ways to make a home from caves, to burrows in the ground, or places in the trees. God supplies the rain, oxygen, and nutrients in the soil for plants and trees to grow. He gives us the right amount of cold, heat, sunlight, darkness, and seasons each year so even the wildest of plants flourish without anyone but God tending to them. From the smallest one-celled organism to the entire planet and its multiple complexities, God created and sustains it all every minute of every day. As our verse today says He, “satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”

     Do you know why he does all that? He does it for you. All that is created on this earth was given to man in Genesis. It was all created for you. Adam, Eve, and Satan spoiled some of it when they decided to disobey God. However, they could never destroy it all. God opens His hand and supplies for the living. From the intricate beauty of the smallest flower to the majestic span of all the stars in the sky, God created it for you to behold His wonders. The oxygen, food, and water needed to sustain life were all created by God for you.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     In the New Testament God shares this truth with us another way when He says in Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He has, He is, and He always will supply for His own child. Real love is about giving. God has given this to you. He loves you.

When you stop to think of all God has given you,
have you told Him you are truly thankful?

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:  June 25, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
1 Kings 16, 17 / Psalm 145
Proverbs 25 / Revelations 16, 17

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
2 Chron. 1-3 / Acts 3