Daily Devotions

How Shall We Describe You?

April 23, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 23:29-30
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     People will try to defend every imaginable sin and use the Bible to do so. I have heard otherwise reasonable people try to defend the drinking of alcohol by saying, “The Bible talks about drinking, so it must be ok.” Well, that is true; the Bible does talk of drinking. It also talks of crucifixions. Are you interested in one of those? It speaks of being whipped until you’re left for dead. Is anyone up for that? Just because the Bible speaks on a subject does not mean it endorses the use of it unless it says so or the scripture in its entirety says so.

     Some have said, “Well, I am not getting drunk when I drink.” One might ask then, why do you drink? The common answer is, “I do it to be sociable.” Do you mean to tell me the crowd you run with would not find you sociable if you did not have a drink in your hand? Maybe then you are hanging with the wrong crowd.

     The Bible is clear here on what it thinks of drinking. It paints a perfectly accurate picture. It says look not at the wine, “when it moveth itself aright.” Do you know when that happens? It is when juice is fermenting. It is when it is purposefully turned into an alcoholic drink by adding something to it.

     Next, how does the Bible describe people who will not heed the warning? It says they who are troubled, sorry, problem-ridden, babbling, falling down, and drunk. Hum, are these the words you want people to use when they describe you? I PRAY NOT!

     Alcohol is a killer, both physically and spiritually. It ruins homes, careers, lives, and testimonies. If you want to be sociable with a real friend, be sociable with God and His Word first.

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Finding scripture to justify sin is hard. You must be willing to turn a blind eye to the rest of the book to do so. Let’s not try to make sin ok. Instead, let us make our life ok in God’s eyes.

Does Being Sociable require us to be blind to God’s Word ?

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:  April 23, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Judges 3, 4 – Psalm 96
Proverbs 23 – 1 Corinthians 11, 12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ruth 3-1 Samuel  –  1 Luke 16:1-17

Stand Fast

April 16, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

    Well, it does not mean jumping up from where you are sitting and standing up very fast. The only thing that I will accomplish is a dizzy feeling and maybe falling over and cracking open your skull.

 

    Standing fast means acting like a mannequin on your beliefs. Do not be persuaded by the latest and greatest thing that comes along. Stand solid on the Word of God. Do not let someone with a new version or new interpretation of the scripture entice you to believe something different from what is written in the Word of God. It also means to keep standing. Do not quit. There is little time to rest and let down your guard in this day and age.

 

    So, Stand Fast and hold on to the traditional teachings of God’s Word. Do not be moved and keep standing.

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus. Why? Because we are soldiers in His mighty army. Stand up for what you believe in. Stand Up for Jesus. Stand Up for the Word of God. Stand Up Today and Stand Fast.

 

Will you Stand Fast in your faith?

 

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:  April 16, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Joshua 12-14 – Psalm 90
Proverbs 16 – 2 Thessalonians 1-3

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Judges 8-9 – Luke 12:1-35

 

Can’t Get The Tune Out Of My Head

April 9, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Deuteronomy 31:21
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

    All too often, you will hear someone say, “It is only music” or “What harm might that do, it is just a song?” For some reason, people do not believe music makes a big impact on our lives or on what we think or do. Today we hear many “so-called” musicians who sing of killing, suicide, drugs, immoral relationships, and the list goes on and on. Do you think this will not affect the way we might think if this evil message in the song is played over and over again? Moreover, it is not just Rap, Rock, or Pop music. All forms of music have jumped on the sing about sin bandwagon. It is not just the latest and so-called greatest. It has been going on for a while. Still, people think, “Well what can this hurt, it is just a song, right?”

 

    Well, it does not matter what you or I think. What matters most is how God looks at the role of music in our lives. By looking at just one verse, we see God knew back in Moses’ time, (and I am sure before) music affects the thinking and memories of the Children of Israel. God did not ask Moses to write another book, paint a picture, or build a monument. A book might not be read, a picture can only be in one place, and a monument never leaves its location. However, a song, that people hear, remember, and take it with them in their hearts forever.

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    Do you still think music never affects you? Then what do you think of when you read this? “JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW…” Yes, we learned that favorite chorus as a child. Read it again, “JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW…” Now, that will be stuck in your head for a while. You see, music and lyrics make a big difference in our lives. 

 

What are you going to feed your heart 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:  April 8, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Deuteronomy 31, 32 – Psalm 85
Proverbs 9 – Galatians 5, 6

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Joshua 18-20 – Luke 9:1-27

 

Is This An April Fool’s Joke?

April 1, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

    Wait a minute. Is this an April Fool’s Joke? What I mean by that is this. Today’s verse must have been written backwards. Read it with me again. “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Did you see it? It must be backwards. If not, then we must have it all backward.

    What do I mean? Look at the last line of the verse which says, “And the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” They were disciples first and then called Christians. Today we want people to first become Christians and then become disciples. The danger is you then have people who think they are Christians yet have no earthly desire to be disciples. They do not want to learn about and fall in love with God and His Son Jesus Christ. All they really want is to be able to say a prayer that will keep them out of hell.

    In the Bible, they were disciples first. This means they had a desire to follow and be like Jesus. They not only wanted to know Him, but they wanted to be just like Him. Is this what you want? Is that what you had in mind? Are you a disciple of Christ? Are you trying to learn more about how you might be more like Him? If we are not a disciple, can we really call ourselves a biblical CHRISTIAN? 

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Giving our heart to Christ is the first step in walking the Christian life. There are many believers in this world, who believe in Jesus for Salvation. However, how many real disciples are there? People who desire to be more like Christ. My prayer today is, “Lord I want to be a genuine Christian.” AMEN.

What is your desire for your walk with the Lord?

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:  April 1, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Deuteronomy 15, 16 – Psalm 78:34-55
Proverbs 1 – Acts 11, 12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Deuteronomy 32–34 – Luke 5:27-39

Minding My Own Business

March 26, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 26:7
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

    “Keep to yourself and mind your own business.” I can remember my dad telling me as a young boy these same words of wisdom many times. I guess he had to keep telling me this because I did not seem to listen well the first time. Most often, he would tell me this right after I had got myself into yet another situation in which I had no business being involved.

 

    Meddling in others’ affairs can often come back to bite you. It just seems all too often, when you try to help two people, before long they are both friends again, but they have turned on you! So why does this happen? It could be simply that they never asked for any help to begin with. It can come from meddling in affairs where our nose does not belong.

 

    I always wondered how my dad got to be so smart. Maybe he remembered this verse from Proverbs. Watch out where you stick your nose, you might get it bit off!  

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

    The Bible tells us as Christians to help one another and if possible, to keep a brother or sister from sin and falling. However, it also says to do so in truth and love. Before you get involved, be sure you get God involved. It just might be with a little patience and prayer God will handle the situation all on His own. If He really needs your help, He will most often let you know.

 

Can we get ahead of God in the affairs of others?

 

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:  March 26, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Deuteronomy 4 – Psalm 74:12-23
Proverbs 26 – Acts 5

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Deuteronomy 18-21 – Luke 2:25-52