When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. Just because someone wants to see Jesus does not necessarily mean they want to listen to Him and submit to His teaching. … Continue reading Seeing vs. Submitting – Luke 23:8
Category: Devotionals
Just some quick, short thoughts I have had throughout the years.
God’s Humble Servant – Genesis 13:9
“Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” For the first time in all of my reading of the Bible this truth regarding Abram’s offer … Continue reading God’s Humble Servant – Genesis 13:9
Offended – Matthew 13:57
And they were offended by Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household.” How easy it is to be offended by truth and those who speak it. For the one who is nominally faithful or flat out evil-seeking, the contrast of truth and … Continue reading Offended – Matthew 13:57
Saving the Gentiles – Acts 11:18
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” What a blessed, revolutionary truth this is. His statement brings hope to all non-Jews. God is no respecter of persons whenever Salvation is involved. Redemption is open to all … Continue reading Saving the Gentiles – Acts 11:18
Be a Good Loser – Matthew 10:39
Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it. There are those lives among us or who have gone before us that clearly demonstrate what this looks like. Yet, in my own life, I really wonder what this looks like. From my perspective it seems I … Continue reading Be a Good Loser – Matthew 10:39
The Severity of Sin – Matthew 5:27-30
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better … Continue reading The Severity of Sin – Matthew 5:27-30
Calling Everyone – Acts 2:21
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Is this truly possible? Everyone? Don’t we need to quantify and qualify and make some exceptions? Isn’t this too simple? Too easy? Shouldn’t we expound and suppose and require? How can Peter quote such a Scripture … Continue reading Calling Everyone – Acts 2:21
God’s Creative Genius – Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in … Continue reading God’s Creative Genius – Genesis 1:26-28
God’s Irony – Matthew 27:25
And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” It is simply God’s irony that those who sought to have him murdered and who gladly took full responsibility for His crucifixion articulate in their anger the very truth that saves us today. By the grace of God, Jesus’ blood is … Continue reading God’s Irony – Matthew 27:25
The Fear of Knowing the Truth – Mark 9:30-32
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will … Continue reading The Fear of Knowing the Truth – Mark 9:30-32
Chin Up – Luke 21:34
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. It is deeply perplexing and troubling for me that Lord Jesus puts carousing and drunkenness in the same sentence as 'the cares of this life'. Carousing and drunkenness are … Continue reading Chin Up – Luke 21:34
The One Percent – Luke 15:7
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Do we really understand the implications of this statement of Jesus or do we simply read it, qualify it and move on? Yes, another gut wrenching question to consider. … Continue reading The One Percent – Luke 15:7
Stuff of Earth – Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Our life is defined by Whose we are not by what we ‘own’, as if we really ‘own’ anything. For those of us who have much, there is an ever … Continue reading Stuff of Earth – Luke 12:15
Godless Fear – Luke 8:35-37
Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered. Then all the people of the Gerasene … Continue reading Godless Fear – Luke 8:35-37
I Am Willing – Luke 5:13
Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 'I am willing...' Are there any sweeter words that can be spoken by Lord Jesus? It is the beginning of all of the good that only He can do in a life. The great ‘I … Continue reading I Am Willing – Luke 5:13
Wearing God Out – Malachi 2:17
You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” When you say, “Everyone who does what is evil is good in the Lord’s sight, and He is pleased with them,” or “Where is the God of justice?” How many times have our own children droned on about our … Continue reading Wearing God Out – Malachi 2:17
Blaming God – Genesis 42:28
He said to his brothers, “My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!” At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?” Why is it that often when we face the consequences of our … Continue reading Blaming God – Genesis 42:28
Delight – Psalm 119:16
I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. This is a conscious, intentional decision to take joy in the commandments and direction of Father God. This decision to be delighted by the Word of God results in many unexpected joys which flow out of a love for and dedication to His … Continue reading Delight – Psalm 119:16
Sovereign Sameness – Isaiah 46:4
I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you. As we age many things change and deteriorate. To know that Father God and His promises do not is deeply comforting … Continue reading Sovereign Sameness – Isaiah 46:4
Obedience – Psalms 105:45
All this happened so that they might keep his statutes and obey his instructions. Hallelujah! As obvious as it seems, all of God’s work is done that those who acknowledge Him might also obey Him. Obedience is key in the Christian faith for it is the essence of submissive love. We have seen and heard … Continue reading Obedience – Psalms 105:45
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