In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Here we see the formula for disaster in any society: Remove authority and make each individual their own measure of morality. The results are always disastrous since people are inherently evil. I know, I know - that … Continue reading Self-defined Morality – Judges 21:25
Category: Devotionals
Just some quick, short thoughts I have had throughout the years.
Evil Trials – Acts 24:5-6
For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him... As with Lord Jesus, every last accusation against Paul is a concocted lie. When evil … Continue reading Evil Trials – Acts 24:5-6
Good Luck Charm ‘Faith’ – Judges 17:13
Then Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, seeing I have a Levite as priest.” How clearly Micah's statement illustrates the old, ‘God is my good luck charm mentality.’ Put God in your box and He's right there to do whatever you want. Just take Him out when you need Him … Continue reading Good Luck Charm ‘Faith’ – Judges 17:13
Evil Relationships – Judges 16:19
She made him sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair. Then she began to afflict him, and his strength left him. This is the woman he loves? She has deceitfully irritated him with her words until he has confessed his deepest secret … Continue reading Evil Relationships – Judges 16:19
Deceitful Vexation – Judges 16:16
And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. The pestering words of a woman who is close can have a devastating effect upon a man. She holds within her mouth the ability to weaken and even destroy the weak man. Samson is … Continue reading Deceitful Vexation – Judges 16:16
Amend and Obey – Jeremiah 26:13
So now, correct your ways and deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God so that He might relent concerning the disaster that He warned about. Repentance, physically turning from evil and toward good, protects us from God's wrath and ushers in His mercy. He doesn’t want to punish His children. He wants … Continue reading Amend and Obey – Jeremiah 26:13
The Blessing Of Obedience – Jeremiah 21:8-9; 24:7
“But you must say to this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am presenting to you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will … Continue reading The Blessing Of Obedience – Jeremiah 21:8-9; 24:7
Hot Blah – Malachi 4:1-3
The heat is simply oppressive. Every day a scorching sun with a dry hot wind assaults us. Kinda like living in a blow torch. Hot. Simply hot. I looked at the sun this morning as it tried to erupt around a patch of sorely missed clouds. I know, you're not supposed to look at the … Continue reading Hot Blah – Malachi 4:1-3
True Leadership – Jeremiah 22:15-16
Are you a king because you excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink and administer justice and righteousness? Then it went well with him. He took up the case of the poor and needy, then it went well. Is this not what it means to know Me? This is the Lord’s declaration. The … Continue reading True Leadership – Jeremiah 22:15-16
Nimble Necks – Jeremiah 19:15
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am about to bring on this city and all its towns the entire calamity that I have declared against it, because they have stiffened their necks so as not to heed My words.’” What is worse than a stiff neck? I mean really, … Continue reading Nimble Necks – Jeremiah 19:15
Through His Name – Acts 10:43
“All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.” This has to be one of the clearest verses regarding the sin cleansing nature of faith in Jesus' name. It is the name of Jesus that brings forgiveness of sins through faith in Him alone. … Continue reading Through His Name – Acts 10:43
Weaklings – Judges 6:15
He said to Him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” Gideon has all of the qualifications needed to serve God powerfully. He is the youngest one of the weakest family in Israel. He has virtually nothing to … Continue reading Weaklings – Judges 6:15
Confirming His Call – Judges 6:40
That night God did as Gideon requested: only the fleece was dry, and dew was all over the ground. God meets Gideon right where he is. He completes Gideon's tests in order to undergird his faith. The confirmation is what Gideon needed in order to engage fully in the call of God. Father God knew … Continue reading Confirming His Call – Judges 6:40
Silent Betrayal – Mark 3:4
Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. Even silence can convict a person. In saying nothing with their mouths, these religious folks speak volumes about the content of their heart. … Continue reading Silent Betrayal – Mark 3:4
Why? – Jeremiah 16:10-13
“Now when you tell this people all these words, they will say to you, ‘For what reason has the Lord declared all this great calamity against us? And what is our iniquity, or what is our sin which we have committed against the Lord our God?’ Then you are to say to them, ‘It is … Continue reading Why? – Jeremiah 16:10-13
Turning Away – Jeremiah 15:1,6
Then the Lord said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from My presence, and let them go. 15:6 You have left Me. This is the Lord’s declaration. You have turned your back, so I have stretched out My hand … Continue reading Turning Away – Jeremiah 15:1,6
Mission Engaged – Mark 1:23-25
Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, “What do You have to do with us, Jesus — Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet, and come out of … Continue reading Mission Engaged – Mark 1:23-25
Blasphemy? – Matthew 26:65
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard the blasphemy! Irony of all ironies is that the high priest puts Jesus under oath before His Father, God, (I and the Father are One) and then promptly condemns Him to death for … Continue reading Blasphemy? – Matthew 26:65
Loving God – Joshua 23:11
So be very diligent to love the Lord your God for your own well-being. Father God knows that our love for Him brings about our own well being. To love God is to love oneself since loving Him naturally brings His goodness to a person. We can debate about our motivation for loving God and … Continue reading Loving God – Joshua 23:11
Our Own Way – Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. What a thought for our postmodern age and church. A man does not have within him the ability to make his own way. One cannot even successfully direct his or her … Continue reading Our Own Way – Jeremiah 10:23
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