Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Legalism must be firmly resisted. We have been created for and redeemed for the freedom that comes through grace and the salvation found only in Christ Jesus. To fall back into a mindset of earning salvation … Continue reading True Freedom – Galatians 5:1
Category: Devotionals
Just some quick, short thoughts I have had throughout the years.
Glorious Suffering? – John 9:3
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him." We are still today surrounded by disease and suffering. Those with physical handicap are no less common in our world of doctors, nurses and hospitals than they were in Lord Jesus’ day. Theologians are … Continue reading Glorious Suffering? – John 9:3
Liar, Lunatic or Lord – John 8:53-59
Are You greater than our father Abraham who died? Even the prophets died. Who do You pretend to be?” “If I glorify Myself,” Jesus answered, “My glory is nothing. My Father — you say about Him, ‘He is our God’ — He is the One who glorifies Me. You’ve never known Him, but I know … Continue reading Liar, Lunatic or Lord – John 8:53-59
Evil Isolation – Galatians 4:17
They are enthusiastic about you, but not for any good. Instead, they want to isolate you so you will be enthusiastic about them. An enemy (and THE enemy) always seeks to isolate an individual for their own selfish purposes. Isolation very obviously separates and an enemy seeks to separate his prey from those who speak … Continue reading Evil Isolation – Galatians 4:17
Friends? – Galatians 4:16
Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? It is a painful reality that some so-called friends want nothing to do with the truth. They want a fantasy relationship that accepts any and everything without judgement. This is not friendship. It is a deception. True brotherhood and friendship involves truth. If we … Continue reading Friends? – Galatians 4:16
The Fickleness Of Family – John 7:5
For not even His brothers believed in Him. Imagine the deep personal strength of Lord Jesus. His own brothers won’t believe Him and thus must consider Him a liar. It is they and their mother, as described by Mark, who made an effort to put a stop to His ministry in its infancy. (Mark 3:20-21, … Continue reading The Fickleness Of Family – John 7:5
Acknowledging Jesus – John 7:13
Still, nobody was talking publicly about Him because they feared the Jews. As I read this one simple verse, it hit me that we have a very similar dynamic happening in our business culture today. You can talk about God. You can discuss Allah. You can refer to religion in the workplace. These are all … Continue reading Acknowledging Jesus – John 7:13
All and Never – John 6:37-40
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose … Continue reading All and Never – John 6:37-40
Hungry Hungry Hippos – John 6:26-27
Jesus answered, “ I assure you: You are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has … Continue reading Hungry Hungry Hippos – John 6:26-27
Life-giving – John 5:21
And just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to. The giving of life as He determines is totally Jesus' prerogative. He is equal with the Father and has complete authority to grant life to whomever He pleases. His healing of this … Continue reading Life-giving – John 5:21
Giving to God – Exodus 25:2
“Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.” God always calls His children to give willingly. He invites His children to free themselves from their stuff by willingly sharing it with Him and participating in His spiritual enterprises. This type … Continue reading Giving to God – Exodus 25:2
Out of His Mercy – Exodus 25:22
I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites. All to which God calls us and in which He instructs us flows out of His mercy. … Continue reading Out of His Mercy – Exodus 25:22
God’s Timing – Exodus 24:16
The glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. Based on this simple detail in the book of Exodus, it strikes me that God’s timing is quite different than ours. Moses and … Continue reading God’s Timing – Exodus 24:16
Responding to Success in Others – John 3:26
So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing — and everyone is flocking to Him.” Our response to God's good work in and through others is not always the best. Often our natural response is one of jealousy or … Continue reading Responding to Success in Others – John 3:26
Strong Opinions – Job 32:20
“Let me speak that I may get relief; Let me open my lips and answer.” It seems the young man, Elihu, is more concerned with his own feelings than the feelings of his distressed friend Job. His opinion is burning within him. He is dying to share it. Sadly enough, I can relate. Years ago, … Continue reading Strong Opinions – Job 32:20
Come and See – John 1:39
“Come and you’ll see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning. This is the standing invitation of Jesus. Come and see. Still today He invites us to follow Him and investigate His claims and His call. He … Continue reading Come and See – John 1:39
Boasting – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
So the one who boasts must boast in the Lord. For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends. Our only real value is found in Christ. God Himself imputed value to us by creating us 'in His image' and by 're-creating' us through the blood of … Continue reading Boasting – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
Ears to Hear – Exodus 20:19
Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.” Their fear of God's unveiled holy nature and His wrath toward sin led His chosen people to an irrational place. They knowingly choose to be out of direct range of hearing … Continue reading Ears to Hear – Exodus 20:19
Joy in Christ – 2 Corinthians 7:4
...In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. Such is the true joy that comes through salvation in Christ Jesus and the relationships that result. It is a joy that transcends any earthly condition. A joy that is intensified through suffering and affliction. A joy that is not of this earth and is beyond … Continue reading Joy in Christ – 2 Corinthians 7:4
Self Proclaimed Experts -Job 36:4
“For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.” Job 36:17 “But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.” The only problem with what 'all-knowing' Elihu is saying is that it simply is not true as it regards Job. Job … Continue reading Self Proclaimed Experts -Job 36:4
Ventanas 