Devotional «

Day Three

Posted on Oct 4, 2021 in General |

Genesis 22:14

English Standard Version

¹⁴So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.

YAHWEH-JIREH [yah-way-ji-reh] is the name used for God in this text. The name means “The Lord will provide.” A ram was provided for Abraham for the sacrifice instead of his son Isaac.

God will always provide. During difficult times, tough times, good times and bad times, He always provides. Sometimes it is obvious, while other times it is not. God always provides.

This day during your time of prayer, write down the times that He has provided for you. Give Him thanks for His provision. God always provides.

Day Two

Posted on Oct 4, 2021 in General |

Genesis 1:1

New International Version

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 17:7

New International Version

⁷I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

ELOHIM [el-oh-heem]: God “Creator, Mighty and Strong”– the plural form of Eloah, which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible’s first sentence, the superlative nature of God’s power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence.

God the Creator. Imagine the power that it took to create from nothing something. Imagine the creativity of God to make a galaxy, a giraffe, an elephant, or even you. It is difficult to imagine the power it took to create this universe. It is difficult to even grasp the breadth of imagination that God possessed to create its inhabitants.

Then there is you. The Creator took His time to design you. He created each hair follicle, pore, tooth, and fingerprint. Then after designing you, He placed a piece of Himself in you. He not only created you the way you are, but He decided to give you a piece of Himself.

As you pray this day, take time to praise our Creator for His creation, including you.

Day One

Posted on Oct 4, 2021 in General |

Psalm 139:19

New International Version

¹⁹If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!

Nehemiah 9:17

New International Version

¹⁷They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,

The word for God used in the above text is the word EL, ELOAH [el, el-oh-ah]. This word means power and might. El, Eloah is the fullest example of compassion, integrity, and jealousy based upon an imaginable power. It is this power that created the universe, animals, and mankind.

Yet, this power is also the power which shows compassion. Imagine if you would the power of God to wipe out armies, destroy cities and nations, and bring the dead back to life. That power also demonstrates compassion upon those who call out to Him.

This day as you begin this Prayer Challenge, stop and contemplate who you are going to address. Consider the power of the One that you will stand before in the next few minutes and give Him praise for His compassion, His love, and His forgiveness.

21 Day Prayer Challenge Beginning

Posted on Oct 4, 2021 in General |

Throughout the Bible, men and women called upon the Lord for guidance, protection, strength and forgiveness. Prayer is essential to the growth of one’s relationship with Jesus. While reading the Scriptures can never be overlooked, prayer brings it all into focus as we enter into a conversation with the Father. This conversation is just not one way. Throughout the ministry of Christ, He often went to secluded places to talk to His Father. One major factor of prayer that is often overlooked is that it is a two conversation and both parties speak and both parties listen. Prayer is often the last resort for believers. Yet, it should be our first resort no matter the circumstances.

The 21 Day Prayer Challenge is designed to establish, re-establish, or strengthen your prayer time. As the leadership of the church, we are asking you to pick a time to pray. We are recommending noon. If you are unable to use this time, pick a time that you can use for 21 days. Fifteen minutes is need. Write out your requests, praises, and concerns on the back of each page. When God answers, write out how He answered each request.

It is time for this church to begin to enter the battle of life. It begins with prayer. It begins with entering into the presence of the Lord daily, building our relationship with Him. This commitment will be difficult at times. There will be times that you may want to skip a day or even quit. Don’t. This is the time to begin our growth by going before our Lord and talking and listening to His quiet voice.

I, ___________________, willingly enter into this challenge and will commit to pray at __________ every day.

What’s Up?

Posted on Sep 14, 2021 in General |

We look at our world today and we just can not help but say, “What’s Up?” There is so much chaos. Everyone is angry. There is and will be a shortage of supplies, food, clothes, and other essentials now or later. What is wrong?

What is wrong is that the church left God. When the church left God and chased after the social agenda, it began to lose it’s influence and power. Now it is but a shell of what it use to be.

What are we to do? That is easy, return to God. Simple.

It is Hot!!

Posted on Jul 31, 2021 in General |

No matter where you are in the United States, it is hot. The west is experiencing a heat wave of unimaginable proportions. The northern part of the US is setting new high records in the 90’s or low 100’s. People are begging for rain and some in the south are getting so much rain they are begging for a break. Still, no matter where one is living, it is hot.

But it is not only hot physically in the US. It is also hot socially, mentally, and spiritually. Tempers are flaring. Anger grows with each news cycle. It would help if everyone took a huge iceberg chill pill, but sadly, it will not happen. Why is everyone so angry? Some would say that they feel like the government is lying to them, while others say that the government is not doing enough. Many feel that CRT should be taught in every school, while parents are protesting and even pulling their children from school. You have to apologize for being white (male or female) making many upset. The list goes on and on, sadly.

Tempers were flaring at the time of Jesus. The Jews did not want the Romans ruling over them. Taxes were high. People were poor and slaves to an Empire that did not care. Jesus comes on the scene and suddenly the religious leaders were angry because of his teachings. The common person was pleased to have someone take care of them, while the rich were indifferent.

In the midst of this, Jesus teaches peace through love. He did not back down from the task that he was given. Instead, he demonstrated the love of God the Father to all, healed many, and raised the dead. Yes many were angry, but more came to know God. That is what is important.

Time to make a stand

Posted on Jul 20, 2021 in General |

For the past 50 years, Christians have stood in the background not making any waves. They try to appease, then try to discuss. By making people happy and not insulting them, they would come to Jesus.

Sadly that is the furthest from the truth. Jesus told the truth, even if it was insulting. It was brutal at times. It was direct. It was the truth. The religious leaders of the day did not like it and did not want to hear it. They like the status quo.

The church has gotten away from speaking the truth. After all it may offend someone. So what? Would you rather offend them here and they change their minds and go to heaven or wait until they stand before God and He sentences them to everlasting damnation? It is time for the church to start speaking the truth and standing up for what is right before there is no chance at all.

Betrayal

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 in General |

Everyone has been betrayed at one time or anther. Whether it is a family member, friend, co-worker, or spouse it hurts. Especially from a spouse. It is a breach of trust, a deep trust. The pain just does not go away.

Judas betrayed Jesus, as did Peter. Yet the betrayal of Jesus goes far deeper. The children of Israel, the Jews, considered themselves a nation and a family. Abraham was their father. They are from Jacob. So, at the root of it all they are family. So Jesus was betrayed by family as well, when He was turned over to be executed by the Romans. The pain of it all must have been unimaginable.

Still, there is a greater betrayal. The Jews were also the first church. The word church in the Greek means “those called by God for God.” In other words, these people have heard the voice of God. They had. Now the voice of God is standing in front of them and they are rejecting God’s voice. Far deeper betrayal.

Still it is a warning for us today. We must not betray the teachings and the voice of God. It must be our guidance in this chaotic world. It will go against the culture, society, and worldly views. Yet, we are to hear His voice and follow. If we pay attention, we will hear His voice and then we follow. We will make our Father happy and not betray Him.

God has Blessed US

Posted on Jul 11, 2021 in General |

On top of the Washington Monument in Washington DC are these words in Latin, Praise be to God. Few people know that. Few people care it seems.

George Washington was a very Godly man. He loved his wife, family, and those who he viewed as those whom God entrusted. He never viewed another man as a slave. Those who lived on his plantation were paid, given lodging, and food. His greatest fear was that they would be taken and placed into slavery. Again, few know this and again few really care.

Society has started rewriting history to advocate it’s own agenda. That agenda will promote the lose of freedoms. As a nation we have a lot of freedoms, yet each year they are slowly eroding away. Men like George Washington believed that the generations following him would grow those freedoms. People would grow in prosperity, knowledge, caring and most of all knowing Jesus Christ. If George was to return to day, not only would he be shocked at what he would see, but he would be arrested, canceled, and mocked for his beliefs.

Sad is it not? A man who knelt at every chance to talk to the Almighty, is now seen as a bad person. It does not matter the number of witnesses that wrote of his Godly character. It does not matter the writings that he left behind from personal journals to letters and governmental documents which shout of his convictions to the Almighty. All of that does not matter today. What matters is the present day perception of George Washington, not the truth.

George will stand before God and not society for his judgment. Which is good. I do not think that anyone really wants this society to decide if they live in heaven or hell.. Do you?

Freedoms

Posted on Jul 6, 2021 in General |

The 4th of July is over. There were several negative discussions concerning the freedoms we enjoy. Personally, I believe if you do not like the US, you can leave. People gave their lives for the freedoms that this nation enjoys to be discredited by those who probably never sacrificed anything in their life. Hard words.

I am a veteran. I served on a submarine with no communications with my family for months on end. We missed family reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, deaths, weddings, school plays, first steps of a child, illnesses of loved ones, and the list goes on. Get the idea.

Therefore when someone complains about the issues within this land, but have not sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy, I get a little upset. Why are you complaining when you have not sacrificed for these freedoms?

For once, why do we not just enjoy what we have, discuss the issues calmly, and if necessary agree to disagree? Why can we not give thanks for what we have before we lose it?