Category: Devotional

  • Follow the Light

    Follow the Light

    Those that refuse to acknowledge God are blinded by the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

    We can help them by being a light on the hill (Matthew 5:14-16). The same God that said “let there be light” is the God that fills our hearts with light of his word. (2 Corinthians 1:6) This is the light that can lead others to him.

    We can apply this by living godly, lovingly make corrections to false impressions of God and his word, and studying diligently to be ready when someone asks us questions. (2 Timothy 4:2 2 Timothy 2:15)

    Is your light bright or is it hidden?

    Daily Bible reading for April 12

    Aaron offers the sacrifices for the first time. Isaiah tells of the coming Assyrian invasion.

    Psalm 102
    Leviticus 9
    Isaiah 7-8
    2 Corinthians 4:1-5:10

  • 5 Ways Paul Compared the Old and New Testament

    5 Ways Paul Compared the Old and New Testament

    Paul had a problem with Judaizers moving in on his work. They even wanted to know if he had a letter of commendation from anybody important since the Jews did. Paul responds with some contrasts of the old and the new. (1 Corinthians 3)

    1. Theirs is written on stone, not the heart (3)
    2. Theirs not given by the Spirit (3)
    3. Thiers given unto death not by life (6)
    4. Thiers veiled not unveiled (15-16)
    5. Theirs is given unto condemnation, not righteousness (9-10)

       

    Daily bible reading for April 11

    Aaron and his sons are consecrated. Isaiah sees the Lord. Paul contrasts the old law and the new.

    Psalm 101
    Leviticus 8
    Isaiah 6
    2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18

  • Is Worship in Your Thoughts?

    Is Worship in Your Thoughts?

    As you prepare to attend church today, what you think about can have an impact on the quality of your worship.

    In a complete worship service, you will worship five ways:
    Through song, prayer, the Lord’s Supper, giving and teaching/studying.

    Putting aside daily and worldly distractions for a while is sometimes difficult, but it is necessary so you can give God proper reverence.

    Paul gave us some guidelines that work not only for worship but daily as well.

    Whatsoever things are true,
    whatsoever things are honest,
    whatsoever things are just,
    whatsoever things are pure,
    whatsoever things are lovely,
    whatsoever things are of good report;
    if there be any virtue,
    and if there be any praise,
    think on these things. – Philippians 4:8

    Daily Bible Reading for April 7

    Psalm 97
    Leviticus 3
    Isaiah 1
    1 Corinthians 15

  • Built to Last

    Built to Last

    Those that possessed spiritual gifts were not only misusing them, they seemed to esteem the ones that were least important the most. (1 Corinthians 12-14) While there is a personal growth aspect that needs to be attended to, Paul’s point was that they needed to focus on building up the church first.

    Remember that the church is Christ’s body and our goal is to become one in that body. As we begin to turn out mind toward our next worship service, let’s plan to participate in a way that builds up the church, striving to become mature in our thinking and infants in evil (1 Corinthians 14:20)

  • Reaching our Potential

    Reaching our Potential

    God has been very exact about what kind of people he wants his followers to be.

    God wants us to think of him first. When he taught the children of Israel how to sacrifice, he required the best of the flock for that purpose. (Leviticus 1) When the Corinthians needed guidance for using their spiritual gifts, they received the definition of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

    Sometimes we forget these things …
    Our acts of worship become just a habit …
    we forget to actually connect with God…
    love turns up missing…

    And everything we are falls short of our potential.

    Follow the Jews through the Old Testament, or read 1 Corinthians all the way through to see what I mean.

  • Your Calling is Calling

    Your Calling is Calling

    While job hunting I’ve noticed that monster.com has used the catch phrase “Your calling is calling.” It is somewhat of a hobby of mine to find the Biblical principal that a successful enterprise based their business model on (whether they know it or not). As Christians we can leverage our faith in God’s plan by building a life around the examples He has given us in His word.

    Take for example Esther, and the opportunity she seized to save her people from destruction by performing a risky action. Her cousin Mordecai had asked her to plead with the king to cancel an order to exterminate the Jews living under his rule. She was afraid to do so because to appear before the king without being summoned was punishable by death. Mordecai responds in Esther 4:14 with what I consider the thesis statement of the book of Esther:

    “…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

    In other words, “Your calling is calling”

    Put another way, wasn’t Esther saved or put into a prominent position to serve others? Esther is convicted by this statement and ultimately saves the Jews. We have another example of “Our calling is calling” in the context of being saved so we can serve others in Mark 1:30-31:

    30But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

    Notice that Simon’s mother-in-law immediately got up and began taking care of the group gathered at their house after Jesus healed her. If we are to live by the examples the Scripture gives us, then serving others so that they too may be saved should be one of the cornerstones of our lives. Didn’t Jesus do the same for us?