Devotionals

Having Continual Faith in God          

Read: Hebrews 11:4-12:2 NLT – It was by faith that Abel brought a – Bible Gateway

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11: 6 NLT

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The writer of the book of Hebrews says, ‘it is impossible to please God without faith.’ (Heb.11:6 nlt) We may think by just being good and behaving appropriately would be enough to please God, and He wouldn’t be disappointed in that, but there is more to it. First of all, we are to  believe that He is, that He does indeed exist. Those of us who have accepted Christ as savior have come to faith in this manner, by believing in Him and by His grace through faith. (Eph.2:8-9) It is by God’s grace that we are saved. We had nothing to do with it. In the same way, if we want to please God we must have continual faith in Him and by His grace we will please Him.

Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews is sometimes referred to as the ‘Hall of Faith.’  It lists various characters throughout the Old Testament who had accomplished great things for God through their faith. Some even suffered and died for their faith, but they are considered heroes of the faith just the same. They had continual faith in God. It was by God’s grace they were able to endure the sufferings and the hardships that came along with their faith in Him.

If we desire to do a great work for God individually or part of our church family, having  a continual faith in Him is essential. The Lord God will give us the grace we need through faith to please Him and find His work being accomplished in and through us.

Devotionals

Boast that you know the Lord  

“This is what the LORD says: Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT

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Some successful, well maybe more than some successful, people do their fair share of boasting, or what I would call bragging. Their intelligence and wisdom are well known, but they feel a need to tell you about it. You can see for yourself they are well-off financially, but again they inform you how well-off. They tell you how they achieved their status in life. And then we have those powerful people either in business or politics or both that don’t need to tell you how powerful they are, they show it by controlling you and the things around you that you have no control over.

Boasting is not a modern-day problem. It is as old as sin itself. The Lord speaking to the people of Judah through Jeremiah warned them of the coming disaster that was upon them for their continua sin. He also told them not to boast, or brag, about such things mentioned above. But if they really felt the need to boast they should boast that they knew the Lord. Afterall they owed everything they had to Him in providing for them. The Lord wanted them to know His love for them, and it is He who brings justice and righteousness to the earth.

The Lord God can speak the same words to us today in 2025. Whatever our position in life, however successful we are, we owe in all to God. It’s inappropriate to brag, because it is God’s work done through us. Sure, we are the hands and feet, but the Lord supplies the wisdom, knowledge, and strength to achieve any success we come by in this life. So, let’s put off boasting and boast that we know the Lord.

A Christian Perspective, Uncategorized

One God One Salvation 

Read: Isaiah 43:7-13 NLT – Bring all who claim me as their God, – Bible Gateway

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” John 10:28-30 NLT

Believe it or not, there are approximately 4,000 religions in the world. Common sense tells us they all can’t be right. Although there are many religions there are five that are the most prominent. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism share roughly 80% of the world’s total religions. Again, they all can’t be right. Adhering to anyone of these in total faith and commitment cancels out all the others. You cannot be accepting to all these for the same reason. It doesn’t work. You may think it is inclusion and right for this world, but what about the next one when this life is over. You may be familiar with the ‘coexist’ image. ‘Coexist’ is meant to bring people together through the major religions that we may live in peace in this world. We all know it is not working. ‘Coexist’ is not the way to peace and salvation in this world and certainly not in eternity.

The Hebrew God said in Isaiah, ‘“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!’ says the LORD. ‘You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God—there never has been, and there never will be.’” (Is.43:10 nlt) This same Hebrew God sent His Son Jesus Christ as the Messiah to be the savior of the world both to the Jews and to all who accept Christ in repentance for their sins. Jesus Himself said, “The Father and I are one.” (Jn.10:30 nlt) God the Father says, “I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.” (Is.43:11 nlt) Coexist does not exist, it’s One God, One Savior.

Devotionals

Have You Hurt God?

“They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols.” Ezekiel 6:9 NLT

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When you think about God, what comes to mind? How about His awesome power in creating the earth and the entire universe. Maybe you are drawn to His awareness of every occurrence in the world at the same time, or perhaps it is the comfort you receive knowing that God hears your prayers when millions of people are also in prayer with Him. Words cannot do justice in describing God. Our best attempts in characterizing God will fail. He is so awesome, powerful, holy, loving, all-knowing, the list goes on……….and on………and on. There are not enough words, so I guess we will leave at that.

Have you ever thought of God’s emotions? Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (nlt) We know that we are emotional beings, some more than others. If we are made in God’s image, it stands to reason that God is an emotional God. If we can display emotion, God certainly can.

Have you ever been hurt by someone? Had your heart broken? Have you caused the hurt of someone and broken their heart? If your answer is yes to either circumstance, you know both how it feels when you were hurt and the effects your actions had on the one you hurt. Now comes the hard part. Have you ever hurt God? Our emotional God can also be hurt by our actions.

The Lord speaking through Ezekiel, concerning Judah, said, “Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins.” (Ez.6:9 nlt) The Lord God was sending them into exile for 70 years for their sins against Him, sins that hurt Him deeply by turning to idols.

How many idols do we have in our own lives that are hurting God? We may have never thought about this quite this way before, but our sins against God do hurt Him. Our unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes towards our idols take us away from Him, and yes, He’s hurt. May we have faithful hearts, and our eyes gazed on Him.

Devotionals

No one is Holy like the Lord    

“No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 NLT

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What is your definition of ‘holy’? Does it match with Webster’s New World Dictionary’s #1 definition, ‘dedicated to religious use; sacred.’ How about the Biblical definition, ‘being set apart, dedicated to God and His purposes’? I hope it is at least one of the two because they are the same.

Has anyone ever referred to you as holy knowing you are a Christian? They may say in jest or really mean it. I’ve had that experience many times in my life and always would come back a response of ‘no not me, I’m not holy!’ But when I think about it they are right whatever their intent. Being holy is being separated from the world and unto the Lord. Scripture conveys the idea that all Christians are holy unto the Lord. The apostle Peter wrote, “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” (1Pt.1:14-16 nlt)

Not before we get carried away with being holy, may we keep in mind there is only one who is truly holy. Holy in the sense of being ‘sinless, spiritually pure, deserving deep respect, awe, etc.’ as defined in the dictionary. And as we study the Bible and read all of God’s attributes, observe His ways and His love for the world we come to realize there is no one Holy like the Lord. So let us rejoice in being holy unto the only true Holy one, the Lord God.

Devotionals

Are You Teachable?       

Read: Psalm 25:1-11 NLT – Psalm 25 – A psalm of David. O LORD, I – Bible Gateway

“He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.” Psalm 25:9 NLT

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Are you willing to learn what you haven’t known before? Do you have a desire to experience something new? Is your attitude promising towards gaining knowledge? In other words, are you teachable? For the older folks, the phrase ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is not true.’ For you younger people, the phrase ‘I know all I need to know’ is not true either. Nobody knows everything, and we are never too old to learn, especially in the things of God.

The common denominator in being teachable for all ages is, ‘are we humble?’ Are we humble enough to admit we are without the resources to teach us all we need to know about living the Christian life? King David knew he needed the Lord to teach  and lead him. He put his trust in God. David acknowledges the sins of his youth asking the Lord to not remember them, but to remember him in His unfailing love and mercy.

David understood he needed a humble attitude before the Lord if he wanted to be taught by Him and learn from Him. He expresses this in verses 9 and 10 in our text, not only for himself but for us today. David writes, “He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.” (Ps.25:9-10 nlt)

Christians are to be teachable. Christians should desire to be taught by our Lord. Christians need to be walking humbly with God with an aggressive attitude to learn all we are being taught. So again, are you teachable? If not, humble yourself before God and learn from the Great Professor.

Devotionals

Feeling Empty; the search for fulfillment     

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV

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Living in the 21st century there is no shortage of things to do. If looking to be entertained, there are thousands of choices to choose from, such as movies, concerts, sporting events, shopping, going for a drive, or staying home and accessing your hundreds of choices on your Smart TV. Getting away for the weekend has an abundance of venues to choose from and places to stay. Spending quality time with friends and family is always a good choice and fulfilling.

Despite the many things we do in life, entertaining ourselves, enjoying family time, achieving success in our jobs and careers, why do some people still have that empty feeling inside? How many people do you know, or perhaps yourself, that do all they can to enjoy life and live it to the fullest, and confess they still have this empty feeling. There is no fulfillment, something is missing. They need to find that missing piece to life’s puzzle. It happens more than you know and to more people than you may think. If you are not surprised by this, you may be one in need of fulfillment.

You’ve heard the cliché, ‘looking for love in all the wrong places.’ Well, it fits here. It is not that the above examples are ‘wrong places,’ they are not. But you will not find complete fulfillment in any of them until the major piece that completes the puzzle is put in place. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Mt.5:6 nlt) Jesus equates being filled with desiring righteousness. True fulfillment of one’s life occurs when Christ’s righteousness is applied to our lives as we accept Him as Lord and savior. That empty feeling disappears. What we thought would bring us fulfillment suddenly doesn’t seem so important anymore when put in proper perspective.

If you’re struggling with that empty feeling why not look for fulfillment in the right place by looking to Christ and desiring His righteousness. It’s the missing piece you need in your search for fulfillment.

A Christian Perspective

In the beginning of eternity

Everything has a beginning; your life, a relationship, a new year, a new school year, a semester, a job, an idea leading to a new consumer product, even this essay. Everything has a beginning to point to. Unfortunately, everything also has an ending, after all, nothing last forever, but ‘not quite.’ 

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The most recognizable quote of ‘in the beginning’ is in the Scriptures of the Holy Bible. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The earth and all of the universe had a beginning. There was a time when the universe did not exist but then came into being. This is not a debate as to the origins of the planets and the universe, this view is to be understood God created in the beginning, in the beginning of our time.

What exactly is ‘our time?’ NASA’s explanation of the universe is as follows, “The universe is everything. It includes all of space, and all the matter and energy that space contains. It even includes time itself and, of course, it includes you.” (1) Our time began when God created the universe, when He created all of space, matter, and energy. Our time began when God created man in His image, “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gen.1:27 nkjv) We had a beginning.

While we had a beginning, our creator had no beginning. There is no time in which God did not exist. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” (Is.41:4 nlt) Identifying Himself as the ‘First and the Last’ constitutes God existed before the universe began and will be around after it is gone. Jesus, God the Son, also identifies as the ‘First and the Last’ in the book of Revelation for He said “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” (Rev.1:11 nlt)

While we contemplate our lives having a beginning and an end, it is often hard, if not impossible, to understand God who never had a beginning and will never have an end. Don’t even try, it can’t be done. It is accepted only through faith in the God of the Bible. Once we have accepted God, His true Word, and Jesus Christ His Son for salvation it becomes clear that God is from eternity past and future, although we still can’t understand it. But this should also be a great comfort to us for He has all things under control and knows our deepest needs both now and in the future. He was there in our beginning and will be there in our end and this is where the ‘not quite’ comes in.

Everything will certainly come to an end one day, except for a couple of things; the triune God, His Word, and the souls of people. We may have had a beginning in this life, but we were created with a body and a soul. The body will come to an end due to our sin nature, but our soul lives on into eternity. Those who have confessed and repented of their sin accepting Christ as Savior will spend eternity in the new heaven and the new earth, those who have rejected Christ will spend eternity in the lake of fire with Satan and his demons. “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever……And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev.20:10, 15 nlt)

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When you were born, you were born for eternity. Your body will die, but your soul will live on. You are living in the beginning of eternity. Where will you be living when your earthly life has ended? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt) The time is now to make the choice where you will spend eternity while you are still living ‘in the beginning.’

(1) https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/what-is-an-exoplanet/what-is-the-universe/

Devotionals

Do we love the Lord God with all our heart?

Read: Mark 12:28-34 NLT – The Most Important Commandment – One of – Bible Gateway

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Jesus was asked by one of the teachers of the religious law what is the most important commandment? Without hesitation Jesus responded, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mk.12:29-31 nlt) What prompted the teacher’s question is not clear, but he was rather impressed listening to Jesus’ answer to the questioning Sadducees. (Mk.12:18-27) He may have been curious to see if he had it right, for Jewish teachers of the Law were about getting it right. His motives may have been self-centered or just another case of trying to discredit Jesus.

The teacher found himself agreeing with Jesus. He knew the Old Testament scripture Jesus quoted and that to love God is more important than any sacrifice to Him. Jesus complimented the teacher by acknowledging he knew the Scripture, ‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God,’ (Mk.12:34) but also noted he was not yet in the kingdom. The teacher needed to put down his scrolls and simply love the Lord God with all his heart and all his soul, the only way to the kingdom.

What does this have to do with us in 2025? Everything! We can all go through the motions of church activity by attending services, giving, volunteering, etc. which is our way of sacrificing today. However, what is our motive in these activities. Are we doing them out of our love for God? Do these activities show our love for God or show our desire to be noticed? Jesus said the most important commandment is to love the Lord God with all our heart and all our soul. Do we love the Lord God with all our heart?  Let’s do that first, then participate in our church activities.

Devotionals

Safety in the House of God

Read: Psalm 52 NLT – Psalm 52 – For the choir director: A – Bible Gateway

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.” Psalm 52:8 NLT

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Churches across the globe have been considered sacred places of refuge for centuries. Most notable in times of war, churches were shelters for all who entered through their doors whosever side they were on. Sanctury churches today have a much more complicated task within the twists and turns of world culture. But the mission remains the same, to protect by providing refuge in the house of God.

When David was on the run from King Saul who was in pursuit to kill him, David penned Psalm 52. David describes the wickedness of his enemies and God’s judgement on them as he rests safely in God’s protection. David writes, “But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.” (Ps.52:8 nlt) Olive trees live a span of hundreds of years. David is putting his trust in the lasting mercy of God for protection. Olive trees also represent prosperity. Being in God’s presence (house of God) David would not only find safety but will grow in his knowledge of Him. David is filled with praise in the sanctuary of God, “I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.” (Ps.52:9 nlt)

Psalm 52 is a picture of the reality of evil around us, but also of the justice of God in protecting His children while administrating judgment on the wicked of our day. Christians should take comfort that we are in the house of God, our place of refuge through the Holy Spirit, and are safe as we thrive in His presence praising Him!