Devotionals

25 Jun Devotional Thought – The Law of Liberty

"So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty." James 2:12 There are two primary views regarding the human will in the world today. The first says that man is a slave. He is in bondage, shackled hand and foot, to the law. The second says that man is the master of his own actions, he is free , and the law has no dominion over him. Here in our verse, however, James tells us that there is a place of meeting for these two opposing views. He says the reason for this is that both assume something that is wrong. James says that both views see "freedom" as the opposite of being "bound." That's why he declares there is something called "the law of liberty," a force whose essence is found in the power of the human will.

13 Jun Devotional Thought – Hindsight Is Heavenly

"Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"  Genesis 28:16-17 In a very real sense, the hours of our lives only become reality in retrospect; they become present only when they have already past. We never really understand how meaningful an event is until it has already happened. It is only when creation is complete that we can look at it and say that is has all be very good.

11 Jun Devotional Thought – Faith At Home

"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." Hebrews 11:7 This was a most modest and humble place for one to exercise their faith. In fact, some might say that the purpose was in fact disproportionate to the greatness of the task. The construction of the ark was no doubt a great undertaking, but why was it constructed in the first place? Noah built it, the writer of Hebrews tells us, to save his own family. Was such a small sphere worthy of being the object of one's faith? Can such a humble place as the home been seen as a proper place to serve Almighty God?

04 Jun Devotional Thought – Walking With God

"So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him."  Genesis 5:23-24 It's said that great men have short biographies.  That's certainly true about a man named Enoch.  His was the greatest life ever lived in that old world - the world before the flood.  He stood head and shoulders above any other antediluvian, yet his life was the shortest of all.  His years number less than those of his ancestors. Less is said about his life than anyone else around him.  Why is that?  Because he lived a life that was far greater than theirs.  He lived a life that was more inward and thus was more naturally hidden.  The part that burned hotter and brighter in his life was that part that is most often overlooked in the lives of men - his heart, his soul, his spirit.

30 May Devotional Thought – Highest Love At The Lowest Point

"Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." John 11:16 One of the greatest statements of love in the Bible comes from the one dubbed the "doubter." True to his nature, Thomas has reached the point of utter despair in the power and purpose of Jesus. He looks forward and sees nothing but the cross and a closed tomb. The only thing to crown the head of Jesus in Thomas' mind are thorns. The vital vision of Christ's kingdom has long since faded from his view, and is now replaced by the solemn shroud. To Thomas there is nothing left in the ministry of Jesus but to go forth and die.

23 May Devotional Thought – Thirsty For God

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6 What an amazing expression of God's grace. The One who is completely holy and totally pure will accept those who even thirst after His righteousness. He doesn't wait until I am made pure to receive me, but actually blesses my effort of holiness. He will accept my simple desire of Him, my heart's wish to be like Him,  and the longing of my being to be near Him. Though I have yet to reach Him, if I will just look to Him and long to be like Him He says that He will count it as righteousness for me. Even though I do not claim to be like Him, and hesitate to even reach out to touch the hem of His garment, if I will admire His beauty and holiness from afar He will bless my holy hunger and divine thirst.