Devotion: The Ultimate Satisfaction

 The Bible in One Year: Proverbs 19-21/2 Corinthians 7

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 55:1-7 – Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! ~Isaiah 55:1

The Ultimate Satisfaction

As we distributed snacks for children at a Bible School program, we noticed a little boy who devoured his snack. Then he also ate the leftovers of the children at his table. Even after I gave him a bag of popcorn, he still wasn’t satisfied. As leaders, we were concerned as to why this little was so hungry.

It occurred to me that we can be like that boy when it comes to our emotions. We look for way to satisfy our deepest longings, but we never find what fully satisfies us.

The prophet Isaiah invites those who are hungry and thirsty to “come, buy and eat” (Isaiah 55:1). But then he asks, “Why spend money on what I not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (v.2). Isaiah is talking about more than just physical hunger here. God can satisfy our spiritual and emotional hunger through the promise of His presence. The “everlasting covenant” in verse 3 is a reminder of a promise God made to David in 2 Samuel 7:8-16. Through David’s family line, a Savior would come to reconnect people invitation Isaiah gave, thus identifying Himself as the Savior foretold by Isaiah and other prophets.

Hungry? God invites you to come and be filled in His presence.  ~Linda Washington

Father, I long to know You more, only You can satisfy my deepest desires.

Only God will satisfy our spiritual hunger.

Bible Verse

For every house is builded by some man, but he that built ALL things is God. ~Hebrews 3:4

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me long for You and my relationship with You before ALL other things. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Bible Verse

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ~Acts 19:4

Bible Verse

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth ALL sins. ~Proverbs 10:12

Prayer

Father, You teach us in the most amazing ways, through the most unexpected circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm 14:1-3

 

Psalm 14:1-3 – The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalm 58:3 —The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Romans 5:12 – Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Romans 3:23 – For ALL have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God.

Devotion: No Means No!

 God will keep you from all danger!!!!!

Daily Bible Verse

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: ~Ephesians 4:26

Daily Inspiration

Anger is a dangerous emotion when allowed control. When observing our day, numerous small details cause frustration. We are displeased with our morning routine or annoyed by traffic. We are frustrated when we run late or have to wait in line for coffee. Although these seem like minimal irritations, they build up to become dangerous to our mental health. Before we know it, we are mad all the time; every moment of the day. Paul tells us we should work quickly to resolve our anger. Anger prompts us to act out of character and leads to sin. We will lay the burden of anger down and lean on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Daily Prayer

Dear Father, we grow irritated with minor inconveniences throughout the day; we lay the burden of anger at Your feet and seek guidance to rid ourselves of this darkness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

All we NEED is JESUS!!!!!!!

No Means No!

By David Jacobs

No Means No!: Sexual abuse is found throughout the Bible and our current society? What can we do to reduce this scourge? ~2 Samuel 13:1-5, 11-16

The world is starting to shed a bit more light on the dark plague that is sexual abuse and rape. Abusive behavior of men that has been tolerated for most of human existence is finally beginning to be considered inappropriate and immoral.

Unfortunately it is a problem that has existed for as long as there has been recorded history, and it seems it is only now getting the attention it deserves. Women are often blamed for being the victims of rape. “She shouldn’t have been there”, “She should have known better”, “She knew what kind of man he is”, and “Boys will be boys”, are all excuses that I have heard in response to the sexual abuse scandals in Hollywood. The problem will persist until we change the attitudes of people thinking these things.

These verses tell a disgusting story, once again involving a son of David. Another David’s sons, Absalom, will soon conspire to overthrow and kill his father, but in these verses, Absalom’s sister Tamar is raped by her half-brother, Amnon. There is more than one guilty party here, for Amnon’s friend, Jonadab, initially hatches a plan. Amnon forces his half-sister, a virgin, to sleep with hi, and is then disgusted by her, ignoring her pleas to send him away, knowing the shame that it will bring the two of them. This is only the beginning of this story, because later in this chapter, Absalom plots revenge and eventually kills his brother, Amnon.

I once again think about David’s role in this story: considering the story of Bathsheba, he did not set the best male role model for his sons. This story sounds like it could be in a tabloid newspaper in modern times, so the problems have remained the same for literally thousands of years. the way that the wrongdoers behave in these verses, namely, the men, is not so different from the shaming culture that persists today.

Prayer

We can make a difference. We can learn from the sinful ways of those before us and create a new and safer society. It starts with us acknowledging that the way things were and the way things currently are is wrong. Remember the teachings of Christ; remember the horror stories in these verses and in modern society. Then and only then, will people like Amnon listen to Tamar when she implores him not to do this wicked thing, No means no!

God is my Provider, TODAY, TOMORROW, and ALWAYS!!!!!!

When You Feel Attacked

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ~James 1:2

Devotion: "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right"

 God is going to accelerate your dreams!!!!!

Daily Bible Verse

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swelling, tumults: ~2 Corinthians 12:20

Daily Inspiration

The Devil enjoys it when we whisper behind each other’s backs. Gossip produces anger, sorrow, and violence. We hurt one another when we say hateful things or share personal secrets. We stir up anger which leads to violence when we share false information. Instead, we will focus on our walk to righteousness and share the Good News concerning salvation and our loving Heavenly Father. We want to share hope with our broken world and stop evil in its tracks.

Daily Prayer

Dear Father, we will stop whispering behind each other’s backs and start sharing Your Word. We want to assist You by stopping evil instead of spreading it around with tounges of fire. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Better days are coming!!!!!

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

By David Jacobs

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right: Envy adultery, murder – what lessons can be learned from Ding David’s sins? ~2 Samuel 11:2-5; 15-17

It is quite common for men and women in positions of power to commit adultery. The sanctity of marriage does not seem as important today as it once did, and many view divorce as almost inevitability. The collapse of the family structure and lack of good relationships examples can help explain the modern issues with marriage and divorce. How can we make sense of David’s actions in these verses?

The Ten Commandments specifically prohibit coveting, committing adultery, and committing murder (Exodus 20). The King of Israel manages to commit all of these sins in these verses. Seeing the beautiful Bathsheba, King David abuses his power and sleeps with her. She gets pregnant, and David tries to get her husband, Uriah, to sleep with so that that he will not think about the pregnancy, but Uriah does not do it. In an attempt to correct the two sins with an even bigger sin, David orders Uriah, a loyal and competent soldier, to be placed in the area where the fighting will be heaviest in the next battle. Uriah dies and David takes Bathsheba, now widowed, to be his wife.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right.” David has more than two wrongs, but the more wrongs you add, the less right the result. In an attempt to correct his mistakes, David sins, making his wife less happy, himself less happy, and giving Uriah no option at all. We can learn from David’s mistakes, realizing that all of the sins are prohibited in the Ten Commandments these sins will hurt us and hurt others.

Prayer

Abba Father, grant me the wisdom to discern what is good and what is not. Lead me away from temptation, for I know that like Adam and Eve, doing what You have prohibited will hurt me and hurt You. I pray that You grant a sense of peace to relationships that may need mending, hoping that more love can be shared instead of sin. Amen.

When You Are Hated Because of Your Faith

Remember the word that I said unto you. The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep Your’s also. ~John 15:20

Acts 1:8

 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8

Be My Witness

After Christ rose again and walked the earth, He gave a command to His followers, and then ascended into heaven. He told them that from now on they would have the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and advocate for them, and because they would have the Holy Spirit, they were to be His witnesses. He first says Jerusalem because that was their home. We are to be His witnesses in our hometown and community. He then said Judea, as this was where Jerusalem was located. We are to not only be His witnesses in our communities, but also in our states and nation. He says Samaria, which was a surrounding nation. We are to minister to people in surrounding communities and nations. He then ends by saying to minister to the ends of the earth. Our mission should not stop in our cities, states, and nations, but should reach the ends of the earth.

We are His hands and feet. It is our job to carry the good news to everyone we know and those who we don’t know. When you have a mission mind, you are able to make decisions based on who needs to hear the gospel. Everything centers around that very thing. How can you be a part of what God is doing around the world?

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are doing a work in my community, nation, and around the world. Give me a long for your people and your work. May I go where you go and do what you do. Amen

Hebrews 11:7

 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

Hebrews 11:7

By His Faith

Noah is such a beautiful picture of faith. He was not worried about what other people around him thought, only the Lord. By faith he built the boat while others laughed and enjoyed life around him. Yet, he obeyed God because he had a fear of the Lord and knew what He was capable of. God had warned Him about the things He had planned because of His wrath and anger against sin. By faith Noah condemned the sinful actions of the world. He set himself apart for the Lord, and for that, God called him righteous.

The thing about Noah was that he would sin again. Even after doing miraculous things, he would take a situation into his own hands and sin against God. However, he is still mentioned as a man of faith in this chapter. One sin did not define a lifetime of loyalty to God. One sin does not define you and me. Spend some time praying today and asking God to help you stand for Him in a world of corruption.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Thank you for men like Noah who demonstrated his faith by trusting you and condemning the world. May I be like Noah everyday. Amen.

Hebrews 11:8-9

 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith-for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise.

Hebrews 11:8-9

Journey to Another Land

Abraham is another great man of faith. These verses retell the stories we read of his faith in the book of Genesis. By faith he obeyed God and left what he knew in his homeland to journey to the unknown, knowing that God was faithful and would deliver on his promises. By faith he followed God not knowing where he was going and what God was doing. He trusted God. He even lived by faith in the new land, living as a foreigner. All the while trusting God, hoping in what was to come, and believing that God would deliver. It was because of his faith that Isaac and Jacob did the same.

Is God calling you outside of your comfort zone to a new land or a new adventure? Are you willing to say, “Yes, Lord,” and follow Him into the unknown? Spend some time in prayer for your future today!

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are always faithful. You are a good God who delivers on His promises just as you did for Abraham. Thank you for who you are. Amen.

Matthew 11:28-30

 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Him

Who is the first person you talk to when you have a problem? Do you ever feel disappointed with their response? Maybe they agreed with you when you needed wisdom instead. Maybe they downplayed your situation. Maybe they didn’t respond at all. No matter what the situation, when we go to anyone besides the Lord, we will always be disappointed. Jesus says here to come to Him with your heavy burdens. He is the only one who can carry them! He will not only give you advice, but He will teach you and give you rest because of His humility and gentleness. No one else can treat you that way and give you what you need.

He goes on to say that His yoke is easy to bear; His burden is light. Many times the burdens we bear we bear because we’ve placed them on our own shoulders or we’ve allowed others to put heavy burdens on our shoulders. His yoke is easy because when we come to Him and place our burdens at His feet, He bears them all for us. Come to Him if you’re weary, if you’re overwhelmed, or if you want rest. He is the great reward.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Your burden is light. You carry my burdens when I come to you and lay them at your feet. Please help me remember to come to you before anyone else. Amen

Romans 12:2

 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2

Be Transformed

When you chose Christ’s salvation, you chose to allow God to transform you into a new person. This begins with a thought. A thought produces a word, which produces an action, which can produce a lifestyle. Before you knew Christ, the way you thought became your life and what you knew. Sinful thoughts gave way to a sinful lifestyle. However, when you came to know Christ, you became a new creation and that includes your thoughts. This transformation begins at salvation, but continues throughout your life. The closer you become to Christ, the more you he transforms you and you become like Him.

This scripture tells us not to conform to the world. Even after salvation, the world will try to entice you. If you continuously allow God to transform your mind and heart, you will find it easier to turn away the pleasures and desires of the Lord.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are the God of my salvation. You have transformed me into a new creation. Help me keep my eyes focused on you everyday. Help turn my eyes away from the world and back to you, my Creator. Amen

John 10:10

 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10

Abundant Life

God’s purpose and the devil’s purpose has always been in complete opposition to each other. This verse tells us that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Everything he does illustrates this purpose. 1 Peter 5:8 also tells us that he prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. This is his whole purpose! Every time we give in to our fleshly desires, we are giving in to his great purpose! God’s purpose contrasts the enemy’s purpose. God has come so that we might have an abundant life in Him, a rich and satisfying life! Everything He does is to fulfill this purpose. Every blessing, every joy, every single thing He does is to draw us to Him.

Do you see the difference between these two purposes? One is to completely destroy us and the other is to build us up and give us life. Yet, time and time again, we choose the pleasures of this life and momentary sins instead of choosing the abundant beautiful life God gives. Which do you choose?

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You have given me a great purpose. Help me choose that purpose every single day. You have given me an abundant life. May I choose life even when I feel defeated. Amen

2 Peter 1:11

 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:11

A Grand Entrance

Our eternity is completely based on our decisions here on earth. If we decide to reject God, then we are rejecting an eternity with Him. If we accept His salvation and live in His love, we will experience all He has to offer in this world and in this life and will spend eternity with Him.

Can you even begin to imagine what this will be like? A grand entrance! I had the blessing of attending the most beautiful wedding lately. There were roses everywhere and the grandest decor! As spectacular as it was, I cannot even begin to imagine what heaven will be like!

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
I thank you for my salvation and the security of eternity. May I spend all of my days, both on this earth and in heaven, with you! Amen.

2 Peter 12-13

 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things-even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.

2 Peter 12-13

A Gentle Reminder

Peter encourages believers here by telling them that he will always remind them of the things they already know and have been taught. He even says he will remind them as long as he lives. What dedication to the Christian life and to Christ Himself! Peter knew what happened when he denied Christ, so he would never deny Him again. Instead, he would spend his life reminding believers of the hope and love they could find in Christ Jesus.

What about you? When you read the Word of God, you can read those reminders from believers who walked this earth. Then, you can go out and remind and encourage others in the faith. Isn’t that what this Christian life is all about?

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the words of your followers to remind me of what being a believer really means. May I continue to remind others around me in the same way. Amen.

Psalm 37:5

 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Psalm 37: 5

Commit Your Way

The best way to experience all God has to offer is to commit everything you do to Him. When you commit everything you do to Him, you will see the many ways He works in your life on a daily basis. For example, when you commit your day to Him when you rise, you will see Him work and find blessings in even the most difficult situations. When you commit your life to Him, you will see those blessings more often and see what He is doing in your life and how He makes it better. This is the first step to trusting Him.

Make the first step by trusting in Him and commuting yourself to Him. This will never be a one time thing, but more of a daily thing. Since you are but a man, your flesh will fail you, so commune with God everyday so you can see how He is working and what He is doing in your life.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Thank you for working in my life. I commit myself to you today and everyday after. Help me see the many ways you’re moving in my life. Amen

2 Corinthians 5:6-7

 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing.

2 Corinthians 5:6-7

Live by Faith

Faith is all about believing and not seeing. Take the wind, for instance. You can feel the wind, so you know it’s there. You can see the effects of the wind blowing in the trees, but you can’t actually see it. Yet you still know that it exists. God is the same way. We cannot see Him with our eyes, but we can feel His Holy Spirit and His presence in our lives. We can see His effects when we see a life changed or a miracle take place. We know that He is there by the way He works and moves among His people. THis is not our home. We are simply residing here while He prepares a greater place for us. We have faith that He is preparing that place and will deliver on His promises.

That is faith. Faith is believing when the whole world is against you because they refuse to believe in what they cannot see. Faith is holding onto the very thing that you believe in because you have seen the effects and know that He is real. What is faith to you? Thank Him for His faithfulness today.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
You are so faithful to man. You breathed life into us and continue to work in our lives even when we doubt. Increase our faith every single day. Amen

Matthew 3:16-17

 Matthew 3:16-17 – And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 10:30 – I and My Father are one.

John 17:21 – That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Acts 5:3-4 – But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not tine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Deuteronomy 10:14 – Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Deuteronomy 26:15 – Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto out fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

1 King 8:27, 30 – But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place; and when thou hearest, forgive.

John 3:13 – And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also.

Matthew 25:31-46 – When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats; And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a hungred, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when aw we thee an hungred, or at thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the lease of these, you did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For I we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ hall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Luke 16:19-31 – There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he I comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: o that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Luke 23:43 --  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Revelation 20:13 – And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

1 Timothy 2:5 – For if there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus:

Matthew 6:9 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

John 14:13-14 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 16:24 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:15 – All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 2:2-3 – And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

John 2:4 – Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.

Matthew 8:5-13 – And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of kingdom shall be cast into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Deuteronomy 18:10-13 – There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer, For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 – So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD; therefore he slew him, ad turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

Isaiah 8:19 – And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead?

Luke 1:47 – And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Romans 3:23 – For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God:

2 Corinthian 5:18-19 – And ALL things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Colossians 1:20 – And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile ALL things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

John 19:27 – Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

1 Thessalonians 5:25 – Brethren, pray for us.

Hebrews 13:18 – Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in ALL things willing to live honestly.

James 5:16 – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Devotion: What's in a Name?

 

The Bible in One Year: Proverbs 16-18/2 Corinthians 6

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ~Matthew 1:21

What’s in a Name?

“Gip” Hardin, a Methodist preacher, named his son after the famous preacher, John Wesley, reflecting Gip’s hopes and aspirations for his baby boy. John Wesley Hardin, however, tragically chose a different path than his ministry-minded namesake. Claiming to have killed forty-two men, Hardin become one of the most notorious gunfighters and outlaws of the American West of the late 1800s.

In the Bible, as in many cultures today, names hold special significance. Announcing the birth of God’s Son, an angel instructed Joseph to name Mary’s child “Jesus, because he will save His people from their from sin.

Unlike Hardin, Jesus completely and thoroughly lived up to His name. Through His death and resurrection, He accomplished His mission of rescue. John affirmed the life-giving power of Jesus’s name, saying, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, ad that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). The Book of Acts invites everyone to trust Him, for, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

All who call on Jesus’ matchless name in faith can experience for themselves the forgiveness and hope He provides. Have you called on His name?

Thank You, Father, for providing salvation through Your Son, Jesus. I love You!

Jesus’s name is also His mission—to seek and to save that which was last!

Bible Verse

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I don’t want to carry anything today except for Your yoke, which helps me walk more closely with You. In Jesus’ Name. ~Hebrews 4:16

Bible Verse

A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. ~Proverbs 29:11

Bible Verse

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. ~Psalm 51:16

Prayer

O Lord, comfort and guide me as I sleep and protect me from ALL evil. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Devotion: Journey into the Promised Land

 You will win! Amen!!!!!!

Daily Bible Verse

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ~john 16:7

Daily Inspiration

Jesus tells the disciples that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will be preset in His absence. God cannot be present amidst sin, thus causing us to become separated from our Creator. God loves us unconditionally and sent Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, thus allowing God to live within our hearts. God loves us beyond our understanding and made it possible to be united again. We will continue to live according to His will and abolish our sinful ways.

Daily Prayer

Dear God, You love us despite our sin and made it possible for our souls to reunite with You for eternity. We devote our love to You and will continue to live according to Your will, abolishing our sinful ways; we will be together again one sweet day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

All we need is JESUS!!!!!

Journey into the Promised Land

By David Jacobs

Journey into the Promised Land: We are all alive for a reason. God established the following covenant with Abram. How can we hear our covenant? ~Genesis 12:1-5

I am an American. I am also (mostly) proud to be an American. When I think of my homeland, I mostly consider the incredible landscapers; places so beautiful it is hard to imagine that they even exist. I also consider the people; coming from all over the world yet somehow bound by an underlying culture. Lastly, I think of our beliefs; although some may disagree, it is a country that wants to be free, to be a leader, and to hold strongly onto our beliefs. I have a powerful connection to my homeland but my true allegiance lies with another power; a power far greater, one that crosses borders, language, and even time. I am a Christian above all else, and no matter what happens to my country, I will always pledge my allegiance to God.

Abram proves his loyalty to God famously in the book of Genesis. Few characters in the Bible are as loyal and devout as Abram, and his loyalty is rewarded. It is rewarded with a covenant between God and his family, one that will last for generations. He trusted God, venturing out into the unknown, because he knew where his allegiance laid; allegiance was not to a place, not to a person, not to a country. His allegiance was to God. He encounters a multitude of difficulties but always perseveres because he knows, as we ALL SHOULD KNOW, that God ALWAYS stands by His side.

Prayer

O, God, my Shepherd, keep me from doubt. I pledge my allegiance, my undying loyalty, to You, now and forever. I know that like Abram, my faith in Your Word, coupled with a commitment with my own words and deeds, will lead to a reward. I thank You, Gracious God. For I know that this reward is one that I truly do not deserve. I pray this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died so that I may live. Amen.

With God ALL things are possible!!!!!

When You Are Tired

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. ~Joshua 1:9

Doctrine & Covenants: Section 39

 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to James Covel, at Fayette, New York, January 3, 1831. James Covel, who had been a Methodist minister for about forty years, covenanted with the Lord that he would obey any command that the Lord would give to him through Joseph the Prophet.

 

1-4, The Saints have power to become the Sons of God; 5-6, To receive the gospel is to receive Christ; 7-14, James Covel is commanded to be baptized and labor in the Lord’s vineyard; 15-21, The Lord’s servants are to preach the gospel before the Second Coming; 22-24, Those who receive the gospel will be gathered in time ad in eternity.

 

1  Hearken and listen t the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, who is from all eternity, the Great I AM, even Jesus Christ—

 

2  The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not;

 

 3  The same which came in the meridian of time unto mine own received me not;

 

4  But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto a many as will receive me, power to become my sons.

 

5  And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me, and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me.

 

6  And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.

 

7  And now, behold, I say unto you, my servant James, I have looked upon thy works and I know thee.

 

8  And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now right before me at this time; and, behold, I have bestowed great blessings upon thy head;

 

9  Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world.

 

10  but, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee: Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on my name, and you shall receive my Spirit, and a blessing so great as you never have known.

 

11  And if thou do this, I have prepared thee for a greater work. Thou shalt preach the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth in these last days, the covenant which I have sent forth to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel.

 

 12  And it shall come to pass that power shall rest upon thee; thou shalt have great faith, and I will be with thee and go before thy face.

 

13  Thou art called to labor in my vineyard, and to build up my church, and to bring forth Zion, that it may rejoice upon the hills and flourish.

 

14  Behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou art not called to go into the eastern countries, but thou art called to go to the Ohio.

 

15  And inasmuch as my people shall assemble themselves at the Ohio, I have kept in store a blessing such as is not known among the children of men, and it shall be poured forth upon their heads. Add from thence men shall go forth into all nations.

 

16  Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith, thinking I will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I cannot deny my word.

 

17  Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may pruned for the last time.

 

18  And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fulness of my gospel, and become sanctified, I will stay mine hand in judgment.

 

19  Wherefore, go forth, crying with a loud voice, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand, crying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!

 

20  Go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way before my face for the time of my coming:

 

21  For the time is at hand: the day or the hour no man knoweth: but it surely shall come.

 

22  And he that receiveth these things receiveth me, and they shall be gathered unto me in time and in eternity.

 

23  And again, it shall come to pass that on as many as ye shall baptize with water, ye shall lay your hands, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and shall be looking forth for the signs of my coming, and shall know me.

 

24  Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

2 Nephi: Chapter 32

 

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost—Men must pray and gain knowledge for themselves from the Holy Ghost. About 559-545 B.C.

 

1  And no behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?

 

2  Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now how could ye speak with the tongue of angel save it were by the Holy Ghost?

3  Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all thigs what ye should do.

 

4  Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

 

5  For behold, again I say  unto you that if ye will enter in by the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

 

6  Behold, this the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he hall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

 

7  And now I, Nephi, cannot say more: the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.

 

8  And no, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.

 

9  But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint: that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

John: Chapter 2

 Jesus turns water into wine in Cana—He attends the Passover, cleanses the temple, foretells His death and resurrection, and performs miracles.

1  And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

2  And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

3  And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

4  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come?

5  His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

6  And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

7  Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them to the brim.

8  And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

9  When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom.

10  And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

11  The beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

12  After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

13  And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14  And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

16  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

17  And his disciples remembered that it was written The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

18  Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.

20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21  But he spake of the temple of his body.

22  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

23  Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

24  But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men.

25  And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Exodus: Chapter 23

 

The Lord reveals His laws pertaining to integrity and godly conduct—the land is to rest during a sabbatical year—The children of Israel are to keep three annual feasts—An angel, bearing the Lord’s name, will guide them—Sickness will be removed—The nations of Canaan will be driven out gradually.

 

1  Thou shalt not a raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

 

2  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after may to wrest judgment:

 

3  Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.

 

4  If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.

 

5  If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

 

6  Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

 

7  Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

 

8  And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

 

9  Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

10  And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:

 

11  But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest ad lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.

 

12  Six days thou shalt do thy work, ad on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

 

13  And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

 

14  Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.

 

15  Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the name appointed of the month Abib: for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty: )

 

16  And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

 

17  Three time in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

 

18  Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.

 

19  The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.

 

20  Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.

 

21  Beware of him and obey his voice, provoke hi not; for he will not pardon your transgressions for my name is in him.

 

22  But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

 

23  For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in into the Amorites and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.

 

24  Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

 

25  And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

 

26  There shall nothing cast their young nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.

 

27  I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.

 

28  And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.

 

29  I will not drive them out from before thee in one year: lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.

 

30  By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.

 

31  And I will set thy bounds from the Red Sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitant of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

 

32  Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.

 

33  They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.