Posts with the category “devotions”

 If My People Will PrayGod gave Solomon a stunning promise. He said if His people would humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from sin, then He would hear them. Then He would forgive them. ...  Read More

Not My Will, But ThineJesus knelt in the garden of Gethsemane. The weight of the cross pressed upon Him. He sweat great drops of blood. He prayed a raw and honest prayer. “Father, if thou be willing, ...  Read More

One Accord in the Shaken PlacePeter and John returned from prison. They reported the threats from the religious leaders. The church faced a crisis. They did not form a committee. They did not hire law...  Read More

The Pattern of the Praying ChristBefore dawn, Jesus left the house. He went to a solitary place. He prayed. He did this before choosing His disciples. He did it before feeding the thousands. He prayed...  Read More

The Invitation to the ThroneThe disciples faced a locked room and a locked future. They felt fear. Then Jesus stood among them. He showed them His hands and His side. He offered them peace. He did not...  Read More

A Flag and an AltarA small flag can tell a big story. It represents the sacrifice of soldiers at Valley Forge and Normandy. It honors those who fought in jungles and deserts. Some came home with scars...  Read More

If My People Will Humble ThemselvesGod gave a clear promise to King Solomon. It was a conditional promise for a nation in crisis. God did not start with the government or the unbelievers. He started w...  Read More

The Pattern of Falling NationsHistory tells a sobering story. Great nations rise and they fall. Egypt stood as a mighty power with vast armies and wealth. Its pharaohs considered themselves gods. Then...  Read More

 Knocking at the Church DoorJesus addressed the church in Laodicea with a startling image. He pictured Himself outside His own church. He stood at the door and knocked. The Head of the Church was seek...  Read More

The Son Makes You FreeJesus spoke to people who knew their religious history. They proudly claimed Abraham as their father. They declared they had never been slaves to any man. Yet Roman soldiers patr...  Read More

The Whole Region Was BuzzingAfter Jesus set the man free, news spread like wildfire. People left the synagogue and told their families. They told their neighbors and coworkers. By supper time, the who...  Read More

 Be Muzzled and Come OutThe atmosphere in the synagogue changed instantly. A spiritual battle was raging. Every eye was fixed on Jesus. He did not panic or negotiate. He did not perform an elaborate r...  Read More

 Correct Theology, No SurrenderThe demon in the man knew exactly who Jesus was. He cried out, “Thou art the Holy One of God.” The demon had correct theology. He knew Jesus existed. He knew Jesus was t...  Read More

 A Voice in the SynagogueThe synagogue in Capernaum was packed. Families were quiet, listening to Jesus teach. Then a voice erupted from the congregation. It was not a voice of worship. It was a dark,...  Read More

Astonished at His DoctrineJesus arrived in Capernaum on the Sabbath. He entered the synagogue and stood to teach. The people listened as He explained the Scriptures. They had spent their lives hearing...  Read More

A Clean Man Goes HomeNaaman returned home a changed man. His skin was like a baby’s. But the change was more than skin deep. He met the prophet Elisha and declared, “Now I know that there is no God in...  Read More

The Humility of Seven DipsNaaman’s servants reasoned with him. They asked him if he would have done some great thing for healing. Why not do this small thing? Naaman listened. He went down to the Jord...  Read More

 Pride at the Prophet’s DoorNaaman arrived at Elisha’s house with horses, chariots, and great wealth. He expected a grand reception. He wanted to pay for a dramatic miracle. Instead, Elisha did not ev...  Read More

The Captive’s Courageous WordSyrian soldiers raided Israel and took a young girl captive. They forced her to serve in Naaman’s house. She had every reason to be bitter. Instead, she looked at her mast...  Read More

The Man Behind the MedalsNaaman commanded Syria’s army. He won battles and earned respect. People pointed at him and called him a hero. But every night, he took off his armor. He stood before a mirror...  Read More

The Barrel That Did Not Run OutElijah found the widow gathering sticks for her last meal. He asked her for bread, though she had only a handful of flour and a little oil. His request seemed unreasonab...  Read More

Grace for the UnexpectedJesus confronted the skepticism in Nazareth by pointing to two Old Testament stories. He reminded the crowd that during a great famine, God sent Elijah to a Gentile widow in Si...  Read More

The Doctor and His HometownThe people of Nazareth demanded proof from Jesus. They had heard of His miracles in Capernaum and now wanted a show for themselves. They challenged Him with a common proverb...  Read More

 The Gracious Words from NazarethJesus stood in His hometown synagogue. He unrolled the scroll of Isaiah and read about the Messiah's mission. Then He sat down and declared that He Himself was the ful...  Read More

Receiving the GiftKnowing about God’s love is not enough. You must personally receive it. Salvation is a gift paid for by Jesus on the cross. Like someone offering you a dollar, God holds out this gif...  Read More

Heaven’s Rescue MissionThe greatest mission ever launched was not by NASA. It was launched by God. Jesus, the Son of God, left the glory of heaven. He stepped into human flesh. The Creator became a ba...  Read More

The Grand Canyon of SinThe universal human problem is sin. Romans 3:23 states clearly that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. This includes every person, from the preacher to the child. We...  Read More

 Love’s Billboard on a HillThe greatest evidence of God’s love is not found in our comfortable circumstances. It is found on a hill called Calvary. Romans 5:8 says God demonstrated His own love for us...  Read More

The God Who Names the StarsThe universe is vast beyond comprehension. Scientists estimate there are two trillion galaxies, each containing billions of stars. Yet the Bible tells us God simply spoke th...  Read More

Today This Scripture is FulfilledJesus finished reading from Isaiah. He rolled up the scroll. He handed it back to the attendant. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on Him. He sat down and spoke. He...  Read More

 Deliverance for the CaptivesJesus announced He was sent to preach deliverance to the captives. He came to liberate prisoners of war. Humanity is held hostage by sin, a tyranny worse than any prison c...  Read More

To Heal the BrokenheartedJesus read from the scroll of Isaiah. He declared He was sent to heal the brokenhearted. He came for people who know they are a mess. He targets those aware of their spiritual...  Read More

 As Was His CustomJesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Luke notes this was His custom. It was His regular habit. The synagogue in Nazareth was not a perfect place. The preaching was likely poor...  Read More

 The Scroll in the Nazareth SynagogueJesus walked into the small synagogue in Nazareth. Dusty floors and tired people filled the room. He stood to read from the prophet Isaiah. They handed Him a large...  Read More

Twisted Scripture on the PinnacleSatan took Jesus to the highest point of the temple. He said, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.” Then he quoted Psalm 91. He said, “He shall give His an...  Read More

Who Sits on the Throne?Satan told Jesus, “Bow down and worship me.” This was not a request for atheism. It was a demand for divided loyalty. He wanted Jesus to share the throne. This reveals the true ...  Read More

The Whisper in WeaknessSatan came to Jesus when He was at His weakest. Jesus was hungry, tired, and alone. The enemy often knocks during our most vulnerable moments. He comes when we are discouraged, ...  Read More

A Crown Without a CrossSatan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. He saw every throne, every palace, and every army. The enemy offered it all to Him. “All this authority I will give You,” he sa...  Read More

 Stones and Hot BiscuitsJesus was hungry. He had fasted for forty days in the wilderness. His body was weak. Satan came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread....  Read More

It Is WrittenJesus did not argue with Satan. He did not debate. He simply said, “It is written.” He quoted Scripture from memory. The Word of God is not just information. It is a weapon. It is a sword...  Read More