Devotionals

1 Kings 11:37-38 [The Lord’s conditional promise to Jeroboam son of Nebat] “’However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. If you dowhatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as…

Have you ever noticed that when you gripe and grumble about the actions or lack of action by someone else, the Holy Spirit ends up feeding you humble pie with testy-temper sauce? Ugh! I just had a meal of it, and even have some nasty leftovers to swallow. You see, I was not just experiencing unpleasantcircumstances that were the result of another’s actions. I was blaming the other person for my own shortcomings as well. While it was true that…

I have certain strong beliefs regarding the relationship between God and myself. Some formed as I first met my Lord. Others developed over time by absorbing His written Word, fellowshipping with Him, and being touched by His grace. Those who kept on loving and trusting God even through difficult and heartbreaking situations and remained faithful for the long haul also made a huge impact on me. I am grateful for their examples and selflessness. Some lessons learned resulted after receiving…

1 Thes 1:6-7 (NASB) You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers inMacedonia and Achaia. 1 Peter 4:12-14 (NASB) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that youshare the sufferings…

2 Samuel 23:9-10 (NIV) Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammin for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip…

1 Kings 8:17-19 (NIV) “My father had it in his heart to build a temple for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a temple for myName, you did well to have this in your heart. Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, who is your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build…

2 Samuel 24:1-4 (NIV), Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel and He incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah. So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll thefighting men, so that I may know how many there are.” But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred…

Romans 7:18 (NIV) I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. v.24-25 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who…

Exodus 19:5 (KJV) Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine. Titus 2:14 (KJV) Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ‘Peculiar’ is a strange word. For example, among other things, it can mean private property, distinctive, odd, or special.…

Psalm 68:11 (NIV) The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it. Eph 6:19-20 (NASB) and pray on my behalf that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly as I ought to speak. Exodus 3:13-14 (NASB) Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I…