Taking a break til after the New Year. Read some of the older devotions! If you are like me in memory they will seem like new! lol Have a blessed Christmas and. Happy New Year!
Tom
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Monday, December 16, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #16
Using God’s name other than in praise, honor, or worship vs. God’s Word!
““You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
Exodus 20:7
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””
Matthew 12:36-37
For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain.”
Psalms 139:20
Using God’s name carelessly or as a cuss word or in any other manner that is not worthy of Him you will answer for! Remember that!
How should we use his name?
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11
God’s name is above all…use it wisely and carefully in awe, respect, and worship!
Tom
Friday, December 13, 2024
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #15
Idols vs. God’s Word
In the Bible, an idol is a created image or representation of a god that is worshipped as if it were God. The Bible also refers to idols as anything that a person relies on for guidance, help, or blessing instead of God.
Remember you can make an idol out of anything that over takes the worship of God like a job, a hobby, or even one of your children!
““You shall have no other gods before Me.”
Exodus 20:3
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Colossians 3:5
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21
Simply stated…having an idol in your life that is taking the place of God will lead you to hell!
So what are we to do?
“Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”
Matthew 22:37
Tom
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #14
Not honoring mother or father vs. God’s Word
One of the Ten Commandments:
““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12
“For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’”
Matthew 15:4
“‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’”
Deuteronomy 27:16
So how shall we treat our father and mother?
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.””
Ephesians 6:1-3
Obey your parent! Respect your parents! Love your parents!
Tom
Sin vs. God’s Word #13
Murder vs. God’s Word
““You shall not murder.”
Exodus 20:13
““You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’”
Matthew 5:21
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
I John 3:15
It is obvious in God’s Word that murder is sin and God will judge the unrepented sinner to hell. This includes hate as you see…we are to have love and forgiveness in our hearts and hatred is equated with murder according to God’s Word. Murder will include abortion or those who take the life of the elderly just because the are not useful to society.
One thing to know is God does tell the government to take life as a consequence of taking a life but that person could still repent and go to heaven!
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”
Romans 13:1-4
So what are we to do as followers of Jesus?
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:17-21
Simply love others as Jesus has loved us!
Tom
Friday, December 6, 2024
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #12
Stealing vs. God’s Word
This is pretty well known already I believe but we will cover it!
“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
Ephesians 4:28
““You shall not steal.”
Exodus 20:15
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
I Corinthians 6:9-10
Pretty simple…don’t steal! Remember this includes all theft like taxes and stealing time from an employer, etc.
So what are we to do?
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
II Thessalonians 3:10
“In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.”
Proverbs 14:23
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”
Colossians 3:23
Work as God intended for what you get! God blesses this! Do not steal!!!
Tom
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #11
Sin vs. God’s Word
Sin of Commission vs. God’s Word
A sin of omission is a sin that takes place because of not doing something that is right. Examples could include not praying, not standing up for what is right, or not sharing Christ with others.
Lying, Stealing, Murder, Idolatry, Embarrassing others, and Gossip are examples of this sin.
“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,”
Hebrews 10:26
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”
I John 3:4
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
James 4:17
So the point is do what is right. God’s Word is ALWAYS right! Let’s know it and do it faithfully!
Tom
Monday, December 2, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #10
Sin of Omission vs. God’s Word
This is pretty simple! Let’s define sin of omission first: when someone willingly fails to do what they know is right. Thus whatever the Bible tells us to do and we do not do it we have sinned!
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
James 4:17
Some other examples would be:
Failing to love God with all heart and mind
Failing to forgive
Failing to honor Husband, Wife, Mother, or Father
Failing to trust God
What are we to do? Obey God’s Word…plain and simple!
Tom
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #9
Slander/Gossip vs. God’s Word
“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
James 1:26
“He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.”
Proverbs 20:19
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””
Matthew 12:36-37
“And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”
I Timothy 5:13 NKJV
It is clear from the Word we must watch our mouths, mind our own business, and not talk about others as we are prone to want to do!
So what should we do?
“to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”
Titus 3:2
“A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”
Proverbs 11:13
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.”
Proverbs 21:23
Keep what we know to ourselves. Remember we will stand before God and give an account of ourselves. Build people up don’t tear them down!
May we all learn the seriousness to God of gossip and slandering!
Tom
Friday, November 22, 2024
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #8
Homosexuality vs. God’s Word
Homosexuality
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.”
Leviticus 18:22
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
I Corinthians 6:9-11
“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.”
Romans 1:26-27
It is plainly stated in scripture that Homosexuality is sin before God and those who practice such will not inherit the Kingdom of heaven. It must be repented of and faith must be put in Christ to become a new creation just as any other sin.
Sex is to be between man and women only as God designed the two bodies for that purpose!
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
Hebrews 13:4
“Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”
I Corinthians 7:2
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24
Let us keep the Word of God and practice sex the way God clearly intended it to be…between a man and a woman…a husband and a wife.
Tom
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #7
Pride vs. God’s Word
Ultimately, pride is extreme love and focus on oneself.
Pride
“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12
“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”
Proverbs 16:5
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””
James 4:6
It is clear here and many more verses could be shared that God will punish those who do not surrender their pride to Him!
So what does God desire from us? The opposite of pride is humble.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
James 4:10
“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””
Luke 14:11
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
Philippians 2:3
As followers of Jesus we are to be humble servants. Putting others before ourselves to honor the Lord as He put us before himself even to death upon the cross for our sin!
Are you full of pride or humility?
Tom
Monday, November 18, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #6
Adultery vs. God’s Word
Let us start with a biblical definition of adultery: In the Bible, adultery is defined as sexual activity between a married person and someone other than their spouse. It is considered a sin against God and the affected spouse, and a violation of the marital covenant.
Adultery
““You shall not commit adultery.”
Exodus 20:14
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
Hebrews 13:4
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
I Corinthians 6:9-10
As you can see God will judge the adulterous, but the good news is you can repent and receive Christ forgiveness!
Go desires this for marriage:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
I Corinthians 10:13
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24
“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.””
Matthew 19:6
God created sex for man and women in marriage. They become one in marriage and through sexual intercourse designed by God who created man and women to fit together perfectly. God demands we be faithful to our spouses! Let us glorify God and be obedient!
Tom
Sunday, November 17, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #5
Gluttony vs. God’s Word
Gluttony
“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”
Philippians 3:18-19
“Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.”
Luke 12:22-23
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
I Corinthians 3:16-17
It is obvious that over eating in not pleading to God and can lead to our destruction as we make our bellies our god instead of the One true God!
So what are we to do?
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
I Corinthians 6:19-20
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
Romans 13:14 NKJV
We are to put on Jesus, knowing our body is home of the Holy Spirit, and glorify God by eating to meet our needs not to fulfill a fleshly lust!
Tom
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #4
Hate vs. God’s Word
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
I John 4:20-21
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
I John 3:15
“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.”
1 John 2:9
It is clear from God’s Word we are not to hate others whom we can see! God says we can’t love Him if we hate someone and even equates it with murder and we do not have eternal life if we hate someone!
So what are we to do!
““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:44
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15
According to the Bible we are to love those we hate (enemies). Not only that but we are to forgive them for whatever reason we hate them. Notice if we do not forgive then God will not forgive us of our sins which means an eternity in hell!
Tom
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Sin vs. God’s Word #3
Covetousness vs. God’s Word
In the Bible, covetousness is a strong desire for worldly possessions or wealth that is usually used in a negative context. It can also be described as an excessive desire or ambition to have more and more.
May we all allow the Holy Spirt examine us to show us if we are guilty of this sin!
Covetousness
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”
Colossians 3:5-7
“And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.””
Luke 12:15
“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Ephesians 5:5
As you can see desiring material things obsessively is sin. Clothes, toys, money, etc. can lead to hell if you are not under control by the Holy Spirit!
So how does God want us to be???
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
Hebrews 13:5
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
I Timothy 6:6-9
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13
We are to be content in Christ our Lord and Savior no matter the situation we are in…Good or bad! For He is truly all we need!
Tom
Monday, November 11, 2024
Sin vs God’s Word #2
Drunkenness vs. Sober
Drunkeness
“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Proverbs 20:1
“envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:21
“nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
I Corinthians 6:10
While the Bible does say to drink wine for the sake of helping the stomach or medical purpose it clearly condemns drinking for the sake of getting a buzz or drunkenness thus it is safe to say the same we could also put the use of recreational drugs along side it. Also do not miss unconfessed sin of drunkenness and being covered by the blood of Jesus in faith will result in hell.
Sober
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
I Peter 5:8
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”
Ephesians 5:18
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:5
According to the word we are to be sober….in our right minds not affected by influence of drugs and alcohol. The devil will use you in drunkenness not God. As a follower of Jesus we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit following His leading. As the Holy Spirit leads we do the work of God…spreading the gospel and loving others!
Be sober brothers and sisters and get to work! It is pleasing to God!
Tom
Sin vs God’s Word
Starting a new series today. Many try to justify sin but God’s word is absolute truth and there is no arguing with it. So let’s start out with Lie vs. Truth.
Lie-
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
Proverbs 12:22
“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,”
Proverbs 6:16-17
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.””
Revelation 21:8
I think that sums up lying pretty well…God hates it, it is an abomination to Him, and those who do not confess it up as sin to God and receive forgiveness in Jesus will burn in hell forever.
Now for Truth!
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
John 17:17
“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.”
Ephesians 4:25
Jesus is Truth! When we are a follower of Him then we are sanctified by Him and walk in His ways. Do we must always speak truth no matter the cost as Jesus did! Being truthful is our way of life!
Tom
Friday, November 8, 2024
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Nothing compares!
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.”
Proverbs 3:13-15
Get wisdom and understand it. Where is this wisdom…the Bible. Make time for reading and studying it and let nothing take that time you set aside. For this wisdom in the most valuable thing in the world for it draws you closer to God when you follow the wisdom! Nothing compares to the wisdom of God!
Tom
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Broke wall!
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,”
Ephesians 2:14
Oh what a beautiful verse! Jesus is our peace!!! He broke down the wall of separation between us and God. Smashing that wall of sin by his death on the cross and rising three days later from the grave! Praise Him, Praise Him!!!
Tom
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Spirit and Truth
Jesus commanded, “Worship [God] in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). In other words, bring your experience of worship into conformity with what is true about God, and let your spirit be authentically awakened and moved by that truth.
I read this yesterday and it give us a good definition of what it means to worship in Spirit and Truth! May we be obedient to the command of Jesus!!!Tom
Monday, November 4, 2024
To be great!
Do you want to be great in the eyes of God? He tells us how:
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”
Matthew 20:26
It is very simple…be a servant to others.
Chew on that today and then act in obedience to the Word of God and serve others!
Tom
Friday, November 1, 2024
Pleased in God!
Read this yesterday and wanted to share:
Half a century ago C. S. Lewis responded to this surprise by looking at the inescapable evidence in the Gospels. He wrote: If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
Tom
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Set your mind
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Colossians 3:2
Everyday we need to remind ourselves we are servants of the One true God in heaven. So we are to set our minds on His purposes to bring Him glory above all else. Are we doing this?
Tom
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Joy
“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalms 16:11
God has given us the path of life to Himself. That path is following Jesus. When we get to the end of that path which will be heaven we will experience joy at its fullness…being in the ver presence of God! When we experience that we will realize how everything else in life was nothing compared to God! True joy is God!
Tom
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Everything!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”
Philippians 4:6
God desires fellowship from His people. He wants to hear from you in the good times and in the bad times. Notice in the verse it says “everything by prayer”. Thank God, ask God, praise God! He is our Heavenly Father and He loves us! Talk to Him about everything!
Tom
Monday, October 28, 2024
Helper
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—”
John 14:16
As man on this earth Jesus could not be everywhere all the time so He asked God to give us a helper who could and He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside all who call upon Jesus to be their Lord and Savior! What a gift! God inside to lead us everyday! Praise the Lord!
Tom
Friday, October 25, 2024
Music Friday-If I got Jesus-Ben Fuller
Song been on my mind all week so thought I would share it again!
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Test them!
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
I John 4:1
Remember every one who claims to be a teacher of God is not. We must test them by the Word of God Ig they teach anything contrary to His Word they fail the test! Be very careful to whom you listen to!!!
Tom
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Plan
“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”
Romans 12:12
A good plan for everyday…rejoice knowing your hope will be coming for you soon…Jesus, be patient knowing tribulations are a part of this side of heaven, pray steadfastly for God wants communication with you!!!
Do this everyday in your walk with the Lord!
Tom
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Great pleasure!
“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.”
Psalms 149:4
What a beautiful verse! When we humble ourselves and receive the salvation God offers which is Jesus Christ, God then takes great pleasure in us because we are then His children!!!
Chew on this today….God takes great pleasure in you as one of His people!!! Praise the Lord!
Tom
Monday, October 21, 2024
Let us worship!
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:”
Psalms 95:6-7
Oh may we worship God as told in these verses everyday not just on Sunday! He is our Maker and deserves every second of worship. As His sheep, hearing His voice lead us, may we be obedient to everything He calls us to!!! Yes Lord we worship you and you alone! We love you!!!
Tom
Friday, October 18, 2024
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Get close!
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:7-8
Submit to God and draw near is our call. Fight the devil and continue drawing closer and closer to God! As God sees your desire he closes the gap in the distance. Oh what a beautiful truth and picture this is for us! God wants to be close with us but it takes effort on our part!
Are you getting closer or further away from God? Start today of getting close by submitted to Jesus!
Tom
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Tame it!
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
James 3:8-10
Only One who can tame our tongues is God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Obviously God wants us to use our mouths for good…praising and glorifying Him also uplifting others! So let’s be obedient and do so!
Tom
Monday, October 14, 2024
The Lord is…
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”
Psalms 103:8
A reminder as we start another week of what a loving God we have proven by what He shows us…mercy, grace, patience, and again giving us way more mercy than we deserve! Thank you Lord Jesus! We love you and praise you forever!!!
Tom
Friday, October 11, 2024
Right way!
“Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.”
Proverbs 24:19-20
People do some crazy things to prosper. Don’t be one of them. Be content with what God blessed you with doing things the right way!
Tom
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Settled
“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.”
Psalms 119:89-91
Most of us like things settled not up in the air. With God He has all things settled according to His Word and because of this we have nothing to worry about as He is in control!!!
Tom
Friday, October 4, 2024
Vacation
On vacation. Be back next Thursday! For you devotions go back and read some older ones. If you have a memory like me they will be like new anyway!!! lol God bless you all and see ya in a week!
Tom
Thursday, October 3, 2024
No fear!
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalms 27:1
When you have Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you have nothing to fear! God is in control! Do you have this benefit from the Lord? You can! Come to Jesus and follow Him now!
Tom
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Hear!!!
“O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the Lord!”
Jeremiah 22:29
May we all be praying that all the earth hear God’s Word and surrenders to it!!!
Tom
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Roots!
“rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:7
Trees are only as strong as their roots. The same for us as in being rooted in Christ. We must be strong in our faith and we do that by knowing and living out the Word of God in our daily lives. Give Thanks to God for His guide book to life and the love He gives us every day! Praise the Lord!
How are your roots?
Tom
Monday, September 30, 2024
Praise and Satisfaction!
“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.”
Psalms 63:3-5
When you have that personal relationship with Jesus two things should be flowing from your life! First is praise! Praise for all that God has done for you! The second is satisfaction! God has provided all you need and that should satisfy us! God is good to us…give him the praise and glory He deserves!
Tom
Friday, September 27, 2024
Praise God!
“All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, And Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power,”
Psalms 145:10-11
God has done and continues to do great works amongst us! We need to bless God go these things! Then we need to tell others of His greatness, His blessings, His power, and His Kingdom that will reign forever!
Brag on God…He is worthy and others need to know!
Tom
Thursday, September 26, 2024
True friends!
Chew on this today….true friends bring you closer to Jesus at all costs!
“And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!””
Mark 2:1-12
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Help!
“My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
Psalms 121:2
There is only one place to turn for help…God! The one who made everything obviously has the answered for everything! Make sure you are going to Him as well!
Tom
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
God’s grace!
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”
Romans 3:23-24
All of us are sinners but by God’s amazing grace we can be redeemed through the blood of Christ. Just chew on that today knowing the love of God for you to sacrifice His own son so you can be saved. Overwhelming for sure! Thank you God for your grace upon us!
Tom
Monday, September 23, 2024
Redemption
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
Ephesians 1:7
Redemption is defined as a captive being released after a ransom has been paid. That is us! We have been freed from sin by Jesus paying our ransom on the cross for our sin! Thank you Jesus!!!
Have you been redeemed? If not confess your sin now and receive the salvation Jesus offers! If you have give thanks to Jesus!
Tom
Friday, September 20, 2024
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Strong Tower
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10
In this world there is only one truly undefeatable stronghold and that is our Lord. Why even try anything else for it will be like sand compared to the Rock Jesus Christ! Come and be safe in Him!
Tom
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Delight!
“Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!’”
Psalm 35:27
God delights in those who delight in Him!!! Simple but yet comforting for the follower of Jesus!
Tom
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Your a sinner!
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I John 1:8-9
You’re a sinner but the good news is if we put our faith in Christ and confess up our sin God will forgive us! Praise the Lord! Don’t wait do it today for it is the only way to be right with God and thus spend eternity with Him!
Tom
Monday, September 16, 2024
Can’t comprehend!
“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.””
I Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
Chew on this today…followers of Jesus will see things and experience things in heaven that we can’t even comprehend right now! Oh how awesome it will be!!!
Tom
Friday, September 13, 2024
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Forgive
Chew on this today….
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34
They were killing Him and Jesus prayed for them to be forgiven. Who do we need to forgive today?
Tom
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Only place to go!
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;”
Proverbs 2:6
To live this life to the best of our ability there is only one place to go….to the Lord. He has the keys to wisdom, knowledge, and understanding! Anyone else has zero to offer compared to Him!
Seek the Lord and live!
Tom
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
In Christ!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
II Corinthians 5:17
When you give your life to be a follower of Jesus you are then in Christ. You become a new person by the power of the Holy Spirit. The old life is gone and a new life in Christ has begun! All has become new and your life is now about bringing glory to God! Praise the Lord…God makes us new in Christ!
Chew on that today!
Tom!
Monday, September 9, 2024
Mercy
“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Luke 6:36
We have been shown immeasurable mercy by God as followers of Jesus. We deserve hell but by the mercy and blood of Jesus receive unending mercy. God tells us to show the same mercy to others! Stop right now and extend the mercy God has shown you to the one whom you need to give it too!!!
Tom
Friday, September 6, 2024
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Faithful!
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
II Thessalonians 3:3
Be thankful today that you follow a Lord who is faithful! He keeps guard over us! Think about that as you walk through this day! Thank you Jesus!
Tom
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Above all
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,”
Philippians 2:9
Jesus is above all! His name should held in the highest regard. Remember one day ALL will bow before Him and give Him the glory and honor He is due. Respect and honor the name and person of Jesus our Lord.
Tom
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Number your days
“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12
We have only so many days to live. We must gain wisdom by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. We use that wisdom to glorify God as we were made to do. Preparing to live in eternity with the God who loves us.
Are you numbering your days and making the most of them for God’s glory?
Tom
Monday, September 2, 2024
Know the Word
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17
One of the reasons we need to know what God’s Word says is so we can share it with others. For God says for one to gain Salvation he must hear the Word so he can then put his faith in Jesus. It is a must for one to be saved!
So let us ask our selves…do we know the Word and can we adequately share it with others?
Tom
Friday, August 30, 2024
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Delight!
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalms 37:4
Wanted to share this morning what I read in my devotional about this verse….”When you delight in the Lord, you will discover he is all you want and He is all you need!”
Are you satisfied with Jesus? If so, you can handle whatever life throws your way!
Tom
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Love enemies!
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Luke 6:35-36
One of the hardest scriptures to obey! But we must! We love them by doing what is best for them. When we do this we show them we are the children of God be cause that is just what He has done for us. He is kind and merciful even when we are thankful, underserving, and sin against Him!
Chew on that today!
Tom
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Cast it all!
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
I Peter 5:6-7
Are you overwhelmed? Hopefully not but with life it will come! Fortunately we have a God who cares about every area of our lives and wants us to cast all our cares upon Him. When we do that He gives us a peace that is unexplainable. Let us not forget this and give everything to the Lord to take care of!
Tom
Monday, August 26, 2024
The Son or wrath?
“The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.””
John 3:35-36
We all love hearing about the love of God but we also need to hear about his wrath as well. His wrath is holy anger. Those who chose to not follow Jesus as Lord and Savior will remain in their sin and experience the judgement of God to hell.
So we must all ask ourselves whom or what will we chose Jesus which is God’s love or hell which is God’s wrath?
Tom
Friday, August 23, 2024
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Praise the Lord!
“Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments.”
Psalms 112:1
A great way to start everyday is to Praise the Lord! If we are inline with God’s Word and have a fear of the awesome God we serve He will bless us with more than we deserve! I can say He has done this in my life time and time again! Praise the Lord! Can you join me in saying the same?
Tom
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Talk
A good reminder of what God thinks is wise and what He thinks is foolish talk! Let’s be pleasing to God!
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Stay with God’s Word!
May we stick to the truth of what the scriptures teach not what the world try’s to tell us!
Tom
Monday, August 19, 2024
Blessed are…
““Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.””
Romans 4:7-8
Blessed are those who have put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior for He has covered you in His perfect blood so that you are forgiven of your sins. This is THE BLESSING that surpasses all other blessings!!!
Have you been blessed?
Tom
Friday, August 16, 2024
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Look to Me!
““Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.”
Isaiah 45:22-23
Great verses here telling us even before Jesus was born we had Him to look upon to be saved! Do. You see the cross? Do you see Jesus hanging there in your place? Do you see the blood dripping that covers our sin? Look to Him to be saved! The King in which soon every knee will bow and confess Jesus is Lord!!!
Tom
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Do you love Jesus?
“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.”
John 14:23-24
Let us take seriously the teaching of Jesus here. If we love Him we obey His word, if we do not love Jesus we will not obey His Word.
Do you love Him or not?
Tom
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Lord directs!
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
You may think you have a good plan for your life but God has the best plan that will glorify His name. Seek out the plan He has for you and live the life that will bless you beyond measure both here and in heaven!
Tom
Monday, August 12, 2024
All you God!
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalms 73:25-26
This is simple to understand today…God is who we need and all we need! A great couple verses to chew on and start a new week off on!
All glory and honor to the One true God! Amen!
Tom
Friday, August 9, 2024
The choice
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””
Joshua 24:15
We all have to make a choice as to who I and my family will serve in this world. Joshua made it clear to all in the verse above. Are we making it clear to our families and the rest of the world with not only what we say but what we do? Think on that today!
Tom
Thursday, August 8, 2024
All things
“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:26
We find ourselves in many impossible situations throughout our lives. We must remember God can do anything but for us it must be in His will. So if He doesn’t do it, it was not a part of His plan for our life. If He does do it oh what a blessing from God we have received!!!
Tom
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Mind your business!
“Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.””
John 21:21-22
Jesus had just told Peter he would die serving Him. Peter then asked the question above and Jesus basically replied “mind your own business”!!! It is a word we also need. God has a purpose and. Plan for each of us to do. Let us not worry about someone else’s plan but our own and get it done!
Tom
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Generous
“The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.”
Proverbs 11:25
Are you generous with what God has blessed you with? We are told in this verse God will bless you abundantly when you bless others. It is not necessarily talking about money when it says rich here but the blessings of God to help others in need. So let us be generous with what God has given us for it isn’t ours anyway but Gods!
Tom
Monday, August 5, 2024
Judging
Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis had this great teaching on judging that I wanted to share with you.
Because of our stand @AiG on a literal Genesis, and our stand against compromise, both Christians and non-Christians have told me that I shouldn’t judge others and that I need to stop being judgmental. (Interestingly, they are very judgmental against me when they accuse me of being judgmental.)
I’ve often replied to Christians that when we tell someone they are a sinner, we are judging them. In making this statement about sin, we are using God’s Word that tells us we are all sinners and in need of salvation (Romans 3:23). So yes, we are judging people using the Words of the only truly righteous judge.
As Christians, we must point out that which is sin, or we are not being loving. We must tell people that all sexual conduct outside of marriage is sin. That abortion is sin. And so on.
So yes, Christians can and need to judge, but don’t judge hypocritically, judge using righteous judgment! And judge with both gentleness and meekness, and with boldness and courage.
I’ve had many Christians (and even non-Christians) who will claim that the Bible states we are to “judge not.” But when they do this, they are actually taking those words in the Bible way out of context.
Let’s look at the passage where people quote “judge not” from and look at all the verses that put this in context:
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1–5).
Here, Christ is warning believers against making judgments in a hypocritical or condemning manner. He is not saying we are not to judge! A person can’t just take the first two words “judge not” and claim this means Christians shouldn’t judge! However, even when they say this, they are judging Christians themselves with verses taken completely out of context.
This hypocritical type of judging is a characteristic often associated with the Pharisees during the ministry of Jesus. Many people who quote “judge not” from Matthew 7:1 fail to notice the command to judge in verse 5 of this passage, where it says, “Then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
The point Jesus emphasizes here is to judge yourself first before you make judgments about others.
So this passage is definitely not saying a person can’t judge.
Think about this verse: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24).
Should we make judgments about other believers, especially as it relates to their erroneous teachings on Genesis?
Answers in Genesis points out that there are many Christians/Christian leaders who add evolution and/or millions of years to Scripture. We expose this compromise not to make harsh judgments about the person or his spiritual walk but to show the inconsistency of a Christian leader toward Genesis—and the negative implications that it can have on the rest of Scripture and on the people they teach.
Now, the ministry of AiG is dedicated to upholding the authority of the Bible and giving answers to point out that such compromise positions are really undermining God’s Word and its authority. When I do that, I’m often told that I’m unloving and that we should not be making judgments about others by pointing out errors in their teaching regarding Genesis.
Some people take offense and say that as believers, we should focus on loving others and not be divisive. We are, however, divisive if we do not correct error. Are we working toward the “unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:13), or are we compromising God’s Word by allowing for the world’s “wisdom”? Remember, as believers we are all part of “one faith” (Ephesians 4:5). We must establish our foundation in the truth of God’s Word and not our own philosophies, making God the authority over our life. Having the right foundation will help us to know the difference between truth and lies as well as right and wrong. Paul explained the need for truth and the divisive nature of lies in the following passage:
“That we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:14–16).
We need unity on the truth of God’s infallible Word, not unity on man’s fallible word! As I’ve said many times, the truth is divisive in a world where “men loved darkness rather than light.” There can never be total unity in this world. And there will never be unity in the church because of man’s sinful hearts. We must always judge people’s beliefs against Scripture and this by necessity will create division, but division for the right reasons.
I say it’s unloving to tell people not to take God at His Word in Genesis and accept man’s fallible ideas of evolution/millions. It’s unloving because this can negatively impact people’s view of Scripture and lead people away from the truth.
Friday, August 2, 2024
The Mind
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Romans 12:16
What same mind are we to have? The mind of Christ. Loving each other and serving each other. Putting others first even our enemies as Jesus taught us. Keep ourselves humble and don’t pretend to know everything! These are some wise words from the Word of God we must put into use in our life if we are to be obedient servants of the Lord!
Tom
Thursday, August 1, 2024
Seek!!’
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!”
Psalms 105:4
This is what we are made for to seek, to obey Him, to have fellowship with Him, and to serve Him forever! So let’s get after it!
Tom
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Dwelling with God!
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”
Psalms 23:6
When you are a follower of Jesus the goodness and mercy of God is upon you! Knowing one day soon we will dwell with the Lord in heaven we live our lives in obedient to His Word. Oh how good God is….tell others!!!
Tom
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Good works
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
Once you are in Christ by putting you faith in Him as Lord and Savior you are to do the good works God has for you to do which He has had before you were even created! Think on that! Are you doing what God wants you to do like sharing the gospel, loving others, helping those in need, and the list goes on and on?
Tom
Monday, July 29, 2024
All sinners
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
A reminder today that we all are sinners and because of that Jesus shed His blood and died for us on the cross so we can put our faith in Him and be saved. It is the only way to heaven.
Thank you Jesus for suffering and dying for my sins. You alone are worthy of my worship and praise!
Tom
Friday, July 26, 2024
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Resist!
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
Think on this quote today by unknown author: “If you don’t run into the devil when you get up in the morning, it means that you are going in the same direction with him.”
Tom
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Mind set
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:2-3
Question! What is your mind set on right now? We are told we are to keep our minds set on heavenly things not the things of this world. We are dead to this world but alive in Christ as followers of Him!
Keep your focus on spiritual matters for they are most important!
Tom
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Pray!
“pray without ceasing,”
I Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV
So much to pray for! God desires communication with us. So we must talk with Him on a consistent pace throughout the day. We need it more that He does!!! Pray for the lost as it is the most pressing issue for eternity in heaven or hell is on the line!
Pray!
Tom
Monday, July 22, 2024
Mind of Jesus
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”
Philippians 2:4-5
Think on this today….have the mind of Jesus by looking out for others. Are we doing this?
Tom
Friday, July 19, 2024
Call upon Him!
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”
Psalms 145:17-19
A reminder today of how good God is to us. Let these verses soak in your mind. Remember to call upon Him in truth and He will save you and meet the needs of your life. Oh how God loves us!
Tom
Thursday, July 18, 2024
The Lord is my helper!
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?””
Hebrews 13:5-6
Are we content with what we have? Be honest! God has blessed us greatly and tells us to be content with what He gives us! The biggest gift of all is giving us Himself! What else can one need? If you have Jesus you have it all for He is our helper in all situations! Praise Him!
Tom
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Victory brings work!
“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:56-58
Because of the victory of Jesus over sin, we know as believers are to be working for the Lord. Sharing the good news of Jesus and showing love as Jesus did to others! Thankful for the victory! Now get to work!
Tom
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
As Christ!
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Ephesians 5:2
We are to do as Christ gave us an example to do. A couple of those is to love and give ourselves for others by serving them! When we do it is pleasing to God! So ask yourself am I doing the things of Christ I am told to do?
Tom
Monday, July 15, 2024
Pursuit
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
Hebrews 13:5
God makes it clear in this verse…be content with our needs being met in life. Our number 1 need is Jesus and once we have Him we have everything! He will never leave us. Our primary pursuit in life is Jesus not material things.
Think on that today!
Tom
Friday, July 12, 2024
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Perfected.
“though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,”
Hebrews 5:8-9 NKJV
Jesus showed His perfection by being obedient to the Father in all the temptations He faced on this earth. Even in the worst suffering on the cross and being scourged He remained sinless! Thus He authored our salvation by taking our place for our sins. Oh how He loves us to do such!
Chew on this today and give Jesus the glory!
Tom
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Where to get strength.
“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.”
Psalms 31:24
For a follower of Jesus there is only ONE place to go for strength! God! He is the provider and the true Hope of the world. Once you have Jesus you have no need to worry as all has been taken care of by Him!
Glory to God!!! All is under control!
Tom
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Beginning
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
May we never forget where it all started….God! Just think on that fact today and how everything else falls in line after this fact!
Tom
Monday, July 8, 2024
Must forgive!
““For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15
A reminder today that we are commanded to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Jesus was mistreated by our sins putting Hi on the cross to pay for them. We can forgive others and according to God’s Word it is not an option!
Tom
Friday, July 5, 2024
Mercy and removed sins!
“For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalms 103:11-12
Tow things to grasp here…the first is how great the mercy of God is! We deserve rest and hell but He has given us heaven if we put our faith in Jesus. Second, God is only one who can remove our sins and He did that through His Son on the cross dying for our sins. Oh what a loving Gods we have…nobody else would ever do that for us!
Tom
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Freedom!
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.””
John 8:31-32
Thankful to live in a country in which men and women have fought to give us and keep us free! May God bless each one of them!
Also thankful for Jesus and HisWord who has provided us freedom from sin by death on a cross if we will just follow Him!
Celebrate your freedom this 4th of July and give God the gory!
Tom
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Is your light shining bright?
““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
If you are a follower of Jesus then you are to shine bright for Jesus to a lost world. Your good works to do so are such things as loving others, helping others in need, sharing the gospel, faithful church attendance, serving at church, supporting the church financially, living a life of integrity, and the list goes on and on.
Do is your light shining bright? It should be to bring God glory!
Tom
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
His glory!
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
II Corinthians 12:10
We all have issues in our life. We are to show the power of God and bring Him glory by continuing our service to Him. Keep pressing on brothers and sisters no matter our wounds! It is our duty to serve the King til He brings us home! All glory to King Jesus!
Tom
Monday, July 1, 2024
Hates sin
“God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.”
Psalms 7:11
While we often talk about the love of God which is important, we tend to want to skip talking about his anger and hate of sin. If one is to pick up a concordance they would find there are more references in scripture to the anger, fury, and wrath of God then there are to his love and tenderness. God is holy! He hates all sin! Until one comes to Christ and receives forgiveness God is angry with them!!! Think on this important truth today!
Tom
Friday, June 28, 2024
Music Friday-Dash—crowder
https://youtu.be/C2gtq2x5dPk?si=eDS8NL498ZqzHVBx
In the song it says “what on earth am I doing” talking about our lives we are living between birth and death.
Are we pleasing God or self?
Tom
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Reflecting
Something to think on today:
“As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man.”
Proverbs 27:19
What are you reflecting today…Jesus or the world?
Tom
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Pressure
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
II Corinthians 4:8-10
We have pressures from all sides on this side of heaven. When we are followers of Jesus we carry around His victory over all! Thus when others see us pressing on even with sometimes unbearable pressures they see the power of God living through us and hopefully want to find the power of Jesus as well!
Keep pressing on brothers and sisters for we have already won!
Tom
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Help
“My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
Psalms 121:2
Plain and simple…my help comes from God! Where else can we go?
Tom
Monday, June 24, 2024
Know the Truth!
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.””
John 8:32
One can truly only be free by knowing the truth and the Truth is Jesus Christ Savior of the world! Do you know his personally by placing for faith in Him and having a personal relationship with Him?
Tom
Friday, June 21, 2024
Got your shield?
“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”
Psalms 18:30
Those who follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior are protected for eternity by the Perfect Savior! Remember this side of heaven is not your home! We are just passing through. God’s Word has been proven over and over and it says Jesus will have the final victory and we shall be joint heirs with Him in heaven! Praise the Lord and enjoy your Sheild!
Tom
Thursday, June 20, 2024
God is with us.
My devotional for today. Somebody needs this word. So I share it. May God bless you all.
Tom
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Worthy
““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.””
Revelation 4:11
We are worthy of nothing before God. God is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. May we all give Him his due by honoring Him in all areas of our lives. Everything we say and everything we do! We love you Lord Jesus!
Tom
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
God holds your hand.
“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
Isaiah 41:13
I get the privilege of caring for my grandson from time to time. When we are in a parking lot or somewhere that may present a danger he will grab my hand knowing I will help him and protect him. This is what I picture here in this verse with God but God’s hand also is nail scared where He also has provided for my future as well! Just stop and think on that for a bit. God so loves us!!! We have nothing to fear and all the help we need no matter what comes our way!
Tom
Monday, June 17, 2024
All sin!
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”
Romans 3:23-24
All of us are sinners! That’s the bad news. The good news is Jesus freely by His grace redeemed us by dying on the cross in our place. Paying for our sin. If one puts their faith in Him they can be saved for an eternity in heaven with God!!!
Thank you Lord for paying for my sin I am eternally grateful and thankful! I love you my Lord!
Tom
Friday, June 14, 2024
Unless!
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Psalms 27:13-14
If you know Jesus we can all relate to this verse wrote by King David. Since following Jesus I see the goodness of God daily and look forward to spending eternity with Him! Unless I had turned and put my faith in Him I would be so lost. Wait on Him as He is coming soon to put all things where they belong! Praise the Lord!
Tom
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Questions and power
“and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?””
John 19:9-10
Like Pilate here we often have questions for God, think we have the answers, and think we have some power to do what we want. In reality God has all answers, all power, and is in control of all situations regardless of our opinions! The sooner we learn this the better off we will be! Pilate never learned it!
Tom
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Slave of what?
“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Romans 6:16-18
Simple truth here…you and I are a slave of something. Are we a slave of sin or are we a slave of righteousness provided by the Savior Jesus Christ? All must make a choice which leads either in sin to death or in Christ to life.
Which have you chosen?
Tom
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
What path?
“He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.”
Proverbs 21:21
In a devotional I was reading on this verse it said “what we follow determines what we find. The will of Gods and a life of sin are polar opposites. You can’t follow one and find the other. Sadly, many people continue to follow a path of their own choosing. In error, they believe it will bring them to their desired destination. The path you chose today determines the place you end up!”
What path are you on today? God’s or sins? You can change today if you are on wrong path!
Tom
Monday, June 10, 2024
Faultless
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,”
Jude 1:24
What a Savior we serve. He is able to keep us from stumbling in our walk with Him by the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us. He also one day will present us faultless to the Father because He paid for our sins with His own blood. The only way we can be in heaven is to follow Him as our Lord! All praise and honor belong to Him!
Tom
Friday, June 7, 2024
Music Friday-If I got Jesus-Ben Fuller
Great song…if you got Jesus you got everything you ever need.
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Lord wills!
“whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.””
James 4:14-15
Life is short. We do not know when God will call us home. So we must make use of the time as God wills….and God wills us to serve Him. Let’s get busy sharing and showing the love of Jesus. For others time is short as well and they need Jesus who we are to show to them by our love and the Word of God.
Tom
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Crucified self
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
We are to die to self and follow Jesus. He took our sins upon the cross and died for us. He is worthy for us to follow with every ounce of our being. He died so we may truly live! May we crucify all in our lives that keeps us from living for His glory!
Tom
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Reconciliation
“that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
II Corinthians 5:19
God through Christ…made us right with Himself by the cross. Bringing us sinner back to a Holy God. That is reconciliation. Praise the Lord for that for otherwise we are headed for hell. Once we have put our faith in Christ and received that reconciliation we are to be the agent of change to others by bring the gospel to the lost giving them the chance of reconciliation!!! May we do this work God has called us too!
Tom
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Monday, May 27, 2024
Friday, May 24, 2024
Goodness of God!
“Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!”
Psalms 31:19
When we think of the goodness of God that He gives each of His followers all we can do is bow down and praise Him from the bottom of our hearts. We are not worthy of His goodness but yet in His love He gives it to us anyway. Thank you Lord.
Tom
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Citizen of heaven
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
Philippians 3:20-21
What great verses to think in today! If you are a follower of Jesus….your citizenship is in heaven!!! Praise Jesus! We know await His return. When He comes He will transform our bodies to be like his…perfect and glorious! He has won the victory! Do you believe it? Does your life show it?
Thank you Lord and come quickly!
Tom
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Wins souls
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.”
Proverbs 11:30
As followers of Jesus we have a job to do on behalf of God. Win souls! Tell the good news of Jesus to others do they may come to Jesus and put their faith in Him. The Bible says we are wise if we do so! So let me ask are you wise?
Tom
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Conclusion
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
The wisest man who ever lived made the statement above. Solomon. It is true and we would be wise to understand it and obey it! Fear God! Know and hold Him in His right position as God! Obey His Word! Do these for it is what we were made to do!
Tom
Monday, May 20, 2024
Knowledge
“Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
Hosea 6:3a
May God grant us the knowledge to know Him deeper every day and then act in obedience to what we learn so we can love Him more and more each day!!!
Tom
Friday, May 17, 2024
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Be content!
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
I Timothy 6:6-8
We are told here being godly and being content is a great gain for ourselves. God has given us everything we need so be content with the basics! That sure isn’t what the world teaches us it!
Think about how God has blessed you with what you need and live for Him and praise Him for it!
Tom
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
My Redeemer!
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Psalms 19:14
God is our strength. He is the one who provides all both physically and spiritually so we can survive! He also us our Redeemer! Redeem means to purchase by a payment of a price. The price for our redemption was the blood of Jesus. Just think on that a bit. This our lives should be lived out in a way that is pleasing to God by obedience to His word in all areas of our life.
Tom
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
He knows
“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
Nahum 1:7
We must always remember God knows all! He knows if you have put your trust in Him or not. He is a good God and also remember only God is good according to scripture. He also is our stronghold, to whom else can we turn with all the answered and power? None!
Praise the Lord for His goodness and strength!
Tom
Monday, May 13, 2024
Are you happy?
“Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,”
Psalms 146:5
We find as we live out our lives there is only ONE way to truly be happy and that is to be a follower of God! All others ways are temporary but His way is eternal!
Tom
Friday, May 10, 2024
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Bless the Lord!
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”
Psalms 103:20-22
We are to bless the Lord and be His light to the world! Are we?
Tom
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Never!
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”
Luke 9:26
Never be ashamed of our Lord! Proclaim Him always!!!!
Tom
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Do good!
”And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.“
Galatians 6:9
Some days it may seem to us of “what’s the use” of doing good to others when others are not doing good to us! Well here we are told by the word of God…do good and don’t lose heart! We are serving the King and need to always remember that! When we do good to others it shows the love of Jesus as He has shown us! Do good!
Tom
Monday, May 6, 2024
Children and heirs!
”The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.“
Romans 8:16-17
Chew on this today…the God of all creation had made us his children and heirs through the death of His Son. He loves us and provided everything for us to be in this position if we will just surrender our lives to Jesus! Wow!
Tom
Friday, May 3, 2024
Bread alone?
”But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”“
Matthew 4:4
Here as Jesus was being tempted by Satan Jesus gives us a major key to life as followers of Him….”every word”! Gods word is more important that anything for us as it is the guidebook for life God has given us. Read it, meditate on it, learn it, obey it!!
Tom
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Always pray!
”Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,“
Luke 18:1
When we are walking with Jesus we must do as Jesus taught us here…always pray! That is our communication line and keeps us in touch with God. Not lose heart….we will have difficult times so we keep the faith and keep living for Jesus!
Both of these are keys to the abundant life in Christ…practice them daily!
Tom
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Be a doer!
”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.“
James 1:22
May we all do what God tells us here in this verse! Be a doer of His word not just a listener!
Chew on that!
Tom
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Constant praise!
”The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”“
Revelation 4:8
In heaven the seraphim praise the Lord constantly. A reminder to us of how great our God truly is!!! May we understand the holiness and greatness of God as well and constantly lift up the praise He deserves and live our lives in worship and service to our God that brings Him glory!!! Amen!
Tom
Monday, April 29, 2024
Knowledge
”Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
Hosea 6:3a
For us to be who God calls us to be we must know and continue to pursue the knowledge God has for us to gain in His Word! This takes diligent study of His Word and time in prayer.
Ask yourself, do I know God and His Word like He desires me too? If not it’s time to get to work!!!
Tom
Friday, April 26, 2024
Only ONE.
”You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.“
Psalms 16:11
Only ONE path to God and that is a personal relationship with Jesus! Only ONE way for full joy and that is following Jesus! Only ONE way for pleasures forevermore and that is to be at the right hand of God in heaven in which to get there you must be covered by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus is everything…never forget that!
Tom
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Never forget
”For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.“
Matthew 26:28
The only way we have forgiveness of sins is by the blood of Jesus!! Nothing else will do!!
Tom
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Born of Him!
”And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.“
I John 2:28-29
Dwell in the presence of the Lord!!! He is in us through the Holy Spirit. Knowing that we should be living as godly of a life as we possibly can! Doing this proves we are born again in Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection!
Is you life proof you are abiding in Jesus!??
Tom
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Shine!
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Let us shine today for Jesus brothers and sisters!!!
Tom
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Endure temptation!
”Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.“
James 1:12-13
We will all be tempted by either our own fleshly desires or by Satan or by a combination of both. Never think God tempts you for we are told in these verses he doesn’t! We also need to know we can overcome any temptation by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives inside those who have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior!
Be blessed by the Lord and endure those temptations for the reward is great!
Tom
Friday, April 19, 2024
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