Think on These Things...

On the eve of the Sabbath enjoy God's nature.

Think on These Things...

The peace of Christ--money cannot buy it, brilliant talent cannot command it, intellect cannot secure it; it is the gift of God. 
-EGW

John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Today's Devotional

In professional lives, much time is spent working towards a higher position. Entire lives are spent developing relationships, romantic or otherwise. Why then are we not so eager to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? 

Today's Devotional

            At this time, it being right after Thanksgiving, many are focusing on an attitude of gratitude. While this is all well and good, there is one attitude that has not been focused on much: an attitude of servitude. As Christians, we are supposed to serve our fellow brothers and sisters as Jesus once did. That sort of attitude is not very prevalent in today’s society. Many are only serving themselves and their best interests. We have become a people that see ourselves and none else. This was not the example Christ left in His word. He always served others before himself. He has taught us to do the same. While you adopt an attitude of gratitude this holiday season, don’t forget to add an attitude of servitude. 

Today's Devotional

Exodus 20:2 - I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

            This passage is addressed to the Israelites directly. God is giving them an introduction into His law. He speaks of how He brought them out of Egypt and bondage and how He is their God. 

Though we may not be in literal bondage, the passage applies to us. Before the Lord saved us, He had to remove us from Egypt (the world). He then had to deliver us from bondage. Though we may have never been in actual chains, there were sins which enslaved us. Like he did to men of old, He will break the chains asunder. The Lord will remove us from this bondage and out of the land of Egypt if only we will ask. Cry out to the Lord and he will hear and save. 

Think on These Things...

As we embark on God's holy Sabbath, thank Him for the beauty of nature.

Note

Sorry about the lateness. Minor health issue. God willing I will be back by Monday.

Notice

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Spend time with family and friends and don't forget Christ. Devotionals will continue tomorrow. Be blessed. 

1 Chronicles 16:34 - O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Today's Devotional

When Jesus came to His disciples on the water, He came to help and to save them. But, when they saw Him, they cried out for fear. Not recognizing Him, they rejected His help.  How many times have we rebelled in fear against what the Lord sends to save us? The inconveniences sent to keep us from harm usually leave us angry. Trials and tribulations make us afraid. The Holy Spirit, sent to guide us in the fight against good and evil, is rejected by some and quieted by others. Unlike the disciples, let us not be afraid. The Lord has come to save, not to destroy.

Matthew 14:27-But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Luke 11:13 - If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father …?

Today's Devotional

I present to you a game of tug-of-war. It is a game of children against children or so it seems. Most of the larger children are on the same team and are not fair competition for the littler ones. Just when it seems as though the larger ones would prevail, an adult or teacher, hearing the children’s cries for help, comes over and helps the smaller children to win.

            This game is like life. We try to resist the devil and though it may look like flesh against flesh, we deal with something much greater than our own strength. It feels as though the more we resist, the more he prevails. That is, until Christ comes. He comes and pulls on our side and helps us to win. We, like the small children, are powerless to win on our own, but in Christ nothing is impossible.

Eph 6:12 ^- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Luke 18:27 - And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Today's Devotional

Matthew 14:31 - And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Jesus had reproof and reprimand for Peter. His lack of faith is what had caused him to sink. But before Jesus scolded him, He headed Peter’s cry for help and saved him. Many a time, we see an unbeliever living in sin and want to reprove him of his sins before he is saved. All the reprimand in the world will not make a difference if the sinner is not saved and his heart changed. Let us not be so hasty to rebuke and follow Christ’s example: save the sinner and then reprove the sin.

Note

Sorry. There will be no devotional today or tomorrow. Hope to continue on Monday. Blessings on your day.

Today's Devotional

Matthew 14:30-31 -  ³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

            Peter asked Jesus if he could join Him on the water. He was walking successfully until he saw the winds and the waves. He was frightened and began to sink. As he cried out to Jesus, immediately Christ stretched out His hand and saved him. In the same moment Peter spoke the words, Jesus saved him.  Why then do we question Christ’s saving and protecting power? The one who saved Peter can immediately save you and me. 

Today's Devotional

Matthew 14:30-31

            This story is a lot like our Christian walk. We start as Peter did, eager to come to Christ. As we begin our walk, everything seems to be fine. Then we see the boisterous winds and waves and begin to panic and lose faith. We may question God or our decision to follow Him. Because of our lack of faith, we start to sink, as Peter did, into the depths. Realizing our predicament, we cry to Him as the disciples did “Lord, save us for we perish”. And immediately the Lord saves us.

            No matter the trials and tribulations that come upon any of us in our Christian walks, know this: the Lord will always save.

Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Today's Devotional

John 6:11 - And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

            When Jesus had received the bread He gave thanks by way of the Father. He then broke it and gave it to the disciples, who then distributed it unto the people. This can be looked upon metaphorically. The bread is the Bread of Life. It is received from the Father and given to the Son, our mediator. He then gives it to His disciples, also called pastors, who feed the people. It is the pastor’s responsibility to receive the Bread from Heaven and feed the people. It is also our responsibility, when we receive this Bread, to feed and share with those around us. If we forsake this duty, the Lord will hold us accountable.

Ezekiel 34:2 - Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Today's Devotional

When Jesus had received the bread from Andrew, before anything, He did something very special. He did not lay out a twelve step plan. He did not meet with the disciples to form a plan of attack. He gave thanks and blessed it. Before He began this miracle he wanted the blessing of His father.

Before we embark on something major, we plan, collect resources, and consult references. We plan endlessly and wonder how our good plans could have failed. But was God in it?   Did we pray? We must follow the example of Jesus. Anything we do we want God there with us. We want Christ to be in our plans. First prayer, than planning. 

Today's Devotional

John 6:9 - There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

When Jesus asked the disciples to see if the people had any food, they came back with a less than favorable report. They had found only a boy’s small lunch of five loaves and two small fish. In the words of the disciple Andrew, “…what are they among so many?” They should have had more faith in the Master. Instead they doubted that their small discovery would have made a difference if any at all.

            Because we know the end of the story, we can see the folly of the disciples’ ways. We can see the harm in refusing to trust Jesus. But we do the same things. We think that our involvement or actions is nothing “among so many”. When it comes to voting, church activities, or simply doing the right thing, we say that our actions are but a drop in a large pond. We seem to forget that Jesus took a small lunch and multiplied it to feed a huge crowd with leftovers. He will multiply our actions in that same way. We need not think our actions too small, Jesus will multiply. 

Today's Devotional

Miracles can be looked at disjointedly. We can see them as phenomena that happened a long time ago and have nothing to do with us. But miracles are relevant. They happen every day. The fact that you are alive is a miracle. The fact that you have food to eat and clothes to wear is a miracle. Though these miracles may seem small, they are significant. Thank God for your small miracles and count your blessings today. 

Today's Devotional

John 6:7 - Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

Jesus had just finished teaching great multitudes. Hoards had followed Him to hear Him preach. The listening crowd had not eaten all day. As their spiritual hunger was being quenched they had forgotten all about their physical hunger. When the disciples brought Jesus news of this, they began to be worried. Thinking on the practical side of things, they thought that they did not have near enough money. They were thinking instead of believing. As they worried the King of Kings sat next to them ready to work a miracle.

We may laugh and realize the foolishness of the disciple’s ways. It may seem obvious to us that the disciples need not worry, but we do the same ourselves. Christ is with us all the time but we proceed to worry about money and other things. While we try to think practically and solve problems on our own, the King of Kings is right there beside us ready to work a miracle. Don’t worry. Have faith in Christ.

Today's Devotional

A Mile in His Shoes

            There is an old saying that says you must walk a mile in a person’s shoes before you can really know or understand that person. You must experience their daily trials and triumphs.  I think this same principle can apply to our walk with Christ.

 Many wish to know and understand the nature of Christ. The best and only way this can be accomplished is to do the things that Christ did while He was here on earth. When speaking to the disciples He repeatedly told them to do as He did. 1 Peter 2:21 says that Christ left us an example that we should follow in his steps.  If we follow the character of Christ, walk a mile in His proverbial shoes, we will know Christ. Not only will we know Christ, but we will become like Him. Christ beckons us to follow Him down the pathways of life. 

Think on These Things...

He that is down need fear no fall,

He that is low no pride.

He that is humble ever shall, 

Have God to be His guide.

- Louisa May Alcott

Think on These Things...

On the eve of the Sabbath, think on the lyrics of this song. 

Shine, Jesus, Shine
Lord the Light or Your Love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness shining,
Jesus light of the world shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth You now bring us,
Shine on me. Shine on me.

Shine Jesus shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light.

Lord I come to Your awesome presence,
From the shadows into Your radiance,
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness,
Shine on me. Shine on me.

As we gaze on Your kindly brightness.
So our faces display Your likeness.
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me. Shine on me.

Today's Devotional

Luke 5:16 - And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.  

Jesus had been working tirelessly, teaching and healing great crowds. He and his disciples had not even had a chance to eat. Jesus was so tired that He decided to go apart to refresh himself. What He did was while he was separate is out of the ordinary. Instead of resting or lounging with His disciples, He prayed to renew His strength.

            When we are feeling weary, we usually prescribe rest, medication, leisure, or a vacation. Is it possible that what we need is simple prayer? The next time you feel weary, follow Christ’s example and cast all your cares upon the Lord. You will feel rejuvenated. 

Today's Devotional

Matthew 5:10-12

            In these verses Jesus is speaking the Sermon on the Mount. What He says in the first part, the Beatitudes, shock those who are listening. What they hear goes against everything they have been taught, it seems to defy common sense. Jesus tells the listening crowd that persecution and revilement are blessings. He even says that in the event of false witnesses borne against us we should “rejoice and be exceedingly glad…”!

This doesn't even seem to make logical sense, but we must remember God’s ways are not our ways. When we are treated unfairly, it is feelings of anger and hatred that normally come to the surface. But Jesus soon tells the crowd why they should be happy in such a dismal situation. Though we may suffer persecution here on earth, Christ is preparing for us mansions for eternity. When you feel as though you are being treated unfairly, bear it as Jesus did for “Great is your reward in heaven”.