Today's Devotional

Mark 11:13 - And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

            Jesus spotted a fig tree with leaves and approached it expecting to find fruit. Imagine Jesus’ surprise to find a fig tree bearing all the signs of fruit, but having only simple leaves. He immediately rebuked the tree cursed it. Christians, we are called to bear fruit. Our fruit is a representation of Christ to others. We need not be “leafy” Christians, bearing the signs but no fruit. We ought to be ripe onto the harvest.

Galatians 5:22, 23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Today's Devotional

Thursday, as I was leaving the house, I spotted a blooming flower. Blooming flowers our commonplace at our home because of my mom’s love of gardening. The flower itself was not strange despite the time of year, (we live in the South), but its location was. It seems as though, when cleaning the flower beds, we had discarded an unwanted bulb on the rocks on our driveway. Much to my surprise, the flower put down roots. It was flourishing even to the point of blooming amongst the rocks. This simple flower is a rebuke to all. As children of Christ we are to bear fruit, bloom, wherever we are planted. There are no longer any excuses; bloom and be fruitful. 

Today's Devotional

Matthew 23:37 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

            Jesus was weeping for Jerusalem. He longed to care for, protect, and shield them as a hen does her chicks. Instead, the Jews rejected His heavenly love and Jesus was forever sorrowful. Are we rejecting the love of Christ? Do we cause Him sorrow by our rejection of the Holy Spirit? Do we cause Him pain by our stubbornness in wickedness?  If so, turn to Him today, and He will grant you a new heart that delights to do His will. 

Today's Devotional

It is not the days of your life but the life in your days that makes all the difference. Make every day count and live for Christ each and every day. 

Today's Devotional

Ezekiel 11:12 - …for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.
The Israelites were a separate people. The Lord wanted them to be an example, different from the others in their land. Instead, the Israelites strove to become like the countries and nations amongst them. They forgot the teachings of the Lord and His prophets, and turned to the idolatry and barbarism of the day. They choose to be conformers instead of reformers. They had been placed in that position to be a light to the nations around them, but they chose to join in the wicked behaviors. We are also placed to be a light. We are to witness to those around us. Be it far from us to join in their evil behaviors. We, like the Israelites, are set apart.
I Kings 8:53 - For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O LORD God.
1 Peter 2:9  - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Today's Devotional

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The Lord is always looking out for our best interests. Much like an earthly father, Christ wishes to see His children prosperous and happy. His thoughts toward us are to give us that peace and prosperity. His plans will give us only the best. Trust the Lord and His plans of peace.

Think on These Things: If our heavenly Father wishes to give us His plans, why would we so readily forsake them for human wisdom? 

Today's Devotional

2 Cor 4:17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Mary and Martha are perfect examples of 2 Cor 4:17. They were passing through a rough experience. Their brother had died and they had been devastated. They may even felt abandoned by God. But in all this was a hidden master plan. Through all this the Lord was made manifest. Because of this miracle many believed on Christ. Pain and sorrows may blind us, but God has long term vision. He can see the future and He is control. No matter the situation God will be made manifest. 

Today's Devotional

As humans we are prone to wonder. We wonder why trials and tribulations must come our way. We wonder why pain and suffering are necessary. The answer to these eternal questions is found in none other than the Bible. John 9:3 “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” The works of God must be made manifest in His children. This manifestation is not always pleasant but it is necessary.

2 Cor 4:17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Trust the Lord. He knows why.

Note: A second part will follow sometime this weekend. 

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Today's Devotional

Psalm 104:27, 28 - These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.

The animals and plant life count on God to provide. They sow not, neither do they reap, but their God always provides. They give no thought to tomorrow or even their next meal; they simply trust in the blessing of the Lord. If simple animals have such strong faith and trust in the Master, why does our faith falter? Our God, who cares for grass, trees, and birds, will fill us all with good. 

Think on These Things...

Think on these lyrics as go about your day.
All Your Anxiety
Is there a heart o'er bound by sorrow?
Is there a life weighed down by care?
Come to the cross each burden bearing.
All our anxiety leave it there.


All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.


No other friend so keen to help you,
No other friend so quick to hear.
No other place to leave your burden;
No other one to hear our prayer.


All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.


Come then at once; delay no longer!
Heed His entreaty kind and sweet.
You need not fear a disappointment;
You shall find peace at the mercy seat.


All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.- Lyrics and Composer: Edward Henry Joy, 1920.
Here is a link to listen to the song. http://labs.4sultani.ro/muzica/Chorus/All%20Your%20Anxiety.mp3

Think on These Things...

Today is the first in a new year. Many started the year with dancing, drinking, and revelry. Let us not follow their examples, but start this New Year with Christ. As we embark on 2013, let us not blaze our own trail but walk in the way of the Lord from start to finish.