Devotionals & Poems

Posts in category Teaching

Signs and the kingdom

Signs and the kingdom

Prior to His crucifixion Jesus had been teaching His disciples that He would be put to death, resurrected, and would return to the Father in heaven, and they had most likely heard His response to the Pharisees about the coming of the kingdom of God which presently it is not observable with ocular vision, but […]

Pressing in

Pressing in

In Luke 16:16 Jesus said “…the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” In another statement found in 17:21 He said “…the kingdom of God is within you.” Today the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom established within those who believe on Jesus as their personal Redeemer and Savior. […]

Preaching

Preaching

I believe that the Old Testament law lays out to us the standards by which to live that God created in us, but one act of disobedience broke the relationship with God allowing sin to dominate the earth and the entire human race, robbing us from our ability to live up to those standards! In […]

Distress, pain, and worry

Distress, pain, and worry

Distress, a close relative of pain, anxiety, and grief, are among Satan’s “big guns” in his attack on Christians. It is on the opposite end of the spectrum from joy and gladness! Jesus wants His followers to be joyful, telling us, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, […]

Pray always

Pray always

Jesus said “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you” Matthew 7:7. To me that sounds like persistence which He also teaches in Luke 18:2-8; no, this is not trying to “twist” God’s arm or to manipulate Him, but by persistently pursuing […]

Prayer

Prayer

Paul was not a Pastor; he was an Apostle (a delegate, ambassador, or commissioner) of Jesus Christ, an office he refers to many times as he writes his epistles. He visited many cities either starting, or strengthening and edifying churches. As he moved on to other cities, the love and concern for the people he […]

God speaks

God speaks

God is a communicating God that loves to communicate with His people. Often we want to communicate to Him telling Him our needs and requests; but never forget that He wants to communicate with us as well! Certainly the Scripture encourages us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with […]

The light

The light

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said “You are the light of the world…” But wait a minute, did He not say in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world”? Yes He did, and He is “the true light that gives light to every man coming into the world” John 1:9. Again He said in […]

Persecuted

Persecuted

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, Matthew5:10-12. To be persecuted is to be afflicted so as to cause you injury, distress, and annoyance. Now if being reviled and persecuted come because you have done something stupid, or you have acted outside of wisdom, and without […]

Merciful

Merciful

“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” Matthew 5:7. The Greek word that is used here is ELEEMON which means “compassionate”. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:4 that God “is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us”. And in Titus 3:5 “according to His mercy He […]