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“She means the world to me!” Have you ever heard anyone make this or a similar statement. Of course, this is not to be taken literally, just that the person speaking highly values the one of whom he/she is speaking. Today's devotional will consider an inspired statement containing similar language and make an application of that statement to the ordinary believer's situation.

First we will consider the biblical quotation: “For the promise that he [Abraham] would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness…  ( Click for more )

One two occasions, Jesus was asked very similar questions. In reality, these two questions form the basis upon which all men must make their decision about Jesus Christ. We will set the context for the two questions, quote the questions, and then make some relevant comments.

The first question was asked by a Samaritan woman. Just for context, it should be understood that the Samaritans and the Jews claimed almost no common ground. In fact, there was enough animosity between them that you could “cut it with a knife” as we sometimes say. They had two competing and conflicting…  ( Click for more )

Under the covenant of Moses, there was a separate priesthood that was made holy by God's decree. The Levites were not by nature any better than any other tribe of Israel (Jacob). However, there was a job that needed to be done, and God appointed this as the priestly tribe. Later, Aaron was chosen as the specific descendent of Levi through whom the priests of Israel would come. Again, it was not that there was something inherently better about Aaron's descendents than any other family of Israelites; there was a job to do, and God saw to it that there was an appointed means to do it. …  ( Click for more )

Generally, persistence is a good thing; we see it as a virtue. However, depending on the cause that is being pursued, we sometimes see persistence as a vice. For instance, the tiny voice that keeps saying, “Daddy, I want a drink of water!” is persistence personified, but after a while, its cuteness vanishes from sight! That must have been how it was in the case with blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10.46-52). Time and time again he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The more he cried, the more the multitudes tried to silence him. They saw persistence…  ( Click for more )

Sometimes we have to speak about things we don't understand. Today is one of those times for me. Just so you will see that I am speaking truthfully of such needs, we don't understand light, but we speak frequently of it. We don't understand gravity, but we assign values to it and calculate its effects routinely in our universe. We don't understand electricity, but thousands upon thousands of books have been written about how it behaves and how we can use it to our benefit. Today, I speak of something I do not understand, but it needs to be said.

Our thoughts are spurred by four…  ( Click for more )

The Hartsfield-Jackson airport that serves Atlanta is a busy place; in fact, it is by some statistics the world's busiest airport. Approximately one million aircraft arrivals and departures per year are only a part of the staggering statistics that go to make it such a busy, busy place. Like many other airports, when travelers enter the terminal, there are a number of displays that predict the arrival and departure times of scheduled flights. Our focus today will be on a departure of an entirely different sort.

Paul wrote, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,…  ( Click for more )

The comment card accurately reflected the condition of the restaurant and the service (or lack of it) that I received that evening. I don't know how my comments were received, but that was not something over which I had control. They asked for my opinion and I gave it to them; they wanted my feedback!

Feedback is always good; however, how we receive it determines its value to us! It is our tendency to reject feedback that takes issues with our actions and to place value on feedback that approves our actions. Maybe you haven't had that problem, but I think most of us have at one…  ( Click for more )

The combining of two ordinary and small words can lead to interesting situations. Consider the two word combination, "Nothing but...” in today's devotional.

“A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, 'Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.' So Elisha said to her, 'What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?' And she said, 'Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.' Then he…  ( Click for more )

Faith, improperly placed, can be hazardous to one's health. Today's message contrasts one reaction to Abner's death with somewhat similar circumstances among first century Christians. Recall that Abner was chief among warriors and statesmen of a divided Israel. He was seemingly the one upon whom hope for peace and unification was pinned. Ishbosheth, son of Saul and leader of the opposition against David, reacted negatively to Abner's death as the first of our focus texts points out.

2 Samuel 4.1 “When Saul’s son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart,…  ( Click for more )

Even if you don't know Abner, you probably know the man who ordered others to mourn for him. Our study today will focus on the man who spoke the words, Mourn for Abner. Our study will involve the relationships that surrounded these men and the events which precipitated the order, Mourn for Abner.

“So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, 'Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.' And King David followed the…  ( Click for more )

Humility includes knowing one's place. Sometimes our culture laughs at the idea that we even have a place. I agree that a person's place is not determined by one's race, a horrible mistake that has historically been made. However, the mistakes of the past should not cause us to erase legitimate distinctions that time and circumstance demand of us. As believers, we do not always have to demand our rights, nor should we. Today's message deals with the delicate subject of humility and knowing one's place.

Before we introduce and comment on our focus text, we invite your attention…  ( Click for more )

Are you Abraham's seed (one of Abraham's seed)? Before answering the question, just know that the word seed in the Scriptures frequently refers to descendents (much as we would use the word offspring). After reading today's message you may revise you answer to the previous question. You are also likely to have a greater appreciation for just what it means to be Abraham's seed.

God said to Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you;…  ( Click for more )

“I declare but your actions are enough to try the patience of Job!” Have you ever made this or a similar statement to someone who just got on your last nerve? Well, if you have, you're not alone. Today's message will deal with someone who has more patience than Job and how, at times, He just says, “Enough of that!”

“Then I [Moses] pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying: ‘O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and…  ( Click for more )

“Partiality is not so bad as long as I am on the positive end of it.” All too often this is our sentiment. However, when the shoe’s on the other foot, we have absolutely no respect for partiality. What we are really talking about here is fairness. In today’s focus text, Paul talks about eternal rewards and the fact that they will be administered with no hint of partiality.

“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily,…  ( Click for more )

There is a play on words in the following text; miss it and miss the reasoning of the grand apostle. It is somewhat obscured by the English, but if you look closely, you can spot it (Hint: It involves the word serve or a form of the word). “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians…  ( Click for more )

Countless times I've said it and I've heard it said by others. “Whatever you do, don't open that door.” Maybe it was, “Whatever you do, make sure this control is adjusted properly.” You can fill in the rest of the sentence, but we all know that whatever you do's are important, even essential, actions. Today's message will deal with the only four whatever you do's in the New King James translation of the Bible.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3.23). Many of us have heard this statement paraphrased as…  ( Click for more )

“When the cat's away the _____ _____ ____.” Can you complete the blanks in this common saying? There are other cliches that describe the phenomena that sparked this proverb. We all have seen it and, if we are honest, we have been one of the playful mice at one time or another. Our devotional today will take a look at the underlying issue with “playful mice” and what God has to say about such behavior.

We introduce our study with four verses, all of which will be dealt with during this week. Our focus today, however, will be only on the first of these verses.…  ( Click for more )

From worst to first!” ─ I don’t know who the first person was to use this statement nor do I know the activity that was the subject of the statement. I do know that there have been a few sports teams to have claimed this distinction. For instance, the Chicago Cubs finished the 2006 season with 96 losses to their discredit, last in their division. In their first year under Manager Lou Piniella, 2007, they rallied to win Major League Baseball’s Central Division. Regardless of the arena, to go from last to first is quite an accomplishment. I suppose in this case,…  ( Click for more )

The Israelites of old used to sing a shortlist of traits that God honors. The song began by asking two questions: “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” (Psalm 15.1). One of the responses from the shortlist went as follows: “He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.” (Psalm 15.4c). In other words, God respects a person who gives his word and refuses to renege even if the fulfilling of it brings him hurt or pain.

God respects this characteristic because it is one of His characteristics. In one of Peter's earliest…  ( Click for more )

Testimonials are only as good as the person doing the testifying. I once heard a man offering testimony regarding a siding installation company and I knew the man had a stucco house! I once heard a man offering testimony about a certain insurance company only to notice at the end of the commercial there was a small disclaimer saying he was a paid actor. I once heard sports star touting a high energy drink only to find out that he had been paid for the endorsement. Testimonials are only as good as the person doing the testifying.

Matthew 3:17 “And suddenly a voice came from…  ( Click for more )

Two 3:16's, two different books by the same author, and one common theme - this is today's devotional.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Some have rightfully called our first 3:16, the Golden Text of the Bible. It is golden because, among other reasons it contains the heart of God revealed in His love for us. A brief commentary that is not original with me says that John 3.16 speaks to the greatest being – God; It expresses the greatest love –…  ( Click for more )

Some of this week's devotionals will have a twist. Today's will be the first to highlight two passages corresponding to the month:day date format.

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Many will recognize this passage as giving the first prophetic glimpse of Jesus Christ, the “Seed of woman.” This passage “sets the tone” for the rest of the Bible. It presupposes the need for salvation which is to be made abundantly clear by…  ( Click for more )

Do you live a godly life? Do you desire to live a godly life? There is a subtle but meaningful difference in these two questions. Today's message will look at the phrase Live Godly and examine how it fits into our focus verse as well as how it fits into our lives.

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12).

To Live Godly is a high ambition. Would you be so bold as to make such a claim for yourself? Well, how about claiming that you desire to live godly? There is a huge difference in the two claims, but…  ( Click for more )

Yes, I know that the book is left off the title’s usual book, chapter, and verse reference. I would like to see if you might can recall what biblical character might have asked such a question? If you don’t know, don’t feel bad about it; neither will I keep you in suspense for long. But, I do want you to know that this was a legitimate question asked by someone who is quite a famous character. He was in terrific physical and emotional anguish at the time as might be obvious from the question he asked. We will consider this famous man and his question, the question…  ( Click for more )