• Devotions

    Prioritizing The Kingdom

    Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15 Read Matthew 24:14; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 11:15; Luke 12:31-32 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14  And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood, you ransomed people for God from every…

  • Devotions

    Facing Opposition

    Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Acts 5:41 Read the following passages.  Matthew 5:10-12, 44; John 15:18-25; Acts 5:41 What are these passages saying?  What do we learn about God and Jesus? According to these verses, what should our attitude be if we suffer or face difficulty as Christians?  How are we to respond to God and those who oppose us?   Matthew 5:10-12 says this ” “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds…

  • Devotions

    Makes Disciples

    and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.  2 Timothy 2:2 Read the following passages. 2 Timothy 2:2  1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Mark 3:14, and Matthew 28:18-20! For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.  But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.  For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,  but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the…

  • Devotions

    Lives Sent

     Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you.” John 20:21 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. I…

  • Devotions

    The Mission Is Big

    And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them,  but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”  Luke 4:42-43 What are you passionate about?  We give time to those things that we are passionate about.  If you are passionate about sports, you will take the time to watch or participate in sports.  You know everything there is about that sport (s).  If you are passionate about your yard, you take the…

  • Devotions

    Joins God’s Purpose

     “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. John 4:35 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” John 5:17 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore,  pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”  Matthew 9:37-38…

  • Devotions

    Followers of Christ Share With The World

     As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.   While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”   On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:9-13  …

  • Devotions

    As a Jesus Follower – Abide

     So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.  The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28-29 Today, we will read the Scripture passages from John 8:28-29; 14:10-11, 15:5, 19; and 17:3. Read it a few times, slowly and carefully.  So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just…

  • Devotions

    Mysterious Plans

    If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  Romans 10:9-10 How do you handle surprises?  Do you like them or hate them?  Personally, I don’t care for them, especially if I know that a surprise is coming.  Birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s day – my husband knows to not let me know or to tell me all.  He hates it, but I am ok with not being surprised. Read…

  • Devotions

    Seeking Him

    . If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  John 14:15 What is hindering you from a close relationship with God?  Could it possibly be disobedience?  Each act of disobedience is a step away from God.  However, with each step of obedience to God is a step towards Him.  In Malachi 3:7, God says “Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.”  Are we being honest with ourselves, others, and God about our obedience?  Have God asked something of you and you have yet to obey?  Are we at a place in our walk with God where we know God’s truth and now we…