“During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the … Continue reading Make the Way of the Lord Straight
Christian Devotional
My times with the Lord in His Word
With Whom He is Pleased
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I … Continue reading With Whom He is Pleased
Better is Open Rebuke
Proverbs 27 (select verses) 5 Better is open rebukethan hidden love.6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;profuse are the kisses of an enemy.8 Like a bird that strays from its nestis a man who strays from his home.12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself,but the simple go on and suffer for it.17 Iron … Continue reading Better is Open Rebuke
Rebuke, Don’t Coddle the Wicked
“These also are sayings of the wise.Partiality in judging is not good.Whoever says to the wicked, ‘You are in the right,’will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,and a good blessing will come upon them.Whoever gives an honest answerkisses the lips.” (Proverbs 24:23-26 ESV) We live in … Continue reading Rebuke, Don’t Coddle the Wicked
Full of Lame Excuses
“He who loves purity of heart,and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,but he overthrows the words of the traitor.The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside!I shall be killed in the streets!’The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;he with whom … Continue reading Full of Lame Excuses
Celebrate Christ Every Day
Luke 2:25-35 ESV “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen … Continue reading Celebrate Christ Every Day
Whoever is Being Led Astray
Proverbs 20 (select verses) 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. 6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,but a faithful man who can find? 9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;I am clean from my sin”? 22 Do not … Continue reading Whoever is Being Led Astray
When the Church is Not the Church
This will be more of a topical Bible study today, so I will be referring to multiple passages of Scripture. But I will begin with a definition of “church” (the ekklesia). From the Greek interlinear: “Properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) … Continue reading When the Church is Not the Church
His Plans for Us
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21 ESV) We as humans, no doubt, have many plans, things that we want to do and to accomplish in this life. Some of those may be good plans, and some may not be, … Continue reading His Plans for Us
That Way Seems Right to Them
“There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way to death.Even in laughter the heart may ache,and the end of joy may be grief.The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.The simple … Continue reading That Way Seems Right to Them
Run With It 