WHO GETS YOUR PRIORITY LOVE? This statement from Jesus to His disciples is very disconcerting, until you understand it’s significance. Jesus is claiming the priority love that belongs to God alone. He is not saying you cannot love your family and be His follower too. No, far from it. He is saying that we must… Read more »
One Year Bible Devotions
All One Year Bible devotions are based on the One Year Bible Online Reading Plan
“The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do” (Psalm 12:5 NLT).
THE LORD SEES AND HEARS AND RISES UP TO RESCUE We tend to turn our eyes away from the helpless, fearing they may ask us for help. We cover our ears to the groans of the poor, hoping they will knock on someone else’s door. Yet, the Lord sees and hears them. He does not… Read more »
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36 NLT).
SEEING THROUGH GOD’S EYES When Jesus looks at us, what does He see? He sees a world of people who are “confused and helpless.” What is His response? He has “compassion” for us because we are “like sheep without a shepherd.” Do you see what Jesus sees? Have you ever asked the Lord to… Read more »
“His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre” (Genesis 25:9 NLT).
BIBLE HISTORY AND CURRENT EVENTS Isaac and Ishmael buried their father, Abraham, in the same tomb he had bought to bury Sarah. These two sons became two great peoples. The Jewish nation came from Isaac and the Arab nations from Ishmael. They stood united at their father’s funeral, but enmity has existed between them until… Read more »
“Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:4 NLT).
FINDING A WIFE FOR THE FATHER’S SON Abraham instructed his most faithful servant to go to his homeland and find a wife for Isaac, his son. In this narrative a picture of God the Father sending the Spirit to the Bride of Christ, which is the Church, might be seen. Like the Spirit, the servant… Read more »
“So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders” (Genesis 22:6 NLT).
THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS God told Abraham to sacrifice his son on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Early the next morning, Abraham took his son Isaac and his servants and headed out. As they approached Mt. Moriah, Abraham told his servants to stay behind and taking the wood from their donkeys, he… Read more »
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NLT).
ARE YOU PERSISTENT IN PRAYER? Jesus used one verb and three participles to teach persistence in prayer. His verb was “keep on.” This gives the idea of persistent and ongoing prayer. Yet, it has a stopping point with a promise. We are to “keep on” until we receive, find, or have opened that which is… Read more »
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21 NLT).
WHERE IS YOUR HEART TODAY? When Christ was asked to name the greatest commandment, He didn’t hesitate. He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:31). So, how can we check our hearts… Read more »
“Some vultures swooped down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away” (Genesis 15:11 NLT).
DISTRACTIONS THAT MUST BE CHASED AWAY Abram had prepared the sacrifice as the Lord had commanded. Yet, as he waited on the Lord, vultures swooped down to eat it. Abram chased them away. He would not let them distract him from waiting on the Lord. He was focused on hearing from God. When we… Read more »
“All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3 NLT).
GOD PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO ABRAHAM BEFOREHAND God called Abram to leave his country and relatives, saying “go to the land that I will show you” (Gen. 12:1). And Abram obeyed God’s call. God had selected Abram for a particular purpose. For the Messiah would come through his family line. The apostle Paul called… Read more »