CAN POVERTY BE ELIMINATED? According to God’s Word, poverty will never be eliminated in this world. Yet, this fact is stated not to excuse our responsibility to the poor, but to encourage our ongoing generosity towards them. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, God made provision for every person and tribe… Read more »
One Year Bible Devotions
All One Year Bible devotions are based on the One Year Bible Online Reading Plan
“And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake” (Luke 8:37 NLT).
HAVE YOU TURNED JESUS AWAY? The people in the region of the Gerasenes, on the Eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, begged Jesus to leave. Jesus had only just arrived when he encountered a demon possessed man who lived in the tombs. Running towards Jesus and shrieking at the top of his lungs,… Read more »
“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT).
OUR SUCCESS IS IN THE LORD’S HANDS The Lord encouraged the Israelites not to fear their enemies as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. He reminded them of how He had brought them out of Egypt. He promised that He would be with them in the same way to take the land from their… Read more »
“And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside” (Luke 7:17 NLT).
SEEING THE GOOD NEWS SPREAD THROUGHOUT After Jesus interrupted a funeral procession to raise a widow’s son from the dead, the news of his miracles and teachings “spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.” This illustrates a truth easily discovered anywhere humans dwell, namely, news spreads. Whether it’s good or bad news, people love to… Read more »
“May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you” (Psalms 67:2-3 NLT).
GREAT COMMISSION PRAYERS This psalm is a prayer that all the nations would one day know the Lord and his salvation. Centuries before Jesus gave the Great Commission to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), the psalmist prayed for such a day to come. It’s a good reminder… Read more »
“Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything” (Proverbs 11:24 NLT).
GIVERS ARE GLAD, BUT MISERS ARE MISERABLE Generosity is a blessing both to the recipient and to the giver. But misers are miserable. This is a spiritual principle that reverberates in the physical world, although its effect is often slow to see. The wealth of the generous is paid in dividends that include more than… Read more »
“Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all” (Psalm 65:3 NLT).
HOW MANY OF YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN? When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that he died for sins, was buried and raised from the dead, we are saved. In that very moment, we have been saved from sin’s penalty (justification), we are being saved from sin’s power (sanctification), and we… Read more »
“You must present these offerings to the Lord at your annual festivals…” (Numbers 28:39 NLT).
REMEMBERING AND CELEBRATING WHAT GOD HAS DONE Reading through all the instructions concerning offerings and festivals in the Old Testament is pretty overwhelming. It seems impossible to keep up with them all. Yet, God was teaching His people to remember Him and what He had done for them. These holy-days/holidays were meant for remembrance, worship… Read more »
“Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, ‘He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!” (Luke 3:4).
HOW IS YOUR VOICE KNOWN? The coming of John, son of Zechariah, had not only been announced by the angel Gabriel, it had been predicted by the prophet Isaiah. John the Baptist was the Messianic Forerunner, coming in the spirit of Elijah, he was the Preparer of the Way. Every king must have a herald… Read more »
“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (Luke 2:52 NLT).
FOUR AREAS OF HEALTHY CHRISTIAN GROWTH Luke is the only gospel that describes how Jesus grew up. The story of twelve year old Jesus talking with the teachers in the Temple, while His family was looking for Him, is a very interesting glimpse into His youth. And it begs the question, “What did it look… Read more »