NEVER DIG UP IN DOUBT WHAT YOU PLANTED BY FAITH Be strong, immovable, always work with enthusiasm for the Lord. Why? Because of the resurrection and because whatever you plant in faith will grow and produce a harvest. The promise of eternal life should make us fearless in our focus. It should make us immovable… Read more »
One Year Bible Devotions
All One Year Bible devotions are based on the One Year Bible Online Reading Plan
“If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together” (Job 9:33 NLT).
OUR MEDIATOR JESUS CHRIST Job cried out for a mediator between him and God. He knew that the span between them was too great. He desired one who might shield him from punishment and make it possible for him to speak to the Lord without fear. Job’s prayer has been heard. Jesus is our Mediator…. Read more »
“What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often?” (Job 7:17 NLT).
WHO ARE WE THAT GOD THINKS OF US? Job doesn’t accuse God of being absent, but of being too present. He doesn’t blame his suffering on being forsaken by the Lord as most would do. No. He questions why God would be so interested in such weak, temporal things as man. Out of all of… Read more »
“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21 NLT).
PRAISING THE LORD IN ALL TIMES Job worshiped the Lord both in happiness and in the midst of suffering. He recognized that all good comes from the Lord. When he lost all that he had, he did not lose his faith. In this, his faith was tested and found genuine. How we face good and… Read more »
“Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble” (Proverbs 21:23 NLT).
THE PROVERB WE OFTEN REMEMBER AFTER THE FACT How many have wished they could take back their words? Yet, once said, they linger on. If only there were a delete button to erase ill chosen words. Instead, the more poorly spoken thoughts tend to linger the longest. Better to keep quiet and stay out of… Read more »
“Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor” (Proverbs 21:21 NLT).
THE PURSUIT THAT ONLY CHRIST CAN SATISFY The wisdom God gave to Solomon revealed what one must pursue to find life, righteousness and honor. There appear to be two pursuits, yet they are really one. For righteousness and unfailing love are found only in Christ. Many have tried to pursue righteousness by human effort, but… Read more »
“That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28 NLT).
SELF-EXAMINATION AND THE LORD’S SUPPER Paul rebuked the Corinthians for coming to the Lord’s table without treating one another as members of the Lord’s body. Their disunity and selfish behavior flew in the face of the sacrifice of Christ which the Lord’s Supper represents. He challenged them to first “examine” themselves before taking communion. Self… Read more »
“Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich” (Proverbs 21:17 NLT).
WHAT WE LOVE MATTERS The one who loves pleasure and comfort will eventually live in poverty. So says the proverb, and also anyone who has lived for any length of time. For loving comfort the one fails to work and failing to work, comfort cannot be afforded. Yet, might not the proverb be reversed? So,… Read more »
“For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!” (Psalms 34:20 NLT).
THE SIGN OF UNBROKEN BONES David wrote this psalm during a low period in his life. While hiding from King Saul who sought to kill him, he stooped to playing the madman to escape the Philistine king, Abimelech. Yet, in spite of all of his afflictions, no bones were broken. Clearly, David must have borrowed… Read more »
“Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah 8:5-6 NLT).
HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD This is how the people of God responded to the Word of God being opened after they had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. How we respond to the God’s Word reveals much about our hearts. For some, the Bible is just a collection of myths and human sayings. For… Read more »