Weekly Devo

     There are many ways to learn. There are many things we can know and be in the know about. Having scripture committed to memory is important. Having strong knowledge of what the word says is essential. The other major part of Christianity is applying God’s word to your life.      It is always an intriguing moment when I hear a member of the body say “I don’t know if I agree with that” or something to that affect. What makes that even more intriguing is if something like this happens right after a solid sermon, gospel meeting, and or Bible class on this subject. What are they really saying? It is often hard to assess such a statement. How can you come to such a conclusion especially when we just spent a designated amount of time studying it? There are an endless amount of questions and thoughts that are brought up from such a biblically uneducated statement. The statement is not from the lack of learning, being able to hear, and understa...

We must encourage each other.  We can encourage each other in many ways.  Each way we encourage each other is essential to our success.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ.  While we are gravely concerned with our own success in Christ we ought to have the same concern for our brethren.  We show that concern by edifying, exhorting, encouraging, and admonishing one another.  We are one body.  We must strive to get the whole body to heaven. One way we can encourage each other is in our faith.  We need to keep each other exhorted in the faith we have received.  We need to study with one another keeping ourselves rooted in the faith.  We need to exhort an active faith in all the brethren.  We should be encouraging a limitless faith in our brothers and sisters.  We need to recall the purpose and bases of our faith for one another.  Daily encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ!  They need it and so do yo...

The blessing of reconciliation has been poured forth for all who hear and obey.   Some like to hang their hat on the concept that reconciliation is for all who “hear and feel”. The covenant was made and the sacrifice was given. We must enter that covenant and receive the reconciliation that is given by it the way God wants it to be done. We cannot change it to fit our needs. There are four terms to this covenant reconciliation. Faith in Christ and His blood as propitiatory which come by hearing. (Rom. 3:24-35; 10:14-17) Repentance of sins and repentance towards God. (Luke 24:46,47; Acts 2:38, 3:19,20:21) Confession of the deity and Lordship of Christ (Rom. 10:9-10, Phil. 2:9-11) Baptism (1 Pet. 3:21; John 3:3-5; Acts 8:36-38) Although many would like to argue different this is what God has spoken. Therefore, as God has spoken let it be done.   We must quit trying to transform God’s words to fit our personal gain. We feel based on what we come to learn. We c...

The concept of being carefree is often ridiculed. Often times it is the lack of ability to understand a carefree mindset that brings on such persecution. Christians are to exemplify what it means to be carefree in our lives. We have something greater than us to handle the cares of this world. It is often the simple things in this life that cause most of our anxieties. Things like food, clothes, housing, work, and money can easily cause great destress for us. (Matt. 6:31-32) We are told to make known our request to God. Through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we need to go to God with our concerns. (Phil. 4:6) If we don’t then those things will take over. Those types of worries are the thorns that took over the seed in the parable of the sower. (Mk. 4:18-19) That is why Martha was rebuked. She was troubled over the things of this world and not the truth. (Lk. 10:38-42) We must be careful and not let such cares rule our lives. God did not intend such things to govern our li...

      All our lives are driven by something.  We get to choose what motivates us through every day. If it is the world or the flesh we will earn the reward for that life lived. If it is Christ we will receive a crown of life. How do we have a Christ centered life? There are several aspects that need to take place for you to have a Christ centered life. There is one thing that is a must. You must get out of the way.      We have to follow Christ (Matt. 16:24). How can we follow someone else and do what we want? You cannot accomplish such a task. We must get out of the way. We must crucify ourselves. We must dethrone ourselves from our life. It is Christ who lives in us (Gal. 2:20). We are subject to Christ who is our head (Eph. 5:24). We must let Christ rule our lives in every area. We must let Him direct our footsteps. This covers everything from our job choice to what we eat. I know that seems like a lot. We are made from the dust...

          The little things in life make all the difference.  Sometimes little words of encouragement make you feel like you can climb mountains.  The little habits in life can determine whether we are successful or we fail.  As Christians those little things or those little habits make all the difference.         Paul says pray continually (I Thess. 5:17).  We know that we should not forsake the assembly (Heb. 10:25).  We know we need to study the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11; Col. 3:16).  We understand that we should steadfastly serve God daily (Heb. 3:14).  Those things seem very simple but they have a huge impact on our life.  Those simple things mold us and grow us into becoming stronger and better Christians (I Thess. 5:16-22).         Now there are things that we should not do (I Cor. 15:33).  Things like forsaking ...

      We have to do something to be something. We exercise everything from math skills to our muscles. We like the idea of exercise. There are goals and victory markers in our exercise routines. We center a lot of our lives around exercise. We exercise what we learn in school for twelve or more years. We exercise our skills at work daily. We exercise in many different ways. How much exercising do we do with our faith?       Exercise is important but it is of little gain when in the flesh. However, spiritual exercise is of great benefit. That great benefit being heaven. We need to educate ourselves to the restraint of our passions, lusts, and worldly ambitions, and to the use of our faith. (1 Tim. 4:7) The places we tend to exercise in most are passing away. The things we train in most will come to an abrupt end. Godliness will not end. Train yourself with strenuous effort unto godliness.  Godliness is more than just inward hol...