TODAY’S DAILY READING: Jeremiah 9-10 & Hebrews 5
Old Testament: Jeremiah 9- Crime And Punishment 

Jeremiah 9:9
“’Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord.
‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’”

Jeremiah went to great lengths to expose the sinful behaviors of his nation. Not only had they violated the covenant with idolatry, but they… Read More
Jeremiah 10- Navigation

Jeremiah 10:23
“O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

Human beings are the highest expression of God’s creative order. We have been fashioned in the image of God, and are fascinating creatures, with… Read More

New Testament: Hebrews 5- The Call Of God

Hebrews 5:1
“For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.”

Hebrews 5:4
“And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just...Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Jeremiah7-8 & Hebrews 4
Old Testament: Jeremiah 7- Should I Pray?

Jeremiah 7:16

“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.”

The Bible is filled with commands from God, which place requirements upon man. Bible scholars tell us there are over 600 distinct commands in the Old Testament alone. On one occasion, Jesus… Read More

Jeremiah 8- Perpetual

Jeremiah 8:5
“Why has this people slidden back,
Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding?
They hold fast to deceit,
They refuse to return.”

Like a doctor who has carefully examined a patient and given his diagnosis, Jeremiah declares the sickness of Judah to be perpetual backsliding. Backsliding is a biblical term that refers to a follower of God who has returned to his pre-conversion lifestyle. Perpetual is a term wnich means continual, like a pendulum. The perpetual backslider is the person who makes a commitment… Read More

New Testament: Hebrews 4- Throne Of Grace

Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

It seems the Apostle Thomas sometimes spoke what the others were thinking. On one occasion, when Jesus spoke of where He was going, Thomas replied, “Lord we don’t know where You are going or how to get there” (John 14:5). To which Jesus stated, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me” (John 14:6). It was through… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Jeremiah 19-20 & Hebrews 10
Old Testament: Jeremiah 19- Shards Of Clay

Jeremiah 19:1
​”Thus says the Lord: ‘Go and get a potter’s earthen flask, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests.’”

Jeremiah 19:10-11  “Then you shall break the flask in the sight of the men who go with you, and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts:’ “Even so I will break this people and this city… Read More
Jeremiah 20- Get The Word Out

Jeremiah 20:9
“Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.”

Due to his experiences, Jeremiah no longer wanted to publicly declare the Word of God. His message had been ignored and rejected, and now his listeners were becoming hostile. He was mocked, ridiculed, then arrested. It is not difficult to understand why… Read More
New Testament: Hebrews 10- The Book

Hebrews 10:7
“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God. ’”

Years ago I had a friend who worked in a local book store. Part of his job was to be familiar with the books so he could answer questions and make recommendations. The problem was he really did not enjoy reading. His… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Jeremiah 5-6 & Hebrews 3
Old Testament: Jeremiah 5- Don’t Believe That

Jeremiah 5:25
“Your iniquities have turned these things away,
And your sins have withheld good from you.”

The Bible portrays the devil as a dragon who seeks to defeat the work of God by destroying the followers of God. This fiery beast… Read More
Jeremiah 6- A Storm Is Coming

Jeremiah 6:16
Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.” But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

The worst hurricane in U.S. History reached landfall in Galveston Texas on September 8, 1900. With winds exceeding 145 mph and a storm surge of over 15ft this category 4 storm had a devastating affect upon the growing city and its… Read More

New Testament: Hebrews 3- A Hard Heart

Hebrews 3:12-13
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Life is dangerous and filled with pitfalls. We are constantly warned to be on the lookout for danger. We see signs warning us that the road is slippery, the coffee is hot, there is a low… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Jeremiah 3-4 & Hebrews 2
Old Testament: Jeremiah 3- Time For A New Path

Jeremiah 3:3
“Therefore the showers have been withheld, And there has been no latter rain.”

Difficulties in life are not always the result of personal sin, but sometimes they are. Sometimes our struggles could be alleviated by getting things right with… Read More
Jeremiah 3- Backsliding

Jeremiah 3:22
“Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding.”

Paul warned against having an attitude toward grace that encourages sin. Some were suggesting, since God is gracious, it is okay to sin, knowing we will receive forgiveness. He put it this way,

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin… Read More

New Testament: Hebrews 2- Drifting Away

Hebrews 2:1
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

Sadly, we have all seen Christians fall by the wayside. People who at one time were walking with the Lord, but have fallen back into the life from which… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Jeremiah 1-2 & Hebrews 1
Old Testament: Jeremiah 1- Called To Serve

Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

There are many fields where we must leave the work to the professionals. It would be utter folly to attempt dentistry on yourself, and working… Read More
Jeremiah 2- Walking In Sunshine

Jeremiah 2:13
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

Water is a necessary element for life. Ancient cities were founded with two main concerns; first there must be an ample water source to support the people and second they must be able to defend themselves from enemies who might attack. In arid climates, it became… Read More

New Testament: Hebrews 1- Prescription That Works

Hebrews 1:3
“…and upholding all things by the word of His power…

When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God supernaturally provided for their needs. Each morning, as the dew settled on the ground, a substance known simply as … Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 65-66 & Philemon 1
Old Testament: Isaiah 65- Holier Than Thou

Isaiah 65:5
“Who say, ‘Keep to yourself,
Do not come near me,
For I am holier than you!’”

“Holier than thou” is defined by a modern dictionary as, “having a superior attitude or view of one’s self.” It is most commonly used as an accusation against a Christian… Read More
Isaiah 66- Famous People

Isaiah 66:2
“For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.”

Imagine walking into someone’s home, where, on the mantle, they had a picture of themselves with a famous or powerful person. As you looked closer, there was not one… Read More

New Testament: Philemon 1- That’s Refreshing

Philemon 1:7
“For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.”

The world honors men for many reasons. We have a Hall of Fame for most sporting endeavors. Men’s lives are immortalized for throwing a ball, riding a wave, or taking a punch. What an amazing… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 63-64 & Titus 3
Old Testament: Isaiah 63- Looking Back

Isaiah 63:7
“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord And the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His loving-kindnesses.”
I recently attended a communion service where we were… Read More

Isaiah 64- Come On Down

Isaiah 64:1
“Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down!”

As Isaiah looked at the present condition of his world, his heart cried out for the Lord to come. He was not alone in this cry, for the apostle John brought the book of Revelation to a close crying out for Jesus to return. Saints throughout… Read More

New Testament: Titus 3= Old Faithful

Titus 3:8
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

Sometimes, when we want to emphasize the importance of something, we might… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Isaiah 61-62 & Titus 2
Old Testament: Isaiah 61- Robes Of Righteousness

Isaiah 61:10
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Certain garments are necessary… Read more
Isaiah 62- What Love

Isaiah 62:5
“As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you.”

Life can cause us to misunderstand God. In the midst of difficulty, it is common to respond like the disciples who cried out, “Lord don’t you care that we are perishing” (Mark 4:38)? It is during those times, we need to cling all the more to the promises of God. Circumstances are often misleading. If we want to know how God truly feels about us, we need to look into the pages of His Word. Isaiah declares that God rejoices over us. I have had the privilege of … Read More

New Testament: Titus 2-Did You Hear That?

Titus 2:1
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine”

The purpose of the teachings of God’s Word is not simply information. We should not expect a test when we arrive in heaven or a pop quiz along the way. Instead, we learn the Word so we might behave right. Sound doctrine… Read More

James 5:13
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”

Like many of you, I awoke this morning as I do every morning. My first thoughts were coffee, my morning devotions and my schedule that had developed for the remainder of my day. This morning however, that routine was drastically interrupted. Almost as soon as my eyes opened I was met with news of the shooting in Las Vegas. I immediately turned on the television only to see images and hear sounds more graphic than I could have ever imagined. The sound of gunfire and the sheer horror on the faces of those running for cover broke my heart as I am sure it did yours as well. Scenes like this have become all too commonplace in our world today, but the shock remains the same.  

I am certain that this event will result in politicians, the judiciary, members of law enforcement and other first responders convening and look into policy, legislation and procedures in an attempt to stop these kinds of things from continuing to happen. That being said, I think the focus of our attention as believers should not be focused upon a political argument but instead we should be doing all we can to show support to the hundreds, even thousands of family members, friends and loved ones of the victims of this horrific event. 

While it is not always clear what we can do for those we do not personally know, James tells us that if anyone is suffering we should pray. As the shock and horror of this event transitions into anger and other emotions let’s be sure not to forget that the best outlet will be found at the throne of grace. We should be those who stand in the gap for the broken hearted and plead with God to extend His mercy, grace and loving kindness upon them. 

The world is hurting and the love of Jesus Christ is the only balm strong enough to aid the broken hearted. 

In His matchless grace,

Jim