Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Those of you who faithfully follow my devotions, and I truly appreciate it, will most likely remember how I have commented through the years on Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” While…

  Based on John 1:44, Bethsaida seems to be the hometown of Phillip, Peter, and Andrew. At some point, Peter would move to Capernaum. Bethsaida, Capernaum, and Chorazin have the unfortunate legacy of being cursed and rejected by Jesus, which is tragic because Matthew 11 and John 10 tell us that many miracles took place…

  Mark chapter 6 runs the full range of emotions. It begins with Jesus being rejected by those He grew up with, causing Him to marvel at the depth of their unbelief. Their rejection leads Him to travel from village to village, teaching and preaching. Some accepted, some did not. Perhaps, preparing the disciples for…

  1 Samuel 14:6, “Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” Do you ever find yourself reading and suddenly, one word catches your attention? In this case, it was the word “perhaps.” I began thinking about the “perhaps” moments in the Bible, and there…

  Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” I don’t hear knock, knock jokes much anymore. Maybe it’s because of the audience I’m around. I remember some that were quite amusing, while others would have been better off left unsaid. Then there’s this. Have you ever had someone knock on your door,…

  My Mom was born 96 years ago. Seldom does a day pass that I don’t think of her. Even though I am now a great-grandfather myself, when our parents leave this world, something within us quietly changes. The world doesn’t end, but we lose the simple comfort of being someone’s child. The arms that…

  1 Corinthians 12:26, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” In this chapter, Paul begins by discussing the diversity of spiritual gifts, but he reminds us that they are all subject to the authority of the Holy Spirit. They work at His…

  Revelation 22:5, “There will be no more night…” Once again, we find ourselves debating whether to keep changing the clocks twice a year or picking one time and leaving it alone. Some of the comments are quite amusing, as some people seem to think that changing the clock either adds to or subtracts from…

  My Dad was born 95 years ago. He was one of the hardest-working men I’ve ever known, faithfully providing for our family. He was also a minister of the Gospel for 69 years. He had a passion to see people accept Jesus as their Savior, and he passed that same desire to me. At…

  Recently, several friends have slipped off the stage of life and stepped into eternity. For some, it was completely unexpected. It is a reminder that the number of our days may not be as long as we hoped. The next couple of weeks will also be a reminder of those most precious to me…