The past several weeks have stirred up many memories. Today, I’m thinking of all the saints of God who played an important part in my life. Their dedication to God inspired me to become a faithful follower and servant of God. I’m remembering the anointing they had on their lives and how that anointing…
On my visits to the Holy Land, we usually stop at this tree, just long enough to take a picture. Some say this sycamore tree in Jericho is over 2,000 years old and could be the one Zacchaeus climbed. You know, the tax collector I mentioned a few days ago. Normally, Zacchaeus would have…
I took this picture on one of my trips to the Holy Land. I’m standing on Mt. Precipice, overlooking Nazareth. The Church of the Annunciation is a little right of center. For hundreds of years, the Hebrews said they couldn’t wait for the Messiah to come. When He finally did, they tried to kill…
Do you remember the game “follow the leader?” The idea was to imitate the leader in whatever he chose to do. When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, the transition was not that difficult to grasp. They went from fishers of fish to fishers of men. But what about Matthew?…
John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” I was blessed to pastor the Martin’s Crossroads Church in Lincoln County. Like a lot of the more rural counties, including the one I…
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,…