| Devotional | Don't Court the World
James 4:4-7
Consider the accusation of James concerning the illicit love affair with the world as stated in the following paraphrase: "You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be ...read |
| Devotional | Don't Minimize God's Grace!
The basic error the Apostle Paul was dealing with was the mingling of Law with grace. There are three grave errors that arise out of this.
First there is what we call "legalism." This is the teaching that people are saved by works or human effort. That, in this case, would include the keeping of the Law and observing the rituals and ceremonies ...read |
| Devotional | Don't Rob Yourself!
Ephesians 4:28-32
In our relationships with others, we need to be sure that we do not steal from them. We need to be honest in business transactions and be faithful in giving service for which we are paid.
If we are paid for a full day's work, we steal from our employer if we do not give him a full day's work. Even such a relatively small m ...read |
| Devotional | Dying to Live
Galatians 2:11-21
The new life is life "in Christ." The word "in" does not in this connection speak of location, such as "in an automobile," but carries the idea of union.
We are in union with Christ. T hrough Him we are dead to the Law, having been identified with Him in His death and resurrection.
On the resurrection side of this e ...read |
| Devotional | Enthroned and Enabled
Ephesians 2:1-10
Because we are seated in the heavenlies in Christ, we should have spiritual rest and relaxation. However, many who know Christ as Saviour are characterized by worrying.
The Bible says, "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity" (Ps. 37:1).
The believer is commanded, \ ...read |
| Devotional | Facing Sin
2 Samuel 11:1-5
We have seen before that God does not gloss over the sins of His children. David, though a man after God's own heart, was not sinlessly perfect. We come now to the darkest hour in this great man's life.
It seems that the higher the peak of victory, the deeper the fall a believer can sustain. Though David was one of God's c ...read |
| Devotional | Fullness Begins With Thirst
John 7:37-39
Along with obeying we must desire to be filled and then appropriate the filling. Our Lord said in John 7:37, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."
Here are two prerequisites for the filling of the Holy Spirit: thirst and trust. Thirst suggests desire, and drinking suggests obedience and trust.
Included in thi ...read |
| Devotional | Getting
James 1: 1-8
The more often faith is tried, the easier it becomes to endure trials because they produce patience. And through trials, the believer becomes more steadfast in his faith.
Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or stress. Patience is the ability to bear pain without complaint, evidencing self-control.
In a sense, both o ...read |
| Devotional | Getting Right With God
Psalm 51:1-17
David asked God to create in him a clean heart (see Ps. 51:10). With regard to the unbeliever, this would be a matter of regeneration, but for the Christian it involves renewal and restoration.
David said, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me" (v. 11).
This is Old Testament doctrine and ...read |
| Devotional | God Doesn't Need Help
11 Samuel 1:1-16
Second Samuel opens with the account of a messenger coming to David and telling him that Saul and Jonathan and many others were dead.
Thinking to gain David's approval and possibly receive a reward from him, this messenger, who was an Amalekite, told David that it was at his hands Saul had died.
He said he had come upon S ...read |
| Devotional | God Enjoys Giving!
James 1:16-18
James left no doubt about the fact that God is the giver of all that is good. James cautioned, "Do not err" (James 1:16).
The Greek word translated "err" means "to go astray" or "to go off course." It was used to describe a ship that had been driven from its course and was in severe danger.
So James was not referring ...read |
| Devotional | God Has Ended the War
Ephesians 2:11-18
God has reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to Himself. Therefore, when the Jew and the Gentile receive Christ as Saviour, they can be at peace with each other because they are at peace with God.
Once God has become their Father, they can gladly call each other "brother." And it is only when individuals are in right relation ...read |
| Devotional | God Hates Sin! Do We?
Romans 1:18-25
There must be no misunderstanding of what God's wrath is. It should never be confused with man's wrath, which is sinful.
God's wrath is not a sudden fit of temper; neither is it a desire for revenge. These things are sin, and we cannot attribute sin to God.
God's wrath is a fixed attitude of opposition toward all unright ...read |
| Devotional | God Is Building a Temple
Ephesians 2:19-22
Jesus Christ is building His Church. When He was on earth, He said, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).
We are living stones within God's building, and we also have a part as co-builders as we take the Gospel to others so they can receive Christ as Saviour.
Christ ...read |
| Devotional | God is Greater Than Man
Job 33:1-12
Elihu's first thought in approaching Job and his problem was to make very clear that God is greater than man. This is a fact that we must clearly understand if we are to have the right answers in our times of trouble.
Elihu uncovered Job's faults without stirring up his opposition. This is an art that the Spirit of God imparts i ...read |
| Devotional | God Is Not Impressed
James 1:9-11
When James wrote concerning a brother of "low degree" (James 1:9), we must remember that he was writing from a human viewpoint. Only humans characterize one person as being of low degree and another as being of high degree, because God is not a respecter of persons.
James was writing about a "brother"; that is, one who has tr ...read |
| Devotional | God Is Still in Control
1 Kings 19:8-18
Perhaps we have felt like Elijah and said, "What is the use?" Perhaps we have given the best of our lives to accomplish something for the Lord and feel that we have been left stranded.
Perhaps we feel that the Enemy is seeking to destroy all traces of Christianity and belief in the true God and that he is after our soul too. ...read |
| Devotional | God Lives!
1 Kings 17:1 James 6:16-18
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. He had a remarkable ministry, but he was still human. He had special gifts from God and was set apart to perform a special ministry.
The difference between him and us is due to the special work God had for him and the fact that he was fully submitted to God.
When he relie ...read |
| Devotional | God Will Guide You
James 4:13-17
We do not need to be in a state of unrest about the future. Some worry needlessly and wonder, "Why doesn't God let me know what He has in mind for me in the future?"
Some young people may be thinking about the mission field and wondering what God's will is for them five or ten years from now.
It is important, however, tha ...read |
| Devotional | God's Kindness
Colossians 3:12; Titus 3:1-7
The believer is to put on "kindness" (Col. 3:12). This refers to a gentle, gracious disposition.
When I think of this quality, a particular godly leader comes to mind. Years ago another leader in the area did him much harm and sought to ruin his reputation. In a board meeting with this godly leader some of us ex ...read |
Theodore Epp