| Devotional | When Is It a Sacrifice?
2 Samuel 24:18-25
The Lord not only stayed the plague, but through Gad He also instructed David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite (1 Chron. 21:18). The Lord was very specific about this and left no alternative in the matter. Why this particular spot was chosen does not appear in the narrative, but later ...read |
| Devotional | When the Heavens Seem As Brass
Job 31:6-8,33-35
Job was an unusual man. He had done many noble deeds. He was outstanding in many ways. He was the kind of man who, once he humbled himself before God, could be trusted with more responsibility. The Scriptures say that the person who is faithful in little things will also be faithful in great things (see Matt. 25:23; Luke 16:10). ...read |
| Devotional | Where Do We Stand?
1 Kings 18:7-16
Elijah commissioned Obadiah to tell Ahab that he was looking for him. Obadiah's response was one of fear. This man seems to have lacked moral strength and spiritual backbone. When the commission was given, he was reluctant to obey.
The similarities between Obadiah and Elijah are few, and the contrasts are many. They were both ...read |
| Devotional | Whose Prisoner Are You?
Ephesians 4:1,2; Acts 16:25-31
It is interesting to note the difference between the ways Paul referred to himself in the first half of Ephesians and the last half. In beginning the first half, or doctrinal portion, Paul referred to himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ" (1:1). Paul emphasized his apostleship because he had a special message t ...read |
| Devotional | Wisdom From Heaven
James 3:13-18
It is significant that the characteristics James first listed for godly wisdom are purity and peaceableness. These two have an important relationship. An individual is made pure through faith in Jesus Christ, and this establishes peace between God and himself Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace wit ...read |
| Devotional | With Us-Not of Us
1 John 2:18-9
We are able to detect who the antichrists are: "They went out from us, but they were not of us" (1 John 2:19). This does not mean that they left a particular denomination or church. They left the fundamental doctrine of Jesus Christ. The Word says they were never born again. Verse 19 makes that abundantly clear. The words "no d ...read |
| Devotional | You Are Part of His Treasure
Ephesians 1: 16-18
From Ephesians 1:18 it is apparent that we are more than a mere inheritance of Christ. Paul emphasized the kind of inheritance we are to Christ in the words "riches of the glory of his inheritance." Believers are an inheritance of glorious riches to Christ.
This reveals to us what God considers to be of greatest value in ...read |
| Devotional | You Get Nearer by Getting Lower
James 4:8-12
Concerning James's command to "draw nigh to God" (James 4:8), we must remember that it takes time to be holy. Although our position in Christ at the moment of salvation provides an absolute holiness, as we live the Christian life from day to day, it takes time to apply the principles that result in holy living. But as we move to ...read |
| Devotional | You Grow the Way You Were Born
Colossians 2:1-7
Paul spoke here of the necessity of the Colossians to continue as they had begun. In other words, he was telling them, "Get settled in Christ; see that Christ is everything in your life." Paul wanted the Colossians to recognize that if someone taught differently, then that teaching was in error.
We are to walk in Christ the ...read |
| Devotional | Your Debt to God's Spirit
Romans 8:6-17
It is not a sin to be tempted, but it is sinful to allow oneself to be drawn away and to yield to the temptation. So at the time when temptation arises is the moment to apply Romans 8:13--to mortify the deeds of the body through the Holy Spirit. And notice that it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can effectively do this.
...read |
| Devotional | Zeal Without Knowledge
Philippians 3:1-11
Paul said about himself, "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church" (Phil. 3:6). This reveals the pride of personal devotion to his religious choices. In a sense, it was Paul's pride of reputation. He was more devoted than any of his contemporaries. He was not only a Pharisee, but he was also a very zealous one. He was a con ...read |
| Devotional | Zeal Without Knowledge
Philippians 3:1-11
Paul said about himself, "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church" (Phil. 3:6). This reveals the pride of personal devotion to his religious choices. In a sense, it was Paul's pride of reputation. He was more devoted than any of his contemporaries. He was not only a Pharisee, but he was also a very zealous one. He was a con ...read |
Theodore Epp