Daily Reading 11-9-17
Psalm 78:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
Devotionals
Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 11-3-17
Daily Reading 11-3-17
Psalm 43:5 Good News Translation (GNT)
Human emotions are fickle; they can run high and then low without much warning. As well, they can be difficult to tame and bring under the authority of the Lord. When our emotions run low and we find ourselves sad or discouraged, we should not just “sit in our sadness.” Instead, we need to open the Word of God and receive wisdom from the many heroes of the faith. What did they do when they felt this way? They meditated on the goodness of the Lord.
Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 11-1-17
Daily Reading 11-1-17
Matthew 5:1-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Over the past three days the Lord has been drawing my attention to the word, “Blessed or Blessing.” In the Greek, the word “blessed” is translated using many different descriptive words that are all interconnected. In today’s passage, I will use brackets to highlight a greater understanding of the word “blessed,” as well as the response of God on behalf of those pursuing the “blessing.” Enjoy the teaching for today from the Word of God; you who are blessed of the Lord.
Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 10-30-17
Daily Reading 10-30-17
James 2:8-13 Living Bible
Mercy is defined as not getting what you deserve; punishment is withheld. We have all broken God’s Laws in some way; all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We deserve the punishment for sin; eternal separation from God. But because of God’s mercy (loving kindness) and grace we are forgiven. God withholds the punishment we deserve, because Jesus paid the price and died for our sin. He took our place. Extravagant gratitude is the proper response for such a Gift.
Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 10-27-17
Daily Reading 10-27-17
John 5:39-47 Living Bible
It is possible to read all of Scripture in order to seek God, but miss the evidence of the Anointed Lord—Messiah—within it’s pages. In our passage today, the Lord rebukes the religious leaders for hanging their hopes for eternal life on the Laws of Moses; because Moses wrote about Love incarnate (Messiah) and they weren’t living it. Only the Lord brings eternal life and causes us to honor the Father of Righteousness.
In order to know the righteousness of God, we must know the correcting and sanctifying work of the Lord. Jesus Messiah is the One who teaches Truth about what honors Father God. So, please listen to the Word of the Lord and choose to grow in righteousness—the character of Messiah.
Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 10-26-17
Daily Reading 10-26-17
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 New Living Translation (NLT)
Any absence of godly leaders does not mean the absence of God or his love. He alone is our dwelling place; our eternal Home and our Hope. We must never forget it is by faith, as finite beings, we enjoy the eternal refuge of our Creator and Father. We will go through times of pain and trouble, but God is still with us. He is not bound by time for He is the Creator of time. He does not lack power for He is sovereign and everlasting. Even if all our circumstances aligned with our will, we would not be satisfied unless we were enjoying fellowship with the Lord. It is the Lord who makes the difference in human existence.
Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 10-25-17
Daily Reading 10-25-17
Matthew 17:24-27 New Living Translation (NLT)
In our passage today, Jesus’s critics are once again criticizing Him to His disciples about taxes. The temple tax was prescribed in Exodus 30:13. This passage is not about paying taxes to the civil government, it is about fulfilling a worship obligation to God.
The point Jesus makes is that the Christ and His disciples enjoy a relationship with God that frees them from the obligations imposed upon “others.” Kings and their family did not pay taxes. Jesus, the King, owed no taxes; however, He chose to comply with the Law’s requirements to avoid offending others.