Tag: Bible

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: August 5, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 5

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul said, “If we are crazy, we are crazy for Jesus!” (Paraphrase)
The great missionary Paul was constrained by the love of Christ. He had been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and had been given the ministry of reconciliation. Each one of us who has come to faith in Christ is a representative of the cross of Jesus, and has been given the ministry of reconciliation. We know that God has not given us what we deserve, and that Jesus took our sins upon the cross and paid for them with His blood. We believe with Paul that “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” And with Paul we have hope of a glorious future. We know that we will one day appear before Christ, and we will receive a reward. Our temporary bodies which are decaying, will be replaced with glorious Christ-like bodies. We are accepted by Him and will be present with Him. We understand this and are assured of this by faith. And as an affirmation of our faith God has given His Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our future inheritance. People used to give earnest money when they were making a purchase of a home. Earnest money was a guarantee or promise of purchase. God has given us the Spirit as a guarantee that heaven is our future home.

Prayer: “Dear Father, thank You for giving us hope, faith, and love. May we walk by faith and not by sight. Thank You for reconciling us to God through Jesus Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: July 31, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Corinthians chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church he challenged them to correct an erring member. In his second letter he admonished the Corinthians to forgive and restore their brother. Paul said, “You ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that you would confirm your love toward him.” (2 Corinthians 2:7-8)
Forgiveness is a gift from God that restores our fellowship. The Corinthian church confronted the sin of one of its members. Their actions led the sinning brother to realize his sin and repent. For the church to heal, there needed to be an act of forgiveness on their behalf. Satan loves to see God’s church torn apart. He gains an advantage over us when we are divided. Unforgiveness keeps God’s people separated and hinders fellowship. God tells us to love one another, and that love covers a multitude of sins. Paul said, “For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.” (2 Corinthians 2:15) It is a sweet savor when God’s people love one another.
We should be a sweet and pleasant odor to one another and to God. Don’t allow the bitter and unpleasant smell of unforgiveness to ruin your life. Let your life be a delightful fragrance to everyone you meet.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, make us a sweet fragrance for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is I Corinthians chapter 4

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul was a spiritual father to the Corinthian Christians. His gospel witness had produced fruit there, and many came to Christ in Corinth. The Apostle wanted the Corinthian believers to become spiritually sound and theologically grounded. Paul saw himself as a steward of the Gospel. As a steward or manager of the Gospel Paul knew that he must be faithful in preaching and teaching. He said, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” (I Corinthians 4:5)
Paul knew he would one day give an account of his ministry to God. He also believed that there was no room for pride in the ministry since everything was received from God. We don’t have anything that God didn’t give us. If we don’t have it then God didn’t give it and we don’t need it. Paul’s continual focus was on the Gospel and the glory of God. He was willing to suffer for the Gospel. He said, “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place.” (I Corinthians 4:11)
Paul’s ministry wasn’t very glamorous, nor was he seeking celebrity status. His ministry was marked by his making disciples. Does what you do produce disciples? Paul modeled discipleship and was able to say “follow me” Are you living for Christ in such a way that you can say to others “follow my example and you will become a mature follower of Christ?

Prayer: “Dear Father, may we make disciples and model discipleship, all for Your glory. In Jesus name.Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 15

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul had a heart for God’s church. The churches he ministered to were enriched by the preaching of the Gospel, and they shared a mutual concern for one another. Paul longed to minister to the church. He suffered many things and endured many hardships for the sake of the body of Christ. He loved the church and gave of himself to ensure his physical presence with the church. He always had their best interest at heart. The churches learned from Paul the importance of unity. God’s church is always at its best when the church family is likeminded. Today our love and longing for the church must be for its unity as well. Unity in concern for one another, unity in the Gospel, and unity in prayer together will result in spiritual fruit. “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:5-6)

Prayer: “Dear Lord, give us a heart for Your church like that of Paul, may we be unified with the people of God. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 14

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
How we treat people is important. People matter to God and they should matter to us. As followers of Jesus Christ walking in the love of God we must be sensitive to how we treat other believers. God’s Word reminds us that as believers we are accountable to God and will one day stand before Him. It is important for mature believers to be patient with younger believers. New believers must respect older, more mature Christians and seek to learn from them. Church is about relationships. At the end of the day we must do everything possible to protect our relationships within the body of Christ. If what we are doing is offensive to other believers then we must be considerate of where they are in their walk with God. People are more important than our plans, programs, and passions. Our first priority in the church must be to love one another. Unity is not optional, it is God’s will. Unity is impossible without the work of the Spirit.

Prayer: “Holy Father, You are the Mighty God and we bless Your name. Help us to live with a consciousness in our relationships that we are accountable and will one day stand before You. Forgive our failures and help us to grow in our love for others. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

 

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 13

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
Through love followers of Christ fulfill the Law of God. The Bible says, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another” (Romans 13:8). The two greatest commands in Scripture are first of all “love God” supremely, and second “love your neighbor.” Loving God and loving others will keep us from many sins. In love we can “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14) Love does not injure others or bring about harm to another individual, but instead in love we treat others the way we would treat ourselves. Love isn’t selfish but it is considerate of others. There has never been a better time to start walking in love than right now, “knowing the time, that now it is time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11).

Prayer: “Dear Father in heaven, may You fill us with Your love, and may we walk in love with a sense of urgency knowing that time is short. And we love someone today by telling them about Jesus Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotiins

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Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 11

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God isn’t finished with His people Israel. One day He will restore them. Today Israel has been placed on a shelf. Through Israel’s failure the Gospel came to the Gentiles. What happened to Israel was part of God’s plan. God is faithful to His people and will keep His promise. As Gentiles we are indebted to Israel and must remain humble . If we reject God we too could be placed on a shelf. Someone once gave me a commemorative pen but it stopped working. I still have the pen but it’s of no use to me. I have it stored in my desk. As believers we must so live and dedicate ourselves to God that He can use us. Our disobedience will lead to God’s judgment, but our obedience will lead to blessing.

Prayer: “Lord, thank You for bringing the Gospel to us. Help us to live in such a way that we can be used by You. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 7

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

God’s Commandments are holy, good, and pure. Our attempts to obey God’s Commandments in our flesh are futile. Religious effort to earn salvation by good works will fail. In my flesh I cannot please God. I need spiritual birth and new life in order to be set free from sin and live for God. Only God’s grace can provide the freedom and power to overcome my sin. God’s Law exposes the weakness of our flesh. Paul stated, “Nothing good dwells in me.” He came to the conclusion that in his flesh there was no way he could satisfy the Law and achieve righteousness. Paul said of himself, “Oh wretched man that I am!” It isn’t just hard to earn salvation by works, it is impossible! Who will deliver us from this sinful state and spiritual enslavement to sin since we cannot deliver ourselves? Paul said, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We can only be saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Through His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus achieved our salvation. Salvation is a gift to be received not achieved. When Christ enters our hearts by faith then we are made free and enabled by the Holy Spirit to keep God’s commands.

Prayer: “Dear Father in heaven, thank You for the Spirit of life who dwells in us by faith in Jesus Christ, help us to enjoy our freedom in Christ today by walking in obedience to Your commands. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 6

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Martin Luther King, Jr. made famous these words, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” What does it mean to be truly set free? In Romans chapter 6 we have a clear definition of what it means to be set free from sin. To be made free there is a clear break from our old way of life! Our baptism illustrates this break from our past. Baptism is like a funeral service. At baptism we are leaving everything we used to be behind us to become everything God wants us to be. The old man is dead and our sinful past is buried with Christ. Secondly, to be made free means a new identity. We have been set apart by God to walk in the newness of life. We have a new identity in Christ and a new power living inside of us. We are no longer slaves of sin and our flesh, but now we are children of the King. Sin no longer rules over us, we are free to live for Christ. Before we met Christ our future looked gloomy. The wages of sin is death. Since we met Jesus our future is bright. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. To God be the glory, we have been set free!

Prayer: “Dear Father, we bless Your name for the freedom we have in Christ Jesus! You are the great God of our salvation. We praise You. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 5

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Oh the blessings of knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior! What are the benefits of being saved? First of all, we now have peace with God. We are no longer the enemies of God, but we’ve been made right through the blood of Jesus. The war is over and King Jesus has conquered our lives. Not only do we have the blessing of peace, but also we have access to God! The barrier is gone and now we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness and invited to approach God’s holy throne. Also, we have the blessing of rejoicing! We rejoice even in our suffering. Trials help produce character in our lives, and God uses suffering to mature our faith. Finally, God has given us the blessing of hope. Our hope assures us that we will one day enjoy an eternity in heaven, and reminds us daily how much God really loves us. His Holy Spirit comforts us and pours God’s love into our hearts.

Prayer: “Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy name, forget not all His benefits.”

Randy J. McPheron