Tag: Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 16, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Hebrews chapter 2

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

Are you in any way drifting away from the Lord? Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” The book of Hebrews warns us not to neglect our great salvation. This wonderful, glorious, great salvation, which is provided for us through faith in Jesus Christ, demands and deserves our constant devotion. We must approach salvation with complete earnestness. An earnestness in salvation will seek daily nourishment from the Word of God. Paying attention to God’s Word keeps us from drifting away, and will see us through the hard times. J.C. Ryle said, “I want people to fill their minds with passages of Scripture while they are well and strong, that they may have sure help in the day need. I want them to be diligent in studying their Bibles, and becoming familiar with their contents, in order that the grand old Book may stand by them and talk with them when all earthly friends fail.” Don’t allow your fellowship with God to be ruined through neglect. Give attention to the faith, and to your walk with God. Ultimately, how you treat your Bible is how you treat Jesus.

Prayer: “Jesus, may we hunger for Your Word, may we heed Your Word, and may we never neglect our great salvation. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 4

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

The early church had a tremendously powerful ministry and witness, what were some of its characteristics? They unashamedly preached Jesus and Him crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. Their constant concern was to glorify the name of Jesus. Along with that was the intentional way they witnessed about the Gospel. The disciples were willing to suffer and die for the sake of the Gospel. Part of their witness was a willingness to endure suffering. Also, they were marked by the influence of the Holy Spirit. They experienced God’s power as a result of being Spirit filled. The early church knew how to pray and when they called upon the Lord their place was shaken. They saw thousands trust Christ as Lord and Savior. They were marked by unity and a mutual concern for one another. They experienced great grace from the heavenly Father. They were generous and gave sacrificially. Their gatherings were marked by praise as they rejoiced in everything God accomplished. Believers today must get back to the same qualities that marked the early church. The early church turned the world upside down for Jesus Christ. We can do the same today if we will follow their example.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, raise up churches today that resemble the early church in the book of Acts. May we each do our part to seek revival in the church today. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 2

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

In the Bible fire represents the presence if God. Israel was no stranger to God’s fire. Moses met God at a burning bush. The fire of God fell at Mt. Carmel whenever Elijah prayed and called upon the Lord. The children of Israel were led through the wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night. When Solomon dedicated the temple fire fell on the altar. And when the church gathered for a ten day prayer meeting fire from heaven fell upon the church. Pentecost fulfilled the promise Jesus made to His church that He would send the Comforter. The result of God giving us His Spirit is that we have boldness to proclaim Christ. The coming of the Spirit also resulted in the early church flourishing. Thousands trusted Christ, followed the Lord in believers baptism, and began growing as Christ followers. Spirit filled churches will experience unity, fellowship, growth in God’s Word, and a passion to see people saved. I heard about a church that had a disagreement over what color of shingles to put on the roof. Half of the church wanted black shingles and the other half wanted brown. They decided the only way to settle it was to put black shingles on one side of the church and brown shingles on the other. When Sunday came the church members that voted for black shingles sat on the side of the church that had black shingles on the roof. The members that voted for brown shingles sat on the side of the church with brown shingles. Is there anything about the attitude of that church that resembles the New Testament church in Acts 2? What is there about your church that resembles Pentecost? Pentecost is not the abnormal, it is the norm for God’s church. We can experience the presence and power of God’s Spirit in the church today!

Prayer: “Dear Father, pour out Your revival fire on us today. May we live and worship and serve in the power of Your Spirit! May our churches resemble the New Testament church at Pentecost. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Daily Devotions: May 6, 2014
Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 1

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

The last thing Jesus said to His disciples before His ascension was Acts 1:8. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to His church, and through the Spirit we are given power to witness. God’s commission to His church is that we go. The ascension marked the beginning of that commission, and the return of Christ will mark the end. Today, God has opened a door of opportunity for us to share the Gospel with the lost peoples of the world. God is in the saving business, therefore His church ought to be in the soul winning business. Someone once asked the question, “Is there anything better than going to heaven?” Yes, there is something better. It is “taking someone else with you!” The disciples first response to Jesus commission was they started a prayer meeting. Prayer is the starting point of evangelism and the Great Commission. Who have you prayed for today to be saved? Ask God to use you to witness to someone today. Acts 1:8 is for you!

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, we believe You to open hearts and give us opportunities to share Christ with someone today. Give us boldness to witness and a burden for lost people.”

Randy J. McPheron

 

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 11

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

The shortest verse in the Bible simply says, “Jesus wept.” The tears of Jesus remind us of our Savior’s great compassion. He loves you and me and He identifies with our sorrow. He knows what you are going through and He cares. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your cares upon Him (Jesus) for He cares for you.” The tears of Jesus remind us that we can bring all of our burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing bring your troubles to Jesus and leave them at His feet. His tears show you that whatever troubles you also troubles Him. Perhaps Jesus weeping also means that He is deeply troubled over sin and death. Maybe His heart is crushed under the weight of grief because He sees suffering and He knows our plight. He is saddened by the fact that our human state is such as it is. He sees the effect of sin and death and it breaks His heart. Jesus is such a compassionate Savior, He died for us that we might live. He took our sin and He buried that sin in the grave. When Jesus arose He left our sin buried. It is gone! Our sin is buried with Christ. Search and you will never find it. It is as far as the east is from the west. His tears identifies with our tears but one day Jesus will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Prayer: “Lord, we stand in awe of who You are. Your tears remind of Your great love. We know we can bring and worries and fears to You today. Thank You for loving us so much. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 2

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

Marriages are made in heaven but on earth Jesus graced a wedding with His presence in Cana of Galilee. It is interesting that Jesus’ first miracle took place at a wedding. He turned water into wine. Wine is a symbol of joy. Jesus brings joy into the home or into the human heart. For there to be joy in a marriage Christ must be there. Unless the Lord builds the house they who labor do so in vain. It isn’t just hard to build a home without Christ it is impossible. Once a man said to me, “It’s okay for me to drink, after all Jesus turned the water into wine. I responded “so do you do everything Jesus tells you to do?” Alcohol can destroy a marriage and is one of the leading causes for divorce. God said, “Be not drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit.” There is no greater experience than to be filled with God’s Spirit. It is a miracle of God’s grace! Just like Jesus turned water into wine He can turn your life into something beautiful.

Prayer: ” Dear Lord, please fill us with the fullness of Your Presence, and the fullness of Your joy. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Luke chapter 24

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

When we become discouraged God does not leave us in that condition, but He comes to us, and comforts us through His Word and with His Presence. How can we find encouragement and renewal in the Lord? First, we must tell Him all about our struggles. We can cast all of our cares upon Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Not only must we tell Him but also we must trust Him. Jesus accused the Emmaus Road disciples of being “slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” Jesus exposed their weakness and expounded the Scriptures to build their faith. He also opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures. The Word of God builds our faith! It also points us to Jesus. The disciples said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?” Time alone with God meditating on His Word will produce in us a burning heart for the Lord!

Prayer: “Dear Father, encourage and renew us in Your Word today, may our hearts burn for You. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron