Tag: faith

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 18, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 13

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

The unholy trinity Satan, the Antichrist, and the beast will be unleashed upon the earth during the Great Tribulation. God will permit the Antichrist  to oppress and make war against God’s people. The Tribulation saints will face persecution, arrest, and some will even face death. These saints will be faithful to Christ no matter what. They will refuse the mark of the beast and therefore will not be able to buy or sell. They will show great courage and faith in God in spite of persecution. Their testimony should inspire us. If these saints can be faithful to the Lord during the most difficult days on earth, then we too can be faithful in our situation. As we read Revelation and see it unfold before our eyes, we are comforted that God is on the throne. No matter what evil arises Jesus Christ is sovereign and He is working all things together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, let us be a light in a dark place. For Your glory. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 1, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Jude

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

There is a very strong warning in the book of Jude against false teachers. Jude makes it clear that we Christians have been called to stand against falsehood and contend for the faith. He gives us several examples of godless thinking and behavior, and warns of God’s judgment against such a way of living. Jude then gives us a godly example. Not a lot is said about Enoch in the Bible. There are really only three passages that give us a description of this man who walked with God. What Jude tells us about Enoch is that he was a preacher of righteousness. Enoch is an example of someone God used, a man who loved God and contended for the faith. In these last days we may have to deal with carnal- minded scoffers who cause division and confusion in God’s church. It is more needful than ever that we contend for the faith. It is also needful that we build each other up in the faith, that we pray in the Spirit, and that we look for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Jude also appeals to us to reach out to those whose faith is wavering and seek to rescue them. But we must do so without condoning sinful practices or compromising the Word of God.

Prayer: “Lord, may we be faithful to defend the one faith given to us by Jesus, and may we be effective in reaching the weak and wavering, for the glory of Jesus we pray, Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 26, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 John chapter 5

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

Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. Through Jesus Christ we are called to be overcomers. God promises us victory over the world. We are not just trying to get by, we are super victorious! God didn’t call us to merely survive, He called us to conquer. If this is true why are so many believers living in defeat. They key word is “faith”. What are you willing to believe God for? Do you believe Him to keep His promises? Do you believe God to protect you? Do you believe God to meet your needs and to answer prayer? God blesses faith, but without faith it is impossible to please Him. Whatever situation you are facing today you can believe God for victory.

Prayer: “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. To God be the glory great things He hath done.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 24

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 John chapter 3

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

What a great privilege it is to belong to God! We who have been saved are sons and daughters of God. It does not yet appear what we shall be. But God has given us the hope that when Jesus appears we shall be like Him. Since we have this hope, and since Jesus is holy, we must strive for holy living. An unholy life reflects that we do not belong to God. John stated, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil…” 1 John 3:8 ESV) The evidence that we are saved is that we practice righteousness, and that we possess a love for other believers. Anyone who does not love the fellowship does not know God. Jesus taught us how to love. Jesus laid down His life for us and He is our example. We must be willing to lay down our lives for the brothers. What are you willing to sacrifice, what are you willing to endure for the sake of your church family?

Prayer: “Lord, let us experience a confident hope, and may we demonstrate our relationship to You by the way we live and by the way we love. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 17, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Peter chapter 1

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

Peter wrote his second letter to those who shared the same precious faith as he did. He desired that these believers grow in their knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. Peter taught that a growing faith is a fruitful faith. It is precious because it was given to us by the Savior. Fruitful faith is not only precious, it is powerful. God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. Fruitful faith is not only powerful, it is also progressive. We have God’s promises that enable us to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. Our faith produces spiritual qualities of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, and love. If we fail to develop our faith it will result in spiritual shortsightedness. But when we work hard to demonstrate a genuine faith, we gain great assurance that we are the children of God.

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, may You make us firm in the faith, and may You bear fruit in our lives for Your glory, in Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 10, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 Peter chapter 1

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

Genuine faith will always be tested. A faith that cannot be tested, cannot be trusted. The Bible says, “you must endure many trials.” (1 Peter 1:6 NLT) Trials help to show the validity of our faith in Jesus Christ. Refiners use fire to purify gold. Temperatures can exceed 1,000 degrees Celsius. Impurities rise to the surface and are then removed resulting in pure gold. Faith in Jesus Christ, or the born again experience is far more precious than gold. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (NLT) 1Peter 1:21-22 says, “Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.”

Prayer: “Lord, we trust You in the trial of our faith. Make us more like Jesus. Thank You for the life we have in Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 30, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Hebrews chapter 12

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

The life of faith will overcome discouragement. Faith looks back at the steadfastness of the witnesses and finds strength to overcome. Hebrews chapter 11 describes the many faithful saints of God and how they endured suffering. Abraham and Sara believed God’s promises no matter what it cost them. Moses refused the prestige and luxury life of royalty in Egypt in exchange for the reproach of God’s people. He counted the eternal riches of Christ a better reward than the temporary success he could’ve had in Egypt. Not only does faith look back, but also faith looks in and finds liberty. We must lay aside every weight. These are things that are burdensome that hold us back. We must also lay aside every sin. Sin leads to bondage. Sin gives the devil an open door to get a stronghold in our life. Don’t give the devil a place in your life through the practice of sin. Sin will take hold of you and slow you down, or disqualify you from the race. Not only does faith look backward and inward, but also faith looks upward and finds power for the race. “Looking unto Jesus” is the key to a powerful and productive faith! Think about all the hostility that Jesus suffered. None of us have suffered like Jesus. Keep on keeping on by telling your faith where to look.

Prayer: “Father in heaven, we glorify You for the saints of the past, may we be like them. Help us lay aside burdens and sins that weigh us down and prevent us from running the race. And may we keep our eyes on Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 29, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Hebrews chapter 11

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

Hebrews chapter 11 has been called God’s hall of fame. The entire chapter describes men and women of faith who loved God and pleased the Lord. This chapter is filled with names, but let’s zero in on the first three. First, Abel was a man of faith who by his faith worshiped God. Abel’s sacrifice to God was a testimony to the Lord. His worship was accepted and well pleasing to the Lord, and continues to speak to us today. The next man of faith is Enoch. By faith Enoch walked with God. Enoch’s walk of faith was pleasing to the Lord. Enoch did not die, but was taken up to heaven by way of rapture. Anything that is not of faith is sin, and is not worth doing. Enoch pleased God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. In order to please God we must believe that He is, and that it is worthwhile to seek Him. The next person mentioned in God’s hall of fame is Noah. Noah was a man of faith who by his faith worked for God. God’s revelation stirred Noah’s heart, and he moved into action in response to his faith. With every blow of Noah’s hammer he was a witness to the people about God. We have God’s revelation today because we have the complete canon of Scripture. God’s revelation to us should move us into action to work for God. Noah’s work resulted only in the saving of His family. No other people survived. If our lifetime of laboring for the Lord only results in our winning just our family to Christ, then it will have been worth all the blood, sweat, and tears.

Prayer: “Dear Father, we come to You in believing faith, we believe You for answered prayer, we give ourselves by faith completely to You. May You fulfill Your purpose in us and through us, for Your glory we pray. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 17, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Hebrews chapter 3

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

In chapter two the book of Hebrews warns us about the danger of drifting away, but in chapter three it warns us about the danger of turning away. Verse 12 says, “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.” (NLT) The children of Israel went all the way to the borders of Canaan, but refused to obey God and enter the land. After refusing to believe God, a group of Israelites tried to go into the land but they were defeated. The Bible illustrates that delayed obedience is disobedience. Some people think they can be saved anytime they want to, but that isn’t true. Isaiah taught us to, “Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.” The Bible says we must hear and obey God’s voice “Today.” Nowhere in the Bible does it instruct us to be saved “Tomorrow.” If we don’t trust Christ “today” we may never trust Christ at all, because we may not have another “today.” Also, if we don’t trust Christ “today” we may never trust Christ at all, because our hearts could become hard. Sin will harden your heart. The more often we reject God the easier it becomes until finally our hearts become hard. Visit with inmates in prison and you will meet many people whose heart’s have become hard because of life’s choices. If you do not trust Christ today, you may never trust Christ because you may not hear God’s voice again. God speaks to us through Scripture. One of the saddest moments in Scripture is when Jesus stopped speaking to Pilate. The text says, “Jesus answered him not a word.” The worse thing that could happen to us is for God to stop speaking, but hearing the Gospel isn’t enough, we must believe God and enter into Christ.

Prayer: “Lord, we come to You today hearing and believing and clinging to Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 3, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 2 Timothy chapter 1

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

Timothy’s faith had been mightily influenced by his mother and grandmother. Someone said, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” Never underestimate the impact that you may have on a child. Your children and grandchildren, or the children you minister to are learning about God by watching you. Timothy came to faith in Christ as a result of the godly people who were part of his life. Also, Timothy was given a special gift from the Lord. Spiritual gifts must be developed. Paul charged Timothy to “keep ablaze” the gift he had received from the Lord. The word picture is that of stirring embers before they die, so as to produce a blazing flame. God wants us to have burning hearts and develop our spiritual gifts, knowing that we have not been given the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, thank You the godly people You have placed in our lives, and the spiritual gifts You have given. May our hearts be stirred to do Your will. In Jesus name. Amen”

Randy J. McPheron