Tag: Paul

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 7, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is 2 Timothy chapter 3

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

Standing on the Word of God is even more important today than ever. As the world grows more wicked and embraces more and more falsehood, we need more cable pastors and churches to preach and teach God’s truth! First, we must expect the influences of godlessness to grow and more and more of society to be impacted by it. Paul forewarned that, “In the last days perilous times shall come.” (2 Timothy 3:1) As time moves forward man will plunge further into the depths of sin. We can expect it. As we live in these unholy times we must realize that evangelism can be messy. We must be willing to face a culture steeped in sinful living and false teaching. Brian Combs has challenged the church today, “If we are going to reach people who we are not reaching, then we must be willing to do some things we are not doing.” The Gospel never changes, but our methods for reaching those who are becoming more hostile toward the Gospel may need to change. Evil is growing, we must expect it, but also we must be able to detect it. Paul was fully invested in the Gospel. His teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, along with his suffering was fully known to Timothy. It was not an oddity that Paul suffered persecution, but all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer. In these devilish and deceitful days we must devour God’s Word, which is “inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 HCSB)

Prayer: “Lord, raise up missionaries, pastors, and evangelists who will faithfully stand and preach Your Word. Give us churches that will stand on the Word of God. Reveal to us how best to lay the claims of Christ upon this growingly wicked generation. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 30, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 Timothy chapter 4

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

Where does false teaching come from? It originates from deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons. The Holy Spirit warns the church that in the last days some will depart from the faith paying attention to seducing spirits. The result of bad beliefs is bad behavior. Seductive doctrines lead to duplicity and a seared conscious. To protect God’s church from hypocrisy and error God calls and equips spiritual leaders. Timothy was one of those leaders. He was led of the Lord to serve as pastor of the church at Ephesus. God spoke to Timothy through the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:6-7, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” Two things that spiritual leaders today learn from Timothy on how to be good ministers, and help the church to have victory in days of apostasy and demonic assault. First, good ministers must faithfully preach and teach God’s Word and expound the Scriptures. Second, good ministers must focus on living godly and pure lives as examples to the people they minister to. Preach truth to your people, and practice truth before your people so they may see your spiritual growth and be inclined to do the same.

Prayer: “Lord, we ask You to raise up spiritual leaders who will love preaching and who will faithfully proclaim Your Word, and who will pursue godliness above all else. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 12, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Colossians chapter 4

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

Paul was a people person. All of his relationships were Christ- centered. In the last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians he names at least eleven different people. Paul realized that he needed people if he was going to serve the Lord. It takes people working and serving together to build a church and to bless the world with the Gospel message. Paul needed people to pray for him. He said, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.” (Colossians 4:2-4 NLT) Paul needed people to partner with him. He referred to Tychicus as a “beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord.” (Colossians 1:7) He referred to others as “fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.” (Colossians 4:11) Paul needed people who were personal to him. His friends shared a closeness, and a passion to advance the kingdom and make known the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s friends were compatible. They each had the church’s best interest at heart. They each had the same convictions and believed the same truth. From those who loved Jesus, to those who labored for Jesus, to those who were locked up for Jesus, Paul’s list of friends proves that people need people.

Prayer: “Dear Father, we thank You for the people in our lives who are a special blessing to us. May we each be a friend and also have a friend in the Lord. Please send faithful people to minister along side of us. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Romans chapter 1

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

Paul was called by God and set apart to preach the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God who was raised from the dead. Paul wrote the Roman Epistle to fully explain the Gospel so that the believers in Rome might be firmly grounded in it. The Apostle Paul was invested in the church at Rome and desired to see it flourish. His prayers, letters, visits, and tireless ministry to the Christians at Rome was the result of Paul feeling indebted to them. As Christians we are indebted to tell others about Jesus Christ! We must always be ready to share the Good News about Jesus. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.” (Romans 1:16). Pray that God will bring someone into your life today that you can share Christ with.

Prayer: “Father, may we embrace the call to preach the Gospel, and may we the church realize that we are set apart by God to preach the Gospel, and may the church today have a sense of being indebted to a lost world and ready to share Christ at all times. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 27

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

The storms of life reveal what people are made of. Paul’s shipwreck experience showed his strong character. Paul was made of the right stuff! First, Paul sensed danger in making the journey. Sailing was dangerous during certain times of the year and Paul urged the leaders not to attempt a voyage until after winter, but to no avail. Upon sailing it wasn’t long before the ship was caught in a terrible storm. Paul sought the Lord and found courage to face the danger. The Lord stood by him and encouraged not to fear. God intervened and spared the lives of everyone on board. Paul cared for others and stood in the gap for them in prayer. In a crisis some people have an “every man for himself” mentality, but not Paul. God spared these passengers because of the intercessory prayers of the Apostle Paul. If you find yourself in a crisis today, look to God for courage and do not fear. Pray and intercede in behalf of others who may also be impacted by the storm.

Prayer: “Dear Father, give us wisdom and strength in our storms today, and a heart for others. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotion

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 21

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

Years earlier Paul left Jerusalem to persecute Christians, but on the Damascus road he encountered Christ and his life was forever changed. Paul returned to Jerusalem as the great missionary of the early church. In many ways Paul was a controversial figure. Followers of Christ loved him and received him, but those who rejected the Gospel hated Paul. Before going to Jerusalem many Spirit filled believers warned Paul that suffering awaited him, but Paul was determined to go. He said, “I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” At Jerusalem Paul was arrested and nearly beaten to death. The great missionary Paul is an example of how to suffer faithfully. After facing an angry mob and badly beaten, Paul only wanted to speak of Jesus. His resolve was to glorify Jesus Christ. We should never evaluate the success of our ministry by human standards. The great missionary Paul had been faithful but no warm welcome awaited him upon his return to Jerusalem. Homecoming for Paul would be when God called him home to glory.

Prayer: “Dear Jesus, may we care more about our character than our comfort. Give us the resolve to do your will like that of the Apostle Paul, even in the face of danger.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 20

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

Several years ago I heard a sermon on Acts 20 entitled, “How to Resign a Church.” The sermon outlined Paul’s ministry at Ephesus. God used it to show me how to minister to His people. When Paul left the church at Ephesus he had given his all for the Lord. Paul’s ministry was marked by humble service. He shed many tears for the people in Ephesus and endured many trials in their behalf. Paul’s ministry was not only marked by humble service, but also by faithful preaching. He preached the whole counsel of God and did not leave anything out. He stood on God’s Word without compromise. Also, Paul was a compassionate soul-winner. He warned lost people and wept over them. Paul was relentless when it came to sharing the Gospel. He was willing to go anywhere, preach to anyone, and stay as long as needed. When Paul left the Ephesians they wept most of all for the words which he had spoken. The truth we stand for is far more important than the positions we hold. May we be missed most of all for the truth of God that is lived in us and through us!

Prayer: “Dear Father, May we live like Paul, love the lost like Paul, and may we leave like Paul. Help us to finish well. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 18

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

God gave gifts unto the church. Ephesians 4 shows that He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors as part of the gifts unto the church. People who love and serve Jesus are a gift. Missionaries and Christian leaders are gifts to God’s church. The Apostle Paul was a gift. We are still reaping blessings from his ministry. Those who accompanied Paul were a gift. Aquila and Priscilla assisted Paul and were helpful to the spread of the Gospel. What a blessing their friendship must’ve been to Paul. The early church was on fire for God! But with great success there was also great sacrifice and suffering. When life gets hard and the spiritual battles become intense, a friend in Christ can be a priceless treasure. I have been there, when it gets so hard that you just want to quit. Jesus is with us during those times just as He was with Paul. He also places people in our lives at just the right time to encourage us. God gives gifts to people, but He also gives people as gifts.

Prayer: “Dear Father, thank You for the people You place in our life. Make us a blessing to others. May we be a friend to someone in need today. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 16

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

A line in the hymn, “Send The Light” says,

“We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”

What does it mean to have a Macedonian call? First, it means to be led by God’s Spirit. Paul and his companions were stopped by the Holy Spirit from going in the wrong direction. We are not told how God stopped them but only that the Spirit closed the door. Second, it means to go where God sends. Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come to Macedonia and help us.” The mission team understood that this meant they had been called to Macedonia, and the Bible says they “endeavored to go.” Third, it means to preach what God says. The mission team claimed that the Lord had called them to preach the Gospel to the Macedonians (verse 10). Fourth, the Macedonian call also means to reap what God gives. Whoever God saves and how many God saves is up to the Lord, not us. The Lord opened the heart of a wealthy woman named Lydia and she was saved and baptized. Next God delivered a slave girl, and then He saved a Philippian jailer. God did a great work! Fifth, we must suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Paul and Silas were mistreated and thrown in jail. At the darkest hour they prayed and sang praises to God. Revival broke out in the jail and God was glorified! Doors opened once again for them to heed the Macedonian call. Every believer has been given a Macedonian call. Have you heard the Macedonian call today?

Prayer: “Dear Lord, may we hear the Macedonian call and send the light. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Send The Light
There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain:
Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden off’ring at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light!

Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found,
Send the light! Send the light!

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

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Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 9

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

The Apostle Paul is arguably the greatest missionary the world has ever known. On his way from Jerusalem to Damascus he met the Lord. Paul’s experience of salvation is recorded three times in the book of Acts. When Paul met the Lord he saw a light. Formerly he had been living in spiritual darkness. God’s light revealed to Paul the truth about his sin and the truth about who Jesus is. In the light Paul was changed. He experienced a change of mind, which led to change of heart, which led to a change in his behavior. Paul not only saw a light but he also heard a voice. Paul was like a wild, angry animal kicking against the conviction of his sin. Paul asked two very important questions; who are you Lord, and what would you have me to do? God’s reply was, “I am Jesus.” Paul met Jesus. The name “Jesus” appears over 900 times in the New Testament. Every book in the New Testament except 3 John mentions the name “Jesus.” The first verse and the last verse in the New Testament mentions the name “Jesus.” Jesus is the sweetest name I know. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father! When Paul met Jesus he would never be the same again. Paul became a chosen vessel to bear witness to others of the name of Jesus.

Prayer: “Dear God, thank You for Jesus! Give us a heart like Paul for sharing Christ with others. May we stand up and speak up for the name of Jesus. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron