The Home Devo (Page 25)

  Paul was compelled to give thanks for the Thessalonians.  The principle reason for his gratitude is that they had been chosen of God.  It was a dual choosing.  God chose them through the invitation of the gospel, and they were among the chosen by accepting God’s invitation.   Every Christian is called by the gospel into salvation when he obeys it.                          (2 Thessalonians. 2.14) The Thessalonians had obeyed the gospel and had come into this salvation, causing Paul…

  Nature will have her due.  Tears will fall, and hearts will seem near breaking.  Nowhere does God rebuke the tears of natural affection.  It is written in Scripture that “Jesus wept.”  God sets Himself to extract their bitterness.  Sorrow you may, and must, but not without hope. Those who die in Christ are with Him.  They are said to sleep, not because they are unconscious, but because their death was not filled with terror.  Believers have died once in…

  (Phil 4:6) Our prayers should reflect our gratitude toward God for what He has done in our lives and what He gives to us. Our everyday words and thoughts should reflect a positive mindset of hope and joy in thankfulness toward God for His great plan of salvation and our parts in it. Thankfulness is a form of contentment.  We could view it as peace of mind or tranquility. A truly thankful person is usually not an individual who…

  These words are a conclusion of Christ’s descent from heaven, from his ascension there, for if he had not first descended from heaven, it could not have been said of him that he ascended.  “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” ( John 3:13, ESV)  Paul, along with the whole New Testament church, believed in the preexistence of Christ with God, before the world was, worshipping him as Lord, Saviour,…

    The definition of “sealed” or to seal up, in this instance, means to close and make fast with a seal, or signet, items such as books, letters, etc., so they would not be read.  It is also used in the sense of setting a mark on anything, or a seal, to denote that it is genuine, authentic, confirmed, or approved, as when a deed, contract, or agreement is sealed.  “Sealed” can also be applied to persons, denoting that…

  Twice in Galatians Chapter 4, Paul referred to the “elementary principles.”  In the first instance, the term refers to the Law that bound the Jews.  The second involves Gentiles, and it has a dual meaning.  The phrase “turn back” associates “elementary principles” with pagan idolatry (which the Gentiles had once practiced) as well as the Law (which they were embracing due to the Judaizers’ influence.  Neither of these had the power to save them. The Law served as a…

  We sometimes sing a hymn with the line, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.”  Anyone who comes to know the God-man will truly be amazed.  Jesus shared the Father’s glory before the world was, and it was through Him that the worlds were created.  He was made flesh by the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit and a devout young Jewish virgin.  This took place in an insignificant land and in humble circumstances.  Jesus grew up…

  Sometimes we hear these words spoken or maybe we have said them ourselves.  Do we really appreciate the depth of the meaning?  Communion signifies being in common.  It is used about our fellowship with one another (1 Cor 10:16) and with God (1 John 1:3).  The bond of such friendship is always through the Holy Spirit. How wonderful it is to have the privilege of divine fellowship.  We need never be alone again, we can turn to Him for…

  The sentence of death in this scripture does not mean any decree of heaven, or appointment of God that they should die, nor any sentence of death passed on them by the government, but an opinion or persuasion in their own minds.  They looked upon themselves as dead men.  The tribulation was so violent and overwhelming that Paul had no hope of escaping death. Paul means that there was such a violent upsurge of evil against preachers of the…

  During the First Century, miracles were common.  They were performed by Jesus and the Apostles.  There were also others given this power as well.  The power to do the supernatural could be passed from an Apostle to someone else by the laying on of hands.  However, that person could not pass on the gift. The main purpose of miracles was to support the word being taught, not to be used selfishly or for gain.  In Acts 8 we have…

  When Christians come together on the first day of the week, they are instructed by the Bible to do certain things, commonly referred to as “Acts of Worship.”  In 1 Cor 11 Paul centers on the Lord’s Supper.  The Corinthian brethren were not observing this act of worship in the correct way.  They had confused the Lord’s Supper with a common meal.  The rich would have plenty, but the poor might not have anything. The Lord’s Supper is not…

  Ray Steadman was a famous preacher and author from California.  He passed away in 1992 and at his request on his tombstone in Grants Pass, Oregon, are engraved these words: “He was a faithful steward.” As a noted author Ray had received many accolades during his lifetime, but he wanted to be remembered as simply a servant who faithfully dispensed God’s glorious truth to God’s people.  That seems to be the same sentiment of Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:1:…