Today's Verse: Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. ~Psalm 103:5 Eagles are considered the most majestic of bird species. They are a wonderful spectacle to behold in the sky. They are considered masters of both sky and land. Eagles are mentioned 34 times in Scripture. Psalm 103 is a psalm of praise. David was praising the Lord with all his soul for God’s mercies, forgiveness, and care. In Psalm 103:5, he says that God’s ca

Today's Verse: And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. ~Genesis 18:13-14 Have you ever laughed about something at the wrong moment? If you have, you know the embarrassing feeling associated with it. Sarah laughed when she heard the incredible promise that she wo

Today's Verse: For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? ~2 Corinthians 2:15-16 Does it pass the smell test? This is a phrase that is used to determine if something or someone passes the test of integrity and trustworthiness. It is an informal means of determining the credibility, authen

Today's Verse: After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. ~Genesis 15:1 When I think of a reward, what comes to mind is compensation for finding something or someone that was missing. Law enforcement agencies will offer a substantial reward that leads to the finding and arrest of a wanted criminal. People who lose a valuable item offer a reward for its finding. This morning, l

Today's Verse: But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? ~Galatians 4:9 One of our favorite traditional hymns is “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” The chorus of this hymn declares, “No turning back, no turning back.” Turning back implies going back on a good decision. It means you have second thoughts and buyer’s remorse, and you changed your mind. The be

Today's Verse: And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words? ~2 Kings 1:7 Our church has been blessed by God with weekly visitors for many years. It is a blessing to look out among the congregation and see many new faces. Oftentimes, I will ask one of our core leaders, “Do you know who that man or woman is?” They will reply, “Which man or woman are you referring to?” I then try to distinguish the visitor by whom they mi

Today's Verse: A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. ~Proverbs 21:22 Strategic planning occurs when a person or a committee of people write out a plan of action for the accomplishment of a stated goal or assignment. This plan assigns responsibilities, establishes processes and timelines, and identifies the people who will get it done. It thinks through the what, the how, and the when. It takes something that start

Today's Verse: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. ~1 Timothy 6:11-12 Lifeguards are individuals who have been trained to rescue people who are at risk of drowning. Their duty is to monitor and be alert for anyone showing signs of distress in the

Today's Verse: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. ~Matthew 3:17 When someone is pleasing, it means that he has met the approval and satisfied the desire of the person he is serving. I think of a caterer being hired to do a special dinner in honor or appreciation of someone. When the festivity is over the host will tell the caterer, “I am very pleased how this event turned out.” When Jesus began His public ministry, the Godhe

Today's Verse: The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. ~Proverbs 31:1 Today we honor mothers everywhere. We owe a debt of gratitude to Anna Jarvis for diligently encouraging her state legislature in West Virginia to recognize all mother’s one Sunday a year. This noble deed resulted in our Congress passing legislation that made Mother’s Day an official day of recognition on the second Sunday of every May. Today we acknowledge the lives and ministrie

Today's Verse: I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. ~Psalm 102:6-7 Loneliness is the feeling of someone being left all by himself. It is an utterly desolate and discouraging feeling of abandonment. You feel like everyone in your life has left you. You feel friendless, solitary, and hollow on the inside. The psalmist describes his loneliness as a pelican in the wilderness, an owl of the d

Today's Verse: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. ~Romans 10:4 Prior to Christ dying on the cross for our sins, every Jew atoned for his sins according to the law that God gave through Moses. Once a year, the Jewish high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of an unblemished lamb and would sprinkle it on the mercy seat. The sprinkling of the blood provided remission for the sins of the entire nation. The law came t

Today's Verse: And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Even by the young men of the princes of the provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the battle? And he answered, Thou. ~1 Kings 20:13-14 Most of us can think of a time in our lives wh

Today's Verse: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: ~1 Corinthians 2:7 Years ago, I spoke with a man about a unique service that he had to offer. He stated that his service was proprietary in nature. What he meant was that he owned it and had exclusive access to it. In a sense, he was saying that he had privileged information. This morning, we are considering “privileged information.” Paul re

Today's Verse: The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. ~Proverbs 20:29 Solomon made many wise summations when the Holy Spirit moved him to write the book of Proverbs. Proverbs helps us to understand the right pursuits in life, how to be the right person, how to make right decisions, and how to develop the right people skills. God allowed Solomon to listen to and gain counsel from every facet of human experience. Our devotion this

Today's Verse: And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have. ~1 Kings 20:4 The king of Syria, Benhadad, led his forces to besiege Samaria and war against it. Ahab, the king of Israel was intimidated and filled with fear. Benhadad told Ahab, “Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine.” Benhadad boldly told Ahab “I’m taking what is yours and making it min

Today's Verse: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; ~1 Corinthians 1:4-5 Corinth was a large and thriving city during the first century. It was a city where idolatrous practices and sin abounded. God placed this city on Paul’s heart to plant a church there. God worked mightily through Paul’s ministry — many were saved and baptized, an

Today's Verse: Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city.... ~Isaiah 52:1a When I am at home, I like to change into clothing that is comfortable for work, exercise, or relaxing around the house. However, when Sunday comes, I like to wear my “Sunday best.” This includes a pressed white shirt, a pressed dark suit, a necktie, and black-shined shoes. I think this would qualify as what is referred to as “beautiful garment

Today's Verse: Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: ~2 Corinthians 3:2 How good are you at reading someone’s body language? In sports, players are required to have a trained eye at being able to read plays and anticipate what the opponent might do. In business or interviews, the ability to read someone’s body language reveals what they really are conveying as their message. Are they truthful or telling a lie? Do they want advice or affirmatio

Today's Verse: And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. ~John 19:38 The Bible records for us three Joseph's. There is Joseph, who was the son of Jacob and who rose to prominence as the man who helped to save Egypt from a seven-year famine. There is Joseph, who was the husband of Mary and