Today’s Verse: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~Philippians 4:13 When we became sons of God, we entered a relationship that assures us of enablement through the adversities, hardships, and opportunities in life. Peter describes this enablement when he said, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). So, Paul ma

Today’s Verse: I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. ~Song of Solomon 2:1 Of the many descriptions that we have of our Lord Jesus Christ, one of the favored ones used for Him is that of a flower. In Song of Solomon 2:1, He describes Himself as the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valleys. It is the description as the Lily of the Valleys that we want to consider and focus upon this morning. There is the species of the lily. Like other flowers, a lily is a one

Today’s Verse: And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. ~Ruth 2:1 One of the most encouraging characters of the Bible is Boaz. Boaz is a stirring picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is introduced to us as a kinsman redeemer. A kinsman redeemer was a person nearest of kin to a deceased male relative who would be required to redeem the property of his deceased relative. The purpose of redeeming the pro

Today’s Verse: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. ~Matthew 4:1 In football, a tackle occurs when the one in possession of the ball is taken down. When he is tackled, he is prevented from going any further with the ball. The one making the tackle has demonstrated superiority in stopping the ball from entering the end zone and making a score. In essence, it is the takedown of his opponent. This morning, let us see through the mod

Today’s Verse: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ~Proverbs 18:24 “Krazy Glue©” is the brand name of an adhesive substance that bonds things together very well. I have used Krazy Glue© to bond broken items. Its very name speaks of how it bonds the most difficult things together well. Our devotion this morning speaks to us about relationships that are like “Crazy Glue” in its results. We see the camara

Today’s Verse: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7 This morning is Christmas, when we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord. Mary’s nine months of maternity would culminate in the most important and miraculous birth: the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ! Mary would endure all of the normality of this maternity but with greater anticipation than any mothe

Today’s Verse: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6 In Isaiah 9:6, the prophetic announcement of Christ coming into this world by way of a miraculous birth is given to us. In this announcement, we are given six wonderful names that describe His deity and ministry to every sinner who places f

Today’s Verse: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: ~Acts 1:3 The word infallible means unfailing, absolutely trustworthy, foolproof, and completely accurate. Luke says that Jesus showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs. We are able to proclaim the power of the gospel message because Jesus is risen and alive. Before

Today’s Verse: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. ~Mark 6:5 In Mark 6, the emphasis is on the mighty work of God. A mighty work implies something accomplished by superior power or strength. It is an accomplishment not possible by human power. It is demonstrative of God at work. However, when Jesus returned to the villages of Galilee where He grew up, we are told that “he could there do no mighty work.” How

Today’s Verse: And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. ~Mark 3:1 A couple of years ago, I was away on a trip and did not have an irrigation system for some of my fruit trees. When I returned, my two fig trees were very withered in their leaves from a lack of water. It took several days of watering, but eventually, I was able to bring them back. Withering is when something that is living dries up and becomes useless and unp

Today’s Verse: And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: ~Colossians 2:10 The word complete implies everything you need has been provided. The word as used in Colossians 2:10 means fulfilled; filled to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim. Another way of expressing being complete is by saying, “I am liberally supplied.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is perfectly God: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the

Today’s Verse: And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. ~Mark 1:35 Are you a morning person? Morning people thrive on being up early. They tend to be greatly energized after a good night’s sleep and ready to make great accomplishments during the first few hours of the day. Morning people will attest that they are more productive and successful. Morning people also enjoy the quiet solitude of tha

Today’s Verse: And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. ~Mark 1:40 Leprosy is a slow, corrupting disease that affects every part of the body. During Jesus’ day, it was a fatal and infectious disease. An infected person was excommunicated from family and society, and he would spend the remainder of his life either as a loner or part of a leper colony. It was a hopeless life if you cont

Today’s Verse: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. ~Ephesians 5:27 Paul makes a big emphasis on the church in his letter to the church at Ephesus. The Greek word used for church is “ecclesia,” which refers to a visible, local assembly of people. Specific to the church, it refers to the saved, baptized individuals who make up a local assembly that worships the Lor

Today’s Verse: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. ~Hebrews 7:24 One of the major themes of Hebrews is the eternality of our Lord Jesus Christ. As much as the Jews revered Abraham, Moses, and the long succession of the Aaronic priesthood, all of them were mortal men who lived and died. Our Lord Jesus Christ, by His own testimony, said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” We see that Jesus is unceasi

Today’s Verse: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ~Galatians 2:20 Galatians 2:20 could be called the purpose statement of the Christian life. Many Christians struggle to find balance, joy, and peace, and they fail because of the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. Paul found the victory by recognizing

Today’s Verse: Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. ~Acts 5:31 Peter and John had been arrested, imprisoned, and commanded to cease speaking and teaching about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Most of us would probably be intimidated and back down. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they gave a strong and confident testimony to the elders of the plan of salvation. Peter testified of

Today’s Verse: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. ~John 20:21 Jesus began the local church when He called the twelve apostles. In Matthew 16:18, He uses the word church, or ecclesia in Greek, for the first time to emphasize a called-out assembly of saved, baptized individuals. Jesus made very clear the priority of preaching the gospel at the outset. However, these men, like us, became distracted and lost focus on t

Today’s Verse: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. ~John 19:34 John 19 is the record of our Lord’s crucifixion on the cross. Four of His last statements on the cross are recorded in this chapter. In John 19:30, Jesus' words, “It is finished,” are recorded, indicating that He finished the work of redemption for every sinner. The final blow to our Lord occurred after He breathed His last breath. A soldier with a s

Today’s Verse: And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. ~Genesis 24:63 Camels are widely mentioned in the Bible. We find camels mentioned 59 times in the Bible, and eighteen of these mentions are in Genesis 24. Jesus used camels as analogies in His teaching. They were a symbol of a man’s wealth. They were a useful means of transportation. Their coarse skin and hair was worn as clothin