Today’s Verse: But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. ~Acts 27:14 Maritime travel can be exciting and adventurous. It can also be a harrowing experience if you are in a major storm out on the open seas. The bobbing up and down of the ship combined with massive waves thrashing against it will have you on edge and wondering if “this could be it.” Paul was on a ship headed to Italy via the Mediterranean Ocean. He encountered an epic stor

Today’s Verse: And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting…. ~Acts 11:12a Whenever I travel with other people, I am a strict adherent to staying on schedule so as not to miss our transportation or be late to our event. As we approach fifteen minutes before our departure, I remind everyone traveling with me that it’s time to go! In Acts 11, Peter was rehearsing to the church leaders at Jerusalem how the Lord opened the door for Gentiles to hear the gospel and be save

Today’s Verse: And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. ~Acts 23:10 Do you ever feel like the demands in life are pulling you in more than one direction? Do you ever feel like the pull from all the demands placed upon you might pull you to pieces? If so, you’re not alone. Paul was literal

Today’s Verse: There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? ~John 6:9 If you like to eat seafood, you’ve probably had fish and chips at least one time. This term originated in England and refers to battered fish that has been deep fried and is served with potato strips or French-fried potatoes. It is a delicious entrée that even someone who does not like to eat fish will enjoy. Our devotion this morning is not exac

Today’s Verse: And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. ~Mark 5:34 I remember, as a child, learning and memorizing the nursery rhyme about Humpty Dumpty. When he fell off the wall, the rhyme says, “All the king's horses and all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again.” Humpty Dumpty’s situation so much describes life in this world without the Lord Jesus Christ. This morning, we are studying the life of

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: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ~Hebrews 11:27 One of the great heroes of faith is Moses. Moses represents the law that was given to Israel. From a secular viewpoint, Moses was well-educated, trained, and positioned for royal success. However, God had far superior plans for him. Moses is included in Hebrews 11 because he had a faith that was pleasing to God. "By faith he forsook Egypt

Today’s Verse: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. ~Hebrews 11:4 Hebrews 11 is the great chapter on faith. Some have referred to this monumental chapter as “The Hall of Faith.” Others have referred to it as “The Westminster Abbey of Faith Heroes.” It is a chapter that definitely inspires us about the faith of Old Testament bel

Today’s Verse: And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. ~Mark 2:4 Sometimes when our back is against the wall, we find that we go to whatever measures necessary to be overcomers. If it were not for extreme situations, we would not realize the power of God at work through us. This morning, we see how some men went through the roof to g

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: Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~Acts 15:26 What do you consider to be hazardous work? Being a firefighter can be hazardous work. Being a scientist who works with chemicals and radioactive material is hazardous work. Working on an oil rig in the ocean is hazardous. There are many hazardous types of work. James said in Acts 15:26 that serving the Lord Jesus Christ is hazardous. That might frighten us at first glance, but

Today’s Verse: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ~2 Corinthians 3:17 Today, the USA celebrates its independence from the tyranny of political and religious oppression of England. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by our founding fathers. In the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there is a bell that is aptly called "the Liberty Bell” that symbolizes the freedom and liberty that we attained. There is

Today’s Verse: And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; ~Judges 16:16 Are you someone under pressure? Are you experiencing great stress in your job, your health, your family, or another important area of your life? There is the pressure of a trial, when the outcome of something is not in your control. There is the pressure from your peers to conform to them. There is the pressure from the world to ca

Today’s Verse: But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. ~Hebrews 6:9 A really good coach teaches, disciplines, and inspires. He patiently takes the time to help an individual achieve and excel in academics, artistry, sports, or a vocation. He is persuaded that his protégé can do more, go further, and attain new breakthroughs. Paul told believers who were struggling in their faith, “We are persuaded better

Today’s Verse: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ~1 Peter 1:7 Peter was writing to fellow believers whose lives and families were turned upside down by opposition to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian faith had become hated and considered to be an enemy of Rome. These believers had to forsake their h

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: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. ~Hebrews 3:12 Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, resulting in 1 in 4 deaths. Cardiomyopathy is the hardening and weakening of the heart muscles. If we have heart trouble, we might describe our condition as a bad heart. Paul wrote to the Hebrew believers about the importance of having a spiritually healthy heart. In this pa

Today’s Verse: Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. ~Daniel 5:12 King Belshazzar saw the fingers of a man’s hand writing on a wall. The sight of this greatly shook him up. The Bible says, "The king's countenance was changed, and his thought

Today’s Verse: Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. ~John 21:11 Commercial fishermen use nets in order to maximize their opportunities for a good day of fishing. On a very good day, they could have a substantial catch that would test the strength of the net. If the net was not sturdy and broke, a great deal of profitability would be lost. Our passage toda

Today’s Verse: And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. ~Isaiah 8:8 The Bible gives us the real accounts of people like us who felt like they were near drowning in problems. Job said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” They experience what “when it rains, it pours” means. Another description we use to descr