Today’s Verse: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16 Every Christian is called to be a bright and shining witness for the Lord Jesus. As a witness, we are to allow the light of our life to shine so that those who are in darkness because of sin can come to the Lord. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in hea

Today’s Verse: Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. ~Genesis 49:13 Zebulun is one of the smaller and lesser-known of Jacob’s sons and of the tribes of Israel. He is the sixth son of Leah. Only one verse describes Jacob’s parting words and blessing upon this son. Zebulun represents a good testimony and a solid future. He represents for us a son who did not cause his father much trouble or hearta

Today’s Verse: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ~Ephesians 6:7 Goodwill is referred to as an intangible asset on the balance sheet of a corporation. It is a term that describes the good reputation and value of that business. The term indicates that a business has developed a great name for its product and service. Goodwill is the intrinsic value of a company. Christians are to be people who possess incredible goodwill. Goodwill is why people atten

Today’s Verse: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ~Philippians 2:12 Our American labor laws require employers to give their employees rest breaks at different intervals during the day. This encourages employees to take a walk, make a phone call to their family, eat a snack, or recalibrate themselves. In some settings, a foreman or supervisor will rem

Today’s Verse: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: ~1 Peter 3:15 How do you respond to your critics or those who find fault in you? Are you aware if your testimony among men reflects a negative attitude against you? If so, how do you respond to this? This morning, we want to consider the God-proven way by which we can positively respond to our c

Today’s Verse: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ~Philippians 2:15 Many families take time annually to do a family portrait. By doing so, they are preserving rich memories of their family. People who look at family portraits look carefully for resemblances or non-resemblances between the children and the parents. Where there is a resemblance, the co

Today’s Verse: And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. ~Ezekiel 40:4 In a court of law, a witness is someone who testifies of what he saw or heard. This is important in verifying legal matters. The word of a witness can prove that something is true or

Today’s Verse: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ~Philippians 2:15 Many families take time annually to do a family portrait. By doing so, they are preserving rich memories of their family. People who look at family portraits look carefully for resemblances or non-resemblances between the children and the parents. Where there is a resemblance, the co

Today’s Verse: And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? ~Joshua 4:21 Memorials are established as reminders to future generations. God commanded Joshua to have the men of Israel take twelve stones out of the Jordan River and place them on the other side of the river after they had crossed it. The other side was named Gilgal. The shoreline at Gilgal would have twelve stones arr

Today’s Verse: And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty. ~Exodus 28:40 What do coats, girdles, and bonnets have in common? They were the distinguished attire of the priests who served in the Tabernacle. We have a Western saying that says, “Clothes make the man.” The clothing we wear and how we wear it is a message to other people about our attitude and respect for them. Bus

Today’s Verse: Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. ~Jonah 1:17 When we say that something is fishy, we are implying that something is suspicious or not right. When something appears fishy, we become reserved about making a decision about that person or event. Jonah was supposed to go to Nineveh and cry against that city. Instead, we see him out on the sea and, later, swallowed by a gre

Today’s Verse: And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. ~Acts 28:5 All of us have different levels of pain tolerance. I remember, when I was in elementary school, the fear of getting a shot at the doctor’s office. The kind nurse would prepare for it by saying that it would be fast and I might just feel it a little bit. What a relief when, after I got the shot, I could say, “That didn’t hurt.” As a Christian, the world is watching us to see what hurts us. Th

Today’s Verse Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? ~Daniel 3:15 We live in an age where there is an increase in the number of people who either do not believe

Today’s Verse And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. ~ 2 Kings 4:9 Hospitality is when we open our hearts and our homes to take care of other people. It is a means of making a visitor feel welcome, accepted, and encouraged. A woman who lived in Shunem opened her home up to Elisha the prophet. She did not know he was a prophet at the time, but extended hospitality to this stranger who came through

Today’s Verse: And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house. ~Genesis 34:30 A few days ago, I purchased a clip-on air freshener for my car with the idea that it would add a pleasant fragrance to my car interior. However, the extreme hot temper

Today’s Verse: And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; ~1 Thessalonians 4:11 High school is a daunting and challenging time for students. Their lives revolve around getting excellent grades, taking as many advanced classes as possible, being involved in sports and community service, and being top-notch achievers. Top achievers know that they have to manage their time very well, stay focused, and go the

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 interview situations, the ability to read someone’s body language reveals what they are really conveying as their message. Are they truthful or telling a lie? Do they want advice or af

Today’s Verse: For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. ~Acts 4:20 When a person is subpoenaed to the witness stand, he is expected to give an account of what he heard and saw to the best of his memory. The information he gives is critical to the arguments for or against a case being tried. He is not to make up his story but to testify accurately. Our devotion this morning centers on this statement made by Peter and John, “For we cannot but speak the t

Today’s Verse: But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing. ~Deuteronomy 24:18 After our first Wednesday evening service of this year, I had the privilege of helping a young career age man and woman receive assurance individually of their salvation. They were both so happy of how wonderful it is to know you are saved and eternally secure. I told them it is important that they s

Today’s Verse: Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. ~1 Corinthians 15:34 Do you ever find yourself lacking a commodity that you would like to have, but you can’t afford it? If you do, you might feel like you are what is called a “have-not”. The Apostle Paul referred to a group of people as “have-nots.” There is an important essential they need to have, but they don’t. This morning, we should be concerned abou