Today’s Verse: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ~James 1:2 Joy is the inner disposition of utmost happiness, contentment, and satisfaction. It is a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Nehemiah said, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” David said, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” We think of joy when the go

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: Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. ~Psalm 143:4 Psalm 143 was written by David when he was running either from Saul or from Absalom. It is one of several psalms that vividly describes David’s soul life when he was at a very dark and low spot in his life. Trials bring out the best or worst in us. They bring us closer to God or show how far away we are from God. They move us to pray or move us to be pragmatic. When we ar

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 Have you ever been in a situation where you had to give an immediate answer about a matter you did not have time to prepare for? Invariably, you were asked, “What’s your answer?” The believers whom Peter wrote to were facing immense pressures and persecution for their faith. Peter e

Today’s Verse: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ~James 1:2 One of the basics of daily living is counting. We count our minutes. We count our money. We count our blessings. James starts his practical epistle by telling us to “count it all joy.” The word “count” means to esteem. It is also the word translated into “governor” and “chief.” It has the idea of giving top priority and eminence. As we start a New Year, let us see the priority of cou

Today’s Verse: But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. ~Matthew 9:22 It is a joy and privilege to make hospital visits and pray with my members who are hospitalized. However, I feel at a loss and so inadequate for members who struggle with ailments that medicine can’t seem to give immediate healing or relief. Our devotion this morning centers on a woman

Today’s Verse: Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. ~Psalm 56:2 David was way over his head in problems. Psalm 56 was written during the Absalom rebellion. Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel and took over the nation. David and his most loyal men escaped to avoid a conflict. David was in fear and hurt that Ahithophel, his counselor, joined ranks with Absalom. He was hurt again when Shimei, a bitter Benjami

Today’s Verse: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. ~Isaiah 61:3 For the last couple of weeks, an area three hours north of us has been completely ravaged by a wild fire. To date, This fire has devastated over 151,000 acres, decimated an entire city, displ

Today’s Verse: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. ~Psalm 28:7 Psalm 28 was written either during David’s flight from Saul or Absalom. There were moments when the closeness of his adversaries made him think life was over. He was overcome with incredible fears. Yet, as this psalm progresses, there is a major shift in his tome and outlook. As we meditate on thi

Today’s Verse: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: ~Job 19:25 In life, we will at one time or another face difficulties and suffering that will push us to the extreme as far as patience and resilience is concerned. When these difficult times come, how will you respond? Will you succumb and give in, or will you be unbroken and strong? This morning, let us consider how Job encourages us as a man who was unbroken in faith

Today’s Verse: I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. ~Psalm 140:12 Have you ever been in a situation when things were really bad, to the point where you were unsure of what the outcome would be and your confidence level was at zero? The trials in life come in different varieties and at different times. In Ps. 140, we learn how to pray and have faith in God when things are really bad. We see the consternation. “Deliver me, O

Today’s Verse: They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. ~Lamentations 3:53-54 In our devotion this morning, Jeremiah is at a tough place in his life. He said, “They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me. Waters flowed over mine head.” He was what we call “over his head” in problems and difficulties. He had all that he could bear. He had no way out. He was at the verge o

Today’s Verse: And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ~Mark 4:39 We are in the midst of our winter season. On the East Coast and many parts of the Mid West, a major storm alert was issued for people to be careful and to try to stay indoors as much as possible. It can be very treacherous to travel during a storm, especially when travelling by water. This morning, we are looking at a very fami