Category: Devotionals

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Devotionals

THE SWORD FOR THE BATTLE FOR OUR SOULS

September 24, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE SWORD FOR THE BATTLE FOR OUR SOULS

“And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Eph. 6:17, A.V.

“For the Word of God is living (quick, KJV) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division (‘dividing asunder,’ KJV) of the soul and the spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we have to do.” Heb. 4:12.

“God has provided abundant means for successful warfare against the evil that is in the world. The BIBLE is the armory where we may equip for the struggle. Our loins must be girt about with truth. Our breastplate must be righteousness. The shield of faith must be in our hand, the helmet of salvation on our brow; and with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, we are to CUT our way through the obstruction and and entanglements of sin.” Acts of the Apostles, p. 502.

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Devotionals

THE HELMET OF SALVATION FOR THE MIND

September 22, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’ S DESK:

THE HELMET OF SALVATION FOR THE MIND

“And the helmet of salvation.”

Eph. 6:17.

All that Goliath carelessly did was to move his heavy helmet, exposing his massive forehead: little David spotted that slight opening, swung his slingshot that he mastered using against wild beasts as he protected his flock. The smooth stone projectile found hit bullseye on Goliath’s forehead and tide of the war turned in victory for Israel’s army against the superior forces of their Philistine enemies. That’s how vulnerable even the strongest man is if his forehead, his mind is unprotected with the helmet of salvation in the daily battlefield of life.

“God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He desires us to MEDITATE on His love and mercy, to STUDY His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption.

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Devotionals

MANY MORE NEGLECT THAN REJECT YET THE FINAL RESULT IS THE SAME

September 21, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

MANY MORE NEGLECT THAN REJECT YET THE FINAL RESULT IS THE SAME

“How shall we escape, if we neglect?”

Heb. 1: 3, KJV.

“This question is so framed as to demand the answer, ‘We shall not escape.’ The danger here pointed out is not of rejecting Christ and the [true] gospel. But we are persuaded that many more neglect than reject. And it is against neglect that the apostle warns!

“Comparatively FEW definitely and finally reject God’s offer of eternal life [through the divine plan of salvation as taught in great detail by the sanctuary doctrine]. Most men intend at some time [procrastinate, put off for a ‘more convenient time’] to attend to their religious duties. But they DELAY and NEGLECT; and before they are aware of it, ‘the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and they are not saved.’(Jer. 8:20). It is always dangerous to neglect, for ‘now is the accepted time!’ [‘Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.’].

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Devotionals

THE SHIELD OF GENUINE FAITH

September 20, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE SHIELD OF GENUINE FAITH

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked [Satan].”

Eph. 6:16, KJV.

“Satan watches his opportunity to seize the precious graces when we are unguarded, and we shall have a severe conflict with the powers of darkness to RETAIN them, or to REGAIN a heavenly grace, If through lack of watchfulness, we lose it.

“But it is the privilege of [genuine] Christians to OBTAIN strength from God to hold every precious gift. Fervent and effectual prayer will be regarded in heaven. When the servants of Christ take the shield of faith for their defense, and the sword of the Spirit for war, there is danger in the ENEMY’S camp!

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Devotionals

SELF-EXAMINATION: ANTIDOTE TO DRIFTING AWAY SPIRITUALLY

September 18, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

SELF-EXAMINATION: ANTIDOTE TO DRIFTING AWAY SPIRITUALLY

“Lest at any time we let them slip (drift away from).”

Heb. 2:1, KJV.

“For every one who falls into great sin, there are then who are drifting. Even when one seems to leap suddenly into sin, it is often the case that he has  PREVIOUSLY been drifting, UNNOTICED by others, and perhaps by himself. Most open sin BEGINS by slowly drifting. Therefore, let all beware!

“Float past, ‘drift away,’ ‘slip away.’ These are different renderings, and all of them significant. We are told that we OUGHT to give the more earnest heed, that is, we MUST, we OWE it, it is IMPERATIVE. We are to be watchful lest we float past, or drift away from the MOORINGS of the Word of God!

“In view of this danger, it behooves  each one to EXAMINE HIMSELF, lest he be drifting without being aware of his peril:(1) carelessness in prayer (2) discontinuance of family worship (3) absence from church services (4) lukewarmness in spiritual of church activities (5) neglect of Bible study of private devotion (6) avoidance of the ordinances of the Lord’s house (7) remissness in tithes and offerings—these and many other signs should be carefully watched. Our ATTITUDE towards them indicates if and how fast we are drifting! The apostle’s admonition against drifting is as applicable today [right now] as when it was written.” – M. L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, p. 82.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Cor. 13:5, NKJV.

David prayed: “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.” Ps. 26:2. See also Ps. 139: 23, 24. 
God bless all, NMF 

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Devotionals

BEAUTIFUL FEET SHOD WITH GOSPEL OF PEACE

September 17, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

BEAUTIFUL FEET SHOD WITH GOSPEL OF PEACE

“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Eph. 6:15, KJV.

Paul  wrote further: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring good tidings of things!” Rom. 10: 15, NKJV (See verses 14-16).

“We are living in the midst of an ‘epidemic of crime,’ at which thoughtful, God-fearing men everywhere stand aghast. Everyday brings its heart-sickening record of violence and lawlessness, of indifference to human suffering, of brutal, fiendish destruction of human life. Everyday testifies to the increase of insanity, murder, and suicide. Who can doubt that Satanic agencies are at work among men with increasing activity to distract and corrupt the mind, and defile and destroy the body?

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Devotionals

LEST WE DRIFT AWAY

September 16, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

LEST WE DRIFT AWAY

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest we drift away.” Heb. 2:1, NKJV. (The KJV says, “lest at any time we should let them slip.”)

“Lest at any time we should let them slip,’ or more literally, ‘lest we be floated past them,’ or ‘drift away from them.’

“The picture is that of a boat being carried along with the current, the occupants unaware of the fact that they are drifting. Before they realize it they are nearing the cataract, far pat the OLD LANDMARKS, and danger is at hand, and possibly, destruction.

“Drifting is one of the easiest and pleasantest means of locomotion, but it is also a most treacherous one. NO EFFORT IS NEEDED TO DRIFT, and as one glides down the river toward sure death, the FEELING is that of well-being with contentment with accompanying delightful DROWSINESS. The downward movement is hardly perceptible, for as the boat moves down the river it seems to remain MOTIONLESS. The water moves with the boat and APPEARANCES ARE DECEITFUL. Unless one awakens in time, the danger is very real.

“This was the condition of the church to which the author [Paul] was writing. They were drifting SPIRITUALLY, and did not sense their danger. Slowly they were nearing the precipice, and soon it would be too late.” M.L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, pp. 81, 82.

The global deterioration at every level and endeavor of human society is God’s “voice” warning mankind that earth’s probation is soon to close! Soon it will be too late for those who have persistently resisted heaven’s invitation to repent of and turn away from their sins! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.” Sow seeds of righteousness, reap the fruits of righteousness! God bless all, NMF.  

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Devotionals

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: OUR BREASTPLATE OF SAFETY IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES

September 15, 2020

FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: OUR BREASTPLATE OF SAFETY IN THESE PERILOUS TIMES

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

Eph. 6:4, NKJV.

“We must put on EVERY piece of the armor [verses 13-18], and then, stand firm. [this is the order]. The Lord [Commander-in-chief of the army of His spiritual kingdom on earth, the true church] has HONORED us by CHOOSING us [the ‘chosen ones’] as His soldiers. Let us fight bravely for Him, maintaining the right in every transaction [of life]. Put on as your breastplate that DIVINELY PROTECTED RIGHTEOUSNESS which is the PRIVILEGE of all to wear. THIS WILL PROTECT YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.

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