Devotionals for April 2018
#9 Given What They Chose: Babylon
So Babylon was allowed to absorb Israel into its worldly values and heathen culture. AND to its gods. That is always the intent of the ‘world system,’ to take you to the foot of its false god. God’s people were … Continue reading
#8 The Capture of Israel and Loss of Identity
Israel refused to belong to God and began to belong to the world, which is to say, God’s enemy. If you choose to mix with and live by the world, you will have its characteristic, its mindset…and its god. Israel … Continue reading
#7 Identity is Everything and We Must Know It
Israel did not treasure her IDENTITY as a people belonging to Jehovah. The people and the leaders mixed with heathens, adopted their gods, and above all, failed to heed the voice of God. Identity is everything. It’s how you perceive … Continue reading
#6 Our Identity is Found in God
Israel was to live in vital relationship with God, from which they derived their very existence. our Identity is found in God Your identity is not who you are in yourself. Who you belong to identifies your being and is who … Continue reading
#5 Nebuchadnezzar at God’s Hand
The Most High sent Israel and Judah into captivity to rescue His people from their sin and idolatry, to restore them to Himself. They were there in Babylon at God’s hand, not the capture of an invading king. Their capture … Continue reading
#4 The Almighty Reigns in the Government of God
(Reading Daniel 1:1-6 NASB) Babylon’s king ordered that the best young men of Israel to be trained to serve in the king’s court including some of “the royal family and of the nobles.” They were chosen as “youth in whom was … Continue reading
#3 Daniel’s Government Was Out of Heaven
Daniel’s ruling government was out of Heaven, and he was not subject to the heathen government of a foreign tyrant. It appears that Babylon’s kings could only honor and reward him. Daniel 2:46 ESV Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his … Continue reading
#2 Living Above the Fray in Heaven’s Rule
Daniel endured always above the fray. So he held and wielded enormous power on the earth. He lived in the view of God as Ruler: absolute, unchallenged. And because Daniel believed it, he brought Heaven’s Rule into the earthly government … Continue reading
#1 The Rule of Heaven is a Different Government
Daniel lived in a different government than the one he served. His Government ruled utterly the government under which he was imprisoned. For Daniel, ‘it is Heaven that rules’ (Daniel 4:26). This he believed without waver or doubt. The rule of … Continue reading
Time to Let Go and Let God Be God!
For nearly six months now, we’ve been in the realm of ‘LET’ and we’ve heard from many of you how much this series has blessed your life and walk with the Lord. It doesn’t need to end here! Though a … Continue reading
#179 The Eternal Freedom to Choose
God gave humanity the choice between life and death. Genesis 2:9b NIV In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Moses reminded Israel of this eternal choice. … Continue reading
#178 Let God Give All He Has Given
Romans 8:32-33a AMPC He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? Who shall bring any charge against … Continue reading
#177 Jesus Will Save to the Uttermost
Hebrews 7:25 AMPC Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him… Hebrews 7:25 ESV Consequently, He is able to save to the … Continue reading
#176 Two Veils Rent by the Blood
Hebrews 13:20-21 NASB Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do … Continue reading
#175 A Double Ransom Paid for Freedom
1 Peter 1:18-19 AMPC You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, but [you were purchased] with … Continue reading
#174 Redemption and Forgiveness
Ephesians 1:7 NASB In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace… Humanity is born under ‘the dominion of darkness’ and in bondage to ‘the fear of death.’ We … Continue reading
#173 We Were in Bondage and Didn’t Know
Hebrews 2:14-15 NIV Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were … Continue reading
#172 The Final Answer to Every Accusation
Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV In [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished on us… This verse is a simple declaration of the power of the Blood … Continue reading
#171 The Power of the Blood of Christ
1 John 1:7b AMPC …the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]… The most amazing thing in the universe is not the spectacle of … Continue reading
#170 There is No Salvation without Repentance
Matthew 3:8 AMPC Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart]… We need to see the context of Luke 13:3 from yesterday’s devotional. On that occasion, Jesus was speaking to the crowds … Continue reading