Category Archives: Devotion

What is Jesus bringing us this Christmas? It’s an interesting question. Might I suggest these four gifts.

**Light to See

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2

**Life Worth Living

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

**Love to Share

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34

**Living Truth

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32

God bless you and have a wonderful, merry Christmas!

Tony French

Why study the Bible? Let us examine some thoughts on that subject…..

**Study the Bible to learn who God is.

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 3:16-17

**Study the Bible to find spiritual guidance.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

**Study the Bible to grow spiritually.

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1 Peter 2:1-3

We will examine a few more thoughts next week. In the meantime, let us read and study our Bibles regularly.

Tony French

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

As believers, we are commanded to be steadfast and immovable in what we believe. We are urged to trust in the Word of God and to be abundant in our service for God. Why are these commands given? Let’s think about this today.

We are commanded to be immovable in the Word and the work of the Lord because Jesus rose from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15 details the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection is grounded in history through these witnesses. His death, burial, and resurrection assures victory for all Christians. Therefore, we can continue to serve Him daily.

We are also commanded to be immovable because of the truth with which we have been entrusted. We understand that Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and that is has God as its ultimate author (2 Peter 1:19-21).  These precepts allow us to keep believing and trusting the Bible even when we don’t always understand.

Ultimately, we can remain immovable because of the faith of those who have come before us. There is indeed a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) that accompany us on our journey. Down through the centuries, others have believed what we believe and have practiced what we seek to practice. It is comforting to know that others have struggled and suffered persecution and yet still kept the faith.

Their faith encourages us to go on today. Their example urges us forward in faith until we see Jesus. What about us? When our time on earth is done, may it be said of us that we were steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the word of the Lord!

Tony French

Let’s look at a few thoughts about thankfulness for this week……

**For the Believer, Thankfulness is Commanded

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

**For the Believer, Thankfulness is Celebrated

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 107:22 Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing.

**For the Believer, Thankfulness is Constructive

Psalm 107: 15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!

Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O LORD, And I will sing praises to Your name.

May God bless you with a glorious week as you live for Him!

Tony French

⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:8-9

In the midst of human rebellion the Lord still calls out “Where are you?” to His creation. God’s mercy is on display even at the worst of times. Verses 8-9 reveal 4 things about the Lord’s love and grace……….

1) God seeks sinners

2) God receives sinners who trust in Him by faith

3) God restores sinners through salvation

4) God redeems sinners through the blood of Jesus

Tony French

Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Genesis 40:23

Do you ever feel as if you have been forgotten? Perhaps you feel you even been unremembered by the Lord?

Joseph understood this emotion. He was forgotten for over two years and languished in prison. Yet, God was faithful all along and the story of Joseph ends with him as a ruler and not as a convict. God’s plan unfolded marvelously in Joseph’s life and it change the entire course of history.

If you feel abandoned today, I cannot promise you that God will make you a ruler in the end. I cannot guarantee that your life will be perfect or trouble-free. I can, however, remind you that Jesus has not forgotten you. He promised to be with you forever as you follow Him. 

Think deeply about these Scriptures today and be blessed!

“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:18

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Tony French