Category Archives: Devotion

Purify

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21

In a world filled with distractions and conflicting voices, there’s one source of truth that stands the test of time – the Bible. This sacred text isn’t just a collection of ancient stories; it’s a living, breathing guide that has the power to shape our lives in profound ways. Today, let’s explore the transformative power of Scripture and how it can impact our daily walk with God.

The Bible: Our Spiritual Purifier

Imagine a filter that can cleanse not just water, but our very thoughts and actions. That’s precisely what the Word of God does for us. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, it begins to purify our hearts and minds, gradually molding us to be more like Jesus. This transformation isn’t always visible to the naked eye, but over time, it becomes evident in the way we think, speak, and act.

Psalm 119:2-3 beautifully captures this truth: “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.” The more we engage with God’s Word, the more it cleanses us from within, helping us to resist sin and walk in God’s ways.

Tony French

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Lord Of All

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrusthe Persian.

Daniel 6:26-28

This Scripture passage reveals six characteristics of God that are important to Believers in any age. Think upon these attributes of the Lord and be blessed, Child of God. Joy results from knowing God and His ways.

**The God of Scripture is the Living God—26

**The God of Scripture is the Powerful God—26

**The God of Scripture is the Eternal God—26

**The God of Scripture is the Saving God—27

**The God of Scripture is the Miracle Working God—27

**The God of Scripture is the God Who Provides—28

Tony French

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Joy For The Journey

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Three main points emerge from this verse in John 16…….

**Christ has given us His Word. He has revealed to us the principles and precepts that we need for Godly living. We have not been left without a witness from the Lord.

**We will have difficulty and trials in this world. The life of a Believer is not easy, simple, or always comfortable. Jesus told us this and we ought to believe Him.

**We can have joy knowing that Jesus has overcome the world. These trials and tribulations we face are only temporary. Jesus has defeated death, hell, and the grave. Because of those things, the victory of the Christian is secured for evermore.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Tony French

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God’s Promises To Us

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:7-10

Three promises from the Lord are included in this passage of Scripture:

**Strength to accomplish God’s will and purposes.

**Success to fulfill God’s plan for your life and success in remaining faithful until the end.

**Support from the Lord in every season and circumstance of life.

What wonderful promises from our Lord God Almighty.

Tony French

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Christian Traits

That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner: Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 11 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.

1 Chronicles 16:7-12

David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, commands the people of God to perform acts of reverence to the Lord. Five of them are mentioned in these verses. Let us examine these practices and apply them to our lives.

**Thanksgiving (V8)

**Praise (V9)

**Rejoice (V10)

**Seek The Lord (V11)

**Remember (V12)

Let’s go and do the same!

Tony French

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Because He Lives

The resurrection of Jesus Christ brings hope. The promises of God’s Word rest on a steadfast assurance that results from Christ’s resurrection. When Jesus rose from the dead, every word of His teaching was verified and His ability to keep his promises was proved. The resurrection was truly the singular event that changed everything.

Many souls are searching for hope in our day. People are searching for a sense of hope in human relationships, finances, technology, and even religion. And, every day these so-called sources of hope promise much and deliver little. That’s not to say that these things are evil or unnecessary. They simply are incapable of fulfilling the longing of the human heart. Only Jesus can satiate that longing for hope, peace, and joy that we so desperately need. 

Because Jesus is alive, we can trust His Word. Because Jesus is alive, we can believe his promises. Because Jesus is alive, we can know our ultimate destination. Because Jesus is alive, we know He will be with us no matter what may arrive at our doorstep. As we examine the risen Savior, we can see more and more clearly that the empty tomb changed everything!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, All Fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.”[1]


[1] Gaither, Bill., Because He Lives, Gaither Music Company, 1971

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The Empty Tomb

“He has risen!” (Luke 24:6)  That simple, powerful phrase changed the course of history and eternity at once. Jesus death, burial, and resurrection had been predicted throughout His ministry. And now it was fulfilled just as He had said. He was no longer dead, but alive forevermore.

The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. Without it, Paul tells us our “faith is vain and we are yet (still) in our sins.” (1st Corinthians 15:17)  The resurrection, though an audacious claim, proved the veracity and truthfulness of the Messiah. It serves as verifiable evidence that everything He said was truth and that He was indeed the very Son of God.

What a difference the resurrection of Christ makes in our lives. Without it, we are lost and hopeless. Through the finished work of Christ, we are brought near to God through the wonder of reconciliation. (2nd Corinthians 5:18-19) The resurrection gives us “the hope that our sins are paid for (Romans 4:25), death has been defeated (Hebrews 2:14), and the hope of eternal life when we repent and turn to Christ, accepting what He has done for us.”[1]

How should we as believers respond to this hope? I would imagine that there would be many responses, but praise and sharing are two that come to mind. Our worship and praise should be centered on all that Christ has accomplished for us and in us through His completed work of sacrifice and resurrection.

Given that we have received so much, how can we not share it? Those early disciples centered their witness on Christ’s death and resurrection. We should do no less today.

He has risen indeed!

Tony French

[1] http://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/april-2011/the-resurrection-myth-or-history/

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Christ’s Prayer For Believers

In John 17, Jesus prays for His own. This passage is stirring and wonderful. What were Jesus “prayer requests” in this passage? Let us examine three of them.

**Jesus prays for the Believer’s Spiritual Protection

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 

John 17:11

**Jesus prays for the Believer’s Joy

But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 

John 17:13

**Jesus prays for His People’s Unity

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:22-23

Let us be thankful for the prayers of our Savior.

Tony French

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The Cross of Jesus

Let us focus upon the cross today. At the cross, our salvation was secured and our hope was restored. Jesus’ completed work upon the cross secured the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God for all who will believe.

At the cross, Jesus took our place. John declared that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) As the Passover lamb served as a substitute for the people of Israel, so, Jesus is our “once and for all Lamb” who died in our place.

At the cross, God’s love for humanity was shown in the greatest possible way. Paul writes, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Jesus’ crucifixion is the greatest example of God’s love toward sinners that has ever been and will ever be. 

At the cross, the humanity of Christ is amplified. He hurt, He experienced excruciating pain, and He had terrible thirst (John 19:28). Jesus is fully God and yet fully human. At the cross, His divine love led him to voluntarily suffer bodily and die for us in the worst possible way. He died bodily as the sacrifice for our sin so that we could be reconciled to God.

Remember the cross this week. Let us remember what Christ endured for us. Let me end with the words of this great, old hymn.

Alas and did my Savior, bleed and did my sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head for sinners such as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight

And now I am happy all the day.

Tony French

“At the Cross” Isaac Watts and Ralph Hudson

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The Importance of The Church

13When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”  14So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  16Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  17Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 

Matthew 16:13-18

4 reasons to be a part of the Church:

1. The Church belongs to Jesus

2. Jesus is building the Church

3. The Church will prevail

4. The Church will be with Jesus forever

Tony French

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