In my devotions lately, I’ve been reading the Book of Joshua. It’s a fascinating book filled with God’s mercy in shaping and dealing with a servant-leader, as well an awesome display of the mighty power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and you and me.We’ll begin with one of the most challenging responsibilities issued in the entire Word of God.Joshua's unique responsibility“Now it came about a...  Read More

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.As I have been reading the daily scriptures posted in the Gateway Bible Program, I’ve spent several days in Proverbs. And today as I was meditating upon this verse, I began to realize how often our “speech” is mentioned. The words “mouth,” “lips” and “tongue” are men...  Read More

As we begin part 3 of our study, I want to tie in the verse from Psalms 16:11 with not only the King James Version, but also the New American Standard Bible and the Message.God's presence is the answer to our prayersBefore we get too much further into today's post, let me offer a statement about prayer that is worthy of consideration.The object of prayer is not always the answer, but rather findin...  Read More

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3, KJV.“Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy, at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11, KJV.Let's look further at the promise given in Ephesians 1:3.Who gives the promise?The word “Who” from this ...  Read More

“Just Sayin'” Part 1As I was doing my devotions this morning, I was using the journal that I received when we held the men’s discipleship classes here at Coastal. At the bottom of each page, there is listed a scripture to encourage. I normally end up using two or more pages as I take notes on what I read, which most always includes the scriptures in the journal.Today’s scriptures just kind of leap...  Read More

The Scriptures make it clear that Jesus came to do and express the Father’s will. Therefore it is early in Jesus’ teachings that the phrases “kingdom of God” or “kingdom of heaven” begin to appear.I believe that He deliberately and intentionally spoke of this “kingdom” for several reasons. And, the Lord being my helper, I wanted to link these phrases to not only Jesus’ healing ministry, but to the...  Read More

Here is an invitation to make this an oft prayed prayer, perhaps even daily.It is from Isaiah 63:7-9.First I’ll share the actual verses, and then with the help of the Holy Spirit, I’m going to take a little liberty and create a personal prayer out of these verses. Please set your heart to not only read this, but to take a moment to pray these words.“I shall make mention of the loving kindnesses of...  Read More

“'But You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.While I was fainting away,I remembered the Lord,And my prayer came to You,Into Your holy temple.Those who regard vain idolsForsake their faithfulness,But I will sacrifice to YouWith the voice of thanksgiving.That which I have vowed I will pay.Salvation is from the Lord.'Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the ...  Read More

“And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish…” Jonah 1:17-2:1.The word you need will comeThe morning I began to contemplate what to share on today’s post, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance something that Pastor Matt said during one of his sermon...  Read More

WHAT IS A FAST?A “fasting or fast” is a voluntary abstaining from food for a certain period of time and for very specific spiritual reasons.Practically, fasting physically flushes us out so that God can spiritually fill us up. Keep in mind, it’s not just about physically dieting from food, but more so, it’s about spiritually dialing in to God. It is a determinate amount of time to intentionally al...  Read More

“The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up. Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep. So the captain approached him and said, 'How i...  Read More

“So they said to him, 'What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?'—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. He said to them, 'Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.' However, the men rowed desperately to return to land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even ...  Read More