Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Matthew 6:32&33 "32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." We are studying TIME in the Holy Scriptures and want to, at the very least, TITHE our time. We want to study our Holy Bible, praise and worship our Lord. We want to live according to His plan. Walking the path our Lord and Savior laid out for us is NOT easy. It takes bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness. It takes the diligence to aquire the indispensable needs of life for yourself and others. It's going to cause you anxiety, sorrow, and pain. AND! If that's not enough, Paul says we have to withstand all that and be BLAMELESS! We need to give no offence in any thing. It's going to be very difficult to do. How can we make TIME for it all? We have to make GOD the priority i...

II Corinthians 6:3&4 "3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses," And, the list goes on, and on. Walking the path our Lord and Savior laid out for us is NOT easy. It takes bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness. It takes the diligence to aquire the indispensable needs of life for yourself and others. It's going to cause you anxiety, sorrow, and pain. And, more... AND! If that's not enough, Paul says we have to withstand all that and be BLAMELESS! We need to give no offence in any thing. It's going to be very difficult to do. How can we make TIME for it all??? We can't. We have to prioritize our life and put the most important things first. The best way is to use the BIG ROCK time management system. Follow the link below to watch Stephen R. Covey demonstrates this pow...

II Corinthians 6:1&2 "1 We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)" Yesterday's verse was "The TIME is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Spoken by our Lord and Savior, this moment marks the end of the law and prophets, and the beginning of the Messiah's appearance in the world. "Fulfilled." We can never repay GOD for the blessings He gives us. Giving back 10% is the LEAST we can do. But, it's not only your money, it's also your time, your energy and your talents. It's just 10%. Can you do it?  10% of your time is 2 hours and 40 minutes every day. Or, 16, almost 17 hours every week. Are you spending that much time is studying GOD'S word, praising and...

Mark 1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Pastor describes today's verse as the shortest and most complete sermon ever; "The TIME is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Spoken by our Lord and Savior, this moment marks the end of the law and prophets, and the beginning of the Messiah's appearance in the world. "Fulfilled."  "At hand" is straight up saying GOD is here with you! Throughout the Old Testament prophets tell of a successor to King David that will sit on his throne. The Jews expected a great national deliverer, but what they got was the Savior of the world! "Repent ye," is a call to not only turn from sins and wrongdoing, but also bad beliefs and ceremonies. Relinquish your pride and arrogance that keeps you from seeing who Jesus Christ truly is.  "believe the gospel." Which proclaims libert...

Mark 1:14 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God," Last week we focused or study on GIVING. Understanding that GOD has given us everything so we can in turn give to others ourselves. Our gifts are like seeds sown in the field; in due time there will be a BOUNTIFUL harvest! Yesterday we read from the book of Malachi where we read rare words of GOD challenging His people; "PROVE ME NOW..." God pledges if you will give 10% He will supply all your needs. As the church we frequently talk about this in terms of our finances. But, it's not only your money, it's also your time, your energy and your talents. It's just 10%. Can you do it?  10% of your time is 2 hours and 40 minutes every day.  Or, 16, almost 17 hours every week. Are you spending that much time studying GOD'S word, praising and worshiping GOD? It's like a part time job focusing on our Lord and Savior. For some their entire...

Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." This week we have studied "God loveth a cheerful giver." From the writings of the New Testament Apostles, Paul being chief among them. He strongly encouraged all believers to abound in the GRACE of GIVING. And, we realize that our gifts are like seeds sown in the field; in due time there will be a BOUNTIFUL harvest! Today we turn to the last book of the Old Testament; Malachi. This prophet spoke and wrote well over a thousand years AFTER Abraham’s era.  He had the advantage of history. Everyone could see the rewards of faithfulness and the punishments from straying from GOD'S will and plan. Malachi's book is a final statement of judgment, anticipating God’s saving work through the Messia...

2 Corinthians 9:8 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: "God loveth a cheerful giver." From yesterday's verse really gets to the point of what GOD expects from you and me. We should NOT be sorry to part the money we give. Giving should NOT be painful or out of some necessity. GOD wants us do it cheerfully. This is why we have these powerful and moving verses in the Second letter to the Corinthians. Paul strongly encourages all believers to abound in the GRACE of GIVING. And, realize that our gifts are like seeds sown in the field; in due time there will be a BOUNTIFUL harvest! Today's verse is outstanding, each thought builds on the previous; "And God is able to make ALL GRACE abound toward you; that ye, always having ALL SUFFICIENCY in ALL THINGS, may abound to EVERY good work:" GOD makes every blessing you experience. Not only that, GOD supplies us with ev...

2 Corinthians 9:7 "7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." This is important! "God loveth a cheerful giver." The original Greek has the meaning of "Not of grief." Or, we might say; not grudgingly. We should NOT be sorry to part the money we give. It's fascinating that GOD doesn't want you to feel constrained to give. Giving should NOT be painful or out of some necessity. GOD wants us do it cheerfully. GOD wants us to GIVE. And, it should be from the heart. We should do it voluntarily and cheerfully. Generosity from the heart is hard to come by, there is a lot of giving that is done by brief and irregular times. And, still more that is false or fake, not what it needs to be. Giving that is not sincere is giving that cannot be depended upon. Giving by extortion or pride and vanity is giving that is motivated by self interest and not charity in helping othe...

2 Corinthians 9:6 "6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." In the Second letter to the Corinthians, from the Apostle Paul, he has used churches of Macedonia as an example of generous giving. They were modle givers for the Corinthians to follow. An inspiration to us all. Paul emphasizes the point in chapter eight, that we have been studying. Paul strongly encourages all believers to abound in the GRACE of GIVING.  Today we turn to chapter nine, where Paul puts the bow on his gift of advice; "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth BOUNTIFULLY shall reap also BOUNTIFULLY." To Paul and countless generations of Christians the meaning of this verse was plainly understood. They were all farmers they lived out planting and harvesting. They experienced planting seeds in the ground and having no indication of how much might grow! Some ...

2 Corinthians 8:7 "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also." In the Second letter to the Corinthians, from the Apostle Paul, he has used churches of Macedonia as an example of generous giving. The Macedonians gave freely and generously, turning over their charity to the Apostles to redistribute it as needed. They were modle givers, great examples for the Corinthians to follow. An inspiration to us all. Paul emphasizes the point; they had done what was far beyond his hopes. They gave, not only their money, but themselves, their time, their energy, to the church. They were able to do this because they allowed the will of God to work upon them. Paul has begun to praise the Corinthians; Titus delivered the First Letter to them and witnessed improvement in their situation. Titus has returned to Corinth with this Second Letter to bring the good work to its com...

2 Corinthians 8:5&6 "5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also." We are in the Second letter to the Corinthians from the Apostle Paul. He is trying to help this body of believers to stay together. Paul has used churches of Macedonia as an example. He has pointed out that the Macedonians were willing to give more than they should have been able. They did not wait to be urged and pressed to do it. They rejoiced in the opportunity of doing it. They came forward of their own accord and made the contribution.  The Macedonians gave freely and generously, turning over their charity to the Apostles to redistribute it as needed. They were modle givers, great examples for the Corinthians to follow. An inspiration to all. Paul emphasizes the point; they had done what was far beyond his hopes. They gave, no...

2 Corinthians 8:3&4 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. We are in the Second letter to the Corinthians from the Apostle Paul. He helped start this church, he has moved on to others, but he is hearing that the church at Corinth is struggling, and he writes to try to help this body of believers to stay together. We get to read over their shoulder and learn from there mistakes.  This section of the letter Paul began by comparing the Corinthians to the churches of Macedonia. They  were VERY good at giving to the ministry of God. Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to give abundantly like the believers in Macedonia. Who had as many challenges as the Corinthians, maybe more.  Paul had founded all these churches and had spent much time with them. He knew them well and is qualified to ma...

2 Corinthians 8:1&2 1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. This last week we studied living the Christian life; from Paul, Peter, the unknown author of Hebrews, and James, the brother of Jesus. Through our study we want to become seasoned professionals who can faced danger after danger and withstand it all. We want to learn to endure any attack from the Devil. We must develop the conscious strength of patients and trust in God that is able to say; "THY will be done." And, MEAN it. Today we turn to the Second letter to the Corinthians from the Apostle Paul. Paul is continuing to plant churches and hearing that the church at Corinth is struggling, and he writes to try to help this body of believers to stay together. We get to read over their shoulder and learn from there mistakes....

James 1:2-4 "2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." We want to live the Christian life; from Paul we learned: giving with "SIMPLICITY," desiring only God’s glory, "DILIGENCE" we need to be attentive to the duties of our calling and mercy with "CHEERFULNESS!" NOT our temperament of the day, but is kindness and a lighthearted quality we need to cultivate as a duty our neighbors, friends and family. We want to live the Christian life; from Peter we learn to be "GOOD STEWARDS;" God gives us gifts and talents, we will see to it that the Church is the beneficiary our blessings.  The unknown author of Hebrews teaches we learn we need to be teaching and learning all the time! We want to learn about our FAITH so we can teach others. We want to advance to high...

Hebrews 5:12 "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." We want to live the Christian life, Paul teaches: Giving with "SIMPLICITY," desiring only God’s glory, "DILIGENCE" we need to be attentive to the duties of our calling and mercy with "CHEERFULNESS!" NOT our temperament of the day, but is kindness and a lighthearted quality we need to cultivate as a duty our neighbors, friends and family. We want to live the Christian life, Peter teaches: to be "GOOD STEWARDS;" God gives us gifts and talents but they are NOT ours to own! We are just STEWARDS who take care of what we are given for a time. As good and faithful servants we will see to it that the Church is the beneficiary our gifts. In this way God is honored and glorified. If we are able to do things right for others through...

1 Peter 4:10&11 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as GOOD STEWARDS of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. We want to live according to God's plan. We need to avoid people that will be a bad influence on us. We learned from the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers. Packed full of teaching and instruction for living the Christian life. Paul teaches: Giving with "SIMPLICITY" is a single motive, desiring only God’s glory, and to help the object that you give to. Have no secret thought of recognition. "DILIGENCE" can mean haste, it also denotes industry, attention, and care. It means that we need to be attentive to the duties of our calling. The things we are blessed...

Romans 12:7&8 "7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness." Because of the priceless gift of salvation from Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we want to live according to God's plan. We need to avoid people that will be a bad influence on us: the ungodly, the sinners, and the scornful. We returned to the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers. Packed full of teaching and instruction for living the Christian life. There never was and never will be a state of perfect equality. God exercises His sovereignty, and bestows favors and talents as He pleases. No one is injured by receiving or not receiving what others have or have not. God has given each of us extraordinary gifts. Today's verses lists some examples; "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or h...

Romans 12:5&6 "5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;" We have studied that everyone should praise GOD!!! No one and no thing compares to GOD! GREATEST amongst GOD'S blessings is His Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Because of the priceless gift of salvation we want to live according to God's plan. We need to avoid people that will be a bad influence on us: the ungodly, the sinners, and the scornful. God's word, His Law, His Gospel is something that should give us great pleasure and enjoyment! We need to meditate on it day and night. God's word is a living book that is convicting and enlightening. The Holy Bible will teach us about GOD and it will teach us about ourselves. It's amazing! Today we return to the Letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers. Pau...

Psalms 1:1&2 "1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." The Psalms are a treasure trove of worship and praise for GOD. As we studied last week in chapter one-hundred forty-eight. Everyone should praise GOD!!! No one and no thing compares to GOD! GREATEST amongst GOD'S blessings is His Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We can open this book anywhere and find encouragement and edification. Just look at the first two verses in the first chapter; "Blessed is the man that walketh NOT in the counsel of the ungodly, NOR standeth in the way of sinners, NOR sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his DELIGHT is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." First in foremost believers need to avoid people that will be a bad influence on them: The un...

Psalms 148:13&14 "13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 He also exalteth the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him. Praise ye the LORD." Everyone should praise GOD!!! Everyone and everything listed before is wonderful and great! No one and no thing compares to GOD! GOD is excellent in power, wisdom, goodness, truth, and faithfulness, and in all other perfections of His nature. GOD'S work, by which He is known, are excellent, both of nature and of grace, and proclaim His glory!! GREATEST amongst them His Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Jesus is King over everyone and everything, as "the horn" signifies; Jesus is the strength, safety, and security of His people, His followers! Jesus gives us victory over death itself. Jesus is now exalted in heaven at the right hand of God! All creation is nothing in comparison of ...

Psalms 148:10-12 "10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:" Who should praise GOD? Wild animals and tamed livestock; the beasts roaming in the field or forrest, and the cattle on a thousand hills! All the Lord has made, supported, and supplied. God gives them their food and drink, which they wait for and receive from Him, and in their way they praise God! Even the least creature on the sea or land, the meanest snake or worthless worm, are made by such exquisite workmanship they give praise and glory to the Creator! The same is true of the things that fly; every fly and every insect, as well as "flying fowl" of the greatest size, as the eagle, vulture, and the smallest sparrow and tiny humming birds. Next, our verses come to people; the ones who should lead the choir of praise! The poetry of the writer of this Psalm c...

Psalms 148:7-9 "7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling His word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:" It's ALL about praise to GOD!!!  All celestial creations praise GOD; the angels, the saints of heaven, the sun, the moon, and the stars; the heavens, and the haven of heavens, and the waters above them! There is more to creation than we know, even with all our advanced technology and science, we don't know it all. Creation has endured many million of ages and may continue to exist for many million of ages to come. As long as GOD wants it to. "Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:" From above to now, below; "the earth...and all deeps." The oceans with their waves and winds and the giant inhabitants that swim there! These forces of nature do what they do and it's PRAISE to GOD! Weather that's good, bad and ugly all PRA...

Psalms 148:4-6 "4 Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass." It's ALL about praise to GOD!!!  We are studying Psalms one hundred and forty-eight this week. It begins with All the Saints and all the Angels; everyone who dwells in heaven begin the songs of praise. Also, the sun and moon are there to PRAISE GOD! The "stars of light," each and every one has something special to it that PRAISES GOD! Their multitudes, variety and vast distance, all is a wonderful chorus of praise for GOD! Today's verses; "Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens." There is so much heaven that there is one heaven rising above another! If we pay attention to Holy Scriptures we will learn the is also water above; Genesis 1:7 : "An...

Psalms 148:1-3 "1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise Him in the heights. 2 Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. 3 Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light." It's ALL about praise to GOD!!!  Yesterday we read from the prophet Isaiah; "...the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into SINGING," Isaiah teaches us GOD'S plan will accomplish what GOD Iintend; with or without you and me. Even if it's ONLY the rocks and trees celebrating and praising GOD!  With this in mind we shall study Psalms one hundred and forty-eight this week. It's ALL about praise to GOD!!! "Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise Him in the heights." Let everyone who dwells in heaven begin the song. All the Saints and all the Angels. And, even the highest parts of the universe. "Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Praise ye Him, s...

Isaiah 55:11&12 "11 So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." What is the sound of one tree clapping it's hands in the field if no person is there to hear it??? It's the SOUND of PRAISE for our Lord and Savior!!! And, that's what it's all about; praise to GOD!!! Yesterday's quote from Saint Augustine of Hippo began with PRAISE; "Great are You, O Lord, and exceedingly worthy of praise; Your power is immense, and Your wisdom beyond reckoning..." And, the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well was very praising as she came to believe Jesus was the Messiah!!!  In today's verses we read that it's not limited to peop...

"Great are You, O Lord, and exceedingly worthy of praise; Your power is immense, and Your wisdom beyond reckoning. And so we men, who are a due part of Your creation, long to praise You – we also carry our mortality about with us, carry the evidence of our sin and with it the proof that You thwart the proud. You arouse us so that praising You may bring us joy, because You have made us and drawn us to Yourself, and our heart is unquiet until it rests in You." From the Confessions, Saint Augustine of Hippo St. Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354 - 430) was an Algerian-Roman philosopher and theologian of the late Roman / early Medieval period. He is one of the most important early figures in the development of Western Christianity, and was a major figure in bringing Christianity to dominance in the previously pagan Roman Empire. He is often considered the father of orthodox theology and the greatest of the four great fathers of the Latin Church (along with St. Ambrose, St. Jerome and S...

John 4:14&15 "14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw." The only way to not "THIRST AGAIN" is to fill the VOID within with the "LIVING WATERS" from Jesus Christ! FAITH in Him as the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of God; "shall be in them a well of water springing up into EVERLASTING LIFE." KEEP READING this section of John's Gospel. The conversation continues with this Samaritan woman. She becomes one of the First Gentiles to believe in Jesus as the Messiah! She becomes one of God's Chosen people!!! Just like you do by believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior!!!  The good parts of these daily devotionals are inspired by the sermon at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg Texas. You can...

John 4:12&13 "12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:" You will "THIRST AGAIN." For this woman it was husbands. She had many. For others it is work, they are workaholics. Others it's alcohol, they can't stop drinking. For some it's gossip, they have to know secrets about others. Some can't get enough food, they become gluttonous. Some escape their reality through drug use and become addicted. There are all kinds of ways to TRY to fill the VOID that's inside you. Whatever you use; You will "THIRST AGAIN." Jesus is offer her a solution; "LIVING WATER!" She does not understand. She asked; "Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?" Jacob was the son of Issac. ...

John 4:9-11 "9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto Him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that living water?" We are studying water and THIRST for the Holy Scriptures. From the deer at the stream to the Israelites in the wilderness drinking water from a ROCK! To our current thread of a Samaritan woman encountering Jesus at Jacob's well. Jacob was the son of Issac. Jacob's name changed to Israel. His twelve sons that grow into the twelve tribes of Israel! The Jewish people!! Jewish people of Galilee and Judea shunned the Samaritans, viewing them as a mixed race w...