Lamentations 3:37-5:22 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 26, 2019 “PRACTICING PURE RELIGION” The question of who “is an orphan?” may not be of general interest, but for some, it has been a question that divided the body of Christ. The question centered on the words of James: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself…Keep Reading

Isaiah 13-17 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, August 26, 2019 “RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION” As I think today about RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION, I am reminded of watching the Steve Harvey show the other day where Steve had a woman who made an appearance to meet 4 gentleman, ask them some questions and then pick one for a potential date. One of the first things she says was, “I am looking for someone who…Keep Reading

PURYEAR PROCLAIMER THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 25, 2019 “O YOU WHO LOVE THE LORD, HATE EVIL! (Part 3)” This is our third installment by the title “O you who love the Lord, hate evil,” which is an exhortation given in Psalms 97:10. In Proverbs 6:1-19, we find that there are seven things God hates: There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty…Keep Reading

Psalm 119:105 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, August 25, 2019 “NO PLACE LIKE HOME” “Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.” The house was old and worn with years. The furniture didn’t match, there was no internet or cable, but neither was there TV or computer. There was electricity, but not tonight; a blizzard had caused a blackout for miles around; and it would be days before it…Keep Reading

Lamentations 1:1 – 3:36 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 25, 2019 “FOUR INSIGHTS INTO GOD’S NATURE” Jeremiah penned the Book of Lamentations which consists of five poems that express grief over the fall of Jerusalem. In today’s reading notice especially chapter three, verses 31-36. We may glean four things. First, God does not wash his hands of his people (v. 31). God will discipline and he, may for a time, refuse…Keep Reading

Jeremiah 51-52 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 24, 2019 “SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE” God had commissioned Jeremiah to preach not only to Israel, but to all nations: “See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). Jeremiah was faithful to his commission until the day he died. Jeremiah…Keep Reading

John 3:17 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, August 23, 2019 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Jesus said that He did not come to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. I am firmly convinced that if Jesus is not in the business of condemnation, then neither should the church be….Keep Reading

Jeremiah 49-50 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 23, 2019 “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND” God had made it clear that he would use the Babylonian Empire to punish Judea, as well as other nations. When it had served its purpose and its own iniquity was full, it too would fall. What goes around comes around, and Babylon’s time had come: “Therefore wild beasts shall dwell with hyenas in Babylon, and ostriches…Keep Reading

Mark 10:16 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, August 22, 2019 “And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them.” I can think of no other part of the body that does the bidding of the heart more than the hands. When a newborn child wraps its little hand around our finger, we realize that we are holding the closest thing to Heaven that is upon…Keep Reading

Jeremiah 46-48 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 22, 2019 “WHEN JUDGMENT COMES, THERE IS NO PLACE TO HIDE” The final section of Jeremiah deals with God’s judgment against the nations surrounding Judah. One by one their destruction announced, with the Babylonians being the instrument in God’s hand for their destruction. Finally, in Jeremiah 50-51, the destruction of Babylon is announced. In our reading today, the Egyptians, the Philistines, and the Moabites…Keep Reading

Ezra 9:8 KJV DEVOTION FOR TODAY, August 21, 2019 “Grace has been shown from the Lord our God…to give us a nail in his holy place …” There is a passing generation that many of us had the joy of knowing. They were the “do not throw anything away generation.” Some came through the depression and realized the need for saving things for future use. Most of us remember these…Keep Reading

Jeremiah 41-45 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, August 21, 2019 “CALLING GOD AS WITNESS” Jeremiah and the poorest of the land were not carried into Babylonian captivity. Gedaliah was appointed governor over them, and he gradually began to bring some order to the land. They were told to stay in the land to gather wine, summer fruits, and oil and store them. The Chaldeans would, of course, collect some of the harvest…Keep Reading