Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites. So they answered, “We will gladly give them.” And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder. Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their...

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” Judges 8: 22, 23, NKJV. Dear God, You are our God. You are the only true God. Please help us to worship You "in spirit and in truth." In the blessed name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen. Our Scripture for today is taken from...

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.  I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2: 12-14, NKJV. Dear God, please help...

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84: 11, 12, NKJV. Dear God and Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for helping us to progress in our Christian experience. Help us to know that all good gifts come from You. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. The life of the Christian is dynamic. We are always on the move. Thank God, that move is usually forward. Today we are going...

But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 2 Corinthians 2: 5-8, NKJV. Merciful God, as we enter Your presence today, we ask that Your Holy Spirit may hover over us and help us to understand the...

But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1: 18-20, NKJV. Father in heaven, we come before you today, to study Your Word. Please speak to our hearts we pray. In the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen. I just finished a Week of...

O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, your power to everyone who is to come. Psalm 71: 17, 18, NKJV. Blessed LORD, how much we need You - in the morning of our lives as well as when the shadows fall. Please keep ever before us, that even though we are changing, You are the same yesterday, today, and forevermore! In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, we humbly pray. Amen! Psalm...

 s free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 1 Peter 2: 16, NKJV. Dear God and Father, we thank You for the liberty that You offer us as Your sons and daughters. Please let us use it to bring You glory, and to bless humanity. This is our prayer in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Today has been set aside as a holiday to honor the life and achievements of one who gave the greater part of his life to the fight for freedom and equality for all people - Dr. Martin Luther...

O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me; let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel. Psalm 69: 5, 6, NKJV.  Gracious God, as we enter the study of Your Word, please make it plain to us, that "no is an island." In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. A few days ago we visited this psalm. At that time we meditated upon verses 1-3 - the psalmist's plea for help. Could...

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. Proverbs 15: 1, 2, NKJV. Dear God, please teach us to use the gift of speech wisely, that we may bring honor to You, and bless others. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Our text for today is familiar to many people. I believe parents use it a lot during the "growing up" years of the family. We are constantly reminding our children that it takes two to make an argument, with the hope that...