For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Philippians 3: 20, NKJV. Dear Heavenly Father, please keep us aware of the fact that we are only pilgrims and foreigners on earth, and that "our citizenship is in heaven." In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. There is a difference between a resident, and a citizen, of a country. A citizen enjoys privileges and rights that are not available to a resident - for example:  voting, or aspiring to certain elected offices such as senator, governor, mayor, or president. At the same time,...

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who...

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the LORD- For wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all. Jeremiah 31: 12, NKJV. Dear God, we long for the Well of Living Water to flow over us, and revive us, and enable us, to do Your will. This we ask in the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Friend. Amen. When I read the phrase "well-watered garden," immediately, the Garden...

Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. Zechariah 9: 13, NKJV. Heavenly Father, we thank You for freeing us from despair and hopelessness, and turning us into "prisoners of hope." Please help us to live beneath the shadow of Your wings. This is our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Yesterday we mentioned that this was a very important chapter in the Bible. The reason I consider it so important is because it points to a truth that is of paramount importance to the human family - the coming of...

As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Zechariah 9: 11, NKJV. Merciful God, we give You thanks for both providing the blood of the covenant, and covering us with that blood for our salvation. In the name of Jesus Christ we give You thanks. Amen. There is much that has been said about the blood in Sacred Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, directly, or indirectly, mention is made of the blood. The blood covers, it makes atonement, it protects, it cleanses, it saves. Where would we be...

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth. Psalm 96: 11-13, NKJV.  Dear God, please help us to rest in the assurance that Your righteousness will see us through on the day of judgment. Therefore, help us not to fear, but to rejoice! In the name...

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? Jeremiah 12: 5, NKJV. Merciful God, please speak to our hearts and reveal to us things to come, that we may "apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90: 12b). In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. We  make statements such as, "There is no god like our God" and, "We have a personal...

Behold, children are an heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127: 3, NKJV. Gracious God, Please help us to be good parents. Help us to see in each child, a gift from You, and help us to treat them accordingly. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. So far we have spoken about what enables women and men to contribute to the happiness of  the home. Now let us take a look at the little people in our homes - our children. I purposely called them the little people, because...

Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5: 33, NKJV. Dear Heavenly Father and LORD, please help us as we study Your Word. May we be blessed as we see the love of God manifested in our homes, by submitting to Your will. In Jesus' name we humbly pray. Amen. Our last devotional was dedicated to the woman in the home. Today we are looking at the man. I have said this before, but I believe it is worth saying again, with...

Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house  shared with a contentious woman.  .  . Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. Proverbs 21: 9, 19, NKJV. Dear loving God, how we need Your help as we study Your Word. Please speak to our hearts, and provide us with hope. This we ask and claim, in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.  As I read these proverbs, I could not help but smile, and make the following facetious comment, to myself:  Well look who is talking! Having 700 concubines and...