LOVE NEVER FAILS

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

LOVE NEVER FAILS
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NET
[1] If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit. [4] Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. [5] It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. [6] It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. [7] It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, [10] but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside. [11] When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. [12] For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. [13] And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

THE COVERING

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

THE COVERING

 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
 SONG OF SOLOMON 2:4

JESUS CHRIST, AND HIM CRUCIFIED

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 JESUS CHRIST, AND HIM CRUCIFIED   And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
I CORINTHIANS 2:1-5

WHO CAN SEPARATE US?

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2015

WHO CAN SEPARATE US?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ROMANS 8:35-39

YET ONCE MORE

IN THE BEGINNING HTE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

YET ONCE MORE

And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. HEBREWS 12:27

THE PROMISED LAND: MOUNT SION

IN THE BEGINNINGTHE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2015

THE PROMISED LAND: MOUNT SION

  For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
HEBREWS 12:18-27

BEHOLD I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 25. 2015

BEHOLD I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW


And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. REVELATIONS 21:5-8

THESE STREAMS MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2015 

THESE STREAMS MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD

  To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. PSALMS 46

SARAH

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, November 22, 2015

SARAH
 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that also those who do not obey the Word, may be won without a word by the conversation of their wives,
  considering your chaste conversation which is in fear.
  Let their adorning not be outward with ostentatious hairdos and wearing of gold nor in composition of apparel,
 but let the interior adorning of the heart be without corruption, and of an agreeable spirit and peaceful, which is precious in the sight of God.
  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who waited upon God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands,
 as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of whom ye are made daughters, doing well and not being afraid of any terror. I Peter 3:1-6

YOUR GENTLENESS HAS MADE ME GREAT

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 21. 2015

YOUR GENTLENESS HAS MADE ME GREAT

 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 

 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 

He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. PSALM 18:25-35

THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015

DILIGENCE

 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. PROVERBS 10:4

 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. PROVERBS 12:24

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. PROVERBS 13:4

 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. PROVERBS 22:29

THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015

THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH

 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. MATTHEW 5:5

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. PSALM 22:26

 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. PSALM 37:11

  For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. PSALM 149:4

THE SPIRIT

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2015

THE SPIRIT

 If that former ministry faded away despite its glory, how much more does that ministry which remains continue to be glorious?
  Since we have confidence in the new promise, we speak very boldly.
 We are not like Moses. He kept covering his face with a veil. He didn't want the people of Israel to see the glory fading away.
  However, their minds became closed. In fact, to this day the same veil is still there when they read the Old Testament. It isn't removed, because only Christ can remove it.
  Yet, even today, when they read the books of Moses, a veil covers their minds.
  But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
  This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom.
 As all of us reflect the Lord's glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:11-18

 There are three witnesses:
 the Spirit, the water, and the blood. These three witnesses agree. I JOHN 5:7-8

RID ONESELF OF THE ABSURD

IN THE BEGINNING OF THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

RID ONESELF OF THE ABSURD

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. PROVERBS 25:4

Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
 ISAIAH 1: 22-27

THE SPIRIT BADE ME GO

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015

THE SPIRIT BADE ME GO

 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  ACTS 11:12-16

CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 26, 2015

CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. EPHESIANS 5:30-32

ABUNDANT LIFE!

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

ABUNDANT LIFE!
 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. JOHN 10:10

IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

  IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. PROVERBS 12:28

 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

The righteous will flourish like palm trees; they will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. PSALM 92:12

SPIES AND LIES

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015

SPIES AND LIES

  While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd arrived. The man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them, and he came close to Jesus to kiss him.
  But Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" LUKE 22:47.48

SPIES AND LIES

 IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015

SPIES AND LIES

And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. GENESIS 42:9

   They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
  My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. PSALM 62:4-6

  The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. PSALM 58:3

 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. LUKE 20:20

STEADFAST

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015

STEADFAST


Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I CORINTHIANS 15:58

FOR GLORY AND FOR BEAUTY

 IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015

FOR GLORY AND FOR BEAUTY

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. PSALM 145:10-12

 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. EXODUS 28:2

HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015

HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD
(AN EXPRESSION OF DEDICATION)

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
  Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.ZECHARIAH 14:20,21

 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
  And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
  And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
  And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
  And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. EXODUS 28:36-41

POWER TO SEE WHAT IS SECRET

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015

POWER TO SEE WHAT IS SECRET

  And Joseph said, What is this thing which you have done? had you no thought that such a man as I would have power to see what is secret?  GENESIS 44:15 (BBE)

 And Joseph said unto them: 'What deed is this that ye have done? know ye not that such a man as I will indeed divine?' GENESIS 44:15 (JPS)

 Joseph said to them, "Why have you done this? Didn't you know that I have a special way of learning secrets? No one is better at this than I am!" GENESIS 44:15 (ERV)

WITH OPEN FACE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

WITH OPEN FACE

 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:16-18

 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is in glory.
 Having therefore such hope, we use much confidence.
 And not as Moses put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the face of that which is made void.
 But their senses were made dull. For, until this present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old testament, remaineth not taken away (because in Christ it is made void).
 But even until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
 But when they shall be converted to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
 But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:11-18

I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE

  And they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.'
 Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the LORD; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it.
 "Thus says the Lord GOD: This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock.
 Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD."
EZEKIEL 36:35-38

OUR WEALTH AND RESOURCE: DRAWING OUT OF THE RIVER OF LIFE

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

OUR WEALTH AND RESOURCE:  DRAWING OUT OF THE RIVER OF LIFE

 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. REVELATIONS 22:1-2

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. JOHN 7:38

ZION!

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

ZION!

 Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother was in labor with you; there she who bore you was in labor.
 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised. SONG OF SOLOMON 8:5-8:7

TELL THE NUMBER OF STARS, AND COUNT THEM

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

TELL THE NUMBER OF STARS, AND COUNT THEM

 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
  For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
  He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
  He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
  He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD. PSALM 147

CONSIDER THE STARS

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

CONSIDER THE STARS

  To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
  Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
  what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
  You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,
 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
  the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! PSALM 8:1-9

THE HAND OF THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

THE HAND OF THE LORD

 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.
  And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.
 And he said to the people of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, 'What do these stones mean?'
  then you shall let your children know, 'Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.'
  For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over,
  so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever." JOSHUA 4:19-24

THE HALO: THE CIRCLE OF LIGHT AND MUTUAL LOVE

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

THE HALO:  THE CIRCLE OF LIGHT AND MUTUAL LOVE

  These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
  For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
J And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
J I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
  O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. JOHN 17

CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART


 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. ROMANS 2:28,29

GIVEN TO THE WILL OF GOD

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

GIVEN TO THE WILL OF GOD

  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. ACTS 13:2

THE WILL OF GOD

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY,AUGUST 30, 2015

THE WILL OF GOD

 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. I John 2:15-17

THERE IS A RIVER WHOSE STREAMS MAKE GLAD

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

THERE IS A RIVER WHOSE STREAMS MAKE GLAD

  To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
  Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
  He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. PSALM 46

BY THE SPRINGS OF WATER SHALL HE GUIDE THEM

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 27, 2015

BY THE SPRINGS OF WATER SHALL HE GUIDE THEM

  Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
  And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
  Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
  And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
  And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
  Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
  That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. ISAIAH 49:1-10

STEP INTO THE POOL

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 25, 2O15

STEP INTO THE POOL

 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
  Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
  In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
  For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
  And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
  The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
  The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
  Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
  The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
  And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

THIS IS AS THE WATERS OF NOAH

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 22, 2015

THIS IS AS THE WATERS OF NOAH

 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. ISAIAH 54:9-17

THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID
.
  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
  Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
  Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
ISAIAH 55:3-7

WATERS TO SWIM IN!

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 18,2015

WATERS TO SWIM IN!

  And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters Issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for the forefront of the house looked toward the east: but the waters came down to the right side of the temple to the south part of the altar.
  And he led me out by the way of the north gate, and he caused me to turn to the way without the outward gate to the way that looked toward the east: and behold there ran out waters on the right side.
  And when the man that had the line in his hand went out towards the east, he measured a thousand cubits: and he brought me through the water up to the ankles.
  And again he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the knees.
  And he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the loins. And he measured a thousand, and it was a torrent, which I could not pass over: for the waters were risen so as to make a deep torrent, which could not be passed over.
  And he said to me: Surely thou hast seen, O son of man. And he brought me out, and he caused me to turn to the bank of the torrent.
  And when I had turned myself, behold on the bank of the torrent were very many trees on both sides.
  And he said to me: These waters that issue forth toward the hillocks of sand to the east, and go down to the plains of the desert, shall go into the sea, and shall go out, and the waters shall be healed.
  And every living creature that creepeth whithersoever the torrent shall come, shall live: and there shall be fishes in abundance after these waters shall come thither, and they shall be healed, and all things shall live to which the torrent shall come.
 And the fishers shall stand over these waters, from Engaddi even to Engallim there shall be drying of nets: there shall be many sorts of the fishes thereof, as the fishes of the great sea, a very great multitude:
  But on the shore thereof, and in the fenny places they shall not be healed, because they shall be turned into saltpits.
  And by the torrent on the banks thereof on both sides shall grow all trees that bear fruit: their leaf shall not fall off, and their fruit shall not fail: every month shall they bring forth firstfruits, because the waters thereof shall issue out of the sanctuary: and the fruits thereof shall be for food, and the leaves thereof for medicine.
  Thus saith the Lord God: This is the border, by which you shall possess the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: for Joseph hath a double portion.
  And you shall possess it, every man in like manner as his brother: concerning which I lifted up my hand to give it to your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for a possession.
  And this is the border of the land: toward the north side, from the great sea by the way of Hethalon, as men go to Sedada,
  Emath, Berotha, Sabarim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Emath the house of Tichon, which is by the border of Auran.
 And the border from the sea even to the court of Enan, shall be the border of Damascus, and from the north to the north: the border of Emath, this is the north side.
  And the east side is from the midst of Auran, and from the midst of Damascus, and from the midst of Galaad, and from the midst of the land of Israel, Jordan making the bound to the east sea, and thus you shall measure the east side.
 And the south side southward is, from Thamar even to the waters of contradiction of Cades: and, the torrent even to the great sea: and this is the south side southward.
  And the side toward the sea, is the great sea from the borders straight on, till thou come to Emath: this is the side of the sea.
  And you shall divide this land unto you by the tribes of Israel:
  And you shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you, and to the strangers that shall come over to you, that shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as men of the same country born among the children of Israel: they shall divide the possession with you in the midst of the tribes of Israel.
 And in what tribe soever the stranger shall be, there shall you give him possession, saith the Lord God. EZEKIEL 47

COME TO THE WATERS!

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

COME TO THE WATERS!

All you that thirst, come to the waters: and you that have no money make haste, buy, and eat: come ye, buy wine and milk without money, and without any price.
 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which doth not satisfy you? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness.
 Incline your ear and come to me: hear and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the faithful mercies of David.
 Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, for a leader and a master to the Gentiles.
 Behold thou shalt call a nation, which thou knewest not: and the nations that knew not thee shall run to thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee.
 Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near.
 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive.
 For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts.
And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
 So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.
 For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall sing praise before you, and all the trees of the country shall clap their hands.
 Instead of the shrub, shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the nettle, shall come up the myrtle tree: and the Lord shall be named for an everlasting sign, that shall not be taken away. ISAIAH 55

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH, MY SONG, MY SALVATION!

 IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH. MY SONG, MY SALVATION!

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
  They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
  Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
  God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. PSALM 118

OUT OF MY BELLY, FLOWING RIVERS OF LIVING WATER!

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 3, 2015

OUT OF MY BELLY, FLOWING RIVERS OF LIVING WATER!

  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. JOHN 7:37, 38 KJV

JERUSALEM'S COMFORT

IN THE BEGINNING THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 2, 2015

JERUSALEM'S COMFORT

 And in that day thou shalt say, I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me.
 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation.
 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
 And in that day shall ye say, Give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name, declare his doings among the peoples, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto Jehovah; for he hath done excellent things: let this be known in all the earth.
 Cry aloud and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great in the midst of thee is the Holy One of Israel. 12:1-6

SOWING BOUNTIFULLY!

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JULY 29, 2015

SOWING BOUNTIFULLY!

 But this I say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
 Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
  And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:
  as it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever.
  And he that supplieth seed to the sower and bread for food, shall supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness:
 ye being enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.
  For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God;
 seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all;
 while they themselves also, with supplication on your behalf, long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of God in you.
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-15

ZION, SING!

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JULY 21, 2015

ZION, SING!

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
  In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
  Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. ISAIAH 54:1-17

THE GOD OF HEAVEN; HE WILL PROSPER US

 IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JULY 21, 2015

THE GOD OF HEAVEN, HE WILL PROSPER US

Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. NEHEMIAH 2:20
 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. NEHEMIAH 6:15
  And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. NEHEMIAH 6:16

SAD SANBALLAT : NO PORTION, NOR RIGHT, NOR MEMORIAL IN JERUSALEM

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JULY 21, 2015

SAD SANBALLAT: NO PORTION, NOR RIGHT, NOR MEMORIAL IN JERUSALEM

When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. NEHEMIAH 2:10

But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? NEHEMIAH 2:19

Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. NEHEMIAH 2:20

THE ANGRY MAN

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JULY 21, 2015

THE ANGRY MAN

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. Proverbs 29:22

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Proverbs 22:24  

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. Proverbs 14:17 

COMING AS A MIGHTY ONE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTION FOR TODAY, JULY 19, 2015

COMING AS A MIGHTY ONE

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins.
The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.
  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain:
and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.
The voice of one saying, Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever.
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God!
Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. ISAIAH 40:1-10

A NEW DAY; ONE SPIRIT

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JULY 12,2015

A NEW DAY; ONE SPIRIT

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. EPHESIANS 4;4-6

  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1Co_6:17 

 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; Php_1:27 

THE DESIRE OF OUR SOUL

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTION FOR TODAY, JULY 9, 2015

THE DESIRE OF OUR SOUL

The way of the just is uprightness: thou that art upright dost direct the path of the just.
Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Jehovah, have we waited for thee; to thy name, even to thy memorial name, is the desire of our soul.
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee earnestly: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

ISAIAH 26;7-9

GRACE BE TO YOU

GRACE BE TO YOU

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Galatians 1:15,16

 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:19-21

ESTABLISHED

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY...JUNE 30, 2015

ESTABLISHED

Yea, of Zion it shall be said, This one and that one was born in her; And the Most High himself will establish her.
Jehovah will count, when he writeth up the peoples, This one was born there. Selah.
They that sing as well as they that dance shall say, All my fountains are in thee. Psalm 87;5-7

  Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 

  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 

  Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 

  Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 

  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 

  He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 

 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 

  Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 

  Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 

  Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 

  Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 

  Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 

  Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 

 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. PSALM 148

WISDOM BUILDETH HER HOUSE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JUNE 18, 2015

WISDOM BUILDETH HER HOUSE

 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

ABIGAIL'S PAIN AND SORROW

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JUNE 17, 2015

ABIGAIL'S PAIN AND SORROW

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:
They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.
And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.
Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.
Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. I SAMUEL 25:14-26

I TRUST IN THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JUNE 12, 2015

I TRUST IN THE LORD

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. PSALM 31:1-8

IN A RACE!

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JUNE 12, 2015

IN A RACE!

1Co 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

A FORETASTE OF GLORY DIVINE

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, JUNE 3, 2015

A FORETASTE OF GLORY DIVINE

  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

UNDER AUTHORITY

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DALY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MAY 31, 2015

UNDER AUTHORITY

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. MATTHEW 8:9

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. LUKE 7:8

  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, ACTS 8:27

UP!

IN THE BEGINNNG...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MAY 27, 2015

UP!

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
  And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. JUDGES4:4-14

MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MAY 27, 2015

MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. LUKE 1:46-55

PUT AWAY YOUR IDOLS

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MAY 25, 2015

PUT AWAY YOUR IDOLS

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
  Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.  HOSEA 14:8,9 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. EZEKIEL 14:6-8  
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UPON THIS ROCK

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, MAY 22, 2015

UPON THIS ROCK

 
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. MATTHEW 16-13-19