"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Romans 4:7
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Psalm 32:1
Yes, these two passages of scripture are exactly the same, as are hundreds of other Old Testament quotes used in the New Testament.
"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Romans 12:11
I want to take some time breaking this verse down, word by word and phrase by phrase. We commonly say to never say never, but when it comes to encouraging us to keep on keeping on, Paul says we shouldn't ever lack in zeal. We are never done, never finished.
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
I quote this verse often at weddings, memorial services and special events. It is a wonderful opening thought to almost anything including the beginning of any day. I am chagrined and saddened at how overwhelmingly excited our culture has gotten about 'Black Friday'.
A Thanksgiving Devotion by Ann Shorb:
"Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." Psalm 68:19
Psalm 68 is an interesting passage. It was intended to be used in worship by Israel as a song of victory and deliverance. It recounts the many difficulties they endured and speaks of them being afflicted, oppressed, helpless, sinful, and exposed to hurt and pain; yet this Psalm recalls that God provided for His people in the tough wilderness wanderings and in the days of bountiful blessing in the Promised Land of Canaan. In both the good times and the bad, God blessed them and cared for them. In this passage, His people recognize that and thank Him for it.
"But he denied it saying, 'I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.'" Mark 14:68
This is a quote from Peter, literally one of his denials. Does it sound familiar? Is Peter taking the fifth or is he just making a lame attempt to cover his own tracks to deal with his aching conscience and culpability? Have you ever seen the cartoon of a dead cow on his back, rigor mortis setting in and feet straight up in the air? The caption reads, "Really, I’m fine."
"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited." II Corinthians 6:1
The discrediting of ministries is such a common practice these days, we need to take every precaution to not trip people up. Granted, some folks stumble over their own feet or issues and then blame it on Christians or the Church or some ministry.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
Today is the Memorial Celebration for Sara Jean Williams Hall. This verse is her life verse. The title of my Eulogy today is "Live, Laugh, Love". I always learn something special when I prepare a message that illustrates the legacy of someone's life. Today I am reminded of the correlation between forgiveness and kindness and compassion. The kindest and most compassionate thing to do for anyone is to forgive them. Conversely, the most unkind and least compassionate thing to do to anyone is to not forgive them. "Grams" was one of the most forgiving people I have ever learned about.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." I Peter 4:8
I am sharing with you today a meaningful devotional I recently received. Love must cover a multitude of sins, otherwise how could we love at all. Hope you are inspired like I was by this to love others like Jesus loves me. With His Love and mine, Pastor Fred
"Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, 'It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household.' The second son he named Ephraim and said, 'It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." Genesis 41:51-52
Many of the names in the Bible mean something and the names given mean something.
"Finally, brothers, good-bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." II Corinthians 13:11-14
I think in these final words written to the Corinthians, Paul is worn out. Yet he summons beautiful truth to capture his deepest heartfelt desire for them.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." I John 3:16-18
November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans. An important purpose of Veterans Day is to pause, reflect, and remember to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
"Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia." Romans 16:5b
Do you remember your conversion? I would certainly hope so. Some of us have testimonies of coming to Christ that are complicated or drastic; most of us have testimonies of coming to Christ that are simpler or more common. Either way, those decisions were the most important ones of our lives.
"Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement." John 7:24
Ever had to make one of those difficult judgement calls? Ever been wrong? If you answered the last question "no", please stop reading because I am not worthy of your time.
"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become the children of God." John 1:12
What a wonderful verse, full of promise and grace. God promises to make you His child, when by faith you receive Him as Lord of your life. He would never mislead you. God is trustworthy and His Word is trustworthy. So if this is indeed true, why are His children so different?
"My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and becomes judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?" James 2:1-4
One day a few weeks ago, I felt an overwhelming pull on my heart’s strings to seek out the homeless. It was an ordinary day that began with my usual routine – quiet time with the Lord, coffee, breakfast, and dropping my son off at school. As I was leaving the drop off zone at his elementary, I suddenly pictured in my mind a homeless man that I’ve seen before at Target.
"If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer', he would be just the prophet for this people!" Micah 2:11
Kind of a silly question in the title of this devotional huh? Most of us don't like being tickled at all, right? This saying has always referred to liking to be told what you want to hear. Having your ears tickled is hearing what is pleasing to your ears. Like it….. kinda makes you giggle. For example, a Pastor could tickle your ears by telling you it is OK to get drunk as long as nobody gets hurt, and you have a designated driver.
"Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" II Corinthians 11:29
Paul feels what we feel. I feel what you feel. We all, to a degree feel what each other feels. I know, I know, no way can we know exactly what each other feel, but we do get the general idea. "You just don't understand what I've been through!"
"And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." II Corinthians 11:14
The devil is no angel as you know. Neither are you and neither am I. Neither are people who have died. I just had to throw that in there because from time to time I hear that somebody thinks their departed relative is an angel now. No matter how wonderful they were, and deserving of whatever, the Bible is clear; only angels are angels and only the ones God has created especially for that purpose. Humans can't become angels. Actually, I have known enough of them to realize that is simply not possible.
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