Posts with the category “devotional”

Check out these awesome devos as we prepare for Holy Week  https://blog.youversion.com/2018/03/holy-week-make-every-day-count/...  Read More

Type your new text here. And he (Elkanah) had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children…and whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had c...  Read More

Type your new text here. 5:10 a.m. I woke up whispering prayers to the King. I set my alarm earlier than normal so I could spend more time with Him. A song played in my mind as I whispered to Him. When I went to my prayer space, I put in earbuds and played the song that was singing in my heart. Without disrupting others, I was lost in the lyrics.Holy, surrounded by holy. There’s no one more holy. ...  Read More

Type your new text here. Haven’t the turn of events in our world been something to behold recently? No one could have anticipated the events we have witnessed. The world carries a mysterious and often detestable flavor. But this morning I am reminded of the unfailing presence and provision of our Father. Through the many mountain and valley experiences of His children He has revealed His faithful ...  Read More

Type your new text here. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14It’s shocking how many people do not discern truth. Even the most basic foundational understanding escapes their sense of ...  Read More

Type your new text here. We are in the middle of our series “For the Win,” which is about winning in spiritual warfare. Too long have Christians walked around defeated, depressed, and anxious. Jesus said He came so that we could have life abundantly. Where is that abundance? Well, our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.We pray that through this series, you will begin to experience victory, wi...  Read More

Type your new text here. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.I Peter 2:25The shepherd took his flock to a pasture so green and so lush. The hungry sheep grazed freely under the watchful eye of their caregiver. After an hour of grazing the shepherd led his flock to a nearby stream. Under a broad smiled sun the herd was r...  Read More

Type your new text here. But at midnight there was a shout, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”                                                                                                            Matthew 25:6The bride stood at the window gazing at the winding road before her. She squinted through the morning haze. There was no movement other than a few fluttering birds in the tr...  Read More

Type your new text here. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat the Passover with you before I suffer.”                                                                                               Luke 22:15arrest.Jesus eagerly awaited the final meal with His disciples just before HisBut how?He said it Himself. “Before I suffer.”I’m struck by the strength in Jesus’ ability to separat...  Read More

Type your new text here. Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:14 NASBRight now I’m serving a five-year prison sentence but I’ve never committed a crime. Once I’m released from prison I’ll be on parole for five more years according to my probation officer, a man I’ve never met.I know what a 6’ x 8’ living space is like though I’ve never been behind bars. I know how time slows to a ...  Read More

Type your new text here. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.James 4:10 NIVAbout that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. “So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”      Matthew 18:1-2,4 NLTWhen I visit thi...  Read More

Type your new text here.            The day was full of contradictions – crystal clear, blue skies, peaceful and leisurely. Who knew one event on a perfect spring afternoon would turn my world upside down?            She was distracted by her two grandkids in the backseat of her car. Instead of looking at the road ahead, she was looking in the rearview mirror at the very moment I was crossing the ...  Read More

Type your new text here. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-26            It was a beautiful Sun...  Read More

Type your new text here. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.                                                                   John 15:13 NKJVIt’s Christmas morning and I’m sitting in the quiet of my living room before my home comes to life. During the night God blessed us with a white Christmas. As I look out my window the trees are swaying in the frigi...  Read More

Type your new text here. “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35 NIVHe emerged out of the ancient wolf pack. Though he came bearing wolf’s clothing he was really a sheep in disguise. His name was Nicodemus and he was a Pharisee and a member of the ancient Sanhedrin.Nicodemus ate a steady ...  Read More

Type your new text here. But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.                                                                  James 1:22 NKJVHe was a committed guy – no doubt about that. He knew his Bible and believed the letter of the law should be followed with the strictest discipline. He had high standards and very little tolerance for sinners.Our story took p...  Read More

Type your new text here. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.  Psalm 28:7 NIVNow there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.  John 13:23 NKJVIt was the night of the Passover, an event Jesus held with warm anticipation and deep longing. A quiet room was arranged away from t...  Read More

Type your new text here. Seventeen years old. Daddy’s boy. Privileged. Pampered. Spoiled.Scandal. Sold. Foreign country. Strange culture. Slavery. Forced labor. Homesick longings. Brokenhearted.Adjustment. Newfound favor. Rising strength. Blossoming wisdom. Scandalous offer. Slander. Conspiracy theory. Corruption.Incarceration. Confusion. Discouragement. Silence.Conditioning. Adjustment. Change. N...  Read More

Type your new text here. Based on I Samuel 17            It was an infamous day ~ infamous because it was so unlikely. No one ever anticipated the outcome. Little wonder we haven’t stopped talking about it ever since.            The Bible, historical accounts, and legend agree that Goliath was a monstrosity of a man. He lived in the era when giants roamed the earth. According to God’s Word this gi...  Read More

Type your new text here. It was not long after the stoning of Stephen that Saul was in hot pursuit of Christ’s followers. Continuing in the same spirit of Stephen’s murderers, he believed he was doing God’s work by tracking down Christians and either imprisoning them or having them killed.            But on a road called Damascus Saul’s life was changed forever.            So focused on his ambiti...  Read More

Type your new text here. In Acts 6 & 7 we read about the first martyr of the early church. His name was Stephen and he was a man full of faith. But living in such blatant devotion in ancient times was dangerous.Some Jewish leaders did not like Stephen’s message. He fully supported Jesus Christ as the long awaited Messiah and determined in his heart to fulfill the great commission making him an eas...  Read More

Type your new text here. He was so supportive – initially anyway. Trusting him was easy, because he had all the makings of an honest soul. He was an edifier. He made it very clear that he was in our corner. He gave our family a sense of security. This season of favor lasted long enough to condition us into believing that we made a positive choice – until he ripped off his mask and revealed his tru...  Read More

Sermon preached by Donald J. Galade at Faith Church Hazleton on 1/29/23. Adapted from “Winning the Battle for Your Mind” by Brandon A Cox Today we are talking about the battle that happens in your mind, and I am very excited to get to share with you on this topic today because I have had a terrible week. Seriously, I spent the first half of it sick and practically unable to think, and then I have ...  Read More

***For sensitive readers, some of the content in this devotional is graphic in nature.***Blood & Fire            If the wicked are ruling the nation, sin will be everywhere, but those who live right will win in the end. Proverbs 29:16            He was merely 16 years old when he ascended the throne in Rome. The year was AD 54, and his reign of terror would last 14 bloody years. His name was Nero ...  Read More

What does the Bible teach about fasting? Biblical fasting involves abstaining from eating (and/or drinking) for spiritual purposes. In the Old Testament, Israel celebrated certain annual fasts, the most prominent being the Day of Atonement. There were also occasional fasts tied to specific historical events, sometimes individual and sometimes corporate. Here are a few of the occasions for fasting: at a time of grief (I Sam. 31:13; Nehemiah 1:4), at a time of repentance (I Sam 7:6; I Kings 21:27), as an expression of humility (Ezra 8:21; Psalm 69:10), and as an expression of a need for God’s guidance and help. What all of these fasts share in common is that they were an expression of dependence on God. Several New Testament passages give us insight about fasting.   Read More

Fasting is voluntarily going without food—or some other regularly enjoyed gift from God—for spiritual purposes. In short, we fast from food so we can feast on God. Fasting is not our attempt to manipulate God to do what we want Him to do. Fasting does not bring God into alignment with our desires but brings our desires into alignment with God’s.   Read More

Wednesday Night Men’s ThoughtDo you like playing games?Are you a gamer?There are many different types of games…video games, board games, word games, card games…Why do we like to play games… could it be because we like to win…How do we determine if we win or lose a game? A set of rules…A set of rules or guidelines….things that are true…usually a manual…directionsWhat about games we play…based on ru...  Read More