Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

Everyone likes the smell of a new car; but it doesn’t take long for it to disappear. Followed by dirt on the floor mats, coffee stains on the console, and accumulated fast-food wrappers. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation …” When we become new, we have that sweet smell of salvation. However, sometimes we lose that fragrance by failing to renew ourselves daily with prayer and Bible study. It’s time for a car wash.

Weekly Word – Psalm 119:130

Religion

By: Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Psalm 119:130, “The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.” (NLT)  Mark Twain wrote, “It’s not the things in the Bible I don’t understand that bother me, it’s the things I do.”  The Word will often convict the reader by identifying sin. Anyone who claims the Bible contradicts itself should research the scriptures, for there is no evidence to support this claim. The Word of God does contradict a sinful lifestyle.

Weekly Word

Religion

None of us likes sudden crises, but God allows those times to place our faith in the Father. Jerry Bridges wrote, “God will never allow any action against you that is not in accord with His will for you.” I know that is tough to read; it was tough to write. Spiritual maturity comes by trusting in the Lord. “As long as we continue to trust in our own abilities we shall avail nothing.” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Hebrews 4:15, Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

Galatians 5:16, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. J. Venon McGee wrote, “The whole Christian life, from the moment we are are born again until we come into His presence, is a walk by faith – a faith that rests upon the indwelling Holy Spirit.” McGee is saying that we do not walk by self effort, rather in His Holy Spirit, implanted within us to insure we finish strong!

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

The thing that separates Christianity from other world religions is grace. While other religions teach works are needed to earn eternal life, the Bible states its a grace gift. Ephesians 2:8,9 “For by grace are you saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, least any man should boast.” Verse 10, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” May our good works be a witness of a changed life.

The Weekly Word Devotional

Religion
By: Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

The Weekly Word is now 5-Years Old. To God be the Glory!  Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”  In Timothy Keller’s book, COUNTERFEIT GODS, he warns of the emptiness of money and power. Keller explains how these can become false gods, plunging people into a pit. P.166, “The secret to change is to identify and dismantle the counterfeit gods of your heart.” P.168, “One way to discern your heart’s true love is to look at how you spend your money.” Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there is your heart also” Matthew 6:21.

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

In 1995 the U.S. Stock Market experienced a modern record downturn. Investors lost 37.6% of their investments. In 2008 investors lost 37%. Market experts caution investors, warning of possible negative results due to uncertain economic relations with China.

I recall my study of economics in college, and how stocks and bonds chart up and down at a fast pace. There is one investment that will always pay positive returns: invest our time, talents, and treasure in growing the Kingdom of God. Mark 10:30 ” . . . and in the age to come eternal life.”

Weekly Word Devotional

Religion

By: Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Last month the Golden Globe Awards recognized actor Christian Bale, best known for his role as BATMAN. Bale gave credit to Satan. Another devil disciple in the entertainment industry. Anti-Christ celebs continue to corrupt the Christian character of our country. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

Psalm 1:7 ” . . . fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Today is April Fools: Tricks played on others that are based on a lie. As a young husband and father, I played April Fool pranks on my family. My father-in-law once called my wife the night before to warn her, but I still pulled it off! Then it all changed when I was on the receiving end. We were at a beach rental during Spring Break, and told not to flush the hallway toilet or it would flood the condo. One morning my youngest daughter in a panic told me she forgot and flushed that toilet. I ran to the toilet and while bent over, my family yelled, “April’s Fool”. After my blood pressure returned to normal, I promised no more tricks. Don’t be fooled by fakers.

Weekly Word

Religion

Hebrews 4:12, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword . . .” In 1921, a New York doctor, Evan O’Neill, operated on himself. Using a local anesthetic, he removed his inflamed appendix. The surgery was successful. In like manner, we need soul surgery. Using the scalpel of Scripture (Sword of the Spirit), we can remove the deadly disease of sin.

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

Charles “Chuck” Colson was Attorney General for President Nixon. He was sentenced to prison for his part in the WATERGATE scandal. Chuck came to Christ while in jail, and upon his release, formed a prison ministry. While visiting inmates, he noticed one man in an unclean cell in the fetal position. Chuck shared the gospel with the man, and told him to say aloud the name of Jesus daily. Upon his return visit, Chuck noticed the man’s cell was clean. When asked about the change, the man replied, “Jesus lives here now.”

Weekly Word Devotional

Religion

Weekly Word Devotion
Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

World Revival Director, David Rivett, stated that God has a different math than he uses as an accountant. Rivett referred to Matthew 14:13-21 (5 loaves of bread + 2 fish = 5,000). One boy’s Happy Meal feed a crowd of 5,000 people with 12 baskets of leftovers! A good story to teach children to share. Wonder what the boy’s mother said when he got home? I can relate to Rivett’s observation; Proverbs 22:9, “A generous man will himself be blessed.”

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

1 Coronicles 29:14 “For all things come from You.” There are some 150,000 Life Coaches (personalized helper who for a fee, will partner with you in designing your future). For Christians, our Life Coach is the indwelling Holy Spirit. Einstein wrote, “Any intelligent fool can make things more complicated.” Isaac Newton once wrote, “Truth is found in simplicity.” Jesus is simply all we need (John 14:6).

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

Continuing with John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way . . ” There is only one way to be physically born. Whether it’s in the womb or test tube, there has to be a natural union of a sperm and egg to produce birth. When Jesus said, “You must be born again…” (John 3:3), He was speaking of the super-natural union of a soul with the Savior. Being born of the Holy Spirit makes us a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

Stephen A. Brown, Marketplace Ministries, inc.

Numbers 22:28, Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me three times?”  When America’s Beloved Gospel Singer, George Beveraly Shea, was invited to speak at an event, he asked his dad for advice. His father replied, “Son, God helped Balaam’s donkey to talk, I’m sure He can do the same for you.” When we are given the opportunity to talk, ask God for help; His Holy Spirit will give us His words.

Weekly Word Devotion

Religion

John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way . . .” If we say Jesus is the only way to God, we risk being labeled intolerant. When Larry King interviewed Billy Graham and his son Franklin, he asked them if Jesus was in fact the only way. Both replied YES, and explained that Jesus stated He was the only way, and He is not a liar. You and I know who is the LIAR. Other religious leaders interviewed by Larry King stated there were many paths to God. A South American missionary hired a guide to lead him to a remote village. After several hours of slashing their way through the thick jungle, the missionary asked his guide if he really know the way. The guide dropped his large knife, opened his hands to display scars, and said, “Follow me for I know the way.”

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