Read 1 Samuel 12:13-15
“But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers” (v. 15).
Perhaps you have had the experience of following a mother with a small child through a grocery store. The experience begins in the produce section, where you first hear those words, “If you do that one more time, Mommy is going to have to spank you!” Of course, if you follow long enough, you will realize that the mother did not mean it at all.
Israel was not being warned by a doting parent. Israel was being warned by God through His prophet Samuel about the consequences of making poor choices. It is clear that Israel had a very short memory. Throughout their history, they failed and were judged. Fresh admonition came again, and they failed and were judged again. Their failure included wanting to be as other nations and have a monarchy instead of a theocracy, adopting pagan religions, and leaving off God’s commandments.
We are ripe for a harvest of penalties as we move farther and farther from the Judeo-Christian roots and God’s absolutes. We are faced with a truth crisis, and we can anticipate certain destruction of society as we move further from God’s pattern for an ordered society. (Lonnie Witt)

Photo credit: "DeCA opens new commissary in Belgium with a little help from USACE" by U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Europe District used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized, cropped, part of image blurred.

Read Romans 11:30-36
​“O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (v. 33).
​During the nineties, we had a gentleman who attended the church we pastored that became one of our best friends. We had many conversations about a variety of subjects, but especially about the Bible and religious things. I remember the time we were discussing what is commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer and he brought up the part that says, “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” He thought the “in earth” meant “in us”, as we are earth. I marveled at his wisdom because he had only attended school through the third grade. I could only conclude that God had imparted to him a part of His wisdom.
​Our text talks about “the depths of the riches of the wisdom … of God.” “The depths” indicates something more than usual; something that surpasses what we expect. That is exactly how it is with the wisdom of God.​ Then it talks about “the riches of the wisdom of God.” The “riches of the wisdom of God” is more than gold or monetary things. It is the joy, peace and contentment that come from understanding the wisdom of God. We can obtain great knowledge through formal education or life experiences, but true wisdom comes only from God. (Larry DeOrnellis)

In our day of great knowledge, we need to understand that wisdom comes not from knowledge but from God.

This week’s featured devotional is the Friday, September 12​​​​​​​​​​​​, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
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Read Esther 4:12-17
​“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (v. 16).
​During Emperor Nero’s first persecution, the believers begged Peter not to be seen in Rome. His life was considered necessary to the well-being of the church. Finally persuaded, he fled along the Appian Way only to be met by a vision of Christ traveling toward the city. The amazed Peter exclaimed, “Lord, whither goest thou?”
With mild sadness, the Savior replied, “I go to Rome to be crucified a second time,” then vanished. Peter immediately turned back and reentered the city. Some time later, he himself was crucified. (Ray Crooks)

I counted dollars while God counted crosses,
​​I counted gains while He counted losses,
​I counted by worth, by the things gained in store
​​But He sized me up by the scars that I bore.
​I coveted honors and sought for degrees,
​​He wept as He counted the hours on my knees;
​I never knew until one day by the grave
​​How vain are the things that we spend life to save;
​I did not yet know until my loved one went above
​​That richest is he who is rich in God’s love.
– Unknown

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliott).

This week’s featured devotional is the Thursday, September 4​​​​​​​, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
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Read John 6:60-65
“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (v. 65).
Without getting involved in a theological discussion of election, let us remember the fact that “The Lord is not . . . willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). It is also important to remember the words of Jesus when He said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44). This drawing we often refer to as conviction. This may be more evident in evangelistic services in dealing with unsaved people.
During an altar call several years ago, it was evident that God was drawing a young father to repent. I had spoken to him personally, but he said he had rejected God so long, it was no use to seek Him. After some persuasion he finally said, “I’ll try,” and went to the altar. As he and others began to pray, God drew near, and he soon arose from the altar rejoicing that God had saved him. The Father had brought him to Himself.
“The Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:7, 8). (Burl McClanahan)

Jesus is pleading; O list to His voice:
Hear Him today, hear Him today.
They who believe on His name shall rejoice;
Quickly arise and away. — Fanny J. Crosby

God still hears the repentant sinner.

This week’s featured devotional is the Tuesday, August 19, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
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