Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The Destruction of a Nation

09/25/2017 PBJ Devotional

100 years before, Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh with a message from the Lord to repent of their evil or face destruction. From the king down, all of the people and the animals fasted and prayed in sackcloth and ashes. God rewarded their humility extending to them forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

During the years that followed, the glorious truth of God’s mercy had been forgotten as an entire nation progressively slipped back into the slimy pit of self-indulgence, greed, and oppression. So grievous were their sins that God sent a second prophet, Nahum with a proclamation of judgment and certain destruction.

”Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard.” (Nahum 2:13 ESV)

But what of those good men and woman who have not bowed the knee to this societal norm? Thiers alone is the sure promise that they have not been forgotten. He knows them by name. God himself is their refuge and salvation!

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7 ESV)

As I read through this small book I could not help but think of America and the extraordinary grace that has been bestowed upon our nation. I also could not get away from the painful truth of our rebellious actions and the grievous sins of our current society! Have we grown so hard-hearted that we no longer fear this Holy and righteous God? Are we approaching the point of no return only to face His fierce judgment?

Father God, I thank you for your tender mercies that You have bestowed upon our nation in generations past. I thank you that in times of trouble You continue to be our strong and mighty Fortress.


Father God, please raise up your prophetic voice once again over our nation. Convince us of Your Love and kindness. Help us to shake off our lethargy, draw us by your Holy Spirit into the heartfelt prayer of repentance. Help us to humble ourselves before You, that we would receive Your forgiveness, unmerited favor, and blessing. Help us to escape the judgment that comes upon any nation that forsakes God! Raise up intercessors that will be faithful to pray for our people. Grant that I may be in their number.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

09/24/2017 PBJ Devotional

“Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 23:50-51 ESV)

What are you looking for? In what ways do you avail yourself in your search for the kingdom of God? Very little is known of this man Joseph. The little that we do know about him stands boldly before us.

·      First, he was a man of influence as a member of the Sanhedrin.

·      Second, he was a man of courage, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, refusing to go with the crowd demanding his death.

·      Third, he was a man in right standing with God; he was a “good and righteous man.”

·      Fourth, he did what no one else could do in his service to Christ. He alone went to Pilate seeking permission to take care of the body of Jesus Christ. Joseph prepared the body of Christ for burial and placed him in a new tomb. Though his service to the Lord Jesus was exceedingly brief, he did what no other disciple could have done. He accomplished his part in fulfilling a prophetic task. Like the poor widow woman who gave all she had, this man Joseph gave what he could and will always be remembered in history as a man who was faithful to play his part, to do what he could for the cause of Christ. In the end, his dream of seeing the kingdom of God would be realized!


Heavenly Father, I come humbly before you. My heart, my sincere desire is to give my all for the cause of Christ. Help me to be a faithful servant, to do what I can, where I can, when I can for you. Help me to be like Joseph, a man who fulfills his destiny, recognizing that he has been strategically placed, earnestly seeking to see the kingdom of God! Amen.

Friday, September 22, 2017

09/22/2017 PBJ Devotional

09/22/2017 PBJ Devotional

“… I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32 ESV)

Jesus knowing the things that will come, knowing Peter, and that of his certain betrayal has in advance interceded for him in prayer. This intercessor and advocate also knew of Peter’s future regret, the anguish of his soul, and his certain repentance. Thus Jesus confidently instructs Peter, “When you have turned back to me, strengthen your brothers.”

It is true, that in moments of severe trial and temptation we all have that same capacity to deny Christ. As abhorrent as that sounds, we still have a reason to be thankful. For like Peter, we also have a faithful advocate with the Father who is praying for us with confidence, that though we stumble in our moment of weakness, our faith will remain intact. He also knows that having come through the trial we will be better able to strengthen our brothers in Christ in their times of testing and trial. (See 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Lord Jesus, thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for always believing in me even when in my weakness I turn my face away from yours. Forgive me for those times of momentary denial. Increase my resolve to be stronger in the trials that are certain to come. Help me to be faithful to You even as You are always faithful toward me. Amen.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

09/20/2017 PBJ Devotional


“Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” (Luke 20:18 ESV)

Those who of their own free will fall upon Christ Jesus the stone will be broken of their pride, egotism, self-will, carnal habits, and worldly entanglements. They will experience profound freedom, having the bondages of sin and shame broken from them. Those who refused to fall upon the rock, Christ Jesus, in the end, will suffer the penalty as the full weight of judgment falls upon them with crushing force. Pity the man who in his arrogance and pride refuses the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior!

Father God, grant that I may have the humility to fall upon Christ Jesus daily, that I might walk free of carnal desires and sinful habits. Break from me all things that would hinder my fellowship with you, my Lord and King. Break from me all that would keep me from being fruitful in your service that I may glorify you in all of my ways! Amen.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

09/14/2017 PBJ Devotional

Luke 14:17 (ESV) Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 

Those who carried the Roman cross of crucifixion understood that it was a one-way trip resulting in death. Using this analogy Jesus warns them to “count the cost.” This is no casual trip, but the journey that will demand faith, loyalty, sacrifice, and endurance to the end. The true disciple is all in. There is NO going back! (Luke 9:62)

To daily carry our cross is to personally identify with Christ and those faithful disciples that have gone before us who endured insults, rejection, persecution, suffering, and death. The cross that we have been called to carry day-by-day may look very different from our fellow believers, but carry it we must!

To be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is a lifelong experience of continual progressive transformation, renewing our minds, changing our desires and adjusting actions. It is a healing journey from outer darkness, despair, and woundedness, ultimately leading to a glorious eternal reward in His presence.


Father God, I affirm my decision to follow Christ. I affirm my love for You above all others. I affirm my willingness to give all for the cause of Christ. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of my brothers in Christ, I will not look back! I will pay the price; I will daily carry my cross, I finish the race to the glory of God.