Al's Devotional

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  Joh 1:12 -13     But as many — individuals, of the " disobedient and gainsaying people ." gave he power — The word signifies both authority and ability, and both are certainly meant here. to become — Mark these words: Jesus is the Son of God; He is never said to have become such. the sons — or more simply, " sons of God ," in name and in nature. believe on his name — a phrase never used in Scripture of any mere creature, to express the credit given to human testimony, even of prophets or apostles, inasmuch it carries with it the idea of trust proper only towards God. In this sense of supreme faith, as due to Him who "gives those that believe in Himself power to becom...

Beloved, What a wonderful morning.  There is a verse that says, The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus .  Joh 12:21    Sir, we would see Jesus.  It means we want to meet him, talk with him, get to know him.  There are so many sermons that tell us facts and figures as if Christianity is a formula to apprehend, but true preaching leads us to see Jesus. That is why I am so excited about today's sermon.  As was the previous, this was written by Rev. Charles Moinet. It is plainly obvious that this was a highly educated man, so don't lose in his rhetoric the important message that he imparts.  Follow him through, his message is gold: The Love of God in Christ. Blessings, ~Al THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST   " The love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord ." - R OM . 8:39. ...

Beloved, What a wonderful sermon!  I find that as I talk with many people, that many are believers, but few have a working relationship with Jesus.  That is sad, because the whole point of the Gospel is to restore a working relationship with God, not to give us some kind of paradise on earth. This sermon was published in 1893.  I am blessed by it because it unveils many an aspect of a living walk with our Savior.  This is what true preaching is about.  It is a simple sermon, but it was written in a time when people were educated, so several times he quotes from poetry to illustrate a point or a meaning.  I footnoted words and references that may be difficult to understand for your convenience.  The message itself doesn't need the clarification, I only added the footnotes for your edification.  BTW, I just couldn't help myself.  Some things I had to underline because they jumped out at me. God's richest Blessings be upon y...

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  Rom 1:16 -17     Righteousness revealed   I. The gospel is a revelation of God's righteousness. 1. Righteousness is a regard to what is right. 2. God is essentially a righteous Being. He knows what is due from each to the rest, and from all to Himself, and also sees and acknowledges what is due from Him to them. The foundation and standard of all righteousness are to be found in His nature and character. He has no desire, and can have no temptation to do that which is unjust. The Judge of all the earth must do right. 3. He loves righteousness in others, and hates iniquity. Whether we rob God or our neighbours, i...

To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?  Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.  The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Psa 58:1 -3     Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? - Luther renders this, "Are you then dumb, that you will not speak what is right, and judge what is proper, ye children of men?" The allusion is clearly to some public act of judging; to a judicial sentence; to magistrates and rulers; to people who "should" give a righteous sentence; to those in authority who "ought" to pronounce a just opinion on the conduct of others. The "fact" in the case on which the appeal is made seems to have been that they did "not" do this; that their cond...