Al's Devotional

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son . 1Jn 5:9 -10   Faith, and the witness upon which it is founded Faith stands, under the covenant of grace, in a leading position amongst the works of the regenerate man and the gifts of the Spirit of God. The promise no longer stands to the man who doeth these things that he shall live in them, else we were shut out of it, but " the just shall live by faith ." God now biddeth us live by believing in Him. I. First, then, since our great business is that we believe God, let us see what reason we have for believing Him. I. The external evidence given is stated in the first verse of the text, as the evidence of God to us, and it is prefaced by t...

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and t...

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  1Jn 5:13    I. To whom was this written? It is important to observe the direction of a letter; for I may be reading a communication meant for somebody else, and if it should contain good tidings, I may be deceiving myself by appropriating the news. 1. This Epistle, and this particular text in it, were written for all those who believe on the name of the Son of God. 2. To unbelievers this text is not written: it is for all who trust in Jesus; but it is for none beside. If you inquire why it is not addressed to unbelievers, I answer, simply because it would be preposterous to wish men to be assured of that which is not true. 3. We may gather from this address being made to all the people of God and to none beside, that there are some believers in the world, and tru...

Akin to "but ye" is the phrase, "but they." It is rarely used in a positive note.   ~Al   And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him . Gen 42:8    But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Israel . 2Ki 21:9    Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear . 2Ch 24:19    And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken . 2Ch 33:10    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy . 2Ch 36:16    The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Psa 34:10    ...

While searching for a particular scripture this morning, I had occasion to enter into my search engine the phrase, "but ye."   This is an interesting phrase, as it is mostly used as a contrast between two things, generally opposites.   "But ye" is mentioned 86 times in the Bible, and it is a personal application.   Also, notice the difference on how the phrase is used in the Old Testament as opposed to the New Testament.   I did not want to inundate you with all 86 verses, but I did copy some of them for your contemplation and edification.   ~Al   Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. Deu 1:17    But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day . Deu 4:4    And ...

Good morning, and God bless you. For your consideration: These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren . Pro 6:16 -19     The seven abominable things   A catalogue of evils specially odious to the Infinite One.   I. Haughty bearing. " A proud look ." Pride is frequently represented in the Bible as an offence to the Holy God. Haughtiness is an abomination, because it implies— 1. Self-ignorance. 2. Unkindness. 3. Irreverence.   II. Verbal falsehood. " A lying tongue ." 1. Falsehood always implies a wrong heart. A pure heart supplies no motive for falsehood. Vanity, avarice, ambition, cowardice are the parents and patrons of lies....