Devotions

DEVOTIONS: by Pastor Raymond J. Hamilton
“Oh Lord we praise You. . .”

Just to encourage your hearts this morning Proverbs 22:24-25 says: “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: lest thou  learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”

     We are warned that through association, we can pick up bad habits of other people. This is really the way angry mobs start, someone gets mad about an issue, and then they incite others to take up their personal offenses. The Bible says that a person can be ensnared and trapped into an evil situation by a close relationship with an angry person. Angry people are always stirring up trouble. There are also other dangers of hanging out with the wrong crowd. We are warned in the Bible not to make close friendships with habitual sinners. If we do not want to be like the kind of people that are evil, we must not be buddies with them, nor allow our children to buddy with them. There is a saying, "If you play with fire, you will get burned." Young people and older people as well cannot entertain the notion that they can be close to wickedness and not find themselves being dragged into the same wicked deeds that they do. If we do not resist evil, it will soon overtake us.

     This does not mean that we are not to witness to sinners, nor isolate ourselves from them when we must come in contact with them. It just means we are not to form close relationships with them. We should also warn our children to be careful who they choose as friends. Parents should also have a say as to the kind of friends their children "hang out" with. I praise God for the young people who are good kids and are leading good Christian lives. It is not easy to live for Christ in an ungodly society. But they should be warned about their friendships as well. One trick that the devil uses to ensnare good Christians is to entice them to become friends with ungodly people. Satan usually whispers that by being their friend, they can win them to Christ. I am not saying we should snub evil people, nor should we be unkind to them. However, we cannot become close buddies to those that practice unrighteousness, as this has been the downfall of many Christians. Be blessed and remember “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”

DEVOTIONS: by Pastor Raymond J. Hamilton

“Oh Lord I love you, for you are the desire of my heart. . .”

Just to encourage your hearts this morning Mathew 17:20: “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.”           A little faith goes a long way in clearing your mind, in restoring inner peace, in allowing you to function as a person who is capable of great things, for indeed you are. Faith in God in you and in others develops courage, patience, understanding, hope, and so much more. It strengthens you and every aspect of your life. Each thought or act of faith is like a single fiber that, when woven together with others, creates a lifeline that connects you to health peace, prosperity, and great opportunities.

          Have enough faith to keep on going even when there seems no way to go on. Such faith is the understanding that God will see you through whatever it is that you are experiencing. Faith is surrendering to God’s presence and power and accepting that with God, nothing is impossible. Remember “God is able and He won’t fail.” Be blessed and may you always have enough faith to know, enough patience to wait, and enough will to trust God to work out everything in your life.

Devotions: Pastor Raymond J. Hamilton

“God specializes in things that seem impossible. . .”
 Just to encourage your hearts this morning Proverbs 21:21 says: “He that follloweth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Seeking after righteousness is the secret of an honorable and overcoming life. If anyone will seek whole heartedly after righteousness and mercy, they will not only find it, but will obtain life and honor themselves. This is the same principle found in Jesus Sermon on the Mount in Mathew’s gospel the fifth chapter where He teaches how blessed we are if we are humble, meek, peaceable and so on. The Definition of Bible righteousness means to be in the right standing with God.
 If we are in the right standing with God, we will then be right standing with men, as the Lord will always lead us to do the right thing toward our brothers and sisters. The bible is very clear that we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love our brother, that we can see. Righteousness and mercy are so important in God’s economy, that when we seek His kingdom and His righteousness first, it will bring us life, righteousness and honor. We can also be assured that the Lord will take care of our needs, as that is His promise to us. Be blessed and remember “seek not your own understanding but all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

Devotions!

DEVOTIONS: by Pastor Raymond J. Hamilton  “Jesus Keep me near the Cross. . .”

Just to encourage your hearts this morning Colossians 1:16(KJV) “For in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created.”

            There is no limit to God’s creative ability. Created in God’s image, we are fashioned to be creative, too. God has provided the material for building homes and other structures, and has given humanity a rich earth and food supply so that all can be nourished. God instilled in each person with love and compassion so that people are eager to help one another. It’s sad however, that we don’t use it; many would rather tear down their brother or sister then see them succeed.  God has granted every person grace so that the world knows it is okay to make a mistake. We are not perfect individuals but I encourage you to strive for that perfection. 

            Through the right use of what God has given us, we are God’s apprentice. The tools we use are divine guidance, intuition, faith and love. Whether we discover a better way to do something, form a new friendship, or work at redeeming a social condition, God is our instructor and guide. Together we can create a world of good. Let me encourage you and remind you that because we are one of His and He is the creator of it all. There is nothing that He won’t do for those who trust in Him. Be blessed and may this day be bigger than any other day you’ve seen.

DEVOTIONS: by Pastor Raymond J. Hamilton

  “Oh for grace to trust Him more. . .”

Just to encourage your hearts this morning John 16:33 (KJV) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

      No matter what is going on around you, the spirit of God is peace within that soothes and comforts you. So if you are faced with a challenge of monumental proportions or merely undecided about which direction to head in, know that you can count on the sacred spirit of God.  That divine connection you have with Him allows you to have that peace that passes all understanding. As you spend time with Him each day, you should ask Him to bring peace to your life in the midst of every storm. So today just relax in Him and allow His spirit to guide you in what you should say and do. Remember He is not a God of confusion, but a God of peace. Do not forget “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”(Mathew 5:9)  Be blessed today and may His love always be evident in your life.

"Hold to God's Unchanging Hand."

DEVOTIONS: by Pastor Raymond J. Hamilton 

“Hold to God’s unchanging hand. . .”

Just to encourage your hearts this morning Proverbs 14:13-14(KJV) “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.”

 Laughter is an emotion; it proceeds from the soul of man. When a man's soul has not been redeemed, he may laugh temporarily at certain things that are funny to him, while deep in his heart he is most miserable. Until we are "born again" we cannot know real happiness and joy because these things only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. The world has always been amazed at how true Christians could maintain a spirit of joy even in great trials and suffering. This is possible because the Lord gives His joy to His saints and it is not dependant on circumstances, but rather upon abiding in Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit can sustain us in our deepest trials.
Those who are backsliders (those who slide back from God) have no reserves to lean on as they are not filled with the Holy Spirit, but rather are filled with their own ways. They have no inner strength to bring them through their trials.
Consequently, many of God's own people are destroyed for lack of faith, when under attack of the devil. This is why it is so important to use our time wisely. When things are going good in life we need to use that time to study God's Word and store up the truths of God in our hearts. We can be ashamed in our Christian walk if we do not know God's Word. I encourage you to study to show thy self approve…..unto God.

The Strengths to Carry On

There is a truth about Christian living which, if people knew it, would make all of life easier for them. The truth is this: Whatever trial or task comes our way in life, we will receive the strength we need to face it. There are several promises that give this assurance. One reads, “your strength will equal your days.” (Deut 33:25) This seems to mean that the help which God gives, varies according to the tasks and trials of the particular day. God fits His blessing to our days.
When we are weak, He increases strength. (Isa 40:29)
When we are sorrowful, He gives comfort. (2 Cor 1:3-6)
When we are in danger, He grants protection. (Ps 32:7)
When we are weary, He gives rest. (Mtt 11:28)
Another of Christ’s promises reads, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (Cor 12:9) Every word of this assurance shines with brilliant light.
“My grace is sufficient for you.” It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. We know that He has all Divine fullness, and so we are sure that no human need can ever exhaust His power to give help!
“My grace is sufficient for you.” It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. If it were anything else but grace, it might not give us such comfort. Grace is undeserved favor, goodness shown to the unworthy. We deserve nothing because we are sinners, but it is Christ’s grace which is sufficient, and so we can claim it.
“My grace is sufficient for you.” His grace “IS” sufficient. Christ is always speaking personally to the one who is in any need, and saying, “My grace IS sufficient for you.”
“My grace is sufficient for you.” The word “sufficient” is one whose meaning expands and amplifies with the measure of the need. No need is so small that it can’t be included; and none is so great that it can go beyond the capacity of the blessing that is promised.
“My grace is sufficient for you.” The grace is sufficient for each of His redeemed children. “For you” the promise is made.
Life lies before us, with its burdens, its duties, its responsibilities, its struggles, its perplexities. It does not come to us all at once. God breaks our years into months and weeks and days, and never gives us more than we can bear or do for the day. If we take up the present duty or burden we shall always have strength to do it. If we do not have strength of our own, we don’t need to falter because even if the task is impossible to our ability He will sustain us by giving us all the help we need.