Daily Devotional - Open Door Fellowship Baptist Church

October 24th, 2017

10/24/2017

Ephesians 3:20 - “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”
Freedom! Give me freedom to worship and enjoy Jesus without someone telling me what to wear to church or how to worship. Freedom to serve without someone telling me how to serve or what to say. When Jesus is in your heart, HE will lead you to do the right thing.
To be found in Jesus, Paul says, is worth more than all of his religio...n, race, and ritual. It is a relationship with the Almighty God. It is Jesus. Paul says, “I’m tired of trying. I’m going to start trusting.” Basically, Paul lived a life of working his way to heaven before he met the Lord on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9). Legalism is a terrible thing. It is a harsh task master under which no one can succeed. Liberty, not legalism, is what the Lord Jesus Christ offers — freedom, not bondage; relationship, not religion. We give up nothing for which Jesus will not abundantly offer more than we could ever hope or dream.

October 19th, 2017

10/19/2017

“Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.” Psalm 116:7
Do you know someone who constantly anticipates problems or sickness or worrying about what has not happened yet? I came across this article the other day.... "A woman woke up her husband from a sound sleep because she thought she heard a burglar downstairs. He went down with a pistol and a flashlight and was shining it around. Sure enough, there was a burglar in their home. He said,... “Hold it right there. I’ve got a gun on you.... He picked up the phone and dialed the police. “And another thing,” he said, “Before you go, I want my wife to come down here and meet you. She’s been looking for you for 24 years.”
A lot of people are that way. They borrow trouble by anticipating or worrying about what may happen. What you need to do is stop looking to yesterday in guilt or anticipating tomorrow with anxiety, and do this... Simply rest in the day the Lord has given you today. Tomorrow may or may-not be a concern for you....

October 16th, 2017

10/16/2017

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
One of my pet peeves is, doing something that will eventually be in vain. Have you ever been there? Trying your best and seeing it turn out all wrong? Why not stand for what is right; and will always be right.
Where are the courageous children of God who will speak on their Father’s behalf—speak of His Truth, His mercy, His love? Psalm 119:46 says, “I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”
There is a saying in this country: “What’s down in the well will always come up in the bucket.”
What happens when you are up against a wall? Do you back down and deny your faith? Or do you stand firm despite the verbal assault on your beliefs?
1 Peter 3:14-17 has the prescription for a fearful heart: “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
When I read this verse, it reminded me of the book I finished reading last week. I believe every Christian should read "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom. It will change the way you think about who you are in Christ Jesus.

October 13th, 2017

10/13/2017

“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24
Do you need a counselor sometimes? People come to pastors and counselors for wisdom. We can counsel from Scripture, but we can’t solve their problems. We can try to lead them to the One who can solve their problems, the Lord Jesus Christ. I don’t want them dependent upon me. I want them to know Jesus. He is the Counselor. There is wisdom in His name.... “He is made unto us,” Paul says in 1 Corinthians1:30, “wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”
Are you going through a problem right now? You don’t know the way out. You don’t know what to do. Every answer seems wrong. I want to recommend my counselor to you. Call upon the true Counselor. His name is Jesus. Not only is there wonder in His name. Friend, there is wisdom in His name.

October 10th, 2017

10/10/2017

Grace! A good name for a baby girl - A good name for a princess - A wonderful gift from God above. Grace "He gives when our burdens are heavy". Sufficant Grace "He multiplies when our load of burden increases". Strength - "God gives us when we can't go on in this life of pressures". Mercy! "He adds to multiplied trials". Do we as a sinful bunch of people deserve this? No, but God loves us unconditionally.

October 09th, 2017

10/9/2017

Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe that God gives miracles to all who ask for them? An old preacher once said that "Too many people expect miracles to be like greeting cards - one for every occasion." Maybe he is right. Should our heart be right with God before we ask for a miracle? Maybe so..

October 06th, 2017

10/6/2017

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18
Have you ever wondered why the devil couldn’t get to Jesus in the midst of a 40-day fast when He was starving? He was already satisfied. You see, Jesus didn’t have an itch that the devil could scratch. Temptation really comes down to this: A temptation is when evil, and evil knows all about tempting, can induce a desire that ca...n only be satisfied in an illegitimate way. That’s all there is to it.
The devil also likes to play this game: God gives a desire to us to follow HIS SON and the devil wants to satisfy it in a God-forbidden way. The devil says, “Hey you’ve got a need, to satisfy God, and I can help you satisfy it.” Oh how many has the devil deceived, and we think God is being glorified. Deception is when we feel good about what we have done. We get a "Look at Me" attitude.
When tempted, you are given a choice. Do you get that need satisfied by the devil, or by the Lord? You see, the devil is a pervert. He has no raw material. All he can do is take what God has created and pervert it. Do you want to overcome temptation? Find out the legitimate way to satisfy that desire, and then you will not need the illegitimate way.

October 05th, 2017

10/5/2017

Hearing about the passing of a loved one is so hard to take some times. We humans think we will live to a great old age and death only happens to other people. Life is so short. The bible says it's but a vapor, here today gone tomorrow. We just don't know what is on our plate for tomorrow, but be assured God is holding the plate. Treasure your relationships. Death makes life all the more precious.

September 30th, 2017

9/30/2017

BE sure and stop by our booth at the Franklin Fall Festival on the square today. We would love to meet new people and see old friends!

September 26th, 2017

9/26/2017

Just thinking - Its easy for me to write a devotion most days. God's Word is full of example's for our lives. But, know this, I am not just a Pastor who tells you how to, or what to, or should do, without it effecting me also. Pastors, evangelist, bible teachers and good Christians who try to live a Godly life faces these examples each day with me. This is a very stressful life we live in today. Just twenty years ago, we lived in a different USA, now we all are looked at lik...e someone who is illegal to be free; to give our opinions; you name it we are living in a world where each of us are looked at like criminals. God is our answer and I believe that! Jesus is our saviour and I believe that! HE is the Way, The Truth, and The Life! and I believe that. How can a person get by in our world today without HIM? HE is COMING SOON! And I believe that! Are you ready to meet HIM?