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Keeping Warm in an Ice-Cold World

Posted on Jan 28, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Has it ever been extremely cold outside, and you needed to light a fire to keep warm? Would you be willing to admit that it is bitterly cold in this world toward spiritual truth? It seems like Satan is always pulling on us to keep us from the fires of God’s love and truth.

So, how can we stay on fire while Arctic air blows bitterly cold temperatures at us?

1. First, we must strike the match that lights the fires of faith! (1 Thess. 1:3) – “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world! Faith is taking God at His Word. Faith is not believing God can but that He will! Faith is the key that unlocks Heaven’s gates—saving faith. After saving faith, the Christian life is lived by faith (see Gal. 2:20; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 11:1,6).

Can you honestly say that you are living by faith? Where are you challenged to exercise trust in the Lord?

Your finances?
Your family?
Your future?
Your friendships?
Your fears?
Your foes?
Your faith?
Your freedom?

2. Second, we must fan the flames of faith with truth and love! (1 Thess. 1:3) – “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

Evidently, this church had expressed the great love of God. Is that seen in your life? Can you say you love the brethren?

3. Third, we must get close to the fires of hope in a hopeless world! (1 Thess. 1:3) – “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.”

After striking the match of faith and fanning the flames of love, we must move closer to the fires of hope! When you lose hope, the fires of faith often go out. Are you feeling hopeless? Hope in the Lord—He will never fail you! Look to Him with the eye of faith, believe Him with the heart of faith, and receive His promises with the hand of faith. Do it today.

Conclusion: Staying on fire in an ice-cold world is challenging, but with red-hot faith in Jesus Christ, unconditional love flowing inwardly from a heart of gratitude, and unshakable confidence in God’s promises, we can overcome this bitterly cold world with burning fires of faith—for the glory of the Lord.

Do you agree?

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese

White as Snow

Posted on Jan 27, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Have you ever noticed that virgin snow is so bright and white? Comparatively, man’s sin is dark and ugly. In fact, in the first chapter of Isaiah, not only had the nation of Israel, including Judah, grossly sinned against their God, but also man is described as sin-sick from the top of his head to the sole of his feet. Isaiah the prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, uses the terminology comparing the color of sin with scarlet; furthermore, he compares them, once forgiven, to being “white as snow”! So how can God do this?

1. We have got to go before the Lord and REASON! (Isaiah 1:18) – “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Interestingly enough, the word “reason” is יָכַח (yakach), which means to reprove or to correct. It also can have to do with arguing. Finally, the word “reason” means to decide or even to judge. In other words, God was saying to His people—the Israelites—in essence, let’s decide, judge what you have done, and where you are at so that I can pardon your sin. Is God calling America to “come reason together”?

2. We have got to see our sin as God sees it! (Isaiah 1:6,18) – “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”

A white fluffy sheep grazing on the background of pure white snow looks dirty. But on a green grassy background, it looks distinctly white. You get the picture. Comparing ourselves with ourselves, we do not look too bad, but when we stand in the brightness and brilliance of His glory, we should come away saying, “Woe is me,” like Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8). In the light of His holiness, we see our blemishes and defects.

3. We need to know our sin separates us from the Lord, but His redeeming blood buys us back into a right relationship! (Isaiah 1:18) – “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Remember, King David cried out, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow!” Right there is the glorious truth of the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Are you clean? Do you need to be washed whiter than snow?

Conclusion: Here in this passage, God reveals man’s sin-sick problem. But He has a remedy! The precious blood of Jesus Christ not only redeems but also cleanses. Once forgiven, we are not only forgiven but also restored back into a right relationship with our God. So now, shouldn’t we listen to the Lord?

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese

Overwhelmed and Overloaded

Posted on Jan 24, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: How many of you need at least 25 hours in a day to accomplish everything you need to do? Does it seem like there are not enough hours in a day or week to get everything done and caught up? So what can be done? How can we alleviate this dilemma? One way is by delegating. But that presents another problem—finding the right person(s) is the key. So how should we go about selecting the right people? Having the right people in the right place at the right time is certainly very challenging! However, we can glean some insight to eliminate some hindsight if we have some foresight. Don’t miss that! Take Moses, for example.

1. Because Moses was being OVERLOADED, he learned to listen to wise counsel! (Exodus 18:13-14) – “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?”

First, Jethro observed. Second, he brought solutions to the problem. Third, his wise counsel was followed. (Exodus 18:19) – “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God.”

Without following through on the counsel, it wouldn’t have done any good. Let’s face it—are you listening? Are you following through?

2. Because Moses was being OVERWHELMED, he learned to delegate! (Exodus 18:15) – “Moses said unto his father-in-law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. And Moses’ father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”

In other words, unknowingly, Moses was shooting himself in the foot! While he had good intentions, his work was counterproductive. Instead of helping, it turned out he was hindering. Could it be that we, at times, do the same, even though we do not intend to?

3. Because Moses had OVERLOOKED, he learned to choose wise leaders! (Exodus 18:20-21) – “And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”

The old saying comes to mind—what’s worse than learning from our mistakes is NOT learning from our mistakes! Are we constantly learning from our mistakes?

Conclusion: How many workers, mothers, and business people are in the same predicament as Moses? Will we take heed to Jethro’s advice? Are we going to listen to wise counsel or continue to wear ourselves out mentally, emotionally, physically, and, more importantly, spiritually?

If we will listen, then it may relieve our mind and body from being OVERWHELMED and OVERLOADED! So do not OVERLOOK!!

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese

Where Are You Going in 2025?

Posted on Jan 23, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Where are you at right now in your life? Where have you been? Plus, where are you going? In the second book of the law, called Deuteronomy, Moses reminds Israel where they have been, where they were at, and where they were going. Remember, this would have been the younger crowd that did not die wandering in the wilderness because of their unbelief.

Today, we—like the Israelites in their day—need to be reminded of what our Lord has in store for us in the coming days.

1. Look Back at Where You’ve Been! (Deuteronomy 11:7) – “But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.”

With the challenges of life from day to day, it is easy to FORGET what our Lord has done! In fact, throughout the Bible, this is a stern warning to the people of God: don’t forget what the Lord has done! Take a moment to look back and see what the Lord has done in your life, family, etc. Has He healed your body, supplied your needs, and protected you? Stop right now and PRAISE Him!

2. Look Out for Where You Are At! (Deuteronomy 11:1-6) – “And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm, and his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and unto all his land; And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and to their chariots; how he made the water of the Red Sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and how the LORD hath destroyed them unto this day; And what he did unto you in the wilderness, until ye came into this place.”

God has been GOOD! Regardless of our troubles and trials, our Lord has promised to be with us no matter what! That alone should bring a sense of security to your heart. After all, He knows our name, our frame, and our pain. Will you trust Him now?

3. Look Up at Where You Are Going! (Deuteronomy 11:8-12) – “Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey. For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.”

What a great word! For a child of God, the best is yet to come! Even this year, we can trust the God of the Bible to bring forth the MUCH MORE.

Conclusion:

Much more fruit!
More victories!
More ground to take!
More promises to believe!
More provisions to come!
More faith to achieve!
More grace for the race!
More breakthroughs!
More blessings!
More answered prayers!
More vision for your future!
More purpose for living!
More power to overcome!
More love to accept!
More forgiveness to extend!
More strength for the journey!

Love y’all,

Pastor Randy Reese

Spiritual Battles

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Have you forgotten that we are in spiritual warfare? At times, we lose sight of our real enemy. For instance, do you ever get resentful toward people? Your neighbors? Co-workers? Family? In-laws? Politicians?

Our devotion today lays out the PROBLEM of the real enemy and the PROVISION against the enemy.

1. The PROBLEM of the real enemy! (2 Cor 10:3) – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.”

Unfortunately, we think our enemy is who we see with our physical eyes. But the following verses pinpoint the real enemy. Therefore, we need spiritual eyes to see the real enemy. Furthermore, we need spiritual weapons to engage in battle.

2. The PROVISION against the enemy! (2 Cor 10:4-5) – “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

The word “stronghold” is ὀχύρωμα (okh-oo’-ro-mah), which means a fortress, strong defense, or stronghold.

In other words, Satan builds a fortress (castle) in a person’s mind, which can take hold of one’s life. The manifestation of the fortress could be lust, pornography, jealousy, envy, lasciviousness, strife, bitterness, or other things.

Keep in mind, if we open the door of our mind to the devil, he will walk right in. Once in, he will refuse to leave. Only Jesus Christ can force him out. Then the cleanup job must be done.

“…bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5)

The words “pulling down” are καθαίρεσις (kath-ah’-ee-res-is), which means taking down, razing, or destroying. The words “taking captive” are αἰχμαλωτίζω (aheekh-mal-o-tid’-zo), which means to take captive (in war); I subdue or ensnare.

This is not a passive battle! With the power of the Lord Jesus, one is able to “take down” the opposing forces, which insinuate lies. Instead of evil thoughts, the Holy Spirit impresses truth.

Conclusion: Aren’t you glad that our Lord has not left us alone? His work within us by His Holy Spirit produces holiness instead of sinfulness. Are you battling evil thoughts? How about asking and trusting Jesus to “demolish” them and then substitute those lies with the truth of God’s Word?

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

Tomorrow Has Enough Worries

Posted on Jan 21, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Are you worrying these days? Jesus understands. In fact, He gave both His disciples and us today some instructions about anxiety. Should we worry? Or should we be free from worrying? After discussing other earthly matters, Jesus spoke on why we should not worry.

1. Our Heavenly Father knows our needs for every day! (Matthew 6:25-32) – “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin…..30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

I love this illustration our Lord used to demonstrate how much our Heavenly Father knows our needs. The God of creation is the God of salvation and is in control of every situation!

2. Our top priority is to seek the will of our Father, and then He provides for His children! (Matthew 6:33) – “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

First things first! Jesus #1! Is He #1 in your life? If not, why not choose to enthrone Him and dethrone self?

3. Worrying about things we can’t change in the future robs every believer of the peace of God and the joy of the Lord for today! (Matthew 6:34) – “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Today has enough troubles. Why take on more care?

Conclusion: Are you worried today? How about troubles for tomorrow? Instead of worrying, why not trust our Heavenly Father? Put Jesus Christ first and watch what He does in your life! He’s the best!

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

Spiritual Lessons with Prayer Partners

Posted on Jan 20, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Do you have a prayer partner? How important is it for two or more people to intercede together? With two or more fighting the spiritual battles, victory can be obtained. In this devotion, the significance of having more than one on your team is highlighted. Furthermore, the victory is accomplished.

1. Look who Jonathan’s prayer partner was — his armor bearer! (1 Samuel 14:1) – “Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.”

Notice how they agreed together. There must be unity before there is victory!

2. Look why Jonathan needed a prayer partner — his armor bearer! (1 Samuel 14:4-6) – “And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.”

Did you see the faith demonstrated by Jonathan? Without maturity of faith and trust, there can be no victory!

3. Look how God gave Jonathan and his prayer partner (armor bearer) the victory! (1 Samuel 14:7-14) – “And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.”

What did you think about their plan of diversity?

Conclusion: Without unity, maturity, and diversity in our prayers, there will be no victory! But once we get on the same page, exercise reliance upon the Lord as He guides, and acknowledge that He may change our strategy, then, along with our prayer partner, we can celebrate the victory!

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

How to Live the Kind of Life that Pleases Our Lord

Posted on Jan 17, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Pleasing our Lord should be #1 on our list. Right? Is it possible? How? Every day? Failures, faults, and fears can block us. But inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul lays out to the church of Ephesus — and to us today — five ways to live a life that pleases the Lord:

1. Watch Your Step CAREFULLY! (Ephesians 5:15) – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.”

“Circumspect”: Latin: “looking around”; Greek: “accuracy & precision.” Be cautious — think of a yellow light!

2. Use Your Time WISELY! (Ephesians 5:16) – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

“Redeem”: Buy back (wouldn’t you like to do that?). “Days are evil”: The world, the flesh, and the devil pull us constantly.

3. Fill Your Tank DAILY! (Ephesians 5:18) – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

“Be filled” (Greek: plerusthe): Present tense: Continuous action — go on being filled (because we leak!). Plural form: For everyone (not just for Charles Stanley — it’s for me and you!). Passive mood: We can’t fill ourselves; we need God to fill us.

4. Sing from Your Heart to the Lord JOYFULLY! (Ephesians 5:19) – “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

When praises go up, blessings come down.

5. Thank God CONTINUALLY! (Ephesians 5:20) – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Thanksgiving is thanks giving. Notice: “For all things.”

Conclusion: I know what you’re thinking… “Three out of five isn’t bad!” Or, “We can’t do that. It’s unachievable.” No, we can’t (in ourselves). But if we: 1. Admit we can’t, 2. Believe and trust Him to enable us, and 3. Cooperate with the Holy Spirit, it is possible. Otherwise, the Lord wouldn’t have had Paul write it down for us. Not perfection, but pleasing!

Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

With Jesus We Win

Posted on Jan 16, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Are you tired of being defeated? Do you feel like a loser? How can we win when we are losing? Things are not always as they appear. Look at the Cross. Looks like a total loss. But we who have been forgiven know differently!

1. With Jesus we WIN God’s favor and forgiveness! (2Cor 9:15) – “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph 1:7)

2. With Jesus we WIN over the devil’s dominion! (John 10:10) – “10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

“15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:15)

3. With Jesus we WIN Heaven as our Home! (John 14:1-3) – “1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Will you count your many blessings?

Conclusion: Stop talking negatively. Start praising our Lord daily! With Jesus, no matter what, we Win! In life, in death, in sickness, and in health, with Jesus we WIN!

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Love y’all,

Dr. Randy Reese

Sweet Sleep

Posted on Jan 15, 2025 in Devotions |

Introduction: Do you have trouble sleeping? One man said, “Not too bad — except sometimes during the daytime!” I love what Solomon was inspired to write. Check out the following:

“24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”

Several ideas come from this text.

1. Fear keep us from sleep! (Prov 3:24) – “24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid.”

The word “afraid” is פָחַד,(paw-kkad’), which means to dread, be in dread or in awe. Honestly, when we dread something, it usually makes us sleepless.

The word “sweet” is עָרֵב: (aw-rabe’), which means to be sweet or pleasing.

2. Sudden fear and devastation keep us from sleeping! (Prov 3:25) – “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.”

When trouble comes, it can keep us from sleep.

3. But the Lord gives us His presence and peace to help us to sleep! (Prov 3:26) – “26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

When we have confidence in Jesus it soothes our soul and calms our fears.

Conclusion: Are you having trouble falling asleep? Staying asleep? Remember. Read Proverbs 3:24-26 and thank God, for He is our rest and security.

Love y’all,

Pastor Randy Reese