One Year Bible Devotion

December 30, 2023

by Michael McDermott

THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

Malachi 2:13-16 "And this is the second thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying; so He does not regard the offering anymore,
nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. 'Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. 'For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,” says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit,
that you do not deal treacherously.”

Marriage is an institution initiated and authored by God and one that He has much to say about in scripture. In today's devotional there are some insights given that are noteworthy. Before we look at those, let me apologize to the body of Christ for the lousy example certain Christian leaders of our day have set in regards to marriage. I am not one to slam anyone else, lest I be judged. However, something needs to be said about the overall attitude toward something God regards as holy. To make excuses for a breakup of a high profile ministry couple does not make it right. We have great teachers, preachers, and healers who have wonderful giftings. But don't follow their views nor their example when it comes to the marriage covenant. God still hates divorce and let's look deeper as to why...
There are four effects of divorce that need to be looked at carefully before ending a marriage:
YOUR GIVING - God says that your offering will not be regarded. Even though you cover the altar with tears, weeping, and crying it will avail nothing.
YOUR COVENANT - Marriage is not just an arrangement, a convenience, or a way to combine two budgets, it's a covenant. This is the deepest agreement between two parties in scripture and God takes it very seriously.
YOUR CHILDREN - God prizes the ability of two godly people to produce godly offspring. The children need to be taken into consideration. God is concerned about His relationship to the children. Remember, our kids are learning about God through our example and our leadership.
YOUR SPIRIT - Twice in this passage God says, "Take heed to your spirit." Another version translates that phrase as, "Guard your spirit." Something happens to us internally when a covenant is violated. There is personal devastation and internal damage. We may not see it immediately but its effects will linger for years. I have seen it over and over again.

Let me end today's devotional with two additional comments. Thank God for mercy and forgiveness. God will forgive divorce. But that does not take anything away from the consequences that will be experienced. Secondly, it takes two. There have been some great Christian people who are casualties of a partner who does not regard the sanctity of marriage. My heart goes out to them. I have been blessed with a marriage to the most wonderful marriage partner who is a Proverbs 31 woman (read it in today's devotional), a very godly woman, and a wonderful mother and spiritual leader. She is the love of my life and she makes it so very easy to love marriage. May your covenant be blessed of the Lord and as you enter a new year may God refresh your marriage and cause it to be a reflection of heaven on earth.

December 29, 2023

by Michael McDermott

THE BOOK OF LIFE

Revelation 20:12-15 "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

Most people go through the day to day without thinking much about the future, let alone an eternal future. Today's devotional informs us that at the end of time there will be an accounting given by each person for what they have done in this life. The opening statement leaves no one out: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God..." The smallest on earth to the greatest will all stand before God, I'm sure humbled by the occasion. "And books were opened..." These books appear to contain detailed accounts of our works. The good, the bad, and the ugly all journaled in books. The Apostle Paul refers to this in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." Thus the reason for books (plural). One set of books for works. But there is one Book we want to be sure not to neglect. The Book of Life appears to contain the names of those who are saved, born again, and embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The absence of one's name is not a desirable position to be in. Verse 15 says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." The best case scenario is to gain rewards through what is written in the books and to inherit eternal life by having your name in the Book of Life. So whatever you do, GET IN THE BOOK!

December 23, 2023

by Michael McDermott

BY MY SPIRIT

Zechariah 4:6 – “So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.’”

Zerubbabel is the secular head of Israel’s repatriated community and in this chapter is prophesied over to finish the rebuilding of the temple. His task will not be completed by human instrumentation but rather “by My Spirit.” It is this divine involvement that we must remember when we are attempting to do a work for God.

When we have been given a task to do by God there are several obstacles to overcome. One will be the intimidation of the sheer magnitude of the responsibility. When God does something He really knows how to do it and He normally calls people to do things beyond their ability. A second obstacle will be the humble beginnings and origins of the project. Looking at where we begin to where God wants it to go can be daunting. The two don’t resemble each other and there are a lot of steps between A and B. But there are two verses in today’s reading (besides our text) that are encouraging.

Verse 7 – “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!” God is able to remove any obstacle that stands in the way of His plans and level it to the ground. We do not need to be disturbed by difficulties. This is all part of the work of God. Remember, it’s not by might nor by power…we will be victorious!

Verse 10 – “For who has despised the day of small things?” Where you started will seem insignificant after God is finished. However, don’t despise the day of small things. That’s where you are tested and approved for bigger things. That’s the place where you exercised your faith and found God to be faithful. That’s the place you learned to trust Him. And that’s the place that much of who you are and what you believe was formed.

Whatever you’re attempting to do for God release it into the realm of “by My Spirit.” If you’re in charge it will go as far as you can take it. But when He’s in control, look out and get ready for big things. Things will move and will happen when God takes the lead!

December 22, 2023

by Michael McDermott

I SHOULDN’T HAVE SAID THAT

Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

WORDS…man, they can get you into trouble! But there is help for those of us who have had this recurring thought, “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Loose Lips Sink Ships. That phrase was coined in the American Culture during World War II. The US Office of War Information used it. It was part of an overall campaign titled Careless Talk Costs Lives. It was used to prevent people from giving enemy spies information that could jeopardize American lives.

Loose Lips have taken on a different look in our tech-heavy world. Over the years there have been reports of leaks from various departments of the government. We live in a day of whistleblowers and information dumps that can have an impact on families, careers and livelihoods.

The prayer in today’s devotional is one that I have prayed many, many times. There are times when my thought traveled all too quickly to my lips and it was about to exit when I felt a restraint, the door of my lips, close. Some things are just better not said. And I thanked God for hearing my prayer. Why say something you will regret later? Why say something that will require humility and an apology down the road? It’s better if it is never heard. This prayer will keep you out of trouble. This prayer will prevent damage from being done. This prayer will keep relationships in tact, it will keep a divorce out of the courts, and it will keep you from eating humble pie in the future. It is tough some times but is certainly vital for all who name the name of Christ. May we pray this prayer continually and may God use our lips to bring healing instead of hurt to a very needy world.

December 19, 2023

by Michael McDermott

UNDER CONTROL

Psalm 138:3,7,8 – “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul... 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

Today’s Psalm is full of promises. I would like to highlight several of them.
“You answered me…” Enough said. God WILL answer you when you cry out to Him.
“(You) made me bold with strength in my soul…” Boldness is a necessary virtue to possess in the day we are living in. There is a component of strength to boldness that is refreshing and rejuvenating. May God give you a huge dose of boldness!
“You will revive me…” I am fully convinced that God’s church needs revival! The psalmist is assured of reviving “in the midst of trouble.” The word “trouble” in Hebrew means “tightness.” Have you ever been in a tight place? This is usually brought on by stress. May God revive you today!
“You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies…” Notice please that God’s hand will be stretched out and not yours!
“Your right hand will save me…” God promises victory to us. He will save us.
“(You) will perfect that which concerns me…” I love this one. God promises to perfect or complete everything that concerns us. No need to worry. God’s got it under control.