Wednesday Morning Devotional

“Each one of us shall give count of himself to God.” – Romans 14:12

In one of my pastorates, I had a woman in my Bible class who was in business and was notoriously dishonest. One day she said to me, “Brother Torrey” – oh, she did love the word brother – “Brother Torrey, don’t you think that everybody in business is dishonest?”

I looked at her and replied “Mrs. Mac“ – she was Scottish – “When anybody in business accuses everybody in business of being dishonest they convict at least one person.”  And she was mad! But why should she be mad? I only told her the truth. I made a statement like this in my own church in an American city: “Show me a person who is always talking about the faults of others, and I will show you a person rotten at the heart.”

At the close of class, a lady in my church came to me and said “I didn’t like something you said this morning.”

I said, “What was that?”

“You said ‘Show you a man or woman that was always talking of the faults of others, and you would show them a man or woman rotten at the heart every time.’”

I said, “Yes, I said that and I meant it too.“

“Well,”  she said, “There is Miss So-and-so; you must admit she is always talking about the faults of others.“ I had to admit it. “Now,“ she said, “you would not say she was bad.“

Well, I didn’t say it, but I could have told this lady that the fact was, earlier that day I had told that woman that she could never sing in our choir again because of awful rottenness in her life that had been brought to my attention. I had charged her with this and she had confessed. If you know, a man or woman who is always talking about the faults of others, don’t trust them.

(From the book “Real Salvation – And Whole-Hearted Service For The Lord.” by Reuben A. Torrey in 1905)

Lord, thank You so much for old books and old preachers that didn’t mind laying out the truth.  I realize almost every time that I’m honest with myself just how rotten my own heart is.  Without You in my life these past 35 years, I can’t imagine how evil and deceptive I’d be.  Convict hearts, Lord.  Help us realize that it will only be our own lives and our own choices on trial on that great day of final judgment.  Amen. 

Jesus said to them, “Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” — Matthew 21:31

I was at a “feed the homeless” type deal recently. I sat with people I didn’t think that most people sitting in church buildings on Sunday morning would want in there. In fact, one former prison inmate told me of a time when he begged for someone inside the church building to just sit with him and pray for a while . . . to speak life into him. Not one person would do it.

There was a piano, an acoustic guitar, and a singer singing songs to the Lord. This former prisoner got up to sing a song that he wrote in jail. He talked of how he read the Bible to some of the other inmates over the course of 15 months. He also said he would sing to them. As he sung, I imagined that big, booming voice bouncing off those prison walls. It had to feel as if the Holy Spirit had just entered the room. It had to produce so much repentance just through that voice begging God to intervene. I’d never heard anything like it.

I recorded it. I asked him if I could share it. He said yes. Then a few minutes later, he said, “You know how the Israelites made decisions on their own sometimes without asking God first?” I said that I did. He said, “Well I just did that . . . Don’t release the video because I think God will use my songs, but not on any kind of media. The next move of God will be open air, outside, using nothing but His true people.”

How was I to argue with that?

As he talked, he had mercy for the dregs of society that many Christians have no mercy for. He talked of pedophiles being restored, rapists, murderers, and all sorts of abusers. He even said, most church people would just send them on to hell, but God loves ‘em and wants to restore ‘em and change their lives. He wants to be used by God . . . and he is being used by God.

I’m just telling you what I heard and saw. I’m sure glad I met him. If I had seen him outside of that event, I would’ve never guessed he was my brother in the Lord. I really would’ve never guessed that he had the power of the Holy Spirit like I haven’t felt in quite a while.

Lord, you showed me a man who just wants to bring glory to Your great Name. He simply wants others, ALL others, to know the salvation that You’ve shown him. Bless the work of his hands. Here I am living the most comfortable life. He’s been through the fire, Lord. Prepare us, Your people, to stand before You . . . in Jesus Name . . . Amen.

“I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.” — 2 Kings 5:11

Young believers are telling me they’re having a hard time keeping the faith. When I press them as to why, there is usually something they are asking God for, and they feel like God isn’t responding. Most of the time, their requests are very reasonable and made with a sincere heart, yet doubt begins to creep in when things don’t follow their timeline.

Only looking back, can I see myself as a young, immature believer. I liken it to being an oak tree that has only been growing for a few years, as opposed to having grown for decades. The latter is so much more likely to stand when the storms come. The former is tossed around fiercely and is in danger of being uprooted. The enemy very much wants young believers to think God is too slow, doesn’t answer at all, and is completely uncaring and unavailable.

Naaman honestly thought that the God of Elisha was useless simply because He didn’t perform like he thought He would or should. He didn’t like being told what to do, especially in a way that made him humble himself and expose his skin condition. He didn’t want to be vulnerable in front of his men. I probably wouldn’t have either.

When you and I limit God to only being able to work or move like we want Him to, it is easy for us to walk away discouraged, angry, or in disbelief. More than likely, God is going to change your heart and mind before He changes anyone else, and He is going to work in a way that does leave you in disbelief . . . but the kind of disbelief that blows you away when you come up out of that water the seventh time and your skin is brand spanking new.

Lord, help these young believers, and the older ones (including me) to allow You to work in Your way and in Your time. All things are working for the good if we simply believe, love You, and are called according to Your purpose. Of course that will entail some moments, or even seasons of wondering what You are doing and how You are doing it. I imagine the sixth dip in the water felt pointless to Naaman . . . but then he took the seventh! Thank You, Lord, for your word.

Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. — Matthew 7:13.

How many of us have loved ones that we want to see saved? I have received so many texts over the years of distraught mothers who want to see their children on the right path. Their children are doing things and believing things that are going to send them to eternal destruction. That statement sounds so harsh today in a world where sin abounds and everyone does what is right in his or her own eyes.

If you live in the southeastern part of the United States and you go to hell, you will be without excuse on the day you hear the words, “depart from me.” Let’s think off some road blocks and signs that you will encounter on the highway to hell.

1. Churches. On a recent eight mile drive, I counted five churches. Every one of them started with the full intention that people need to know who God is before it is too late. Every time someone drives, there stands a place they can go to learn about the salvation of the Lord.
2. The Bible. Sometimes I hear of a house where there is no Bible, but somewhere in almost every home is a Holy Bible. It is holy because it is set apart and distinct from all other books. I remember my great grandmother absolutely revering that book and I wondered why in the world it was so special to her. I’m sure glad I found out. Around here, every person who goes to Hell has to ignore the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth sitting right in their home.
3. Parents. Kids aren’t made to attend church like we were. My mom took me. Even my friend’s parents didn’t make it optional when I’d spend the night. I’d go and hear about sin and death whether I liked it or not. Over time, I realize these were the “bridge out” signs trying to keep me from driving over the cliff to my demise. I see some today who attend church, but refuse to live a consecrated life devoted to the Lord. How awful to go to hell and the narrow path was literally just one step away.
4. The cross of Christ. When we write the date down, 9/16/2026, we write down the year. Two thousand and twenty six years ago, God sent His Son, Jesus, into this world. He lived a perfect life and made a way for all to be forgiven and all to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Time is divided because of Him. There was Before Christ, and now there is only Anno Domini . . . the year of our Lord. Christ died on the cross, a Roman torture device that we will see almost every time we take a drive.

Can you think of some more roadblocks?

Lord, I know the Bible says the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who have been transformed by it, it is the very transforming power of God. Thank You for making a way. You don’t even let us earn forgiveness or work for grace, You simply ask us to believe and start a relationship with You. You are and always will be the best thing ever happen to me. I beg You Father, sweep through this land with the power of the Holy Spirit. Convict hearts and minds . . . save souls like never before. Amen.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” — Genesis 3:1

If God really loves everyone, why does He send anyone to Hell just for refusing to believe in Him?

God doesn’t send anyone to Hell. He made a way for us to be saved through faith. He tells us all about it in the Bible.

Good people shouldn’t have to go to Hell.

The Bible tells us that there is no one good. We’ve all gone against what we know is right . . . just like Adam and Eve in the Bible.

I don’t really believe the Bible. Adam and Eve is really just a metaphor for our consciousness.

Well, it explains how sin entered into the world. If you’re not going to believe the first three chapters of the book, the rest of it isn’t going to be helpful to you.

Still, God seems mean for just sending people to hell forever and ever.

I guess the doctor seems mean for telling people they have cancer and they only have so long to live. If they offer a cure, most people take it, even if it involves chemo and surgery. We have spiritual cancer. It was given to us by Adam, all of us. The Bible gives us the cure . . . Jesus.

I thought He supposedly loved us. Won’t everyone go to heaven if God really loves us?

God doesn’t save us through love . . . He saves us by grace through believing in His Son and what He has done for us on the cross.

Well, I believe that when I die, I just die and that is it.

According to the Bible, you’re only talking about the first death. People should be more worried about the second death.

There is a second death?

Yes. Read Revelation chapter 20.

God, I hate how a thirty second Tik-Tok video overrides centuries of Biblical theology for this generation. Our society is deteriorating so fast. I can’t believe what I’ve seen with my own eyes over my little lifetime. Help me be a light that so shines before men. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, send revival and save these unbelievers. Help us who say we know You to truly follow You and Your ways.

Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing? — John 7:50-51

Can you remember the first time you ever stood up publicly for Jesus? I love that we have recorded in the Bible this first time Nicodemus stood up for Him. It is estimated there were probably 6,000 Pharisees when Jesus walked the earth. We only know of one who was saved, this man, Nicodemus. We only have John 3:16 because he came to Jesus at night to talk.

I remember a kid when I worked at the golf course. When it was time to eat, no matter where he was, he took his hat off, thanked God for his food, and ate. He didn’t care who was around, some even made fun of him. I remember thinking his courage was off the charts.

For me, I remember having a super hard conversation with a girlfriend in my early 20’s. It shouldn’t have been hard, but my heart was pounding furiously as I got up the nerves. I basically said that we needed to honor God as a couple if we are going to go church every Sunday and be Christians. She let me know that as long as we believed in Jesus, we could be forgiven for anything and everything and “technically” we were good. I brought up something about obedience, and a week or two later, I no longer had a girlfriend. As bad as that hurt at the time, I’m sure glad it happened.

I think Nicodemus began to love the Lord and had to say something. Looking back, I was just beginning to love Him, too.

Lord, how wonderful it is to have You in my life. Help me meet the greatest commandment to love You with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. You are, and have been for a while now, the best thing in my life. Thank You for these examples of courage.

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A man of the Pharisees would have been respected by the public. He would have worn the uniform and people would have honored him as he walked by or stopped to pray in public.

As ruler of the Jews, people would have come to him for advice. He would sometimes praise and sometimes rebuke those he led when necessary.

I wonder how often Nicodemus just got to be Nick. I wonder how many times he answered “fine” when asked how things were going. Who did he get to really be himself with? I’m so glad we get to read his conversation with Jesus.

Sometimes I’m Pastor Adam. Sometimes I’m math teacher Adam. I’m Adam the husband, Adam the bus driver, Adam the dad, Adam the son, Adam the friend, and even Adam the guy who goes out and plays music occasionally. Each of those roles carries an expectation. They carry differences of how people see you. I wonder sometimes which one is the real one.

Then, I do like Nick did. He went to be alone with Jesus. There, he could ask basic questions that he should have known. There, he could receive instruction and be taught by Jesus.

Lord, help me to always find time to be alone with You. You are the one who loves me, looks out for me, corrects me, and illuminates my path. I don’t want to trust in any of the roles I play on this earth, I simply want to trust You with the time I have left. I love You, Lord! There is and never will be another like You.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . – Matthew 6:19

I was watching an episode of Andy Griffith where the town wanted to evict an older man named Frank Myers because he hadn’t paid his taxes. While sorting through some of his belongings, a hundred year old bond was found and calculated to be worth 300 grand or so. Frank went from acting pitiful to gangster in an instant. Unfortunately for him, the money used to initiate the bond was confederate money, so it was rendered worthless.

I couldn’t help but think that one day I will draw my last breath and all my American dollars will be worthless. The only way I can pass it along is to help people by giving it away while I have the chance. Jesus promises that whatever we give up for Him and His kingdom will be rewarded a hundred fold in the next life.

Last week, I went somewhere I knew I shouldn’t. It wasn’t anywhere anyone would consider sinful, but I just had another place the Lord wanted me to be. I chose what I wanted over what He wanted. I completely blew that chance to store up some treasure in heaven and make an eternal investment. Not only that, I would have left the place He wanted me to go so filled up with His Spirit and so blessed. I lost out here, and I lost out there. I’m praying for another opportunity this week.

In these last days, it might be good for us to examine how we are spending our money and time.

Lord, I don’t want to waste my time and resources. Sitting here with You, I’m so bold and ready to obey. But when the rubber hits the road and the chance arrives . . . Sometimes I get it right, but it feels like I mostly get it wrong. Help me make eternal investments. I don’t want to stand before You with piles of worthless American dollars in my bank account. Neither do I want to stand before you knowing I wasted nearly all my time on things of zero eternal importance. Help me, Lord.