Daily Devotions from Firmly Rooted (archive of 975 devotions). Browse by book, series, or season, or search below.
“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.’” — Matthew 13:31 (NIV84) It once dawned on me that there is a consistent theme in all of the “kingdom of heaven” parables. And I don’t mean that they are about the kingdom…
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.” — Matthew 13:18–19 (NIV84) There is an enemy among us! There is…
“He replied, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.’” — Matthew 13:11 (NIV84) No other chapter in the Bible mentions the kingdom of heaven more than the 13th chapter of Matthew. In this chapter Matthew captures Jesus saying most of His “the kingdom…
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” — Matthew 10:7–8 (NIV84) How amazingly consistent the message of the kingdom of heaven is! Jesus was sending out His disciples for their…
“Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” — Proverbs 24:14 (NIV84) What a contrast between the psalmist’s use of the word “hope” and Solomon’s use in the book of Proverbs. What I mean is that…
“But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, ‘This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.’ And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, ‘Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is…
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ Jesus answered,…
“I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” — Matthew 8:11–12 (NASB95)…
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many…
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (NASB95) What a familiar verse this is to all of us. It is short, sweet, and makes a lot of sense. The problem? We don’t follow Jesus’ advice given in this verse. In our study of…