+Dev+ Michael D. Inman

Date: February 28, 2012 12:57 PM
Topic: +DEV+  They Were All Filled With The Holy Spirit

They Were All Filled With The Holy Spirit

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (Acts 4:31)

Scripture Focus: Acts 4:23-31

Imagine the scene: Peter and John have recently been arrested, reprimanded and threatened for proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus. As the church regroups and prays, they recognize that this resistance to the preached Word of God is to be expected. The task Jesus left them, to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, would not be easy. 

Still they are rejoicing that their faith is built upon the Rock who is Christ and that their name is on the Roll! They are pleading for boldness to preach the Word of God with power and courage. In one of those supernatural moments, the place where they were gathered rocked, and the Word of God rolled off their lips as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. 

The Rock and Roll songs we've heard through the decades often sing of what this world needs. What we really need are more prayer meetings like this New Testament one where we plead for Gospel boldness. What the people of God need is more of this kind of Rock 'n Roll! We need Jesus.

Insight: When the Spirit rocks our world, the Word of God rolls into the lives of those in need.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
 A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal  
or at our web site:  http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
    "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
     "If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: August 1, 2013 12:15 AM
Topic: +DEV+ A Throne In Heaven
A Throne In Heaven

"... there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne." (Revelation 4:2-3)
Scripture Focus: Revelation 4:1-6

When we enter a room, there is usually one thing that captures our attention. As John the Apostle enters the open door of heaven, what is it that catches his eye? He is "in the Spirit" , there at the doorway, and behold! There is a throne and ONE who sat on it! 

John is drawn to the brilliance and glory of God Almighty in all His splendor and wonder. Surrounding this glorious throne is layer after layer of worshipers. John describes the 24 elders, the four living creatures, the innumerable angelic host, and all the saints who've gone before us. What a crowd! Everyone in heaven views God as the center of it all; everyone is joyfully enraptured in Him. 

Whenever I am discouraged, I read Revelation 4 and 5. What an encouragement this passage was to me during my years in the Army. I would imagine walking not through the barracks doors, but through the door of heaven, blown away by the majesty, glory and brilliance of God. Speechless, I would kneel with all creation to remember who is at the center of it all.

Insight: Surprise, Surprise... I am NOT the center of it all!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal 

Or at our wen site: http://www.rollanet .org/~restore/ donations. htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness&q uot; Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: July 29, 2013 11:29 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

"But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." (Genesis 19:26)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 19:15-29

Doris Troy said it all when she sang in the mid '60s, "Just one look, that's all it took!" Lot's wife looked back on the burning Sodom and Gomorrah, instantly becoming a pillar of salt. Does this seem a bit harsh? It depends what kind of "look" Lot's wife "took." 

It is one thing to look back on a tragedy with sadness, pity and thanksgiving for the grace and mercy of God. It is good to look over our days or years to see God's faithfulness, the ways in which we served Him, and the ways we fell short. 

But it is quite another thing to look back as the Israelites did when they murmured in the wilderness, begging to return to Egypt. Jesus didn't mince words when He said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). 

Lot's wife was looking longingly at her old life as if to say, "I prefer staying in Sodom and Gomorrah rather than following this Angel of the Lord." Direct your gaze on Him and look forward to safety and a new life in Christ.

Insight: Eyes fixed on Jesus are too transfixed to look back.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal 

Or at our wen site: http://www.rollanet .org/~restore/ donations. htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness&q uot; Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: July 30, 2013 11:18 PM
Topic: +DEV+  We Have Entertained Angels Unawares
We Have Entertained Angels Unawares

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)
Scripture Focus: Hebrews 13:1-3

A preacher known for having a Bible verse for every occasion was preaching a sermon once when a bug flew into his mouth. Without hesitating, the pastor took the bug from his mouth and said to it, "You were a stranger, and I took you in!" 

What do you think of when you hear the word "stranger?" One song writer said, "People think I'm strange, does that make me a stranger? My best friend was born in a manger!" In other words, who could be more different and unique than the Lord of Glory, the man Christ Jesus? 

The Spirit of God encourages us to show hospitality and brotherly love to people we don't know, often the very people we steer clear of. One sure way to help us overcome our fear of strangers is to consider that perhaps the stranger we are entertaining is not a threat to us at all, but rather a ministering spirit sent to entertain and bless us (see Hebrews 1:14). Remember how God often works in unlikely ways, sending the lowliest of "strangers" to our world for His great redemption plan.

Insight: The blessed surprises in life are found on the narrow path that leads to life.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
 A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal  

or at our web site:  http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness" Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
    "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
     "If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: July 28, 2013 10:11 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Be At Rest

Be At Rest

"When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." (Mark 5:15)
Scripture Focus: Mark 5:1-20

Jesus and the disciples make a trip across the Sea of Galilee to radically transform the life and soul of ONE man! If this man lived today, we would have him committed for being a danger to himself and society. He'd be as good as dead - living among the tombs. 

But after a divine encounter with the Lord, the wild man's fellow countrymen find him seated, suited and sane. It's extraordinary. He had been completely and totally transformed. 

To be seated in Scripture is to be at rest. Jesus sat down at the right hand of God the Father, finishing His work of redemption and taking His seat of power. Jesus gives the weary soul rest! To be clothed in Scripture is to have your nakedness or shame covered by the gracious provision of the Lord. Adam and Eve were clothed with the robes of righteousness, animal skins provided through the shedding of blood. To be in your right mind is to be declared sane, of sound mind. The Spirit of God renews our minds so that we are able to have the mind of Christ!

Insight: While we are seated, suited and sane as believers, we look forward to our eternal rest, our new clothes and a perfected mind!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal 

Or at our wen site: http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness&q uot; Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: July 24, 2013 1:20 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Be Fruitful And Multiply
Be Fruitful And Multiply

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." (Song of Solomon 2:7)
Scripture Focus: Song of Solomon 2:1-13

It stands to reason that if anyone were to write the definitive book on affection, love and marriage, it would be the LORD! Remember, He did create us male and female, commanded us "to be fruitful and multiply," and conducted the first wedding ceremony in the Garden of Eden. Even Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. 

Three times during the course of Solomon' s words of courtship with his beloved, the Lord exhorts the lovers not to "arouse or awaken love" until it is appropriate. (2:7; 3:5; 8:4) While the Song of Solomon rejoices in the romantic overtures and feelings that blossom in the heart of every lover, it also warns young lovers to be careful! 

On the one hand, we should not rush or strive to manipulate love. It will grow naturally as the Lord gives it life. In due season, the right young man or woman will come along. On the other hand, when love begins to grow, the Lord has given us the covenant of marriage to freely stir up and awaken love for our mutual pleasure.

Insight: Affection, romance, and love will grow naturally and beautifully - if we "play according to the rules".

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal 

Or at our wen site: http://www.rollanet .org/~restore/ donations. htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness&q uot; Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: July 23, 2013 12:29 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Pray Before The God Of Heaven

Pray Before The God Of Heaven

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." (Nehemiah 1:4)
Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Nehemiah had the job of a lifetime. He lived in the luxurious palace as the trusted cupbearer to the King of Persia. In the midst of this ease, affluence and plenty, Nehemiah was moved by a report about the tragic conditions in Jerusalem: walls were broken down, the gates were burned with fire, people were in great distress. 

How do we respond when we hear about the suffering of fellow Christians? Nehemiah immediately bears their burden as His own. He sits down and weeps, mourning for many days and then seeking the Lord's mercy on behalf of the people. He prays for favor before the king. 

Nehemiah' s courage and loyalty are extraordinary. First, he asks the king to send him to Jerusalem to rebuild a city that will ultimately be at odds with him. Secondly, Nehemiah asks the king for a blank check to get the job done. In short order, the king says "Yes!" and Nehemiah sets out on his mission of mercy. Let your heart be moved by the God for whom all things are possible and whose kingdom will never end.

Insight: Favor with God comes before favor with man.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal 

Or at our wen site: http://www.rollanet .org/~restore/ donations. htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness&q uot; Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: July 21, 2013 9:50 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Second Chances

Second Chances

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. " (Lamentations 3:22-23, KJV)
Scripture Focus: Lamentations 3:19-32

Most people believe in second chances. After all, to err is human. If you dismally fail a test in school, you may be offered a retest. If you're in a car accident, your insurance has accident forgiveness. Everyone deserves a second chance, right? But how many of those can a person hope for? 

Jeremiah lived during a spiritually dark time in Israel. God's people were living in sin and were be
ing disciplined for it. Yet they were not consumed by the Lord's wrath or barred from His mercy. 

During my six years in prison, the Lord was disciplining me for my sin. Every morning at sunrise the same announcement echoed through the cell block: "Inmates, GET UP, GET DRESSED, and GET READY FOR CHOW! Cell doors opening in five minutes!" The message was clear: no more second chances. 

But at the same time revelry was played, I was finishing my time in the Word of God. The cell that could have consumed me became the prayer closet whereby I experienced the mercy and faithfulness of God every morning.

Insight: There is always a fresh start and a new day in the kingdom of God.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal 

Or at our wen site: http://www.rollanet .org/~restore/ donations. htm
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness&q uot; Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: July 21, 2013 12:59 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Walking With God

Walking With God

"This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." (Genesis 6:9)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 6-9

Noah's life is an amazing story of one man's intimate fellowship with God. Imagine being described as one who walked with God! What did that look like? Did Noah spend long hours in prayer? Did he hear an audible voice? I would love to know the answers. What we do know is this: Noah walked with God; God spoke to Noah (Genesis 6:13); "Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him" (Genesis 7:5); God blessed Noah and his sons as a result (Genesis 9:1); and God promised to establish His covenant with him and his descendants (Genesis 9:9). 

Noah walked so closely with his Creator that when God talked with him, he obeyed, even in the midst of being mocked and ridiculed for years. 

We, too, can have that kind of intimacy with God through faith in His Son, Jesus whom Noah is pointing us to. Jesus walked with His Father in perfect obedience for us, enduring the mocking and ridicule that echoed the voices of Noah's day. Are we willing to walk with Him and find our safety in His sheltering love?

Insight: Obedience to God and intimacy with God were both demonstrated in Noah's life; they are equally important and available for our faith walk, too.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal 
First 500 can receive by e-mail a copy of ether of two complete sets of devotionals series: "Forgiveness&q uot; Series or the "Grace" Series
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson

Computer Down again... No Devotions for a while Sorry

-- Sent from my laptop
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do 
Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: June 12, 2013 
Topic: +DEV+  Why Do YOU Serve God?
Why Do YOU Serve God?

"'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied." (Job 1:9)
Scripture Focus: Job 1:6-12

Do you love God for who He is or for what He does for you? Do you receive God's grace apart from any human effort, or does your behavior effect how God loves you? These are questions the book of Job helps us resolve. 

Satan thought the only reason Job loved and served God was because God had richly blessed and protected him. Satan believed that if that hedge of protection and those material gifts were re-moved, Job would surely curse God and die. 

God allowed Satan to take everything precious to Job except his life (and presumably, his wife). When Job heard of the death of all 10 of his children on the same day, he blessed the name of the Lord - albeit through grief - reminding us that the same good God gives and takes away. 

As the book of Job unfolds, we see Job come to understand grace. Just as we don't serve  God for all the good things He does for us, so too, God doesn't love us for all we do for Him. Salvation is the gift of a personal, eternal relationship with Christ whatever 
the circumstances.

Insight: There is no greater gift God can give than to give Himself!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
  "If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato

Date: June 11, 2013 10:12 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Jesus Bids Us Come And Die
Jesus Bids Us Come And Die

"He said..., 'Follow Me.' But the man replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 9:59-60)
Scripture Focus: Luke 9:57-62

Three young men come to Jesus with a sincere interest in becoming disciples. Rather than have them bow their heads, say a sinner's prayer, and get on with His kingdom program, Jesus calls for an "all in" faith or "no faith" at all. These are words worth our consideration today. 

One man seems willing to follow Jesus wherever He goes as long as that does not involve sleeping under the stars with no place to lay his head. Another man seems willing to follow but asks if he could first go and tend to his father's funeral. A third man wants to go home and say "goodbye" to his family before he leaves to follow the Lord. Is Jesus against featherbeds, funerals and farewells? 

The answer is "NO!" What Jesus is against is a half-hearted, lukewarm, I'll-get- around-to- it kind of faith. As Dietrich Bonheoffer put it, "Jesus bids us come and die!" He lets us know there is no turning back. Follow the One who never turned back when He went to the cross in your place. He did come and die, all so that we might live!

Insight: We tend to think we are giving up so much to follow Jesus; in reality to die in and for Christ is great gain!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one

Topic: +DEV+ Love That Corrects
Love That Corrects

"Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you." (Proverbs 9:8)
Scripture Focus: Proverbs 3:1-18

Is criticism really constructive or destructive? Proverbs 9:8 says it depends on who is receiving the instruction. The scoffer is the fool who has said in his heart, "There is no god." That is about the same as saying, "No one tells me what to do!" The wise person knows that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

In the first six chapters of Proverbs, the wise son hears, seeks, receives, retains, applies, and rejoices in the counsel and instruction of his parents. The implication couldn't be plainer: We've a lot to learn if we are going to walk wisely in our Christian faith.

And yet, when someone loves us enough to faithfully wound us as a friend, we go down fighting and defending rather than rejoicing and loving the one courageous enough to care. Rather than run from all conflict and correction, the only regret we should have is when someone doesn't feel safe and comfortable enough to show us our fault. He or she may be the very instrument God is using to bring us closer to Him.

Insight: "He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. " (Proverbs 15:32)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: June 4, 2013 11:52 PM
Topic: +DEV+ A Call in the Wilderness
A Call in the Wilderness

"John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'I am the voice of one calling in the desert, Make straight the way of the LORD.'" (John 1:23)
Scripture Focus: John 1:19-27

John the Baptist announced the coming of Jesus. From the time he was in the womb he was separated to be a special voice to a nation needing the good news of the Gospel. His message was simple, yet urgent: Repent, believe in the coming Messiah, and make room in your life for His rule and reign.

John the Baptist is a picture of every believer. While we may not wear camel-hair suits or eat locust and honey sandwiches, we are heirs of salvation with the same calling. We, too, have a simple but urgent message to bring to the world.

First, we are called to use our voices to proclaim the Gospel in the wilderness of this dark and fallen world. Do we do so with the same passion and urgency? Second, John the Baptist ushered in the first coming of the Lord, and we are preparing the world for His next coming. Third, John the Baptist was a humble servant, recognizing he wasn't worthy to loosen the strap on Jesus' sandal! Can we say with the forerunner of Christ, "He must increase; I must decrease" ?

Insight: The person that makes much of Jesus learns how to make little of himself.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: June 4, 2013 12:23 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Walking With God

Walking With God

"Joseph said to them, Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me; but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:19-20)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 50:15-21

Joseph could look back over his tumultuous life - one painted with as many ups and downs as the colors in the coat his father first gave him - to see how God was working all things for His glory, Joseph's good, and the preservation of many. The Lord's redemption plan was never in danger of failing.

After showing himself faithful, Joseph eventually was made the prime minister of Egypt. In a turning of the tables, his brothers came there for help, finding forgiveness and restoration.

Finally, Joseph saw that the evil intended for him was all part of God's purposes. He had reached the lowest point of his life before the Lord lifted him up. Does that mean all of us who put our trust in God in our despairing moments will be raised to positions of grandeur here on earth? Only God knows His plans for your life. His Word assures us that He doesn't want any of us to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and that through faith in Him we will be promoted to the best place: in heaven with Him one day.

Insight: We rarely know where God is taking us, but we can be assured it is for His glory and our good.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: May 30, 2013 10:44 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Clothed With His Righteousness
Clothed With His Righteousness

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." (Psalm 30:11)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 37:2-4, 39:11-23

A common material item runs through Joseph's life: a cloak. As a boy, he was given a special tunic by his father. However, it stirred up jealousy in Joseph's brothers. When they plotted evil and sold him into slavery, they took that coat, dipped it in blood, and used it to convince their father of Joseph's death. His precious coat had been stripped from him.

When Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, a tunic came into his life again. Potiphar's scheming wife pursued Joseph inappropriately. But when Joseph fled, she was left holding nothing but Joseph's cloak, using it to accuse him of misconduct. For the second time in his life, he was thrown into a pit. Still, the Lord was with him in prison, "showing him kindness and granting him favor" (39:21).

Eventually, he wore the honored robes of the great Pharaoh himself. The Lord's goodness seeks us out, no matter what prison we've found ourselves in. Listen to His comforting call to pull you out of despair and clothe you with His righteousness.

Insight: Jesus was stripped of His robe and went to the deepest pit to battle death and hell... all for you and me.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato

Date: May 30, 2013 12:04 AM
Topic: +DEV+ He Gives More Grace

He Gives More Grace

"Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But He gives more grace..." (James 4:5-6)
Scripture Focus: James 4:4-10

Christians build their faith and life on the glorious, free, transforming grace of God. We are saved by grace. The Father willingly put our sin on His Son and gives us His righteousness. This is grace.

James reminds us that we are not only saved by grace, we are daily sustained by grace, renewed for each day's journey. The Spirit of God "yearns jealously" to accomplish the project He was sent to undertake. The Spirit's ministry is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. He begins that work on the day we are saved by taking out our heart of stone and giving us a heart of flesh. He continues that work by daily convincing us of our sin, encouraging our faith, teaching us the Word, renewing our joy, and so much more.

This ministry of the Spirit is the ministry of "more grace!" Doesn't it bless your heart to know that there is no limit or boundary to God's grace? He calls us to give our lives to Him without reservation and gives us all the grace we need to accomplish the task!

Insight: God's grace is the gift that keeps on giving!
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato

Date: May 28, 2013 10:00 PM
Topic: +DEV+ You are NOT Your Own!

You are NOT Your Own!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit...? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 6:17-20

Young people regularly ask me, "Pastor Mike, is it okay for me to get a permanent tattoo or a piercing?" I usually respond, "Why do you want to get one?" The answer is always the same. They see it as a further expression of themselves.

The real question to ask is this: will this glorify God since He purchased my body with the precious blood of His Son? We have a tendency to think that the Lord's involvement in our spiritual lives is okay, but when it comes to our bodies, that's off limits!

Paul reminds us that we used to use our bodies for all sorts of unsavory and sinful practices. But now, since we are united to Christ and His beloved servants, we are NOT our own. Our rights are forfeited for His right to do with us as He pleases. Paul proclaims, "I am not my own; I am bought with a price!" With joy he admits that he used to be a slave to sin, to self, and to Satan but now is a slave to a gracious, good master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Commit to Him with all your heart, soul, body, and strength, with or without tattoos.

Insight: As our reasonable Christian service, we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord! (Romans 12:1-2)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: May 23, 2013 11:11 PM
Topic: +DEV+ If I Had One Wish
If I Had One Wish
"At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3:5)
Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 3:4-15

Solomon, David's son, has just been anointed the King over all Israel. He is a young man, about 30 years old, with powerful enemies on every side. The LORD asks him, "If you could have anything, what would it be?"

From the dialogue that follows between Solomon and the LORD, it is apparent that Solomon could have asked for at least four things: riches, long life, rest from his enemies, wisdom. Solomon decides that wisdom tops the list and amazingly goes on to experience all four.

Consider the value of wisdom above many other things. Wealth without wisdom is like a fool and his money; they are soon parted. Long life in the Old Testament is often tied to obedience. Respectful children live long in the land (Exodus 20:12). How can we obey God's Word if we don't know how to apply it in our lives? Enemies of one kind or another are always looking to prevail. It takes a wise, patient, discerning king to trust the Lord to fight His battles and apply His unorthodox military strategies. Pray for wisdom!

Insight: Desire to understand and apply God's Word above riches, health and peace. Ask for wisdom by faith and God will give it liberally! (James 1:5)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: May 22, 2013 11:25 PM
Topic: +DEV+ God's Radar Fixed on YOU!
God's Radar Fixed on YOU!
"The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 33

A contemporary Christian rocker cries, "God's radar is fixed on you; no matter where you go, no matter what you do, God's radar is fixed on you." Is God sitting in His cosmic cop car with His universal radar gun, writing tickets for all who speed by? If the eyes of the LORD are on you, is He keeping track of all your infractions?

We read in Psalm 33 that the eyes of the Lord are filled with "unfailing love," a love fixed on protection ("to deliver") and provision ("to keep alive"). For the believer, "the eyes of the Lord" speak of the glorious favor and blessing of the Most High. To look into the face of God is to look into the eyes of "unfailing love!"

The irony is that the Old Testament saints were not able to behold the face of God and live. Psalm 33 looks forward to the One who would turn the face of God toward us that we might fully experience this "unfailing love!" Jesus experienced the forsaken face of the Father on the cross so that we might behold Him face-to-face for all eternity.

Insight: The love of Jesus is patient and kind, keeping no record of wrongs.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato

Date: May 22, 2013 11:25 PM
Topic: +DEV+ God's Radar Fixed on YOU!
God's Radar Fixed on YOU!
"The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 33

A contemporary Christian rocker cries, "God's radar is fixed on you; no matter where you go, no matter what you do, God's radar is fixed on you." Is God sitting in His cosmic cop car with His universal radar gun, writing tickets for all who speed by? If the eyes of the LORD are on you, is He keeping track of all your infractions?

We read in Psalm 33 that the eyes of the Lord are filled with "unfailing love," a love fixed on protection ("to deliver") and provision ("to keep alive"). For the believer, "the eyes of the Lord" speak of the glorious favor and blessing of the Most High. To look into the face of God is to look into the eyes of "unfailing love!"

The irony is that the Old Testament saints were not able to behold the face of God and live. Psalm 33 looks forward to the One who would turn the face of God toward us that we might fully experience this "unfailing love!" Jesus experienced the forsaken face of the Father on the cross so that we might behold Him face-to-face for all eternity.

Insight: The love of Jesus is patient and kind, keeping no record of wrongs.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato

Date: April 22, 2013 10:15 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Prayers, Peaceful Lives and the Gospel
Prayers, Peaceful Lives and the Gospel

"...I urge, then, that prayers . . . be made for everyone... that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved..." (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 2:1-6

Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for everyone in every way so that we may lead a quiet, godly and dignified life. Doesn't that seem a little self-serving? The more I pray for everyone, the more they benefit from my prayers and the more peaceful, quiet, and manageable my life will become? Take a closer look because this is not what Paul has in mind.

Paul and Timothy both have a heart for the Gospel, a desire to see all men "come to a knowledge of the truth." What Paul recognizes is that the more there is tranquility and peace on the home front of our lives, the more time and freedom we will have to gather for prayer, to pray for the lost and share our faith.

For the first six years after we received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I was in the Army. The more we prayed, the more peace and quiet we experienced as soldiers, and the more doors were opened for the Gospel. When strife and warfare came, we were all restricted to our base and meaningful ministry came to a screeching halt. Praise God for sending us the Prince of Peace.

Insight: As our prayers overflow for all men, our opportunities to share the gospel will abound all the more.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: May 20, 2013 8:19 PM
Topic: +DEV+ In the Grip of Grace

In the Grip of Grace

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Phil. 3:12)
Scripture Focus: Philippians 3:12

Possession is in the "eye of the holder" . When I hold hands with my wife, am I holding her hand or is she holding mine? The answer is both! Lord willing, she would be happily holding fast to my hand as I was happily holding fast to hers.

The Apostle Paul knows that He is in the grip of God's sovereign grace, that nothing can pluck him from his Father's hand, and that God has already given him "everything he needs for life and godliness." (2 Pe. 1:3) The strong arm of the Lord has indeed reached down to pluck another brand from the fire. "Christ Jesus has... laid hold of me!"

Still, this does not mean that Paul doesn't strive, strain and press on to more fully experience the grace he has received. He knows he is a work in progress and is squeezing back, not to somehow make up for the Lord's slack hand, but to more fully experience what the Lord is holding him for! We can know, right along with Paul, the profound hold that Jesus has on our lives, a grip so tight that He will never let us go.

Insight: Grace squeezes us so that we might squeeze back!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

My main computer (Mac Pro bought in 2002) was damaged by a lighting hit last week. The good news is the hard drives checked out OK, the mother board shows only 1 processor (it should be 4, dual - dual processors). It was running real slow and no ethernet nor wireless works. So it is a lost cause. It is way too expensive to replace. I have been trying to get my old laptop up but it is too old to run the programs from the Mac pro. The web browser will not show any youtube type videos, many of the high res pictures are just little icons in a frame. It will send email... sort of. I still have my devotionals but cannot run the program, so I am unable to send my devotionals.

I am sorry that I am unable to continue to send the devotionals as many have been asking what happened.

Living on a fixed income I will not be able to purchase another computer for quite some time. All my work is on a Macintosh and cannot be used on a PC.
I hope to find something sometime.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Michael Inman

Sent from my iBook G4

Date: April 22, 2013 10:15 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Prayers, Peaceful Lives and the Gospel
Prayers, Peaceful Lives and the Gospel
"...I urge, then, that prayers . . . be made for everyone... that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved..." (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 2:1-6
Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for everyone in every way so that we may lead a quiet, godly and dignified life. Doesn't that seem a little self-serving? The more I pray for everyone, the more they benefit from my prayers and the more peaceful, quiet, and manageable my life will become? Take a closer look because this is not what Paul has in mind.
Paul and Timothy both have a heart for the Gospel, a desire to see all men "come to a knowledge of the truth." What Paul recognizes is that the more there is tranquility and peace on the home front of our lives, the more time and freedom we will have to gather for prayer, to pray for the lost and share our faith.
For the first six years after we received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, I was in the Army. The more we prayed, the more peace and quiet we experienced as soldiers, and the more doors were opened for the Gospel. When strife and warfare came, we were all restricted to our base and meaningful ministry came to a screeching halt. Praise God for sending us the Prince of Peace.
Insight: As our prayers overflow for all men, our opportunities to share the gospel will abound all the more.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.
Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."

Date: April 18, 2013 9:42 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Faith without Regrets
Faith without Regrets

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh' s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time." (Hebrews 11:34-35)
Scripture Focus: Hebrews 11:23-28

Moses doesn't sugarcoat the truth. Sin can be pleasurable! And walking with the people of God can be difficult! Yet when Moses learned of his true identity as a member of God's covenant people, he recognized that he faced the ultimate dilemma. Do I acknowledge who I really am and become a part of the slave class of Egypt? Or do I continue to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin in Pharaoh' s family?

Nehemiah was in the lap of luxury as the cupbearer of the King of Susa when he heard about the condition of God's people back in Jerusalem. He determined it was time to risk life and limb for the King of Kings.

Frankly, there is no dilemma at all, no regrets at all, for those who have come to know the God of Moses and Nehemiah. No matter what your past, consider today that a few minutes of enjoyment will quickly fade away into an eternity of suffering, but the fleeting suffering of walking with Christ and His people is followed by an eternity of unspeakable joy and contentment. Choose Jesus today!

Insight: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy, dancing and laughter come in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."
Date: April 17, 2013 10:10 PM
Topic: +DEV+ How Do I Gain Righteousness?

How Do I Gain Righteousness?

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' " (Luke 18:13)
Scripture Focus: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus reveals that there are two ways to attain righteousness. The Pharisee looks to attain righteousness from the outside in, while the tax collector looks to be made righteous from the inside out. The key to the parable is noticing that the Pharisee has his eyes on everyone else, but the tax collector is overtaken by his own sinful condition. He is looking only at his own self.

Literally, the tax collector says, "God, make propitiation for me, the sinner!" This sinful man is not just asking for pity and compassion; he is begging for someone to atone for His sin. He is not a sinner on a scale of sinners, some better, some worse. He is simply the sinner. No excuses, no alibis, no justifications, no comparisons!

We tend to think that Jesus Christ is in the business of making good people better when, in fact, He came to call sinners to repentance. We can try with everything we have to make ourselves look righteous to others. But there is only one thing we can take to God by faith ˆ our sin!

Insight: When we take our place as sinner, He takes His place as Savior!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

Michael D. Inman
- The Only Thing Necessary For Evil to Triumph is for Good Men to do Nothing -- Edmund Burke...
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
"If the First Amendment fails, use the Second one."