Brad DeForest

Your Moral Filth and Evil

James is speaking about looking at yourself not others. Perhaps this whole chapter should be read in this frame of mind. We so quickly look at others instead of ourselves.

James 1:21 (NIV)

Psalm 70:1

An honest cry out to God is always heard. Be honest, be direct, be real. That is part of any deep and solid relationship. Don't allow formality, religion, or ceremony filter or mute an honest plea to…

Day 26: Merry Christmas -The Light has been Turned On!

This got me thinking about light. The definition of darkness is "the absence of light." You can't really understand darkness without knowing about light. You can't "turn on" darkness it is just there.…

John 1:4 (NLT), John 1:5 (NLT), John 1:6 (NLT), John 1:7 (NLT), John 1:8 (NLT), John 1:9 (NLT)

Day 25: Give and Receive Christmas Gifts as A Reminder

At Christmas it is a custom to give gifts. A custom that has spiraled out of control in some parts of the world, including mine. In may ways the gifts we exchange during this incredible celebration have…

Ephesians 2:1 (NLT), Ephesians 2:2 (NLT), Ephesians 2:3 (NLT), Ephesians 2:4 (NLT), Ephesians 2:5 (NLT), Ephesians 2:6 (NLT), Ephesians 2:7 (NLT), Ephesians 2:8 (NLT), Ephesians 2:9 (NLT), Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Day 24: Freedom That Changes Everything

Christmas is a celebration of a new life in this world. A new life-giving Spirit that brings freedom. A baby who would grow into manhood just like any other man. But this man, Jesus, would show us exactly…

Romans 8:1 (NLT), Romans 8:2 (NLT), Romans 8:3 (NLT), Romans 8:4 (NLT)

Day 23: Set Aside Your Status, Like Jesus Did

Probably the biggest challenge for me in God's word is here in this passage. God is reminding me this morning: Brad, have the same mindset as Jesus. Set aside your status, your accomplishments, your…

Philippians 2:5 (ESV), Philippians 2:6 (ESV), Philippians 2:7 (ESV), Philippians 2:8 (ESV), Philippians 2:9 (ESV), Philippians 2:10 (ESV), Philippians 2:11 (ESV)

Day 22: Jesus You are Superior. Period.

Jesus is superior to the prophets and angles. As a believer this is not hard for me to understand and believe. Jesus is the Lord. Jesus is God.Day 22: Jesus You are Superior. Period. (http://www.mybibledevotional.com/2010/12/day-22-jesus-you-are-superior-period.html)…

Hebrews 1:1 (NIV84), Hebrews 1:2 (NIV84), Hebrews 1:3 (NIV84), Hebrews 1:4 (NIV84)

Day 21: By, Through, and For Jesus

Absolutely everything, things we can see and those we can't, were created by, through, and for Jesus. BY, THROUGH, and FOR Jesus. Everything! Wow!Day 21: By, Through, and For Jesus (http://www.mybibledevotional.com/2010/12/day-21-by-through-and-for-jesus.html)…

Colossians 1:15 (NLT), Colossians 1:16 (NLT), Colossians 1:17 (NLT), Colossians 1:18 (NLT), Colossians 1:19 (NLT), Colossians 1:20 (NLT)

Day 20: Faith is Not Academic

Come on, why didn't Jesus' parents understand? They had been raising him for 12 years now, they had received the news about who he was from angles of the Lord, then the shepherds, and the Magi.Day 20:…

Luke 2:41 (NLT), Luke 2:42 (NLT), Luke 2:43 (NLT), Luke 2:44 (NLT), Luke 2:45 (NLT), Luke 2:46 (NLT), Luke 2:47 (NLT), Luke 2:48 (NLT), Luke 2:49 (NLT), Luke 2:50 (NLT), Luke 2:51 (NLT), Luke 2:52 (NLT)

Day 19: The Pieces Are Falling Into Place

The pieces of the prophecy puzzle are falling in place. Centuries of bits of information about the Messiah were being played out and Matthew points this out in his account of Jesus.Day 19: The Pieces…

Matthew 2:19 (NLT), Matthew 2:20 (NLT), Matthew 2:21 (NLT), Matthew 2:22 (NLT), Matthew 2:23 (NLT)

Day 18: You, God, are Beyond Time

The prophet Hosea quoting God said: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son" (Hosea 11:1)Day 18: You, God, are Beyond Time (http://www.mybibledevotional.com/2010/12/day-18-you-god-are-beyond-time.html)…

Matthew 2:13 (NLT), Matthew 2:14 (NLT), Matthew 2:15 (NLT), Matthew 2:16 (NLT), Matthew 2:17 (NLT), Matthew 2:18 (NLT)

Day 17: Worship in the Presence of Jesus

Much of my worship of Jesus comes from my knowledge of his life here on earth. Much of it comes from what I know Jesus did. How He acted. What He said. His love. His sacrifice at the cross to take away…

Matthew 2:7 (NLT), Matthew 2:8 (NLT), Matthew 2:9 (NLT), Matthew 2:10 (NLT), Matthew 2:11 (NLT), Matthew 2:12 (NLT)

Day 16: Disturbed at the News of the Birth of Jesus

I see easily why Herod was disturbed and troubled at the news of the birth of a new King. I could see how a king who brutally ruled over the Jews would feel threatened by a new King. But it also says…

Matthew 2:1 (ESV)

Day 15: Jesus Makes You Think

As Simeon held the child Jesus and spoke to his parents he predicts both the turmoil and joy Jesus will bring to Israel. I suspect he thought he was speaking only of his immediate time but as we now know…

Luke 2:33 (TNIV), Luke 2:34 (TNIV), Luke 2:35 (TNIV)

Day 14: Blessed in Absorbing and Processing the Truth

How incredible, exciting, and reaffirming this time at the Temple in Jerusalem must of been for Joesph and Mary. They watched as Simeon held their first born son and praised God reaffirming what they…

Luke 2:21 (NIV84), Luke 2:22 (NIV84), Luke 2:23 (NIV84), Luke 2:24 (NIV84), Luke 2:25 (NIV84), Luke 2:26 (NIV84), Luke 2:27 (NIV84), Luke 2:28 (NIV84), Luke 2:29 (NIV84), Luke 2:30 (NIV84), Luke 2:31 (NIV84), Luke 2:32 (NIV84)

Day 13: Wonderment to Belief to Salvation

I am caught this morning in the wonderment and awe of the news of the Birth of Jesus, the Messiah, the very Son of God.Day 13: Wonderment to Belief to Salvation (http://www.mybibledevotional.com/2010/12/day-13-wonderment-to-belief-to.html)…

Luke 2:15 (ESV), Luke 2:16 (ESV), Luke 2:17 (ESV), Luke 2:18 (ESV), Luke 2:19 (ESV), Luke 2:20 (ESV)

Day 12: Awesome and Very Personal Announcement

From the angel's announcement to the shepherds in a field and to those in the town of Bethlehem (as we will see in the next passage) the Good News would spread. This is the very beginning point of the…

Luke 2:8 (ESV), Luke 2:9 (ESV), Luke 2:10 (ESV), Luke 2:11 (ESV), Luke 2:12 (ESV), Luke 2:13 (ESV), Luke 2:14 (ESV)

Day 11: Boldness from Trusting

They are engaged to be married. She is pregnant, and as the NLT puts it "obviously pregnant." They are traveling to Joseph's hometown to follow the law and register for the census.Day 11: Boldness from…

Luke 2:1 (ESV), Luke 2:2 (ESV), Luke 2:3 (ESV), Luke 2:4 (ESV), Luke 2:5 (ESV), Luke 2:6 (ESV), Luke 2:7 (ESV)

Day 10: The Holy Spirit, Unspeakable Joy, and Worship

There was a new life growing in the womb of Elizabeth. And there was a new life growing in the womb of Mary. A new life that would bring "new life" to the world through salvation.Day 10: The Holy Spirit,…

Luke 1:39 (ESV), Luke 1:40 (ESV), Luke 1:41 (ESV), Luke 1:42 (ESV), Luke 1:43 (ESV), Luke 1:44 (ESV), Luke 1:45 (ESV)

Day 9: Accepted & Approved By God

This announcement made to Mary was the beginning of a new era. The era of FAVOR. A time period marked by the mercy and grace of God. This new era would begin with a pregnant unwed teenager in Galilee.…

Luke 1:26 (NIV84), Luke 1:27 (NIV84), Luke 1:28 (NIV84), Luke 1:29 (NIV84), Luke 1:30 (NIV84), Luke 1:31 (NIV84), Luke 1:32 (NIV84), Luke 1:33 (NIV84), Luke 1:34 (NIV84), Luke 1:35 (NIV84), Luke 1:36 (NIV84), Luke 1:37 (NIV84), Luke 1:38 (NIV84)

Day 7: YES! YES GOD! YES!

I would love to honestly say I would react to this situation with excited joy and a big loud YES! YES GOD! Even better, I would love to react simply as Joseph did with obedience in action.Day 7: YES!…

Matthew 1:18 (NKJV), Matthew 1:19 (NKJV), Matthew 1:20 (NKJV), Matthew 1:21 (NKJV), Matthew 1:22 (NKJV), Matthew 1:23 (NKJV), Matthew 1:24 (NKJV), Matthew 1:25 (NKJV)

Day 8: Fathers, Turn Your Heart to Your Kids

"Turn the hearts of the fathers to the children". These words are resonating with my soul this morning. It does not say "turn the hearts of the children to their fathers." Wow!Day 8: Fathers, Turn Your…

Luke 1:11 (NKJV), Luke 1:12 (NKJV), Luke 1:13 (NKJV), Luke 1:14 (NKJV), Luke 1:15 (NKJV), Luke 1:16 (NKJV), Luke 1:17 (NKJV)

Day 6: Am I Really Living as a Free Man?

As I am preparing for the celebration of Christmas and thinking about this passage in Galatians I am reminded of the true freedom I have as a follower of Christ. Freedom in Christ. Freedom paid by Christ.…

Galatians 4:4 (ESV), Galatians 4:5 (ESV), Galatians 4:6 (ESV), Galatians 4:7 (ESV)

Day 5: How to Make an Impression

I so often rely on formalities and external 'things' to give myself beauty, stature, importance, and power before others -to make an impression. I desire to put this behind me. Day 5: How to Make an…

Zechariah 9:9 (NIV), Zechariah 9:10 (NIV), Zechariah 9:11 (NIV), Zechariah 9:12 (NIV), Zechariah 9:13 (NIV)

Day 3: Yet We Considered Him Stricken by God

I have always been caught by these words in verse 4 "yet we considered him stricken by God." I think Isaiah is giving us a preview of what people will think about the Messiah while he lived on this earth.…

Isaiah 53:1 (NIV), Isaiah 53:2 (NIV), Isaiah 53:3 (NIV), Isaiah 53:4 (NIV), Isaiah 53:5 (NIV), Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)