Devotionables

How a story begins is almost as important as how the story ends. The Bible starts before the beginning, with God. It introduces us to the hero and main character of Scripture. Who is God? God is the Creator and Ruler of EVERYTHING. Devotionables #417 - Let's Get Started! Genesis 1:1-5 F260 Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

Jesus has just fed thousands with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. The next day, he delivers a long sermon called the Bread of Life discourse. After discussing with the crowd, many of his followers leave after his "hard sayings." When asking the remaining disciples if they would also like to leave, Peter answers, "To whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life." Devotiona...

Jesus calls his disciples to abide in him, knowing that he is our source of life and growth. Through him, we bear abiding fruit, but apart from him, we can do nothing. Thankfully he tells us how we can abide in him. Devotionables: #415: Abide in Christ John 15:1-7 naobc.org/discipleship Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

Christmas is not something about which only the gospel authors wrote. The Apostle Paul talks about the incarnation of Jesus, too! It was all according to God's plan and was at the right time. Devotionables: #414: Just in Time! Galatians 4, Philippians 2 Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

We often see Jesus confronting and correcting the expectations of his followers and opponents regarding the Messiah in the gospels. Jesus is so much better than our wildest dreams. He's the Christ we need. He is the one who will set us free from sin. Devotionables: #413: This is the Christ Matthew 1:21, Gen 3:15 Christmas Songs Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisvi...

Mary's "Magnificat" is one of four songs in Luke's infancy narrative. It's a God-exalting, Scripture-saturated prose of the overflow of the mother of Jesus's heart. Recently, Sovereign Grace Music released a modern hymn based on Mary's song, "He Who is Mighty." Matthew Walden uses this new hymn and Luke 1 to direct our attention to Jesus this Christmas. Devotionables: #412: He is Mighty Luke 1 Chr...

Do you find yourself so busy at Christmas that it seems it comes and goes, and you never quite contemplated its Christian meaning? Timothy Babatunde helps us consider how we might prepare for Christmas using the traditional hymn The First Noel and Luke 2 so that we might worship with joyful hearts, longing for the second coming of Jesus. Devotionables #411: How Can We Prepare for Christmas? Luke 2...

Jesus, true man, yet very God comes to dispel the darkness. He is the promised one of Jesse. He comes to set us free from Satan, sin, and death. Devotionables #409: Truly God, Truly Man Romans 15:12, John 1:5 Christmas Songs Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

"Pleased as man with men to dwell." This verse from "Hark, the Hareld Angels Sing" demonstrates great wordplay for a glorious truth. God has become a man. Jesus has taken on flesh to dwell with people. Great news of great joy for all people! Roger Seekell talks to us about what this means for us. Devotionables #408: Veiled in Flesh John 1:14, Hebrews 2:17 Christmas Songs Devotionables is a ministr...

"Silent Night" is a beautiful Christmas hymn. It reminds us of our Lord's humble entrance into the world he created. It reminds us that our Savior's coming fulfilled Old Testament promises to come to us and to come for us, and his coming brings peace to his people. Devotionables #407: Silent Night Isaiah 9, Luke 2:11, Matthew 11:28-30 Christmas Songs Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Ba...

The hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," reminds us of God's promises to free his people from Satan, sin, and death through the victory of King Jesus–the promised rod of Jesse. The LORD brings magnificent victory to his people in the most unbelievable ways. Through humility and seeming defeat, the Lord Jesus takes on flesh, lives a perfect life, and is hung on a criminal's cross. It looks like Satan...

The Word became flesh. Stunning. We must sit back and contemplate these words and the truth they are communicating. It's easy to be so familiar with Christmas that we miss its significance. We need hymns like "O Come All Ye Faithful" and devotionals from guys like Derek Riley to call us back to this contemplation that leads to worship. O come, all you faithful! Devotionables #405: Come All Ye Fait...

It's important to sing songs that are theologically and doctrinally sound. "Away in A Manger" is a sweet Christmas song, but what line of the hymn needs a bit of correction? Daustin Kratzer reminds us that babies cry, and Jesus cried as a baby because he was fully human. That's vital to our theology and our salvation. Devotionables #404: Go Away in A Manger Mark 4, Luke 24, John 11, John 19 Christ...

There is a magnificent line in the hymn, "Joy to the World." Jonah Chitty discusses the line and points us to the Scriptures as we consider how Christmas through Jesus brings us joy. Devotionables #403: Far As the Curse is Found Romans 3 Christmas Songs Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

We are now in the advent season, so we are looking at different Christmas songs and Scriptures to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Christmas reminds us that God intervenes and is active in his world throughout history, and Henry Longfellow penned a verse about this truth in his hymn, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Where is God? He is on his throne, where he rules over all things. Devotiona...

We know that we are commanded to evangelize. Some of us are natural evangelists, and others of us don't know where to begin. When we try to witness, it can be clunky and awkward. Three circles is a tool that is very useful when we have opportunities to share the gospel. Daustin Kratzer walks us through how to use it effectively. Devotionables #401: 3 Circles Devotionables is a ministry of The Nint...

Thanksgiving should be characteristic of God's people. We have much for which to be thankful. At the top of the list is God himself. Devotionables #400: Psalm 118 Give Thanks Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

What is marriage? Who defines it? God has given it as an order of creation to mankind. It is a gift! He defines it, not Caesar. Devotionables #399: Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:3-6, Eph 5:32 From the Beginning Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

God receives worship from all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This statement was affirmed by 56% of American Evangelicals in a recent survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research. It doesn't matter how many agree with this statement; it doesn't make it true. The Bible is clear that there is one way to God and that God defines how he will be worshipped and ser...

Old heresies die hard. The ancient Arianism heresy claim that God created Jesus is still circulating today. An eye-popping 73% of American Evangelicals polled in a recent State of Theology survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research agreed with the statement, "Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God." Thankfully we don't go to the court of public opinion for our theol...

An alarming number of American Evangelicals, 43%, affirmed, "Jesus was a great teacher, but he was NOT God." The state of our theology is sad and scary. The Biblical authors of the New Testament believed and affirmed in their writings the deity of Jesus. The early church codified this belief, and many died for their faith—the historic teaching of the church and our only who is that Jesus Christ is...

There needs to be some clarification regarding the person and work of the Holy Spirit. In a recent survey, 60% of American Evangelicals agreed with the statement, "The Holy Spirit is a force, but is not a personal being." We go to the Scriptures to quickly correct this erroneous thinking. The Holy Spirit is not a mere force but the co-eternal, co-equal third person of the Godhead. Devotionables #3...

57% of American Evangelicals agree with the statement, "Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature." It's easy to see why most people would affirm this statement. But what does the Bible teach? The Bible paints a different picture of human beings. Devotionables #394: Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5 Sinners by Birth and Sinners by Choice Theology 101 https://thestateoftheology.com/ https://...

https://naobc.org/events/devotionables/ https://thestateoftheology.com/ https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/september-web-only/state-of-theology-evangelical-heresy-report-ligonier-survey.html Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

Our study of Ruth concludes with today's Devotionable, and we must ask ourselves, "Why is Ruth even in our Bibles?" David Christensen helps us answer this question and admonishes us to take refuge in the Lord just as Ruth has taken refuge in the wings of the Lord. The book of Ruth reminds us that God is faithful and is always at work in his loving providence. Devotionables #392: Ruth 4:18-22 Take...