Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1352 Parkway Drive, Saint Clair, MO (2026)

06/25/2026

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.” Judges 1:6, 7

As a young person, I was not familiar with the phrase, “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.” But it is commonly used in this part of the country. The meaning is simple. Things that we say or do have a tendency to return to us. If we mistreat others, we might expect to be mistreated in a similar way. Adonibezek felt that he experienced this very thing. He was the king of Bezek, his name meaning “lord of Bezek.”

In our text, the Israelites were given a great victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites and killed ten thousand of them in Bezek. When they captured Adonibezek, they “cut off his thumbs and his great toes.” He would be unable to run and unable to fight. Adonibezek acknowledged that he had treated his enemies the same way: “Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me.”

Adonibezek was a ruthless and powerful king. There is no reason to believe that he had any knowledge of the true God. He had apparently been responsible for conquering seventy rival kings. But, he was able to make the connection between the way he was treated and the way he treated others; “God hath requited me.” He felt that his sinful behavior was being punished.

Although the cliche’, “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND,” is not found in the Bible, similar principles are in the Scripture. Leviticus 24:20 says, “Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.” Offenders were to be punished with the identical injury they had inflicted. Jesus teaches us, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1-2). We should be careful to treat others the way we want to be treated. Otherwise, it may come back to us again. Sometimes, “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.”

“But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brough...

06/24/2026

FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

These words were spoken to the church in Smyrna. They were encouraged to, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.” The church would endure great suffering. Some would be imprisoned. Our Lord exhorted the members of this persecuted church with a direct charge to be “faithful unto death.” No matter what comes, be faithful. What a tremendous challenge, but also what a great promise to this body of believers.

As always, we can see that this is a message needed in our churches today. It is easier for us to be faithful when things are going well and blessings are obvious. It is another thing, indeed, to be faithful when we are tested and tried and are facing great difficulty. And yet, our wonderful Savior urges us to be faithful in all circumstances. We are to remain faithful to Jesus, faithful to our duties, and faithful to His Word even if it costs us dearly.

Thank God for the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was faithful to His Father and His mission. He was faithful all the way to the cruel cross. Nothing could keep Him from presenting Himself as the sinless sacrifice for the sins of the world. He was “faithful unto death.”

This reminds us of the faithful soldiers of Christ who have stood strong for the doctrines of the Word of God, and who have stood against error and compromise. Facing great adversity and persecution, many thousands have been “faithful unto death.” We, too, are called to be “faithful unto death.” This command includes a promise. The fact that we are required to be “faithful unto death” means it is possible. God would not expect something of us that we could not satisfy. Because He orders it, we can know that He will strengthen and enable us to fulfill it.

It is safe to assume that there are those who are convinced that the command to be “faithful unto death” is unreasonable and impossible. However, they are wrong. We can be faithful to our Lord, His Word, our responsibilities, and our church until He comes for us or death calls us home. And when that happens, He has promised us “a crown of life.” We can be assured that our faithfulness will be rewarded.

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

06/23/2026

ONLY A POT OF OIL

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” II Kings 4:2

The woman in our text had recently lost her husband. He had been a prophet serving under the ministry of Elisha. After his death, creditors came to her, demanding payment for outstanding debts. She had no money to pay them. In her distress, this widow cried out to Elisha. He asked her, “what hast thou in the house?” The only thing she had was a pot of oil. Elisha instructed her to gather all the empty vessels she could borrow and to begin to pour the oil into the vessels. She did as she was told and filled all the vessels with the miraculous provision. Elisha then told her to sell all the oil, pay her debt, and live on the remainder.

This great miracle began with the man of God encouraging the needy woman to give what she had, even if it were ONLY A POT OF OIL. Here is a great principle for us to apply. The first thing Elisha had this needy woman do was find what she had at her disposal and give it. Her words were, “Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” This was a great lesson for her and for us as well. We may not think that we have enough, but we should give what we have.

Truthfully, none of us have all that we need. Most of us live with the sense that we do not have the resources we need to accomplish what God wants us to do. Sometimes, it would seem much easier if we had more to give. If only we had more wisdom, or more money, or more personality, or more intelligence, we could serve God and men in a more capable way. There are a great many who look at their apparent lack of resources, esteeming them to be of little value, and thus feel incapable or inadequate to meet the challenges of ministry. God is not so much interested in what we do not have, but in what we do have.

Elisha wisely helped this woman remove her focus from what she lacked to that which she possessed. She would take what she had and invest it. When she did so, God began to work mightily. What do we have to give to God? It may not seem to be all that much, but if we will give it to God, He will take it and use it. Like the lad with the fishes and loaves, when we give our lunch to Jesus, He can bless it and multiply it, even if it is ONLY A POT OF OIL.

“And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” II Kings 4:2

06/22/2026

WE ARE ONLY MEN

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:” Acts 14:14, 15

Paul and Barnabas were preaching and ministering in Lystra when the Lord healed a man who had been crippled all of his life. Seeing what had been done, the people cried out, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men” (Acts 14:11). Barnabas, they called Jupiter, and Paul, they called Mercurius. Our text gives us the response of God’s servants to such improper behavior. They cried out saying, “Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you.”

Why is it that men have a tendency to want to deify mortal men? Thank God for faithful servants of the Lord, but they are not to be worshipped. Of course, the citizens of Lystra were an idolatrous and superstitious people. Our Scripture records that Paul had preached to them that they “should turn from these vanities unto the living God.” Paul had been trying to teach them to turn from their idols, but they wanted to call him a god when they saw the miracle performed in the crippled man.

We should respect and honor godly, spiritual leaders, but we need to always remember that they are only men. Many Christians have stumbled seriously in their spiritual walk because they saw some pastor or leader make a mistake. We want our leaders to be sincere and godly, but perfect they will not be, because they are only men. We pray for them to give us good advice and counsel, but their advice is not infallible because they are only men.

There is another important thing to notice in the great account of this healing and the response to it. Paul and Barnabas quickly and decisively refused to allow the people to think of them more highly than they should. There is something very wrong with men who will receive the worship of those who follow them. Again, it is proper for people to respect and honor their spiritual leaders, and to go to them for advice, but to allow them to give men the praise that is due to God is wrong. As leaders, our goal is not for people to rely completely on us, but to learn to rely upon the Lord.

“Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made ...

06/21/2026

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE THAT WAIT

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

This verse has been a source of great comfort and strength to many of us. Isaiah speaks to the heart of those who have become weary in their walk. He begins the context a few verses earlier with the words, “the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary” (Isaiah 40:28). God has never been weak and faint, nor has He ever known exhaustion. The prophet continues, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29). God, who is never weary, can give strength to the weak. Isaiah 40:30 says, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary.” There is no such thing as a person who is strong enough in his or her own ability, or in such good condition that he can avoid weariness and fatigue. All of us need God’s help and power, and God wants to give us strength when we are weak.

How is it that we can draw upon God’s endless strength? “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.” God promises to strengthen us as we wait upon Him. When we come to God in our weakness and wait upon Him in prayer, He exchanges His strength for our weariness. How often we are reminded of this simple truth: God wants us to depend upon Him. It is so important to learn this vital principle. Our Lord wants us to look to Him first as the Source of our strength, our wisdom, our power, our compassion, etc.

Because we are weak and weary does not mean we are useless. It only means that we need Him to strengthen us. One can only wonder how many people have given up on some Christian venture because they saw themselves as being too weak to continue. Or, how many have been discouraged to the point of quitting because they felt too powerless or faint to complete some project. The answer is not in quitting, but rather in waiting on the Lord.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE THAT WAIT. God promises to reward the person who waits upon Him. He enables us with the ability to “mount up with wings as eagles…run, and not be weary; . . . walk, and not faint.” When you feel too faint to continue, don’t quit! Take some time to “wait upon the LORD.”

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

06/20/2026

SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” Luke 8:35

The man we find “sitting at the feet of Jesus” was one of the most demonically controlled cases of the New Testament. According to the Word of God, he wore no clothes, lived in the tombs, and could not be bound with chains and fetters. Many devils possessed him. Jesus brought freedom to the enslaved man, driving the devils from him. When the people of the city came to see what was done to the man, they found him “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind.” What a difference Jesus makes!

There are several important lessons that can be drawn from our text. We see, first of all, the transformation that occurs at conversion. Everyone’s testimony of salvation will not be identical, and obviously, few will be as dramatic and noticeable as this one. However, regardless of the age or background of the new convert, he will be made a new creature in Christ. This uncontrollable man was sitting peaceably at Jesus’ feet. An immoral man who could not be kept clothed was properly attired. One who was tormented and demented in his thinking was now “in his right mind.” Salvation changes a person. It changes his values, his conduct, and his thinking. People who are saved act differently because they think differently.

This man not only demonstrates the fruit of conversion; he also illustrates the position of discipleship. When a person is saved, he will want to be near Jesus and he will desire to learn of Him. When a person who claims salvation has no interest in spiritual things, his testimony is suspect. We see no evidence in the text that this man was taught the importance of being near Jesus or learning from Him. Rather, it was the natural response of a gratefully redeemed man. As the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, our lives will be spent sitting at His feet.

Finally, this man models for us the place of security and stability. A Christian is strongest and safest when he stays close to the Lord and continues to grow in His grace. When a child of God does not take the time to love and worship the Lord, and learn the doctrines of His grace, he will be more vulnerable to Satan’s snares.

“Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” Luke 8:35

06/19/2026

YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

It is true. There will always be consequences for sin. One cannot sin and get away with it. Our sin does not always find us out immediately; judgment may be delayed. Some sins will not be found out until the final judgment, but they will be revealed. Most of us can remember times in our youth when we committed some offense, and when retribution did not come right away, we assumed that we had escaped without paying for our sin. However, our text tells us differently.

The devil wants us to believe that sin carries no severe penalties, but he is a liar. He used this tactic with Eve in the garden of Eden. God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and warned him, “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Later, Satan tempted Eve with these words, “Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). The Bible gives us many examples of those whose sin was found out. Some tried to hide or cover their sin, but it was found out.

The only way that we can avoid the penalty for our sin is to have our sins forgiven. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation, God forgives our sin because of the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus suffered and bled and died on the cross as the sacrificial Lamb of God, that our sins could be forgiven. When we sin as Christians, we must confess and forsake our sins, or we will be chastened. If we will judge ourselves, we will not have to be judged by the Lord.

It is quite interesting to consider the particular type of sin that Moses is speaking of in our text. Moses was warning the tribes of Gad and Reuben about their responsibility to go over the Jordan River and fight with their brethren, driving out the enemies of Canaan before they settled on the east side of Jordan. He said, “if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” In essence, it was the sin of neglect that God would surely judge. If they did not carry out their duty to God, they would suffer the consequences. Most people do not really believe that sins of omission or neglect will be chastened. We need to understand that it is just as sinful to disregard what we should be doing as it is wicked to do things we shouldn’t.

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

06/18/2026

QUIT YOU LIKE MEN

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13

Paul’s admonition to the members of the Corinthian church is very much needed today. The phrase, “quit you like men,” means to act like men or to be manly. What a great need there is in our generation for godly men! Although there are those who might consider this phrase to be discriminatory or chauvinistic in our society, their sentiment only reinforces the need we are discussing. Obviously, this does not exclude the importance of holy women and does not negate their great contribution to the service of our Savior. However, the role and the responsibilities of men and women differ according to the unchanging Word of God. That being said, the apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God calls for men to be men and to act like men.

The very phrase, “quit you like men,” clearly teaches that men and women do not act the same way. This is a message that will seldom be heard in our culture. As a matter of fact, the very opposite is being heralded. The feminization of males is a part of the present day’s agenda. Women are urged to demand their equal place in the workforce and occupy roles that have traditionally been held primarily by men. Increasingly, women are looking more manly and acting more manly. At the same time, men are discouraged from assuming a masculine identity. Men are praised who stay home and keep the house while the wife pursues a career, while women are belittled for being committed to being keepers at home. The clothing and jewelry of males is becoming more feminine.

There is a culture war raging in our society. The lines that reflect the distinctiveness of the genders are being blurred. More and more women are occupying the pulpits and preaching to men, which is strictly forbidden in the Bible. The media wants to portray men in the ministry as being soft and effeminate. The Word of God includes the “effeminate” with the fornicators, idolaters, drunkards, and others who will not “inherit the kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 6:10).

We need men who will act like men. We are in a spiritual war. We are to be alert; “Watch ye.” We are to be determined, trustworthy, and resolute; “stand fast in the faith.” We are to be spiritually “strong.” This does not imply or excuse rudeness, harshness, or arrogance; but it is a cry for strength and leadership from our men.

Paul’s admonition to the members of the Corinthian church is very much needed today. The phrase, “quit you like men,” means to act like men or to be manly. What a great need there is in our generation for godly men! Although there are those who might consider this phrase to be discriminatory o...

06/17/2026

THE PRICE OF DISOBEDIENCE

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:” Deuteronomy 28:65, 66

The chapter from which this passage is taken is devoted to the subject of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. God clearly teaches His people the benefits of obeying His commands. There are plentiful blessings for the obedient child of God. It is a rewarding life to honor the Lord and His Word. We also find the consequences of disobeying His Word. The results of ignoring or rejecting His commands are severe and sure.

It is not possible for God’s people to reject His Word and rebel against His commands without there being severe repercussions. God will not ignore rebellion. He will judge it every time. To paraphrase and summarize our text, God said that His disobedient people would be restless, depressed, anxious, fearful, and insecure. That does not sound like a state of mind and soul that any of us would want to be in, yet it certainly describes the emotional struggles often experienced by some who claim to be God’s children.

We do not believe that Christians will be exempt from problems and adversity. The Bible teaches us differently. Sometimes the godliest people suffer the greatest. However, God’s Word promises us things like peace, rest, comfort, joy, and assurance in the midst of our difficulties. When we are without rest and peace, when our hearts are fearful and worried, we should ask ourselves if these things might be the consequences of areas that are not surrendered to Christ. Perhaps we are not really depending on the Lord as we should.

God wants us to obey Him because it is best for us. When we choose to disobey, we will pay a price for that disobedience. Chastening is painful, but it is necessary. It is evidence of God’s love. As far as our relationship to God is concerned, that correction may come in different forms. One of the ways that God reproves us is by removing the peace and assurance that should accompany the child of God. We wonder how many professing Christians are paying a price for their disobedience and don’t recognize it. The unrest in our hearts should let us know that something is amiss.

“And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assura...

06/16/2026

HOLINESS BECOMETH THINE HOUSE

Today's Devotion from Pastor Thomas Smith

“Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.” Psalm 93:5

When we think of the house of God, several images may come to mind. Of course, we think of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple where God met with His people and they worshipped Him. We know that Heaven is God’s house; and of course, the New Testament churches are “the house of God” (I Timothy 3:15). Our text would apply to each of these places God has chosen to manifest His Word and His presence, “holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.”

Holiness should always be associated with God’s house. God is holy. His nature is holy, as are His works and His Word. Therefore, holiness becomes His house. The church should be holy. The members of the church should be sanctified unto the Lord. The leaders should be holy, the worship services should be holy, the music should be holy, the ordinances should be holy, and the prayers should be holy.

It is not new that attempts would be made to profane God’s house. Nadab and Abihu “offered strange fire before the LORD” (Leviticus 10:1). Lucifer was expelled from Heaven because of his unholy pride and rebellion. Uzza was killed because of the unholy manner in which the ark was being transported. Ananias and Sapphira were killed because of their hypocritical worship. In Ezekiel’s day, the priests “profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane” (Ezekiel 22:26).

We are witnessing much more of the same in our day. There is a departure from the standard of holiness when it comes to the house of God. Worldly music has been invading the places of worship. Indecent and unholy attire is commonplace in the houses of God. If Uzza was killed for perverting the means of transporting the ark, why should pastors and churches think they have license to alter God’s Word and worship to suit their own lusts?

There should be one place, the church, where holiness is the standard. God’s house should be holy. The atmosphere and activities should not be worldly or profane. Our text begins with the words, “Thy testimonies are very sure.” God’s Word never changes. It is His unchanging and holy Word that helps to maintain the standards of holiness in our lives and in our churches.

When we think of the house of God, several images may come to mind. Of course, we think of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple where God met with His people and they worshipped Him. We know that Heaven is God’s house; and of course, the New Testament churches are “the house of God” (I Timo...

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