Southwest Georgia Theological Seminary

Southwest Georgia Theological Seminary Southwest Georgia Theological Seminary (SGTS) is a non-profit, non-denominational institution.

The mission of SGTS is to educate Christians, enabling them to be "Equipped to Serve."

01/01/2025

Our January Devotion. We pray it is a blessing.

THE GIFT OF PITY
“The Lord is very pitiful” – James 5:11

UNWANTED PITY

It is probably more of a male sentiment than a female one, but we’ve all heard expressed from someone facing challenges, “Don’t feel sorry for me. I don’t want your pity.” Implicit in this request is a feeling of being looked down upon: poor little thing. He just can’t take care of things because of some weakness of character or other failure. To those who take it in that way, it is certainly unwanted.

PITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

A New Testament reader will not come across the word pity often. Just the once in Matthew 18:33 when Jesus talks about the man who was forgiven a debt he owed and then refused to forgive someone who owed him. He was guilty of a lack of pity. That didn’t work out well for him. The word pitiful appears twice in the New Testament. In I Peter 3:8, the apostle, among other admonitions, urges believers to be pitiful to one another. He is instructing us to have compassion for, and be sympathetic to others needs and situations.

GOD’S PITY

The other appearance of the word pitiful in the New Testament showcases an Old Testament hero. His name is Job. His story is familiar to most. In mentioning him, James the epistle writer, highlights a couple of points to consider.
• Endurance – Job was rewarded eventually with happiness because he endured – James 5:11
• Patience – His endurance resulted from his patience – James 5:11
His endurance and patience allowed him to see, “the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:11).

PITY AND MERCY

The connection made between pity and mercy in James 5:11 is not something to quickly pass over. Because even though the word pity only appears once in the New Testament, the word translated pity in that singular verse is eleeo, which appears over thirty times in the New Testament and is almost always translated mercy. One such instance is in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

GOD’S WONDERFUL PITY

I came to write these words because as I was thanking God this morning for many things, I heard myself thanking Him for the pity He has had toward me. His pity is a manifestation of His mercy and I have no hesitation to declare my need and desire for His mercy. You should thank God for His wonderful pity directed toward you. And then remember the other reference and extend pity to those around you who need it. It’s what the Lord would have you do.

12/01/2024

Our December Devotion. We pray it is a blessing
GRACE AS CONQUEROR
“So might Grace reign” – Romans 5:21

IN SONG

This morning, I was performing some small tasks around the house, mixing the wok with prayer, when I found myself singing the classic hymn 'Amazing Grace'. I suspect everyone reading this offering knows it well. While not technically a theological discourse, it renders many spiritual truths that speak to a believer's head and heart. As the song's title suggests, the lyrics are indeed an amazing proclamation of what Grace brings to those who receive it.
In the first stanza alone, these truths include:

• Grace is the power God employs to bring Salvation to sinners – 'that saved a wretch like me.'
• Grace is how God unites sinners with Himself – 'I once was lost but now am found.'
• Grace cures the Spiritual blindness that separates men from God– “Twas blind but now I see.'
The third stanza’s theme focuses on:
• Grace successfully guides the believer through numerous challenges – 'through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come, Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far.'
• Grace guiding the believer safely to our eternal home – 'and Grace will lead me home.'
The last stanza is a magnificent celebration of the end that awaits God’s people.
• Eternal glory – ‘When we’ve been there ten thousand years’
• Eternal state – ' Bright shining as the sun.'
• Eternal presence of God – 'We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first begun.''
Let those words lift you today.

THE SECOND STANZA

No, I didn't forget about the second stanza. It passionately celebrates how extraordinary God's Grace is the moment we receive it, or as John Newton exclaimed when he penned these words in 1772, 'how precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.' Not only did I not forget this stanza, but I also want to end on its first two lines: ‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved.' Is there any greater work the Holy Spirit performs than using Grace to cause us to see our need for the Grace that brings Salvation through the proper fear of God and then employing Grace to relieve our reasonable fear of His judgment? And if the Grace of God can relieve the ultimate fear of judgment for sin, that same Grace can relieve you of whatever you fear today. It has already accomplished the most complex task possible. Let God's Grace relieve all your fears today in Jesus' name.

05/04/2024

Our May Devotion. We pray it is a blessing.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MOSES (PART THREE)

“I will send thee unto Pharaoh” – Exodus 3:10

MOSES’ EXILE IN MIDIAN

After fleeing for his life from Egypt, Moses lived as a sheepherder for forty years in Midian (Exodus 2:15, Acts 7:30). Content in his life there, he married and fathered two sons (Exodus 2:21-22; 18:4). Apparently he had buried that thought he once had that, “his brethren would have understood how that God by His hand would deliver them”, deep in the back of his mind (Acts 7:25).

IN EGYPT

While Moses was in Midian, the Egyptian king who sought his life eventually went the way of all flesh and died (Exodus 2:23). But the arduous, punishing circumstances the descendants of Abraham endured lived on and continued unabated (Exodus 2:23). In desperations and despair the Hebrew slaves cried out to God (Exodus 2:23). God heard them and, “remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Exodus 2:24).

THAT DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN

Forty years would go by with Moses living a shepherd’s life (Acts 7:30). No doubt, his days took on familiar patterns, and many were almost identical to others. But then came that day that would cause Moses’ long-ago past to flood to the forefront of his memory. He led his flock to Mt. Horeb (Exodus 3:1). While it is safe to assume this was familiar ground to Moses, this day would be no ordinary day. On this day, “The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed” (Exodus 3:2). Moses turned aside to investigate this extraordinary event (Exodus 3:3). When he did this, God called to him out of the bush using his name (Exodus 3:4). Moses said, “Here am I” (Exodus 3:4). God commanded he take off his shoes on this holy ground and told him He was, “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). Out of fear Moses hid his face” (Exodus 3:6).

WHAT GOD AND MOSES SAID ON THIS SPECIAL DAY

God told Moses he had come to send deliverance through him to his oppressed people in Egypt (Exodus 3:9-10). Moses resisted this assignment and gave his reasons. God gave his responses. In them, God gave Moses information about his upcoming journey that undoubtedly encouraged him in the coming days. Most importantly, however, He promised He would be with Moses. Moses said yes to his God-ordained mission. And as they say, the rest is history.

YOUR SPECIAL DAY

Many reading this can relate to being God-called to a divine assignment. You will remember your doubts, questions and ultimately God’s answers. You will also remember His promise to be with you. And He has done just that. And He will continue to keep that promise. The promise He gave to you and the special day that changed your life, and all those He sent you to.

03/01/2024

Our March Devotion: We pray it is a blessing.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MOSES (PART ONE)

“A goodly child” – Exodus 2:2

AFTER JOSEPH

Joseph left his descendants in good standing. They lived in the best part of Egypt, a growing and prosperous people (Exodus 1:6-7). However, things changed when a new king, who did not know what Joseph had done for the Egyptians, came to power (Exodus 1:8). He saw the Hebrews as a potential threat, possibly joining their enemies at some point (Exodus 1:9-10).

PHARAOH’S PLAN

He convinced his people of this and began to implement a plan against the Jews. This plan included:

· Enslaving them and working them to death, using cruel taskmasters to control them – Exodus 1:11, 13-14

· Ordering the Hebrew midwives to kill all the newborn male Jewish children at birth – Exodus 1:15-16

PHARAOH’S PLAN FAILED

The Egyptian king's plan failed. It completely backfired: "The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. (Exodus 1:12). Also, the midwives "Did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive" (Exodus 1:17). The reason they did not comply was they "Feared God” (Exodus 1:17). As he did not get his desired result, he commanded all Egyptians to join his efforts and throw any newborn male Hebrew child into the river (Exodus 1:22).

GOD’S PLAN

That is what should have happened to Moses. But God had another plan for this, “Goodly child” (Exodus 2:2). Instead of the river being his place of death, it was the place where he was gifted new life. Once she could no longer hide him, his mother placed her three-month baby into a bulrush ark, laid him in the river's waters, and ultimately into God's hands (Exodus 2:3). While his sister watched, Pharaoh's daughter rescued him, and agreed with his sister that he would need a Hebrew nursemaid to nourish the child (Exodus 2:4-8). Of course, his sister ran and got his and her mom, who raised him till he was weaned, all the while being paid out of Pharaoh's treasury to do so (Exodus 2:8-9). When the time came, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter, where he was raised as her son: a son she named Moses, meaning drawn out of the water: the water that was meant to be his death chamber (Exodus 2:10). God had well-positioned him for his destiny. God's plan had prevailed. Though he was blissfully unaware of what was happening that day, this was a great day in Moses' life.

I sometimes wonder about all the times God has kept me from harm I was unaware of at the time. Perhaps you do as well. Why not take a moment to thank Him for those gifts He has given you? And while you're at it, thank Him for His plan, Child of God. His plan will prevail

04/01/2022

Our April Devotion.

A STRATEGY FOR RECEIVING

“After he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” Hebrews 6:15

ABRAHAM’S DIVINE INTERRUPTION

As far as we can currently ascertain, Abraham (Abram as he then was called) lived life with his family in Mesopotamia, approximately 1800 years before Christ came to Bethlehem. Further details about his daily life are educated speculation for the most part. But then something happened in Acts 7, Stephen tells us while Abraham lived in Mesopotamia, “The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham…And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee" (Acts 7:2-3). We don't know how big an ask this was for Abraham, but we can concretely conclude it represented significant change in his life.

PROMISED BLESSINGS

In Genesis 12, God elaborated on what these changes would entail if Abraham responded affirmatively to His request. God said:

• I will make of you a great nation – Genesis 12:2.

• I will bless you and make your name great – Genesis 12:2.

• I will bless them that bless you and curse him that curses you – Genesis 12:3.

• In you shall all earth’s families be blessed – Genesis 12:3.

It amounted to determinative provision, protection and a legacy left behind.

AN UNEVEN JOURNEY

However, if you are familiar with Abraham's life after his divine encounter, you know the road he walked was an uneven one. His journey encompassed challenges, disappointments, questions and sometimes heartache. And yet the promise God made to Abraham came to pass. His family did inherit the land and his legacy cannot be underestimated. I am confident; if we could talk to him today, he would tell us every twist and turn in his journey was worth the result.

OBTAINING THE PROMISE

But how did he do it? How did he navigate all the challenges of life and the slow grind of time passing, to keep himself and his descendants in line to receive the promise? Hebrews 6:15 provides insight into his successful strategy. "After he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Patience and endurance; are not particularly long words, but they are meaningful and instructing and ultimately, for Abraham, successful. Here's a thought: ask God to renew your patience and endurance today as you wait for a promise's fulfillment. It's a good goal as the Bible says endurance will result in salvation and in patience, you will possess your soul (Matthew 24:13, Luke 21:19).

01/01/2022

Our January Devotion:

LISTENING FOR GOD
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” Matthew 11:15

HEARING FROM GOD TODAY

God still speaks to His people. He does this through:

• His Word – Jesus command to, “Search the Scriptures... which testify of Me” remind us that they are the only source to determine truth – John 5:39.
• The indwelling Spirit of God – Which Jesus called the "Spirit of Truth” – John 14:17 and which He said, “Shall teach you all things”, – John 14:26, “Testify of me," John 15:26, and “Guide you into all truth” – John 16:13. The truth revealed by the Holy Spirit is, of course, always in perfect agreement with the written Scriptures.

HEARING GOD’S PROMISES

The Scriptures are where we hear from God about the eternity that awaits all whose sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus. Paul dangled this as yet unseen future before the Corinthian church, saying,
“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them, that love Him” – I Corinthians 2:9.
Along with Jesus' declaration that "In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2), they combine to whet the believer's appetite for eternal things.

HEARING GOD IN THE FUTURE

In anticipation of experiencing these promises fulfilled, believers listen for God to indicate the time for these coming glories unveiling has arrived. I am listening for:

• The sound of the last trump – “Shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” – I Corinthians 15:52.
• The voice of the archangel – Heard as “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first” – I Thessalonians 4:16.

And then to hear, “A great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).
LISTENING FOR ONE MORE THING

The most crucial thing all believers hope to hear at the appropriate time: “Well done…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” Matthew 25:21. And to this, I say with John, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

10/30/2021

Our November devotion. We pray it is a blessing.
HEARING FROM GOD BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT
“I heard thy voice” Genesis 3:10

IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Adam and Eve heard the voice of God in the Garden of Eden. However, because of their rebellion against His command, the account in Genesis 3:8-10 describes a tragic encounter. Instead of running toward that voice, they hid from it. This pattern proliferated among fallen humanity.

IN THE LEAD-UP TO THE OLD COVENANT

This reality did not diminish God's desire for men to hear from Him. He enjoyed a powerful connection with Enoch (Genesis 5:18-24). But it was his connection with Abram (Abraham) that was more consequential. Abram heard the voice of God expressing His desire to reconnect with mankind (Genesis 12:1-4). It was Abram’s willingness to hear and then respond to what God said to Him that allowed God to reconnect with mankind and be heard again as He craved.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament gives us example after example of Old Testament personalities who heard from God. Here are three:

• Moses heard God speaking from between the cherubim that rested on top of the mercy seat as he led Abraham’s descendants through the wilderness years – Numbers 7:8-9.
• Joshua heard God calling him to step into the leader’s shoes and do something his mentor Moses had not been allowed to do – Joshua 1:1-9.
• Samuel heard God’s voice calling him into His service – I Samuel 3. It was a time of spiritual famine and God wished to use Samuel to speak to His people.

A TWO-WAY CONVERSATION

However, it is clear that God not only spoke in these pre-New Covenant days, He also listened. The Old Testament examples of God hearing from people included Him hearing:

• Israel – As they suffered cruel bo***ge in Egypt – Exodus 2:24.
• Samuel – As the prophet interceded on behalf of Israel after they had sinned – I Samuel 1:11.
DAVID ON GOD HEARING

Over and over, in these days before Christ, David assured the people that God hears the cries of His people (Psalm 3:4; 6:9; 18:6; 28:6). In Psalm 34:4, he said, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” This: from a man who was far from perfect and lived before the cross. God desires two-way conversation with you, child of God. That is His heart’s desire.

10/03/2021

The Lord reigneth! Psalms 93, 97, & 99
What a great encouragement today for all of heaven and earth. We take our solace today from the reality that God is on his throne. He has already ascended to the throne. He is currently today in his throne and will continue to reign forever!!! Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad and let the saints rejoice!!

10/01/2021

Our October Devotion:
THE PRESS
“The press” Mark 2:4

JESUS AND THE PRESS

Jesus' ministry drew crowds. Scripture gives two critical facets of His ministry that were responsible for that outcome.

• His teaching of the Word of God – Luke 5:1.
• His healing power and the miracles He performed – Mark 2:4; 3:10-11; 5:27.

These crowds often pressed upon Jesus. At times this press:

• Limited people’s ability to get close to Him – Mark 2:4, Luke 8:19; 19:3.
• Caused people to take desperate measures to get to Him – Mark 2:4.

NOTEWORTHY EXAMPLES

The Bible shares several stories of folks who were initially hindered by the pressing crowds as they tried to reach Jesus, including:

• The folks who brought the man afflicted with the palsy to the Capernaum house where Jesus was teaching – Mark 2:1-4.
• The woman with the issue of blood – Mark 5:24-30.
• The tax-collector Zacchaeus – Luke 19:2-3.

Each one of them had to take action, sometimes extraordinary action, in their efforts to overcome the press that stood between themselves and Jesus.

• Tearing a roof off a house and lowering a paralyzed man into it – Mark 2:4.
• Dealing with the physicality of a moving animated crowd while in a severely weakened physical condition – Luke 8:43-45.
• Zacchaeus had to expose himself to people who hated him because he was in league with the Romans and collected their onerous taxes by climbing up a tree in full view of the crowd – Luke 19:1-4.

THEIR TESTIMONY

These folks had to deal with the pressing crowds around Jesus, but all of them would declare it a small effort compared to what they received: physical healing and spiritual transformation. And they would say to each of us, no matter the challenges we face today, press through to Jesus. He has what you need. It is worth the press.
Bro. Jim Maynor

09/03/2021

Our September Devotion. We pray it is a blessing.

MORE KINDNESS TO COME
“His kindness toward us” Ephesians 2:7

LOVINGKINDNESS

The word lovingkindness appears 21 times in Psalms. It was a particular favorite of the sweet psalmist David. He was conscious of God’s lovingkindness:

• It was before his eyes - Psalm 26:3
• He asked God to remind him of it every morning – Psalm 143:8

He said it:

• Saves us – Psalm 17:7
• Directs God’s mercy toward us – Psalm 51:1
• Preserves us – Psalm 40:11

God’s lovingkindness prompted David to:

• Praise the name of the Lord – Psalm 138:2
• Declare that it is better than life – Psalm 63:3
• Ask God to let it continue toward those that fear Him – Psalm 36:10

David also said it was God’s lovingkindness that crowned his life (Psalm 103:4).

MORE TO COME

David was not the only Biblical voice to trumpet God’s kindness. Paul wrote about it in Ephesians 2:7. And I suspect if we could have had a conversation about the kindness God had bestowed upon him he would have begun by talking about that day on the Damascus Road when his life was transformed from church destroyer to church builder. But in Ephesians 2:7, Paul was not only looking at the kindness God had and was continuing to bestow upon him. As a visionary contemplating his experiences with God’s kindness and all that he knew about the Almighty, Paul instinctively knew that the goodness he had been shown was only the beginning. The tip of the iceberg as the old expression goes. He looked ahead and knew there was much more to come. He said God would continue, “In the ages to come” to, “Shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). I don’t believe you and I can know at this present time all that will involve. I look forward to exploring the depths of God’s kindness in the ages to come. Praise the name of Jesus Christ.

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