Category Archives: Bible Gleanings

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

O, Christmas Tree | Bible Gleanings – December 9-10, 2023

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Christmas is the most decorative holiday of the year. Wreaths gently garnish the front door. Candles glisten in the foggy windows. Poinsettias and holly bedeck the dining room table. Garland adorns the stair rail. And the sleepy Christmas village sits on a blanket of artificial snow in the foyer.

However, the most essential and emblematic decoration is the evergreen that stands tall and proud in the living room: the Christmas tree. This lively pine graced with ornaments and lights is the centerpiece of decorating for Christmas. It is most often the first decoration erected during Christmastime, and most families put it up the day after Thanksgiving. Even Charlie Brown put up a tree for Christmas, although it was virtually a twig.

The Christmas tree is rich with history and theological significance, too. Thousands of years ago, evergreens like Christmas trees stood inside and outside homes during the winter, as people anticipated the return of greenery in spring. Pagans also erected evergreen trees believing that they would heal their sun god who fell ill during winter. Around the 16th century, Christians adopted the tradition as a Christmas emblem, likely symbolizing the gift of everlasting life Jesus brought by His advent. Evergreens, whose leaves remain green all year, came to represent the forever-lasting gift of eternal life that Jesus graciously gives to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. 

Eternal life has no expiration date. It is life that goes on without end, independent of time. It is the possession of fullness, satisfaction, contentment, and joy that begins in this life and continues in the next. And, according to Jesus’ own words, it comes as a gift to those who believe in Him for their salvation: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). Interestingly, if you possess everlasting life, you will one day be ushered to a heavenly land where the “tree of life” is in eternal bloom (Revelation 22:2). As you hang ornaments on your Christmas tree this year, remember the Christ who hung on a tree to grant you the right to “eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7b).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

Bible Gleanings, christmas, devotions

Filled With Wonder | Bible Gleanings – December 2-3, 2023

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The shepherds went speedily to look for Jesus after witnessing the heavenly hoopla (Luke 2:15).  When they found the Christ-child, they declared what they saw to Mary, Joseph, and every bystander. And the audience who heard them were in amazement and awe: “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:17-18). The news of Jesus’ birth produced wonder in the hearts of all who heard it.

Wonder is that wow-feeling of admiration and bewilderment that makes your heart quiver. It spawns in your soul when you behold something spectacular. It is the overwhelming sense that sweeps over you when you see the vast mountains of the Rockies or the millions of stars in our cosmos. And it is what you ought to feel when considering the remarkable event of Christ’s birth.

The point of such wonder is worship. Wonder is meant to spur you to look beyond yourself to the greatness of God, so you can say, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3). Sadly, not all who wonder will worship. Those who do not know God still marvel and the intricacy and order of the universe, but they do not give thanks to the God who created it (Romans 1:21).  

Instead of wondering how you will survive this holiday season, take time to ponder the marvelous mystery of the Savior’s birth and the praiseworthy good news that God came down to man so that man could come to God. As John Jacob Phillips wrote many years ago:

“I wonder as I wander out under the sky,

How Jesus the Savior did come for to die,

For poor ornery people like you and like I;

I wonder as I wander out under the sky.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more advent devotions, pick up a copy of Let Earth Receive Her King! available now on Amazon:

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Conformity to Christ | Bible Gleanings – November 18-19, 2023

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It is an enormous celebration, but many people have never heard about it. “Hemingway Days,” as it is known, is a week-long celebration in Key West, Florida, in which writers, fisherman, and fans of the famous Ernest Hemingway gather to honor his legacy. And one of the highlights of the festival is the Hemingway lookalike contest, in which dozens of older men with frosted beards compete against one another for the prize of resembling the great American writer. The contest is held at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, and it is so momentous that it occupies three whole days of the festival! And according to the Associated Press, a winner is chosen on the anniversary of Hemingway’s birthday, which is July 21st.

It must be a great honor to look like the renowned Hemingway, but it is a far greater honor to look like the Author of Salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ. And while it is not a contest between believers to see who looks the most like Jesus, looking like Christ is every believer’s ultimate conquest. God’s plan for His people is that they be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29b). Moreover, the Holy Spirit is always shaping and molding all true believers, with the goal of helping them resemble Jesus. As Paul said, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). 

It is through this transformation process that believers may be fully assured that they have been saved by God’s grace. Everyone who truly knows Christ will look like Him: “But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:5-6). Such Christlikeness primarily entails following the example of Jesus in our thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions (John 13:15). Simultaneously, looking like Christ also means looking less like our old selves and less like the world around us. That is why Paul commanded, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2a). 

And the process of becoming like Christ will be completed one glorious day (Phil. 1:6). But it won’t happen in this life; it will happen on the Last Day when Christ comes again. As John assured, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Until then, all believers must resolve to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus until all the world bows before His feet (Phil. 2:9-11).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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The Best of Both Worlds | Bible Gleanings – November 11-12, 2023

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Odysseus wanted the best of both worlds, and he paid dearly for it. His tale is told in The Odyssey, the world-famous poetic book written by Homer in the eighth century. The narrative centers on his ten-year journey back to the kingdom of Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War, and every reader of The Odyssey knows that his return-voyage was not easy. One hazardous threat he faced on his return trip were the Sirens, two ghastly monsters disguised as beautiful women who enchanted travelers with their lovely melodies in an attempt to lure and devour them. Odysseus and his crew were thus instructed to deafen their ears with wax and chain themselves to their ship so they would not be swayed by the seductive tune.

But Odysseus paid no attention. He ordered his men to bind him hand and foot to their ship, but leave his ears open so he might hear the splendid song of the Sirens without being slain. The magical melody soon danced upon the waters, and Odysseus demanded to be released immediately. Then he started straining against the chains, until they dug deeply into his skin and caused fatal bleeding. And it wasn’t until their ship sailed far away from the Sirens that Odysseus understood the shameful and agonizing cost of having things both ways.

Wanting the best of both worlds might be a theme of an eighth-century poetic novel, but it is a timeless problem that exists for believers in the twenty-first century, too. The duplicitous desire to indulge in the sinful pleasures of the world while concurrently savoring the Lord’s goodness is a tricky temptation that all of the Lord’s saints experience. That is why the Scripture is replete with warnings about trying to hold hands with God and the wicked world at the same time. As James said, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4, KJV). And as Jesus taught, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24a).

Love for the world is simply incompatible with love for God (cf. 1 John 2:15-17). Moreover, the Lord will not settle for such divided allegiance, spiritual adultery, half-hearted worship, or the “leftovers” of our love. He detests lukewarm love and delights in wholehearted devotion (Rev. 3:15-16). And most importantly, only the Lord is worthy of all the love and worship we can give (Psalm 96:4; Rev. 4:11); that is why believers are commanded to love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and not some of it (Luke 10:27). Living a best-of-both-worlds life might sound appealing, but it is simply not worth it—just ask Odysseus.

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Benefiting the Body | Bible Gleanings – November 4-5, 2023

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Underestimating always gets me into trouble. I purchased a drum kit a while back with the impression that learning to play would be simple. Swinging sticks up and down can’t be too difficult, right? Well, I can tell you, it ain’t as easy as it sounds. And the difficulty stems from the hand-and-foot coordination, since you must strike the snare, toms, and cymbals with your hands while simultaneously stomping the kick pedal with your foot.

And that’s the only way to do it right. The hands can’t do all the work, and neither can the feet. Therefore, every good rhythm depends on the cooperation, coordination, and individual contributions of the hands and feet. And this is how the Lord designed the local church to function as well. All believers in Christ have been spiritually united to the universal body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12), and they are commanded to manifest this reality by uniting with a local church, where they can produce a God-pleasing rhythm with other members who do their part.

According to the apostle Paul, some believers are like the feet of the church, while others are like the hands, ears, and eyes (1 Cor. 12:14-30). Just as different parts of the human body have distinct functions, each believer possesses God-given spiritual gifts for the betterment of the local church. As Paul said, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:4-7). The work of ministry is too great for any one person to handle alone, but each of us can contribute in some way, and together we can fulfill the mission God has given us.

All believers have a job to do and a spiritual vacancy to fill. Just as the members of our physical body depend on each other for surviving and thriving, believers are also dependent on other believers and their spiritual gifts, and vice versa. And, contrary to popular belief, the church is not a country club where you pay your dues so that others can serve you—the church is the place where you serve others. Thus, we should never ask, “Should I serve my church?” Instead, the right question is always, “How can I best serve my church?”

Furthermore, the Lord always rewards such faithful service. The writer of Hebrews promised, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Heb. 6:10). Additionally, He will grant you all the grace that you need for service (1 Peter 4:10-11). How are you benefiting the body of Christ? How are you serving your church?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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The Magnetism of Money | Bible Gleanings – October 28-29, 2023

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The church secretary answered the phone, and a man on the other end requested, “I’d like to speak with the head hog, please.” Surprised, she asked, “Pardon me, sir, who?” He insisted, “The head hog of the church. I’d like to talk to him.” She asked again, “Who?” Frustrated, the man reiterated, “Ma’am, the head hog of the church!” And she finally said, “If you’re talking about our pastor, you may call him reverend, brother, or pastor, but he is not the head hog.” “Well,” the man calmly replied, “I was interested in giving $25,000 to the church, and that’s why I called.” And she bubbled with excitement, saying, “Please hold, the big fat pig is headed to his office now; I’ll transfer you!”

The painful truth is that money changes people. It has a seductive pull that is hard to resist and an enslaving chokehold that is difficult to break free from. It can quickly blind you to what truly matters in life, and it can become a god you worship even quicker. It often hardens the heart, clouds the mind, and corrupts the soul. And because of money’s dominating power, the Scripture speaks strongly and sternly about it from cover to cover. 

Jesus urged that, instead of piling up wealth on earth, we should send spiritual riches ahead of us to heaven: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). He also taught that money is an attractive idol that we may be tempted to worship: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24). Most significantly, Jesus warned that tremendous wealth is a tremendous liability that prevents many souls from entering heaven: “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23-24).

It is no wonder, then, that Paul cautioned that greed is a subtle snare, a fast train to demise, and a hunger that starves people of spiritual life (1 Tim. 6:9-10). How, then, can we avoid loving money and worshiping it as a god? According to the Scripture, the most reliable prescriptions for the disease of Mammon worship are contentment (Luke 12:15; Heb. 13:5), generosity (1 Tim. 6:17-19), faithful stewardship (Prov. 3:9-10), and loving God above all else (Matt. 6:24).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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Warning the Wandering | Bible Gleanings – October 21-22, 2023

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Tom, Tim, and Tony were inseparable friends. They went everywhere and did everything together, even skiing in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. And during this ski trip, Tony decided to venture off the designated track, away from the rest of the group. But unbeknownst to him, he was swiftly skiing toward the edge of a precipice. Tom and Tim could see the inevitable danger from their vantage point.

“Tony, get back here!” yelled Tom. “You’re going to kill yourself on that cliff! Tim, we’ve got to get him back on track!” But Tim shockingly retorted, “That’s not very loving. Just let him do what he wants. Who are you to judge? If you offend him, he will probably never ski again!”

Which of the two friends genuinely loved Tony? The answer is obvious: Tom. He was willing to spoil Tony’s fun to save his life. Tim was unloving to the highest degree because he wanted Tony to just enjoy himself, even if it meant ending his life. Tim’s love was all talk, whereas Tom’s love was all walk. Tom loved Tony enough to tell him the truth about his bad decision and do what was necessary to save him from destruction.

Sometimes, fellow believers veer off the narrow path of piety toward a precipice of destruction. And in such moments, it is eternally exigent for other believers to lovingly warn them and extend a helping hand to guide them back to the route of righteousness. The Bible commands, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). James similarly admonished, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

It may be difficult to tell someone the truth about their sinful choices, but it is ultimately unloving to watch a brother or sister destroy themselves without doing or saying anything. As a matter of fact, the Scripture says that we should at the very least say something, and say it lovingly: “[speak] the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). Moreover, one of the most important jobs for believers in the local church is mutual encouragement and exhortation, in which we compassionately correct one another when we are in the wrong: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). Will you patiently and lovingly correct believers who are wandering? And will you humbly submit to such correction when you wander?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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Momentary Affliction | Bible Gleanings – October 14-15, 2023

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Numbness arrested my legs. Every step was an agonizing jolt, making it impossible to ignore the excruciating pain. Sweat trickled down my face and tears nearly did, too. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to throw in the towel. All of this agony stemmed from the 375-foot ascent to Eagle Point Buttress in the Red River Gorge of eastern Kentucky.

But once I got to the peak, the sights made the struggle worthwhile. The breathtaking panoramic views stretched as far as the eye could see, as lush pine valleys and rolling hills came together to paint an unforgettable landscape. The beautiful blue sky was like an ocean floating in the heavens. The sun cast a golden glow upon every rock, tree, and stream in the wilderness, illuminating the scene with warmth. And as I took in the incredible scenery, every ounce of my pain melted away.

And the Bible says the same thing about the believer’s earthly sufferings. The uphill climb of life’s trials can make you feel like giving up. There will be times when you feel like you can’t take another step on the tribulation-laden road to everlasting life. But the sight of Jesus Christ in glory will make all of your sufferings worthwhile. That is why Peter said, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

Being with Jesus in heaven will far surpass the pain of your earthly hardships. As a matter of fact, the magnitude of your heavenly reward far outweighs the gravity of your tribulations on earth—so much so that a comparison between them is impossible! As Paul aptly said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). The troubles of this life are temporary and they weigh nothing compared to the weight of heaven: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17). What is one drop of sorrow compared to an overflowing cup of joy in eternity? What are a thousand dark days compared to being forever in the light of God’s glorious presence?

I also snapped many photographs of the awe-inspiring peak to help me remember why the climb was well worth it. And believers likewise have a picture of heaven to encourage them that the excruciating climb of life will be worth it in the end: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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Power from Another | Bible Gleanings – October 7-8, 2023

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It was dead as a doorknob, and my efforts to revive it were fruitless. I tried everything to resuscitate my wife’s car battery, but it was lifeless from sitting too long. No matter how many times I turned the key or wished with all my heart for an engine roar, it refused to start. The battery also couldn’t recharge itself as it required power from another source. It was dead and needed new life.

But once I connected to my fully-charged battery, what was dead came alive! And this is what occurs in the hearts of all believers at the momentous moment of their conversion. As sinners, we are born spiritually dead and lifeless, and we cannot revive ourselves (Eph. 2:1). No amount of wishing or trying can bring our dead hearts back to life. Only when we are connected to God’s regenerating grace by the cable of faith do we experience new life—and that’s a “battery” stronger than any Duracell.

We exit the tomb of spiritual death when Christ raises us to life, just as He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). Lazarus couldn’t revive himself—he was dead. Lazarus couldn’t do good works to earn Christ’s favor—he was dead. Lazarus couldn’t even ask Jesus to resurrect his body because he was dead. Christ accomplishes this awesome work of regeneration without any assistance from man because He is the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). 

And the Lord promises this to all who experience this death-to-life saving work: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Has the battery of your heart been revived by God’s life-giving grace?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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Giving to God | Bible Gleanings – September 30-October 1, 2023

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It was a gigantic gift, but something wasn’t right. In 34 BC, the Roman general Mark Antony gave Cleopatra and her children a copious collection of territories in an event known as the Donations of Alexandria. Foregoing meager gifts of gems and gold, Antony went above and beyond by awarding them the lands of Syria, Cyrenaica, Armenia, and Parthia. In response to such a prodigious present, most people would say, “Oh, you shouldn’t have!” And given that Antony neither possessed nor was authorized to give away these lands, such a reaction would have been entirely justified!

His “gift” to Cleopatra was also incredibly disproportionate to the assets she already possessed. She had an estimated $95.8 billion in today’s dollars, making her one of the wealthiest women in history. That’s like donating a penny to a billionaire who owns the factory where pennies are made! Antony thought that his land grants were a big deal, but Cleopatra was a bigger deal herself. He gave her gifts that weren’t his, and they paled in comparison to what she was actually worth.

And all of our “gifts” to the King of kings and Lord of lords are the same way. We ultimately own nothing and God supremely owns everything (Psalm 24:1). Therefore, everything we may offer to God is already His—we are simply returning to Him what He has loaned to us. We may give God our time, but all the time we have is borrowed from Him (Prov. 22:7). We can offer the Lord our wealth and treasures, but He already owns them, too: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).

This does not mean God does not want us to give to Him. As a matter of fact, what He desires is that we give all of ourselves to Him: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1; cf. Matt. 22:37). He even commands us to surrender our time, talents, and treasures to Him (Eph. 5:16; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Cor. 9:7). But nothing we could ever give the Lord is worthy of what He deserves. God’s immeasurable worth, glory, and riches will always surpass anything we can offer. Isaac Watts (1674-1748) got it right when he penned the following words in the enduring hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross: 

“Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were a present far too small.

Love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word: