Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

Devotional Reading for February 7, 2026

Genesis 38

While we don’t understand or like some of the cultural practices at the time, providing heirs was very important. In fact, we see the concept of levarite marriage eventually codified into the Mosaic law.

Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (WEB) “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel.”

No-one wanted to do what was expected after Tamar’s husband died, so she took matters into her own hands. God used Judah’s infidelity to provide for her. The Bible also sees God behind the deaths of Er and Onan. Did God orchestrate them, or simply allow them to happen? Either way, God decreed or allowed their deaths, which is another nod to His sovereignty.

You may remember the concept of levarite marriage under a different name: kinsman redeemer. It’s a big part of the book of Ruth!

Thought for the day: How are you doing with your family obligations? Hopefully you don’t have to be tricked into fulfilling them!

1 Timothy 5:8 (WEB) “But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

Devotional Reading for February 6, 2026

Genesis 37

Joseph, as favorite, apparently felt pretty secure in order to relay his dreams to his family. Didn’t he realize it would make everyone upset? Here we see many of the same issues that have caused problems before, including favoritism and sibling rivalry. And it’s compounded by Joseph’s…attitude? Lack of awareness? Pride? His dreams served as both a prediction and an impetus, since they bring his brothers antagonism to the boiling point. God, in His sovereignty, knew this would happen. In fact, he makes sure of it!

Genesis 37:15 (WEB) “A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field. The man asked him, ‘What are you looking for?’ “

Thought for the day: God has a purpose and a plan, and He will make sure that it happens.  And His plan is so much better than our plans!

Romans 8:28 (WEB) “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

Devotional Reading for February 5, 2026

Genesis 36

Even though Jacob is the son of the promise, Esau’s descendants still grow and prosper. Eventually they become Edom, and Edom is a thorn in Israel’s side for the duration of its existence. In fact, even after the nation itself is displaced, one of its descendants, Herod the Great, tries to kill Jesus as an infant (Matthew 2:16)!

Thought for the day: Isn’t it astonishing how hatred can be passed down from generation to generation? We need to realize that there is a difference between being angry and staying angry.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (WEB) ” ‘Be angry, and don’t sin.’ Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil.”

Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

Devotional Reading for February 4, 2026

Genesis 35

We see a spiritual highlight of Jacob’s life when he returns to Bethel. He has the entire household put away their idols to go meet with God, and God confirms His covenant with him. But it’s followed by a time of personal tragedy (you could even say it’s bookmarked by personal tragedy). How often do we find that’s the case in our own lives? Life is a fluctuation of highs and lows. What we need to do is to keep our eyes focused on El Shaddai (“God Almighty”). When we do, we can see the positive (“son of my right hand”) in the midst of the negative (“son of my sorrow”).

How important was the reaffirmation of the covenant with Jacob when Isaac was about to die? And, speaking of that, we’re a long way from Genesis 27:2 (WEB): “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death.” We know that Isaac was basically blind, but we don’t know what else was going on with his health. Was he overly concerned when he called Esau to him, or should we give him credit for making sure things were ready before he died? In our own culture, I think that it’s appropriate to be concerned! It’s good to make arrangements ahead of time, especially if you have a family.

Thought for the day: Are you keeping your eyes on God? In the midst of your tragedy, can you see God at work?

Romans 8:18 (WEB) “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed towards us.”

Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

Devotional Reading for February 3, 2026

Genesis 34

This issue with Dinah shows that Jacob’s sons have inherited their father’s knack for deception. While they were right to be upset about their sister being raped, they acted in a disproportionate manner, and Jacob understands that it will probably come back to haunt them. It doesn’t, but that’s because of God’s intervention (Genesis 35:5). We need to be careful that our righteous anger is truly righteous, and not just vindictive and destructive, or it will cause us no end of problems.

Thought for the day: What can we do to keep our anger in check?

James 1:19-21 (WEB) “So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

Devotional Reading for February 2, 2026

Genesis 33

We again see the middle eastern negotiation that we’ve seen before. “This is for you!” “But I don’t need it!” “It’s yours anyway!” The language is interesting too. Jacob literally says, “Please accept my blessing.” Does that refer back to the blessing he stole?!?! Esau seems genuine with his welcome. In fact, he runs to meet Jacob and embraces him. Could Jesus have been thinking of this when He told the parable of the prodigal son? This is the parable of the prodigal brother!

Thought for the day: Jacob is terrified of his brother because of the way he mistreated him. Perhaps we should live our lives in such a way that we don’t fear the retaliation of others!

Romans 12:18 (WEB) “If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.”

Posted on by pastorbillington

Sermon outline for 2/1/26 (Radio broadcast 2/8/26) — “Jeremiah’s Fifth Confession”

Jeremiah’s Fifth “Confession”
Jeremiah 20:7-18

I) Jeremiah’s _____________

     A) He accuses God of ____________ to him!

     B) Which is __________

     C) But it’s a cry of ___________

          1) The __________ is hard

          2) And people __________ him

     D) He’d like to _________, but he can’t!

     E) He finally returns to God’s promises and ___________

     F) Which results in ___________!

     G) But he ___________ to God again

II) What does ______________ look like?

     A) We are __________

     B) We feel ______________

     C) We may __________

     D) We can experience a loss of ____________

     E) We feel ___________ inside

     F)  We can feel ______________

III) How can we ________ with depression?

     A) We need to ____________ it

     B) We need to embrace getting ___________

     C) We need to remember that it’s _____________

     D) We need to remember that God ________ us

     E) And we need to ________ Him

          1) Through ___________

          2) With ___________
Posted on by pastorbillington

Devotional Reading for February 1, 2026

Genesis 32

“Four hundred men are with him.” No wonder Jacob is worried! He’s had an encounter with God’s angels that should have assured him that God was indeed with him. But what about his brother? He sends word, but his brother’s response concerns him. He splits up his property. He sends elaborate gifts. He talks to God. But, once again, it’s the “God of my father Abraham.” Perhaps it’s supposed to be respectful, but something does change from this point forward. He ends up wrestling with God all night. Figuratively or literally? With Jacob’s injury, it sure seems to be literal! His name is changed from “supplanter” to “he strives with God.” It seems that his faith has finally become real!

Here we see Jacob doing everything he can from an earthly perspective to soften up his brother Esau, and then we see him do what he can from a spiritual perspective. Was he wrong to not just trust God? Or should he be applauded for doing what he could first, and then asking God to bless his efforts? Perhaps he should have wrestled with God first? Regardless, God does bless him! I think the lesson is that Jacob finally came to the end of himself and realized that none of it was going to work without God’s blessing.

Thought for the day: Is there anything in your life that you need to “wrestle” with God about? Perhaps something you’ve tried to deal with on your own and it isn’t going well?

Philippians 4:6-7 (WEB) “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”

Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

Devotional Reading for January 31, 2026

Genesis 31

What goes around comes around. Fate. Karma. Do we really believe that stuff? We could certainly proclaim that Jacob deserves his father-in-law! But we also realize that mankind is sinful. And we understand that we often end up modeling what we’ve experienced. That’s certainly true with Rachel, who learned theft and deception from her father. Rachel may have even justified her theft to some degree, since both she and Leah felt neglected and abused by Laban (31:14-15).

Let’s remember that Jacob definitely isn’t a paragon of virtue and righteousness. When God is protecting Jacob, God’s doing it because he’s made certain promises and plans. He’s protecting His own name. Jacob certainly isn’t! Not only doesn’t his household follow God, when Jacob swears an oath, he has to do it before the name of his father’s God (31:53). 

Thought for the day: Is your allegiance to God your own, or are you simply going through the motions because of someone else?

Mark 12:30 (WEB) ” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ “

Posted on by pastorbillington · 1 Comment

February Newsletter Article

One of our family members posted a comment on Facebook about the recent tragedy in Minneapolis.  She wondered why more ministers weren’t speaking about it.  Unfortunately, what she really wanted was for ministers to speak out about it the way she wants them to speak out about it!  And that’s part of the problem right there.  I ended up speaking about it without speaking about it.  I intentionally altered the order of my series in Jeremiah and the result was the topic at hand said something about current events and our response to them.  Some probably want me to be more “political” with my sermons.  Some probably don’t want me to speak about political topics at all.  Here is my understanding of my role in all of this.

(1) First of all, I probably have a unique perspective.  Some of you remember Jerry Falwall.  My undergraduate was at Liberty University, and I sat under his teaching at Thomas Road Baptist Church.  The bottom line was this: you either loved him or hated him in the community.  He was polarizing, and he was polarizing for much of the country as well.  So much so that (and this is what I believe) some of his opinions, understandings, and interpretations became what people thought the Bible taught.  Sometimes that was okay.  Sometimes it wasn’t!  But that instilled in me a deep-seated desire to make sure that my preaching and teaching was Bible based.  Some may not like the amount of Scripture I use in a sermon, but this is one of the reasons that I do.  If I share my opinion or application, I want it to be backed up with even more Scripture.

(2) Our society tends to reward the hot take.  News wants to report things first.  Influencers want others to hear their opinions first.  Often media, politicians, and even preachers measure their response in sound bites.  How about a 24 hour rule?  Or a 48 hour rule?  Or a one week rule?  Why not make sure we have all the facts before forming an opinion?  I’ve seen two fake pictures from the most recent death in Minneapolis (I guess, unfortunately, that I should say “most recent death at this time”).  Each was produced by AI to present either the ICE agents or the protester in the worst possible light.  This is the society we live in right now.  I’m sorry to say that too many people will just take one of those pictures and use it to inform their opinion, never finding out what is true and right.

(3) And why does that opinion have to be lock step with whatever group we identify with?  I frequently find myself at odds with everyone.  There is very little room for nuance in today’s society.  Sometimes there is no “right” side.  Sometimes things are just a tragic series of events.  Sometimes everyone is wrong.  And pointing that out shouldn’t make you an enemy of one or both sides.

(4) As I said on Sunday, we should pray for God to bring justice and not seek vengeance ourselves.  But whose justice?  Our justice?  Our groups justice?  Or real and true justice?  When we pray for or against somebody, when we pray for evil to be punished, when we pray for one group or another, how do we know we’re praying for the right thing or for the right side?  Maybe there is no right side!  Maybe the side that looks right currently won’t look so good in a week!  Jesus is our model here both in the Lord’s prayer and in the garden prayer.  “Thy will be done.”  “Not my will, but thine be done.”

(5)  And we should always try to be as merciful and compassionate as possible in our own lives.  Even with those we disagree with.  Even those who dislike and hate us.  Because that’s the example Jesus set before us.

Luke 6:27-28 (ESV) “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV) “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”