Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Psalm 33:18-21
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed marking the founding of the United States as a free nation. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were common men. They came from all of the thirteen colonies. Each had a desire to see this new land become something more than a colony of England. The following tells a little about them.
Fifty-six delegates from the thirteen American colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, committing themselves to the cause of independence at great personal risk. The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was signed primarily on August 2, 1776, by 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress representing the thirteen colonies. These men, now known as the Founding Fathers, risked their lives, fortunes, and reputations, as signing was considered treason against Britain, punishable by death. The signers ranged in age from 26 (Edward Rutledge) to 70 (Benjamin Franklin), and included lawyers, merchants, plantation owners, physicians, and statesmen. (Copied)
When they signed that important document, they were saying they agreed with the wording of the declaration and were willing to set their reputations, fortunes, and families on the line to establish this new land. Here is an overview of the cost they had to suffer.
By signing the Declaration of Independence, the men openly committed treason against the British Crown, which could have meant death if captured. Five signers—George Walton, Thomas Heyward Jr., Arthur Middleton, Edward Rutledge, and Richard Stockton—were captured by the British, though they were treated as prisoners of war rather than executed. Many others endured looting, property destruction, and financial ruin. For example, Carter Braxton of Virginia lost his ships to the British Navy and died in poverty, while Thomas Nelson Jr.’s home was destroyed during the Battle of Yorktown. Homes of signers like Josiah Bartlett, William Ellery, Lewis Morris, and John Hart were burned or looted, and some had mills and crops destroyed.
Several signers experienced personal and family hardships. Abraham Clark had two sons taken prisoner, Francis Lewis’ wife was held captive and died from the ordeal, and John Witherspoon’s eldest son died in battle. Others, including Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, George Clymer, Thomas Jefferson, Arthur Middleton, Lyman Hall, and William Floyd, were forced to flee their homes to avoid capture. (Copied)
These were men of conviction who realized there are times when you have to stand by your convictions and step out in faith to do what is right. This is what God who is our guide calls us to do. The Word of God is our manual for life. God gave a decree to Joshua that we all should follow. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Joshua 1:8).
The Word of God is what we base our convictions on as we go through life. Let’s depend upon it as men and women of God to live and walk by faith.
Bible Reading for the Year
June 30th, Job 23-25; Acts 10:24-48
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Kenny Deans. He will have an appointment on July 14th with his kidney doctor.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She had the port for chemo treatments put in on Monday, and she was able to go home later. Shirley is tired and needs our prayers.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She went last Thursday for another Keytruda infusion. Please keep praying for complete healing. She sees her doctor at Duke on July 17th. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor concerning her treatment.
Please be praying for Mitch Buchta. The doctor said he had a small stroke. After several tests, he was able to go home Sunday night. PTL!
Please continue to pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is doing physical therapy but still has a long way to go. Pray for him to get stronger!
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He seems some better; however, he still has a lot of pain.
Please pray for Carolyn Tyson’s sister, Shirley Deal. She had a stroke after having an infusion port taken out. She has now been moved to rehab.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia