Sermons & Devotionals by William MacDonald Devotions
William MacDonald Devotions
Neither murmur ye
“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer,” (1 Cor. 10:10) The Israelites were chronic complainers as they trekked through the desert. They complained about the water supply. They complained about the food supply. They complained about their leaders. When... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord
“Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” (2 Sam. 24:24) When David was instructed to offer burnt offerings where the Lord had stopped the pestilence, Araunah offered as an outright gift a threshing floor, oxen, and wood for the fire. But David i... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
no man knoweth the Son, but the Father
“…no man knoweth the Son, but the Father.” (Mt. 11:27) There is deep mystery connected with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Part of the mystery is the combination of absolute deity and full humanity in one Person. There is the question, for instance, how One who has the attributes of God can at... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
no man putteth new wine into old bottles
“…no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles, and both are preserved.” (Lu. 5:37, 38) The bottles referred to here were actually containers made from the hides of animals.... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
No man that warreth entangleth himself
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:4) The Christian has been enlisted by the Lord, and is on active service for Him. He must not entangle himself in the affairs of everyday life. The emphasis h... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride
“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Tim. 3:6) In listing the qualifications of an elder, the Apostle Paul cautions against the assumption of this work by one who is young in the faith. Overseership requires the wisdom and sound judgment that... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Not as though I had already attained
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.” (Phil. 3:12) In yesterday’s study we saw that our conduct should correspond to our creed. But in order to balance the subject we must add two postscripts. First, we have to acknowledge that we will never fully and completely live o... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Not by might nor by power
“Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.” (Zech. 4:6) This verse enshrines the important truth that the work of the Lord is not carried on by human ingenuity and strength but by the Holy Spirit. We see it in the capture of Jericho. It was not the armed might of Israel that cause... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Not that I speak in respect of want
“Not that I speak in respect of want…” (Phil. 4:11) It is noteworthy that Paul never made his own financial needs known. His was a life of faith. He believed that God had called him into His service, and was utterly convinced that God pays for what He orders. Should Christians today publicize their ... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing
“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing…” (1 Tim. 2:15) From some of the restrictions Paul places on woman’s ministry in the church, it might seem that she is reduced to a nonentity. For instance, she is not permitted to teach or to usurp authority over the man, but must be in silence (v... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) Faith is implicit trust in the Word of God. It is confidence in the trustworthiness of God. It is the conviction that what God says is true and that what He promises will come to pass. It deals primarily i... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
O my son Absalom!
“O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Sam. 18:33) Whether Absalom was a saved man or not, his father’s wail mirrors the grief of many believers who mourn the death of an unsaved relative for whom they may have prayed for many years. ... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
offend against the generation of thy children
“If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.” (Psa. 73:15) The psalmist had been going through a rough patch. He saw the wicked prospering in the world, whereas his own life was a nightmare of trouble and suffering. He began to have doubts about the j... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased
“Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psa. 115:3) God is sovereign. That means that He is the supreme Ruler of the universe, and that He can do as He pleases. But having said that, we must quickly add that what God pleases is always right. His way is perfect. Isaiah ... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Owe no man anything
“Owe no man anything, but to love one another.” (Rom. 13:8) We need not take this verse as a prohibition against any and every kind of debt. In our society we cannot escape telephone bills, gas and light bills, and water bills. Also under certain circumstances, it may be better discipleship to buy a... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Prove all things
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Th. 5:21) Sometimes it seems that Christians are especially prone to accept passing fads and winds of doctrine. John Blanchard wrote of two tour-bus drivers who were comparing notes. When one mentioned that he had a bus full of Christians, the oth... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Pure religion and undefiled before God
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (Jas. 1:27) When James wrote these words, he didn’t mean to suggest that if a believer did these things, he did all that was required... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Quench not the Spirit
“Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings.” (1 Th. 5:19, 20) We usually think of quenching in connection with a fire. We quench the fire when we throw water on it. In so doing, we either douse it completely or greatly reduce its scope and effectiveness. Fire is used in the Scriptures as a typ... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Redeeming the time
“Redeeming the time.” (Eph. 5:16) In a day when men of the world are becoming increasingly allergic to work, Christians must make the most of every passing moment. It is a sin to waste time. Voices from every age testify to the importance of diligent labor. The Savior Himself said, “I must work the ... Read More
William MacDonald Devotions
Seekest thou great things for thyself
“Seekest thou great things for thyself; seek them not.”(Jer. 45:5) There is a subtle temptation, even in Christian service, to become great, to see one’s name in the magazines or hear it over the radio. But it is a great snare. It robs Christ of glory. It robs ourselves of peace and joy. And it make... Read More
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His more than over eighty-four works published in North America are characterized by a clarity and economy of words that only comes by a major time investment in the Word of God.
MacDonald graduated with an AB degree from Tufts College (now University) in 1938 and an MBA degree from Harvard Business School in 1940. During the 1940's he was on active duty in the US Navy for five years.
He was President of Emmaus Bible College, a teacher, preacher, and Plymouth Brethren theologian alongside his ministry as a writer. He was a close friend and worker with O.J. Gibson.
MacDonald last resided in California where he was involved in his writing and preaching ministry. He went to be with the Lord in 2007.