“She is clothed with strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25, NIV). In yesterday’s devotion, we asked, “What Are You Wearing?” We learned to get dressed every day in the armor of God so we are prepared to stand firm against whatever Satan may…
“The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s…
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3, KJV)…
He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11, Holy Bible, New King James)
Seasons of life are not defined by clocks or calendars. They are experienced as infants, toddlers, preschoolers, tweens, teens, young adults, baby boomers, and seniors. The clock ticks the same for all of us, sixty seconds in each minute, but life becomes a winter snowball racing downhill as we age.
We remember life through events and celebrations, birthdays, school graduations, first vehicle, marriage or career decisions, first home, children, and grandchildren. God sees how we react to each of these seasons. He measures our spiritual progress, not by clocks or calendars, but by His delight in how His beauty shines through us.
Prayer: Eternal God, I am thankful Your presence shines in all seasons of my life. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19:1 Just returned from a trip to New Brunswick, and feel I chose the best time of the year to go. The colours are so brilliant this year, and it was so great to be able…
“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these,” (Luke 12:27, Holy Bible, New King James).
The disciples worried about how to cover living expenses after they abandoned full-time careers, many of them commercial fishermen, to follow Jesus. In the past, they estimated their daily living by the weight of the full fish nets. Now, they walked with Jesus and worried. Jesus chose the simplicity of nature to ease their concerns. He compared the beauty of the lilies to King Solomon’s royal robes. They lilies won the contest.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, When I worry about tomorrow, remind me of this lesson among the lilies. Amen
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance” (Psalm 50:2 in the Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
What is beauty? There is beauty in a piece of art that captures the imagination and dazzles the eye. There is beauty in the graceful movements of a soaring eagle or in the perfect conditioning of an athlete. But, all of these definitions of beauty are “outward.” Psalm 31 warns, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” The most radiant and stunning of all is spiritual beauty that comes from a meek and submissive spirit.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, our world today is enamored with beauty that is only skin deep. I want the beauty of the Lord – Your splendor and Your holiness – to radiate from my innermost being. Lord, give me a beautiful spirit! Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long