The Lord rewarded me for doing right and being pure. For I have followed his commands and have not sinned by turning back from following him. I kept close watch on all his laws; I did not refuse a single one. I did my best to keep them all, holding…
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“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1 in the New International Version of the Holy Bible). There is no more important question to ask ourselves than, “What is my life purpose?” Without the answer to that question, we will live unfulfilled, unhappy lives. The good news is God has a life purpose for every individual. It is our responsibility to seek out that purpose through communication with God and His Word. We are called to live a life that constantly reflects God’s purpose for us. All of the decisions we make in life should be rooted in that purpose.
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Prayer: There is no higher calling than to fulfill Your purpose for my life, Lord. Help me to seek after it and listen for it. May my heart be centered in Your will today. Amen.
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Devotion by: Julie Long
“Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us. Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice…
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise in the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)…
“And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.” Joshua 9:14
Who hasn’t received an e-mail or a phone call with an offer that sounded too good to be true, but was really just a scam. Many people have been deceived and have ended up losing a lot of money as a result.
God had just given Joshua and the Israelites great victories over Jericho and Ai. The men of Gibeon were filled with fear that they would be defeated as well, so they put their heads together and came up with a great idea. They came to Joshua, pretending to be from a great distance and desiring peace.
Joshua took their story at face value, and agreed to make peace with them. His big mistake was that he did not consult with the Lord first. Just think how he must have felt when he learned the truth and realized he had just been taken in by a scam.
As I read this story, I realized that many times we find ourselves in trouble, because we make decisions without praying about it first. Sometimes when we have had a time of victory and blessing, we may just coast along on that, and neglect to seek God about everything in our life. It is always important that we pray first, before making even minor decisions.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to always seek you first in every decision we make, because you know what is best for us.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. (Matthew 7:13, The Message) I was once in an elevator that got stuck…
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! (Romans 11:33, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
When unexpected things bring abrupt changes to my life, I question whether I have made a wrong turn in my Christian journey. Then I realize it is a crossroads, a divine interception, designed by God. In His infinite wisdom, He has recognized my need when I cannot choose the right plan for my future.
Prayer: Eternal God, I don’t understand the detours You have placed in my life,but I know this is the path You have chosen for me. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
I helped a blind lady each week for several years and was amazed how she got around in her home. She lived alone and knew how many steps from her bedroom to any room in her home. She had calculated her steps. When in unknown territory whoever was walking beside…
Not being prepared to stay overnight I did not have my own Bible with me, so I picked up the Gideon Bible that was in the drawer of my son’s room at Carolina Hospital. Engraved on the front cover was “Thinking of you – The Gideons.” God gave His Word with us in mind. He inspired holy men of old to write. How do I know it’s inspired? As one great Bible teacher said, “Because it inspires me!”
2 Timothy 3:16 reads,
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness” (King James Version of the Holy Bible).
Prayer: Today I want to thank You especially, Lord, for Your Word. When I struggle with decisions I must make, I can read Your Word and find the answer. Time spent in Your Word is profitable and uplifting.
Devotion by Kaye Singleton