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He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:3, Holy Bible, New Living Translation

I watched a shepherd relocate his large flock from a depleted pasture to a more nourishing grazing area. The sheep were not distracted by the line of impatient drivers as they crossed the paved road toward greener pastures. They recognized him as their master and followed through unfamiliar territory without fear.

The Lord cares for us as a tender shepherd. When we recognize His sovereignty―that He is the God who created us―then we, like those sheep, will understand that traveling through unfamiliar territory and rough terrain may be His way to guide us on an uncertain journey.

Prayer:  Lord, when I struggle on the rocky trails of the unexpected, I will trust You, my shepherd, to bring me to a place of quiet rest. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

Adapted from Moments of Meditation by Violet Carr Moore, copyright 2007.

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Have you ever visited with an extended family where laughing children’s play was interrupted by a sharp cry of pain? That child’s voice was recognized by the parent who responded immediately to the situation.

Our relationship with God has to be this close. God knows your voice when in distress or when you offer prayers in good times.

To him the doorkeeper opens,
and the sheep hear his voice,
and he calls his own sheep by name
and leads them out.

John 10:3 New American Standard Bible

Prayer: Everlasting God of heaven and earth, You will hear me when I call because I am one of Your sheep. You know my name. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

Adapted from Moments of Meditation by Violet Carr Moore, copyright 2007-2015.

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“Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them,” (Acts 3:3-5, Holy Bible King James).

A beggar, lame from birth, was carried to the temple every day where he lay at the entrance gate named Beautiful. When Peter and John came near, the man asked them for money. How his expectations must have soared when Peter said, “Look at us.” What a disappointment when Peter added that he had no gold or silver. But, the story didn’t end there. Peter offered the man his hand and said “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (verse 7). He walked into the temple for the first time, no longer lame because both he and Peter had great expectations.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith to anticipate a miracle for people I met in in unexpected places. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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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

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“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17, Holy Bible, King James Version).

Lepers in Bible times faced expulsion from the city, their families, their homes. Jesus cleansed a group of ten and spared them the physical disability and the cultural agony. Excited to be disease free, they went happily on their way. Only one returned to express his thanks to Jesus.

We scoff at the ungratefulness of the nine lepers who were so preoccupied with the rituals of being declared clean, they forgot to acknowledge the giver of the precious gift. But, what about us? Are we among the ungrateful, or the single one who took the time to be thankful for His cleansing mercy?

Prayer: Lord, I give you thanks for Your miraculous touch in my life. In You, I am made whole. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,” (Genesis 1:14, English Standard Version of the Holy Bible).

Triple-digit summer temperatures peaked electrical performance. Warnings to keep babies and inactive elderly hydrated and away from the hot sun were given, but emergency rooms were overrun with those experiencing heat exposure and dehydration. Cool fall temperatures have replaced the scorching heat. Soon winter will bring heavy rains, snow, and ice. Then, spring will blossom again with gentle warmth and the beauty of fresh new foliage.

Only when we experience all the seasons do we realize God is in control. As He manages the seasons with symmetry, you can trust Him to be in control of your life.

Pray: Heavenly Father, You established times and seasons and days and nights in the beginning. As each arrives, you give me new seasons of purpose. Once I was young, like spring, now I am in the fall of my life. I trust that You will bring me through the winter to my eternal destiny. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God’” (Mark 11:22, Holy Bible, New Kings James).>

There are days when nothing goes right and you question why. No milk for cereal. Traffic is intolerable. When you reach your destination, you’re confronted with more problems. Later, you come home to chaos, not peace. Your faith shrinks. When the day ends and tomorrow’s sunrise appears, those temporary events have faded in the shadows of important things. Your faith is renewed.

When the next serious situation arises, you pray but your faith is shaken again when things don’t go as anticipated. You ask, “Why didn’t God answer?”

He did. He said, “Have faith in God.”

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in You with faith for the answers. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,’ ” (Matthew 16:12-16, Holy Bible, New King James).

Jesus canvassed his disciples with a public opinion poll. His question, “Who do people think I am?” They named prominent prophets. Then Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?”

Peter spoke with boldness. “You are the Christ,” echoes through history as a great affirmative, a personal declaration of the deity of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, while people everywhere argue about whether you were just a good man, a teacher, a prophet, or just a legend, I stand with Apostle Peter to declare that You are the Christ. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:6, Holy Bible, New King James)

Healing. We all need it from time to time. From nature taking care of small scrapes and bruises to miraculous events, healing is necessary.

St. Luke doesn’t specify the types of healing accomplished from town to town, only that the apostles healed in every town they preached. What about emotional healing? External or internal, physical or emotional, healing is still available today.

Prayer: Lord, I commit my physical and spiritual weaknesses to You . I need healing that only You can give. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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