“And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:12
As I read this verse, I think about all the trees, grass, and flowers that God created, and I realize that God loves colour. Just think of the variety of flowers He created, from pale white to deep purple violets, the deep yellow of the daffodils, the many shades of orchids, and we could go on and on.
I am writing this on the first day of spring. We have had a lot of snow, but it is gradually melting away. Right now everything looks drab, but soon the green grass will appear and then flowers will begin to poke their way through bringing colour to our world.
Today, my sister and I went shopping to find some bright touches for my apartment, just to make it more cheerful. Soon we will put away the darker coloured clothes of winter, and bring out the summer wear.
We need to keep some colour in our lives. Spring is a good time to take inventory, do some spring cleaning, get rid of thoughts and feelings that may be a bit drab, and let the Holy Spirit infuse our souls with a fresh anointing.
Prayer: Lord, search our hearts today, let the warmth of Your Holy Spirit make us over anew.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” Psalm 107:29
I recently heard a beautiful gospel song entitled “The God of the Storm.” I can’t remember all the words but some of them were, “troubled waters of danger set a stage for His feet, I’m peaceful in the midst of danger and harm, beneath the safe cover of the God of the storms.”
I was reading the story in Mark about Jesus telling His disciples that they were going to the other side of the lake. When the storm arose, He was asleep in the back of the ship, but the disciples were afraid and woke Him, asking Him if He did not care. He asked them why they did not have faith, and He stilled the storm. They should have realized that with Him in the boat they had nothing to fear.
Another line from that song says, “when the winds of confusion have gone on all night long, take shelter and rest with the God of the storm.
I am so thankful I know the God of the storm, and that He is always there.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you are the God of the storm, you are always in control, and when we call out to you, you bring peace.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;” Song of Solomon 2:11-12
After two weeks of being housebound because of bad weather, and a bout with the Flu, it was great to get out for a walk. The sun was warm, snow was melting, and there was a feel of spring in the air.
When I returned from my walk, I was greeted by a whole flock of robins on the front lawn. The writer of the above scripture, spoke of the time of singing of birds, signifying winter was over. Here in this part of the country, the robins are our messengers from the Lord letting us know that winter is nearing its end and spring is on its way.
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for sending the robins, letting us know that the seasons will change just as they always do.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalms 37:23-24 KJV
Delighting in the law of the Lord, and walking in His way is no guarantee that everything in life will always be perfect. God allows the sun to shine on the just and the unjust, and He only promised that all things would work together for our good, not that everything would be good.
There will be times when we may stumble and fall, but the scripture tells us that we will not be utterly cast down. The Lord upholds us with His hand. Sometimes He allows us to be tested and tried, but one thing for sure, He never leaves us, He is always there to pick us up.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for that assurance that you are always there, ready to pick us up and set us on our way rejoicing.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
In reading the Bible through each year, I find the Book of Leviticus one of the hardest to read. Here God sets forth all the different sacrifices that are to be offered. It must have been hard to keep track of what was to be brought for each specific purpose.
It surely makes me thankful that Jesus paid the supreme sacrifice on Calvary for all the sins of the world. All we have to do is accept what He has done for us, and His blood cleanses us from all sins, and forgives us completely, not just for another year, but for eternity. The perfect Lamb of God shed His blood once and for all.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on Calvary, that paid the sin debt, and I am forgiven.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2
We sometimes sing a chorus in church, “If it had not been the Lord who was on my side, tell me where would I be?”
Sometimes as we look back over our lives, we realize that life would have been a lot different if we had not come to know the Lord when we were younger. We see others that walked a different path and where their lives are today. It makes me thankful that I heard about Jesus when I was just a child, and that He has kept me though the years.
Though I may not have always walked as close to Him as I should, yet He kept me from a lot of things that could have destroyed my life. His mercy and His love have been extended to me over the years, He has always been there when I called on Him and He has never failed me. Now I can look back at all those times, and realize that He is able to keep me until He calls me home.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love you, and thank you for always being there for me every step of the way. My hope and trust is in you alone.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;” Ecclesiastes 9:10, KJV
I recently dreamed that I was trying to play a song on the keyboard for my son-in-law to sing. Now I don’t even know how to turn a keyboard on, let alone play anything on it. If course, if I had the music in front of me, I might be able to pick out the top line and give him a key to sing it in, but that is the extent of my musical ability.
As I pondered on this dream, I realized that when my daughter was little, I had a good job and was able to pay for her to have piano lessons. Now she is an accomplished pianist and is very capable to accompany her husband as he sings. That was my contribution to help her develop her musical ability.
God gives each of us different gifts, skills and abilities. All He asks is that we give ourselves completely to Him, and use those talents wisely. He knows the future and will direct our steps. He only expects us to use what He has given us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you look at us all as individuals, you know the gifts and talents that you have given us, and we desire to give them all back to you.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 KJV
February, although the shortest month of the year, can sometimes bring the most severe weather in some parts of the county. But as the days start to get longer, our thoughts turn towards Spring.
Once again, the snow will leave, flowers will bloom, and new leaves will appear on the trees. We will forget the cold blustery days and rejoice in the nicer weather. That is the hope that keeps us going.
Just so, in the seasons of trial and testing in our lives, the Word of God gives us hope that these things shall pass and once again we shall experience new life and blessing. Joy will come in the morning.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your hand upon our lives, leading us through times of trial and bringing your joy in the morning.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
When God told Moses to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, He gave him specific instructions right down to each hook and decoration. Because it foreshadowed so many things in God’s plan of salvation, it had to be exactly right.
The Israelites had never built something like this before. It had to be sturdy enough to withstand the desert winds, yet it had to be portable, able to be dismantled quickly, when God’s cloud moved. They probably had no idea how to construct such a building.
So, God gave them complete directions. He told Moses, “See that you make it after the pattern.” There would be no arguments about doing it any other way. No questions would arise about the colour of curtains or placement of furniture. It was all designed by God.
The Lord had a plan for us to follow if we are to be the building He wants us to be. We must accept His plan of salvation as laid down in His Word. He said He was the way, the truth and the life, and so we must come through Him.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving your life, and providing a way that we could be reconciled to the Father through you.
Devotion by Anne Johnston