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Anne Johnston

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We Know

2 Mins Read

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28, KJV

Recently, I was reminiscing with some friends about our experiences at Harvey, NB, Camp Meeting when we were younger. There are so many memories: Bro. Dudley ringing the cowbell in the mornings to get us up for Prayer; gathering straw to make our beds in the dormitory over the dining hall; cleaning our teeth and washing our faces in the lake; meeting with friends that we only saw once a year; laughter and fun with other young people.

But the best memories are of the services, and the great men and women of God, who shared God’s Word with us. The missionary services were greatly appreciated, as those who had dedicated their lives to take the Gospel to other lands. They inspired us and helped us to make a decision to follow God’s call in our lives.

I especially remember Bro. Bill Drost, leading the singing and always singing “He Abides.” He would tell us that we belonged to the “We Know Club.” We know that we belong to Jesus, and that He abides in our hearts. We know that we have a hope of one day spending eternity in Heaven. I remember the year he was so sick, and it didn’t look like he and his family would be able to return to the Mission field. But God healed him and once again proved that all things work together for good, for those who put their trust in God.

I am so thankful that I know Jesus and I know that He is with me every step of the way, guiding my footsteps and meeting my needs.

Prayer: Jesus thank you that “we know” You and that You are always working all things together for our good.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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Step Out In Faith

2 Mins Read

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Romans 4:20-21 KJV

God chose Abraham to be the beginning of the Israelite nation, from which would eventually come the Messiah, who would not only redeem the Israelites but also those from all nations of the world. He was told to leave his country and journey to a place he had never seen before.

Abraham did not have the Scriptures to read about all the miracles God had performed for His people. He did not have other believers to tell him of the great things that God had done in their lives and what could be accomplished by faith.

But He knew God had spoken to him and given him a promise, so he stepped out boldly in faith, fully persuaded that God would lead and direct him and fulfill the promises he had been given.

Today, we have the Bible, many stories of God’s wondrous works and also the testimonies of fellow believers. How much more should we step out in faith, trusting God to answer our prayers, meet our every need and perform miracles on our behalf.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, our faith is often weak when we compare it to Abraham’s. Help us to trust you and be obedient to Your voice.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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Morning Glory

1 Min Read

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3

The morning glory lifts its face as a new day has begun.
The petals slowly open to catch the morning sun.

Dewdrops glisten on each bloom, perfume fills the air.
The vines stretch upward to the sun, their beauty with us to share.

How wonderful to start each day with arms outstretched in praise.
The gentle presence of the Lord reflecting on our face.

Awakened from a night of rest we seek His grace and love,
And peace descends upon our hearts like showers from above.

To share His beauty to the world is the task that He has given.
May His glory shine through us to lead someone to Heaven.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for another new day, guide my steps and make me a blessing to someone today.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Make It Count

2 Mins Read

MAKE IT COUNT
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. “Psalm 118:24

The other day I saw this little saying: “You will never have this day again, so make it count.”

Do you ever come to the end of your day, and realize that you did not accomplish everything you wanted? Maybe you had a to-do list, and there just weren’t enough hours in the day to do everything you had on it. Maybe you started something and were interrupted by a phone call or a visit from a friend. You look back and realize that you wasted some minutes doing things that were not necessary. I realize that taking time for rest, relaxing, and doing some things you enjoy are important items on our list, and are not wasting time.

Those days come to all of us, I am sure. No matter the tasks that we should perform, the most important thing is that we spend some part of our day with the Lord. Daily prayer and Bible reading is important if we are going to make our day count. The other things on our list will still be awaiting us tomorrow, but if we miss a day of communicating with the Lord, we cannot regain that time.

I live alone, so can mostly decide how I am going to spend my time. I have found that taking time for the Lord first thing in the morning before I do anything else, makes my whole day go better. All through the day, there is a sense of His presence and I can talk to Him about the things I am doing, and ask for His guidance in even the little things.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this day that you have given us, help us to make it count for you.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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This Thing is From Me

2 Mins Read

“Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me.” I Kings 12:24
After Solomon’s death, Israel had made king Jeroboam their king, and thus divided the kingdom into two parts. Rehoboam who ruled over Judah was going to send an army against them and endeavour to bring the kingdom back together again.
God sent a message to Rehoboam that he should not fight against Israel because what had happened was all part of His plan.
When we see the way things are going in our world today, we sometimes wonder just why certain rulers, etc., are in the positions they are. But we need to remember that God rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whosoever He will. Everything that happens is in His hands and part of His plan for our world. Through it all, He is working all things together to fulfill His perfect plan. We just need to trust Him and trust in His Divine leading.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we know that you are in complete control. Help us to trust you in all things.
Devotion by Anne Johnston

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God’s Perfect Gifts

2 Mins Read

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11
My daily Bible reading lately has been in I Kings and it is interesting to see the comments about each king that reigned: “he did right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father” or “and he did evil in the sight of the Lord,
They each had a decision to make when they became king, would they do good and follow God’s law, or would they do evil and worship the idols of others. Depending on which they decided, God either blessed them or caused judgment to come upon them. How different the history of Israel would read if each king that succeeded David had followed in His footsteps and honoured God. The nation would have been blessed and they would have lived in peace.
God gives each person on earth a choice today, we can serve God or turn our backs on Him. When we serve Him with all our heart, we can trust Him to shower us with grace and glory. He doesn’t give us everything we think we need, but He chooses what is best for our lives. He promised us wisdom, peace, victory, healing, joy and so many other blessings. May it be said of each one of us, that we walk uprightly, and are blessed by God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to walk uprightly before you and trust you to give us what is needed in our lives.
Devotion by Anne Johnston

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No Turning Back

2 Mins Read

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
Jesus made this statement in response to some people who said they wanted to follow Him but had other things they wished to do first, like spend more time with their friends, or wait until their parents were dead. They claimed they wanted to follow Jesus and be His disciples, but they wanted to do it on their terms.
How often people today are moved in a service, convicted of their sins, and cry out to the Lord for forgiveness. But when faced with trials and discouragements, or when realizing they must give up some things to follow Jesus, they are not willing to pay the full price.
To fully follow Jesus, we must be willing to lay aside everything else, and give ourselves wholly to Him. It’s all or nothing with Him. But when we learn to love Him with all our hearts, it is no sacrifice to give all to Him.
There is no turning back, once we have decided to follow Him. There will be obstacles and discouragements, but we can rest assured, that He will always be there for us, giving us the strength that we need.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to never look back, but follow you fully.
Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Destination Known

2 Mins Read

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8

My husband loved to travel, and I am sure that planning the trip was just as enjoyable to him as the trip itself. After he had chosen a destination, he would spend hours, checking maps, figuring out mileage and checking for interesting things to see and do along the way. He would go over the route several times, setting deadlines to be at a certain point. In most cases, he would meet the schedule within a few minutes.
When God called Abraham to leave his country, he had no idea where he was going or how long it was going to take. In faith, he obeyed the voice of God, and set out just taking one day at a time.
Scott Howard, of Legacy Five sings a beautiful song: “Destination Known.” Our destination is heaven, eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ. None of us know how long our journey will be but we submit ourselves to the Lord, trusting Him to guide us and direct us. As we listen to His voice, read His word, and communicate with Him one day at a time, He will keep us in the right path until the day He calls us home.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus that we know our destination, and that you will be there with us every step of the journey.
Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Shelter From The Storm

2 Mins Read

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” Psalm 61:2-3
Last night in church we were singing that old song, “Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.”
My mind wandered a bit and I could picture a weary traveler plodding across a dusty plain. The sky grew dark, and a storm was fast approaching. He quickened his pace, searching all around for a place of shelter. Suddenly he saw a group of rocks, and hurried off the pathway towards them, and there he found a cleft in which to hide and wait out the storm, rejoicing for the shelter.
So many times, in our lives, we face dark clouds, and storms that threaten us. But when we lift our eyes toward heaven and cry out to the Lord, He leads us to a place of safety. He doesn’t always calm the storm but He gives us the strength to bear whatever it is, and soon the dark clouds lift, and the sun shines again. Even amid the storm we can praise the Lord and trust Him to bring us safely through. Truly, He is our rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for the storms you allow us to face in our lives to strengthen us, and we thank you for the shelter you provide to keep us safe from harm.
Devotion by Anne Johnston

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