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Julie Long

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Devotions

Awesome!

1 Min Read

in-his-presence-praise“Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” (Psalm 66:5, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).

Awesome! This overused word is interwoven into conversations to describe anything above average. It’s linked to fashion, talents, gourmet foods, websites, gadgets, and travels. The King James Version translates awesome as “terrible.” Imagine this scene. We’re looking over the splendid Grand Canyon. I wave my arms and shout out “Terrible!” You wouldn’t understand my comment. If I said “awesome” you would know I’m impressed with God’s creation. That’s what the psalmist meant—full of awe, awesome—when he recognized God’s magnificent miracles. Awesome! That word belongs to God.

Prayer : Lord, when I see Your creations and witness miracles You have given to us, they are awesome! Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Devotions

Abundant Life

1 Min Read

handsBaby takes its first breath, lungs filling with air and cries at being thrust from the safety of the womb into bright light. That first cry brings life, hope and dreams. When the baby’s mother is wheeled to the curb at the hospital, going home, optimism blossoms. She visualizes her baby in the future. First tooth. First steps. A smiling kindergartner in cap and gown. She sees happy days with a bright future, not thoughts of tragedy awaiting the warm bundle of life cradled in her arms. Although death begins at the moment of birth, the mother acknowledges only life and hope. Jesus, recognizing His destiny to die, said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10, Holy Bible, King James Version).

Prayer : Eternal God, between the first breaths of life and the last before death, there is hope for each of Your children to make a difference. I pray for an expectant mother who has little hope to dream big, pray and nurture her child to be a winner for you. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Devotions

Reasoning Power

1 Min Read

paid-in-fullCome now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18, Holy Bible, King James).

We are born with mental reasoning capacity for everyday living. Along the way, we make advance choices that affect our long-term goals. In extreme situations where quick decisions are required, adrenaline powers the human body to do extraordinary feats on a moment’s notice. Knowing we would have questions about eternity, God reminds us to listen to reason—His reason. He has created the one-size solution for all.

Prayer : Eternal God, I am blessed by these ancient words that provide a reason for eternal hope. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Devotions

Faith Keepers

1 Min Read

Oil lampsI have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7, Holy Bible, New King James).

A visiting minister taught our congregation the precepts of being a kingdom keeper using Joash, the keeper of the oil, as an example. Although one of David’s mighty men of valor, Joash was appointed as Oil Keeper. Apostle Paul, orator, writer, and missionary, summed his position as Keeper of the Faith. That position is always open for new volunteers.

Prayer: Lord, whatever I can do for You, never let me forget that keeping the faith is a top priority.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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God’s Memoirs

1 Min Read

Gods-creationAnd God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 1:5, Holy Bible, King James).

My writing friends journal in notebooks, recording daily events that may blossom into a memoir. I don’t journal, but I carry a small notebook to jot titles and thoughts for devotionals. From those brief scribbles, God inspires me with Scriptures and themes, a reverse approach.

In the beginning, God used a straight-forward pattern, separating light from darkness and naming those divisions day and night. Although God created light first, He switched to a reverse order, calling the evening and morning as the first day. With that decision, God established a reverse pattern for the universal law for time. Each day begins in midnight darkness, not sunrise. Read about it in the Genesis, God’s memoirs penned by Moses.

Prayer:Eternal God, creator of the universe, You established time recognized by every nation. Even those who do not believe in You live by this pattern of time. You are omnipresent in light and darkness. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Devotions

The Ultimate Survey

1 Min Read

hands“Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do men say that I am?’ So they answered, ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” (Mark 8:27-29, Holy Bible, New King James).

Opinion surveys are effective in local issues. Online surveys assess consumer habits. Instructors distribute printed surveys at the close of workshops and seminars to determine if the experience met the teacher’s expectations. When Jesus asked for public opinion, His disciples replied with a variety of responses. When Jesus asked for personal understanding, Peter had the correct answer, “You are the Christ.”

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for asking me this same question. Like Peter, I know You are the Messiah. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Devotions

Me and My Mouth

1 Min Read

tasteandsee“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.)

You’re never too old to learn something new. I’m proof of that at age 70. I pray this familiar scripture on a daily basis. As I read it again, I realized the approval process starts with my mouth. My mouth sets me up for God’s approval or His disdain.

The psalmist prays to God to keep him from sin, and then begs that He would accept his performance. If we excuse our sins, we cannot expect God to ignore what we have done. He is an all-knowing God. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, more than anything I want you be pleased with the words that come from my mouth and the thoughts I meditate on in my mind. This is my prayer today. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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The Redeemed

1 Min Read

embrace_the_grace“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:23-24 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.)

A few months ago I was at a conference and a young lady who had gone to our church previously came to me after the service. She asked me to pray for her as she had made so many mistakes and wanted to do what was right. I told her immediately, “Join the club; we have all made mistakes.”

Thank God for His grace and mercy. None of us deserve a second chance but He gives us just that. We can’t go back just forward.

It’s admirable to realize and admit to being wrong. You’re headed in the right direction when you do so.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for righting the wrongs in my life. Your forgiveness is so awesome, God. When I ask Your forgiveness it relieves me of the condemnation that sin carries.

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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Devotions

Convictions of Steel

2 Mins Read

Iron“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.”

There is nothing as powerful as the preached Word of God. In my lifetime I have been blessed to hear the best of the best! In this verse, the Apostle Paul was bragging on the church in Thessalonica just a little. They got it; not just the words they heard but the Word produced a powerful effect on both their hearts and lives.

I like how The Message Bible puts it: “When the message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.”

I’m so glad I heard the message as a child and because of the Word I have conviction of steel! It’s almost impossible to change steel. My house is built on The ROCK!

Prayer: My heritage is so valuable to me, Lord. Thank You for sending preachers my way to help forge my own personal convictions. Your Spirit is what keeps me tall and erect. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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