“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) …
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“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). Life experience gives us the opportunity to observe those around us from wisdom’s perspective. The psalmist wrote from that vantage point. He had been young with all the joys allotted him and was now living in the golden years. One thing that stood out to him was how God had taken care of the righteous and their offspring. He wrote of something he had not seen in his lifetime. “…yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken…” I’ve joined the ranks of the senior citizens and I can attest to the same pattern. God takes care of the righteous!
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Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for taking care of me all of my life. It’s good to know I will not be forsaken. I can count on You. You will supply all of my needs!
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Devotion by: Kaye Singleton
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“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). Things on the earth can get us off-track if we are not careful. It’s important that we don’t forget that all of the wealth and pleasure in this world is short lived. We must keep our eyes set on heaven and place all of our affection on things above. Our heavenly home is eternal. Where are you looking?
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Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray that You will help me to keep looking up. To see You face-to-face will be worth it all.
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Devotion by: Kaye Singleton
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We just celebrated 43 years of marriage and today I’m counting my blessings. Often I am a recipient of in-house inspiration from my husband, Bill. He’s one of those wonderful men who cares and is kind not only to me but to those he is associated with. He brings flowers and butterfingers to inspire me (LOL-laugh out loud!) When you have in-house inspiration it tends to spills over to the world outside your front door. Homes should be safe havens where discouraging words are seldom heard. The word “inspire” means, a) to breathe or blow into, b) to infuse life, etc. When I’ve had the breath knocked out of me God has given me a help-meet who infuses life back into me. “Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church; and gave himself for it;” (Ephesians 5:25 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
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Prayer: Lord, I thank You so much for giving me a loving husband. Help me to give back the same in-house inspiration to him that he lovingly gives to me. Bill reminds me of You, Lord, and today I want to say a great big Thank You for allowing me to share life with him! Amen.
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Devotion by: Kaye Singleton
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Have you ever noticed how hard it is to change someone who has a made up mind? Call it stubborn if you want; a mind that’s made up simply cannot be changed. From a nasty prison cell, the Apostle Paul wrote this bold, made up mind statement in the Book of Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (King James Version of the Holy Bible). The scenarios in this list have caused many people to give up and turn away from God. But, Paul went on record to let the church in Rome know that he had his mind made up. Nothing is able to separate him from God’s Love! Is your mind made up?
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Prayer: Lord, I’ve got my mind made up to live for You regardless. Though I walk through lonely valleys, You are with me. I’m not throwing in the towel. I’ll live for You come what may. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
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Devotion by: Kaye Singleton
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). New babies often bring questions like, “Who do they look like?” and “Where did that red hair come from? I’m here to remind you that the world can tell if we resemble our Heavenly Father or not. The crucible of suffering has a way of showing our real identity. Your reaction to what comes your way revels who you really are and whether or not you look like Jesus. Do you resemble Him at all?
Prayer: Lord, I want the world to recognize who my Father is. I want more of You in my life so that I reflect Your image.
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
The Message version of the Bible says, “You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless night. Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book” (Psalm 56:8). Your search for God reveals that He is right there with you. He hears and He sees all that has to do with you. The writer of this Psalm, King David, feared for his life at the hands of Saul and was hiding out with Ziphites when they told Saul where he was. David was in a desperate situation and God heard him. Be assured that He doesn’t ever leave you; even when it seems your world is turning upside down. Just call His name for He is right there with you.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for listening when I call upon You. I’m so glad I learned that You are as close as the mention of Your name. It’s good to know You are a strong tower we can run to when the enemy comes in like a flood.
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). There are several “no mores” in this chapter. John (the writer of Revelation) had been banished to the Isle of Patmos. The island was a lonely place to be as no visitors toured Patmos. Quiet time was all the time for John. Historical accounts indicate that the city of Ephesus was visible from the island. No doubt as he sat looking across to Ephesus, night was approaching and he could see the skyline of the city. In his mind he couldn’t help but think of the church located just a few streets from the waters edge. John knew it would soon be church time and only wished he could be in attendance. But one of these days, he wrote, there would be “no more sea” – no more division between him and where he wanted to be.
Prayer: At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the division between us and those we love will be no more. It’s a hard thing to be separated from those who have departed from this life, but what a hope we have one day to be reunited!
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
We live in a world that is overflowing with people who feel like they should be given something for nothing; the word is “entitlement.” Being provided for without working is at the top of the “entitlement” list. This mind-set has been around a long time. There was a mother in the Bible who felt like her boys should be given a seat next to Jesus. Matthew 20:24 reads, “Then came to him the mother Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.” They were disciples and helped Jesus out so why not ask for a favor she thought. Be careful that you don’t come to worship Him with your entitlement package in your purse. God doesn’t owe us a thing and yet He loads us with benefits.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being so good to me. I worship You with empty hands raised, and a heart full of thanksgiving for ALL you have done for me. Lord, I’m not asking for special seating in Heaven; I just want to be in Your Kingdom. Amen!
Devotion by: Kaye Singleton