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Chose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 Holy Bible King James)

It’s easy to make a New Year’s resolution but not keep it because you are your own scorekeeper. Joshua made a critical choice, not a resolution, and he kept it. In Joshua’s final presentation to the descendants of Israel, he spoke of his faithful journeys with Moses. Joshua told of how he pledged his commitment to continue following the Lord. He went a step further. He asked others to make a choice—a commitment. Like Joshua, a decision to serve God is your choice. If it’s only a resolution, you keep score. If it’s a commitment, the Lord will keep score.

Prayer: Eternal God, I thank you for Joshua’s faith. His commitment to follow You is a great example of leadership. I commit myself to follow You today. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42, Holy Bible, New King James)

This follows the scene of the magnitude conversion of 3,000 people in one day at the Jewish celebration of Pentecost. Apostle Peter had made it plain to those who witnessed the gift of the Holy Ghost falling on believers who had gathered in an upper room that this new covenant was the promise of Jesus.

The new converts were attentive to the apostles’ teaching and prayed together in steadfast fellowship. It kept them strong then. It will keep you strong now.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for those who teach and pray with likeminded believers who follow the apostles’ doctrine. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more. (Psalm 71:14, Holy Bible, New King James Version)

You’ve heard it all.
• “Never lose hope.”
• “Hope will make a way.”
• “Don’t give up. There’s still hope.”
• “When hope is gone, there’s nothing left.”

What is hope? It’s the expectation that when we can’t fix things ourselves and faith fails, God will bridge the gap so we can praise Him even more.

Prayer: Lord, my hope is in You. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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For those who say “Yes,” from ushers to Bible teachers, overload comes because we are humans with physical limitations. We often encourage each other with “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not,” (Galatians 6:9, King James Version). These may be empty words to the ones who have fallen from carrying the load of constant volunteerism. Apostle Paul gave the Corinthian congregation a stronger motive.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58, Holy Bible, New King James)

We say yes because it makes a difference to others and to God.

Prayer: Lord, give me a steadfast attitude so my labor for You will produce positive results. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10, Holy Bible, New King James)

At the beginning of each new year, resolutions are made that won’t be kept. Decisions are made that won’t be completed. Commitments are made that won’t be honored. All because a steadfast spirit is absent.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines steadfast as immovable; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination, or adherence. Steadfast embodies nothing less than total commitment.

Pray this ancient Scripture for a clean heart, but realize it takes a steadfast spirit to maintain that holiness.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that you will give me a clean heart to begin this new year. Renew a steadfast spirit within me that I will keep my commitments to You. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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The birth of Jesus began a new period known as Anno Domini (AD). English dates were once written as “In the Year of Our Lord.” The years before and after Christ, BC and AD, were recognized by all, even the nonreligious. Then, along came skeptic intellectuals who challenged the existence of Jesus. They decided that history could not justify this man as worthy of splitting time. Now Before Christ (BC) is known as Before Common Era (BCE) and after Christ is Common Era (CE). Their only concession to this change in the Gregorian calendar was that the split continues to be the year Jesus is thought to have been born.

What did the local scoffers say when the shepherds received the good news of the birth of a Savior? What did onlookers at the crucifixion say when the sun hid from the calamity? What will the ones who have denied Jesus say at the judgement?

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11, Holy Bible, New King James)

All will acknowledge Jesus as the Savior, the divider of time.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your birth divided time. In the few years You lived on this earth, You brought hope to those of your generation. With Your death, You brought hope to all generations. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5, Holy Bible, King James Version)

How strange it must have been to hear the prophet Isaiah foretell of the death of the great Redeemer less than thirty years after the promise of His birth. Could it be possible that the anticipated Savior might have a similar short time on earth?

“A time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2), the words of another Old Testament wise man says we each have a span of time. From the moment the angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds until the day He was crucified, about the same number of years between the promised birth and death, Jesus accomplished all that was needed to change the future.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in the short years You lived as a man on this earth, You brought hope to those of your generation. With Your death, You brought hope to all generations. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3, Holy Bible, King James Version) What do you think of when you hear the word…

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And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (Luke 7:16, Holy Bible, King James Version)

God’s people had waited centuries from the promise of the fulfillment of the birth of a Savior. Now Jesus, a man of compassion, brought a widow’s son back to life. But they were afraid. Afraid of the Savior they longed for. How could that be?

A miracle, an unexplainable event that defied nature, first shocked the crowd. Then they understood. The promised Savior dwelt among men on earth. Even nature had to obey when He spoke.

Prayer: Lord, when I fear Your power, it is because I recognize my weakness in Your presence. Then, I glorify Your name because You continue to visit Your people. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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