For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, NLT) As the Christmas season approaches, so much of our time is spent focusing on…
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.Psalm 100:3, Holy Bible, New Living Translation
I watched a shepherd relocate his large flock from a depleted pasture to a more nourishing grazing area. The sheep were not distracted by the line of impatient drivers as they crossed the paved road toward greener pastures. They recognized him as their master and followed through unfamiliar territory without fear.
The Lord cares for us as a tender shepherd. When we recognize His sovereignty―that He is the God who created us―then we, like those sheep, will understand that traveling through unfamiliar territory and rough terrain may be His way to guide us on an uncertain journey.
Prayer: Lord, when I struggle on the rocky trails of the unexpected, I will trust You, my shepherd, to bring me to a place of quiet rest. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Adapted from Moments of Meditation by Violet Carr Moore, copyright 2007.
Have you ever visited with an extended family where laughing children’s play was interrupted by a sharp cry of pain? That child’s voice was recognized by the parent who responded immediately to the situation.
Our relationship with God has to be this close. God knows your voice when in distress or when you offer prayers in good times.
To him the doorkeeper opens,
and the sheep hear his voice,
and he calls his own sheep by name
and leads them out.John 10:3 New American Standard Bible
Prayer: Everlasting God of heaven and earth, You will hear me when I call because I am one of Your sheep. You know my name. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Adapted from Moments of Meditation by Violet Carr Moore, copyright 2007-2015.
“Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them,” (Acts 3:3-5, Holy Bible King James).
A beggar, lame from birth, was carried to the temple every day where he lay at the entrance gate named Beautiful. When Peter and John came near, the man asked them for money. How his expectations must have soared when Peter said, “Look at us.” What a disappointment when Peter added that he had no gold or silver. But, the story didn’t end there. Peter offered the man his hand and said “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (verse 7). He walked into the temple for the first time, no longer lame because both he and Peter had great expectations.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith to anticipate a miracle for people I met in in unexpected places. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” (Deuteronomy 32:4, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
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Life isn’t fair! I’ve uttered these three words myself, usually followed by the next three, “Why me, God?” I’m tempted to scream “Pick on somebody else for a while.” When the problem is resolved, I realize it was part of God’s perfect plan. He makes no mistakes.
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Prayer: Lord, I’m often perplexed when You choose a rocky path for me. When I question You, let me see myself from Your heavenly view.
- Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11, Holy Bible, New King James)
Seasons of life are not defined by clocks or calendars. They are experienced as infants, toddlers, preschoolers, tweens, teens, young adults, baby boomers, and seniors. The clock ticks the same for all of us, sixty seconds in each minute, but life becomes a winter snowball racing downhill as we age.
We remember life through events and celebrations, birthdays, school graduations, first vehicle, marriage or career decisions, first home, children, and grandchildren. God sees how we react to each of these seasons. He measures our spiritual progress, not by clocks or calendars, but by His delight in how His beauty shines through us.
Prayer: Eternal God, I am thankful Your presence shines in all seasons of my life. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4 We live in a fast-paced world, and technology is constantly coming forth with new inventions to save us time and energy. Recently a new type of pot has been made available which…
“And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.”…
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 As I approached the Lord in prayer this morning, my heart was filled with thanksgiving. Just to think that out of the millions of people in this world, God chose me to be one of…