“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity.” (Luke 2:36 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.) It’s Christmas time again and the…
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.)…
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” (Luke 2:20 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible) Who doesn’t like to be the first to hear good news? Reading the Christmas story…
For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. (Psalm 11:7, The Message) Just when we think we have life figured out, something happens that throws us for a loop. In those moments we have a very important decision to make. We can use the situation to…
Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around. (Proverbs 13:12, The Message) Some people appear to have more life challenges than others. While it would be great to be able to dissect the reasons why this is so, there is no way anyone can…
For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:37-38, KJV) When Gabriel appeared to Mary she was startled – an appropriate response I think! He tells her not to…
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.