A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough. (1 Timothy 6:6-7, The Message) Money can very easily…
Then we will no longer be like children, tossed around here and there upon ocean waves, picked up by every gust of religious teaching spoken by liars or swindlers or deceivers. (Ephesians 4:14, Holy Bible, The Voice Translation)
In modern terminology compromised often means your email or website has been hacked. Even worse, financial entities, medical facilities, and other vital records can be infiltrated. Your personal information may be used for deceitful purposes. Hackers can steal your identity and ruin your reputation.
Apostle Paul’s letter to the congregation suggests that deceivers had infiltrated the Christian congregation at Ephesus, trying to compromise their identity with Jesus. He tells them to be vigilant, stand strong, and be aware of deceivers. His message to the modern church might be interpreted as “Act like adults, and don’t be misled by those who would steal your Christian identity.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, in these times of nothing matters but sincerity in what one believes, I will not compromise. You are the Christ, my Savior. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
A bucket list is described as a list of things a person wants to do before death. The adventurous aspire to climb the highest mountain, hike the roughest trail, swim the widest sea, or bike across the country. Others want to travel to exotic locations, tour historical buildings, or see work by renowned artists. Although different, they have a common link. All are self-centered desires.
Apostle Paul admonished the Christian church in Galatia to add something new to the top of their bucket lists.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10, Holy Bible, New King James).
Revisit your bucket list. Add “Be a do-gooder” to the top. It will keep your priorities straight.
Prayer: There are so many things I want to do, Lord. Help me forget my desires and arrange my priorities to first do good to those who serve You. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:1-3, Holy Bible, New King James)
Jesus chose the twelve disciples, seemingly at random as he walked along the seashore and familiar places around Jerusalem. Jesus taught them to reach out to others. In this scene more than 30 years later, Antioch Christians about 300 miles from Jerusalem were serious about spreading the gospel. Five men considered prophets and teachers gathered in prayer and fasting. Some would serve the local congregation, but others would branch out in missionary work. Who would go? Barnabas and Saul were chosen.
If you’re serious about working for God, whether local or far away, pray until He shows you where you have been chosen to serve.
Prayer: Lord, let Your will be first in my life so I may serve where I have been chosen. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31, Holy Bible, New International Version).
Each generation has produced motivational quotes for high achievers on their journey to success. Some were embraced. Others were cast aside for a new phrase. The main theme is to be different than others. Advice from the First Century A.D.—treat everybody like you want to be treated—is absent.
Imagine the impact a single individual can make in one generation by following this equality advice from Jesus, the master motivator.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for reminding me that actions are better motivators than words. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1, Holy Bible, King James Version)
The twenty-third psalm is familiar to most of us. I memorized this full psalm at a young age. Over the years I’ve mellowed it from a clipped childhood cadence to a soothing recitation. I still delight in the scene it evokes when speaking it aloud. I meditate on this opening sentence when money is low or uncertainty overshadows my life. I cling to this verse as a promise that my needs will be provided.
Am I missing the Palmist’s focus? He opens with the phrase, “The LORD is my shepherd.” He focuses on why God provides. The Lord cares for His sheep who acknowledge Him.
Prayer: Lord, my prayers are often “give me.” Today, I ask for nothing. I offer thanks that I am one of Your sheep. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. (Acts 3:1-3 Holy Bible, King James Version)
Peter and John were creatures of habit. That afternoon, about three o’clock, they made their usual trek to the temple in Jerusalem. They encountered a lame man begging at the gate. Nothing different there either. The difference came when Peter spoke in boldness. “Look on us.” That confidence in his new experience of being Holy Ghost filled at Pentecost emblazoned Peter with faith.
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (v. 6)
The crippled man leaped up and praised God. And it all happened because Peter and John took time to pray.
Prayer: Lord, help me to follow Peter’s example and set aside a time to pray. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3, Holy Bible, New Living Translation)
A smooth yardstick rested between the refrigerator and the kitchen cabinet in my young years. The flat wood bore marks in increments up to twelve inches repeated three times. Those black marks, from short to long, meant nothing when separated. Combined, printed on a straight edge, they functioned as a standard measurement.
How do we measure ourselves? Is the song leader greater in God’s eyes than the person who sweeps the front steps? Are those who welcome visitors on Sunday morning greater than the one who empties the trash? Apostle Paul’s ancient words are a reminder today that measuring our worth is not by human guidelines. True worth must be measured by faith.
Prayer: Lord, when I think my contributions to Your kingdom measure my success, Scripture reminds me that we are all measured by faith. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:6
“Courage is the first of human qualities, because it is the quality that guarantees all others.” Winston Churchill
Moses was dead. He had guided the children of Israel for many years. Of the ones who had left Egypt with him only those who had been under twenty years old still lived, except for Caleb and Joshua.
God had chosen Joshua to be the leader as the people prepared to enter the promised land. Moses had instructed him well and now God tells him to be strong and of good courage, promising that He would be with him just as He had been with Moses.
In Verse 8, God tells him that if we will do all the things that Moses had written in the law, he would be prosperous and successful. That would require courage, as they began to possess the country that God had promised them.
We may not face the enemies Joshua faced, but we must be strong and of good courage to live for God in a world which is getting more wicked every day. The Bible gives us the instructions we need, and the Holy Spirit illuminates the Word in our hearts. He is everything we need.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for your Word and for your Holy Spirit, which provides us with everything we need to live courageously.
Devotion by Anne Johnston