Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. (1 Samuel 1:6-7, KJV) Imagine wanting…
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV) When God fills you with his spirit you are called to a higher level of living. In order for your life to produce good fruit you…
“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” (Psalm 32:7, KJV) It is really hard to find peace. Our world is loud, chaotic and stressful to say the least. To find a place of complete serenity can…
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine…
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2, NIV) Trusting in God’s plan for your life is a lot easier said than done. When everything is going just as you had hoped it takes very little effort to…
They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as Eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31, Holy Bible, King James Version)
Long lines form at airport security, in motor vehicle offices, at pharmacies, grocers, and retail stores. Waiting extends to restaurants and gas pumps. Chairs are filled in reception areas of health providers. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Wasted minutes, sometimes hours.
Waiting on God is different. It renews strength to the weary. Pray, trust, and be refreshed while you wait.
Prayer: Lord, waiting in my daily routine has made me impatient for Your response to my prayers. Refresh me while I wait for your promises. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning… (Lamentations 3:22-23 New American Standard Bible)
Every sunrise brings freshness. Wet with dew or dry with dust, there is something special about greeting a new day. Yesterday’s despair can be erased with today’s hope. New opportunities are waiting. A chance to call, write an encouraging note, send an email, or pray for a friend are gifts from the heart that can brighten the sender as well as the recipient.
Follow God’s example of new compassion every morning.
Prayer: Eternal God, renew in me today the compassion for others. Soften my response to those who are abrupt or demanding. Help me to be kind to those who are unkind. Teach me compassion so I will be more like You. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20 Holy Bible King James Version)
I ran my fingers along the left and right arrows next to “Open Here” on the translucent cover of a ream of printer paper. I twisted and poked. Nothing budged. In my frustration, I dropped the package. When I picked it up, my hands were on the opposite end. Another set of similar arrows and instructions: Open Here. When I touched the sealed place, the package opened immediately. There was no need to search for a sharp instrument to cut the cover when I found the right place—the door—to success.
If you can’t find Jesus, maybe you’re looking at the wrong end of things. Maybe you’re overanalyzing. When you hear His voice, open the door. He will take charge after that.
Prayer: Thank You Lord for knocking on my door. Welcome. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. (Ecclesiastes 1:10, Holy Bible, King James Version.)
On this seventh day of January, New Year’s resolutions are broken as minutes tick toward another hour, another day, another month. A wise man speaks from ancient Scripture with a reminder that the past repeats itself and blends with the present. A mix of old and new doesn’t dwell on failures. Jesus gives hope for a brighter future in the words he spoke centuries later.
Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20, Holy Bible, King James Version)
His promises are for today, tomorrow next week, next month. They are old, new and eternal.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your promises give me hope. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore