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
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
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
“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
In a couple of days, this year will come to an end, and we enter a brand new one. As we look back for the past months, we can see where the Lord has been with us, guiding our footsteps, and providing our every need.
We look forward to the New Year with confidence that the Lord is in control. Our world is in turmoil, but peace fills our hearts as we realize this means we are that much closer to the Lord’s return.
We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds our future, and we have no fear. Trouble and strife may rock our world, but we are safe in those everlasting arms.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for the peace you give us and the hope that one day soon we will see you face to face. Keep us faithful to you in the coming year.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“In thy presence is fullness of joy” Psalm 16:11
Christmas is over for another year. The tree will be taken town, and the decorations packed away until next year. We look at the cards we received one more time, and then tuck them out of sight.
But the greatest gift of Christmas is Jesus and He will not be packed away. The presents we received will soon be forgotten, as we prepare for a new year.
But the presence of Jesus Christ will remain with us every day, as we take time to read His Word, spend time with Him in prayer each day, and meditate upon the love and mercy He has shown us.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the joy that Christmas brings, but most of all I thank you for your presence with us every day of the year.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2
The wise men are always included in Nativity scenes and in pictures. But we know that they did not visit the Baby in the manger; they came later when Mary and Joseph were living in a house.
They followed the star and came to bring gifts for the promised one. This was all part of God’s plan, for, no doubt, those gifts provided the means of support of Joseph and Mary when they had to flee to Egypt. Where God leads, He provides.
So many times we can look back at circumstances in our lives and realize how the Lord was with us, and provided for our needs even before we know we had them. I can remember a Christmas when my parents did not have money for gifts, and just a couple of days before Christmas, a cheque arrived in the mail and met the need.
Prayer: Lord, you have blessed us so much. Open our eyes today to see the needs of others, and show us what we can do to meet those needs.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
For some the day after Christmas can be a sad one. It is over for another year, friends and family have departed and the house feels empty. In our country, Boxing Day has become a big thing and people will be thronging the stores one again, looking for bargains. They will buy Christmas items to pack away for next year.
But for those of us who know the Lord, Christmas doesn’t end on December 25, for it is Christmas in our hearts all year long. We do not worship a baby in a manger, because we know that baby grew up, and gave His life on Calvary to redeem us.
He rose from the grave to give us life. He ascended into Heaven but sent back the Comforter who is alive in our hearts every day of the year. Now we look forward to His returning and spending eternity with Him.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us here on earth, and for the hope you have given us of Heaven.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“The shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.” Luke 2:15
There is always such excitement when a new baby is born. Friends and relatives come to call, bearing gifts and good wishes.
When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were far away from their families. They had not been in Bethlehem long enough to make any friends. But the Lord sent the shepherds to be the first ones to see and worship the new King. They probably did not have any gifts to give, except the tidings that the angels had brought them.
There may be some of you today who are away from family and friends, and this may not be the happiest time of the year for you. But remember, the Saviour who came on Christmas Day, has promised to never leave you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus be with all of those who do not have family close on this day. Comfort them and bless them with your presence.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
One more day, and we celebrate the most joyous day of the year. For some this will be one of the busiest days of the year as you prepare the meals and make ready the house for guests.
How tiring a day it must have been for Mary and Joseph as they traveled those long weary miles to Bethlehem, and then could not find a place to stay. Once they were shown to the stable, it would not have taken them long to ready a place to rest. And there, on that first Christmas morning, baby Jesus was born.
As we prepare our home for family and friends, may we also prepare a place in our hearts for the One who came to bring us life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to make room in our hearts for you as we celebrate this Christmas.
Devotion by Anne Johnston