Then Jesus said to them, “So wherever you go in the world, tell everyone the Good News.” (Mark 16:15, God’s Word Edition) God has done so much for us. We have no trouble sharing this with people who also people in God’s power and abilities. What we do find more…
Make the best use of your time. These are sinful days. Do not be foolish. Understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:15-17, NLV) Do you often find yourself asking where the time has gone? This coming from a girl who still thinks she could be a high…
My thoughts for today are simple. Know what you believe and be ready to stand up for yourself when your belief system is questioned. If you have a personality like mine, confrontation is the last thing you want to be dealing with. Unfortunately, it seems that we are quickly approaching…
The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23, New American Standard Bible)
Each sunrise brings a beautiful freshness. Wet with mountain dew or dry with desert dust, there is something special about greeting a new day. Yesterday’s despair is erased by today’s hope. New opportunities are waiting. A chance to call, write an encouraging note, send an e-mail, or pray for a friend are gifts from the heart that can brighten the sender as well as the recipient. Remembering God’s loving kindness gives us a new measure of daily compassion. Accept today’s fresh start as a gift and share it with others.
Prayer:Eternal God, renew in me the compassion for others that You give to me daily. Let me respond gently to those who are abrupt. Help me to be kind to those who are unkind to me. By sharing Your compassion with others, I will be more like You. When You give me a fresh start each day, I will renew my compassion for others. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Published In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments © 2006, Violet Carr Moore
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
“Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.”
(Scriptures from Psalm 37:1 and Proverbs 23:17, Holy Bible, King James Version)
Solomon repeats a message he learned from his father, King David. Don’t be envious or troubled by unpunished actions of the ungodly. Fretting, a consistent uneasiness in comparisons to others, can cause erosion in your soul. Don’t concentrate on the actions of others or envy those who seem to prosper in their wickedness. Focus on God’s plans for your life.
Prayer: Lord, keep my mind focused on Your goodness and not on the evils of others. Don’t let me be consumed with worries about wrong doers. Remind me that You are in control of the ups and downs of my life. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Extracted from In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments © 2006, Violet Carr Moore
Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. (Luke 4:8, Holy Bible, New International Version)
When Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness, Satan tried to convince Jesus (Luke 4:7) to worship him. Jesus didn’t assess the situation. He didn’t discuss the options. He didn’t debate the issues. He simply quoted the holy Word God established through Moses.
In temptations, we have a divine example to follow. “It is written” is still the best response to temptations today.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for setting a positive example for me when You spoke from ancient Scripture. In temptations or discouragement, I will follow Your pattern and remove temptations of things not like You by speaking Your holy Word. I will speak on the authority of Scripture and say, “It is written.” Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
From In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments © 2006, Violet Carr Moore
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. (Proverbs 25:11 New American Standard Bible)
Gentle words comfort, calm, encourage, heal, and inspire. They bring solitude and peace to a troubled friend or a nearby stranger who hears the conversation.
Harsh words carelessly spoken seem to travel at full speed. They may irritate, provoke discord, damage reputations, or destroy confidence of the recipient and all who hear the conversation. Once spoken, inconsiderate words are like weapons, piercing the heart and soul with deep injuries that heal slowly.
Avoid harsh words that paint an unpleasant canvas. Choose soft words to produce apples of gold framed in silver.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I hear so many destructive words in everyday conversations. Offensive words pouring from careless tongues overpower gentle words. Help me concentrate on the positive by showing kindness in my conversations. I want to produce long-remembered pictures of gold so my words will glisten in settings of silver. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
From In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments © 2006, Violet Carr Moore
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
When a friend has problems, I send a greeting card or a note. Choosing the right words and the best card is important. When an illness is terminal, a humorous get –well-soon card may not be the best choice. A bon voyage card may not be appreciated by a friend who is forced to move because of financial circumstances. When God sees us in uncomfortable situations, He knows what to say. He sends His thoughts of peace and hope for the future. When you read His Word, you will welcome His “Thinking of You” card.
Prayer: Dear God, You saw my future before I was born. You have shown compassion to me through words of encouragement, comfort and peace. You have provided answers in Your Word for all my situations and have given me hope for tomorrow. Thank You for thinking of me. Amen
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Published In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments © 2006, Violet Carr Moore
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, Holy Bible, King James Version).
Thoughts and words need God’s approval. Thoughts rehearsed can be revised for clarity, gentleness, or better choice of words before verbalizing. Once spoken, words are permanent. They will be peaceful or destructive, depending on how successfully the thoughts were edited before they became words.
Prayer: Lord, help me to think positive things that reflect Your blessings and goodness. If my thoughts are like You, then my words will be like You also. When my speech reflects You, so will I. Guide my thoughts to produce words pleasing to You. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
From In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments © 2006, Violet Carr Moore