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Devotions

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Devotions

Survival Lesson

1 Min Read

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these, (Luke 12:27, Holy Bible, New American Standard).

    The disciples of Jesus were concerned about life’s necessities after they left their careers to follow Him. With no source of income, how would they survive? Even the basics of food, housing, clothing—the same things we worry about today—were beyond their reach. Jesus compared the thriving field lilies to the wealthy King Solomon’s wardrobe. Their natural beauty from the master weaver assured them He would care for them. Nothing has changed. Lilies bloom. God still cares for His followers.
    Prayer: Eternal God, this lesson from the lilies is my assurance that You care for me. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Refuge

1 Min Read

The LORD will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9, Holy Bible, King James Version).

    Trouble! Had more than your share? Not interested in repeats, but they continue? The Psalmist offers a solution. When life overwhelms you, the Lord will provide a safety net. If your journey has lead you into oppression, step into God’s safe house and rest sheltered by His peace.
    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I have no place to turn but You. Shelter me in my times of trouble. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Devotions

Weak Points

2 Mins Read

“Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (II Timothy 2:22 in the New American Standard Bible)

Young Sally was trying desperately to save all the pennies she could for the doll carriage she wanted to buy. She was turning in aluminum cans, doing extra chores, anything to make a few more cents a week. One night as she was saying her bedtime prayers, her mother overhead Sally say, “O Lord, please help me to save my money for the doll carriage in Mr. Smith’s store window. It’s so beautiful and I want it so much. It’s just right for my doll. And I’d be sure to let my friends play with it too.” Pleased to hear her daughter’s prayer, Sally’s mother was startled to hear the final line of the prayer. “And please God, don’t let the ice cream man come down our street this week!”

Just as we are each unique in our talents, abilities, backgrouds and experiences, we are also unique in what tempts us. What is tempting to one person may not tempt another in the least. Saying “yes” to Jesus, makes saying “no” to temptation easy!

Prayer: Jesus, I recognize that the enemy of my soul knows my weak points, but I also recognize my strength – You! Draw me close to You today so when tempation comes I can draw on Your strength to turn away from it. Amen.

Devotion by Susan Tracy

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Attitude of Gratitude

1 Min Read

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks…” (Luke 17:15-16, Holy Bible King James Version)

Ten lepers stood far away from Jesus and cried out for mercy. Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the Jewish priest as was customary when leprosy was cleansed. All were healed on the way but only one returned to give Jesus thanks. He had the attitude of gratitude.

Prayer: Jesus, I am so thankful that You are the same now as when You spoke to the ten lepers. Your salvation, healing and other miracles are available for me today as they were then. Like the grateful leper, I have the attitude of gratitude for the changes You have made in my life. Thank You for Your special touch. Amen.

Devotion by Susan Tracy

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Broken Things

2 Mins Read

“By reason of breakings they purify themselves.” (Job 41:25 in the King James Version of the HOly Bible)

Most often, God uses those people and things which are perfectly broken for His glory. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.

It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house.

And thus, on and on, through history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS.

Prayer: Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken often times in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon and using for Your glory, O Lord. My heart cries out for You to work these things in me until I am a vessel You can use. Amen.

Devotion by Susan Tracy

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Precious Lessons

2 Mins Read

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

How many times have we heard, “Why didn’t He help me sooner?” It is not His order. He must first adjust you to the trouble and cause you to learn from it. God’s promise is, “I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.” He must be with you in the trouble day and night, and then He will take you out of it. This doesn’t come until you have stopped fretting and have become calm and quiet. Then He will say, “It is enough.”

God uses trouble to teach His children precious lessons. They are intended to educate us. There is a sweet joy and real value in them. He doesn’t regard them as difficulties, but as opportunities.

Not always OUT of our troublous times,
And the struggles fierce and grim,
But IN – deeper IN –
To our sure rest,
The place of our peace, in Him.

by Annie Johnson Flint

Prayer: Mighty God, I feel as though You are putting me through a time of testing and I don’t want to miss the lesson You want me to learn. I take You at Your Word. Let my life prove that Your promises are always fulfilled! Amen.

Devotion by Susan Tracy

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The School of Hardknocks

2 Mins Read

“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible)

God keeps a costly school. Many of its lessons are spelled out through tears. This school of our heavenly Father will soon close for us; the term time is shortening every day. We cannot shrink from the hard lessons or wince under the rod of chastisement.

“The richer will be the crown, and the sweeter will be heaven, if we endure cheerfully to the end and graduate in glory.” – Theodore Cuyler

Did you know that the finest china in the world is burned at least three times, some more. Why does it go through that intense fire? Once ought to be enough; twice ought to be enough. But no, three times is necessary to burn the china so that the gold and the crimson are brought out more beautifully and fastened there to stay.

“We are fashioned after the same principle in human life. Our trials are burned into us once, twice, thrice, and by God’s grace these beautiful colors are there to stay forever.” – Cortland Myers

Prayer: Lord, help me to see my difficult circumstances as a refining fire that can make me more like You if I respond correctly. Please give me the grace to trust You; the strength to endure; and the peace of God to ease the way through to a victorious end either in this life or in the one to come! Amen.

Devotion by Susan Tracy

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Prayer Power

1 Min Read

“Give your troubles to God; He will be up all night anyway.”

“He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3 in the New American Standard Bible)

We pray because prayer opens up the floodgates of God’s infinite grace and power to flow toward the person in need. God can act without prayer, but He chooses to operate within the boundaries of human will and invitation. He allows us to participate in His work on earth with each prayer.

Leonard Ravenhill once said about prayer, “One might estimate the weight of the world, tell the size of the celestial city, count the stars of heaven, measure the speed of lightning, and tell the time of the rising and the setting of the sun – but you cannot estimate prayer power. Prayer is as vast as God because He is behind it. Prayer is a mighty as God because He has committed Himself to answer it.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when I face a tough situation, my first response should be to ask for Your help. Thank You for reminding me that You long to be my helper and to be fully involved in my life.

Devotion by Susan Tracy

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Refine

1 Min Read

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (I Peter 1:7 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible)

Who wants to go through trials? It hurts when the fire burns away the dull outer layers of my life. But, oh, how beautiful it is when the gold shines through to reflect God’s glory!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being my refiner! I can get through this for You are with me during this test of my faith. Amen.

Devotion by Julie Long

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