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Devotions

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Devotions

Pray for Your Friends

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“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1:2 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).

Praying for friends and their needs will enhance your prayer time. The writer of our devotional verse begins his prayer with thanksgiving first of all to God. And then He mentioned those he prayed for by name. When we limit our prayer time to just ourselves, we miss so much by not bringing our friends and their needs to God who hears and answers those requests. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmity. The things that bother us He desires to heal; whether it’s for you or those you love. I can testify that others have prayed for me and God intervened even before the need was made known to them.

Prayer: Prayer is wonderful! Just to know someone is praying for me on a daily basis is more valuable than money. Thank You, Lord, for those who consistently pray for me by name.

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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Baby Food

1 Min Read

Have you noticed the reaction from a young child who has tasted table food and the mother is trying to make them eat a jar of baby food? I remember trying to do this to our daughter Shana. She would shake her head “No” vehemently indicating she didn’t want the baby food and often she would point to the food on the table. She was telling us that she was growing up and wanted to eat what the big people were eating.

How can we be content to stay a spiritual baby? The Word of God says to grow up!

“For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe” (Hebrews 5:13 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for providing the sincere meat of the Word. Your Word is what satisfies the hunger in my soul.

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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Looking for Inspiration

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I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? (Psalm 121:1, Holy Bible, New Century Version)

    For several years, I’ve watched surrounding hills known locally as the Altamont, defy winter and glow with miles of fresh green groundcover. Absence of rain thwarted the transformation from summer browns to winter green. Inspiration whispers that the hills don’t complain about the defiance of seasons. They perform their protective sentinel duty year round, surrounded by green or brown.

Prayer: Lord, I miss the phenomenon of new life surrounding me this winter. Let me see Your glory no matter what season. Amen.

    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Bold Faith

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Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days (Daniel 6:10, Holy Bible, New King James Version).

    Daniel showed no concern about the signed decree that prohibited petitions to anyone other than King Darius. Daniel had prayed three times each day before the decree and he made no changes the day the order to stop praying became effective. He did not hide in fear and whisper prayers in a corner. Daniel threw open the windows and prayed with boldness. He knew that his God, the one true God, would take care of him.
    Prayer: Lord, give me Daniel’s determination to devote time to prayer without distractions. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Running on Empty

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Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps (Matthew 25:3-4, Holy Bible, New King James).

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    Passing semi trucks on freeways brings different sounds to my ears. Trucks loaded with cargo have a solid sound. Trucks on dead-end runs rattle. All are headed the same direction. Each is capable of delivering a product, but not all are. One filled with goods is fulfilling its purpose. The empty trailer needs a cargo refill. Could the same be said for Christians? One with no oil rattles because the vessel is empty. Another filled to the brim is ready to shine a light for the Lord.

    Prayer: Lord, examine my life today. Keep me filled to the top with the oil of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Endurance

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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7, Holy Bible, New King James)

    Walk-a-thons or short sprints are easy for conditioned participants. Longer races force runners to focus on an extended goal. Endurance events involving a variety of activities are won by athletes devoted to the end result. The endurance principle made Apostle Paul the example of first century Christian success. He was persecuted and suffered many things for his decision to follow the teachings of Jesus. Apostle Paul persevered, overcoming all obstacles. He finished the race because he kept the faith.
    Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You for Apostle Paul who never gave up. His endurance brought the Gospel to the known world in his time and encourages me today. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Two-step Process

1 Min Read

So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:6, Holy Bible, New King James)

    Saul’s encounter with the divine is a familiar story to Christians. Saul persecuted the New Testament church believing he was doing the right thing to dissuade these renegade followers of the crucified Christ. When Saul responded to a voice from Heaven, the instructive response was to go into the city and wait for more directions. After three days of blindness, Ananias arrived to touch Saul with a miracle of sight restoration. This two-step process opened Saul’s eyes, naturally and spiritually, and converted him from a Christian hater to a dedicated missionary.
    Prayer: Lord, prayers for my family have brought them a step closer to You. Finish the process You have begun and bring the miracle of salvation. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Focused Prayer

1 Min Read

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church, (Acts 12:5, Holy Bible, New King James).

    My ophthalmologist directed my attention to his left ear a few seconds before he shined a blinding light into my face. I wanted to close my eyes, but he insisted that my focus remain steadfast even though I couldn’t see. The directional angle allowed him to examine specific portions of my eye. While Peter was unjustly imprisoned, the local church could have been blinded by the impossibility of circumstances. After offering a single prayer for a hopeless situation, they could have closed their eyes and moved to the next prayer need. Instead, the church focused its attention on Peter. God heard their continual prayer and dispatched an angel to release Peter from the jail. Focused prayer became a miracle.
    Prayer: Lord, help me to focus on the individual needs of those around me. Let my prayers united with others touch You for a miracle. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Nothing New

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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)

    New Year’s celebrations are over. Holiday decorations are gone. On this 18th day of January, New Year’s resolutions are broken as minutes tick toward December 31 to welcome 2013. A wise man speaks from ancient Scripture with a reminder that none of this is new. Each current event embodies something from the past blended with the present before it becomes history. A mix of old and new brings hope from words Jesus spoke centuries ago. “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). His promises are for today, next week, next month, next year and beyond. His promises are old, new and eternal.
    Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your promises that bring hope. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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