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Devotions

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Devotions

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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Always on Guard

1 Min Read

“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8 in the King James Version of the Bible)

God has amazing eyesight! Even when we are alone, we are never out of His sight. Think of it! We are never truly lost for we are at all times under His watchful eye. We may be emotionally and physically exhausted, and unable to see the dangers ahead, but God is always on guard.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your presence goes before me, beside me and behind me. Thank you for Your great care for me!

Devotion by Julie Long

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Peace, Be Still

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“And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:24-25 in the King James Version)

Like the disciples of Jesus on board a capsizing ship, we must recognize that God is the authority in our life. When you feel like you’re going to drown, call out to the Master, the captain of your soul! He can silence your fear and quiet your emotions. Take courage. Your life is in His hands.

Prayer: Mighty God, By simply saying, “Peace, be still!” all of my anxiety and raging thoughts give way to the calm reassurance of Your voice. You are my Master!

Devotion to Julie Long

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Already Forgotten

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“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34 in the King James Version)

Although I remember my sins well, God has cast my sins into the sea of forgetfulness and He no longer holds me responsible for what He has forgiven. I am free! I must leave my past behind. I must not wrestle with what God has already forgotten.

Prayer: Savior, Your death paid for the wrong I have done and today You are filling the clean pages of my life with a new future designed to bring You glory! Thank you, Jesus!

Devotion by Julie Long

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My Safe Place

1 Min Read

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 in the King James Version of the Bible)

God may not rescue us immediately from our trial, but we must understand that He has a greater purpose in mind. We can rest secure in the peace that He gives us right here; right now in the middle of our storm. Let’s determine in our heart to always run to Him in times of distress, in times of difficulty and in times of despair.

Prayer: You are the strength of my life. I bless you, O Lord, for being my refuge.

Devotion by Julie Long

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Soul Shepherd

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“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:14 in the King James Version of the Bible)

You may be on a steep mountain path, down a deep valley, across green pastures, or beside still waters, but God always knows exactly where you are. God takes care to watch over you and He provides times of refreshing and restoration for your soul. He will even pursue you if you wander away from the path He has chosen.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that You know where I am. You know me inside and out. You provide for my needs and ensure my safety. What a wonderful Shepherd You are!

Devotion by Julie Long

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God Has Scars Too

1 Min Read

God has scars too. Sometimes I forget that and try to hide mine. I often feel that I’m the only one who has known rejection, shame, and pain.

That isn’t true though. Jesus was beaten and died on a cross because He loved us. He was misunderstood, hated, and gossiped about. He was all too familiar with pain and suffering.

The Bible tells us that He was tempted by the same things that we are today. He understands when we struggle, feeling discouraged and wounded (Hebrews 4:15). Because He has been-there-done-that, we don’t have to worry about bringing our problems and concerns to Him. We know he cares and understands.

Prayer: Lord, You knew that it was like to be hungry, tired, and pressured. You walked on earth, died for our sins, and rose again so that we might have a new life. Thank you for the gift of Your love.

Devotion by Bonnie Peacock

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