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Devotions

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Devotions

Unfailing Love

1 Min Read

“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:7 (New International Version)

Love is a wonderful thing. To have someone love you with unfailing love is what God does for us. According to this Scripture, our status in life doesn’t matter for all can find refuge in Him. He doesn’t pick and choose who He loves, but He loves all of us the same. I need not worry about His love today or tomorrow for it will remain the same. How priceless is God’s unfailing love!

Prayer: Lord, You’ve never failed me and even better still is the knowledge that You never will!

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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Stars

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“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Philippians 2:14-15 (New International Version of the Holy Bible)

This time of year brings out the worst and the best in people. Go shopping on “Black Friday” and you will experience the worst in people arguing over who gets a limited quantity sale item. It’s ridiculous to say the least. There are some people who stir up trouble everywhere they go.

Those of us who have chosen not to complain and argue stand out like stars in the sky. I would much rather shine than be part of this crooked world system. So, if you’ve dreamed of being a star here’s your chance to shine!

Prayer: I thank You, Lord, for allowing me to shine with Your glory. What a difference Your Spirit makes!

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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Calculated Steps

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I helped a blind lady each week for several years and was amazed how she got around in her home. She lived alone and knew how many steps from her bedroom to any room in her home. She had calculated her steps. When in unknown territory whoever was walking beside her would instruct her on steps and whether they are higher than normal or how the doors open. She relied on that person heavily to get where she was going.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).

I looked up the word circumspect and found that it meant to look about; careful to consider all related circumstances before acting, judging, deciding; cautious; careful.

Prayer: Lord, I realize more than ever that I need You leading me. As the songwriter put it, “I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.” I want to be wise and calculate my steps.

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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Acceptance

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“And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eight day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings, and I will accept you, saith the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 43:27 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).

Acceptance is one thing we all crave. Young people want to be accepted by their peers and will do almost anything to receive their approval. However, to be accepted by God is the ultimate acceptance we should all strive for. Burnt offerings were something that God required in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice and we no longer sacrifice animals; we bring ourselves to Him and offer a sacrifice of praise. Have you been to an altar and willingly given yourself to God? That’s what He’s looking for. Then and only then can we know what true acceptance is.

Prayer: Lord, today I give all myself to You. I offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for Your glory and honor. I desire to be accepted by my peers but have a greater desire to be accepted by You. Amen!

Devotion by Kaye Singleton

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Looking for the King

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Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him,” (Matthew 2:10, Holy Bible, New King James).

    An old saying, one can only find something when one is looking for it is the best way to describe the wise men’s daring adventure. They had consistently studied the heavens for signs of a promised Messiah, the King of the Jews. When His star appeared in the skies, these wise men left comforts of home and journeyed to a distant land. Nothing deterred them from their purpose to present treasured gifts to the child Jesus. How far are you willing to go to find Jesus?

      Prayer: Jesus, I have no treasure to give but myself. Here I am, Lord. Amen.
      Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Recognizing the Savior

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“For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger,” (Luke 2:11-12, Holy Bible, New King James).

    Shepherds keeping their flocks safe in the night received an unexpected visit from an angel who announced the arrival of Jesus. After being serenaded by a host of heavenly beings, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem (verse 16) where they “found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” The long-awaited Messiah had arrived! Shepherds recognized the Savior the angel described. They knew they had come to the right place.

        Prayer : Welcome Lord Jesus. I recognize You as my Savior. I’ve made room for You in my heart.
        Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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Rejection and Reception

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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, Holy Bible, King James Version).

    How we carol with passion the words of Away in a Manger and scatter clean hay in a mock nativity with little thought of how unhealthy, how cold, maybe even how dangerous, it was for Mary to give birth in those conditions. I’ve been rejected at hotel check-in far from home and heard that my room had been given to someone with a similar name or learned that the room wasn’t inhabitable. I’ve pushed for the hotel to find me a room nearby. Not Joseph and Mary. After the long journey from Nazareth, they lodged with the animals, grateful for a resting place. There in the least expected setting, Jesus was born.
    Prayer : Lord Jesus, I won’t reject You. I’ve made room for You in my heart. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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The Destination

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But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting, (Micah 5:2, Holy Bible, New King James).

    My favorite Old Testament characters, ancestors of Jesus associated with Bethlehem, are woven through time. From weeping to rejoicing, Jacob buried Rachel, his beloved wife, there. Ruth, a foreigner from Moab, married Boaz. Samuel anointed David to be King of Israel. When Joseph of the New Testament journeyed there with Mary, his betrothed wife, for the required census, the greatest celebration of all occurred. Tiny Bethlehem, you made your mark when You became the birthplace of Jesus, the Savior of the world.
    Prayer : Eternal God, You spoke of Bethlehem’s importance from ancient days. Immanuel—God with us—at the birth of Jesus linked the past to a new world with a future. Amen.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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The Journey of Promise

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Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child, (Luke 2:4-5, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).

    Joseph, a descendant of David, had to travel from Nazareth, Galilee to Bethlehem, Judah to be counted in the census decreed by Caesar Augustus. The journey, estimated to between seventy and ninety miles (up to 140 kilometers) through rough terrain, had to be a major challenge for Mary, his espoused wife, heavy with child. I tried to visualize Mary on a donkey, a familiar Christmas-card scene. I can’t imagine her walking that distance either. No matter how she made that journey, it had to be uncomfortable if not down-right agonizing. She did not question the journey knowing that life would not be a smooth road, but understanding that each step led toward a promise.
    Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to enjoy the journey You have outlined for me.
    Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
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