“When I find myself racing around, trying to fill a day with mindless tasks or petty entertainment, this is usually the time that God whispers to my heart to draw away with Him and to silence my heart as He wishes to speak.” -K. Walden
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
I’m amazed by the relationship that God desires to have with us! I traded slavery to the things of the world for a place in God’s family. I’m no longer a slave, but an heir – a daughter of the King! I have no cause to fear for His arms are outstretched inviting me to stop for a moment to consider how valuable I really am to Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You want only the very best for Your children. Your Word has reassured me today that I can rest secure in You. Amen!
Devotion by Julie Long
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). Do you hunger for spiritual growth? The aroma of God’s presence is calling you to taste and see that the living bread He provides will fill you to overflowing and you will never hunger or thirst again.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the fresh spiritual nourishment that You provide for me daily.
Devotion by Julie Long
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:2 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). Reading this scripture reminds me of something that happened to us while on vacation a few summers ago. We were in the Gatlinburg, Tennessee area with my mother-in-law and decided that we would go into town and watch a family comedy show. My husband had purchased the tickets for us. He dropped us close to the door so that his mother wouldn’t have to walk too far. Stephen, our mentally handicapped son jumped out of the car as I was helping Mom. I realized that Stephen had disappeared from my sight. My husband came and the search was on for him. He was not in any of the surrounding shops or bathrooms; my heart sank as the crowd closed in. I went to a lady at the door checking tickets and asked if there was any way he could have gotten past without a ticket and she assured me it wasn’t possible. Finally, I told her what he was wearing and asked her to please look for him. We eventually found him sitting close to the back of the theater just waiting for the show to begin. We still don’t know how he did it, but he there he was! There are a lot of people trying to sneak into the church without paying the price of obedience to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus called these “Sheepfold Sneaks” out as thieves and robbers.
Prayer: Lord, I’m so thankful to be in Your fold under Your care. I want to submit willingly to my Great Shepherd who has my best interest at heart.
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
“But when the people of the land shall come before the Lord in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gates shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it” (Ezekiel 46:9 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). After bringing a dead congregation to life, Ezekiel was instructed by God to set up Sanctuary rules. This scripture intrigued me last year and I underlined it. Now I’m returning to peruse what is being said. It’s important for us in the 21st century not to leave the House of God the way we came in. You may have only one door for an entrance and exit but you can still leave another way. Sorrow may have caused you to come in grieving but you can leave with joy from being in the presence of God. Don’t leave the way you came in!
Prayer: In Your presence there is always fullness of joy! Thank You, Lord, for lifting my heavy load in Your House. As the song by Bill and Gloria Gaither declares, “Because You live I can face tomorrow.”
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
Numbers 24:17 in the Amplified Version of the Holy Bible, “What I saw in my vision hasn’t happened yet. But someday, a king of Israel will appear like a star…”
Imagine! Some 2000 years passed from the time of this prophetic declaration of Jesus’ birth until its fulfillment in Matthew 2:2. An unusual star did light the night sky giving direction to the wise men who came to worship the new born King. It was the will of God that this brilliant celestial body would announce to all the nations that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would extend itself beyond the borders of Israel to the entire world.
Prayer: Dear God, I pray that I won’t miss Your invitation to draw near and simply worship. You are my bright and morning star! You have called me to bring my gifts of praise and adoration into Your throne room. While I linger in Your presence, grant me patience and unwavering faith to endure until the fulfillment of the promises You have given me. Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long
-
A co-worker’s grandson, Max, was born with damaged kidneys. He’s had the best medical treatment available. But still Max is sick.
-
Suffering comes to all of us. But, hopelessness only comes to those who are “without Christ”. READ Ephesians 2:12 from the Holy Bible, King James Version: “That at that time ye were without Christ, …having no hope,…”
-
Followers of Jesus Christ are Never Without Hope! The difference between the Christian and the Non-Christian isn’t their problems. It’s where they’ve placed their hope.
-
Max’s grandmother, Karen, is a dedicated Christian. Recently Max had surgery. Because he’s a baby, they couldn’t sedate him. We asked God to send angels to surround Max during his surgery. God answered our prayer.
-
Karen understands that only Jesus knows Max’s future. This knowledge comforts her and makes her Never Without Hope!
-
Prayer: Jesus, thank-you for being my hope. Solve my problems. Meet my needs. Teach me to always hope in You.
-
Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
-
Today I tended to my house plants. They looked healthy. But after examining them closely under a bright light it was obvious they needed pruning. They were full of debris. I cleaned them up. Then I gave them a gentle shower in the kitchen sink. This no doubt refreshed them.
-
Often, we are just like house plants. We need tending. We need to be examined closely under the bright light of Jesus’ presence. We need Jesus, the Master Gardener to remove the debris in our lives. To shower us gently in the Holy Spirit! We need Him to refresh us.
-
Psalm 42:1-2 from the Amplified Bible, ‘…my soul pants and longs for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, the living God…”
-
Prayer: O God, remove anything in me that hinders my spiritual growth. My inner self wants to be close to You. Refresh me today.
-
Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
-
Luke 6:20-23 from the Amplified Bible, “Jesus said, ‘Blessed (happy with life-joy and…God’s favor) are you who hunger…for you shall be filled…Blessed (happy with life-joy and God’s favor) are you who weep and sob…for you shall laugh…'”
-
Are you poor? Jesus said He’ll give you His kingdom. Are you hungry? Jesus said He’ll feed you. Are you sad? Jesus said he’d make you happy. Whatever your problem, Jesus will help you. Do you know Jesus? He knows you. Have you forgotten Him? He’ll never forget you. He’s waiting for you to call out to Him. It’s easy. Just say “Jesus”.
-
Prayer: Jesus, I want to know You. Jesus, I love You. Jesus, I need _________ right now. Please provide for me in a way that I will know for certain it came from You! I believe You will. Thank-you Jesus, You are the best!
-
Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff