Recent Devotions
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 The Book of Esther is a fitting example of how the Lord knows the future and puts people in places where they will be used for His purpose. Mordecai had taken his orphaned cousin, Esther, into his home and raised her as his own. The Bible describes her as fair…
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 The Bible is filled with amazing stories of how God chose people for a specific purpose, and how He carefully provided the necessary…
“But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called everyone, so let him walk.” I Corinthians 7:17 The Message reads “And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey, love,…
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“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38). And Mary said, “Yes” when the angel came, not knowing all it would mean. For “yes” was only the beginning. “Yes” to giving birth in a cold, dark stable while cows and sheep looked on. “Yes” to a sword that pierced her soul as her Son died on a cross while she looked on. And Mary said, “Yes, let it be.” But do I? Do I say “yes” when God calls to…
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, ESV) Perhaps because this is the holiday season, I am more intentional about staying in touch with friends, both far and near. I think of friendship as a gift from God and cannot imagine a life without friends. A small group of church friends started what has become an annual tradition. Before Christmas we make plans to get together. We call it a party, but it’s nothing fancy and there’s no real agenda. It is simply a time of fellowship and friendship. The food is whatever…
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20, ESV) Mary and Joseph were engaged to marry, a happy time of anticipation for most young couples. Everyone enjoys a good love story that ends with a “happily ever after.” Most couples have a story to tell about their road to matrimony, but Joseph and Mary’s story was like none before or since. An…
“Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” Psalm 112:6 Oxford Dictionary describes steadfastness as “the quality of being resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” One of the best descriptions the Bible records of a blessed person can be found in the first verse of Psalm One: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” The tree sends its roots down deep into the soil and draws the water it needs to sustain life and produce fruit. Storms may come and winds blow. The tree may bend but…
