Recent Devotions
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15, ESV) “You don’t understand; you’ve never been through what I’m going through.” Has anyone ever said that to you? They may be right. It’s difficult to know how someone feels in a particular situation if we’ve never been down that road ourselves. With the best of intentions, we may even say, “I know just how you feel.” But often we don’t know. When I read Hebrews 4:15,…
While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. (Luke 10:38-39, CSV) Have you ever wished you had lived in Bible times—walking…
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God…
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“So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?” Ruth 1:19-21 Think of the questions that passed through Naomi’s mind as she…
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“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it,” (Matthew 13:45-46 from the Holy Bible New King James). This parable is a reminder that natural pearls were valued beyond other treasures in ancient times. Formed by irritations caused by foreign particles, wild mollusks or oysters produced rare natural gems with incomparable beauty. Mass produced cultured pearls from controlled environments are common look-alikes, often the same size, shape and color of lesser value. Christians cultivated in a sheltered atmosphere without life’s intrusions are like cultured pearls. They can’t match the beauty and strength of those who conquered circumstances and became priceless treasures.
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Prayer: Eternal God, give me strength to weather the storms in my life so I will shine with Your natural glow. Amen.
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Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). At this time of year, many people talk about the New Year’s resolutions they have made for the coming year. The list may be long or short; but as we all know, resolutions are easier to make than they are to keep. Many resolutions are rather predictable–lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, budget better. When we start thinking of our spiritual life, those resolutions tend to be predictable as well. We decide we will pray more, read our…
“Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately” (Matthew 1:19, New English Translation). He was the descendant of a king and stepfather to the King of kings, yet we know very little about Joseph, the man who was the earthly father figure for Jesus. Although little is written about him in Scripture, we can piece together the picture of an exceptional man. Qualities of a Good Man Matthew 1:19 tells us Joseph was a righteous man, observant of the law of God. Little…
