Recent Devotions
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” (Psalm 33:8) Twice in my life I have seen royalty in person rather than as a picture in a magazine. Once I joined a large crowd on the sidewalk to watch as the British royal family rode past. The other time I did not recognize the lovely lady and two young girls riding through the resort grounds in a carriage, but a friend told me who they were. As an invited guest to a royal function, I would need to know…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Christmas will be here in just a few days. Are you scrambling to find that perfect gift for the ones you love? If you are like most, the funds are more limited than the imagination. We can think…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV) The holiday season is upon us, and many of you may already be planning your menu. Perhaps you are a traditionalist and serve the same family classics each year. Or maybe you are…
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“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5, New King James Version) Gentleness. It’s listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as one of the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit, but I confess it’s not one I’ve thought much about until recently. When I take note of recent events, I find a society filled with harshness rather than gentleness. I hear strident voices, rudeness, disrespect, and criticism. It seems we applaud those who are “tough,” “aren’t afraid to speak up,” and “tell it like it is” even if it hurts another. Gentleness is viewed…
“And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.” Ezekiel 47:9 What a beautiful picture Ezekiel paints in this this chapter, of the river which originated in the temple and flowed out, blessing all the land around it. It was a river filled with all kinds of fish and on its banks the trees flourished. It started out small,…
“You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 NKJV) One night at a county fair, I wandered through a display tent full of creepy snakes, giant spiders, and other exotic animals. The man in charge interrupted us in a friendly voice, “Would everyone please step outside for a moment?” Instantly, the man was alone in the tent with his animals. He called out to the crowd outside, “Nothing is wrong! I just need to transfer a lizard between crates and didn’t want…
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 When I read this verse and break it down, it tells so many wonderful attributes of God. First, He is wonderful. The definition of wonderful is “inspiring delight, pleasure or admiration. Extremely good; marvellous” Doesn’t that sound just like God? Next, He is our counsellor. We can bring our needs, hurts, dreams, and worry’s to Him – free of judgement and only given love…
