Recent Devotions
“When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the LORD will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” (II Samuel 5:24, CSB) For two mornings now, a strange noise has filled my home. It was loud, seemed to come from the roof, and sounded ominous, even a little frightening. Was it an expensive repair waiting to happen? Then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped. I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe my house was not self-destructing after all. A little while later,…
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14, ESV) Spam. Scam. Fake. Fraud. If you are like me, you are irritated by those who prey on the unsuspecting and vulnerable, scheming to dupe or cheat them. I became so…
“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…
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“The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old” (Proverbs 20:29, New Living Translation). The wonderful thing about the body of Christ is there is room for everyone. It doesn’t matter if we are young, old, or somewhere in between. Nor does God look at intellectual abilities, our personal appearance, our physical strength, or any other measurement society places upon our worth. Sometimes we allow the world’s criteria to influence how we feel about ourselves. A better way to view ourselves is through God’s eyesight. Everyone has value. Everyone has…
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, Christian Standard Bible). One of the strangest conversations I’ve had was with a lady I’ll call Kathy, who seemed rather aloof and difficult to get to know. In trying to come up with a topic to break the ice and hopefully engage her, I inquired, “Have you gone on vacation yet this year?” This seemed a simple question, but her response startled…
“I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.” Psalm 31:12 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 I came across a story about a Japanese emperor who had broken his favourite tea bowl. He sent it to China for repairs but when it came back it was just stapled together and was very ugly looking. He was disappointed, but local craftsmen found a solution. They filled the cracks with a golden lacquer, making it more unique and…
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“May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. [Interlude] May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere” (Psalm 67:1-2 from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation). At first glance, this psalm, a song, seems straightforward, asking for God’s mercy and blessings for people in his circle. The purpose shifts with the interlude when stringed music absent of words moves the writer’s focus to concentrate on the need for saving power for people everywhere. When I pray, do I remember that it’s not about me? It’s about us.
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Prayer: Eternal God, I give you highest praise because You have smiled on all of us. Amen.
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Devotion by Violet Carr Moore</ul
