Recent Devotions
“For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). Today many people will celebrate Valentine’s Day, a holiday where flowers, chocolates, and special dates show love. Some Latin American countries call it the Day of Love and Friendship. In the Philippines it is a popular day for weddings. Other countries have their own unique ways (and days) of celebrating. Some observances are more religious than romantic in nature, but love is the common factor. The Bible tells of a different celebration of love, but not one honored with chocolates and flowers. This love is demonstrated…
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.” (Isaiah 55:10, ESV) As I look out my window this morning, the snow is…
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” (I Peter 2:9, KJV) God’s people have always been special to Him. The King James Version of Exodus 19:5 describes them as a “peculiar treasure,” a possession He values and holds dear to Himself. The…
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Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV) Friends! Everyone needs a few good ones. Life would be rough without the love and support they offer. Someone recently asked, “Who are your friends?” It was an interesting question, and I paused for a moment before responding. I finally told her four or five names. Levels of Friendship It’s easy to name casual friends,…
“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17, Holy Bible, King James Version).
Lepers in Bible times faced expulsion from the city, their families, their homes. Jesus cleansed a group of ten and spared them the physical disability and the cultural agony. Excited to be disease free, they went happily on their way. Only one returned to express his thanks to Jesus.
We scoff at the ungratefulness of the nine lepers who were so preoccupied with the rituals of being declared clean, they forgot to acknowledge the giver of the precious gift. But, what about us? Are we among the ungrateful, or the single one who took the time to be thankful for His cleansing mercy?
Prayer: Lord, I give you thanks for Your miraculous touch in my life. In You, I am made whole. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help live in joy.” (Psalm 69:32 NLT) Where you live will have a profound effect on how you perceive things. I’m not talking about your physical house, but your spiritual house. Our bodies are temples of God and we can live in joy when we have Him dwelling on the inside! It worries me when I see people who don’t have the joy of the Lord. Everything is tainted without His joy. Their outlook on life is affected when the wonderful ingredient of joy is…
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison The Psalmist David learned that the secret of getting an answer from the Lord was to wait patiently for Him and not to quit crying out to Him. The NLT version expresses David’s trust in God. • Verse 2 – “He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” • Verse 3 – “He…
