“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;” Ecclesiastes 9:10, KJV
I recently dreamed that I was trying to play a song on the keyboard for my son-in-law to sing. Now I don’t even know how to turn a keyboard on, let alone play anything on it. If course, if I had the music in front of me, I might be able to pick out the top line and give him a key to sing it in, but that is the extent of my musical ability.
As I pondered on this dream, I realized that when my daughter was little, I had a good job and was able to pay for her to have piano lessons. Now she is an accomplished pianist and is very capable to accompany her husband as he sings. That was my contribution to help her develop her musical ability.
God gives each of us different gifts, skills and abilities. All He asks is that we give ourselves completely to Him, and use those talents wisely. He knows the future and will direct our steps. He only expects us to use what He has given us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you look at us all as individuals, you know the gifts and talents that you have given us, and we desire to give them all back to you.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 KJV
February, although the shortest month of the year, can sometimes bring the most severe weather in some parts of the county. But as the days start to get longer, our thoughts turn towards Spring.
Once again, the snow will leave, flowers will bloom, and new leaves will appear on the trees. We will forget the cold blustery days and rejoice in the nicer weather. That is the hope that keeps us going.
Just so, in the seasons of trial and testing in our lives, the Word of God gives us hope that these things shall pass and once again we shall experience new life and blessing. Joy will come in the morning.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your hand upon our lives, leading us through times of trial and bringing your joy in the morning.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
When God told Moses to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, He gave him specific instructions right down to each hook and decoration. Because it foreshadowed so many things in God’s plan of salvation, it had to be exactly right.
The Israelites had never built something like this before. It had to be sturdy enough to withstand the desert winds, yet it had to be portable, able to be dismantled quickly, when God’s cloud moved. They probably had no idea how to construct such a building.
So, God gave them complete directions. He told Moses, “See that you make it after the pattern.” There would be no arguments about doing it any other way. No questions would arise about the colour of curtains or placement of furniture. It was all designed by God.
The Lord had a plan for us to follow if we are to be the building He wants us to be. We must accept His plan of salvation as laid down in His Word. He said He was the way, the truth and the life, and so we must come through Him.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for giving your life, and providing a way that we could be reconciled to the Father through you.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Psalm 139:5-6
In this Psalm David is expressing the fact that the Lord is always with him. No matter where he goes, the Lord is behind him and before him with His hand of blessing upon his head. It is almost more than he can understand.
Like David we can be assured that the Lord is there for us every hour of every day. He walks with us and directs our steps. Nothing can come near to us that is not His will. How comforting this is as we walk life’s pathway.
Prayer: Jesus I give this day into your hand. Walk with me and guide me in the right path, and make me a blessing to others.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. Genesis 37:5
No doubt when Joseph dreamed about the stars and moon bowing down to him, the Lord was showing him something about his future. It probably wasn’t the best thing for him to share it with his brothers. He had no idea what their hatred would cause them to do, or of the difficult circumstances he would face before the dream became a reality. Many years later, his brothers would bow to him in Egypt.
God may give us a dream of something He has in store or us, or of something He wants us to do, but it doesn’t always come to pass right away. One of our teachers in Bible College often quoted something from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all.”
We need to hold on to our dream, and wait for the Lord to bring it to pass, no matter how long it takes. His timing is always perfect.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the story of Joseph, and showing us that you have a plan and you will always bring it to pass in your time.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
A DRINK FROM THE SPRING
“And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.” Genesis 26:19
On the farm where I grew up, there was a spring in the lower pasture. Even in winter, the bubbling water never froze. I remember us having to take the cattle down there for water every day.
In summer, no matter how hot it was, the water from the spring was always cold and refreshing.
Jesus likened the Holy Spirit to a well of water springing up within us. No matter what we are going through in our lives, we can come to the Lord and drink of that refreshing water He provides.
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for the living water that you have given us, a well that never runs dry. May your Spirit continually bubble up from our hearts to bless others.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” Psalm 16:6
Many people work hard all their lives to leave their children with a large inheritance. My parents did not have a lot to leave us as far as material goods were concerned.
But I am thankful for the spiritual heritage I received. I am thankful that my parents surrendered their lives to the Lord when I was just a child, and that I was taken to church and encouraged to pray and seek God. I am thankful that there was prayer and Bible reading in our home. I am thankful for the many messages I was privileged to hear.
That spiritual heritage means more to me than any amount of money or possessions.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the heritage you have given me, and the desire to pass it on to my family.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:3
This Psalm was written by David as he was fleeing from his son, Absalom. We can only imagine how sad and discouraged he felt, having his own son conspire against him and try to take over his kingdom.
Even during this time of testing and deep trial, David maintained his faith and trust in God. I like that phrase, “the lifter up of my head.”
Discouragement, disillusionment, sadness, and fear may cause us to hang our heads at times. The Lord is just waiting for us to proclaim our trust in Him, call out to Him for help, and He will enable us to lift our heads and rejoice. The next verses say that David cried and God heard. He could lie down and sleep, for the Lord sustained him.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you are always listening for our cry, and you are ready to lift us up no matter what life brings our way.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
Our Pastor has been teaching from I Peter over the last few weeks, and this verse in chapter 4, really stood out.
As I write these devotions each month, I ask the Lord to give me something to write about that will be a blessing to someone else. It may be a small ministry, but all the Lord requires is that we give our best effort to whatever task He gives us to do.
Little is much when God is in it. If the Lord can use what I write to help one other person, then it is work the time and effort.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity to share the thoughts you have laid upon my heart. May they be a blessing to others.