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Anne Johnston

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Slow Down

2 Mins Read

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

I recently made a road trip that usually takes me about two hours, but due to the large amount of construction, this time it lasted almost four hours.

Signs would appear saying that the left (or right) lane would be closed 5 km. ahead, and traffic started to slow down, both lanes were congested, until finally it would narrow down to one lane. So many people get impatient, shift lanes because they think one is moving faster than the other, and this only compounds the problem. The speed limit posted was 80 km, but in a lot of cases we were down to about 5 km per hr.

I always carry some SG cd’s with me so was able to listen to some inspiring music, sing along with the ones I knew, and just thank the Lord for His presence with me. I had lots of fuel in my tank, and no deadline to meet, so took the time to just relax and enjoy the trip.

Many times, when life seems to be going full speed ahead, something happens to make us slow down. That is when we need to just trust that the Lord is in it, and use the time to draw closer to Him. His timing is always right, He knows what is best for us, and in those waiting times, He can reveal His will and His way.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the times when life slows down and we can draw close to you.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Straight Paths

2 Mins Read

“…. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth” Luke 3:4-5

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 40. There were mountains of pride and valleys of despair that needed to be broken down before Jesus could come. Many listened to his message. Those who did not respond, did not recognize Jesus when He came. But those who saw a need for change, discovered in Jesus what they needed.

John told them they needed to repent for the Kingdom of God was at hand. Repentance is still the first step to be taken today if people desire a change in their life. Many want the blessings of God, but do not want to change their lifestyle. When we truly repent, turn our hearts toward God, He can work in our lives, smoothing out the rough places, and setting us on the straight and narrow way that leads to life. The blessings His Holy Spirit bring into our lives are so far greater than anything that He has removed.

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus, for the change you have made in our lives, removing the curse of sin, and giving us your Spirit.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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Stand on the Rock

2 Mins Read

“And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock” Exodus 33:21

Moses desired to see God, and God told him that no man could see His face. But if he would stand on the rock, He would cover Him with His hand until His glory passed by, and then he would see his hinder parts. As Moses had this experience with God, it gave him strength to continue his duty leading the children of Israel.
We need to find a secret place each day to meet with the Lord. We need to make sure that our feet are settled on the solid rock. Early morning is the best time for this as we satisfy our spiritual thirst, and gain the strength to face the day. All day long, we can draw on that early morning experience, periodically worshipping the Lord and partaking of His Spirit.
Just as drinking water in the morning and several times throughout the day can prevent our natural bodies from becoming dehydrated, so spending time in the presence of the Lord early in the day, and worshiping periodically through the day, will keep our soul saturated with His Spirit, and our feet on the Rock.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the solid rock on which we stand, keep us firmly planted.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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Little is Much

2 Mins Read

“And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.” II Kings 5:2

Can you imagine what life was like for this little servant girl. She had been taken away from her family and friends, and the life she had known. Captive of an enemy, servant to his wife, forced to obey every order, even though she was grieving for her family. The Bible does not give her a name nor tell us how old she was.

I would like to think that Naaman’s wife used this little girl well, that she had the food she needed, clothing to wear, and a comfortable bed to sleep in at night. Nothing could really make up for not being with her family.

Whatever her situation, she had not forgotten what she had learned as a child. She remembered the stories of miracles that had taken place at the hand of the prophet, Elisha. So, when her master became sick with leprosy, she went to her mistress and told her about the man of God back in her homeland. She had faith that if he would just go there, he would be healed.

This story shows us that children who are taught to love the Lord when they are small, will remember what they have learned. It gives me faith to believe that my son, who is not serving God at this time, will one day return to the faith of his childhood.

Prayer: Lord we thank you that we can teach our children to know you and to love you, and that you will always be there for them when they call on you.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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Obey The Rules

2 Mins Read

“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” II Timothy 2:5

Last week at our District Camp, the morning speaker was commenting on this chapter in II Timothy, speaking about the battle between flesh and spirit. This verse stood out to me.

I thought about so many stories we hear of athletes who are stripped of their medals or titles because they have taken drugs that they should not have to enhance their ability. Instead of depending on the strength and ability that came naturally, they wanted an easier way. What a sad thing it must be to have come first in an event, only to have the honour taken away from them because they had not obeyed the rules.

If we want to be the winner in the game of life, there are certain rules we must follow. The Scriptures lay down the path we must take in order to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Sometimes our flesh will tempt us to take an easier way, to neglect Bible study and prayer, but we will soon find ourselves weak in our spiritual life if we do so.

I have known some young people who lived for God with all their heart, when they were facing opposition from family, and yet when they got out on their own, they neglected to seek God with all their heart and soon drifted away from their walk with the Lord. They started the race well, but lost out in the end.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we rely on you for our strength and help every day, help us to follow your guidance, and finish the race you have set before us.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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A Willing Offering

2 Mins Read

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” I Chronicles 29:14, KJV

David desired to build a house for God, but the Lord showed him that he was not to be the one, but that his son Solomon would build the house. But David did everything he could to prepare the materials that would be needed. Even though it would be built after his death, he wanted to be part of it

Not only, did he gather materials, the Scriptures tell us he gave much from his own resources, and he also presented the need to the people, giving them an opportunity to donate as well. They offered willingly in response. In this verse, he expresses that everything he owns has been given to him by God, and he is only offering back what is God’s own.

God has given us so much, everything we have belongs to Him, so when we present our offerings and gifts to Him, we are just giving back what is His already. It is a privilege to be able to give to God. We may not be able to go to another country, but we can give to support those who are doing so. The Bible tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Giving to the work of God is part of our worship, and the Lord blesses us abundantly in return.

Prayer: Jesus, we thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us and we cheerfully and willingly present our offerings to you.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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Step Out In Faith

2 Mins Read

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Romans 4:20-21 KJV

God chose Abraham to be the beginning of the Israelite nation, from which would eventually come the Messiah, who would not only redeem the Israelites but also those from all nations of the world. He was told to leave his country and journey to a place he had never seen before.

Abraham did not have the Scriptures to read about all the miracles God had performed for His people. He did not have other believers to tell him of the great things that God had done in their lives and what could be accomplished by faith.

But He knew God had spoken to him and given him a promise, so he stepped out boldly in faith, fully persuaded that God would lead and direct him and fulfill the promises he had been given.

Today, we have the Bible, many stories of God’s wondrous works and also the testimonies of fellow believers. How much more should we step out in faith, trusting God to answer our prayers, meet our every need and perform miracles on our behalf.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, our faith is often weak when we compare it to Abraham’s. Help us to trust you and be obedient to Your voice.

Devotion by: Anne Johnston

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Morning Glory

1 Min Read

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3

The morning glory lifts its face as a new day has begun.
The petals slowly open to catch the morning sun.

Dewdrops glisten on each bloom, perfume fills the air.
The vines stretch upward to the sun, their beauty with us to share.

How wonderful to start each day with arms outstretched in praise.
The gentle presence of the Lord reflecting on our face.

Awakened from a night of rest we seek His grace and love,
And peace descends upon our hearts like showers from above.

To share His beauty to the world is the task that He has given.
May His glory shine through us to lead someone to Heaven.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for another new day, guide my steps and make me a blessing to someone today.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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Make It Count

2 Mins Read

MAKE IT COUNT
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. “Psalm 118:24

The other day I saw this little saying: “You will never have this day again, so make it count.”

Do you ever come to the end of your day, and realize that you did not accomplish everything you wanted? Maybe you had a to-do list, and there just weren’t enough hours in the day to do everything you had on it. Maybe you started something and were interrupted by a phone call or a visit from a friend. You look back and realize that you wasted some minutes doing things that were not necessary. I realize that taking time for rest, relaxing, and doing some things you enjoy are important items on our list, and are not wasting time.

Those days come to all of us, I am sure. No matter the tasks that we should perform, the most important thing is that we spend some part of our day with the Lord. Daily prayer and Bible reading is important if we are going to make our day count. The other things on our list will still be awaiting us tomorrow, but if we miss a day of communicating with the Lord, we cannot regain that time.

I live alone, so can mostly decide how I am going to spend my time. I have found that taking time for the Lord first thing in the morning before I do anything else, makes my whole day go better. All through the day, there is a sense of His presence and I can talk to Him about the things I am doing, and ask for His guidance in even the little things.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this day that you have given us, help us to make it count for you.

Devotion by Anne Johnston

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