“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:23 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.) In the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul was writing to saints and admonishing them to keep a firm grip on the…
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. (Acts 3:1-3 Holy Bible, King James Version)
Peter and John were creatures of habit. That afternoon, about three o’clock, they made their usual trek to the temple in Jerusalem. They encountered a lame man begging at the gate. Nothing different there either. The difference came when Peter spoke in boldness. “Look on us.” That confidence in his new experience of being Holy Ghost filled at Pentecost emblazoned Peter with faith.
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (v. 6)
The crippled man leaped up and praised God. And it all happened because Peter and John took time to pray.
Prayer: Lord, help me to follow Peter’s example and set aside a time to pray. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3, Holy Bible, New Living Translation)
A smooth yardstick rested between the refrigerator and the kitchen cabinet in my young years. The flat wood bore marks in increments up to twelve inches repeated three times. Those black marks, from short to long, meant nothing when separated. Combined, printed on a straight edge, they functioned as a standard measurement.
How do we measure ourselves? Is the song leader greater in God’s eyes than the person who sweeps the front steps? Are those who welcome visitors on Sunday morning greater than the one who empties the trash? Apostle Paul’s ancient words are a reminder today that measuring our worth is not by human guidelines. True worth must be measured by faith.
Prayer: Lord, when I think my contributions to Your kingdom measure my success, Scripture reminds me that we are all measured by faith. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son” (Genesis 22:13 in the King James Version of…
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