I’ve talked to several people in the last few months that are in tough situations. Problems with their finances, their children, their marriages, addictions, you name it. What has shocked me in every instance is their lack of desperation. They’re complaining, crying, and even asking for help…but they really don’t…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7, Holy Bible, New King James).
A visiting minister taught our congregation the precepts of being a kingdom keeper using Joash, the keeper of the oil, as an example. Although one of David’s mighty men of valor, Joash was appointed as Oil Keeper. Apostle Paul, orator, writer, and missionary, summed his position as Keeper of the Faith. That position is always open for new volunteers.
Prayer: Lord, whatever I can do for You, never let me forget that keeping the faith is a top priority.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
title=”Boardwalk Through Lush Forest” width=”119″ height=”150″ class=”alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1364″ />
- “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
- Running a race isn’t easy. Ask anyone who has participated in a marathon. New runners capture the spirit of the race first. They train. They run. They hear the roar of crowd as they pass each marker. Christians run individual marathons, following the path of witnesses, trailblazers, who have lived the life of faith and won the race.
-
Prayer: Lord, I am grateful for those who blazed the trail before me and have become my examples of faith. Amen.
- Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (I Peter 1:7 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible)
Who wants to go through trials? It hurts when the fire burns away the dull outer layers of my life. But, oh, how beautiful it is when the gold shines through to reflect God’s glory!
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being my refiner! I can get through this for You are with me during this test of my faith. Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long
“And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:24-25 in the King James Version)
Like the disciples of Jesus on board a capsizing ship, we must recognize that God is the authority in our life. When you feel like you’re going to drown, call out to the Master, the captain of your soul! He can silence your fear and quiet your emotions. Take courage. Your life is in His hands.
Prayer: Mighty God, By simply saying, “Peace, be still!” all of my anxiety and raging thoughts give way to the calm reassurance of Your voice. You are my Master!
Devotion to Julie Long
Faith is the medium of exchange in God’s economy just as money is the medium of exchange in our society. What exactly is faith?
Faith is a belief, conviction, trust, confidence, certainty, hope, and dependency. The Bible says that it is impossible for us to please God without “faith” (Hebrews 11:6).
Faith is so simple. We all have it. We use our faith every day. We have faith that our car will start. We believe that we will be paid if go to work and do a good job. We trust that our roof will keep us dry when storm clouds gather.
Having faith in God and His Word is to place our confidence, hope, and trust in Him that He will do what He said.
Prayer: Lord, help us to rest in Your Word. When you say You will do something, we know that You will do it.
Devotion by Bonnie Peacock
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7, Holy Bible, New King James).
- A visiting minister taught our congregation the precepts of being a kingdom keeper using Joash, the keeper of the oil, as an example. Although one of David’s mighty men of valor, Joash was appointed as Oil Keeper. Apostle Paul, orator, writer, and missionary, summed his position as Keeper of the Faith. That position is always open for new volunteers.
-
Prayer : Lord, whatever I can do for You, never let me forget that keeping the faith is a top priority.
-
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
My husband has been reading a book entitled, “Branding Faith.” He read something to me that caught my attention. The Coca Cola Bottling Company wanted someone to design a bottle that could retain its distinction as a Coke even if it was crushed. In 1915 the Root Glass Company designed a bottle that would pass the crush test. Today, this bottle is the most recognized icon in the world; even in the dark. God designed His church to be the church regardless of what is happening around them. Jesus said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for designing a church that will stand the test of time and remain the church.
Devotion by: Kaye Singleton
-
“By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them…. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection” (Hebrews 11: 33 and 35). There is a popular notion about prayer which assumes that the thing asked for ought to be the object of faith. But the Bible tells us the only absolutes we can trust and be assured of are the character of God, His love, His will that we be conformed to His Son’s likeness and His sovereign control of the universe. If the thing we ask for is not given or it doesn’t happen, our faith may waver and even dissolve. But if faith latches on to the reality of God’s sovereignty; if it believes in the darkest storm that all things work together for good to them that love God, then faith itself becomes our victory regardless of the outcome!
-
Prayer: Lord, help me to put my trust completely in You – to keep my shield of faith lifted high even when Your answer is no, or not yet or wait.
-
Devotion by Anne Richardson