And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37, ESV) We hear this scripture quoted all the time. Do we actually know what it means to love Him with all our heart,…
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.) Paul wrote to the church at Colossi letting them know that God must be the…
“But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve” (Jeremiah 17:10 in the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible) This verse gives new meaning to the phrase, “You can read me like a book.”…
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11, Holy Bible, King James Version).
I’m a perpetual student—always learning something that will enhance my life. It could be a class on computer technology, attending a writing workshop, or a simple as pulling a flashcard from a box of Spanish/English words. Too soon the things I’ve learned fade and I have to go back to the source for constant review.
Before there were multiple versions of the Bible, I memorized simple verses from the King James Version in Sunday School. My childhood favorites were “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) and “Rejoice evermore,” (I Thessalonians 5:16) because of the brevity. Then came the reality Scriptures. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD (Deuteronomy 6:4) followed by the words of salvation, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).
Unlike other topics I’ve studied, the Scriptures have stayed with me. Their light still shines on my path because I have hidden them in my heart.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I trust in Your word to continue to bring me light in a dark world. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” (Psalms 119:10 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible) During this New Year, I need more time spent seeking God. Earnest prayer and supplication gives divine light and strength to walk uprightly. …
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me, (Holy Bible, Psalm 51:10, King James Version).
January is the month of returns and renewal. Returns remove clutter of unwanted gifts, from wrong size to wrong color, to wrong style in exchange for useful items. Lines are long, but the wait is rewarding when the shopper receives a refund or a more desirable replacement.
Renewal is not so easy. It takes strength and courage to exchange a wrong attitude for a right spirit and create a clean heart.
Prayer: Lord, this is a new year—a time to renew my dedication to You. Help me follow the prayer of the psalmist who understood that renewal begins with the heart. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10, Holy Bible, New King James)
At the beginning of each new year, resolutions are made that won’t be kept. Decisions are made that won’t be completed. Commitments are made that won’t be honored. All because a steadfast spirit is absent.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines steadfast as immovable; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination, or adherence. Steadfast embodies nothing less than total commitment.
Pray this ancient Scripture for a clean heart, but realize it takes a steadfast spirit to maintain that holiness.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you will give me a clean heart to begin this new year. Renew a steadfast spirit within me that I will keep my commitments to You. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.” (Daniel 1:12 in the New King James Version of the Holy Bible) The book of Daniel is an intriguing story of a young man who lived for God in captivity. The…
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:7 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible) Children have a saying when things really don’t make sense. They say, “Go figure!” The Apostle Paul let us know in this passage that he calculated his…