“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…
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. (1 Timothy 1:5-6, NLT) Chapter one of Timothy does not waste any time before getting into…
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:12-14 from the NLT of the Holy Bible) I’ve had…
“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.” Our hearts and minds are like an open book to our Heavenly Father. Our every thought and actions are known to Him. This realization should make us want to cry out, “Search me O, Lord and make me clean!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I long for Your approval upon my life. Help me to conduct myself in a manner that is pleasing to You and let everything I say, think and do bring glory to You! Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long
“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.” Our hearts and minds are like an open book to our Heavenly Father. Our every thought and actions are known to Him. This realization should make us want to cry out, “Search me O, Lord and make me clean!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I long for Your approval upon my life. Help me to conduct myself in a manner that is pleasing to You and let everything I say, think and do bring glory to You! Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long