“For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth” Psalm 71:5 Thinking today about a song that I haven’t heard in years, “Whispering Hope.” The first verse reads: “Soft as the voice of an angel breathing a lesson unheard Hope with a gentle persuasion…
Words are so important particularly to those who are grieving over the loss of a loved one. Often I am at a loss for words. The Apostle Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica gave them words to comfort one another. They were words of hope when he told them that the Lord would descend from heaven with a shout. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:19 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). What comforting words these are!
Prayer: Hope of Your soon return is a comforting word for me. When I feel such heaviness over my losses, I can read Your Word and be comforted knowing You are coming back to take us from this world of sorrow. Thank You, Jesus!
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5, Holy Bible, King James Version) How strange it must have been to hear the prophet Isaiah foretell of the death…
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). There are several “no mores” in this chapter. John (the writer of Revelation) had been banished to the Isle of Patmos. The island was a lonely place to be as no visitors toured Patmos. Quiet time was all the time for John. Historical accounts indicate that the city of Ephesus was visible from the island. No doubt as he sat looking across to Ephesus, night was approaching and he could see the skyline of the city. In his mind he couldn’t help but think of the church located just a few streets from the waters edge. John knew it would soon be church time and only wished he could be in attendance. But one of these days, he wrote, there would be “no more sea” – no more division between him and where he wanted to be.
Prayer: At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the division between us and those we love will be no more. It’s a hard thing to be separated from those who have departed from this life, but what a hope we have one day to be reunited!
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
2 Samuel 22: 29, “For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.” To be in the dark can be a horrifying experience. When I sleep I like my room dark, otherwise light is necessary to accomplish my duties. I’ve been in caves where the darkness was so thick movement was impossible. There are dark days when I need to see a faint light in my situation. Without the Lord shedding light on my circumstance, it would be suffocating. David knew from experience the importance of seeing the lamp of the Lord, especially when he was trying to stay out of the hand of his enemy.
Prayer: When I can’t see my way clearly I can count on You to lighten my personal darkness. You light up my life in the midst of sorrow!
Devotion by: Kaye Singleton
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,” Matthew 2:1 This Christmas many of us will get in our cars and drive long distances to be with our family for Christmas. We…
“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” Luke 2:25 The Bible doesn’t tell us how old Simeon was nor at what point in his…
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 Last week I learned of the passing of a dear sister-in-law, a great friend for many years. She has been in a nursing home but was very content there. The last time I saw her,…
ul>“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?” (Matthew 18:12 Holy Bible, New Living Translation). If anyone has ever gone missing from your community, especially a child, you remember the dedicated efforts to locate that person. Panic turned to organization, involvement and support. Volunteers forgot daily routine and plunged into the search, often leaving other family at home. Jesus told the story of the missing sheep as a reminder where the shepherd cares so much for a missing sheep, he leaves the flock safely behind to rescue one lost sheep. If you’ve gone missing, or wandered away, hang on. Rescue is on the way.
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Prayer : Thanks for bringing me home, Lord. Amen.
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Devotion by Violet Carr Moore