“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (Psalm 147:5 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible)
Life can seem so complex from our vantage point. The boundaries of our minds keep us from seeing through the maze of difficulty to a victorious end. We are limited to the present reality, but God’s understanding is without measure.
Prayer: Instead of trying to figure it all out, I will trust Your wisdom, Your knowledge. Lead me, Lord.
Devotion by Julie Long
“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8 in the King James Version of the Bible)
God has amazing eyesight! Even when we are alone, we are never out of His sight. Think of it! We are never truly lost for we are at all times under His watchful eye. We may be emotionally and physically exhausted, and unable to see the dangers ahead, but God is always on guard.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your presence goes before me, beside me and behind me. Thank you for Your great care for me!
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
“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34 in the King James Version)
Although I remember my sins well, God has cast my sins into the sea of forgetfulness and He no longer holds me responsible for what He has forgiven. I am free! I must leave my past behind. I must not wrestle with what God has already forgotten.
Prayer: Savior, Your death paid for the wrong I have done and today You are filling the clean pages of my life with a new future designed to bring You glory! Thank you, Jesus!
Devotion by Julie Long
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 in the King James Version of the Bible)
God may not rescue us immediately from our trial, but we must understand that He has a greater purpose in mind. We can rest secure in the peace that He gives us right here; right now in the middle of our storm. Let’s determine in our heart to always run to Him in times of distress, in times of difficulty and in times of despair.
Prayer: You are the strength of my life. I bless you, O Lord, for being my refuge.
Devotion by Julie Long
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:14 in the King James Version of the Bible)
You may be on a steep mountain path, down a deep valley, across green pastures, or beside still waters, but God always knows exactly where you are. God takes care to watch over you and He provides times of refreshing and restoration for your soul. He will even pursue you if you wander away from the path He has chosen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m so thankful that You know where I am. You know me inside and out. You provide for my needs and ensure my safety. What a wonderful Shepherd You are!
Devotion by Julie Long
“He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree” (Luke 1:51-52 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
Pride has no value. It gives a false sense of self-importance that exists only in the imagination of the heart. When God was looking for a human vessel to accomplish His will, He bypassed all of the high profile candidates and chose a humble young woman who was “powerless” in the eyes of society. God demonstrated that His favor rested upon those who followed Him in spite of the world. Though God handpicked her from all of the women on the face of the earth, Mary did not claim any glory from it.
Prayer: Lord, You value faithfulness, trust, and obedience above everything. Teach me these essential qualities and help me to never claim glory for myself. Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long
“For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:49-50 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
Mary understood that she did not merit the tremendous honor God had given her as the mother of the Saviour. All she had done for her part was live in obedience to God’s commandments and followed Him to the best of her ability. Throughout Scripture the Israelites constantly vacillated between faithful obedience and wayward disobedience, but God’s mercy was always available when they turned their back on sin. Today, God extends His faithful, loving, mercy to everyone who follows Him.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the great blessings in my life. May I always walk with You and never leave the protection of Your abundant mercy.
Devotion by Julie Long
“And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:36-37 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
The angel, Gabriel, used the miraculous pregnancy of Mary’s cousin, Elisabeth, to illustrate to her that God could indeed do anything! I often pray for the impossible to happen in my own life and the lives of family and friends. I believe God has answered every prayer I’ve prayed. Sometimes the answer is “No”, sometimes it’s “Not now” and at other times God says, “Yes!”
Prayer: Mighty God, When I believe for the impossible today, I know that You are fully capable of making it a reality. If the time is right, and the answer is in Your will for my life, it will be accomplished! Amen.
Devotion by Julie Long