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…
Although you have never seen Christ, you love him. You don’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are extremely happy with joy and praise that can hardly be expressed in words as you obtain the salvation that is the goal of your faith. (1 Peter 1:8-9, GWT)…
“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…
“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you,” (Isaiah 54:10, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
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I can’t imagine a day that mountains of majestic beauty will be swallowed into the earth or crumble into the sea leaving a flat skyline. God says even if that catastrophic phenomenon occurs, it won’t shake His love for me. His covenant of blessings will continue, never to be broken.
Prayer: Lord, if the day comes when mountains slip into the sea, I will cling to Your promise. Your love and blessings will continue to be mine. Amen.
- Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Baking a cake requires a recipe. Gathering the utensils and ingredients, carefully measuring and mixing, and then baking it for the correct length of time are all critical for its success. Too many eggs, omitting the sugar, or not measuring the flour correctly can cause it to flop.
A peaceful, pleasant life requires following a “recipe” too. Randomly picking and choosing which ingredients to add or omit on our own can be disastrous.
The Word of God has the recipe for a balanced, flourishing, “delicious” life. Allowing God to add and measure what goes into our lives brings peace, joy, and love. He leaves nothing to chance, but carefully mixes all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Prayer: Dear Lord, We trust You with our lives. May we always be pliable as you work in us. Every day give us the exact ingredients that we need.
Devotion by Bonnie Peacock
“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:7 (New International Version)
Love is a wonderful thing. To have someone love you with unfailing love is what God does for us. According to this Scripture, our status in life doesn’t matter for all can find refuge in Him. He doesn’t pick and choose who He loves, but He loves all of us the same. I need not worry about His love today or tomorrow for it will remain the same. How priceless is God’s unfailing love!
Prayer: Lord, You’ve never failed me and even better still is the knowledge that You never will!
Devotion by Kaye Singleton
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manager; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7 Holy Bible King James Version).
No glitter or tinsel, no brightly wrapped gifts or holiday cookies greeted Jesus. Absent of a warm baby blanket, Jesus was wrapped in cloth strips and laid in a manger. The original Christmas in a cold stable was simple with no celebration, yet no other day will impact all humanity as did that first Christmas when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, during this time of Christmas celebration I will remember how You were born so long ago in a humble setting. I won’t be concerned about the grandeur of my holiday decorations or the quantity and value of gifts I might receive. I will focus on being thankful that Your humble birth – a gift of love to me – is the greatest gift I will ever receive. Amen.
St. Mary Magdalene dei Pazzi said “Never utter in your neighbor’s absence what you would not say in their presence.” I have learned first hand the value of following this advice.
Jesus taught us to go one step further when He instructed us in the Holy Bible to…“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44, King James Version). How wonderful the world would be if everyone followed Jesus’ advice!
Loving people that mistreat you is possible when the Holy Spirit lives inside you and empowers you. Start each day full of God’s love and discover the joy of sharing that love with others. Even those who you feel don’t deserve it.
Prayer: Jesus, pour Your love into me. Empower me to love those who have wronged me.
Devotion by Debbie Simler-Goff
“Who doesn’t enjoy a good love story? As little girls, we enjoyed reading Cinderella, Snow White, and Little Women. Stories of escape, glamour, and beauty enchant females of all ages. We all dream of being loved and desired by that special someone.
Did you know that you are a part of the greatest love story ever told? Whether you are young or old, rich or poor, single or married – it does not matter. You are truly and deeply loved. There is Someone who desires you more than you can comprehend.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).”
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for giving the ultimate gift. You died so that we would not ever have to live without You.
Devotion by Bonnie Peacock