“Saying, what wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Luke 18:41 What a strange question Jesus asked. There was no doubt that Bartimaeus was blind and because of that he was begging along the roadside. No doubt the garment…
“She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.” Zephaniah 3:2 In the book of Zephaniah, God presents a choice – be holy or be judged. God’s mercy always allowed for a righteous remnant to survive, and…
“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8, Christian Standard Bible). As my friends know, I love to travel. In…
“Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2 Kings 5:14). In 2 Kings Chapter 5, we read the account of…
“And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” Genesis 24:58 At the beginning of the year, when we begin reading the Bible through once more, the story of Isaac and Rebekah has always stood out to me. This…
“You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 NKJV) One night at a county fair, I wandered through a display tent full of creepy snakes, giant spiders, and other exotic animals. The…
“And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.” Genesis 24:58 The story of Isaac and Rebekah is such a beautiful story. We talked yesterday about how God had guided Abraham’s servant every step of the way and…
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” II Timothy 2:5
Last week at our District Camp, the morning speaker was commenting on this chapter in II Timothy, speaking about the battle between flesh and spirit. This verse stood out to me.
I thought about so many stories we hear of athletes who are stripped of their medals or titles because they have taken drugs that they should not have to enhance their ability. Instead of depending on the strength and ability that came naturally, they wanted an easier way. What a sad thing it must be to have come first in an event, only to have the honour taken away from them because they had not obeyed the rules.
If we want to be the winner in the game of life, there are certain rules we must follow. The Scriptures lay down the path we must take in order to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Sometimes our flesh will tempt us to take an easier way, to neglect Bible study and prayer, but we will soon find ourselves weak in our spiritual life if we do so.
I have known some young people who lived for God with all their heart, when they were facing opposition from family, and yet when they got out on their own, they neglected to seek God with all their heart and soon drifted away from their walk with the Lord. They started the race well, but lost out in the end.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we rely on you for our strength and help every day, help us to follow your guidance, and finish the race you have set before us.
Devotion by: Anne Johnston
“And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.” I Samuel 18:14.
As we read the account of David’s life after he had slain Goliath, we see why he was called a man after God’s own heart. David, no doubt, was completely aware that he had been chosen to be the next king, yet he submitted himself to Saul and obeyed him.
Saul plotted to have him slain by the Philistines, and even by his own son Jonathan. But, in all instances, God provided a way of escape. Saul lied to David by promising to him his oldest daughter as wife, and when he later gave him the younger daughter it was meant to trap him. Through it all, David remained humble and obedient to Saul.
Eventually, David had to flee from Saul, but even in his time of exile, he still was submitted, even giving up a couple of chances to kill Saul. He was submitted to God and loyal to the one who God had anointed. He was willing to wait for God’s timing to fulfill His plan. In due time, God gave him the kingdom.
How often we get impatient and are not willing to wait for God to work out His plans for our life. Like David, we must be faithful, and trust God for His timing.
Prayer: Lord, may we live each day faithful to you, and trusting your guidance and direction.
Devotion by Anne Johnston