“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” Matthew 21:10-11. Have you enjoyed our time together as we walked with the crowd around Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem? There…
“Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them,” (Acts 3:3-5, Holy Bible King James).
A beggar, lame from birth, was carried to the temple every day where he lay at the entrance gate named Beautiful. When Peter and John came near, the man asked them for money. How his expectations must have soared when Peter said, “Look at us.” What a disappointment when Peter added that he had no gold or silver. But, the story didn’t end there. Peter offered the man his hand and said “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (verse 7). He walked into the temple for the first time, no longer lame because both he and Peter had great expectations.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith to anticipate a miracle for people I met in in unexpected places. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” I Chronicles 29:14, KJV
David desired to build a house for God, but the Lord showed him that he was not to be the one, but that his son Solomon would build the house. But David did everything he could to prepare the materials that would be needed. Even though it would be built after his death, he wanted to be part of it
Not only, did he gather materials, the Scriptures tell us he gave much from his own resources, and he also presented the need to the people, giving them an opportunity to donate as well. They offered willingly in response. In this verse, he expresses that everything he owns has been given to him by God, and he is only offering back what is God’s own.
God has given us so much, everything we have belongs to Him, so when we present our offerings and gifts to Him, we are just giving back what is His already. It is a privilege to be able to give to God. We may not be able to go to another country, but we can give to support those who are doing so. The Bible tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Giving to the work of God is part of our worship, and the Lord blesses us abundantly in return.
Prayer: Jesus, we thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us and we cheerfully and willingly present our offerings to you.
Devotion by: Anne Johnston