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Violet Carr Moore

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For those who say “Yes,” from ushers to Bible teachers, overload comes because we are humans with physical limitations. We often encourage each other with “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not,” (Galatians 6:9, King James Version). These may be empty words to the ones who have fallen from carrying the load of constant volunteerism. Apostle Paul gave the Corinthian congregation a stronger motive.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58, Holy Bible, New King James)

We say yes because it makes a difference to others and to God.

Prayer: Lord, give me a steadfast attitude so my labor for You will produce positive results. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10, Holy Bible, New King James)

At the beginning of each new year, resolutions are made that won’t be kept. Decisions are made that won’t be completed. Commitments are made that won’t be honored. All because a steadfast spirit is absent.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines steadfast as immovable; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination, or adherence. Steadfast embodies nothing less than total commitment.

Pray this ancient Scripture for a clean heart, but realize it takes a steadfast spirit to maintain that holiness.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that you will give me a clean heart to begin this new year. Renew a steadfast spirit within me that I will keep my commitments to You. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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The birth of Jesus began a new period known as Anno Domini (AD). English dates were once written as “In the Year of Our Lord.” The years before and after Christ, BC and AD, were recognized by all, even the nonreligious. Then, along came skeptic intellectuals who challenged the existence of Jesus. They decided that history could not justify this man as worthy of splitting time. Now Before Christ (BC) is known as Before Common Era (BCE) and after Christ is Common Era (CE). Their only concession to this change in the Gregorian calendar was that the split continues to be the year Jesus is thought to have been born.

What did the local scoffers say when the shepherds received the good news of the birth of a Savior? What did onlookers at the crucifixion say when the sun hid from the calamity? What will the ones who have denied Jesus say at the judgement?

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11, Holy Bible, New King James)

All will acknowledge Jesus as the Savior, the divider of time.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your birth divided time. In the few years You lived on this earth, You brought hope to those of your generation. With Your death, You brought hope to all generations. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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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 of the great Redeemer less than thirty years after the promise of His birth. Could it be possible that the anticipated Savior might have a similar short time on earth?

“A time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2), the words of another Old Testament wise man says we each have a span of time. From the moment the angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds until the day He was crucified, about the same number of years between the promised birth and death, Jesus accomplished all that was needed to change the future.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in the short years You lived as a man on this earth, You brought hope to those of your generation. With Your death, You brought hope to all generations. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3, Holy Bible, King James Version) What do you think of when you hear the word…

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And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. (Luke 7:16, Holy Bible, King James Version)

God’s people had waited centuries from the promise of the fulfillment of the birth of a Savior. Now Jesus, a man of compassion, brought a widow’s son back to life. But they were afraid. Afraid of the Savior they longed for. How could that be?

A miracle, an unexplainable event that defied nature, first shocked the crowd. Then they understood. The promised Savior dwelt among men on earth. Even nature had to obey when He spoke.

Prayer: Lord, when I fear Your power, it is because I recognize my weakness in Your presence. Then, I glorify Your name because You continue to visit Your people. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, Holy Bible, King James Version)

Christmas is an exciting time of anticipation. Waiting for family or guests to arrive. Waiting for the perfect time to open gifts. Waiting for dinner to be served. Wait. Wait. Wait.

Imagine hearing this prophecy during Isaiah’s time. What great rejoicing from God’s people that they would be rescued from despair. They waited a week. A month. A year. Ten years, then fifty. One hundred years later, still no savior. It was a long wait.

One day, more than 700 years later, the prophecy became reality when Jesus was born. It was worth the wait.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for fulfilling this promise of a savior, not just for the ancients, but for us now. You are Savior of the world. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:38-39, Holy Bible, King James Version)

Jesus had ended a day-long session of teaching the multitudes gathered along the seashore where He sat in a ship. In the evening, He sent the crowd away and instructed His disciples to cross the lake. No doubt tired, Jesus took a rest in the back of the boat.

While crossing the lake, a storm arose and buffeted the ship with high winds and deluged it with water. When it looked like nothing they could do would save the boat and passengers, the disciples woke up Jesus. Their first words were accusations of His unconcern. When your spiritual boat is caught in a storm you can’t control, what do you say when you wake up the Master?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I’m caught in a spiritual storm I can’t stop. Wake up and rescue me and give me peace. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

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A time to be born, and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:2, Holy Bible, King James Version)

“When is my baby due?” an expectant mother joyfully asks her physician. At the birth of her child, a new life is celebrated and treasured through the years. When the pendulum of life swings far to the other side, a different question might be heard from this aging mother. “How much time do I have, Doctor?”

As she relives special memories, she sees how her life has touched her family, friends and community. More importantly, she is content because she has invested her life toward shaping her own eternal destiny.

Prayer: Eternal God, You chose my birthday and have set my departure date from this earthly life. You have given me charge over using the rest of the time. I serve you, waiting for the day my earthly time clock stops and eternal life begins with You. Amen.

Devotion by Violet Carr Moore

Adapted from In the Right Place: A Gallery of Treasured Moments (Carr Twins & Co., 2006) © Violet Carr Moore

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