“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters,” (Psalm 23:2, Holy Bible, New King James).
Cascading waterfalls are exciting for spectators. White water rapids are stimulating. Both are a challenge to navigate for even the most skillful rafters. A calm lake, still waters, offers a respite to all and brings peace of mind to the weary.
Prayer: Eternal God, thank You for still waters that soothe my soul in troubled times .Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” (Colossians 3:16, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
A soft lullaby calms a restless child. A loud chant excites a crowd. A hymn or spiritual song stirs individual emotions that can’t be duplicated by words alone. Apostle Paul addressed his letter to the church at Colosse based on reports from Christian workers there, not experience or eye-witness accounts. Perhaps that’s why he uses admonish, a mild rebuke or warning, coupled with grace when he instructs the church to sing.
Prayer: Lord, give me a song in my heart, softened by grace. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (Psalm 103:2, Holy Bible, King James Version).
If the wages proposed in the same range for two or more employment sources, the benefit package could determine the applicant’s decision. Serving the Lord has more benefits than ever imagined. Health problems? Healing is available. Emotional distress? Peace is offered by the Master peace giver. Tired, hungry or thirsty? Jesus is the great supplier. He offers boundless benefits because we are more than servants. We are His children.
Prayer: Thank You Lord for every day provisions and a generous benefit package. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they…
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer,” (Romans 12:12, Holy Bible, King James Version).
Before this admonition, Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Rome about love, good and evil and business sense. His instructions sound like a high-achiever motivational speaker until he mentions tribulation. Rejoicing is easy when there’s hope, but exercising patience in troubled times? Isn’t God supposed to propel us through difficult situations, looping us back to rejoicing? And what about continual prayer? Other translations render continuing instant in prayer as devoted to prayer or faithful to prayer, but instant is a bolder definition. Instant prayer. Follow Apostle Paul’s advice. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in difficult situations. Take time to pray.
Prayer: Lord, I’m grateful for this ancient advice that is still effective today. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
“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).
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.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1:9, Holy Bible, New King James).
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O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph, (Psalm 47:1, Holy Bible, King James).