“Then Jesus said to the officer, “You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.” Right then his servant was healed,” (Matthew 8:13, Holy Bible, Contemporary English Version). This time in the life of Jesus begins when He healed a leper and ends when Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law.…
“Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!” (Psalm 146:1, Holy Bible, NKJ). Shallow thanks or other expressions of gratitude echo the hollow sound of a rehearsed delivery, absent of enthusiasm, offered for social requirements. The psalmist proclaims “Praise the Lord!” He repeats it, then declares the sounds more…
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name,” (Psalm 103:1, Holy Bible, King James). When I think of blessings, I anticipate good things heading my way. Happy moments. Pleasant telephone conversations. Time with friends. But that isn’t what the Psalmist had in…
“The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3, Holy Bible, New King James). Time is measured in precise increments but may seem different depending upon the event in progress. When an…
“Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy” (Psalm 100:2, Holy Bible, New Living Translation). How many times have you entered a sanctuary or place of worship saddened by life’s wrong turns? Personal obstacles became roadblocks between you and God. You responded to the music, habitual praise from…
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39, Holy Bible, New King James) A multitude listened to Jesus as he sat in a boat teaching near the seaside. When evening came,…
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
Transgression is synonymous with disobedience, misbehavior, wrongdoings, offenses, and indiscretions. Most of us try to forget unpleasant events that hint at transgressions. The Psalmist could have measured the distance to the sun or the moon, but seeing them would remind us of our sins. Instead, he speaks symbolically with the greatest distance he can imagine, from east to west, so far that our past sins are invisible.
Apostle Paul makes an even stronger statement of how God, the great forgiver, sees our past.
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12, NKJV)
Now that’s complete forgiveness.
Prayer: Lord, when I remember my transgressions before Your forgiveness, I rejoice that You do not. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
The human body has a natural healing process. Cut your finger and within days, new skin forms to seal the open wound. Deeper cuts may need stitches but still heal within a few weeks. Break a bone and the knitting process initializes to seal the gap and regrow the bone. Severe breaks or shattered bone may need surgery, but even then, the natural process is at work to strengthen the bones.
Healing a broken heart, unlike physical wounds, can be a slow and painful journey with the absence of specific healing properties to rush to the injured area. No ointment can soothe the pain. Counselors can help, but emotional well-being needs a touch from the Great Healer.
The Voice translation says “He… heals the sorrows of their hearts.” When the wound is too deep, God is there for you.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for emotional healing. Your touch has healed the sorrows of my heart. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. (Acts 3:4-6, Holy Bible, New King James)
A lame man lay near the temple gate asked those going inside for charity. When Peter and John saw him, Peter said, “Look at us,” and drew the beggar’s attention their way. How disappointing it must have been when Peter said he had no silver or gold. Then Peter offered the beggar something greater than money.
“And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” (v 7-8).
When money can’t cure the problem, prayer and a helping hand are a miraculous combination.
Prayer: Thank You Lord for this bold example of Peter’s faith that brought a miraculous recovery to a destitute man. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore