Devotions

As a follow up to my previous posts on writing devotions, today I am posting a sample devotion I wrote. This was published in the Spring 2014 issue of The Secret Place (Judson Press.) I sold them 1st rights so now, a year later, the rights are mine again, Hope you enjoy it.                                                              

                                            Hi God!

                                Read: Romans 1:16-20

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood by what He has made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 (NASB)

On the drive to school this morning, my son suddenly said to me, “Hey Mom! Look! Those clouds look like the word “Hi.”
Truth be told, I was unable to see what my son was referring to because of my vantage point and the need to keep my eyes focused on the road ahead of me, so I asked him to explain. He pointed out the window next to his seat and said, “Well there are a lot of straight lines in the clouds. Two are tall with a connecting puff between them and there was a smaller cloud beside them.” I knew the sky had some streaks of cirrus clouds in it, so my son’s explanation was believable. Then just as spontaneously, my son waved to the sky and offered a cheery and sincere, “Hi God!”

How often do we take time to see God in His creation? I did not see him this morning, I had my eyes focused on the task I was engaged in. (And rightly so, but just the same, the lesson seemed real.) I found myself warmed by my son’s innocent faith and longing to regain the faith of a child.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, from the beginning of time you have shown yourself to man in your creation. Give us eyes to see you more clearly! In your Son’s name, Amen.

Thought for the Day: Do you have the faith of a child?

Confessions of a Prayer Warrior

This devotion was first published in The Secret Place (Judson Press) Fall 2012. A reprint of it was then published in Word Aglow (Pentecostal Publishing House) Spring 2014.

Far be it from Me!

Read: 1 Samuel 12: 21-24

“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against God by ceasing to pray for you…” 1 Samuel 12: 23

            When I was a child, my parents started each morning with prayer. Before my father went off to work, we all sat around the breakfast table enjoying a meal as a family. Then, when our plates were empty, one of my parents would read a verse from the Bible and offer a short prayer seeking God’s blessings on each member of the family before we all went our separate ways for the day. Those were the good ole days. Today, everyone is in a hurry to do everything.

            I confess I am as guilty of living a hurried life as the next person. But I have often thought about the fact that each member of my parent’s immediate family used to be lifted up to God, by name, every day. I try to do this too now, though typically, my prayers for my family are at bedtime.

I commented about this to a friend in my prayer group. Some weeks later she told me, “You know what you said about praying for every member of your family every day? Well, I’ve thought about that and now I do it too. I have just made it part of my morning routine – just like combing my hair or brushing my teeth. So every morning, I comb my hair, I brush my teeth, and I pray for my family by name.”  

Busy as we are, lets again become a nation of families who pray!

Prayer: Thank you Father for giving us families. Today we lift them up to you and ask your blessings upon them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the Day: Comb your hair, brush your teeth, and pray for your family.