Consider the Ant

Psalm 30:5 (NLT)  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

How fascinating to watch ants carrying large objects such as tiny bits of twigs or leaves. We generally know ants can carry many times their own body weight, but some estimates reach as much as 10, 50, or even 100 times their weight depending on the species of ant. I admit that I have never actually weighed an ant, but I remain amazed at the difference between the ant itself and the weight of the object being carried—the contrast is almost too vast to comprehend.

As I read today’s scripture verse, I realize this same vastness in contrast can be applied to God’s anger and God’s love; and once again I am amazed. God’s wrath is powerful enough to destroy evil of any kind. Yet it is quick, instantaneous, and “lasts only a moment.” In contrast, God’s love “lasts a lifetime.”

To be clear, God cannot and will not tolerate sin in our lives. For the Christian, if our ultimate goal is to live in a manner pleasing to God, then the very definition of sin would include anything that leads us away from the goal of living within God’s will and way. I may not have many major or obvious sins in my life; but even a negative attitude, unkind thoughts, or angry words will lead me away from my ultimate goal of pleasing God; and therefore, these are examples of sin in my life. God will not tolerate my negativity, callousness, or anger; His wrath is certain, and judgement is sure. How humbling that God also provides the means of forgiveness through the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ. Because I can receive forgiveness, I am able to once again live a life within God’s favor—and God’s favor “lasts a lifetime.”

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

As I begin to identify those areas of my life that would lead me away from pleasing you; I pray with the Psalmist, Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD. (30:10, NLT) with a humble heart full of gratitude, I thank you for your everlasting love.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Consider the Ant was originally written for Thursday, February 28, 2019; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com 

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Committing All Our Efforts to God

Proverbs 16:1-9 (NLT) ¹We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. ²People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. ³Commit your actions to the LORD, and you plans will succeed. ⁴The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. ⁵The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished. ⁶Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. ⁷When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. ⁸Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. ⁹We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

As I read through today’s text, I am struck with the thought of how many times we do something, but rarely see the trickle-down effect of our efforts. About four years ago, while browsing online for poetry, I discovered a poem supposedly written by an unknown 10-year-old girl from Canada. I was shocked to see a poem I, myself, had written when I was a 12-year-old girl from Florida. It was clearly my poem, word for word, posted approximately 48 years after it was written. So strange, but true.

I remembered passing out numerous copies of my poem. Each copy was hand-written on notebook paper and given or mailed to many friends and relatives, even as far away as Maine—which is probably how it eventually reached Canada after so many years. The point is: we may have plans, but sometimes we never fully understand how God can use our efforts to His purposes.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Please forgive our moments of pride or selfishness. We commit our work to you in order that we may be your servants. Use our humble efforts to Your honor and glory.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Committing All Our Efforts to God was originally written for Tuesday, October 16, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Foolishness Unchecked Leads to Wickedness

Proverbs 15:26-33 (NLT)  ²⁶The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. ²⁷Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. ²⁸The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. ²⁹The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. ³⁰A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. ³¹If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. ³²If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. ³³Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.

Yes, we all may do foolish things from time to time. The point is to learn from such experiences and to make wiser choices in the future. Unfortunately, when foolishness goes unchecked, it often leads to wickedness. Foolishness and self-centeredness can easily lead to negative, self-defeating thoughts.

Today’s text brings out the contrast between the wicked and the righteous. The righteous person welcomes the opportunity to listen and learn from others. The righteous person thoughtfully weighs their responses to others; and more significantly, God hears their prayers. What does it mean to be a righteous person? I am reminded of an old favorite hymn:

 I Would Be True  (Howard Arnold Walter, 1883-1918)

I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care. I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare, I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless; I would be giving, and forget the gift. I would be humble, for I know my weakness; I would look up, and laugh and love and lift, I would look up, and laugh and love and lift.

I would be prayerful thro’ each busy moment; I would be constantly in touch with God; I would be tuned to hear the slightest whisper; I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod, I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Forgive our weaknesses. May we always be prayerful people. Grant us the daily portion of strength and courage to remain true to you no matter what the circumstances of our day might be.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Foolishness Unchecked leads to Wickedness was originally written for Monday, October 15, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Wisdom for Each Day

Proverbs 15:20-23 (NLT)  ²⁰Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. ²¹Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. ²²Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. ²³Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Although this story has been told before, when I think of foolishness, it’s the first story to surface in my mind. Yes, I was very young at the time, but to this day I remember wearing my new white sneakers out for a walk around a lake. “Don’t get too close to the water,” I remember my mother telling me. Of course, I did get too close, slipped and fell, completely covering one shoe with black mud. Knowing I was in trouble, I immediately doused the other shoe with the dark oozing goop in hopes that my shoes would match and my mother would not notice. The fact that my new white shoes were now dark and muddy somehow escaped my reasoning. We all do foolish things. Needless to say, I lacked judgment and my plans did not succeed.

Today’s text describes the contrast between foolish and wise people. Wisdom brings joy. It keeps us on a straight course and helps our plans to succeed. Wisdom ultimately leads to a path of following Christ; eventually leading to a future in eternity with Him. Where do we find such wisdom? The Bible is our best source of finding wisdom for each day.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Please forgive our foolish ways. Thank you for the daily wisdom your Word provides.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Wisdom for Each Day was originally written for Sunday, October 14, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No Excuses

Ezra 9 (NIV), excerpts  ¹After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices... ²They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.” ³When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. ⁴Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice. ⁵Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God...

Is it any wonder that Ezra was appalled to discover the unfaithfulness of Israel? This may have been particularly painful to Ezra with the news that “the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness” (v. 2). Yet Ezra musters his courage and prays:

Ezra 9:5-6, 8, 10-11, 13, 15 (NIV)  ⁵...and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God ⁶and prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to life up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. ... ⁸But now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our god gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. ... ¹⁰But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands ¹¹you gave through your servants the prophets... ¹³What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved and have given us a remnant like this. ... ¹⁵here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.”

Much can be learned in Ezra’s prayer of repentance. He offers no excuses.  He makes no requests.  He simply comes to God with a pure and honest confession.  He humbly recognizes the mercy of God. Perhaps the earnest and uncomplicated prayer of Ezra is the prayer we, too, should offer to our Lord.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Sometimes we find our sins of heart and mind are higher than our heads. We offer no excuses. We ask for your forgiveness. Truly “you have punished us less than our sins have deserved” (v. 13). How humbly thankful we are for your generous mercy.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion No Excuses was originally written for Tuesday, July 24, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Missed Opportunities

 

Ezra 8 (NIV), excerpts

At a first glance, today’s text may seem challenging to read for it contains lists of names (c.f., Ezra 8:1-14).  However, I noticed something new and perhaps it will be new to you as well. As the heads of families gather to Ezra and prepare to travel from Babylon back to Jerusalem for the purpose of rebuilding the temple, one group is conspicuously missing. The Levites are nowhere to be found.

Ezra 8:15 (NIV)  ¹⁵I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there.

One might think a trip back to Jerusalem to repair the temple would cause the Levites to spring forward into action for they were the ones chosen and dedicated to the service of all things concerning the temple of God.  Yet in all the lists of families (c.f., vs 1-5), there are no Levites to be found. It seems a little extra persuasion was necessary.

Is it any different in our day? An opportunity for service presents itself and we are nowhere to be found. Too often it takes a little extra persuasion for us to respond. I’m sure the Levites were more than a little nervous about the trip, but as Ezra reiterated at least three times in this passage, “the gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him” (c.f., vs. 18, 22, 31). So it is for us as well; when we respond to opportunities the Lord lays before us, we too experience the “gracious hand of our God.”

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for opportunities to serve you.  Forgive our hesitations and reservations. Help us to be obedient to each call knowing we can be confident that your gracious hand will guide us.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Missed Opportunities was originally written for Monday, July 23, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Winning the Respect of Others

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (NIV)  ⁹Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. ¹⁰And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹²so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

In Paul’s first letter to the church of the Thessalonians, he admonishes all the believers to lead a life that will win the respect of outsiders—those outside of the faith and body of Christ.  As a Christian, this is also our goal.  The hard truth is that our daily life is sometimes the only picture of Christ that others see. We are, in fact, living billboards.

Ezra 7:6, 10 (NIV)  ⁶this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. ... ¹⁰for Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

Our second passage of Scripture for today provides the example of Ezra.  He was a descendent of Aaron the chief priest (c.f., vs. 1-5).  Yet he drew the attention of King Artaxerxes through his daily life example of studying, observing, and teaching the Law of the LORD. Ezra understood the key to having a properly organized daily life.   First, he studied the Scriptures. Then he applied the Scriptures to his daily life.  Finally, he taught others what he learned and lived. The result can be seen in how others noticed and respected him.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Guide us as we study your Word.  Help us to apply what we learn to our daily life. Finally, give us courage to share your Word with others. Teach us how to live our lives as an example for others to follow.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Winning the Respect of Others was originally written for Sunday, July 22, 2018; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.