I Would Be True

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

            You know the Golden Rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We all grew up with that one. Although the Golden Rule itself is not scripture, it is strongly based on the words of Jesus when he said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). All too often we view this as some type of reciprocity contract – if I’m nice, they should be nice to me; if I’m kind; they should be kind to me; if I share, they should share with me. Sadly, that misses the point.

            Christ further went on to explain how great our Heavenly Father is and how generously he loves and cares for his children. The point of the Golden Rule is that we are to exhibit God’s truth, God’s love, God’s caring, God’s kindness, and God’s mercy to those with whom we come in daily contact. The message of the Golden Rule is all about how well we convey to others how much God loves and cares for them.

I Would Be True  (H.A.Walter and D. Johnson)

I would be true, for there are those that 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 turned 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,

            All too often we focus on what others should do for us or how others view us. Forgive us for taking our eyes off of you. Help us realize that all that we think, all that we say, and all that we do should point others to you. You have treated us with such an abundance of mercy, kindness, and love; how can we do anything less for others? We humbly ask you to keep us true and faithful.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional I Would Be True appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:21-26  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

            When daily life seems challenging and the current news and world events seem bleak, this is one of my favorite passages to read. It is probably one of the reasons I frequently write: There is hope—there is always hope.

            The author of Lamentations is unknown although many scholars attribute the writing to Jeremiah. The date of this writing is considered to be approximately 586-585 which places it just a few years prior to the death of Jeremiah. Many sections of the book are written in an acrostic poem format using successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a dirge poem (hence the connection to the word lament) and it expresses the despair of the people of Judah over the loss of their land, city, and temple.

            America was built upon a solid foundation including strong Biblical principles. When I think of the hard work of our constitutional forefathers, I immediately have two thoughts: The first being how proud they would be at all the advancements and developments our nation has achieved. My second thought is how despairing it would be for them to see the rampant corruption in our political system and the self-promoting attitude of so many of our nation’s leaders. This nation that was once One Nation, under God… and boasted proudly on every coin, In God We Trust is fast losing the principles upon which it was founded. All would indeed seem futile if it were not for the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness”  (T.O. Chisholm, 1866- )

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not, As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, --“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            How humbly grateful we are for your faithfulness. You never change or waver and that brings us such great comfort in our world that constantly changes and deviates from the path you set for us. You are the One True God on whom we can always depend. Thank you for the mercies you set before us each day. We pray for our wayward Nation. We pray that you would raise up new leaders who are unafraid to follow you.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Great Is Thy Faithfulness appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Looking for That Blessed Hope

Titus 2:11-15  For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach.

Titus 3:4-8  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

            Ever since childhood, one of my favorite hymns spoke of Christ’s return. It is found in older hymnals but sadly left out of the newer ones. I say “sadly” because this hymn in particular captures the fervent anticipation that each of us as Christians should hold dear. It is all too tempting in today’s worldly culture to adopt the thought of, “Well, I know he’s coming, but probably not anytime soon, so I really don’t have anything to worry about right now. Besides, it probably won’t happen in my lifetime anyway.”

            While it is true that no one knows the moment God will say, “Now!”;  and while it is true that God’s timing is his own; yet we are reminded often in scripture that Christ’s return will be sudden and unannounced. Until then, our job is two-fold: 1) Be ready. 2) Spread the Gospel so that others may be ready.

Looking for That Blessed Hope  (Thoro Harris)

            O shout aloud the tidings, Repeat the joyful strain; Let all the waiting nations This message hear again: The spotless Lamb of glory, Who once for man was slain, Soon o’er all the earth shall reign.

            Signs in the heav’n above us, In sun and moon and sky, Proclaim to all the faithful Redemption draweth nigh; The hearts of men are quaking And failing them for fear: Jesus’ coming draweth near.

            We’ll watch for his returning With lamps well trimm’d and bright; He cometh to the careless As thieves break thro’ the night; “Well done, thou good and faithful”—O may we hear the word, “Share the joy of Christ thy Lord.”

            Looking for that blessed hope, (that joyful hope), Looking for that blessed hope; (that glorious hope); We know the hour is nearing, The hour of his appearing: We’re looking for that blessed hope.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            We thank you for the promise of Blessed Hope—the return of Jesus Christ our Lord. We look for this Blessed Hope with joyful anticipation. Renew in us the resolve to be ready and the sense of urgency to guide others in being ready as well.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Looking for That Blessed Hope appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com