Daily Devotional June 27, 2022

 


In 1826, the British author Thomas Carlyle married Jane Welsh, who also was an accomplished writer. She dedicated herself to his success and served him wholeheartedly. Because of a stomach ailment and a nervous disorder, he had a rather ornery temperament. So she made special meals for him and tried to keep the house as quiet as possible so he could do his writing.

Thomas didn't often recognize Jane's helpful spirit nor did he spend much time with her. However, he wrote this about her to his mother: "I may say in my heart that she. . . loves me with a devotedness which is a mystery to me how I have ever deserved. She. . . looks with such soft cheerfulness into my gloomy countenance, that new hope passed into me every time I met her eye".


We too have Someone who loves us with a devotedness that is a mystery how we as sinners ever deserved it! He is God the Father, "who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32). His love is wide, long, deep and high and exceeds our knowledge (Eph. 3:18-19). Understanding and appreciating God's love is so vital hat Paul prayed for the Ephesians to be "rooted and grounded" in it (Eph. 3:17). May that be our experience as well. There is no greater joy than to know God loves you.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotional November 11, 2023

Image
  A tragedy is a story in which the main characters succumb to the difficult circumstances in their lives. Some might call Jesus’ life a tragedy. As an adult, He was homeless and often misunderstood. The Pharisees harassed and hated Him. Even Jesus’ disciples occasionally doubted His divinity. When He truthfully said He was the Son of God, the authorities convicted Him of blasphemy (Mark 14:61-65). As punishment—although innocent of any sin—Roman soldiers tortured, mocked, and crucified Him. Jesus, tragic? No way. His death was the foundation for the most important triumph of all time—the resurrection! (John 20:11-14). Paul wrote that God “raised Christ from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). Beyond the flesh-and-blood miracle of Jesus’ resurrection, He “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Colossians 2:15). Without Jesus, our lives would be tragic. We would live and die in our sin with no hope of escaping its conseque
Read more

Daily Prayer November 11, 2023

Image
  Dear Lord, help me to go about the tasks and duties of this day with the remembrance that I am Your servant therein. Make me honest, painstaking, and cheerful. And, grant that all I do and say may bring good to others and glory to Your Holy Name. May I have the courage never to be afraid of anyone. May I have the generosity to bear ill-feeling toward no-one. Lead me to live in such a way as to treat others in the same way as I would like to be treated. Inspire me never to be violent in thought, word or action, and lead me to conquer evil with goodness. Let me go forth in Your peace, keeping Your Spirit always in my mind. And bless me, I pray, that I might always follow Your will and live in the radiance of Your blessing. Amen
Read more

Daily Devotional November 10, 2023

Image
  The Bible compares a person who trusts in God to a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river (Jer. 17:8). Because its roots are well-nourished, this tree survives soaring temperatures. And, during drought, it continues to yield fruit. Even strong trials cannot blow down a person who is rooted in God. Like a firmly rooted tree, people who rely on God have a sense of stability and vitality despite the worst circumstances. In contrast, people who place their trust in other humans often live with a sense of instability. The Bible compares them to a desert shrubs that are frequently malnourished and stand alone (Jer. 17:6). So, it is with the spiritual lives of people who forsake God. Where are our roots? Are we rooted in Jesus? Are we a bridge that leads to Him? If we know Christ, we can testify to this truth: Blessed are those who trust in the Lord (Jer. 17:7).
Read more