MIDWEEK DEVOTION
Jan 3, 2024 18:48:21 #
I received this “letter” from Pastor Robert Morris this week, and would like to share it with all of you. I believe it is an excellent way to start the year for myself and hopefully many others.
May God bless you all in 2024!
A Word of Encouragement from Pastor Robert
Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Dear Randy,
As you start the new year, I have a powerful truth to share with you which I think will bring great encouragement.
In 1990, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith wrote a song that’s still one of my favorites. Google it and listen to Amy’s original recording of “Thy Word.” If you listen to the words carefully, you’ll notice that God’s Word and God’s presence are synonymous.
The psalmist uses the Hebrew word dabar when he refers to God’s Word: divine speech, what God Himself has spoken. It emphasizes the vocalization of God’s speech (e.g., “Let there be light”). So here we have the idea that God speaks to us in a manner that gives us direction for the moment; as it were, from the very lips of God.
Isn’t that amazing?! God speaks to us as we walk this path called life. It’s easy to get turned around, confused, discouraged, fearful, and unsure. But when we’re well-acquainted with His Word, He speaks to us to give us what we need to stay on the right path.
To the ancients, a lamp was used to avoid stumbling, falling, injury, or worse. If you’ve ever tried to make your way in considerable darkness, a light is absolutely necessary. Darkness hides reality and conceals the truth. Light dispels the darkness and reveals reality and truth.
This is a major characteristic of the Word of God. He is not trying to hide the right path from you; He wants you to discover and follow it: the path to genuine life, fulfilling life, victorious life, and eternal life. However, we live in a dark world — and it seems to be getting darker. The only way to stay on the right path is to listen for His directions as you study His Word.
When I was a kid, I remember my dad taking me duck hunting. To get from our truck to the water’s edge, we had to walk across some uneven rocks that led by a steep bank at the edge of the lake. As I trailed behind him, he would shine the flashlight just in front of me and say, “Step here. Be careful here. Jump here.”
That’s the nature of God’s Word. He has spoken to us through His Word, and He uses it in our lives to speak truth, reality, direction, courage, hope, and perspective.
As we stand at the start of a new year, I hope you’ll remember the simple truth that God speaks to us to guide our steps. It’s easy to feel uncertain about what lies ahead. But when we immerse ourselves in His Word, He provides wisdom and encouragement so we can walk confidently into the future. Even when the path seems confusing or difficult, listening to His voice keeps us headed in the right direction.
What an incredible blessing it is that we can hear from Him each new day in the coming year!
A Prayer for 2024
Holy Spirit, I desire to walk the right path. Use Your Word in my life to be my light and direct me. Thank You for knowing what’s best for me in this new year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
May God bless you all in 2024!
A Word of Encouragement from Pastor Robert
Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Dear Randy,
As you start the new year, I have a powerful truth to share with you which I think will bring great encouragement.
In 1990, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith wrote a song that’s still one of my favorites. Google it and listen to Amy’s original recording of “Thy Word.” If you listen to the words carefully, you’ll notice that God’s Word and God’s presence are synonymous.
The psalmist uses the Hebrew word dabar when he refers to God’s Word: divine speech, what God Himself has spoken. It emphasizes the vocalization of God’s speech (e.g., “Let there be light”). So here we have the idea that God speaks to us in a manner that gives us direction for the moment; as it were, from the very lips of God.
Isn’t that amazing?! God speaks to us as we walk this path called life. It’s easy to get turned around, confused, discouraged, fearful, and unsure. But when we’re well-acquainted with His Word, He speaks to us to give us what we need to stay on the right path.
To the ancients, a lamp was used to avoid stumbling, falling, injury, or worse. If you’ve ever tried to make your way in considerable darkness, a light is absolutely necessary. Darkness hides reality and conceals the truth. Light dispels the darkness and reveals reality and truth.
This is a major characteristic of the Word of God. He is not trying to hide the right path from you; He wants you to discover and follow it: the path to genuine life, fulfilling life, victorious life, and eternal life. However, we live in a dark world — and it seems to be getting darker. The only way to stay on the right path is to listen for His directions as you study His Word.
When I was a kid, I remember my dad taking me duck hunting. To get from our truck to the water’s edge, we had to walk across some uneven rocks that led by a steep bank at the edge of the lake. As I trailed behind him, he would shine the flashlight just in front of me and say, “Step here. Be careful here. Jump here.”
That’s the nature of God’s Word. He has spoken to us through His Word, and He uses it in our lives to speak truth, reality, direction, courage, hope, and perspective.
As we stand at the start of a new year, I hope you’ll remember the simple truth that God speaks to us to guide our steps. It’s easy to feel uncertain about what lies ahead. But when we immerse ourselves in His Word, He provides wisdom and encouragement so we can walk confidently into the future. Even when the path seems confusing or difficult, listening to His voice keeps us headed in the right direction.
What an incredible blessing it is that we can hear from Him each new day in the coming year!
A Prayer for 2024
Holy Spirit, I desire to walk the right path. Use Your Word in my life to be my light and direct me. Thank You for knowing what’s best for me in this new year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jan 4, 2024 03:20:17 #
1Oldboat42
Loc: Kearney, Nebraska
This is a wonderful read Randy and thanks for sharing it. In the night hours when most people are sleeping I search and read many of the post here on the Stage. But when my wife gets up the Stage is turned off and the Bible is opened and read. I don't know how many times we have gone through the Bible but we never learn everything at once. It's surprising how many times one of us will say, "I've never caught that before."
Jan 4, 2024 13:34:02 #
Fishing Couple wrote:
This is a wonderful read Randy and thanks for sharing it. In the night hours when most people are sleeping I search and read many of the post here on the Stage. But when my wife gets up the Stage is turned off and the Bible is opened and read. I don't know how many times we have gone through the Bible but we never learn everything at once. It's surprising how many times one of us will say, "I've never caught that before."
Thank you for reading and for your encouragement, Joel. My wife and I say that often about seeing new things - even in scriptures we’ve read numerous times, or can even quote by heart. I think the Holy Spirit will do that to show us things we may need at that particular time. It’s pretty cool how He works that way.
I had a guy here on FS recently told me, “I’ve read the Bible; I never read the same book twice.” It was in response to my suggestion that he try reading the Bible! There are ALWAYS new things to learn in the Bible. 🙏🏻
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