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Listen while you read: "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms"1
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Exodus 9:16 – But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. (NIV)
After waking up yesterday morning and finding that I couldn't go back to sleep, I went to my bookshelf to find a book to read. I pulled one out and realized that I hadn't read it in a long time, so I flipped it open. It was written by Timothy Keller: The Reason For God. I also decided to read my daily devotional from PresbyCan: The Sure Foundation, written by Shirley Moulton. She wrote about her carefree early childhood experiences. After reading it, I sent her my words of encouragement:
- Your early childhood experiences sound like a dream to me. Why is this? My childhood was the total opposite: fear; anxiety; worry about things that were not my responsibility; self-consciousness; and the lack of love and compassion. I could go on, but I will stop here. The good news is that my lifeline was Jesus. I had unlimited access to our family Bible, and I loved the stories in it. Those early Bible stories shaped my whole life, and here I am today witnessing for Jesus. I still have a far way to go, but one thing I know for sure is that Jesus Christ is my guide, and I am holding on to Him until the end of my journey here on earth. Thank you for sharing your childhood experiences with me today.
After opening the book, The Reason For God, what jumped out at me was the following: "Growth in character and change in behavior occur in a gradual process after a person becomes a Christian." And then, "It is often the case that people whose lives have been harder and who are 'lower on the character scale' are more likely to recognize their need for God and turn to Christianity." What a morning!
2 Timothy 1:9 – [God] has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. (NIV)
Often, it is when we are weak and we need something more that we seek out God. "Knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7b NIV) I knocked and walked in because God is my reason.
Psalm 57:2 – I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. (NIV)
How about you? Are you ready to explore why you, too, need God in your life?
Prayer: Gracious God, we thank You for being the reason why we are here. Heavenly Father, thank You for standing at the door, ready to help us when we reach out to You. We give You the praise and the glory. Amen!
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About the author:
Yvonne Myers <yvonneemyers@gmail.com>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Amen, Yvonne.
Thank you for sharing this morning. My childhood was troubled, but it made me even more eager to find and hungry for his righteousness.
Yvonne. Today is my birthday, and what a lovely promise to begin the day. I long for God’s power to be displayed through the circumstances of my life. God will not let humans outshine His glory and power!
Many thanks, Yvonne, for your very encouraging words today. Yes, we need be so thankful that God is ever ready to respond to our pleas. He created each of us and we are assured of His care for us.
Blessings for the writings you prepare and share with us.
Good morning, Yvonne,
Thank you for this and it is amazing how Jesus is right there waiting for us to invite Him into our hearts. Just after accepting Jesus I had a poem come to me, Thank you For Waiting at My Heart’s Door. I read it to the church before I got out of the baptism tank. Praise God!!!!
Dear Yvonne,
I identify with your difficult childhood! Please tell me what you mean by “people lower on the character scale”??
I enjoy reading the devotional and I forward it to several friends!
Blessed day.
Thank you for your devotional, Yvonne! Your stories, like all the stories written by other PresbyCan authors, are sincere, touching, and relatable.
You all are truly inspiring for older and newer Christians alike to read stories that pull on your heartstrings and reveal Jesus, God, and The Holy Spirit working in, with, and for us, Christians!!! To God be the glory.
Amen.
How inspiring! I’ve been a Christian for 46 years, before that, I warmed the pew, had no real Bible knowledge and prayer was flat.
We have a great God and Father meeting each of us wherever we are! Praise God!
Thanks Yvonne, your faith shines bright, out of a dark past.
Bless you for sharing,
(BC Canada)
Just setting up here in the Church Hall after a busy day at work; the early afternoon events are over, the bereaved family arranging the funeral plans with the Associate Minister!
The late Dr. Keller was an amazing communicator. And grateful that the PCC Daily can minister, as you prepare another message to minister to us as we are. Blessings in your part of the journey today.
Good morning, Yvonne,
Your devotional is inspiring and encouraging to all and especially to those who are going through a difficult time. The hymn is a wonderful addition to your devotional. I am sorry that your childhood wasn’t pleasant; however, grateful that you gained a life with Jesus from the access you had to the Bible. I think of all the children who are living through the wars going on in this world or the hunger due to famine or the other disasters like floods and tornadoes and hope they find God to help them.
Thank you for sharing your experience to help us all who have not yet knocked on the door. Blessings.
Thank you, Yvonne, for another great devotional today!