These have no root. — Luke 8:13

My soul, examine thyself this morning by the light of this text. Thou hast received the word with joy; thy feelings have been stirred and a lively impression has been made; but, remember, that to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into thy very soul is quite another; superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word is not always a lasting one. In the parable, the seed in one case fell upon ground having a rocky bottom, covered over with a thin layer of earth; when the seed began to take root, its downward growth was hindered by the hard stone and therefore it spent its strength in pushing its green shoot aloft as high as it could, but having no inward moisture derived from root nourishment, it withered away. Is this my case? Have I been making a fair show in the flesh without having a corresponding inner life? Good growth takes place upwards and downwards at the same time. Am I rooted in sincere fidelity and love to Jesus? If my heart remains unsoftened and unfertilized by grace, the good seed may germinate for a season, but it must ultimately wither, for it cannot flourish on a rocky, unbroken, unsanctified heart. Let me dread a godliness as rapid in growth and as wanting in endurance as Jonah’s gourd; let me count the cost of being a follower of Jesus, above all let me feel the energy of his Holy Spirit, and then I shall possess an abiding and enduring seed in my soul. If my mind remains as obdurate as it was by nature, the sun of trial will scorch, and my hard heart will help to cast the heat the more terribly upon the ill-covered seed, and my religion will soon die, and my despair will be terrible; therefore, O heavenly Sower, plough me first, and then cast the truth into me, and let me yield thee a bounteous harvest.

“Word of Christ…”

Colossians 3:16-24 (King James Version)

It is my prayer for today and every day. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

[Colossians 3] 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

New Year’s Resolution

Let’s face it! Most people feel compelled by the beginning of a New Year to make resolutions. I am not much different.

However, this year I would like to start a little differently by asking God to help me keep my priorities in line. I want to put Christ first, family second, then work third, which for me is being a teacher. By nature, I tend to be happiest when I am goal oriented. Of those priorities, I need be more diligent, and actively walk and talk to my Heavenly Father daily. Since I tend to wake early each morning, I will dedicate that quiet time to Him. I will spend time in the Holy Word of God to hide his word in my heart that I might not sin against God, but shine his light through me for his glory and honor.

Secondly, I need to be more attentive to my soulmate and best friend, my husband. I will start by asking God each day to help me show my husband that he is worth my time and attention when he arrives home from work each day, Monday through Friday. I will continue to lift him up each and every day to my Lord so that he also might feel the love of God through me, his wife.

Then, I will bathe my two sons in prayer that they too might intimately know our Lord Jesus. I will plead the blood of Jesus to cover them both to resist the temptations of this world of pride and strife. I will pray that if they are out of the will of God, they will feel conviction and confess their sins and repent and turn back to Jesus. I will also pray for their families, wife, and children to be covered by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe if I ask God for help and keep those priorities that He will honor that according to the promises of his Holy Word. My devotion to this day is from the King James Version of the Holy Bible…

Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the mediation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”