Stay ever so close to Me, and you will not deviate from the path I have prepared for you. This is the most efficient way to stay on track; it is the most enjoyable way. Men tend to multiply duties in their observance of religion. This practice enables them to give Me money, time, and work without yielding up to Me what I desire the most -- their hearts. Rules can be observed mechanically. Once they become habitual, they can be followed with minimal effort and almost no thought. These habit forming rules provide a false sense of security, lulling the soul into a comatose condition.
What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that thrills to the Joy of My Presence! I created mankind to glorify Me and enjoy Me forever. I provide the Joy; your part is to glorify Me by living close to Me.
Deuteronomy 6:5
English Standard Version
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Colossians 3:23
English Standard Version
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Psalm 16:11
English Standard Version
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Lord, I want to stay close to You, so help me to narrow my focus and lose what distracts me from you. I want to stay on the path you have set for me. Remind me that doing things your way is the most enjoyable way to live. Too often I am thinking duty is the secret. Help me arrive at church with the right heart, the right motive. Train me before I go to church on how I am to live. I don't want my life to be about rule-keeping to the point that I feel safe because I've kept a set of rules. I don't want anyone to think this is how we live. Help me to stay connected with you in a real life union. Lord, keep grooming me and moving me to love you Lord with all my heart, soul, and might. Remind me that each day I am working for you and for your glory, not to please people. This is true at work, at home, wherever you have placed me. With you, I am on the right path. With you, I have joy. With you, I get all the pleasures I need.
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Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.
Also, bookmarkhttps://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.htmlto have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.
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Second Monday in Advent 2021
Blessed are those who mourn, For they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 (NRSV))
For those who are unaware, this is St. Nicholas Day on the calendar used by our Catholic and Anglican brothers/sisters in Christ (Eastern Orthodox celebrates St Nicholas on December 19). Very little is known of his life but much has been fabricated mostly to make him look like Santa Claus. Here is a clip by National Geographic that provides a little background of the real person who lived and has been morphed into the person of today.
Who Was Saint Nicholas? | National Geographic https://youtu.be/3jLO6A2NpPU
Over Thanksgiving week, we took our family on the Polar Express in Williams, AZ, a train ride to the ‘north pole’. Upon arriving, there he was all dressed in his traditional red suit, waving as we rode by. Then as we were heading back to where our trip originated, Santa Claus was on board and coming down the aisle of the train car we were sitting in. There were 5-6 children, ages 3-6, seated in front of us. When they turned around and saw Santa Claus coming down the aisle, the look of joy and excitement on their faces was beyond description, certainly a one of a kind look. I just sat there and watched those sweet faces and remembered when I was a child how Santa Claus delighted me. It was an excitement like no other. As I watched those precious faces, I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘where has a smile like that gone in my older age?’ Life has taken its toll on that smile. But then I thought, that smile will return someday, the day I behold our LORD and that smile will remain on my face forever.
So what song should I pick for this devotion today? A search of Santa Claus songs produced 54, most of which I never heard. There are the classics, Here Comes Santa Claus, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Up on the Housetop. Jolly Old St Nicholas has a good thought in it that asks for gifts for Johnny, Suzie, and Nellie and ends with the request for self of what you think is right. (Don’t ever remember thinking that way myself.) But as I went over the songs, this one leaped out at me as the best to reflect upon.
Amy Grant - Grown-Up Christmas List
https://youtu.be/RmF2rsDHOZc
This is a good example of the beatitude quoted above. When we mourn the ills in the world and long for them to be changed, we begin by praying for the needs of people (to the One who can really do something about it). What is likely to happen is that we will become involved in being a part of the LORD’s solution. In doing so, that would truly reflect the spirit of St Nicholas for what we know of him.
With love, Bob (Malsack) - provided with his permission
