Devotion for Today: Healer and Restorer of Broken Lives

Merciful and gracious God, is He who stands ready to forgive, pardoning sin and purging iniquity. Oh, that men would serve Him and worship Him only, the Healer and Restorer of broken lives. He delights in the beautification of His people, whom He has called for His glory. 

Bible Reading:

I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. 

They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. 

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do anymore with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. (Hosea 14:5-9)

A Prayer:

Plant Your Word in our hearts, Lord God. Let it find good soil and sprout; grow and produce an abundance of fruit of the Spirit. Lead and guide us in the paths of Your righteousness. Be thou glorified! In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Tuesday's Thought: A Heart of Joy and Gladness

Peaceful Serenity: Peace From God, Peace With God

It is possible to have peace in a world of constant strife and conflicts, that arise both inward and outward, which have their roots in the sinful nature. True rest is found in the person of Christ, the Son of God who paid the penalty for our sins, and bore the chastisement for our peace. He graciously said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." {John 14:27}

Having the peace of God ruling in our hearts, we can experience calm in any circumstance.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

>> View scripture verses about peace

Today's Devotional: My Yoke Is Easy, and My Burden Is Light

"Come, unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..." 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stoned them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not. {Matthew 23:27}.

If you've ever seen a hen guard her chicks or any bird its young, you'll understand why the Lord was moved to tears when he wept over Jerusalem. A people He loved deeply, and had chosen for His own, to show forth to the nations, His love, His mercy and His grace, were turning away from Him. Saying in their thoughts and actions, that they needed not His hand to guide them. That they were fully capable of stretching their wings and finding their own peace and happiness in life. But time and time again, their thoughts proved futile and they soon found themselves ruled by hard masters.

How we too, try at times to do things our way, forgetting that unless we rely on the Lord, who is plentiful in mercy and oh, so long suffering, we too, like they, would find our burdens too heavy to bear.

Jesus bids us with open arms: "Come, unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." {Matthew 11:28-30.}

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