Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 46:8-11
I am going to begin with personal things today. Last Friday morning my mother left this earth and went to live with the Lord in her eternal home at the age of 95. This devotional was written on Friday morning just a few hours after her passing. She lived alone and had been in seemingly good health, considering her age.
Mother had a degree in Bible from Abilene Christian University and had continued to study God's word all of her life. Of all the sermons I preached, I never felt as intimidated as the first time she was in my audience. Yet, even with her vast Bible knowledge, she never made me (or anyone else I ever knew of) feel badly about any lesson I presented in her presence. She might question something or want to discuss it but always with a spirit of love. Several have said to me that she was the most nonjudgmental person they had ever known. She was a constant encouragement and my personal cheerleader.
Mother donated her body to medical science because she said just maybe they could find something that might help someone live better or longer. She was always thinking of others, even to the end of her earthly life. She raised 6 children (5 boys and 1 girl) and was the backbone of our family business for many years. My dad passed while the youngest 2 of my siblings were still in high school. After this, she ran the business for a while but then sold it and went to Zimbabwe Africa (where she was born and raised) to take care of her aging missionary parents. After they died, she moved back to this country and lived in California until she met a wonderful man who she married. They lived in his home in Ohio for almost 20 years until his death. She then moved to Mississippi near her sister. About 2 years ago she moved back to Athens Alabama to be near my brother and me so we could better see to her needs.
She wrote her autobiography, a commentary/workbook on Revelation, Jeremiah and Lamentations, all after she was 85 years old. She died with more plans of things she wanted to do and get done. Mother was loving, caring, kind and godly. She never sought the limelight but was always a support to those out front and in the public eye when they were doing God's work. She will be missed but will live in our hearts forever. She lived her life to be with the Lord, as did my dad. She has now joined him, along with others we have loved here on earth. Robert
Ps 46:8-11
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Heb 13:5-6
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
When we have accomplished a lot of things in life we begin to think how we are in control. As young adults we often think we can change the world. Even if we are very successful in material things and if we have gained great prominence, we owe all we are and all we have to God. It is he who has made us, and he is the one who gives our abilities and opportunities to succeed.
I was greatly blessed to be raised by parents who loved the Lord. My mother was born and raised in Africa where her parents worked as missionaries until they died. From a very young age, both my mother and my father trusted God in all their lives. They used their abilities to teach and help others. They realized and began their teaching with their children.
Some of the most vivid memories I have from my childhood are times around the dinner table. It was here we met every evening and sat together and talked. After the meal, my dad would pass out Bibles to each one and he would read or have one of us read. We then would discuss the passages we read. It was here we had our family business meetings and spiritual guidance lessons.
We went through some difficult times financially but the one thing we learned was to always trust God. No matter what we faced, we knew God was in control and would see us through. We were taught by word and example that faith was not only what we believed but how we lived and how we honored God.
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for your love for me. Thank you for giving me parents who loved you. Thank you for all the time I have been able to have my mother. Thank you for the example she has left behind and the encouragement she was to me and to others who knew her. Help me be what you want me to be and use me to help others also. As you welcome her into her eternal home, give peace to my family and to me. I only ask that her death will bring honor to your name as much as her life was able to do. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
