Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. *(NIV)
As we celebrate Mother's Day here in the United States, we pause to remember, honor and thank God for mothers. They have an awesome job! A mother comforts, guides, instructs, encourages and comes along side to help. She's a chauffeur, a cook, a coach, a disciplinarian, and a whole lot more. Being a mom requires wearing many different hats, but most women are good at that.
One of a mother's most important jobs is that of teaching, and she does that in many different ways. First of all she teaches with her words. A mother instructs and gives directions on everything from how to play games, to how to do laundry and clean the bathroom, to where to catch the bus, or what to look for in a life mate. While she may often wonder if her children hear anything she says, a mom's words are definitely important.
She also teaches her children indirectly by putting them in the care of other responsible adults in schools, in clubs and activities, and in church. This should be done prayerfully, being careful to choose, as much as is possible, folks who will guide them in the same way she would.
But a mother teaches most powerfully by her example. Recently a mother smiled as she said to me, "My little three-year old daughter is by my side every minute and she does everything I do!" Later in our conversation she asked me, "How can I get my daughter to be kind and loving, and treat people with respect?" I replied, "You already know the answer to that. You just told me she does everything you do-so do it yourself and she will follow." A child learns most from what he or she sees modeled by the parents in day to day living.
Yes, mothers teach every day, even if it's as one lady told me, "My mother taught me what NOT to do! I never wanted to be like her." That's sad, but it shows the powerful impact a mother has as she attempts to guide her children toward adulthood and the ability to make wise choices. It's an awesome task, alright, but with God's help she can do it!
Lord God, thank you for the mothers around the world who are seeking to teach their children to walk in Your ways. Please bless them with strength, wisdom and courage, and reward them for their diligence.
By Ann Shorb
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**Scripture taken from the New International Version. Used by permission.
If you enjoyed Beth Moore's Things Pondered, you'll love Feathers from My Nest! Taking a more contemplative and personal approach, Beth reflects on items left behind by her daughters. Her intimate vignettes reveal special memories filled with spiritual insights-and a reminder of the precious gift of grace children provide every day. With a new foreword by Beth's daughters, it's a terrific Mother's Day gift! 224 pages, hardcover, B&H.
Character, discipline, gentleness, obedience, protection, patience, self-control, worry . . . Moms have so many important concerns to bring to God-and often so little time to meet with Him. Prayers & Promises for Mothers can help to bridge the gap. It's brimming with nearly two hundred scriptural promises and companion prayers that seek God's blessings on all the practical issues of a mother's everyday life. Moms can use them as personal "prayer starters," or simply as daily devotions.
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Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
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Philippians 4:19But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Without warning or prelude, Elijah the prophet appeared suddenly on the pages of scripture in I Kings 17. In obedience to God's command, Elijah boldly declared God's wrath before wicked King Ahab and announced that there would be no rain, nor dew for three years upon ungodly Israel. Then the prophet left following God's warning to flee to the wilderness and hide by the brook Cherith.
God used the weeks that followed as a time of training and instruction for His special spokesman, all the while demonstrating His faithfulness. There Elijah found safety and repose. He drank from the brook, and God directed the ravens to bring bread and meat to Elijah every morning and evening. It was for the prophet a place of protection and provision of all that he needed in those days.
My friend, you can be sure of one thing . . . if like Elijah you obediently follow God's direction for your life, He will supply your every need. There is no need that goes unnoticed, no end to what He can do, and no shortage of any resource in His supply. He is God and He is faithful!
Father, when I'm prone to doubt or wonder if You really know and will supply my needs, help me to remember what you did for Elijah in his hour of danger and despair. May I trust You to show Yourself strong in every situation.
By Ann Shorb Copyright Ann Shorb, 2008
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Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
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Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
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Item Category: God's Care & Love Item comments: http://www.ccesonline.com/devotionals/gods-care-love/a-faithful-provider/#comments
Philippians 1:2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 16:33These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I've been sitting here writing thank you notes. From the window I see a beautiful blue sky, my roses blooming, and squirrels running through the back yard. It's a pleasant seen. Indeed, when it's all said and done right now, life is good. It's easy to be thankful.
In Philippians we read a thank you note written by the Apostle Paul, but when he penned his words he wasn't in a serene setting with an easy life. At that moment he was in a crude Roman jail cell, surrounded by darkness with only a stream of light filtering through. Yet he wrote of his thankfulness and his joy. He mentioned God's peace and His grace. How could Paul, in the worst of times, write with such a positive attitude?
Read through Philippians 1 and you will quickly see that Paul's focus was not on his dark and dismal circumstances, but on Christ, the Gospel and others. Don't be misled, he was keenly aware of his circumstances, he just chose not to dwell on them. He found peace basking in the hope, joy, and happiness of the Savior. You see, Paul had learned that peace is not a result of circumstances, but true peace comes from knowing Christ.
It's all summed up in this little equation:
No Jesus = No Peace Know Jesus = Know Peace Heavenly Father, when my circumstances seem overwhelming to me, let me look up and see You. Like Paul, let me focus on You and Your grace and be carried on the wings of joy and peace.
By Ann Shorb
Copyright Ann Shorb, 2008
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Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
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Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
Item Category: Christian Life Item comments: http://www.ccesonline.com/devotionals/christian-life/know-jesus-know-peace/#comments
John 10:10 I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance - to the full, till it overflows. - *The Amplified New Testament
By Heather Anne Kehr
The ride home from town was so wonderful! Everything looked sharp and colorful. People were smiling. Leaves floated in the wind. The world was so much more enjoyable once a pair of glasses corrected my vision. You see, I didn't realize what I was missing until my eyes were opened to a new way of looking at the world.
In life, we often settle for what we are able to deal with rather than pursuing the best. We keep our eyes on the mundane details of life and forget to focus on the eternal destination. We often go about our lives ignoring the fact that Jesus came to give us abundant life-one overflowing with joy, peace, love, compassion, and hope that begins right here and now in this life.
As director of a crisis pregnancy center, I worked with many pregnant, unwed women who had just "settled". Rather than find a mate who truly loved them and was kind, gentle, loyal, humorous, and forgiving, they settled for a guy because he was financially stable, handsome, or was the only one interested in them. My heart broke as beautiful, yet broken women shared how their boyfriends hit them, cheated on them, and generally did not value them as people.
God created each one of us with value! We have no reason to hold on to second place when He wants to give us first place. Yet without Christ, our best Friend, Savior, Lord, and First Love, we are settling for a second-rate life. We are not experiencing the full and abundant life Jesus desires to give us. Our eyes are opened to a "new world" when we understand that we are God's children, full of worth. Although we don't deserve anything, Jesus Himself made it possible for us to attain that first-class life.
Lord, remind me daily of Your desire to give me abundant life. I know I am Your child filled with worth. Teach me to seek to live the full life you intend for me. May I claim Your promise today and forever. Help me not to settle, but to seek a fulfilling life.
*Scripture taken from The Amplified New Testament, Zondervan Publishers, 1958 Copyright Heather Anne Kehr, 2008
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Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
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Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
As beautiful as yesterday was here in Pennsylvania, it was easy to see why people were out walking. I noticed one couple in particular moving briskly with bounce in their step. "What a great way to spend time together," I thought. Then I noticed she was talking on her cell phone, and I wondered how he felt about that. She was with him, right by his side, but her focus was elsewhere. Was it a random thing that interrupted their time together? That can happen easily enough. Or was it something she did often? Was she frequently with him physically, but listening to someone else's voice?
I couldn't help wonder if that's the way the Lord looks at me. Does He think, "Yes, Ann, you're with me and doing the right things but whose voice are you listening to?" In this face-paced world with so much going on, it's easy to be walking with God and get distracted.
James 3:15 reminds us that there are four voices that call to us bringing wisdom, but only God's voice brings wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, impartial, and sincere. The other three sources of wisdom are sensual, unspiritual and devilish. Listening to them leads to chaos, strife, confusion, and evil.
So, I can walk with God and do many of the right things but get distracted by other voices-or I can give Him my full attention as He speaks through His Word, prayer, my circumstances, other mature believers and His creation. Walking with God truly involves listening to the right voice!
Lord, You have graciously and lovingly brought me into fellowship with You. Please help me to shut out all other voices but Your own.
By Ann Shorb Copyright Ann Shorb, 2008
Please Tell Your Friends
Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we've shared today? You can simply forward this message or visit our Tell A Friend page to email a friend from our website! The form can be found at: www.alightformypath.com/tellafriend.htm.
Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.ccesonline.com
Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
Item Category: Christian Life Item comments: http://www.ccesonline.com/devotionals/christian-life/listen/#comments
Habakkuk 3:19The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.
Every year as spring arrives, I remember the time when we lived in France and went high into the Alps to a rustic retreat center. The sky was blue, the air was crisp and patches of snow spotted the mountainside. Here and there delicate little wild flowers showed their faces, some even pushing up through the crusty snow patches. At that elevation it seemed we could see forever. Being in the high place gave a different perspective to the whole world. It was a moment I wished would never end.
Three times in the Old Testament we read nearly the same words as the writers draw a beautiful word picture of being able to climb like the mountain hind (deer) to the high places because of the strength, agility, and balance that the Lord Himself provides (II Samuel 22:33-34, Psalm 18:33, and Habakkuk 3:19). Each reference comes after a traumatic and fearful event in the writer's life, and he finds great joy in knowing that God will take him above his circumstances, beyond all fear and pain to a place where the world is bright and God's glory shines. A place of hope, joy and new perspective await him as he relies on God's strength to take him there.
My friend, when you find yourself in the valley of difficulty, sadness and despair, ask God to take you to the high places. Even if it's only a momentary visit your soul will be refreshed and new hope will strengthen your heart.
Almighty Father, help me set my sights on the high places. Give me strength, confidence, balance, and direction to take me to the place where I feel Your presence and see You in Your greatness.
Plenty of others are also available at the wallpaper page.
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Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
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Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
Item Category: God's Care & Love Item comments: http://www.ccesonline.com/devotionals/gods-care-love/high-places/#comments
Last September one more counselor joined our staff to complete our team. Her name is Cindi Wilmot and she is a delightful addition to our work and ministry. Cindi is a wife, and a mother to six children. You can read more about her at our staff page. Here's a devotional she wrote just for you, our weekly readers.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
My daughter's friend, Christian, sat in the back of the van with our kids, laughing delightedly and making everyone around him smile and chuckle with his nine-year-old humor and energy. "This is what it would be like if the Lord had spared our son", I thought wistfully.
Christian is just a year younger than our Daniel would be had he lived past the gestational age of 17 weeks. It was one of those "what if" moments that we all have when someone we know has passed away. It might sound strange, but I always appreciate the gentle reminders of Baby Daniel leaving us far too soon and just a week before Easter.
Romans 6:31-32 says, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Having unwillingly given up a son I never really knew, it is impossible for me to fathom a God who would WILLINGLY give up His Beloved Son, send Him to earth and allow Him to die for sinful people. Even more amazing is that is just the beginning of all of it! He chooses to live in and through our sinful selves by His Holy Spirit. He is now preparing a place for us so that we can spend eternity with Him. He promises He will never leave us or forsake us! Praise be to God for His unselfish love!
Heavenly Father, Your love amazes me! Thank You for willingly giving us the precious gift of Your Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
By Cindi Wilmot
Copyright Ann Shorb, 2008
I Saw the Lord: A Wake-Up Call for Your Heart By Anne Graham LotzI saw the Lord is a wake-up call for Christians everywhere. Anne Graham Lotz knows from personal experience what it's like to be floating along in a sea of complacency. The revival we need today is not a tent meeting but a life-changing, fire-blazing revival; a fresh commitment to holiness. As you read this book and hear the wake-up call, get ready for the fire of revival to fall on you!
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Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.ccesonline.com
Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
Job 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
What a thrill to KNOW that my Redeemer lives! Jesus Christ is just as alive today as He was right after the resurrection. In fact, He is just as much alive today as He was before the crucifixion, and even before He came to earth and was laid in the manger.
What difference does it make whether we serve a living God or one made of stone? Isn't it just a practice we believe in? Is it a crutch to help us along our way? No! Absolutely not!
A living God knows right where you are day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. He sees your every need, hears your every cry, and longs to hold you close to Himself. He is present to walk with you through the valley. He provides a song in the night. He takes your feet from the muck and mire and plants them on a rock. He blesses you with hope and gives joy for Life's journey. A god with no life is unable to do these things. He cannot see, or hear, or reach, or touch, or provide. He simply cannot.
But my God is alive! The joy and the assurance that we celebrate on Easter doesn't end when the holiday is over and the decorations are all packed away. Why? Because Christ is alive. So rejoice, my friend, and live each day with the hope and joy that Easter brings. Walk with Christ. Talk with Him, and allow His joy to penetrate your heart and fill your soul. Don't live in defeat and agony as if Christ is still on in cross, or in the tomb. HE is alive! He IS alive! He is ALIVE!
Lord, I praise and worship You because You are alive and because You share Your magnificent self with me as Your child. Thank You for the constant day by day fellowship I have with You. Thank You for being alive!
HAPPY EASTER!
By Ann Shorb Copyright Ann Shorb, 2008
Please Tell Your Friends
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Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.ccesonline.com
Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
Matthew 26: 38-39My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let his cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Luke 22:44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
In a matter of one short week, Jesus went from riding triumphantly into the city of Jerusalem being hailed as a king, to hanging in humiliation from a wooden cross with angry mobs shouting around Him, having been betrayed by one of his own. Through it all, He never ceased to honor His Father. How did He do it? How is it possible to go from the position and pomp of a king, to the railings and rejection as a criminal and still successfully glorify God?
The answer is found in the Garden of Gethsemane. In His few days of fame and popularity, Christ taught the disciples, confronted the Pharisees, and outsmarted the Sadducees. He was honored by Mary as she anointed His body with precious oil, and He celebrated Passover with His disciples. But then we read in all four of the gospels that Christ retreated to the garden with His beloved disciples'-something He did often'-and He pulled away even from them to spend time alone with His Heavenly Father. In those moments of communion between the Father and the Son, Christ faced the reality that the time had come for His final sacrifice. As His agony intensified, so did His prayer. It was that closeness with the Father, and Christ's total surrender to His will that carried our Savior through the humiliation and the agony of rejection and death on the cross bringing glory and honor to God and salvation to all who believe. Communion and commitment'-two words joined by love and demonstrated by obedience that never cease to honor the Lord Gracious Lord, may I live in communion and commitment to You so that whether in good times or in hard times my life will bring honor, praise and glory to You.
Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we've shared today? You can simply forward this message or visit our Tell A Friend page to email a friend from our website! The form can be found at: www.alightformypath.com/tellafriend.htm.
Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.ccesonline.com
Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
Hebrews 10:24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.
As I sorted through the mail the other day, a pretty pink envelope stood out from the brightly colored advertisements trying to grab my attention. Immediately I recognized the handwriting and the warmth of friendship swept over me. Inside there was a lovely card and a brief handwritten note that held a large message of love and appreciation. It came at a time when I needed a word of encouragement.
Isn't it exciting when that happens? When a co-worker gives you a pat on the back when you're feeling down . . .when a friend puts his/her arm around you when you're hurting . . . when someone says I'm praying for you when you're confused or afraid . . . when you get an invitation to lunch when you're lonely . . . when you feel so far away and a family member calls to see how you are . . . these are the times when that small act of kindness means the world to you.
So, since you know how good it feels when it happens to you, why not reach out and encourage someone else today? There are a thousand ways you can do that, but right now from your computer you can send an email message or a card just to let someone know that you are thinking of him/her and that you care. (You can send cards to your friends and family be email through our website.) You just might make a world of difference in another person's day. The pretty pink envelope that came in the mail this week did that for me. Thanks, Denise, for the beautiful card!
Father, thank You for a friend who took the time to encourage me. May I do the same for someone else today.
A new puppet script has been added to our website for free download. The script aims to remind children that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to them every day to help them solve their problems. Please feel free to use this for your church or ministry, or at home with your family. It can be used with puppets or acted out by children. Get the script here.
Please Tell Your Friends
Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we've shared today? You can simply forward this message or visit our Tell A Friend page to email a friend from our website! The form can be found at: www.alightformypath.com/tellafriend.htm.
Thank you for sending me your weekly devotional message. It encourages me spiritually. -- G.M., A Light for My Path Subscriber
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.ccesonline.com
Now Thank We All Our God
Now Thank We All Our God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God, Through all our life be near us, With every joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
--Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
Don't forget, you can have A Light for My Path added to your church, organization, business or family website free of charge. And once you set it up, it changes automatically each week. There's nothing else for you to do!www.ccesonline.com/syndication.htm
![40399: Feathers from My Nest: A Mother"s Reflection](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/tiny/4/40399.gif "40399: Feathers from My Nest: A Mother"s Reflection")
Habakkuk 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.
Last September one more counselor joined our staff to complete our team. Her name is Cindi Wilmot and she is a delightful addition to our work and ministry. Cindi is a wife, and a mother to six children. You can read more about her at our 
Job 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
Matthew 26: 38-39 My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let his cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.
