December 5 Devotion

Isaiah 26:7-15

Several years ago while Emerson Wood was our pastor the following appeared in the Voice under "From the Pastor." It has had a prominent place on my refrigerator and in my heart ever since!

"Sometimes in the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper in the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair."

In this hectic Christmas season lets take a few minutes to be still, listen and let the "stillness of the quiet" seep into our hearts, and minds, and souls.

Prayer: Lord in this season of gift buying and giving help us to remember your gift of love to us -- your son Jesus Christ -- and his gift of forgiveness. Help us to take these gifts of love and forgiveness and expand them by learning to love and forgive ourselves and others. Amen

Margaret Williams

In addition, I receive the following email from Pastor James Milnick, West Milford UMC. The devotion that he sent fits so well with Margaret's above, that I thought I would include it today. Below is his note and the devotion written by a lay member of his church -- Kim

Kim, Each week a lay member writes a weekly mediation that is shared via e-mail. I feel lead to submit this weeks for your use in your booklet.

Blessings of Peace,
Pastor James R. Malick

A Season of Giving

As we approach Christmas, we think about giving presents, special gatherings, and so on. What can we do; and will it be enough. Perhaps we would do well to put our thoughts, and our giving on a higher plane.

A young child wrote in and asked, "What can I give my Grandpa, I love him and he has everything." The reply came back, "give him a big box of candy, then jump up into his lap and help him eat it."

Why can't we do this with God? He has everything except our Love and this we must freely give. Why don't we give Him our love, and our heart, then jump up into his lap and help Him enjoy it?

Matthew 18:3; "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

Perhaps we can grow nearer to God by appreciating what He has created.

Psalms 19:1; "The Heavens declare the Glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

We will never know everything, but we can show God that we love Him by trying to learn as much as we can about His wonderful creation, and showing Him that we are interested. In this way, we can give Him our heart. Our very lives will be immersed in Him and we in effect will jump up into His lap and help Our Heavenly Father, who Loves us so completely, enjoy everything that He has created.

For sure, God Loves us, let us be determined to love Him right back, and be willing to jump up, "right into His lap."

Ron Kirby
West Milford UMC