|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour"1 (Lyrics) |
Jesus chose the most unusual, motley crew for His disciples. These were ordinary men whom God used in an extraordinary manner. Among the twelve were fishermen, a tax collector, and a revolutionary. Jesus did not choose kings or princes or men in power to spread God's message of love; He chose ordinary human beings, men who failed, struggled, and had doubts, who were humble and low in stature — people just like you and me.
Before Jesus arrived on the scene, God chose David, a young shepherd boy.
God chose Mary to be the mother of His Son, Jesus. She was a young girl when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and being an unwed mother in those days was punishable by stoning. But God spoke to Joseph, her fiancé, in a dream, that he should marry her because she was chosen to carry God's Son.
God chose me, a problem child who did not complete her Grade 12 education, to share words of comfort and hope with you, the reader, via the Internet on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional website.
God has also chosen you. All you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins; that He has paid the penalty for you on the cross, once, and for all who believe. You are free. You are a forgiven child of God. And you have been given a special gift to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ and with the world.
Colossians 3:12-17 – Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV 2011)
Dearly beloved, you have been chosen by God to spread His message of love and hope in word and deed with a world that sees no hope for the future and in a world where there is hatred and mistrust.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, thank You for taking all our sins with You on the cross. You have paid the penalty for the whole world. You have given us freedom. You have given us a living hope of a new tomorrow. May we share this good news with the world today and always. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Thursday, January 16, 2025 – In the Middle East — Right now, the highlight of my week is my informal language lessons with my friend. I really enjoy discussing different topics with her and asking cultural questions. A few weeks ago, I told her the story of Jesus's death and resurrection. Pray that God continues to speak to her, and that she would come to faith in Christ.
Grandson Being Bullied: "Grandson S is being bullied at school by a couple of boys who influence other boys to side with..." 
Amen!
Thank you Rosemary.
Thanks for another good word Rosemary.
Dear Rosy: Thank you for your message this morning!
Thank you Rosemary for reminding us that God uses our weakness for His glory. Blessings.
Rosemary, thank you my friend and may God continue to be with you and continue to bless you. In His Love, thak you.
Dear Rosemary,
Thank you for your forthright devotional from a precious child of God.
I’m glad you have been chosen to write for Him. What a privilege we have been given to share the good news with others. God bless you.
Hello Rosemary:
I have always noticed your devotionals and thought I would write today to let you know how much I appreciate them. They are always timely and very to the point. Thank you so much for the effort.
Dear Rosy,
Thank you for this encouraging devotional. It is wonderful to see how the Lord is using ordinary people like us for His glory.
Keep writing and sharing the good news of the gospel!
Blessings.
Dear Rosemary, wisdom and education are not the same thing. With wisdom comes understanding. You are blessed with wisdom.
Thank you for today’s devotional.
Peace be with you.
(NS)
Greetings:
The rosemary plant that I put in our front bed is now fragrantly blooming. It was planted shortly after one of your devotionals last year. It reminds me of how wonderful words have and will sweeten peoples lives. Keep up the good writing. Your “plants” leaf out and blossom around the world for many to enjoy and benefit from.
Dear Rosemary, Thank you for your words of wisdom. So often we see ourselves as ineffective in the big world we live in. In His hands we can be used to be part of a chain of Love which speaks to to the heart of unbelievers.
God can turn the page or open the eyes of unbelief. So we must keep on keeping on until at last we reach our destination with Him. May you be blest as you messages bless us.
Good morning, I loved this devotional. It resonates with a paper I wrote for a New Testament class in my undergraduate years. It was the highest grade ( A+) I ever got from my teacher. One of the things I explored in the paper was the role that Mary Magdalene played as one of the “disciples” I believe her presence made the radicalness of Jesus’ choices even more profound.
Motley crew member.
Thank you Rosemary for this testimony to the sublime grace of our heavenly father. Thank you also for the reminder that God is not selective but will receive all who come to Him with no exceptions. He requires only one thing and that is that we come to Him for rest. And once rested we take His yoke on us an learn of Him.
And the rest you know all too well, Rosemary of ours.
Blessings.
Dear Rosemary,
FATHER’S words spoken through you reminded me of who the chose who follow JESUS are…as allowed in this devotional, folks of all walks of life….makes all equal and all special.
I have some issues as all sinners do living the life that FATHER ANS SON would have us live, if we didn’t have free choice.
Brotherly love to you and with love in our savior, JESUS CHRIST
(Texas, USA)
Rosemary,
Very good.
Just be aware that Mary was not unwed.
Prior to the visit of the angel Gabriel, Joseph and her had signed a wedding contract and were legally married. Our Lord was conceived within a legal marriage.
That is why in Matthew 1:19, Joseph was going to have to divorce her according to the Mosaic Law.
Now, I know the custom is for the legal contract to be signed and for the bridegroom to go off and build a new home for both he and his bride and the marriage would be consummated then. Our Lord alludes to this many times in His mission.
I understood the spirit of what you were saying.
Our Lord will put anyone to work in His field; they just have to be willing to show up!
God bless & keep writing,
(Texas)
Good Evening Rosemary:
What a beautiful devotional assuring us “one does not have to be fluent in educational success or social status to be a child of God and blessed with the ability to spread His word to those they come in contact with. Over and over again we read your beautiful devotionals assuring us of God’s Abiding Love and constant care for we who love Him. Over and over again we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives when we read your beautiful words of comfort and encouragement, knowing God’s hand has touched your life enabling you to bring messages of joy and assurance to all.
Your testimony and witness for your Lord are outstanding and I know your Heavenly Father will honor your work and some day say to you, well done my good and faithful servant — enter into my kingdom and enjoy eternity with me and my beloved Son. AND do you know what?? The fact that you did not graduate from grade 12 will not mean a hill of beans. What will really matter is the fact that you did make Christ the Lord of your life and was guided by the Holy Spirit to write wonderful words of assurance to all.
Thank you for all your lovely messages.
Thank you. I needed that reassurance today.
Rosemary:
Thank you for your devotional words. You give us comfort and hope with all you say. I pray that we may all have directions and required strength as you show.
God’s will be done.
Rosemary:
Thank you for your devotional words. You give us comfort and hope with all you say. I pray that we may all have directions and required strength as you show.
God’s will be done.