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1 Timothy 4:14a – Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you. (NASB)
One of the most treasured gifts I own is a wall clock which was given to me by my mother when I moved into my very first apartment. Throughout my life, this battery-operated clock has been my companion as I have moved; it has survived for many years. Unfortunately, about three months after settling into my current home, the clock stopped working. At first, it appeared that all it needed was a new battery. However, after I adjusted the hands, it suddenly quit operating. This time, it seemed to be finished for good. So I thought, After all, it is too old. Everything must come to an end …
Four years later, my old clock was still hanging on the wall — nice to look at, albeit non-functioning.
Recently, I decided to take the clock down to see if I could get it repaired. A young man assisted me to take it off the wall. As he took the clock down, he noticed that the hands were touching each other. Once he straightened them out, the clock began working perfectly — it was that simple! What followed was a boisterous laugh between us.
This experience helped me to realize how easily we can get sidetracked by the every-day circumstances of our lives. Thus, we overlook important opportunities to serve the Lord.
1 Peter 4:10 – Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (NIV)
The solution to getting my clock to work was a simple one. I suppose that it is not much different in our spiritual lives. If we fail to function properly or stop working altogether, the answer is always quite simple: surrender our lives and allow God's Spirit to work in us. We might be amazed how God uses our time for His glory.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You with thanksgiving in our hearts for the time that You give us each day. With guidance from the Holy Spirit, assist us to manage our time as we use our gifts to bring honour and glory to You. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024 – In North Africa — Living in North Africa we get so used to hearing the call to prayer it becomes like background noise and sometimes I don't hear it anymore. I am challenged by the fact that some Muslims are so committed to pray that they go to the mosque 5 times a day. Would you consider, with me, setting your alarm to go off at 3:00 every day and pray for these three things: 5 families to come to know Christ, 3 people for us to read scripture with,1 new church plant.
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Thanks for a good word Parise.
Doesn’t he always amaze us!!
Thank you Parise for sharing this with us. I am glad your clock is working again.
Good message, Parise. How very true this is.
Blessings.
Thanks for the devotional Parise,
Apart from the good lesson it taught…I think we have renewed hope for our wall clock.
Good lass.
Amen to your prayer! So often I want to do things under my own steam which usually results in anxiety and frustration. Thank you for the reminder to entrust all to God and let the Holy Spirit work within me. Good timing!
Dear Parise: Thank you for today’s message.
I am very much a clock watcher!
Blessings on you as we all wait for our Lord’s coming and no more clock watching, Eternity!
Dear Parise,
What a blessed experience it must have been to see this special gift from your mother, finally working again! “The Clock” is a great reminder that time is precious. Indeed, every day is a gift from our Heavenly Father to be used for His purpose and glory.
Dear Parise!
Thanks for writing to us through PresbyCan Daily.
Each one of us does have an essential contribution in and for the Body of Christ. You gave a kind, generous, encouraging reminder using your clock. Do you suppose one of the hands took a small jostle with a subsequent slight bending in the move?
Dear Parise,
What a blessing to get up this morning to your devotional. Our Lord has blessed you with many gifts and you are using them for His Glory. Let Him continue to give you the messages He want you to pass on to us. Keep passing on those messages via your devotionals.
Dear Parise,
I enjoyed the boisterous laugh that you and the young “fix-it man” shared as your clock was so easily fixed. God so readily fixes our circumstances when we ask. I pray that many, many persons will realize that as they accept God’s Son, Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. They can take everything to him in prayer and ask that he will answer according to his will.
Keep writing.
Thanks for that inspirational piece, Parise. How I love how you are ever focused on using daily events to reinforce our faith and dedication.