|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Little Drops Of Water"1 (Lyrics) |
Psalm 71:1 – In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. (NIV)
The older I get, the more I understand my need for introversion. The world has become a frenzied, noisy, and greedy place that I find difficult to embrace or accept. I cherish quiet places and people, solitary moments and tranquil times more than ever I did. I look forward to taking refuge in God's cloister of closeness, either by sitting and reading in the back porch or by resting on my bed while listening to classical music. Life doesn't have to be hectic, filled with torturous timetables or burdened by trivial pursuits that consume my days. I seek God's peace and look forward to His presence each day. I become a spiritual refugee in His arms; I rest my weary soul in His Son.
I know that I have responsibilities, tasks, and obligations to fulfill. I understand the need to work and the attention that my vocation requires. I am aware that leadership involves supporting and serving people in many different ways. I embrace and accept all of those important things, but there is a deeper part of me that longs to be alone with God, to quietly surrender my spirit into His hands, and to purposefully ponder on what my personal connection to Christ really involves, and what it will become in eternity. I am not seeking to escape from the world; I'm just taking refuge in the Creator of the world, which is where I'm truly meant to be. The Bible tells us that the peace of God surpasses our understanding, so I guess I'm trying to find and embrace that peace above all else.
Perhaps presently, you have a whole list of things to do, tasks to fulfill, and obligations to meet. I hope that you succeed in accomplishing and completing all of them. However, may I suggest that you add something else: take time to be with God on your own. Find a quiet place and rest in His presence. Seek refuge in His love and remain in His arms for a while. It will do you the world of good and be beneficial for your body, mind, heart, and soul. God bless you with His peace.
Points to ponder: Do I have a timetable for this week? Where can I effectively place time to be alone with God?
Prayer: Lord God, You created us to be and not to do. Help us to cherish Your presence and to refresh our souls in Your quiet and abiding love. In Christ's name, we pray. 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, October 10, 2024 – In France — We were blessed with a team from Canada. They were an enormous encouragement to us, doing street evangelism, passing out 1500+ invitations, and praying with many as we shared the Gospel. The Lord is raising a new church in France with a dozen of us meeting every Sunday; faithful believers who desire to grow in the Word of God and in fellowship.
Life Chain: "Update October 8, 2024: Praise the Lord. Approximately 14,000 courageous souls across Canada stood..." 
terminal illness: "Update October 8, 2024: Gisele is being admitted to Hospice . Please pray for freedom of pain...." 
Pray for healing-Update J: "October 7, 2024: Please pray for one of our faithful prayer warriors, who has been battling breast..." 
Beautiful Rev. Stuart. Thank you.
Now it is time after tomorrow to follow John’s advice!
Great thoughts, John. I, too, need quiet time regularly.
Another great reminder, John. Thank you and God bless!
I appreciate how you often share your personal life and thoughts.
So true!
(B.C.)
I hear you. Our minister did his sermon on this last Sunday.
Take time to sit and listen to God.
Quiet time, so important. Love that expression “cloister of closeness”.
Bless you for writing.
Thank you, John. A lovely early morning reading. Yes, “be still and KNOW that I am God”.
(Ontario)
Your prayer said it all!
It really is more of “Lord what would you have me to be, than Lord, what would you have me to do?” Amen. Thank you, John.
Your devotions always seem to hit the spot John. I belong to a small church in Toronto Canada, and look forward to them, along with another member. Then we discuss them. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
Amen John. I can relate to so much of what you have written. Without my daily morning quiet time with God I don’t know how I would get through my days. There seems to be so many demands on our time! And my husband and I are retired! Thanks for the reminder to always seek time with God. Blessings.
Hello John, thank you so much for that excellent devotional and prayer.
It echoes what I have been feeling increasingly as I get older also.
I have forwarded it to my two daughters who are very busy with the demands of growing families.
They too will appreciate it.
Dear John,
I am truly inspired by your devotion today, I think I understand exactly what you are saying.
Thank you so much for articulating and for sharing.
May the good Lord continue to strengthen and to bless you truly.
In his powerful name, let’s give thanks.
Thank you. This is really important. Especially after another mass shooting in the US last night. My refuge is in God. I wish all people would seek God’s will in their lives.
Please pray with me for the victims and their families.
Thank you again.
(Manitoba)
Greetings John,
Thanks for your devotional this morning. A very good reminder of who is the important one that we must schedule time for. Time set aside for God is necessary and is a soothing influence on our soul.
Blessings,
(B.C.)
I have always had my quiet spaces and times, even with church, kids, a husband who is self-employeed and my 90+ yr-old grandmother living with us. Now I have a disability that requires me to spend hours resting each day. They are times of reading prayer and quiet reflection. I am a go-go kind of person who always kept fit and busy. It has been a difficult adjustment but my time with the Lord has been a wonderful blessing. Do I miss the busy life? Oh yes. No more jogging or golf or long walks with the dogs. But it is still GOOD. Bless the Lord, oh my soul!
Good morning. I don’t remember who or how I was introduced to Presbyterian Devotions, and it has come to my in-box faithfully for years. The messages, to my amazement, have often been, intimate for my situation, as if a believing friend talking with me, encouraging me, reinforcing what God is doing in my life now. As was yours this morning, retirement is not spoken of in the Word. I too, am beginning an exciting new, yet fearful venture at this stage of my life. Thank you for allowing your wisdom to help us who are “stumbling our way to heaven”! I always enjoy your devotions.
A thought. As I said, I’ve received this devotion for years, it often bothers me when I hit the delete button. Too “dead-on” to delete.
Thank you again!
(Manitoba, Canada)
Thank you, John, for these thoughts of peace, and focus, and purpose. They are a gentle nudging and encouragement from the Holy Spirit, through you.
(BC)
Thanks John.
I very much relate to this.
Although an extravert, I cherish the times I can just be quiet with God.
Thanks for encouragement to persist even when putting out fires!
Dear Mr. Stuart
I am a fairly new reader of the Daily Devotionals, but I have already been able to identify your messages before I get to the bottom and see that you have written them.
Thank you for your words of inspiration and encouragement.
I know especially at this wonderful time of the year, how busy the members of my Committee are, and I will be sharing this message with them as our Devotional message at the next meeting.
God bless you for your words.