Caribbean Moravian Devotions

A son honors his father. If then I am a father, where is the honor due me? says the Lord. Malachi 1: 6

The prophet Malachi [means My Messenger] is concerned with two main issues, one of which is God’s displeasure with Israel’s unfaithfulness. It is in dealing with this that today’s text is uttered. The analogy of a normal relationship between a father and son is used. ‘God appeals to the first feelings of the human heart, the relation of parent and child, or, failing this, to the natural self-interest of those dependent on their fellow-men.’ [Barnes Notes on the Bible] It is normal and natural for sons to honor their fathers. It is part of the unwritten law of nature and it is part of the commandments. While love may grow out of a good relationship, honor comes naturally. We look with disdain on a child who dishonors their parents. Here however is Malachi as God’s messenger proclaiming God’s disappointment with the way God’s people have been treating their Father.
Continue reading "Who is God? Really!"

As a boy growing up in a village, every now and again you were involved in some sort of fight. Although boys didn’t usually fight girls there were some girls who were never afraid to pick a fight whether it was against a boy or another girl. Some boys were known to be the village bullies. They had a reputation of always getting into a fight. Village life taught you that you had to know when to stand up and fight and when it was TIME TO RUN from a fight. Sometimes it was after the fight was started that you realized that you made the wrong choice. So to avoid any further bodily damage and to protect whatever pride you had left, you figured out that there was only one thing left for you to do – RUN. For our FF for today, let’s consider that in life there are those moments when it’s TIME TO RUN!

Continue reading "TIME TO RUN!"

In the congregation will I bless the Lord. Psalm 26: 12

In Psalm 26, the Psalmist makes a distinction between his condition and that of the unrighteous. While the unrighteous walked along a crooked and unjust way, he had found a straight path to travel along, a solid ground on which to stand. The entire verse of today’s text is a declaration of this. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD. ‘He had been anxious about his condition. He had been examining the evidences of his piety. He had had doubts and fears. He had seen much to apprehend, and he had appealed to God to determine the question on which he was so anxious - whether his hope was built on a solid foundation. His path in these inquiries, and while his mind was thus troubled, was like a journey over a rough and dangerous road - a road of hills and valleys - of rocks and ravines. Now he had found a smooth and safe path. The way was level. He felt secure; and he walked calmly and safely along, as a traveler does who has past over dangerous passes and who feels that he is on level ground.’ [Barnes’ Notes on the Bible]

Continue reading "Praise God in the Congregation!"

There are two words that we learn very early in life: YES & NO. Most often, a toddler keeps hearing more NO than YES. We learn that YES means we want something. NO means we do not. And somehow from very early we also are taught that you can’t have it both ways. In other words both YES & NO can’t be your answers at the same time. You have to make a choice. It’s either YES or NO! I guess that’s where ‘maybe’ comes in. It’s sort of somewhere in between. Saying YES or NO means that you have made a clear commitment one way or the other! ‘Maybe’ is in ‘no man’s land’. It’s really being undecided. ‘Maybe’ can be a safe ground to walk on. And then again it could also be a cowardly place. ‘Maybe’ people don’t get much done and don’t get very far in life because they are afraid to commit. They are without obligation. But for this year we are challenged to use ‘maybe’ a whole lot less. Instead let this be a year when we are more committed and make definite decisions with the words YES & NO. That’s our FF for today YES & NO.

Continue reading "YES & NO"

Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29: 11
It is always a good feeling when someone gives to you something that you already had power over. A good example is the child who receives something from the parent and chooses to give back something from it to the parent. Although it belonged to the parent in the first place, it still produces a wonderful feeling when it is given by the recipient. This joy is then multiplied in the giver because of the response of the receiver. This is what happened in the text for today. David is giving final instructions for the building of the temple which will be undertaken by Solomon. He has ensured that all the material is available for this venture. His final gift is to bequeath all his gold and silver to the project. He then praises God, recognizing that everything belongs to God, even the gifts which he has been able to give. It gives him great joy to have been able to return to God what he had been blessed with.

Continue reading "Receiving to Give."

I am one of those who still believe that a cell phone is first and foremost just that – a phone. Guess I’m one of those who may be viewed as from the old school, meaning if I need to take pictures, I will use my camera and not the phone. But before you think I belong to the dinosaur age, let me be quick to say that I have made some progress. These days I do more than talk on my cell. At least now I’m texting. Hooray! That was a major step! But as an AT&T customer, just about every few months it seems I get these mails telling me about the latest deals available. AT&T wants me to know that I can do so much more if I were to purchase the latest model cell phone. And they don’t give up easily as they try to bait you to sign up for the latest package. They constantly remind you that it’s time for you to UPGRADE. That’s our FF for today: as we begin a new year it’s time to do an UPGRADE!

Continue reading "UPGRADE!"

Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God. Joel 2: 13

This is a verse of scripture that we so very often misquote. Note that it says ‘rend’, not the proverbial ‘render’ that we always read into it. I fact, when we say ‘render your hearts and not your garments’, it may sound good, biblical even, but in reality makes the actual verse say much less than the prophet intends. It is therefore a less effective transliteration of the text. To render [in the sense used] is to present or to give. To rend is to tear, rip or to shred. You will agree that it is a big difference. Joel did not ask the people of God to present or give their hearts, but to rip, tear or shred their hearts instead of their garments.

Continue reading "Rend Your Hearts!"

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8


David responded to the truth in verses 7-8 by yielding his life to do God's will. He presented himself willingly to the Lord, received direction from the book, and expressed his desire to do the will of God. These verses present a marvellous example of what is involved in dedicating oneself to God's will in accordance with His Word.



Continue reading "Psalm 40:8"

Each January 01, people choose different ways to welcome the arrival of a new year. Some choose to party with their friends and may pop the champagne at midnight. Others may sit quietly at home watching TV seeing the crowds at Time Square in New York wait for the ball to drop. But for those who chose to go to church, worshipping God as YOU welcome a new year is an unforgettable experience. In many Moravian churches, it is customary that the sermon ends a few minutes before midnight. The New Year is greeted in silent prayer with the ringing of the church bell. That is a sacred moment! Wherever and however you chose to spend the last few hours of 2011, the arrival of the New Year is greeted with profound joy. ThereÂ’s a sense of arrival. ItÂ’s as though youÂ’ve come to the end of a long journey. But that joy is mixed with relief and some regret. January 01is not just another day! ItÂ’s witnessing the beginning of another year. ThereÂ’s the start of another journey called 2012. And as we look ahead with anticipation and expectation, we cannot help but also look back with thanksgiving. And for this the first FF for 2012, with the completion of 2011 and all that came with it behind us, letÂ’s just open our mouths and utter a shout of victory giving God thanks that YOU MADE IT. ThatÂ’s our FF for today: YOU MADE IT

Continue reading "YOU MADE IT!"

With many dreams come vanities and a multitude of words; but fear God. Ecclesiastes 5:7


Imagination and the ability to dream must be amongst the greatest blessings the LORD has gifted mankind with. Dreams fuel mankindÂ’s ambitions to better ourselves and even advance the world; with imagination allowing us to picture such events driving us forward. It is imagination and dreams that spark initiative and innovation and it is this that helps make humans different from other animals. Surely, the world would be a completely different place if it were not for the dreams and imagination GOD placed on some men. Technology is the offspring of imagination and dreams, conceived in the minds of men to benefit our world. This is true not only of technology, but also Mathematics, Physics, Medicine and even Music and Art. Consider that the simple basic notation of numbers is merely an imaginary concept humans created and then you could actually now see how far imagination can advance millions.

Continue reading " Ecclesiastes 5:7"

You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged. Leviticus
19:32 (NASB)

Happy New Year to all! My prayer for you and yours for this year is that it will be one of prosperity, peace and a rediscovering of self in God and community.

The entire chapter of Leviticus 19 is a number of laws covering a variety of subjects, but mostly having to do with the protection of those considered to be the disadvantaged in our community. Our text for today speaks to a most vulnerable group, the aged. We are living in a time when life expectancy has significantly increased worldwide. This is due to a number of factors inclusive of new discoveries in the treatment of illnesses and diseases, as well as a better quality of life for a lot of persons. With this has come the question of how we treat our elderly. Whereas at one stage there was the occasional elderly family member, today we have many elderly family members with different situations that must get our attention. Care facilities for the elderly have increased, but so have the complaints against them. How do we approach this increasing sector of our population?


Continue reading "Honoring the Elderly."

You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honour the aged. Leviticus 19:32

This verse is taken from among the laws which were given by God to Moses for the people of Israel. These laws were given by God to show the children of Israel and also us, how to reverence and respect him, and how to live with our fellow human beings. It was a charge to young people for them to show respect for the aged. This verse, put another way, could read thus: “You shall give due honour and respect to the elderly, in the fear of God.”

Continue reading " Leviticus 19:32"

You have made the Lord your refuge. Psalms 91:9


God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. As long as we place God at the forefront of whatever we do, not only will our needs be met but we will receive our heartÂ’s desires.

Continue reading " Psalms 91:9"

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)


Have you paid attention to the words to that children’s song ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’? That song implies that Santa Claus knows everything – he knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you are awake, he knows when you are good or bad. Children are cautioned to be good for goodness sake. Do not shout, do not pout, because Santa Claus is coming. Santa Claus is coming yes, but there is a condition to get a visit – you must be good. Parents are always reminding children about the need to be good so that they will receive some promised gift.

Continue reading "Isaiah 33:6"