Caribbean Moravian Devotions

In a few hours the eyes of the world will be locked onto the Olympic stadium to witness the opening ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. The slogan for this yearÂ’s events is Inspire a GENERATION. As the events of the Olympics unfold, we will all be inspired to try harder at whatever we do. We will be inspired as we watch the worldÂ’s best athletes compete against each other. We will be motivated and inspired to always give our best as we are listen to the details of the journey that some of these athletes would have made on the way to London. The next few days will showcase the best of human spirit. As global citizens we will witness friendly but competitive matchups where the results are not based on the size of that countryÂ’s military might or economic power but because of the determination of athletes to win. Yes, it is impossible to witness the Olympics and not be inspired. But as the 2012 London Olympics seeks to Inspire a GENERATION, our FF for today is a challenge to DISCIPLE THIS GENERATION.

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Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. Genesis 15:1

AbrahamÂ’s vision takes place after his victorious rescue of Lot and the people of Sodom from the army of the four kings. He is met and blessed by Melchizedek, where he presents to this High Priest and King of Salem, one tenth of the goods captured in the war. The rest is given to the King of Sodom. Abraham keeps nothing for himself even though it is offered to him. Abraham had acted out of a sense of duty to his family and neighbors, not for any reward. As a result of his faithfulness however, God promises Abraham that God would become his shield and reward. AbrahamÂ’s selfless action had opened the door for GodÂ’s reward and protection. God made a covenant with Abraham after that selfless act. We find favor with God when we show favor to human beings. We note also that God revealed this to Abraham at a time when he might have felt on top of the world. The message was that much greater things were in store for him. When we think we are at our highest, God is just getting ready to elevate and bless us.

Continue reading "Our Protector and Rewarder."

One of the comedy movies out for this summer is MadeaÂ’s WITNESS PROTECTION. The story line of the movie is based on a banker who is on the run for his life trying to hide from the mob. The safest place for him and his family is living under cover at MadeaÂ’s house. The character George Needleman knows too much and what he knows is so valuable that it has to be PROTECTED. The only way to PROTECT the information is to PROTECT him. Who better to do so than Madea. In her own way not only does she offer WITNESS PROTECTION to the entire family but in the end she helps them to also understand more clearly the value of family. The challenge for us today is to consider that we must do whatever it takes to PROTECT OUR WITNESS. ThatÂ’s our FF for today PROTECT OUR WITNESS!

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But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands. Ps. 10: 14

In this Psalm there is relentless pursuing. The wicked man pursues the poor, the innocent, the helpless, the humble, the orphan, while Yahweh saves the poor and the innocent which includes the others categories. This happens in spite of the declaration of the wicked man that God is not interested in what happens to the poor and innocent, and that God does not notice what they endure. ‘Do the persecutors encourage themselves with a groundless fancy that thou wilt never see it? Let the persecuted encourage themselves with a well-grounded faith, not only that thou hast seen it, but that thou doest behold it, even all the mischief that is done by the hands, and all the spite and malice that lurk in the hearts, of these oppressors; it is all known to thee, and observed by thee.’ [Matthew Henry’s Commentary] Continue reading "God Acts on Our Behalf."

Although itÂ’s the hurricane season here in the Caribbean, the past few weeks have been very hot and dry. With such hot days, I tend to leave the windows of my car down to keep it cool. IÂ’ve convinced myself that since there are no dark clouds on the eastern horizon that there will be no RAIN. A few weekends ago I did what I usually did and was taught an important lesson. Even though the sky was still blue and there was a brisk wind blowing, I began SMELLING something familiar. It was the SMELL that rises up when RAIN falls on hot tar or concrete. Initially I thought that canÂ’t be since I didnÂ’t hear the sound of any RAIN drops on the roof. The RAIN was not heard and it could hardly be seen. But you could certainly SMELL it. I only knew that it was RAINING not because of the sense of sight or hearing. It was the sense of SMELL that informed me of what was taking place on the outside. The evidence that I couldnÂ’t hear or hardly see I could SMELL. Immediately I had to run outside to get the windows of the car closed. Our FF for today is a call for us to do something that we may not have done in a while: SMELL THE RAIN!

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I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us. Isaiah 63: 7

During the past week the province said goodbye to Rev. Guy Sylvester Roberts, retired minister who serves full time after retiring from the Jamaica Constabulary Force. It was a true celebration of a life lived in selfless service to God and the people of God. Servant of God well done! Continue to pray for the family.

TodayÂ’s text is a strong reminder of the way we should pray. It is the beginning of the prophetÂ’s prayer and a reminder to us that no matter how things may be going bad, we can look back and take hope in the goodness of God. During the past week we have been having a week of services at Top Hill Moravian Church in Manchester. The highlight of these services has been the testimony time. I offer to the congregation an opportunity to share their God stories or their Jesus moments. This has been overwhelming. The God of yesterday is as active in the lives of Christians today as during the times of the Old Testament prophets. What a mighty God we serve! Very often the testimony of GodÂ’s people is more effective than any sermon that could be preached. When we know what God has done for you, then we are assured of what God can do for us. This is the idea behind the prayer of Isaiah 63. To recount is to remember, and to remember is to be assured of the power, provision and protection of God. There is no escaping the LordÂ’s wrath for the sinner, except through repentance. God however continues to be good to those who love and trust in God through it all.

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Early last year we decided to make some gowns for the childrenÂ’s choir at the church. One day I got in my hand a white envelope with a picture on the outside of showing how the gowns look. But what was on the inside was even more important. As I opened the envelope and took out what looked like brown wrapping paper, I was immediately told that that was the PATTERN for the gowns. Because we were dealing with such a large number of children and at least 4 different seamstresses, it was important to ensure that all of the gowns were made in the same style. With the PATTERN in hand we were assured of uniformity. The gowns for the children would all be made from the same material and would all look the same way because we had a PATTERN. Now it was up to us to ensure that everybody would FOLLOW the PATTERN. Our FF for today is FOLLOW GODÂ’S PATTERN.

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Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord! Psalm 4:6

Where do we look for relief during out times of tribulations? The skeptics taunt that there is nothing good. This is the foolish desire of those who do not know God. Many times the eyes of the worldly are blinded to the goodness of God. The psalmist responds to their doubts with an appeal that God would reveal Himself. In the revelation of God, there would be confidence in God’s presence and goodness. It is in the presence of God that God’s people find everlasting peace. Goodness and light can be found in God’s presence. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Num. 6:24 - 26.


Continue reading "Walking The Lighted Path."