William Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Although four hundred years have passed since his death, every school student will study the life and works of William Shakespeare. However, there is a startling fact about Shakespeare that few know. When Shakespeare’s daughter, Judith, married, she signed her marriage license with a mark or the equivalence of an “X”. In other words, she was illiterate, being unable to read or write!
In Romans 8:35-37, the apostle Paul, who was beset by problems on every hand (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) stated: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
The president of a large manufacturing company wanted to talk to the plant manager about an urgent matter. But the manager’s secretary said, “He cannot be disturbed. He’s in conference — as he is every day at this time.”
“Tell him the president needs to see him,” the man responded impatiently. The secretary firmly replied, “Sir, I have strict orders not to disturb him while he is in conference.”
Angrily, the man brushed past the secretary and opened the door to the manager’s office. After one quick look he backed out, gently closed the door, and said, “I’m sorry!” The president had found his plant manager on his knees praying in front of his open Bible.
The purpose of a daily devotional time is to stimulate regular, intimate meetings with the “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). We need to seek new orders and instructions each day from the One who gives us life, and provides for our every need (Acts 17:28; Philippians 4:19).
Jesus Himself spent regular time in prayer (Matthew 14:23; Matthew 26:36; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28; John 17:1-26), and inspired His disciples to pray (Luke 11:1). He gave them a model prayer, telling them to keep asking, seeking, and knocking (Luke 11:9-10).
Brethren, have we spent time “in conference” with God today? It’s never too late to start.
Begin the day with God, Kneel down to Him in prayer; Lift up your heart to His abode, And seek His love to share. — Anonymous
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She looks for wool and flax, and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength. And makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hands to the poor; and she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing. And she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her saying, “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul encourages us, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” In this upcoming New Year, we as Christians should be extremely thankful for the blessings that continually flow from God’s bountiful hand (Ephesians 1:3; James 1:17; cf. John 3:27).
The following are just some of the blessings this writer is thankful for: For the teenager who is washing the dishes and watching
