Daily devotion – the blessing of winter
1 Thessalonians 5: 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As we head into the midst of winter, the days are shorter, rain is more consistent, and clouds remain a constant placing an overcast pall upon everything. Often people become more depressed during the winter months and for some it is quite a dark period for their everyday living.
Imagine living in the more northern climates where such winter periods are longer, darker and even colder. If that may be you today, there are some blessed opportunities that arise at these times which I believe can really help get you through to the coming of spring.
Firstly, use these more indoor times to read. To set yourself a chair in a location where you can do some serious study and learning. A time to bathe yourself in the Word of God or to read as I am now, some of the mighty biographies of past blessed saints. I have just finished two books on C.H. Spurgeon, an amazing Bible teacher and preacher born in the United Kingdom on the 19th June 1834 and went to be with Christ on the 31st of January 1892.
I can learn so much from those who have served Christ with a passion and a fervour and preached the gospel without fear or favour to every ear God gave them an opportunity to minister to. I especially use this time of the year to read through full books of the Bible in a single setting. Always alongside me at these times is a notebook and pencil that I can write down questions that arise and especially things that God speaks to me about my walk with Him. This is one of the main reasons I actually look forward to days when I cannot go outside due to the inclement weather.
Before I gave my heart to Christ, I was far from the studious type, but now I read and read, as God speaks so wonderfully and clearly through His Word.
When I have spent some considerable time reading as I take a moment to pause, it is at those times that God brings situations, family, and people to my mind to pray for them. But it is at during these moments that I know with a powerful assurance, that God is directing every word and thought in relation to my prayers to Him.
This is because, I have been filled with His Word, the Bread of Life and the Holy Spirit now has an abundance in my heart to draw to my attention like a freshly dug well.
Church attendances often drop with the inclement weather, but I find the gathering of the saints during this time to be extra blessed. Because the people who are in fellowship during times of cold or rain are those who have a real hunger and passion for Christ. When you have such believers gathered together as one, the worship is glorious and their hearts are rich soil to receive the seed of the Word of God.
This winter period my prayer for you is to become a reader, a writer of all the things God will reveal to you, a prayer warrior, as God fills your soul with His grace and Word and directs your every prayer.
Yes, it looks like this winter is going to be amazing!