Volume 750

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PSALM 119:105 (NKJV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Change is something we live with every single day—multiple times every day! Some changes are big, some are small. Some we can control, most others we can’t.

In January 2006, we began publishing A LIGHT FOR MY PATH. It was designed as a brief devotional to encourage and inspire others to live in the light of the truth of God’s Word, The Holy Bible. To date, we have published 750 of these weekly messages, but a change is on the horizon.

The email service we have used for most of these 15 ½ years will be discontinued. While we are considering several other options, it is possible this will be the last edition you will receive.

Thank you for your interest in reading these, and also for the kind and encouraging comments we received over the years. You have blessed us richly.

A special THANK YOU goes to my son, Marc, who not only encouraged me to start this ministry, but has been with me all the way. I could not, and would not, have done it without him faithfully keeping me on track!

All of our past issues can be found on our website at https://www.ccesonline.com/devotionals.htm. You can read them there if you like.

May the God of peace be with you and bless you richly as you let His Word be the light for your path, and the lamp for your feet.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us always to look to You as we face the changes of life.

WORDS TO PONDER: Always stay in the Word of God, and let the Word of God stay in you.
–Unknown

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright 2021, Ann Shorb
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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PHILIPPIANS 4:19 (NKJV)
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory.

The atrocities taking place all over the world today are beyond anything I’ve ever seen in my lifetime! Recent events in Nigeria and Afghanistan show just how quickly life can turn upside down and even end. Added to that, the fires, floods, famine, ferocious storms, and earthquakes that make the headlines, and they all make us realize our own inability to control many of the circumstances around us, and even the brevity of our days.

These things underscore the fact that we must ask ourselves, “Am I ready?” “Am I ready to face disaster and suffering?” “Am I ready to die?”

The most important question we ever have to answer in life is, “What will I do with Jesus Christ?” Will I turn Him away in indifference, thinking spiritual matters don’t really concern me? Will I mock and ridicule Him, seeing Him only as a fake and a fraud? Equally as dangerous is to see Him only as a nice man who went about doing good. Or will I recognize Him as God’s gift to humanity, the One who humbled Himself and became a man in order to pay the price for the sins of the whole world, and offer us eternal life in Heaven with Him?

I’ve spent most of my adult years helping people in crisis learn to deal with problems. The only way I know to successfully prepare for and get through the things life throws at us is to prepare for the next life. Accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior is the beginning. Then, living life with Him as our Guide, Provider, and Enabler is what helps us say, “Yes, I’m ready.” He is the answer to life’s uncertainties.

PRAYER: Blessed Lord, thank You for the gift of salvation that offers us hope for this life and the next one. Please strengthen those who are suffering right now, and be their peace and provision for every need.
— By Ann Shorb

Copyright Ann Shorb, 2021

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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PSALM 48:14 (NKJV)
For this is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
Even to death.

Knowing the right thing to do isn’t always easy! There are many specific principles given in the Word of God telling us how He wants us to live, but what about those “gray areas” where nothing specific is stated? The Bible gives us general principles to follow in determining what to do in those cases. Here are several guidelines that will help you find direction in those unspecified areas:

I Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

I Corinthians 6:12 (NKJV)
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Romans 14:13 (NKJV)
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

II Peter 3:11, 14 (NKJV)
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness . . . be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.

Read these scriptures and meditate on them. Then ask yourself these three questions about the conversation or actions you are questioning:

Will doing or saying these things honor and please the Lord?

Would doing or saying these things help me or hurt me in the long run? Will it help or hurt others?

Would I do or say these things if I could see Jesus standing right next to me?

Just imagine how different life would be if you and I lived daily by the principles in these verses! Knowing that God’s Spirit is ready and to guide us each day, the question becomes, “Am I willing to ask God to help me make the changes necessary to live His way?”

Get a printable copy of this worksheet.

Lord, in a generation where holy living seems to be a thing of the past, please help me to be so in tune with You, Your Spirit, and Your Word that every decision I make is guided by Your thoughts.

By Ann Shorb

©Copyright 2021, Ann Shorb

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved

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PHILIPPIANS 4:13
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

Are you facing one of those times in life where the things you must do seem bigger than the amount of power you have to accomplish them? Maybe you feel physically weak and weary. Perhaps there’s a mental challenge in front of you that you don’t feel adequate to handle. Or do you lack the emotional strength to overcome that giant hurdle in front of you? It doesn’t matter if the challenge you face is physical, mental, emotional, or even spiritual, God promises that He has the power to strengthen and enable you to accomplish whatever He allows you to face, and everything He desires you to do. The Bible says:

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Romans 8:26 (NIV)
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

II Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In the moment when your weaknesses overwhelm you and you feel totally helpless, God’s power is right there for you. The power to live, the power to grow, the power to heal, the power to do what He wants you to do, and to be what He wants you to be—it’s all available to you. Just ask Him!

What other verses can you find that give you the same assurance? Write them down and keep them in a place where you can see them often. Read them every morning and every evening for a month, and you’ll probably have them memorized by the end of that time. Then, the Holy Spirit can bring them to your mind in the moment when you need them most, and you can change that “I can’t!” to “I can!”

PRAYER: Gracious Heavenly Father, it’s so comforting, reassuring, and helpful to know that I don’t have to do things in my own strength, because Your power and might are always accessible for whatever I need when I call on You.

WORDS TO PONDER: We are never stronger than the moment we admit we are weak.
–Beth Moore, Author and Teacher

*Scripture taken from The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

© Copyright Ann Shorb, 2021

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JOHN 4:12:9-10 (NKJV)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water” . . . but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

You see them in magazines and on TV often. You know, the classic make-over. On the left is a photo of a woman looking sad, plain, and unattractive. On the right is the photo showing how lovely she has become with a new hairstyle, new make-up, and new clothing. And, of course, she’s smiling broadly because she’s happy with the change in her life.

The Bible gives us a lovely picture of a woman who had a fantastic make-over. We usually refer to her as The Woman at the Well. Sometimes she’s called The Woman of Sychar because that’s the village where she lived, but we never call her by her name—because we don’t even know her name. In reality, we know very little about this amazing woman who one day met Jesus in the middle of the day when she came to draw water from the town well. We have only one brief video clip into the life of this woman and it is found in John 4:6-39.

In these few verses, we see that she was an outcast of the outcasts, yet Christ spoke to her with respect and concern. He mentioned her past to get her attention, but he didn’t focus on it. Instead, He focused on her present situation as one who needed a Savior.

This woman came to the well to fill her water jug, but Jesus filled her heart. She came . . .

• thirsty and left satisfied,
• ashamed but left assured,
• with questions and left with answers,
• in bondage to The Law that she could not keep, but left in freedom because of her faith in the Son of God.

In those moments with Christ, her life was completely made over. She, who avoided people, went straight into town proclaiming the Good News of the Messiah. Although Jesus changed the woman on the inside, surely the transformation was reflected on the outside as well–her face radiant with delight, her eyes sparkling with wonder, and her lips praising God as joy flowed from her heart—and many believe in Him. The make-over was complete because she met Jesus, and her life was a light for all to see.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, how amazing it is when You transform a life! Thank You for changing mine.

Words to Ponder: The Joy of the Lord is My Strength
He gives me living water and I thirst no more,
He gives me living water and I thirst no more.
He gives me living water and I thirst no more,
The joy of the Lord is my strength.

— Author Unknown,

By Ann Shorb
Copyright Ann Shorb, 2021

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

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PSALM 100:2 (KJV)
Serve the LORD with gladness:
Come before His presence with singing.

One morning I woke up singing “When We All Get to Heaven”– a song I learned in childhood. Its catchy tune is one we sang often in my church and I frequently sang it at home as well.

If you take a minute to read through the words, you’ll find this little song has a powerful and uplifting message as it encourages us to keep our eyes fixed not on the here and now, but on the heavenly prize that awaits those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed,
He’ll prepare for us a place.

REFRAIN:
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory.

While we walk this pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.

REFRAIN

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

REFRAIN

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open,
We shall tread the streets of gold.

REFRAIN

–Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, 1851-1920

Thinking about the joy that lies before me certainly puts everything else in focus. It motivates me not only to sing, but to serve the Lord every day as I walk my earthly journey. As you focus on these thoughts, I hope you’ll be blessed like I was this morning, and that you’ll have a song of joy and hope in your heart the rest of the day!

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for starting my day in such a wonderful way!

RELATED DEVOTIONAL:
Praise the LORD! Sept. 26, 2015

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright Ann Shorb, 2021

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PSALM 119:73
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

Knock, chip, sand, smooth, paint, glue . . . It was fun watching the young people at Vacation Bible School this week as they cleverly and enthusiastically fashioned their individual race cars for the upcoming derby. No two cars were the same, not in design, shape, size, or color. Each was uniquely and proudly created by tender hands and an eager heart.

I couldn’t help noticing how carefully those young hands worked with their cars and the changes that took place with each step of the process; and so, from wedges of plainness came uniquely designed and brightly colored “masterpieces.”

Do you know the song written by Joel Hemphill that was so popular several years ago, “He’s Still Working on Me?” – I love this little song because it reminds me that God is at work in my life fashioning me to be all that He designed me . . .”He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be . . . How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.”

It is indeed with tender love, gentle care, and great concern that the Master Designer works on you and on me to shape us according to His great plan. Carefully, eagerly but patiently He works to produce vessels designed for relationship with Him and destined for service to Him.

Almighty Creator, God of the Universe, may I always be aware that You are constantly working in my life, fashioning me according to Your plan and purpose. May I be pliable in Your hands and may my life bring glory and honor to You.

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright Ann Shorb, 2021

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PSALM 100 (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

The early years in our country’s history were filled with danger and hardship. Many of those who survived the harrowing voyage across the Atlantic to the new land never lived to enjoy her freedoms, yet God blessed that hardy band of pilgrims, and strengthened their union mightily through the years.

On July 4th, 1776, the bell of freedom rang across the newly formed United States of America as patriots signed the Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers were keenly aware that the blessings so abundantly showered upon this new nation were poured out by the hand of God, so in 1789, George Washington established a national day of thanksgiving and praise to celebrate His goodness to America. We don’t often think of it but our celebrations on Independence Day and on Thanksgiving Day are linked together by the blessings of God.

While it’s good to set aside these days to commemorate and celebrate the way God’s hand has touched our country, we would do well to remember and thank Him each day for the freedoms we enjoy, and the many blessings He bestows on us.

But whether you live in the United States of America or across the vast oceans, God’s blessings surround you each day. Take time to thank Him for your country and pray for your leaders. Seek ways to share His love and Word with those around you as much as possible. It’s easy to get distracted or discouraged by what you see around you, but remember, God is still the Master of the Universe. His ways are perfect, His blessings are plentiful, and His love is powerful. Trust and thank Him!

PRAYER: We love You, Lord, and we praise You for the blessings we experience in our country. Help us to faithfully use the opportunities You give us to serve You right where we are.

WORDS TO PONDER: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
–The Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)

RELATED DEVOTIONALS AND HYMNS:

• The Benefits of Being Grateful
• Little Things
• Really Blessed
• So Much To Be Thankful For
• Count Your Blessings by Johnson Oatman, Jr
• To God be the Glory by Fanny Crosby

By Ann Shorb
Copyright Ann Shorb, 2021

Scripture taken from the King James Version of The Holy Bible.

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GENESIS 1:26-27 (NKJV)
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

“Where did I come from?” That’s a question every person asks himself at some point in life. The truth is that it all started in a garden shortly after an all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, everywhere-present God spoke the world into existence. Then He formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. Later God took a rib from the man and fashioned a woman to walk by his side. That’s where you came from. That’s where I came from. For all of us, our roots are the same and that is the true source of our identity.

I remember laughing the first time I heard someone say, “God don’t make no junk!” There is profound truth in that quirky little saying! Every element of God’s creation has value, and in that fact, you and I find our worth.

He, this amazing Creator-God, formed us in His image! Author Elaine Stedman reminds us, “Our concept of God governs our sense of identity and self-worth and our identification with every other person.” So when you are feeling down and like you don’t matter, when Satan convinces you that you are nobody and have no value, remember your roots. Meditate deeply on the fact that you were created in the image of an all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, everywhere-present God and that He loves you unconditionally. If that doesn’t lift your spirits, nothing will!

Almighty God, I’m astounded to think that I was fashioned in Your image, by Your mighty hand, out of Your love, because of Your longing for fellowship! I can only cry with David the Psalmist, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it,” (Psalm 139:6, NKJV).

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright 2021, Ann Shorb

Related devotionals:

• Fashioned by His Hand – Psalm 119:73
• Why Were We Created? – Genesis 1:27, 31
• Before the World Began – II Timothy 1:9

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

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JEREMIAH 31:3 (NKJV)
I have loved you with an everlasting love . . .

JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The children sat quietly on the floor as the teacher shared the exciting story of the prodigal son returning home to his loving father. When she told them that God wants to be their Heavenly Father, she was always careful to stress that He is a loving Heavenly Father, full of kindness and compassion. Why? Because most of them were from homes where the culture allowed the father to be angry, aggressive, and abusive. Thinking of having another father was no comfort to them. In fact, it actually frightened them!

The children in that Bible club were no different than many adults today, young and old alike. Multitudes have grown up with a physically or emotionally absent or abusive dad whose harshness left deep wounds and unhealed hurts.

If you had a difficult or abusive father, don’t let that keep you from developing a deep and satisfying relationship with God. Although our sin separates us from Him, through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven, and find comfort, guidance, and connection with God as your loving Heavenly Father.

When Jesus was here on earth, He often spent time apart from everything else just talking to His Father. Christ opened the door for you to do the same. Know that both Jesus, who is God the Son, and God the Father are here for you. At first, if you have trouble relating to God as Father, focus on relating to Christ because all of the characteristics of the Father are seen in His Son.

WHEN THE FATHER HOLDS YOU CLOSE, by Cynthia Heald is an excellent resource for anyone struggling with the pain and sorrow of having a difficult or abusive father.

God longs to assure you with His words of love found in scripture, to comfort you with the sense of His presence, and to heal your hurts and fill your longings as you spend time with Him.

PRAYER: Loving Heavenly Father, this day I pray that You will grant healing to the many who are hurting and carrying father wounds from the past and present. Please wrap them in Your arms of love and give them rest.

WORDS TO PONDER: God can give you everything your earthly father was not able to provide.

By Ann Shorb

Copyright Ann Shorb, 2021

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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