The Burning Question:
What has been keeping you busy lately?
Morning Devotional:
I always find it inspiring when I learn of individuals who gave up careers, fame, money, and the like for the opportunity to serve the Lord in ministry. Take for instance a man by the name of Judson Van DeVenter.
Judson Van DeVenter was raised on a farm in Michigan and after graduating from college, he taught art in several public schools. He was active in his church and frequently participated in the church’s revivals. Because of his faith and active service, his friends encouraged him to leave teaching and become an evangelist. It took five years for him to follow their advice but eventually he did, and his ministry took him to various places in the U.S., England and Scotland.
Van DeVenter’s claim to fame was the hymn he wrote about his decision to enter into ministry, “I Surrender All.” In sharing how the lyrics came to be, he wrote, “I struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life.”
When I think of Holy Week and what Jesus went through for us during this period of his life on earth, I can’t help but think these final days leading to the cross was his “pivotal hour.” His whole life was surrendered to the Father, though. What about ours?
– Beth
Bible Quiz:
Question: In the gospel of Mark, an unnamed woman anoints Jesus’ head with oil of spikenard. She has to break the container of oil to do it. What was that container made of?
Answer: Alabaster (Mark 14:3)
Storytime: