First Presbyterian Church New Westminster
335 Seventh Street V3M 3K9 New Westminster, BC, Canada

A Daily Devotional from the Presbyterian Church in Canada Entitled: The Woman Who Sold Time Romans 13:11-13a Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honourably as in the day. (NRSV)... I was fascinated when I heard the story of Ruth Belville. She inherited a family business that had been started by her father in 1836 selling time! In those days in London, anyone who wanted to know the exact time had few options that were accurate enough to make schedules for trains and other time-sensitive endeavours. For more than forty years, Ruth Belville made the early morning journey from the Royal Observatory where Greenwich Mean Time was accurately kept, to as many as 200 clients around the city, using a pocket chronometer nicknamed "Arnold". Subscribers paid for her services even as clocks became more accurate over the years. She gave up her business in 1940 with the war raging. Her "time" ran out three years later at the age of 89. Time really is one of our most costly gifts. We can waste it. We can worry over it. We can kill time. We can spend it on ourselves, but we cannot buy or sell it. As good stewards, we can invest it in a life well lived for the love of God and others! "You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep." You have time the rest of this day and this week and this year to do the works of light the tasks that God will give you. Prayer: Christ, You see who I am. You are familiar with the human condition. I do not want to hide anything in my heart from You. You know that I am sometimes pulled in different directions at the same time, drawn by "the works of darkness", and yet, I know myself to be a child of the light. May I use my time this day to discern and do Your will through You, Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Sunday Service - 'Service that Speaks' Acts 6:1-15 Sunday, April 25, 2021... https://youtu.be/ypspHSi5Hig

A Daily Devotional from the Presbyterian Church in Canada Entitled: The Master Craftsman I am just a so-so crafter. Oh, I can enjoy an occasional craft project done with a group of friends or at a ladies' retreat, but I am not an avid quilter, painter, or knitter, as are some of my friends. If I were to claim any artistic skill, I think that I could say that I love to paint pictures with words. A sheet of paper is my canvas, words are my artistic medium, and a computer is my ...paintbrush. As we see craftsmanship all around us in the beauty of nature, we can thank God, our master craftsman. But God's handiwork doesn't stop with natural beauty. He is also a master gardener (think of the Garden of Eden), zoologist (think of the animal world), geologist (mountains), painter (sunsets) You get my point. I've been reading recently in the book of Exodus, and I was astonished to realize the extensive and minute detail that God gave Moses for building the tabernacle. He described precise architectural plans for the tabernacle, from the dimensions to the building materials. He carefully explained how to build it, from the structural framework to the walls, curtains, and furnishings. He even designed the colour scheme of the embroidery work on the curtains done in scarlet, blue, and purple yarn. The fabulous priestly garments must have been a sight to behold! Even more wonderful was His plan for the execution of this work. Exodus 31:6b I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make. (NLT) Two men were chosen to head up this massive project. Exodus 35:31,34 The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab the ability to teach their skills to others. (NLT) Anyone who so desired could volunteer to help or to donate materials for the building of the tabernacle. The spirit of generosity was so strong that the people finally had to be told to stop bringing materials because there were already more than enough. What a wonderful example this is of the value of working together as the body of Christ. Perhaps God has given you an artistic gift, or a gift of leadership, or possibly the financial means to further a project. We each have varying skills and abilities, but as God has gifted us, we can serve together in furthering the work of the kingdom of God. Let's be mindful and intentional as we consider how we can best use our God-given abilities. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, You serve as a model craftsman through the world that You have created. May we, in turn, seek ways to use the skills that You've given us, as well as sharing the assets that You've entrusted to us. Amen.

What have you, or your family been up to this week?What have you, or your family been up to this week?

A Daily Devotional from the Presbyterian Church in Canada Entitled: The Frustration of the Unknown Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)... After numerous doctor visits which brought no answers, my wife and I were frustrated. The unknown started after a recent move. My wife lifted an item and felt a stabbing pain. Thinking that she had pulled the mesh from a recent hernia surgery, we visited the general surgeon. After testing, he determined that it was only scar tissue. Then, unexplained weight gain resulted in a trip to the emergency room and then to the cardiologist. Pills to reduce her fluid didn't work. More tests followed. One revealed an enlarged spleen and liver. We re-visited the general surgeon, who sent her to a kidney specialist. The cardiologist, in the meantime, sent her to a digestive disease doctor. Weeks and months passed between the tests and doctor visits. We never discovered the answer to her unexplained fluid retention, but her frustration and mine built as we awaited answers while trying not to imagine the worst. Paul could also have been frustrated by the unknown. Would he survive the persecutions or the trip to stand trial before the Roman emperor? Would his friends betray him? Instead, he did what he advised others to do in today's verse. Praying about the unknown is crucial. Every night, I pray for my wife to have strength to face what might be ahead and for God to give the doctors wisdom to find out the reason for her dilemma. Trusting is important in times of the unknown. God has never let me down and promises not to, regardless of life's challenges. I can trust Him to work things for my good even things that appear bad. He has my best interests at heart. Additionally, I choose to believe that God is in control. Doing so helps to control my anxiety and frustration level. If He isn't, I have an even larger problem than the things causing my frustration. In my wife's case, I believe that God can guide the doctors to discover the reason for her health concerns and to give her the proper treatment. I also believe that He can heal her apart from the doctor's intervention if He so chooses. Don't let the frustration of the unknown lead you to doubt, anger, bitterness, or unbelief in a loving God. Rather, believe that God loves you and has your situation under control. Prayer: Father, we trust You to guide us safely into and through the unknowns of our lives. Amen.