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Divine Imperatives October 7 Devotional

by David Joynt on October 07, 2023


JOHN 19:30 | 30 When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Must all good deeds, good gifts, and good prayers be completely secret? Not if our motivation is in order. Some acts of charity provide a model and inspiration for others to follow. Some prayers can make sacred a public space, encouraging other believers and intriguing skeptics. We must we aware of public forms of piety because they can so easily be motivated and governed by our restless egos. We must also know that Jesus is encouraging private devotions as much as He is warning about public ones. Intimacy with God is built in moments alone with Him and His word.

 

Notice Jesus’ public prayers on the cross. How consistent are you in your private devotions?

 

 

Gracious God,

Teach me to pray and to listen in silence. Grant me a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

 

About the Author
David Joynt

Dave Joynt began his service as a pastor at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona in September 2014. This meant a move away from the Northeast, where he has a long history, growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and then serving congregations in Delaware and New Jersey for a total of 23 years.

Dave was nurtured in a great church in Bethlehem where his parents, Anne and Carey, served as elders. He graduated in classics from Lehigh University where his Father taught, and then from Oxford, where he met his wife Julia. Ordained in 1988, he completed a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1993.

He and Julia have a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Madeleine.

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