By Steve Higginbotham

William Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Although four hundred years have passed since his death, every school student will study the life and works of William Shakespeare. However, there is a startling fact about Shakespeare that few know. When Shakespeare’s daughter, Judith, married, she signed her marriage license with a mark or the equivalence of an “X”. In other words, she was illiterate, being unable to read or write!

The Call of Wisdom

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the highest point along the way,

Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

By Mike Riley

In Romans 8:35-37, the apostle Paul, who was beset by problems on every hand (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) stated: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 By Mike Riley

The president of a large manufacturing company wanted to talk to the plant manager about an urgent matter. But the manager’s secretary said, “He cannot be disturbed. He’s in conference — as he is every day at this time.”

“Tell him the president needs to see him,” the man responded impatiently. The secretary firmly replied, “Sir, I have strict orders not to disturb him while he is in conference.”

Angrily, the man brushed past the secretary and opened the door to the manager’s office. After one quick look he backed out, gently closed the door, and said, “I’m sorry!” The president had found his plant manager on his knees praying in front of his open Bible.

The purpose of a daily devotional time is to stimulate regular, intimate meetings with the “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16). We need to seek new orders and instructions each day from the One who gives us life, and provides for our every need (Acts 17:28; Philippians 4:19).

Jesus Himself spent regular time in prayer (Matthew 14:23; Matthew 26:36; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28; John 17:1-26), and inspired His disciples to pray (Luke 11:1). He gave them a model prayer, telling them to keep asking, seeking, and knocking (Luke 11:9-10).

Brethren, have we spent time “in conference” with God today? It’s never too late to start.

Begin the day with God,
Kneel down to Him in prayer;
Lift up your heart to His abode,
And seek His love to share. — Anonymous