Devotion
Bring Every Thought To Christ
David Jacobs
There has been one thought that has run through my mind for many months now every morning when I pray: I want to remove every evil thought from my imagination. This verse was the impetus for this meditation. Every thought that is not good, not in obedience to the word of God, or negative in any interpretation, I want to remove from my imagination. I am not even saying that I want to not commit evil actions. I am not saying that I want to stop thinking evil thoughts. I want to not even be able to IMAGINE an evil thought.
I have had some difficulties managing my ego. I have often thought that I was better or more important than other people based on my accomplishments or actions. What does that mean exactly? For one thing, it means that I am putting myself above others. I am not humbling myself in the sight of the Lord, I am not helping those that most need it. I began to notice these negative thoughts about others creeping into my subconscious and infecting my daily thoughts about others. I needed to step back and reflect on this.
Three verses really stuck out to me during this period of self reflection. 2 Corinthians 10:5, the verse above, and the two below:
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
What had I done? How selfish and sinful I had been! I knew that I needed to make changes to my life, and every morning that I prayed, right after waking up, I kept these verses in my head. "Be humble." "Bring every thought to the obedience of Christ." These words were like a soundtrack in my mind.
Prayer
I began noticing a difference almost immediately. As the Bible says, knock and the door shall be opened, seek and you shall find (Matthew 7:7-8). I needed to be more humble and I needed to discipline myself by keeping my ego in check. I needed to be more open and positive towards other people. I turned to God, asked for forgiveness, asked for help, and received it. I can firmly say that there is no more positive a meditation than asking God to remove negative thoughts from your imagination. It is He that deserves thanks. Amen.
Night Prayer
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Inspiration
Sin will enslave us and become the master of our lives if allowed. Sin binds us in darkness, and we become submissive to our fears. Jesus is a light in the dark, and we have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. Sin has no control over us! We have repented our sinful ways and surrendered our lives to the will of God. Serving Him replaces a life of misery with joy and peace.
Prayer
Dear God, we ask forgiveness for our transgressions. We surrender our lives to You and will serve You instead of our sinful desires. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Are You Wise or Foolish?
Frances Taylor
Today's gospel concerns a group of bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom to come and whether or not they will be prepared. Five are pretty sure that the bridegroom will show up when expected and so do the least they need to do and the other five decide that something may come up and want to be prepared just in case. What about ourselves? Whether you are sick or healthy today, you don't know what tomorrow brings.
I remember when my father was ill. He would enter the hospital, then somehow rally and be sent home. When this happens more than once, it is easy to be lulled into a sense of false security and believe that he would always rally. That kind of thinking can make it harder when the final day comes. My son rarely had a sick day in his life and yet was cut off while riding his motorcycle and was dead before he even had a chance to be afraid. It has always been my hope that both were wise and had lived their lives prepared to meet the ...
