Devotion
Growing in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ
Chipo Biti
One of the best things that we can desire, as Christians, is for us to continue growing in the knowledge that we have of Christ. The more we learn of Christ, the more we learn of the nature of God and His love. Jesus Christ is referred to as the express image (the direct representation of God) - Hebrews 1:3. At the time of Jesus' arrival to the earth, humankind had adopted many misconceptions about God and His nature. Jesus came to correct all misconceptions and show the world who the Almighty God really was.
Many people believed that God was a wicked God who was to be feared. But through Jesus, we learned that God is a loving God, determined to win our affections. We learned that God truly has our best interests at heart and he desires to keep us away from the wiles of the enemy.
The Christian life is a life that if filled with constant moments of growth. The more we focus on the word of God, the more we grow in the knowledge of Christ. The Holy Spirit is also known as the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation".
Everything that we need to know about Jesus Christ is learned through the Holy Spirit. When you read through John14 and John 16, you will gain a very clear understanding on Jesus' reasons for leaving us with the Holy Spirit.
When we know more about Christ and the more we "know him better" we are also led to understand our identity as believers as well. To be Christians means that we are of Christ. In order to truly show the world that we are of Christ, we have to walk in His ways. We have to express and live according to the wisdom that He lived by as well. The only way we can do that is through the growing understanding that we have of the word of God. The word of God leads us into the deeper revelations and the better knowledge. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us understand the word of God in a better light.
To know Christ better, is great gain. When we understand our identity in Christ, and we understand what it means to be a child of God, we become stronger in our convictions and much harder for the enemy to try and toss us to and fro.
Prayer
The word of God fortifies us from the attempts of the enemy, and keeps us firmly rooted in the firm foundation of His love.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
Morning Prayer
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Inspiration
Love one another; it is as simple as that. For if God demands you to honor his creation, this also includes his people. Love is not a science, it is an art that takes constant negotiation, communication, and consideration. But should we become better in this, all the better not only for this world, but also in preparing us for the next -wherein everything resides within the arms of our everlasting and loving Father.
Prayer
Lord, give us your guidance. Through Jesus' actions show us how to commit to your brotherly love and understanding, honoring one another as we break bread upon your holy sacrament and salvation. Help us treat one another as we would like to be treated ourselves, and thereafter, find lasting peace and love in giving thanks to your holy name, O Lord most high, Amen.
Devotion
Pray for Leaders
Frances Taylor
How often do you or I pray for government leaders? Paul doesn't say to pray just for the leaders we like, either. If we do want a tranquil and quiet life, we need all leaders to turn to God and work for justice for all their citizens. It's probably even more important to pray and intercede for those leaders who work against justice, than for those who are already doing the right thing. For those who are already on God's side, we should give thanks to God that they stay in leadership and continue to do God's will. The same goes for city, state, and even church leaders as well as our national and international leaders. Good leaders should be supported and others need to be held to account for their behavior. Obviously different countries have different forms of leadership, but that shouldn't stop us from praying for them. God does listen even if the answer doesn't come as quickly as we might like. In the case of democracies, we sometimes need a bad ...
