Devotion
You Are Never Alone
Chipo Biti
How comforting it is to know that God is always with us. Sometimes, the journey can become very challenging when you are a Christian. Setting out to preach the gospel is no easy feat, especially when you are surrounded by people who actively speak against the Gospel. The fear of persecution can become very real at times. But this does not mean that you need to feel ashamed of the way you feel. No. Let me let you in on a little secret:
God knows you far more than you know yourself. Your fears are not a surprise to Him.
If God wasn't expecting you to feel intimidated or afraid, He wouldn't have spent so much time assuring you in His word. There are times where the going will get tough. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus knew that the new disciples were going to go through. Jesus often warned His followers of the trials, tribulations, and persecution they would face for standing for His name. But He never left it there.
He always emphasized on the fact that His disciples would never be alone. This applies to us. Ever Christian is a disciple of Christ - someone who has chosen to learn from and follow the ways of Christ. This means that we are to know the commands Christ gave us - instructing us to love God with all our heart, mind, body, and soul and to also love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
The road to loving your neighbors is rarely a pleasant road. The world is filled with people who possess various personalities and beliefs. There will be good days where you will come across people who will be friendly towards you and they may even connect with you on a godly level. But there will be many days where the people around you will frustrate you, hurt you, and discourage you.
Prayer
This is where the love of God kicks in and teaches us how to love one another. This is another part of Christ being with us always. He is always there to show us the right way to go. He is always there to comfort us when we are hurt for loving the people around us. He is there to refresh and remind us of how worthwhile the journey is.
He is always there and He always will be.
Devotion
All Have Sinned
Frances Taylor
We might try to deny it, but we have all sinned. And as Paul says, we fall short of the glory of God. There is nothing we can do to earn eternal life in heaven. Even to think that it is in our power to do so, is considered presumption. Only someone divine can redeem us, and only someone who is human and has free will and can choose to do so. In other words, only Jesus who is both human and divine is able to do so. Our responsibility is to accept this gift with gratitude and humility. We show our gratitude by following Jesus and living lives based on love. We show our humility by recognizing that all we have is gift. We are expected to use our gifts for the good of others, to develop them to the best of our ability and to say thank you. No one deserves God's love or forgiveness more than another. No one deserves his or her giftedness more than another. In fact, Jesus tells us that we must care for the poor and the vulnerable. So if you or I have more...
Morning Prayer
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Inspiration
Thanks to Jesus Christ, we are no longer strangers or foreigners to the word of God. We have been accepted into God's family, being identified as His children. The Bible even takes it further to define us as "Born of God". That is how deep our identity in Christ runs – we are coheirs with Him. We no longer live in isolation, being subject to the wiles of the enemy. We are safe in the Father's arms, for the rest of the days of our lives and beyond.
Prayer
Dear God, I am thankful because I am a part of your family, now. Lord, I am grateful that the enemy can never do anything that will pluck me out of your hands. This salvation is eternal and always here to stay. Father, thank you for loving me so much, when I should have been ...
Night Prayer
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Inspiration
As sinners, we feel unworthy of salvation. We observe Calvary and tremble. Christ endured incredible pain for our deliverance when our thoughts and actions are undeserving. Our Creator sees past our sinful nature and into the depths of our hearts. He loves us beyond our understanding and spared no cost to rid our souls of the sin that separates us. We are thankful for His unconditional love and perseverance. We remain humbled by Christ's selfless act!
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice. You see our hearts in a way we cannot, and we are beyond grateful for Your mercy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
