Devotion
Obedience is Part of Love
Chipo Biti
Obedience is a key part of our relationship with God. We cannot say we love God if we disobey His instructions and go against His guidance on a daily basis. That isn't love. That is rebellion. When we obey God, we are showing Him that we have submitted to His will and we have put our total trust in Him. Try and imagine if you were in a relationship with someone who was always doing the opposite of whatever you would ask them to do. You'd start to doubt them whenever they express their love for you, right? Fortunately for us, God doesn't think the way we do. He loves us when we are faithful. He loves us when we are not.
This, however, should not serve as a reason to continue being disobedient. If you truly love someone then you will want to show them that you value their guidance - not just with your words but with your actions as well. Love is expressed in words and actions. They should be expressed equally. If you say that you love God, you have to express it in everything you do.
There are blessings that come with being obedient. It's just a natural way of things rolling out. When you are obedient to the will of God, you prevent yourself from encountering potentially dangerous situations, and you find yourself walking on favorable paths. Blessings are inevitable when you remain on the favorable paths that God guides you on.
Prayer
When you are obedient to the will of God for your life, it speaks volumes to the people around you. Younger Christians will be encouraged by the example that you choose to set for them. Remember that everything you say and do will serve as a testimony to the people who get to witness your life on a regular basis.
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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 ...
