Devotion
Focus on What Comes Out of Your Mouth
Chipo Biti
Jesus spoke a very profound truth here. In the times of the Old Testament (Pre-Jesus times) people were more concerned about the things they ate. Food was a major part of the Law of Moses. It was the way the children of Israel separated themselves from idolatrous Gentile nations. There were particular foods that were deemed as clean - which were the foods were required to eat. There were also foods that were deemed unclean - the Jews were not to touch them otherwise they would be defiled.
The reason why the Law of Moses required the children of Israel to be separate from Gentile nations was to prevent them from mixing with people who fellowshipped with idols.
God has never been okay with idolatry and back then, Moses had declared that it would be better for the children of Israel to stay away from idolatrous nations, altogether, in case they ended up becoming influenced by them (which did happen on a number of occasions).
But when Jesus came to the earth, He shifted the focus completely. Instead of re-emphasizing the cleanness and uncleanness of food, Jesus raised the bar and gave the people a higher standard to live by. He informed them that anything that entered a man - food, words, etc. - was capable of defiling him. He said that it is what came out of the man that defiled him - referring to a man's words and actions.
When you look at it from a clear point-of-view, you will realize that the food people ate was not what was making them unclean. It was what those foods would lead to - idol worship, strange acts, etc. that would defile them. The people, however, had missed this completely.
This still applies to us today. There are so many external influences that are capable of affecting the way we act. But this should not be where our focus should be. Our focus should be on the attitudes and beliefs we possess, and the words and actions that follow. If your words and actions are harmful and do not bring glory to God, then you are acting in a contrary manner.
Prayer
If your actions and words are righteous and do glorify the name of God, then you are walking in a way that is truly worthy of the calling you have come into.
As Jesus said, "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."
Night Prayer
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Inspiration
God only wants the best for us. On days we feel defeated and lost, we continue to have hope in God. He delivers us from our darkest moments, and with Him, we will always find peace. Our Lord is mighty and dependable. We surrender our lives and find happiness living according to His will, and we rest peacefully in His loving arms.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we submit our lives to You. You are trustworthy and good. We praise Your name for the unconditional love You bestow upon us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion Loss or GainFrances Taylor Paul is telling us and the Philippians that whatever he has suffered, whatever he has lost, it is nothing compared to what he has gained in Christ. Whenever we make changes in our lives, we lose as well as gain. When we move on from high school to the work force or to college, we will gain friends and lose friends. If we change jobs, we may even lose the ability to see our families as often as we had been able to do. If we change our religion or our religious habits, we also may lose friends or even connections with our family members. Christianity requires changes in our lifestyle if we are to be faithful to God's will. Doing the right thing becomes more important than hanging out with friends who can lead you in a different direction. Attitudes can change and your behavior with them. You're no longer the fun person who likes the dirty jokes who doesn't complain about foul language, who won't go to the x-rated movies, or engage in other activities...
Morning Prayer
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Inspiration
Good things generally happen to good people. If you commit good deeds, think good thoughts, and surround yourself with good people, in time you will be rewarded with a good harvest. However, it doesn't take many rotten apples to ruin a harvest, so think carefully with, how you spend your energy, how you spend your time, and who you spend it with.
Prayer
Everyday we are surrounded with the beautiful reminders of your creation God: flowers, trees, animals, people. I pray that you make me work, to use me as a vessel to blossom and spread my gifts to the world, spreading your joy to all that encounter me, just as you did with Jesus Christ. His eternal harvest is one that keeps on giving, and I pray that you help me give all that I ...
