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."
Devotion
Satan Has Been Defeated
Frances Taylor
Salvation and power have come with Christ and Satan has been defeated. Sin and death have been conquered by the actions of one man, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, both human and divine who came into the world to bring the Good News of salvation by living, dying and rising for us. As Christians we claim to believe this but our actions sometimes deny it. Unfortunately, people seem to resurrect Satan all the time. We allow him to lead us away from God, forgetting the way to the Father that is love, and giving in to Satan's path of hatred, anger, pride, lust, chaos and destruction.
Satan, of course, doesn't present these as bad things, he makes them seem attractive. He presents sin as goods to be desired, as things to make us happy or give us pleasure. It can be hard to stay on the path that leads to God when the world seems to be crowding us and pushing us off of it. How easy it is to forget the sacrifice that bought our freedom! Which of us ...
Morning Prayer
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Inspiration
It is right for us to defer to others and to rejoice with others when they have cause to rejoice over some blessing in their life, instead of sorrowing before them over some problem in our life. It is right also to weep with those who weep, showing compassion and feeling for them in their grief instead of "dancing joyfully before those who mourn" as if insensitive to their sorrow.
Prayer
Give me a discerning spirit, Lord, to know when to rejoice and when to weep. Let me show concern for others and their situation and life events instead of just focusing only on my own. Let me show true compassion and genuine joy in the right way and time to others. Amen.
Night Prayer
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Inspiration
Christ's crucifixion is the perfect example of obedience to God. Death on a rugged cross was not an enjoyable experience for Him, yet the outcome allowed us the opportunity for salvation. God asks us to complete countless works in His name. Often, they do not feel enjoyable, yet we understand the result of our obedience is far above our comprehension. We trust that any ordeal we face will have the best outcome regarding God's plan for the world.
Prayer
Dear God, we will trust You when You ask us to complete works in Your name. Even though the tasks appear challenging, we have faith in Your plan and continue to live our lives according to Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.
