Devotion
Call on Him
Chipo Biti
God's guidance is always with us, every step of the way. The reason why God chose to be omnipresent, through the Holy Spirit, was to ensure that we would always have access to His instructions no matter what. Every day we are faced with a set of choices that we have to make. We are often unable to make the right decisions on our own - especially if they have to do with the direction in which our lives are headed. When it comes to decisions like this, we have to be conscious of what God is trying to say to us. If we don't pay attention to God's instructions we will end up making a series of unnecessary mistakes.
God is always there to guide us no matter what we face. In times of confusion we should not try to rely on ourselves or the counsel of other the people. We should first turn to God and pay attention to what He is trying to tell us. God will always answer you if you ask Him. He is not a wicked Father, sitting in silence and watching you wonder around aimlessly. That is actually the last thing God would want for your life.
Prayer
God desires to see you walking confidently in the path that He has set out for you. He takes no joy in seeing you make mistakes. It's not that He becomes angry with you, no. No Father enjoys seeing their child end up in despair. God is concerned about you. He is concerned about every aspect of your life. That is why He has made such a great effort to give you as much access to Him.
You don't have to tremble on your way to communing with God. You can boldly call upon Him, knowing that He will respond to you - giving you the direction you need to walk in.
Devotion
The Weeds
Frances Taylor
This parable is packed with images. It was very difficult to choose just one, but after reading it over several times, I looked again at just what – or who – the weeds represent. Reading further in Matthew we see this line, "The Son of Man will send his angels and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." Those who cause others to sin! We talk a lot about peer pressure when we are talking about our youth. We warn them to stay away from friends who might get them into trouble. But what about us? Have you ever thought that you, or I, might cause others to sin? We would all like to think of ourselves as the wheat – after all, aren't we here? But what about when we're not in church? Do we laugh at dirty jokes, or tell them? Help our teens get into movies that are restricted or give into pressure and download them to watch at home? Do we overlook it when there ...
Morning Prayer
Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Inspiration
Jesus knew what was to be in store for him after Judas sold out his name with a kiss. Yet, instead of resigning himself to desperation and doom, he instead saw the glory that would come, the glory within which his name would live on. Think; in the face of ones own defeat or impending trouble, do you cower in fear, or do you find courage in your Heavenly Father?
Prayer
Lord Almighty, grant me the strength to carry on in the face of darkness and difficulties. Grant me to courage in the face of challenges that seem insurmountable. For I know in you Lord, all things may be possible. In Jesus' name I pray and ask for grace, Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
