Devotion
Weathering The Storm
Chipo Biti
The love you give to other people must be able to weather all seasons. People tend to make the mistake of thinking that love is only about feeling good. They believe that love is about the good times and nothing else. But that could not be any further from the truth. In friendships, family, and other meaningful relationships you will need love to help you through the tough times too. The tough times tend to come far often than we expect them, too. Challenges come in different shapes and sizes; they always arrive when we least expect it.
The love you have for your friends and your family should not be conditional or seasonal. You need to understand that people are going to let you down in life - whether you like it or not. Instead of shutting them out, choose to love them and forgive them for their shortcomings. We also have to acknowledge the fact that we, ourselves, are not perfect and we will make mistakes too. In those moments, you will hope for love and forgiveness too. It's very easy to judge others when you are the one who is on high ground.
Love keeps you together when it seems like all hope is lost. With the world we live in, it isn't very hard to lose hope. The physical, natural, and economic disasters that occur on a daily basis are enough to weaken the strongest hearts. But that is why we have friends and family - to get through everything together. No one was born to be an island. We have been blessed with the gift of companionship so that we can love one another through the great moments and through the storms. Love is enough to give a person the boost they need to carry on with their day.
Prayer
Love is more than enough to remind a person of God and His goodness. We should never allow hardness to enter our hearts because that will be the undoing of any meaningful bonds in our lives. Continue to let the love of God flow through your heart and into the lives of the people around you. As you do so, they will do the same for you, and you will all find that you can weather storm together.
Devotion
Give Good Example
Frances Taylor
If we ever needed a reminder of how important it is to practice what we preach, this is it. Not only are we encouraged to help others, but we are also warned about giving bad example or leading others, particularly children, away from the Lord.
I have spoken to many people who say that they became a Christian because of the example of people in their family, friends or strangers whose joy is so great they want a part of it. I also know people who have turned away from the faith they once had because they consider those who proclaim themselves to be Christian are hypocrites. Most people don't start out wanting to be Christians because of doctrine. They are influenced one way or another by people. Are you someone whose life exhibits the joy of knowing Jesus and his saving power? Am I? Do your actions give testimony to your beliefs? A person can go to church each week, Bible classes during the week and give every impression of being a devout follower of ...
Morning Prayer
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Inspiration
There is nothing at all – nothing on the earth and nothing in the spiritual realms – that can separate us from the love of Christ. No matter what any person or principality tries to do in our lives, they will never be able to quash the love Christ has for us. The love God has for us is eternal – it is here to stay for good.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for the love that you have for me. Thank you, Lord, that this love will never leave me and it will never forsake me. No matter what anyone tries, or whatever may come my way, Lord, I thank you that your love will always be with me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
