Devotion
Closer than a Brother
Chipo Biti
There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus loved you way before you were born and he will continue to love you when you leave this earth. His love is not seasonal and it is not conditional. He loved you way before you knew of him or even chose to receive him into your love. He values you so much he counted it worthy to die on the cross for your sins. There is no one on the face of this earth who will ever be able to match the love that Jesus has for you. When friends come and go, you can be assured that there is someone you can rely on without fail. He will never leave you and he will never turn his back on you. He is for you and He desires for you to walk in the freedom that he has given you.
There are also people on earth that God uses to be close to us in the good and the bad times. These friends are not many but when they come into your life, they have no intention of leaving. These are the friends you can call on at any time and they will gladly help you. These are the friends that you can trust, no matter what. They are gifts.
You should also desire to be the kind of friend who people can rely on. Good friends may be hard to find but you should strive to be someone a person can consider a friend who sticks closer than a brother. The love of God should compel you to be someone who can be trusted and someone who can encourage, exhort, and comfort others when they are in need of it.
Prayer
God's love should be your guide when it comes to how you treat your friends. While we may live in a world where it is hard to find people to trust, you should be one of those people who can be trusted. Your friends should have comfort in knowing that you will always be there, no matter what.
Jesus led the way so that we could follow his example on how to love and how to be friends who are always willing to give.
Devotion
I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel
Frances Taylor
Paul was a learned Jew who had first been an opponent of the early Christians even to the point of participating in the stoning of St. Stephen and the imprisonment of other Christians. When he became a Christian himself and then began preaching the Good News of salvation, he was driven out of town by the Jews who believed he was a fraud out to entrap them. Some probably believed he was a traitor to Judaism. Either way, he spent the better part of his life preaching to the Gentile world. He was not afraid to admit he had been wrong about Jesus, about Christianity. He was not ashamed to preach his new found truth. Most of us have always been Christian. Have you ever been ashamed to admit it? Now, I'm sure not all of you go to church on a regular basis, so I'm not judging, but I do have a question for those of you who do. Have you ever been embarrassed while on vacation or while attending a conference to ask where the nearest church is ...
Morning Prayer
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Inspiration
Jesus Christ intended for us to be with him for life. This salvation that we have is not a temporary salvation – it is eternal. Christ prayed that we be with him at all times – and that prayer has come to pass. As we go through our daily lives, we should never forget that Christ is with us at all times. Nothing can ever separate us from His love and that will not change anytime soon.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for this gift of salvation that is eternal. I thank you, Lord, that wherever I go you are always with me. It is a great comfort to know that I never have to face anything on my own; your love and peace comfort me and give me the strength I need to keep moving. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Inspiration
We have chosen to live in Christ; therefore, our lives must reflect His love and grace. As Christians, we consider our words and actions, understanding that we are an example to others. We will study Scripture and apply it to our everyday activities as we share witness to others and strengthen our relationship with the Lord. We are children of God who live in the world when we are not of the world.
Prayer
Dear God, We are blessed to be Your children and will continue to live our lives according to Your will so we may be a reflection of You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
