Devotion
United in Love
Chipo Biti
The only way that believers can be united is when their bond is rooted in the love of God. The love of God that will help us remove our resentment and hatred towards one another. Instead of trying to gain an upper hand on the next person, we look out for one another. Instead of causing strife over one another's imperfections, we become patient with one another. These things cannot be done in our own power. That is we have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, to help us love one another in a way that reflects God and who He really is.
We should let unity be our driving force for loving one another. When we as Christians are united, we become unstoppable as we move to spread the love of God across the world. We cannot do it as individuals. Christianity is not a life of isolation. We cannot thrive on our own. We have to be joined together. That is what God intended - for all of us to be united in love. When the world sees us genuinely looking out for one another as we worship God, they will be moved to join in.
In the times of the apostles, in Acts, love was shared among the believers and it drew in more new converts with every day that passed. They grew in multitudes and the love among them grew. As they grew, the gospel reached the world with a great speed. Even when the early church was scattered, they continued to support each other from a distance.
Prayer
We are called to be one - One in God, One in the faith. This cannot be achieved if we do not walk in love. Love helps us reach out to one another. We aren't meant to be looking out for our selfish interests. We have to see looking out for one another as an honorable thing to do - because it really is. There is nothing greater than walking in the love of God.
Nothing at all.
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
