Devotion
The Importance of the Gathering
Chipo Biti
Part of professing our faith in God is choosing to walk in love with one another. Loving everyone around us, with the love of God, is one of the main ways in which our words and actions can testify of God and His love to the world. The world looks to Christians when seeking the existence and legitimacy of God and the love we preach of. If they do not see that love emulated within us, they will not be convinced of who we say God truly is.
Instead of provoking one another to anger or dispute, we are to provoke one another to love. It may sound a little funny but it is true. We should seek to bring out the loving side of every believer that we come across. This can be done through the words we speak and the actions we carry out. Instead of treating people like strangers, welcome them into your world and consider them to be friends. Pay attention to their needs and their concerns and treat them if you can.
Prayer
Good works are a part of expressing the love of God that resides within us. Good works without love are meaningless - 1 Corinthians 13 goes to extensive lengths to stress this. If you do good works but you have no love in your heart, then it means that you are a pretender.
One of the best places to share our love with one another is when we gather together to worship God as one. This is usually in church, at group bible studies, or other Christian gatherings. Do no treat these gatherings lightly. They mean a great deal to God and He desires that we take them seriously. There is great growth that occurs when believers come together to worship and study God's word.
Night Prayer
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Inspiration
Sin will enslave us and become the master of our lives if allowed. Sin binds us in darkness, and we become submissive to our fears. Jesus is a light in the dark, and we have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. Sin has no control over us! We have repented our sinful ways and surrendered our lives to the will of God. Serving Him replaces a life of misery with joy and peace.
Prayer
Dear God, we ask forgiveness for our transgressions. We surrender our lives to You and will serve You instead of our sinful desires. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Are You Wise or Foolish?
Frances Taylor
Today's gospel concerns a group of bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom to come and whether or not they will be prepared. Five are pretty sure that the bridegroom will show up when expected and so do the least they need to do and the other five decide that something may come up and want to be prepared just in case. What about ourselves? Whether you are sick or healthy today, you don't know what tomorrow brings.
I remember when my father was ill. He would enter the hospital, then somehow rally and be sent home. When this happens more than once, it is easy to be lulled into a sense of false security and believe that he would always rally. That kind of thinking can make it harder when the final day comes. My son rarely had a sick day in his life and yet was cut off while riding his motorcycle and was dead before he even had a chance to be afraid. It has always been my hope that both were wise and had lived their lives prepared to meet the ...
