Devotion
Gracious Love
Chipo Biti
This scenario is a perfect example of the gracious love that Jesus Christ has to us. This gracious love extended to when were still sinners. The scribes and the Pharisees, men who basked in their own self-righteousness, brought forward a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. It is quite interesting to note that they did not bring the man the woman was with, considering the fact that it takes two to commit adultery. Anyway, the scribes and Pharisees were ready to see "justice" carried out. They had found someone who had committed an act they wanted punished. They wanted to condemn her and give her the ultimate punishment - stoning.
The Pharisees and the scribes also had ulterior motives. They wanted to use this situation to trap Jesus. If he ordered that the lady was to be killed, they were going to use that against Him. If he chose to let the woman go, they were going to use that against Him. The Pharisees and the scribes did not like Jesus at all. Simply because he exposed the flaws within their self-righteousness. They were not ready to change their ways. They set their eyes on seeking revenge against Jesus instead.
You should never allow yourself to get to a point where you refuse to take correction. You will end up being as bitter and blinded as the Pharisees - and this is a life you do not want to live.
Jesus, who was well aware of their motives, ignored their baying for blood and proceeded to write on the floor. When he got up, and simply told them that the one who is without the first sin should throw the first stone. He wasn't denying that justice was to be served, but he said that the person who does not have any sins should do so.
The Pharisees and the scribes were brought down from their high horses and they all left with their heads bowed. When you get caught up in self-righteousness, you become bent on pointing out other people's sins instead of focusing on the flaws in your life. Such pride will always lead to an embarrassing fall.
Prayer
Remember that you, like this lady who was caught in the act of adultery, are a recipient of the gracious love of Jesus Christ. That love found you neck-deep in your sins and showed you that you are worthy of love. Without that love, you would not be free.
Never be quick to forget that, as you deal with different people in the world.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
