Devotion
The Start of Something New
Chipo Biti
On this day, a day that may have seemed like a regular day to other people, Christ was born. He was born in a manger, a birthplace that would not be fitting for a King. But this was the start of something great - something new. The Savior had finally come to the earth and all the heavens were celebrating. An angel appeared to shepherds who were minding their flocks in the field, carrying on with their daily lives. The angel came to announce the great thing which had happened - the Savior had been born. The angel described where they would find the child and they left immediately.
When they reached the stable, in Bethlehem, and they shared what they had experienced. The shepherds were filled with joy to see that the word of the Lord that they had been given was true. They saw this moment as a momentous occasion; they did not take it lightly. When they finished their visit, the shepherds left, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.
This day was a major day for the world, even if they did not know it, because God's redemption plan was finally in motion. His redemption plan being Jesus Christ, who had come to fulfill the law, die for our sins, and raise from the dead. He completed all His tasks, setting us free from the power of sin and the bondage of the enemy. All of this started from this small birth in a manger, that may have appeared to be an insignificant event but it was not.
Prayer
We still celebrate this day today because of what it signified. The birth of a new era. Salvation surely did come to the earth and we, God's children, are all recipients of this precious gift. Now, it is our responsibility to pass on this good news to all who will hear, hoping that they will give their lives to Christ as well.
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.
