Devotion
Behold, the Son
Chipo Biti
There is no other way to receive salvation except through Jesus Christ, who offered himself up so that we would not have to suffer the condemnation for our sins. In Christ we have found the light, we walk away from darkness.
Jesus Christ is the manifestation of the fullness of God's love for all mankind. When the world was at its worst, God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and set us free from the bondage of the enemy. There was no one else who could have done this for us without any ulterior motives. God simply did this because of His love for us. We didn't deserve it. Humanity was a mess at the time Jesus came to the earth.
There was a mixed multitude of people - those who knew God but had chosen to turn their backs on Him, those who did not know God at all, and those who walked around with their noses in their air as they depended on their self-righteousness. But they all had one thing in common: sin. There was nothing no man could do to resolve it.
Many had tried to fulfill their law in their own power but they could not do it. All the sacrifices that were done to atone the sins of the children of Israel were done on a regular basis because they were unable to stop sinning. Sin had a powerful grip over the people and it brought out the worst in them. We were redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ, reconciled to God, the Father. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be children of God. There is no other way.
People try to find peace in earthly goods and substances but they never find it because none of these things have ever been able to do what Jesus did for us. We can only get this sure peace from Christ, our solid foundation.
Prayer
Our lives have been justified by the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on our behalf. All of this done out of love and nothing else. When you think about the magnitude of this great gift, it is more than enough to make you want to dance for joy for as long as you can. When we think of the love of God, all we have to do is think of Jesus because that is where it is all shown. Jesus Christ is the evidence we have of the loving Father that we have.
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 ...
