Devotion
Is it enough to be religious?
David Jacobs
It's interesting to see in the Bible that Jesus offended the religious but did not offend sinners. As we are called to be like Christ, this means that it is not our purpose as Christians to go around calling out sinners, but it is our place to call out the religious when they are not in line with the will of God.
Religious leaders often fall into the same traps that Jesus called out the religious leaders in his time for. The leaders had become overly ritualistic, abandoning the loving ways that God had called for in favor of the rituals that comforted them. But true religion - the way of Christ that we are called to live
- is not based on rigid rituals, but on adaptable and flexible love.
We are meant to be soldiers for God, but we have to be careful who we fight as soldiers. Those who fight against sinners are not following in the way Jesus. The bold soldiers are the ones who fight against bad religion, constantly perfecting God's church in the process.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, grant us the courage to fight when your church becomes like the Pharisees were in time of your Son, and fill us with love so that we will be more like Him, Amen.
Devotion
Lot’s Rescue
Frances Taylor
When I read about Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, I tend to think about Lot's wife and her turning back just when salvation was in her grasp. The angels had brought the whole family to safety; all they had to do was follow God's instruction not to turn back. It sounds so easy. I wonder what was so important to Lot's wife that she turned back? I'm sure that Lot was grateful to God and to the angels for rescuing him and his family and also saddened by the loss of his wife. We, too, have been rescued. We have been rescued from the fear of death, from the effects of our sinfulness and from eternal damnation. We have chosen to follow our deliverer, our Savior, Jesus Christ. What is there in our lives that is so important to us that we risk losing it all? Because we do turn back, just as Lot's wife. We often return to old habits, old companions that lead us into sinful situations, old temptations that we think won't entrap us. We choose to...
Morning Prayer
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Inspiration
When it comes to judging situations, we should never be partial in our reasoning. If we try to favor one party, instead of being just, we are doing a great injustice to the wronged person, and we are also doing a great disservice to ourselves as children of God. Be fair in every situation and strive to do the right thing. There is no honor in partiality.
Prayer
Dear God, I ask for your wisdom when I am asked to mediate situations. Lord, may I never be swayed by money, or anything else that could cause me to be partial. May my reasoning be just and pleasing before you, and may it be the truth I speak and nothing else, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
Inspiration
We cry out to the Lord when we are troubled. We ask for guidance, help, and protection because we know He is always listening. God comforts our anxious spirits and calms the brewing storm within our hearts; We can always count on our Heavenly Father to be present and prepared to help us fight any battle we encounter. God has been our refuge since the beginning; He will remain our rock of salvation until the end.
Prayer
Dear God, we are thankful for Your presence in our lives. We know we can always call out to You in times of trouble. You are always present and prepared to help us when we need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
