Devotion
We are all one through suffering and hope
David Jacobs
There are certain things that connect all humans, regardless of where they are from or what they believe. Suffering and pain is felt by all of us. Perhaps it is most evident, as this passage suggests, during childbirth. Life is brought into the world but in doing so, there is suffering. Knowing that there is so much suffering and uncertainty that faces us, it is easy to lose hope. It is easy to be impatient. Do not forget that God hears our prayers and has seen our suffering! He sent His only son to endure the same. The Holy Spirit dwells inside of each and every one of us, emboldening us to endure.
On this day, it is important to rejoice in the strength and hope that the Holy Spirit instills in all of us. We are all one, united in more ways than we realize. The world may seem so divided, but do we not all enter it in the same way? Does every mother not suffer and endure the hardships of labor while grasping onto hope? The Lord has not forgotten us. He has not abandoned us. He has shown us, in every way imaginable, that He understands and loves us. When you pray, do you pray for that which you already have? Or do you hold onto hope, knowing that the reward in asking for something that you do not have and also do not fully understand is worth being patient for? Paul certainly realized this. The Apostles, on this day, realized this. Now, we must realize it.
Prayer
Almighty God, I rejoice in knowing that I am not alone! I pray with all of my heart, that all of my brothers and sisters on Earth, may know that they are not alone. We are so indebted to you, O Lord, for you have been patient when we have not. You have given us hope when we have forgotten it. On this day I ask, merciful Father, that you grant me the wisdom, courage, and the patience, to be renewed by the Holy Spirit. In this way, my God, I will be closer to all those around me, knowing that we are one: one in suffering, one in hope, and one in you. Amen.
Night Prayer
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Inspiration
Christ's words are everlasting. Though kingdoms around us rise and fall, the Kingdom of God reigns forever. We have faith in every word spoken by our Lord and Savior because He is trustworthy, dependable, and will never break a promise. His promise of salvation brings us hope and happiness; Christ's message is more precious because it is eternal. We are delighted to serve our heavenly Father and will continue to praise Him for His love and dedication.
Prayer
Dear God, You are the beginning and end. We trust Your Word because You have repeatedly proven Your unconditional love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
False Gods
Frances Taylor
Moses spent forty days and forty nights on the mountain and the people were frightened. Okay, God had performed many feats of power in Egypt to get Pharaoh to let them leave. He blocked the chariots of Pharaoh's army so that they could escape, he dried up the water so that they could reach dry land, fed them with manna and fowl in the desert so they wouldn't go hungry and they promised to obey God's commandments, and now they were worshipping a golden calf. What had God not done that they didn't trust him? We can look at them and say that they were fools, but they could probably look at us and say the same. When we remember all that God has done for us, why don't we trust him? Now we don't go out and carve an idol out of gold, or even wood, but we do manage to find idols just the same. Sometimes the idol is ourselves because we feel that we are the only one we can trust. For some the idol is money which people think can solve all the problems of the ...
Morning Prayer
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Inspiration
What Jesus Christ did through his death on the cross and his resurrection is something that humans cannot understand. Only God has the wisdom to understand. Yet, it is through our faith that this is real and true that we are saved. The crux of our salvation lies in believing in something only God truly knows. The glory of this mystery will be revealed to us in eternity.
Prayer
Dear God, your works are too amazing to comprehend. As humans, our earthly wisdom is not enough to understand Jesus' death and resurrection, but I believe it is true. As creator of the universe, I know you can do far more than I can imagine. Your ways are not like our ways. While I am living in my earthly home, give me the wisdom I need to share my faith with others in a way that they will understand. In Jesus' name, amen.
