Devotion
The Condition for God’s Freedom
David Jacobs
A parent loves a child unconditionally. Yet this does not mean that the parent does not have expectations for the child. For this reason, there may be a sort of system of exchange between the parent and child - but it is not like an exchange between strangers trading money for coffee. The parent provides the child with rewards for being their best self. The child not only benefits from the rewards, but more so from their own achievements and having done better.
Our Father also wants to give us the abundance of His blessings, but like the parent, He asks something of us - that every aspect of our being is to be a living sacrifice, in body, soul and spirit. Unlike sacrifices we make when purchasing a new car, this sacrifice itself gives us freedom. It is the true freedom that we only find when yielding fully to Christ.
Complete surrender to God is not easy. It means that we die to our own desires and selfishness. Remember though, that the Lord is willing and able to do more than we could ever even imagine.
Prayer
What does it really mean to live a surrendered life? Most importantly, it means complete commitment to Christ that is unchanged by the influence of the world, yielding to Him fearlessly and unwaveringly. Our desires and our old ways are no longer driving our life. God's Spirit guides us instead, and His will becomes our goal.
Devotion
The Laborers Are Few
Frances Taylor
When Jesus says that the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few, do you think he was only talking about his time here on earth, or was he talking about now as well? If statistics are correct, most people who identify themselves as Christian do not attend church on a regular basis. Where are the others? Where are the laborers who should be gathering the harvest? We need to pray for men and women to answer the call to minister to God's people but we also need to pray for ourselves to reach out to those who don't understand the value of what we have. Do you talk about the importance of your faith in God with others in your family, your circle of friends? I know that I was told as a child that the two things you don't talk about are religion and politics, but why?
Perhaps when people were refused jobs or housing on the basis of their religious beliefs, it was necessary, but today? If you are in the market for a car – or a computer – who ...
Morning Prayer
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Inspiration
One of the most popular passages in the Bible at weddings, this verse explains that love cannot be self-seeking: love is about other people. Think about it: if your loving actions are done with others in mind, loving your neighbors as yourself and even your enemies, how easy would it be to love yourself? It is when we hold hate in our heart that evil flows out. It isn't always easy to control our own egos and not demand attention for our good deeds, but is the love that we spread and feel for ourselves after not enough? It surely is enough.
Prayer
Infinitely loving God, I will praise you with all of my heart for all of my days. Assist me in my struggles with selfishness, O Lord, so that I can truly love the people around me that need it most. As you selflessly ...
Night Prayer
Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Inspiration
We humble ourselves before the Lord when we come to Him with earthly burdens. We understand we do not have the power to control or fix our problems alone, so we lay our egos down and align our lives with the will of God. We are proud to be His servants and accept His help throughout our struggles. His love is unconditional, and His wisdom parallels none other.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we humble ourselves before You, seeking Your wisdom and guidance all the days of our lives. Thank You for Your presence and unfailing love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
