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 Weeds
Frances Taylor
This parable is packed with images. It was very difficult to choose just one, but after reading it over several times, I looked again at just what – or who – the weeds represent. Reading further in Matthew we see this line, "The Son of Man will send his angels and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." Those who cause others to sin! We talk a lot about peer pressure when we are talking about our youth. We warn them to stay away from friends who might get them into trouble. But what about us? Have you ever thought that you, or I, might cause others to sin? We would all like to think of ourselves as the wheat – after all, aren't we here? But what about when we're not in church? Do we laugh at dirty jokes, or tell them? Help our teens get into movies that are restricted or give into pressure and download them to watch at home? Do we overlook it when there ...
Morning Prayer
Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Inspiration
Jesus knew what was to be in store for him after Judas sold out his name with a kiss. Yet, instead of resigning himself to desperation and doom, he instead saw the glory that would come, the glory within which his name would live on. Think; in the face of ones own defeat or impending trouble, do you cower in fear, or do you find courage in your Heavenly Father?
Prayer
Lord Almighty, grant me the strength to carry on in the face of darkness and difficulties. Grant me to courage in the face of challenges that seem insurmountable. For I know in you Lord, all things may be possible. In Jesus' name I pray and ask for grace, Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
