Devotion
The mighty will fall; the Lord lasts forever
David Jacobs
This passage reminds me of a story that saddened me recently: I bought a couple houseplants a while ago and they were thriving. These plants brightened my home and mood every time I glanced at them. Sitting on the windowsill, they kept growing larger and more towards the sun with each passing day. If I cared for them properly, they would keep growing in this way, seemingly forever, and even the pieces that fell off of the plants started to grow new plants. I planned to move them outside when the weather turned warmer so that they could keep growing and spawning new plants.
I went away from home for a few days and watered the plants before leaving.
Apparently, I watered them too much, because when I returned the plants were dying. I was upset at myself, thinking about what I could have done differently, questioning why I did what I did in the first place.
These plants could have gone outside and outlasted me. They could have grown for centuries if only I had watered them too much. How can I possibly predict what will happen? What happens to this plant, to me, to everything is not for me to decide.
Only one thing is permanent: the word of God. I felt sad about these plants, far more than I should have. I happened to see this passage a few days later and thought instead about how lucky those plants were, how lucky I am to have heard the word of the Lord. Plants, people, and all things come and go. The Lord lasts forever.
Prayer
Almighty Father, I thank you for the eternal salvation you have given me with your everlasting word. Help guide me in spreading the seeds of your gospel, and not focusing on the suffering that I encounter. Grant me the wisdom to walk the righteous path to bliss, where your love and truth for mankind remains forever and ever. Amen.
Devotion
Forgiveness
Frances Taylor
Joseph is a lot more forgiving than I'm afraid I would be. Joseph not only forgives his brothers but sees God's hand in allowing their sin to bring good out of evil. How do we look at sins committed against us? Can we find any good that has come from them? I can remember losing a job because of the lies of a co-worker. It was devastating at the time, and yet it led to my being able to live out one of my childhood dreams and then to some of the happiest years of my life. The co-worker lost her job soon after. There are so many times when if we look back we can see how God is working. We also can see how a lack of forgiveness can cause damage to families, communities and beyond. I've seen this with divorce where one or both parents try to turn their child against the other parent. This can damage the child but also the parents themselves and their families. Forgiveness might not be easy, but ongoing hostility and anger can cause physical as well as ...
Morning Prayer
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Inspiration
I honestly believe that the world is in a state of crisis right now. There are more and more people turning away from God, and because of this, the hero that has sustained peace and love for thousands of years does not have the same reach that he once did. There is a hero vacuum, and people are looking for other places to live vicariously, wishing that they could be more like a superhero or a celebrity. We should all already have our superhero. He lived and died for our sins; he bore a cross in shame; he sits at the right hand of his Father, God in heaven. Do not look for other heroes when the mightiest of all already exists!
Prayer
Jesus, my hero and savior, why have I ever looked at other sources for motivation? Forgive me for this transgression. I am weak and did ...
Night Prayer
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Inspiration
We do not like to be wrong, and our egos become bruised when we stand corrected. The Bible provides details as to how we should conduct our lives so that we align with the will of God. We read the Word of God and gain wisdom regarding sins we need to remove from our lives. People who enjoy their sinful lifestyles don't want to hear they are wrong; they deflect from the truth and do what they want to do instead of what God asks of them. We will continue to study the Word and understand truth from false prophecy.
Prayer
Dear God, please guide us as we read Scripture. We desire wisdom regarding the truth to remain in line with Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
