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
Passover
Frances Taylor
And so still today, the Jewish people celebrate Passover and one of the traditions is for someone to ask why we celebrate this feast, and the youngest child answers with the story of the Passover. Jesus was celebrating Passover with his friends on the night before he died. I know this reading comes up during the summer, so it's not the time for Passover, or the Passion of Jesus, but I have a question. What are our traditions surrounding the passion and death and resurrection of Jesus? Do we celebrate the end of Lent on Holy Thursday? Do we spend time with Jesus on Good Friday remembering his sacrifice? Is Easter all about candy and the Easter bunny? Today, many of our churches are practically empty on Easter Sunday and the children think more about an Easter egg hunt than God. Would the youngest member of the family be able to tell the story of why we celebrate? God brought the Israelites from slavery to freedom at the original Passover, but Jesus brought ...
Morning Prayer
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
Inspiration
Through God, all things are possible, and all things may be made a new. Dwell not on the past, of what was or could have been, but rather look forward to what through God's grace, may unfold within his divine plan. Being a Christian is constantly about a state of becoming, of a movement towards the Light of perfection shown to us by Christ. A part of this is to always remain open to Gods' works and feats, emerging all around us. God's will to create and recreate the world is his right as our Heavenly father, and it is not for us to mourn what may pass, but rather to seek to adapt our faith in ...
Night Prayer
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Inspiration
God is our portion, our ultimate source of peace and happiness. We do not need to understand His ways or timing; we only need to know that He is always with us. God is our safety net, and He guides us through each struggle or hardship. We know terrible occurrences are bound to happen as we live in this imperfect world, but we have hope because God is with us every moment. His love will never fail.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we depend on You for peace and happiness all the days of our life. We are blessed because we can face any obstacle with You by our side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
