Devotion
Strengthen the mind, enlighten the heart
David Jacobs
For any readers that are in a committed relationship, what is it that has kept that relationship going? Is it commitment? Passion? Understanding? Or is it a combination of these things? Many of us can remember the early stages of a loving relationship and the fiery passion and excitement that often comes with it. This flame is hard to keep constant, and the same is true of our most important relationship: our relationship with God.
God is worried about us. He worries that we may waste His time. He worries that one moment we may be passionate, and the next not. Paul realized this, and his letter to the Ephesians implores the believers there not to focus solely on one aspect of the relationship with God. Many avenues must be traveled. Many methods must be cultivated in order to grow a lasting and fruitful relationship with the Lord.
Paul asks the Ephesians to strive for spiritual perfection. By cultivating our relationship with God and teaching about it to others, we find unity with Christ. In our quest for spiritual perfection, we will discover a renewed passion that will help us work hard to strengthen our minds to learn more about the word of God, and in doing so we will enlighten our hearts, building a stronger and more passionate relationship that can last forever.
Prayer
My Lord and Savior, share with me your of love for all of mankind. Help me to realize that in pursuing a perfect relationship with you I will instill a newfound hope, discover untold riches, and witness the glory of your ways. Grant me the strength to do your work, and in doing so, gain greater unity with you. Amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
