Devotion
The good, the bad and the ugly
David Jacobs
So many things have changed in our lives with the vast advancements in technology. Social media is one example of something that is now so commonplace that it is hard to remember what life was like before it. A constant barrage of pictures and videos keeps us up to date with what is going on with our friends, but the desire to be liked and noticed can lead some to neglect what is true or good just for a little social media attention. I have seen and commented on images and articles that I feel are inappropriate or untrue. This secular desire to be liked at all costs can lead to evil and away from good. When you think about it on an individual level, it is sad, but when you consider the dangers on an organizational and business level, it is truly dangerous.
It is not all so bleak. We can change our own behaviors for the better and lead by example. We have the tools to arm ourselves with truth, love, and that which is good. Do not spread evil and hate; spread love, kindness, and equality. I see so many people on social media glorifying celebrities and quoting things with an evil message. How often do we quote God's word? How often do you see the teachings of Christ displayed on social media? Luckily, we have our own avenues to share this love and kindness with each other. If we continue to read these verses, share them, and act as they explain, the world will be a bit brighter.
Prayer
On this day of Visitation, take some time to share a passage or passage that is important to you with friends. Like the Virgin Mary, your words alone can make a great impact on those that hear them, and you and those around you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. If you are not aware of this holy day, Read Luke 1:39-47, the story of the Visitation. Read and meditate on the words, and share them with people that may need it.
Night Prayer
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Inspiration
Sin rules our lives until we accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. When we invite Him into our lives, our old sinful heart dies, and God creates within us a new one, where sin no longer rules our life; God does! Our thoughts and actions begin to change because we no longer desire a sinful lifestyle. We joyfully devote our lives to serving Him and inviting others to understand His promise of salvation.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we are sinners born again and recreated to live according to Your will. We are grateful for Your love and the peace we experience by abolishing our old sinful self. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Satan Has Been Defeated
Frances Taylor
Salvation and power have come with Christ and Satan has been defeated. Sin and death have been conquered by the actions of one man, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, both human and divine who came into the world to bring the Good News of salvation by living, dying and rising for us. As Christians we claim to believe this but our actions sometimes deny it. Unfortunately, people seem to resurrect Satan all the time. We allow him to lead us away from God, forgetting the way to the Father that is love, and giving in to Satan's path of hatred, anger, pride, lust, chaos and destruction.
Satan, of course, doesn't present these as bad things, he makes them seem attractive. He presents sin as goods to be desired, as things to make us happy or give us pleasure. It can be hard to stay on the path that leads to God when the world seems to be crowding us and pushing us off of it. How easy it is to forget the sacrifice that bought our freedom! Which of us ...
Morning Prayer
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Inspiration
It is right for us to defer to others and to rejoice with others when they have cause to rejoice over some blessing in their life, instead of sorrowing before them over some problem in our life. It is right also to weep with those who weep, showing compassion and feeling for them in their grief instead of "dancing joyfully before those who mourn" as if insensitive to their sorrow.
Prayer
Give me a discerning spirit, Lord, to know when to rejoice and when to weep. Let me show concern for others and their situation and life events instead of just focusing only on my own. Let me show true compassion and genuine joy in the right way and time to others. Amen.
