Devotion
What message is written on your heart?
David Jacobs
Can you think of a law that has changed drastically during your lifetime? I am sure we can all think of some laws that changed from one generation to the next. People's attitudes and education can lead to large shifts in the law: what one generation may deem inappropriate, illegal, and abhorrent, the next generation may deem legal and justified. Some laws today may be technically legal may have sinful consequences. It is, for this reason, we must be noble in the eyes of God, not just in society.
Paul writes to the Corinthians about 'the letter' of the law (as originally inscribed in Judaism), in contrast to God's divine moral order. Laws may serve a purpose in regulating society, but as devotees of the word of God, they are not sufficient. There is a law written on us as well, on the "fleshy tables of the heart." We must share our word, through our words and deeds, so that all can bear witness to a higher "letter." We may be law-abiding citizens in society, which is indeed a noble act, but being noble in the eyes of God will prove perpetually valuable on judgment day.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, far above the trivial laws and letters created by mankind, we are so blessed to have received your word. I ask that you write upon my heart, dearest God, walking in your holy path. I pray that you help me to realize that it is your word, O Lord, that I must follow. Allow us to animate your moral order, and show us mercy. All of this I pray in your name. 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.
