Devotion
What are you hiding?
David Jacobs
My family is as supportive as any family that I have ever witnessed. They have loved me as much as they could, and God knows I have indeed tested them at times! Why then, in my times of trouble, have I hid from them? Why did I not go to the people that have loved me the most, helped me the most, and know me the best in my darkest hour? It is easier said than done, of course, and practice makes perfect.
If you have ever raised a child or even a dog, there are moments when you can see when they have done something wrong. With my dog, the moment that I walk in the door I can usually tell if she has done something that she is ashamed about. She will slink away from me, often not even greeting me at the door. If she does welcome me, it is with a noticeable difference in excitement. I have always treated my dog with love, but when she does something that I won't like, she knows it. Can't you picture Adam and Eve acting similarly here?
Adam and Eve knew they went against God. Like a young child with a sibling, Adam quickly points the finger at Eve to blame her and not take responsibility for his actions. If you were Adam and Eve, how would you act? God gave them life and has shown them only paradise, and they seem to forget it immediately! Do not take this love for granted! Go to your loved ones and seek help from them, admit your faults if you need to, and quickly ask for forgiveness. Nobody is perfect, but we can learn from Adam and Eve and our own mistakes and get better and closer to whom we genuinely care about.
Prayer
Merciful and almighty God, forgive me for my transgressions against you and those around me. I am weak, O God, and I often forget that with you, I am strong. Grant that by your guidance we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them. In the name of Jesus, who reigns in heaven with you and the Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Inspiration
We are no longer bound to sin! Instead, we have chosen to serve a living God, a Heavenly Father who loves us beyond our understanding. When we surrender our will to God, we see the ministry He has designed us to complete. God blesses us with talents and spiritual gifts we use to bring others to know Him. We devote our lives and vow to use our mind, body, and soul to complete work for the Lord.
Prayer
Dear God, we are devoted to You and willingly commit our mind, body, and soul to the works You have laid before us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.