Devotion
Solving the mystery of God
David Jacobs
Early in my faith journey, I can remember many times when I went to God, usually in moments of despair, and prayed to Him. I would beg Him to show me a sign, to speak to me, anything, that would make me more confident that He was listening. Nothing seemed to work, and in my frustration, I would vent and be angry with God. Does this sound familiar to any of you? I am sure I am not the only one.
In the early Testament and often in our lives, God often appears as mysterious to His children, especially remaining obscure for unbelievers. This was certainly true for me when I was younger, and it is still difficult to see and appreciate the ways that God is with me and working through me. The harder I looked for clues, the further they appeared. To this day, for believers, His depth and heights surpass our knowledge. Though God's everlasting presence and love was evident from the beginning, this mystery was once and for all united through Christ. Christ's life and sacrifice solved any mystery that there may have been before, and serves as a constant reminder that God is with me, even if I refuse to see Him.
Prayer
Lord my Father, I am so blessed to have received your Gospel. Assist me, O Lord, so that I can realize and remember that your word was made flesh through your only begotten Son. Praise be heaped upon him; in Christ, for showing us the route to your Heavenly home. Thank you, loving God, for showing us a way to salvation. In uniting us with you, Lord, my Father, my Heavenly Father. 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.
