Devotion
Say a little prayer for ... who?
David Jacobs
Recently I went to visit some relatives and was there on the weekend. I am not the most social animal when it comes to meeting new people, so I was a little bit anxious about visiting a new church with my distant relatives. I am so used to my church that when I find myself given the opportunity to worship elsewhere, it can seem uncomfortable at first. Now that I have even written these words, I realize what a fool I am! Are we all not worshiping the same God? Upon our arrival at the church, I was immediately welcomed as if I had been going there my entire life. My family seemed to enjoy introducing me to their friends and other relatives at the church, and although I would normally feel a bit socially anxious, in this instance, I felt as I had known these people for a long time. The church and devotees of Christ are all one!
Praying and worshipping alone is quite easy. The majority of my prayers are about one person: me! How often do we pray for other people? Going a step further, how often do we pray for people far outside of our friend or family circle or even for our enemies? This passage in Colossians is a great example of a prayer made for other people; People that Paul had never met or probably would never meet. In fact, Paul the Apostle wrote Colossians while in prison! Surely, if he can be so selfless and caring about people that are nowhere near him, I can accept and appreciate the people in the church of my relatives! It can be hard to do, however, and this is where our challenge lies. How we behave in these challenges is what truly defines our character. How will you behave?
Prayer
Take some time to pray normally. Now write down a list of people that you would like to pray for and help, people that are close to you that you wish nothing but the best for. Now do the same thing but for people that have recently hurt you or that you may have negative feelings towards. Pray for them as well. I have found that this prayer exercise helps me feel much better about myself and more importantly, the next time I see these people I am more caring and patient than before.
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.
