Devotion
What would you do with a second chance at life?
David Jacobs
It is in our nature to be fearful of death: it is in our biological programming. Coping with missed opportunities and regretful actions is also a part of life. When you reach the end of your life, how do you think you will feel about your time alive? Loves lost, missed encounters, job and financial woes, parenting decisions...the list of impactful decisions that one might reflect on and feel guilty about is long. We often take for granted the most important factor of all: Christ has already given us a second chance.
Christ resurrected, presents one of the most miraculous events in Biblical history. All Christians were given a second chance and shown the path; life towards death, death followed by eternal life. Do you believe in Christ? If you can say yes to that, read these verses again. You shall never die! Life on Earth is not the end. It can be filled with mistakes, regrets, and pain but it is a brief moment before everlasting peace and glory. If you have heard the good news, how did you react? Was it like Mary, immediately rising and going to Christ? Or was it a decision that you would like to do differently? It is not too late my friends! Go forth to love the Lord, to love people, and leave everything else, to God!
Prayer
Glory to God! Glorious Father, we thank you. Through your Son, who paid our debt through his suffering, helped to absolve my sins, to purge and clean my soul of all fear and malice, so that I may one day join you in Heaven. May the words and deeds of my soul be acceptable in thy sight, a constant reminder to the second chance that I have been granted. Amen.
Night Prayer
And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
Inspiration
Samson's power came from God, not from his beautiful locks of hair! He knew the origin of his strength and called out to the Lord to help him abolish his enemies. We have the power to overcome obstacles and hardships in our earthly life. We must remember that our strength comes from the Lord and contribute our tenacity to Him. We are grateful for His gracious character as He gifts us with skills to battle our enemies.
Prayer
Dear Father, We are grateful for the strength You have instilled in us. We could not stand against sin alone and we praise You for gifting us the power to conquer our sin. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Allowing The Scriptures
To bring Joy To My Life
Frances Taylor
The beginning of Luke's Gospel has always been one of my favorite readings. It makes me feel confident that I can believe what I have been taught. It also gives me peace because I know that God's promise has been fulfilled. We have been set free from fear. Of course, we will know fear of the unknown in this unpredictable world, but not fear of death because we can be sure that death is not the end, only the beginning of a new life. Otherwise, how could we continue to experience happiness and joy in the face of suffering? This freedom of fear, this belief in the good news – this Gospel message – is what made the early Christians so willing to face suffering in the name of Jesus. It is what motivated them to spread the good news to anyone who would listen. Is our world any less in need of the Gospel than theirs? I doubt it. Considering how we work so hard to be happy! How hard we work to avoid pain or suffering! So ...
