Devotion
Mary’s big surprise
David Jacobs
For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37) How lucky we are to know the Lord? In turbulent times it can be easy to forget just how lucky we are. Put yourself in Mary's shoes: she is a virgin, in a relationship with Joseph, and is pregnant...not the ideal circumstances to say the least! What can she say to Joseph? Why would he believe her? How is it possible that she is pregnant? What is she going to do? Luckily for us, Mary and Joseph had the courage to follow God's plan. If God spoke to us today, would we also have this strength?
Think about a challenge in your own life: why do you view it as a challenge and not a gift? I am reminded of a story that I read in the book Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: a young woman has children, the youngest a boy that is unable to walk. In a group therapy session, she bemoans her plight in life, wondering why God has done this to her and her child. Another woman in the group, single and without children, is asked to imagine her life as an old woman. The woman says she would consider her life a failure because she has no family of her own. Upon hearing this, the woman with the paralyzed child changed her mindset, realizing that she wanted to have children and that she loved her son and he loved her. Just from hearing one story from another person, she was able to change her perception from a burden to a blessing. Mary and Joseph did the same, and we should do all that we can to follow their example.
Prayer
Holy Shepard and Heavenly Father, I pray that you help me to set my mind at ease as you did with Mary and Joseph. Help me to open my heart and realize that every person, relationship, and moment is a blessing. Lord, I ask that you fortify my soul for your doing and recognize your call when you come. Amen.
Morning Prayer
Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
Inspiration
Through God, all things are possible, and all things may be made a new. Dwell not on the past, of what was or could have been, but rather look forward to what through God's grace, may unfold within his divine plan. Being a Christian is constantly about a state of becoming, of a movement towards the Light of perfection shown to us by Christ. A part of this is to always remain open to Gods' works and feats, emerging all around us. God's will to create and recreate the world is his right as our Heavenly father, and it is not for us to mourn what may pass, but rather to seek to adapt our faith in ...
Night Prayer
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Inspiration
God is our portion, our ultimate source of peace and happiness. We do not need to understand His ways or timing; we only need to know that He is always with us. God is our safety net, and He guides us through each struggle or hardship. We know terrible occurrences are bound to happen as we live in this imperfect world, but we have hope because God is with us every moment. His love will never fail.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we depend on You for peace and happiness all the days of our life. We are blessed because we can face any obstacle with You by our side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
The Name Of God
Frances Taylor
God's name as it is written in Scripture is either Jehovah or Yahweh, or just YHWH. All are translations of He is Who He is. Because the Jewish people did not call God by the name he gave Moses. It is for this reason that the Jewish people were so angry when Jesus said that before Abraham came to be I AM. To say God's name was to blaspheme. For the people of Moses' time, names had power. They felt that to use the name of God was to say that they had power over God, and so the name was sacred. I can remember an uncle of mine who would often take not just the Lord's name in vain when he was angry, but would also use it to curse whoever he was angry with. I'm sure you know many people who do the same without even blinking an eye.
Good Christians, all, who would be horrified if they were called on it. We are offended when people use foul language, why are we not offended when the Lord's name is taken in vain? A friend of mine used to work in the office ...
