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.
Devotion
Forgiveness
Frances Taylor
Joseph is a lot more forgiving than I'm afraid I would be. Joseph not only forgives his brothers but sees God's hand in allowing their sin to bring good out of evil. How do we look at sins committed against us? Can we find any good that has come from them? I can remember losing a job because of the lies of a co-worker. It was devastating at the time, and yet it led to my being able to live out one of my childhood dreams and then to some of the happiest years of my life. The co-worker lost her job soon after. There are so many times when if we look back we can see how God is working. We also can see how a lack of forgiveness can cause damage to families, communities and beyond. I've seen this with divorce where one or both parents try to turn their child against the other parent. This can damage the child but also the parents themselves and their families. Forgiveness might not be easy, but ongoing hostility and anger can cause physical as well as ...
Morning Prayer
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Inspiration
I honestly believe that the world is in a state of crisis right now. There are more and more people turning away from God, and because of this, the hero that has sustained peace and love for thousands of years does not have the same reach that he once did. There is a hero vacuum, and people are looking for other places to live vicariously, wishing that they could be more like a superhero or a celebrity. We should all already have our superhero. He lived and died for our sins; he bore a cross in shame; he sits at the right hand of his Father, God in heaven. Do not look for other heroes when the mightiest of all already exists!
Prayer
Jesus, my hero and savior, why have I ever looked at other sources for motivation? Forgive me for this transgression. I am weak and did ...
Night Prayer
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Inspiration
We do not like to be wrong, and our egos become bruised when we stand corrected. The Bible provides details as to how we should conduct our lives so that we align with the will of God. We read the Word of God and gain wisdom regarding sins we need to remove from our lives. People who enjoy their sinful lifestyles don't want to hear they are wrong; they deflect from the truth and do what they want to do instead of what God asks of them. We will continue to study the Word and understand truth from false prophecy.
Prayer
Dear God, please guide us as we read Scripture. We desire wisdom regarding the truth to remain in line with Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
