Devotion
Two are better than one
David Jacobs
These verses may not seem extraordinary at first glance, but the story is one that caused others to marvel. Zacharias and Elisabeth have a son. Zacharias was deaf and mute at the time, but he was a priest that was well-respected in the community. After Elisabeth gives birth, the community waits 8 days to name the child in line with traditions. A local priest helps to name the child after his father, Zacharias, which would be an honorable name. Elisabeth interjects, saying that the boy shall be named John. This act of defiance alone would bring some shame to Zacharias, and I am sure the community must have been embarrassed for him in a way. He was a priest, unable to speak and name his own son, and now his wife denies the name that the priest and community chose for the boy? Denies the name of his own father?
This is where the story takes its marvelous turn. Zacharias, deaf and mute, asks to write something. Nobody in his name has the name John. He cannot hear his wife say the name as well. He writes on the tablet that his son will be named John. This is more than a coincidence! It is God's will at work.
You may have heard the phrase, "Go with your gut." Zacharias and Elisabeth trusted each other and, more importantly, trusted God to lead them to the right decision.
Prayer
Precious Lord, let me return to your word, again and again, for my daily bread. Although I may not always hear you, I am listening. Although I may not always praise you, I am speaking. Help me understand your message so that I may craft a response, singing your praises that echo for all of my life. 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.
