Devotion
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
David Jacobs
The Statue of Liberty in New York City is (or at least was) emblematic of the American spirit: caring, welcoming, and free. The title of this devotional is the inscription on the statue, written to welcome the new immigrants to the United States of America at the early part of the 20th century.
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
America truly opened its doors at the time welcoming people from any country, of any creed or religion, and under most circumstances. The USA wanted the meek and lowly, offering them a chance at a better life, together.
Take a look at the verses here and consider your own life: do you feel tired? Overworked? Hopeless? Brothers and sisters, there is hope! Life may drag us down more than we like to remember, and so often we may stumble through our days tired, worn, and heavy. Turn to the Lord: His word, His truth and His arms, for they are always open to receive us. If you don't know where to turn, think of where you can go: the church. We are all there for each other, willing to worship, rest, and relax in the name of Christ, our Lord and Savior. We may feel beaten down at times, but God is there for us, waiting to take some of our load. It is our decision whether or not we ask.
Prayer
Dearest God, I come to you heavy with burden. I need you, my Lord. I love you. When I tire, please give me rest. Aid me to heal my broken bones and tired body through your word, igniting the light within my heart. Give me strength, so that when I falter and fail, for I wish to serve and labor only under you Lord, and wish to speak only your name. Amen.
Night Prayer
Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Inspiration
We humble ourselves before the Lord when we come to Him with earthly burdens. We understand we do not have the power to control or fix our problems alone, so we lay our egos down and align our lives with the will of God. We are proud to be His servants and accept His help throughout our struggles. His love is unconditional, and His wisdom parallels none other.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we humble ourselves before You, seeking Your wisdom and guidance all the days of our lives. Thank You for Your presence and unfailing love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
You are a Temple of The Holy Spirit
Frances Taylor
This is a hard saying in today's world. Sexual immorality is so rampant and public that few people believe it to be immoral! People no longer think of sexual behavior outside of marriage as wrong and, in fact, have no problem with going from one person to another quite publicly, broadcasting their behavior on social media and if you're famous enough, on twitter, on TV, in magazines, etc. What happened to "Thou shalt not commit adultery?" I guess I'm old fashioned. I'm not about to condemn anyone who truly loves another and is faithful to them regardless of marriage, but I don't understand and cannot condone random sexual encounters that are not based on love but lust, have no desire for permanency but are literally just to satisfy a sexual itch.
Sorry if I offend anyone, but if we believe that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit to be kept holy, how can we treat them as what – toys, prizes? I'm aware that women have often ...
Morning Prayer
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Inspiration
Think of a grudge that you held on for a long time. Did you feel better from holding this grudge? Now think about this deeper: what if God held a grudge against us? Wow, how blessed we are that he forgives our sins! He leads by example, forgiving those of us that do exactly what he asks us not to do. We all should all be more forgiving, like God is to us.
Prayer
You sent your only son to the world to die so that we may be forgiven, merciful God. Forgive me, once again, for being too selfish and proud to not forgive those that trespass against me. I wish that I can sin less and ask for forgiveness and guidance when I need it. I thank you for sending your son to us, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
