Devotion
Do you now believe? Answer the question:
David Jacobs
When I was a child, I was often afraid of things that I thought were in my house or room: monsters, thieves, and murderers. Venturing into my parents' room, sleepy yet terrified, I'd tell them that I thought I heard something. Luckily for me, my parents were extremely patient and would try their best to get me to go back to sleep. They would reassure me in a number of ways: tell me that they will stay awake and listen, tell me that the door is locked, or even come in my room. Nobody or thing had ever come into my house, yet I still couldn't believe them! No matter how many times they reassured me, it would take several years for me to finally grow up and out of my fears.
Consider these verses. Through Jesus, we as earthly beings have also found a path to overcoming the world. Humans have tried other methods and others have heard the teachings of Christ and not believed. Without salvation and the word of the Lord, these attempts are doomed to fail. You may have heard of Pascal's wager. It essentially argues that deciding to believe or not to believe is up to the individual, but if you don't believe and are wrong, you are doomed to eternal damnation! Even with that being said, it is much easier said than done. One method above all else has helped reinforce my faith in Christ: I have surrounded myself with faithful Christians. When I feel fear, or doubt, just like when I was a child, I can turn to them and be reassured. Without God one cannot truly transcend this life. Be there for each other.
Prayer
Dearest Father, forgive me for ever doubting you, and understand that I am weak and undeserving of your grace. Strengthen my resolve Abba Father! I long for you and to be stronger disciple of your word. Help me touch those to whom you speak, but are too deaf to listen. May they find inner wisdom and the true path into eternal life; through your divine glory and mercy alone, 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.
