Devotion
Love one another as Christ has loved you
David Jacobs
I love my children more than I love myself. I have thought about whether or not I love my children unconditionally: what if they intentionally tried to destroy my wife, themselves, or me? I hope that I would be able to continue loving them, but I am not sure. Christ sets a very high benchmark for us: to love each other as he loved us. Certainly easier said than done! Compared to the other commandments, perhaps the most difficult as well.
Ponder the original Ten Commandments and what do you think of? When I think about them I think about things that I am not supposed to do: murder, steal, commit adultery, use the Lord's name in vain. They are in a sense, prohibitive. Now read the verses above: John illustrates, loving ones brothers and sisters is a new commandment. What's more, it's imperative, telling us what we need to do. How amazing would the world be if we loved one another as God loves us! Think about the other commandments if we followed this new commandment in the book of John: many of the other commandments would be unthinkable, impossible to even consider! Nobody would covet, steal, or murder. In a way, this new commandment encapsulates all of the others. Is it a lofty goal? Of course. Is it something that we should all strive for with all of our being? You know the answer.
Prayer
My guiding light, my Shepherd! Lord, please hear my prayer! By your grace I implore you to help me love those around me: my neighbors, family, and even enemies. I ask that you help me to open my heart to them, just as you and your son, Jesus Christ, have done to me. It is all that I long for with all that I am. In your name I pray, Amen.
Devotion
A Simple Creed
Frances Taylor
Although the last verse of this passage is considered to be a portion of a hymn prayed by the people in the communities around Ephesus, I think of it as a creed, a simple statement of beliefs. It lets us know that they believed that Jesus was God, coming in the flesh, who was justified, or vindicated as another translation has it, by the Holy Spirit, seen by the angels, which could mean actual angels in heaven, or that he was seen by the disciples and others considered to be holy, preached by those disciples to reach out to a world that believed in the message of the Good News and was received by the Father into heaven where he would reign. Of course, I could be wrong about the actual meaning of the hymn, but it really doesn't make any difference. It makes me think about creeds, or statements of belief. I know there are a few formal ones such as the Apostles' Creed, or Baptismal Creed, and the Nicene Creed which expands a little on the first. But ...
Morning Prayer
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Inspiration
It may seem that the lives of some non-believers are often much easier and carefree than our own. Unshackled to principle, they may float free between pleasures with no particular conscience. But this 'freedom' is not true freedom, and one shouldn't mistake it for what it really is; being lost in the wilderness. This 'freedom' of the non-believer does not extend into the afterlife, and is in fact, shackled only to this, our material world. Since they have not had to endure the call of their consciences, they will not find our God's eternal peace.
Prayer
Lord God our Creator and Father, let me endure all that is sacred, just and fair in this world. Help us understand in facing our sufferings that we are doing so for you sake, in your glory. Thus, give us grace and show us mercy, for in answering to our consciences, we know we are doing your work. Help us stay pure ...
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
