Devotion
What will you do in your last hours?
David Jacobs
When I was in high school, one of my friends was the son of a diplomat. This meant that he had diplomatic immunity, so if he ever got in trouble with the law, he would walk away with no problems. The news of his misdeeds would still reach his parents however, and his father, the ambassador, did not appreciate hearing that his son had done something wrong.
One day my friend got into some serious trouble with the law. With his back against the wall, knowing full well that he would get in trouble, my friend tried everything he could to get away with no blame for his actions. He told the police everything that he could think of, true and untrue, to save his own skin, even if it meant turning on his own friends. He still ended up getting into a bit of trouble, but the trouble with his family and the law paled in comparison to the trouble that he got in with his friends. Nobody trusted him anymore, because in his moment of desperation, he showed his true colors.
In the verses here, Jesus had just told the disciples that one of them, Judas Iscariot, would betray him. Jesus knows full well that he is soon to be tortured, ridiculed, and crucified. How does Jesus react? By praising God! Right before his darkest hour, he glorifies God, admitting that he knows that his hour of glory is soon coming. He does not wiggle and squirm, trying to get out of his destiny. He shows bravery in his last moments, unlike my friend, and his name has been and will be glorified for eternity as a result.
Prayer
Christ in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thou hast shown me the perfect example on how to live. I long to be like thee, living courageously even at my darkest hour. Give me the strength to follow in your footsteps, walking on the path to the Holy Kingdom. In thy name I pray, Amen.
Devotion
Misrepresenting God
Frances Taylor
This passage is one I try very hard to take to heart. For over forty years, I have worked to bring the gospel message to children and adults alike. That is what I'm doing as I write this. It is so important that we don't misrepresent God to others. When someone tells me they don't believe in God, I wonder whose image of God they have been taught. When I was a child, it was common to hear that God was some policeman in the sky that was going to punish me for everything I did wrong. The idea of a loving, forgiving God was not taught as the norm. Ministers and other teachers of religion often spoke more of hellfire and damnation. It's no wonder that there are those who claim that God doesn't exist. On the other hand, there are those who taught that God was like Santa Claus, keeping track of our good deeds and rewarding us accordingly, or tracking our misdeeds and punishing us accordingly. Neither of these images of God are accurate. God is loving ...
Morning Prayer
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
Inspiration
Those in ancient Israel, as today and in all lands, who prey upon the poor and vulnerable, who pervert justice against them and deny them their rights, sin against God. His eyes see, his eyelids try the children of men, and nothing is done in secret where he does not know.
Prayer
Give me a heart of compassion, O Lord, for the weak and helpless, for the poverty stricken, for widows and orphans. And give me a righteous indignation against those who oppress them, pervert their justice, or deny their rights. Amen.
Night Prayer
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Inspiration
The earth is perishable and deteriorates over time; God's love is everlasting, and so is our relationship with Him. We continue to grow each day as we study and become well-versed in the Word. We see blessings, assist in miracles, and continually feel His presence in our lives. We do not deserve love like God's, yet He gives it to us freely and unconditionally. We humble ourselves before Him with thanksgiving for His mercy on our souls.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sins, and guide our steps so we may grow closer to You. Your love is the greatest gift, and we will devote our lives to Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
