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
Forgiveness
Frances Taylor
Joseph is a lot more forgiving than I'm afraid I would be. Joseph not only forgives his brothers but sees God's hand in allowing their sin to bring good out of evil. How do we look at sins committed against us? Can we find any good that has come from them? I can remember losing a job because of the lies of a co-worker. It was devastating at the time, and yet it led to my being able to live out one of my childhood dreams and then to some of the happiest years of my life. The co-worker lost her job soon after. There are so many times when if we look back we can see how God is working. We also can see how a lack of forgiveness can cause damage to families, communities and beyond. I've seen this with divorce where one or both parents try to turn their child against the other parent. This can damage the child but also the parents themselves and their families. Forgiveness might not be easy, but ongoing hostility and anger can cause physical as well as ...
Morning Prayer
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Inspiration
I honestly believe that the world is in a state of crisis right now. There are more and more people turning away from God, and because of this, the hero that has sustained peace and love for thousands of years does not have the same reach that he once did. There is a hero vacuum, and people are looking for other places to live vicariously, wishing that they could be more like a superhero or a celebrity. We should all already have our superhero. He lived and died for our sins; he bore a cross in shame; he sits at the right hand of his Father, God in heaven. Do not look for other heroes when the mightiest of all already exists!
Prayer
Jesus, my hero and savior, why have I ever looked at other sources for motivation? Forgive me for this transgression. I am weak and did ...
Night Prayer
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Inspiration
We do not like to be wrong, and our egos become bruised when we stand corrected. The Bible provides details as to how we should conduct our lives so that we align with the will of God. We read the Word of God and gain wisdom regarding sins we need to remove from our lives. People who enjoy their sinful lifestyles don't want to hear they are wrong; they deflect from the truth and do what they want to do instead of what God asks of them. We will continue to study the Word and understand truth from false prophecy.
Prayer
Dear God, please guide us as we read Scripture. We desire wisdom regarding the truth to remain in line with Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
