Devotion
Cleansing yourself of sin
David Jacobs
When I was young, I can distinctly recall a conversation that I had with my mother: I did something that I knew she would disapprove of, so I did not tell her until what I had done was obvious to everyone. She asked me, "Why didn't you tell me this?" I explained that I thought that what I did was the right thing to do but that she would not approve of it. As patient and loving as always, she explained that she would love me not matter what I did. I apologized to for not telling her but I pressed her a bit further. I asked her if she would be able to love and forgive me if I committed murder. She said, "You will always be my son. I would not approve of what you did but I would be there in jail, visiting you whenever I could."
My mother is as wonderful a person as I have known. She is forgiving and loyal almost to a fault, but so was Jesus! Christ was the son of God, totally aware of the betrayal that Judas Iscariot had laid out for him. Jesus does not condemn him; he does not try to negotiate with God to change his fate; he does not run away from the pain that he will soon undergo. Instead, he preemptively teaches the disciples a lesson, washing the feet of his soon-to-be betrayer. In doing so, he shows a forgiveness that is hard to fathom, one that plagues Judas after Christ has been killed.
By washing the disciples' feet, Jesus also teaches them to wash one another. They need to take care of each other, more than ever before, because Jesus knows that he will soon be leaving. We too, should take his advice to heart. As believers in Christ, we must work together, regardless of past transgressions, and help one another wash sin away.
Prayer
God almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth, in your name I pray. In your infinite mercy and love for me Lord God, grant me the ability to reciprocate, not only to you, but all my brothers and sisters. You have washed our sins away, and keep doing so when I ask you. I ask that you help us all work together, to cleanse ourselves of sin, so that we may join you, one day, in paradise. 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.
