Devotion
Who or what do you seek?
David Jacobs
My grandfather led a life straight out of a Hollywood movie. He was from a very poor village, worked in a coalmine when he was twelve years old, had 14 brothers and sisters, joined the marines, fought in two wars, and was married and divorced three times. His stories were incredible, and his gregarious personality and sharp wit made him a pleasure to talk to. As he grew older, he explained to me that through all his adventures, one question plagued him: why was he here? When he met my grandmother, his priorities changed. Things that he previously looked to in search of meaning, were no longer of importance: sex, excitement, and drama. He knew what he was looking for when he met her, in large part because she knew what she was seeking: a strong relationship with God.
These sad verses are easy to illustrate in your mind. Judas has come to betray Jesus, and when they come to the garden, Jesus asks who they are looking for. Perhaps ironically because they do not fully understand what they are saying, they say they are looking for Jesus of Nazareth. They were looking for Jesus, to betray and kill him, but in doing so allowed all of us to also seek him. His captors are flung to the ground when he answers them, overwhelmed by the power of the answer to the question, "Whom seek ye?" We should all ask ourselves the same question. Like my grandparents, once we realize the answer, nothing else will matter.
Prayer
Merciful God, loving Lord, I seek ye and only ye. I know that I have wandered, strayed from your righteous path more often than naught, but I pray that you strengthen me to seek ye with all of my being. Forgive me, O Lord, when I commit to any action for other reasons than to search for ye. I am weak, but with you, strong. I pray this in your name, 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.
