Devotion
Think before you draw your sword
David Jacobs
Physical acts of violence are almost always regrettable actions in the sight of the Lord. In my life, I have been involved in one physical altercation and although my initial intentions have been noble, it is a source of embarrassment that I carry today, more than 20 years later.
One evening I was walking home from school, the same route that I had walked hundreds of times. I turned the corner onto my street when suddenly I saw one of my best friends being grabbed by 4 or 5 other boys. I did not have any idea who these boys were, and my friend, a very big and strong person, was not the type of person that you would want to get in a fight with. I saw him fighting with these boys, so I ran up and tried to help by punching one of the boys that was near the scrum. After a bit of a struggle, the other boys eventually ran off, except for the boy that I had hit. As it turned out, the boy that I had hit was a good friend of my friend. My act of bravery turned out to be an act of sheer stupidity and violence, and luckily nobody was seriously hurt.
Simon Peter's actions in these verses are also done with seemingly good intentions: he draws his sword, cutting off the high priest's servant's ear in defense of Jesus. If you were Peter, how would you have reacted? As a reader of the story, do you think his actions are good? Remember to consider the next verse and also the many instances that Christ tells his followers to turn the other cheek. After cutting off the servant's ear, Jesus tells Peter to sheath his sword for his destiny has been decided. As was the case with my story, no good came from the violent action of Peter. A man was injured badly, and there are no benefits. Consider these verses the next time you lose your temper or consider physical action.
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, forgive me for my sins. I have lost my temper and acted violently on my fellow man, impatiently acting under the false notion that my violence was justified. As you have shown us through the example of Jesus Christ, these actions are never justified. I pray that you will help me to work on improving my temper and understanding the negative role of violence in nearly every situation. Amen.
Devotion
Pray for Leaders
Frances Taylor
How often do you or I pray for government leaders? Paul doesn't say to pray just for the leaders we like, either. If we do want a tranquil and quiet life, we need all leaders to turn to God and work for justice for all their citizens. It's probably even more important to pray and intercede for those leaders who work against justice, than for those who are already doing the right thing. For those who are already on God's side, we should give thanks to God that they stay in leadership and continue to do God's will. The same goes for city, state, and even church leaders as well as our national and international leaders. Good leaders should be supported and others need to be held to account for their behavior. Obviously different countries have different forms of leadership, but that shouldn't stop us from praying for them. God does listen even if the answer doesn't come as quickly as we might like. In the case of democracies, we sometimes need a bad ...
Morning Prayer
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Inspiration
We cannot allow ourselves envy, for it corrodes not only our relationships with others but also the things we already have. The end result is that we neglect to value and appreciate things already in our possession, and thus in turn, being ungrateful to the Lord himself for what he has provided. Rather, our energy would be better placed to focus on giving thanks to the Lord and his gifts, here and now.
Prayer
To my Lord above, my Creator and Heavenly Father, by your grace do I come to thank you for all I have. Teach me not to covet others and their lot, but grant me instead the ability to Love and see the blessings you have already bestowed upon me. In return for your grace, I thus offer up to you my humblest of gifts, my Lord -my heart in obedience, is yours. Amen.
