Devotion
Find no fault in Christ
David Jacobs
My brother is quite successful with his work. He works hard, is passionate, and has creative solutions for problems that few people can think of. He always felt a little insecure that he did not have a higher education degree because most of the people in his field have master or doctorate degrees. I remember he struggled when a new person was hired at the same level as he was: the new employee was significantly younger than him and had a PhD. It made my brother insecure and transitively dislike the new hire for no reason other than his own insecurity. After an initial adjustment period, he realized the error of his ways and learned to appreciate the set of skills that his new colleague possessed. They are able to do much more working together and appreciating one another than in opposition, worried about personal inadequacies.
The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful nations in human history. To oppose them in any way was suicide and were able to maintain power for so long because they treated any outside threat as potentially serious. This brings us to Jesus: he was viewed as a threat because he appealed to everyone, preaching to large masses that gathered just to see or hear him speak. The Roman Empire and Pontius Pilate specifically viewed this as a threat to their control, fearing the power that was greater than them. In these verses, the fearful Pilate suddenly thinks he is the more powerful of the two, ridiculing and mocking Jesus before his death. However, Jesus' name has been praised for centuries, and Pilates' name is only known because of its' association with Christ.
As believers, it can be daunting to think that we will one day join God and Christ in Heaven. We are not worthy and we do not fully understand God's divine plan. Do not make the same mistake as Pilate! Do not mock that which you understand. We must trust God's plan, for God has plans to help us prosper and not harm us, plans for a better future (Jeremiah 29:11) and his word is a light on our path (Psalms 119:105). It can be scary to think that we are so insignificant in comparison to God, but He has shown us that He loves us. He sent his son to die for us. We must remain faithful to God's word and learn from history. Do not make the same mistake as Pontius Pilate.
Prayer
All-knowing and powerful Lord, hear my prayer! Forgive us, Abba Father, for we know not what we have done. I, like Pilate, have sinned against you. I beg you, merciful God, to forgive him for what he has done as you have forgiven me. Strengthen my resolve and faith in you, my Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. I leave everything else, to you. Amen.
Night Prayer
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Inspiration
Often, we speak before we have to opportunity to think about our words. In the heat of the moment, we immediately express negative feelings without analyzing the situation first. We jump to conclusions when directing meetings and speak in haste with our children before evaluating all sides. As leaders in any setting, we must be tactful and make decisions by weighing all details. Instead of expressing emotions with our authority, we must seek to mediate justly and reflect the mercy of God with our decision-making.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Please forgive us when we jump to conclusions and fail to lead with mercy and grace. Guide us to reflect Your character when You place us in a position of authority. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
A Simple Creed
Frances Taylor
Although the last verse of this passage is considered to be a portion of a hymn prayed by the people in the communities around Ephesus, I think of it as a creed, a simple statement of beliefs. It lets us know that they believed that Jesus was God, coming in the flesh, who was justified, or vindicated as another translation has it, by the Holy Spirit, seen by the angels, which could mean actual angels in heaven, or that he was seen by the disciples and others considered to be holy, preached by those disciples to reach out to a world that believed in the message of the Good News and was received by the Father into heaven where he would reign. Of course, I could be wrong about the actual meaning of the hymn, but it really doesn't make any difference. It makes me think about creeds, or statements of belief. I know there are a few formal ones such as the Apostles' Creed, or Baptismal Creed, and the Nicene Creed which expands a little on the first. But ...
Morning Prayer
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Inspiration
It may seem that the lives of some non-believers are often much easier and carefree than our own. Unshackled to principle, they may float free between pleasures with no particular conscience. But this 'freedom' is not true freedom, and one shouldn't mistake it for what it really is; being lost in the wilderness. This 'freedom' of the non-believer does not extend into the afterlife, and is in fact, shackled only to this, our material world. Since they have not had to endure the call of their consciences, they will not find our God's eternal peace.
Prayer
Lord God our Creator and Father, let me endure all that is sacred, just and fair in this world. Help us understand in facing our sufferings that we are doing so for you sake, in your glory. Thus, give us grace and show us mercy, for in answering to our consciences, we know we are doing your work. Help us stay pure ...
