Devotion
All believers, great and small, play their part
David Jacobs
I have traveled extensively and always like to visit cathedrals and churches. These palaces of worship humble me, making me realize how many people have come and gone, praising the Lord, in these magnificent structures. It can be intimidating. In weaker moments, I may compare myself to the Pope or other Christian leaders and think that I am not good enough. As these verses give proof of, all followers have a spiritual journey, no matter how big or small.
The men mentioned in these passages, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus, were both not the strictest adherents to Jesus while he was still alive. Other disciples and followers would seem like more likely candidates to ask for Christ's body, but these two came to him after his death. In trying to ensure Jesus had a proper burial, they both made themselves unclean for Passover, but nevertheless became converts in Christ. Even from beyond the cross were these men so moved that they came to Jesus. Let this be a lesson: it is never too late to become a believer. We are all on the same spiritual journey to eternal life. Don't be intimidated, don't despair. Have faith that God will show you the way.
Prayer
Lord my guide, let us all who hear the name of Jesus be drawn towards your accepting light and embrace. I ask all this, so that I may see your Paradise swell, and hear all the clearer your name rejoiced. Jesus Christ and Lord Almighty up on high, I will praise your name now and forever. 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.
