Devotion
Taking baby steps
David Jacobs
I have two children: a son and a daughter. My son was quite cautious as a child, thinking before he moved, pondering any potential dangers that he might encounter. My daughter, on the other hand, was afraid of nothing. She bounded into rooms with the fervor of a small monster, taking her bumps and bruises along the way. It was fascinating to me that two siblings, only a few years apart, raised by the same people in the same house, could have such unique behaviors at a young age. The same is true for Christians.
Learning to walk with Christ is easier said than done. If you are reading this, that is a good step. More than anything, you must maintain a strong faith in Christ. As Paul says in these verses, he may not be with the Colossians physically, but he is there in spirit, for their faith in Christ, unites them. We may receive Christ early in our journey, bounding through the room like my daughter, but our faith cannot stop there. The Christian path never ceases, and whether you exhibit the calculating and methodical approach to walking like my son, or the youthful passion and energy of my daughter, there are a number of paths that lead to the Heavenly Kingdom. One must remember that the path never ends. It is a lifetime journey, and we must walk continuously, constantly striving to be better in the eyes of the Lord.
Prayer
What was your first step on your journey with Christ? Perhaps more importantly, what was your biggest step and when did you walk most closely with God?
Night Prayer
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Inspiration
Sin will enslave us and become the master of our lives if allowed. Sin binds us in darkness, and we become submissive to our fears. Jesus is a light in the dark, and we have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. Sin has no control over us! We have repented our sinful ways and surrendered our lives to the will of God. Serving Him replaces a life of misery with joy and peace.
Prayer
Dear God, we ask forgiveness for our transgressions. We surrender our lives to You and will serve You instead of our sinful desires. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Are You Wise or Foolish?
Frances Taylor
Today's gospel concerns a group of bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom to come and whether or not they will be prepared. Five are pretty sure that the bridegroom will show up when expected and so do the least they need to do and the other five decide that something may come up and want to be prepared just in case. What about ourselves? Whether you are sick or healthy today, you don't know what tomorrow brings.
I remember when my father was ill. He would enter the hospital, then somehow rally and be sent home. When this happens more than once, it is easy to be lulled into a sense of false security and believe that he would always rally. That kind of thinking can make it harder when the final day comes. My son rarely had a sick day in his life and yet was cut off while riding his motorcycle and was dead before he even had a chance to be afraid. It has always been my hope that both were wise and had lived their lives prepared to meet the ...
