Devotion
Which is your element?
David Jacobs
If you had to describe your general emotional state with one of the five elements, which one would you be? Would you be cool and calm, like water? Vibrant, and growing like wood? Strong and cold like earth? Fast and powerful like wind? Or passionate and fierce like fire? In my case, I think I would be like wood; sensitive, wanting to be close to others, but susceptible to outside influences. Now ask yourself this: with which element would you describe God?
In these verses, Paul shows God's dominion over nature by stating that His voice shakes the earth and heaven, and describing Him as a consuming fire. All earthly creations will be consumed by the power of God. We have seen nations come and go, but they are man-made creations, at the mercy of God's power. As Christians, we have been given a chance at eternal life; the Apostles themselves explained that Christ has taught that believers have a chance to join him in the Heavenly Kingdom, a kingdom that cannot be moved (Hebrews 12:28). All the elements are under God's command. All nations and kingdoms will eventually crumble until only one remains: the all-encompassing heavenly fire that is God.
Prayer
I came to set fire to the earth. And I am watchful that the fire grow.
May the fire of love grow in our hearts.
May the fire of transformation glow in our movements.
May the fire of purification burn away our sins.
May the fire of justice guide our steps.
May the fire of wisdom illuminate our paths.
May the fire that spreads over the Earth never be extinguished.
-Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
