Devotion
Live in brotherly love, not fearing man
David Jacobs
I was born in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Philadelphia is a great city, filled with passionate and hard-working people, was an important center in early American history, and is known for its tough and straightforward citizens. I love the city and always will, but there is a bit of irony in calling it the city of brotherly love. There are few places in America with a populace of sharper-tongued and strong individuals. Let's examine these verses and see how we can learn to be more in touch with our emotions by becoming more in touch with God.
Firstly, we must love one another, even strangers. Everyone is going through their own trials and tribulations. Next, marriage is the backbone of a healthy society, and is perhaps evidenced by the crumbling state of our moral codes today. We should not covet because it corrodes not only our relationships with others but also the things we already have. When we envy others, it makes us devalue what we already have and not give thanks for what the Lord has provided. Lastly, if we do all of these things, we will never be afraid of bullies, never be afraid of the sharp-tongued Philadelphians, never be afraid of our fellow men. We would live in peace, our energy would be spent giving thanks to God, living in a world of brotherly love.
Prayer
What are the characteristics of the place where you grew up? How has religion affected your home?
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.
