Devotion
Save me Lord, my shield
David Jacobs
You may know the story of Julius Caesar. He was the famous ruler of the Roman empire, known throughout much of the world, and held in high esteem for his wisdom and cunning abilities. He thought that he was well liked in his own country, leading in the senate amongst his friends, especially his best friend, Brutus. On the Ides of March, March 15th, three senators, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, and Marcus Junius Brutus, his close friend, lead the assassination outside of the Theatre of Pompey, killing Julius Caesar. In the Shakespeare play of the same name, Caesar famously says, "Et tu, Brute?" (even you, Brutus?) A gang of conspirators that he thought were friends ended his life, taking power for themselves.
In life, it can sometimes feel like the world is conspiring against us, much like Caesar. Little things from our closest friends can hurt us, but why should we be hurt when we have the Lord as our shield? Consider these verses; they could have come in handy for poor Caesar. Our faith in God is our shield against all foes; He will defeat all of our enemies; He, and only He, will grant us salvation.
Prayer
It feels terrible when you are up against difficult odds: many things working against only you. Remember: it is not only you! God is with you and will always be there to protect you. He is our rock and shield. Instead of asking, "Et tu, God?" we will declare, "Et tu, God!" Thanks be to God.
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.
