Devotion
See the invisible, hear the inaudible
David Jacobs
Have you ever been to a different country and worshipped at a church? On a musical mission trip to Brazil I experienced this unique opportunity. I am unable to speak Portuguese, so it was basically impossible to understand what was being said in the service. However, I was part of my church orchestra and we got to share the ministry of our church through music with various churches in Brazil. It was an incredible experience: we were able to communicate our passion for Christ and celebrate our joyous worship to God together, thousands of miles from home, in a place where we could not speak the language. We didn't need to speak the language, because we knew that we all believed in the same things.
Paul writes these letters to churches in places that he may never get to see with his own eyes. He writes these letters to new believers in Christ, thirsting for more knowledge and guidance from Jesus. He writes these letters not knowing the people's situation entirely, but understand the same things that I understood in Brazil: devotees of Christ look at more than just what can be seen; they hear more than just what can be heard; they look at what is unseen and unheard. Christ the man could be seen and heard, but his message, God's word, is eternal. The material world will come and it will pass, tied to a specific place and time. The Lord, our God, Paul's God, the Corinthians' God, is everlasting.
Prayer
Dearest Lord, your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Grant me the wisdom to look beyond that which my eyes can see, beyond what my ears can hear, beyond what my hands can touch. Help me, loving Lord, to deal with loss and give up my temporary possessions. I long to join you and your only begotten son, Jesus Christ, in eternal bliss. You are my God, my strength, and my redeemer. Amen.
Devotion
Yahweh Has Triumphed
Frances Taylor
I understand that sometimes people think I'm nuts, but when I'm in a hurry and the lights turn green as I get to them, I thank God. When I find a parking spot right when I need it, I thank God. I even thank God each time I finish a reflection on his word. It's a habit I developed in my youth and continue. Gratitude is a habit. The Israelites were ecstatic after walking through the sea and also very pleased that the Egyptians were prevented from following them. And so they sang in praise of God's goodness. Now, green lights and parking places are not great triumphs, but as I said, gratitude is a habit. It's easy enough to develop; all we need is the will. It begins by realizing that all is gift, all we have is from God. Even the dark times give us reason to give thanks to God because it is through God's grace that we survive the dark times. When we begin to examine the events of the day we realize where God has been, where we've recognized him...
Morning Prayer
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Inspiration
We cannot be picky when it comes to who or what we love with the Lord. If it is made with his grace, if it is filled with goodness, we ought to reserve any space we can within our heart for it. For to love delights God, for these are his creations, his gifts to us. There is already so much sin and evil in the world, lets not sully it more with following after our temptations or weaknesses, but cling rather to all that is pure and good, for these are the precious and treasured things that make our spirits endure.
Prayer
God my shepherd and Father, my savior and provider, help me see the beauty and good in all you do. Help me seek out your works and all that nourishes the spirit. Let me not neglect any part of your wondrous works, but in loving them, see them all as a path which brings me closer to understanding your grace and glory. In the name of the Father I pray, Amen.
