Devotion
The prophecies fulfilled
David Jacobs
One thing that is important to me is keeping my promises. If I say the words 'I promise', it means that I really aim to keep it. These are not words that I wantonly throw around; if I say it, I mean it. When I read the books of the Old Testament, I am transported in history, thousands of years in the past, and I think about how life was like back then. I also think about the prophecies of the many important prophets: Isaiah, Ezra, Esther, Jeremiah, Hosea, Amos, Daniel, Elijah, Moses...these men changed history in ways that they seemingly could never have imagined. However, when I think about how and why they changed their world and ours, it seems that they did not have to imagine anything at all. They made a promise and a prophecy that eventually came true.
The apostles have witnessed the life of Christ more closely than anyone. They know more about Jesus and presumably have more faith in his teachings than anyone. When I consider their strong faith, it seems like inevitability given their front row seat to Christ's life. However, what about the people that do not believe in Jesus? The other people that witnessed him first hand? The priests and learned scholars that new of the prophecies of the Old Testament, saw or heard about the life of Christ, and still did not choose to believe? What about them? And these questions beg the final question: what about us?
Prayer
God fulfilled his promises to us. Everything that He said would be, was. We, as Christians, have made our own promises to Christ, to God, and to the people of earth. Have we held up our end of the bargain? Go forth after reading these verses, with more vigor and enthusiasm to fulfill your promise to God; to walk on the path of righteousness that has been laid out for us, and live in peace amongst your brothers and sisters. Amen.
Devotion
The Barrier is Removed
Frances Taylor
Moses had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and now they were wondering if they were any better off! They had reached the Red Sea, and couldn't see any way around this barrier that had been placed before them. But God knew what he was doing and Moses followed his instructions and the sea parted so that the Israelites could pass through on dry ground. A question sometimes asked at a job interview is, "What do you do when you face an obstacle?" How would you answer? Would you try to go around it, through it, or perhaps over it? Moses could not go around his obstacle and knew that without help, he could never bring all the people, animals and supplies through it. So, he asked God for help. Was that the first thing you thought of? There is a saying, "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it." The key here is to ask God to bring us through it.
We often face challenges in our lives, especially when we are trying to live as Jesus wants...
Morning Prayer
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Inspiration
What is grace? It is the free and unmerited favor of God, his gifts to us. One such example was the salvation brought to us by Christ. It is state of being favored and of being the chosen people. One such further example would be the Israelites, who God led to their promised land. We today, have inherited this grace. We today, are simultaneously unworthy of him, yet we are his chosen. Rejoice, rejoice in his grace.
Prayer
To my Lord God almighty, who art in Heaven, I thank you for your divine light and grace, given to me every day. I may not be worthy, I may not be pure and perfect, but I beg you to be merciful. For in your grace, in your faith, I may go on to improve each day. In your grace, I will strive to be a better servant, here as in Heaven. Amen.