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
Pray for Leaders
Frances Taylor
How often do you or I pray for government leaders? Paul doesn't say to pray just for the leaders we like, either. If we do want a tranquil and quiet life, we need all leaders to turn to God and work for justice for all their citizens. It's probably even more important to pray and intercede for those leaders who work against justice, than for those who are already doing the right thing. For those who are already on God's side, we should give thanks to God that they stay in leadership and continue to do God's will. The same goes for city, state, and even church leaders as well as our national and international leaders. Good leaders should be supported and others need to be held to account for their behavior. Obviously different countries have different forms of leadership, but that shouldn't stop us from praying for them. God does listen even if the answer doesn't come as quickly as we might like. In the case of democracies, we sometimes need a bad ...
Morning Prayer
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Inspiration
We cannot allow ourselves envy, for it corrodes not only our relationships with others but also the things we already have. The end result is that we neglect to value and appreciate things already in our possession, and thus in turn, being ungrateful to the Lord himself for what he has provided. Rather, our energy would be better placed to focus on giving thanks to the Lord and his gifts, here and now.
Prayer
To my Lord above, my Creator and Heavenly Father, by your grace do I come to thank you for all I have. Teach me not to covet others and their lot, but grant me instead the ability to Love and see the blessings you have already bestowed upon me. In return for your grace, I thus offer up to you my humblest of gifts, my Lord -my heart in obedience, is yours. Amen.
