Devotion
No prison can hold the word of God
David Jacobs
I used to tutor at a prison in my home city, teaching inmates general education courses in math, history, English, and computers. Contrary to what I thought, most of the inmates were very pleasant, but they had obviously made a mistake at some point in their lives. Some inmates, however, were less pleasant, placing the harsh realities of prison life in view. I was shocked at how thirsty the inmates in the program were for education. They became even more interested and yearned for more lessons when they found out that I was a theology student. God's word will not be denied. It will find its way everywhere.
Paul and Silas were no strangers to prison, unfortunately for them. They had been preaching about the life of Jesus when they met a soothsayer, possessed by a spirit but very profitable for her masters. Paul summoned the spirit out of her, costing her masters money, so they went to the magistrates asking for Paul and Silas to be jailed.
Now in jail after receiving many lashings, Paul and Silas pray in their cell. There was a great earthquake, opening the jail cells. When the guard sees the open cells, he takes his sword to commit suicide. Luckily for him, Paul stops him, assuring him that the prisoners are still in their cells. His act of kindness and overall demeanor must have made an impact on the jail guard, for he lets them go and asks Paul and Silas how to be saved. Soon after, he is baptized and they celebrate the life of Christ, rejoicing in his name.
Prayer
There are no walls, bars, or mountains that can stop the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Devotion
My Refuge, My Fortress
Frances Taylor
When we are in trouble, where do we turn? Is God our first thought? Do we really believe that God is our fortress, and our refuge? From the beginning Scripture tells us to trust in God. From Adam and Eve, we find human beings want to trust in themselves first. When we fail, then we turn to God. Ever wonder what it might be like to turn to God first? If we turn to God and place our trust in him, it would save us a lot of unnecessary anxiety. The key is trust. We need to trust that God knows best, that he is with us through whatever is going on, that our prayers are being heard. The difficulty is that we think we know what's best and we can get upset when God has other plans. We pray and don't like the answer, or don't want to wait for the answer.
I remember a story once told me about how we can miss God's answer because it wasn't the answer we wanted. A woman had to work to pay her bills and her mother got sick and needed full time care. She ...
Morning Prayer
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )
Inspiration
I must admit that in times of trouble I have demanded that God show me a sign, talk to me, anything to reinforce my faith in him. What an ego I have! We are blessed to be given the gift of life on earth and life everlasting. It is through his mercy that we have the opportunity to be saved at all. Seek this opportunity and ye shall find it.
Prayer
Father! My heart cries out to you for mercy! We are the clay, and you our potter and all of us are the work of Your hand. Our ancestors have praised you, and now it is our blessing to do the same. I pray that you will use me as a tool for good, and deliver me from sin. I wish to do all things in your holy name, as your son, Jesus Christ, did for us. In his name I pray, Amen.
