Devotion
Where it all begins
David Jacobs
One of my favorite things to do for entertainment is going to the movie theater. I know that it may seem trivial and a waste of money, but there is something about going to the theater that I have always enjoyed. This fascination may stem from childhood memories, remembering all the good times that I had at the movie theater with my favorite characters. Even today, I get so excited when the lights dim and you know that the movie is about to start. I am always excited to be there for where the movie will take me.
I get the exact same feeling anytime I read the first verses in Genesis, no matter how many times I have read them. Even right now, I get chills reading those verse for the millionth time (I may be exaggerating the exact number). Imagine if you had never heard of the Bible before and it was the first time you had ever read those words - how would you feel? The first five verses introduce themes that are important throughout the entire book: God and light is good; darkness is bad. Within a few sentences you know that God is good, light is good, and that God has created heaven, earth, water, light, darkness, day, and night. He goes on to create everything in between.
Prayer
As any Christian knows, however, our God is much more than our creator: He is the alpha and the omega, everything that is and always will be, and our Father in Heaven. Amen.
Devotion
We will Do It
Why do you obey
Frances Taylor
Moses came down from the mountain and told the people what the Lord had commanded. They all said, Okay! No problem! As we shall see in a few days, that didn't last long. The Israelites said yes over and over to God, and then said, no, over and over again. So much like us! It's a good thing God forgives us over and over again. It is always interesting to read the full account of the commandments and their amplified meaning in Exodus, because it gives an idea of what the civilization was like in those days. The commandments were not all totally new as many of them were based on the code of Hammurabi. The first three commandments were new as they listed the proper behavior towards God. The other seven concerned social behavior and social structure. So, what's the difference between Hammurabi's code and the Ten Commandments other than the first three? The difference is in the why. We don't obey the commandments because they promote civility...
Morning Prayer
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Inspiration
Our mouths may be filled with all sorts; idle chatter, gossip, news, profanities or slander. Yet it would be best of all to fill it with praise and love. God gave us our voices to not only communicate, but to choose our words wisely. Don't use it to injure or babble, but to spread his gospel and praise.
Prayer
Lord Almighty I exalt your name on earth as in Heaven. Grant me the wisdom and the will to spread your name and deeds, to use my voice for beauty and truth rather than lies and disparagement. Grant me this Lord, in your holy name I pray, Amen.
