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
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
