Devotion
Feeling or everlasting:
which would you prefer?
David Jacobs
Ah, that clever serpent! If only he hadn't convinced Adam and Eve to sin. How wonderful life would be...but wait, without sin and pain, how would we understand love and beauty? Without evil, would good exist?
In Genesis 1, God creates everything, including light and darkness (Genesis 1:2-5). Light is good, darkness is bad. Darkness existed, but temptation as we understand it in these verses, is not yet introduced. Adam and Eve were already created in the likeness of God, but they wanted more. They wanted to be even more like Him. It didn't take much convincing from a creature that they did not even know, but the lure of temptation was too strong. Giving into their temptation, sinning, is rewarded with alienation, pain, and death.
The temptation of drugs, lust, and sloth is strong. It has afflicted much of society today. In fact, it has afflicted so much of society that these temptations and sins have been glorified. Where do these temptations lead? Alienation, pain, and death. There is no glory, no peace, and no reward for giving in. Although it may seem exciting and appealing at first, these temptations are fleeting; these worldly delights will not last, but we have been shown the path to a life everlasting. The choice is ours.
Prayer
Are you struggling with a recurring temptation or addiction? Do you know of someone else that is struggling with one? Go to God and seek His love. Addiction and temptation is usually a result of loneliness. Seek out other devotees of Christ, for there is strength in numbers. Surround yourself with other faithful Christians and your faith will be reinforced.
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.
