Devotion
If God wanted to start all over, would you be spared?
David Jacobs
My son loves to play video games. In some games, he would make a character that he uses throughout the entire game, and as he progresses, the character gets better. Whenever he makes a mistake or if he dies, he can go back to a point in the game where he saved it, so that he doesn't have to start over from scratch. It saves him a lot of time, and it makes me wonder how humans' behaviors would change if we had a similar "save game" feature. We would be more willing to make mistakes, hurt ourselves and others, and to die. We only have one chance to start over, one chance at a life eternal, so we need to make this one life count.
It may feel that we are surrounded by evil in today's world: violence, greed, and lust are obvious in nearly every part of society. Earth in Noah's time was similar, and God had seen enough. Like my son's video games, God has the ability to start over whenever he wants. Unfortunately for anyone living in Noah's time, they do not have the same luxury. God decided to wipe the corruption, evil, and violence from the world and start anew with his one player.
Noah was devoted to God, so God established an agreement with him. As we all know, God tasked Noah with the responsibility of making an ark as well as gathering two of every living thing on it. Noah obeys, and his devotion leads to his life and his families live being spared. I ask you, believers of the word of Christ: is today's society so different from society during Noah's time? Does corruption, evil, and violence not permeate every facet of our lives? We know that a day of reckoning is coming for the wicked. God will come to judge them. We cannot just hit the reset button, we cannot load from a save point. We have one chance to establish a covenant with God. As Christians, we should be eternally grateful to have this chance at all.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, deliver me from evil. Forgive me, merciful God, for I know I have not been free of sin. With every fibre of my being, I long to be like Noah: to establish a covenant with you, and to foster a loving relationship between you and my family. Thank you, Abba Father, my alpha and omega. I will not squander my life. Amen.
Devotion
Give Good Example
Frances Taylor
If we ever needed a reminder of how important it is to practice what we preach, this is it. Not only are we encouraged to help others, but we are also warned about giving bad example or leading others, particularly children, away from the Lord.
I have spoken to many people who say that they became a Christian because of the example of people in their family, friends or strangers whose joy is so great they want a part of it. I also know people who have turned away from the faith they once had because they consider those who proclaim themselves to be Christian are hypocrites. Most people don't start out wanting to be Christians because of doctrine. They are influenced one way or another by people. Are you someone whose life exhibits the joy of knowing Jesus and his saving power? Am I? Do your actions give testimony to your beliefs? A person can go to church each week, Bible classes during the week and give every impression of being a devout follower of ...
Morning Prayer
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Inspiration
There is nothing at all – nothing on the earth and nothing in the spiritual realms – that can separate us from the love of Christ. No matter what any person or principality tries to do in our lives, they will never be able to quash the love Christ has for us. The love God has for us is eternal – it is here to stay for good.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for the love that you have for me. Thank you, Lord, that this love will never leave me and it will never forsake me. No matter what anyone tries, or whatever may come my way, Lord, I thank you that your love will always be with me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
