Devotion
I Am that I am
David Jacobs
When a good friend of mine died, I spent countless hours studying the Bible, trying to find an explanation for God's purpose. I read and reread verses and chapters and books trying to get a better understand on the reason that God decided to take my friend's life. My ego had gotten the better of me; I felt that I was important enough to demand an explanation from God. Why did He do this? What did He have to say for Himself?
Unlike Moses, I came to God thinking that I was something special. I felt that my friend deserved better. Moses came from a humble place; he thought that he was nothing special, wondering why God had chosen him instead of someone else. My questions and Moses' question to God can be answered in the same way: I AM THAT I AM. Moses questioned his own ability to do what God asked of him, and I spent my time wondering about God's purpose rather than asking the more important question: what is my purpose? Reading these verses, some of the most important verses in the Old Testament, helped me gain a better perspective on my friend's passing, a better understand of my reaction to his passing, and a better understand of what God is. As was the case with Moses, God chose my friend and chose me in some way. It was my responsibility to heed the call and believe in myself rather than questioning God.
Prayer
Dearest Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and Earth are full of your glory. Forgive me Abba Father for questioning your ways and help me to remember that you are always with me. Use me as a tool as you did with Moses, for I know that you are what you are, and that you have made me in your likeness to share your light with the world. Give me the courage to do so, even when I feel that I am too weak. In your name I pray, 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 ...
