Devotion
A peculiar treasure unto God
David Jacobs
I lived in Africa for one year on a mission trip in my 20s. Although some people spoke English, most of the people in the village that I was living did not speak any. It was difficult leaving everything that I knew and was accustomed to and moving to a place with different food, language, and culture, but I was lucky to become great friends with a couple about 20 years older than me. We had a peculiar bond: they were decades older than me and we could not speak the same language. For whatever reason, they cared for me like I was their own son, getting me out of trouble more times than I even care to remember! Although we would eventually be able to have basic conversations as I learned their language, it was hard for me to explain why I treasured their friendship as much as I did. Basically, I just knew that they were good people.
Prayer
God says to the Israelites that He too, treasures them in a peculiar manner. He carried them out of horrible slavery in Egypt, and had shown favor to them once again. The Israelites remained fearful and obedient, and God rewards their obedience by making them a "kingdom of priests." Why the Israelites and not another nation? As was the case with my friends in Africa, it might be difficult to explain why. God knew they were good, knew they would continue to be good, and the Israelites did not let Him down. This loyalty is rewarded and although God and the Israelites talked through a medium in Moses, we too, can learn to grow closer to Him by knowing that He treasures us. Like my friends in Africa, if God knows that we are good, we do not need to directly speak. We can feel it.
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.
