Devotion
The Lord is God in Heaven above and in Earth beneath
David Jacobs
I was nervously excited about my mission trip to Africa many years ago. I was unable to communicate with many of the people there, so I had to convey God's message through my actions more than with my words. I believe that education is the most effective way to positively affect anyone, so I shared what knowledge I had in various subjects with the villagers where I was stationed, including in the Bible. Having never heard these subjects, I was surprised to see the voracity with which my students devoured my lessons. They seemed unable to get enough. They thirsted for education and thirsted for the Lord without even knowing that God existed. It helped me realize my calling and I pledged to educate myself, and others, for as long as I lived.
In these verses, Joshua has sent two spies to Jericho. Upon arrival, they stayed with a prostitute named Rahab. The king of Jericho hears that the spies are living with Rahab and asks her to send the spies to him. She says that she does not know where they are, hiding them, and helping them escape in a basket that she lowered from the city's walls. She also makes the two spies promise an oath to her because she has heard the stories of the Israelites and of God.
Like the villagers in Africa, she knows about God before she has been taught anything, and makes the spies swear that they will show mercy on her and her family. We should also take an oath to be as enthusiastic and open as Rahab, willing to go against orders to do what you believe is right. Through education and a willingness to learn, we can spread the good news of the Lord.
Prayer
My Lord and Shepherd, deliver me from the temptations that I face everyday. Help me to educate myself in your Holy Word, so that I may share your teachings with those that thirst for it. My heart has melted for you, Abba Father, for I know that you are the one and only God. I pray that I have the strength and the courage to share this knowledge with all people. Amen.
Devotion
True Prophecy
Frances Taylor
Peter is warning the people against false teachers and false prophets. There were false prophets among the Israelites and there would be again. Men, then, and men and women today who would lead people away from the will of God in order that they might exert influence over the leaders of the times to achieve their own ends. In ancient times, the prophets worked to bring the people back to living as God wanted them to live. The false prophets wanted to keep their jobs as the favorites of the kings and kept telling them not to listen.
Today we have many false teachers as Peter predicted who try to turn the words of Scripture to their own agendas. These people have often called for hate instead of the love which Jesus asked for. They have called for vengeance instead of forgiveness or mercy. They bring about division instead of unity. The true teacher will be attentive to the word of God and do his or her best to make Jesus law of love more visible in ...
Morning Prayer
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Inspiration
I constantly compare myself to Jesus Christ. Although I think that it is a good thing to contemplate how you live and compare it to Christ, it can also be very difficult. Jesus is the Son of God. It would be impossible for us to ever be as good as him because he was created without flaws. God sent him to earth as a mortal man, as a sinner, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5: 21) It is an impossible standard to reach, but is there any other person that you would rather be more similar to?
Prayer
Divine God, powerful creator of both Heaven and earth, I pray that these words convey my sincere gratitude to you for sending Jesus to us. Forgive me, Father, for I am selfish and weak, acting directly against your heavenly mandate. I know that Jesus Christ has shown light on a darkened ...
