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
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.
