Devotion
Honor your mother and father. . . and mother-in-law
David Jacobs
My uncle was diagnosed with a very aggressive and deadly form of spinal cancer years ago. When he was first told about it, we were all hopeful that he could beat it. As time progressed, we soon realized that the disease was stronger than we feared. He attempted to protect his family from seeing him waste away in a way that I think anyone can understand: he tried to push them away, telling them he didn't want to see them anymore. Of course, we never left his side, and the last months of his life were some of the most valuable memories that I have of him, even in his weakened condition.
Ruth's mother-in-law, Naomi, has dealt with one tragedy after another. Her sons and husband have all died, leaving her a widow, with only two daughter-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth. The two girls come back to see how Naomi is doing, and Naomi, like my uncle, tries to push them away. Ruth will not listen to Naomi. She will not even let go. She knows that Naomi needs her now more than ever, and that they both need God more than before.
Prayer
Abba Father, I shall listen to your commandments. Remind me to honor my mother and father, and if I marry, my spouse's mother and father as well. Help me, O Lord, to heal those who are grieving, knowing when to be close to them and to give them space. Be ever-present in my life and theirs, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. 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.
