Devotion
Work to enjoy the Lord’s harvest
David Jacobs
A few years ago, I was traveling in Singapore with my wife for our anniversary. Our plane landed, and we got on the subway to take us to our hotel. It was about an hour journey to the hotel, but when we got there I noticed something unfortunate: I didn't have my wallet and passport. Without any credit cards, money, or identification, I started to panic and get upset. My better half reassured me saying that everything would work out. In my emotional state I wondered how she could stay so calm.
We talked with the hotel manager and he understood the situation, so he let us check-in and put our bags in the room. So far, so good. Then, we went back to the subway station that we got off at, and I asked the subway station employees if they had found a wallet and passport. She got on the phone and...presto! They had found it at the airport, with all the cards and money inside. Within an hour, I had everything back and felt a huge sense of relief. My wife just smiled and said, "I told you so."
It can be hard to have my wife's attitude when the going gets tough. In Ruth and Naomi's case, times were especially difficult: without husbands at a time of famine, how could they stay calm? However, Ruth had faith in God that it would work out. Sure enough, she meets Boaz, a distant relative, who helps her and allows her to work to gather food in this difficult time. Naomi is thrilled to see how much Ruth had gathered, probably feeling relief as I did when my things were returned.
Prayer
Ruth and Naomi never lost their faith. They stayed calm, trusting that God would provide. At the end of these verses, I can almost hear God saying what my wife did: "I told you so."
Devotion
Faith
Frances Taylor
One of the main ingredients of faith is trust. Trust that what we have been told is true. Trust is learned very early in life. As infants we need to experience so many different things in order for us to learn If a parent comes when we cry, feeds us when we're hungry, changes us when we need it, and soothes us when we don't even know what's wrong, we learn to trust. Of course the opposite is also true. As we grow, we trust that what that parent tells us can be trusted and if the parent teaches us about God, we come to believe. When we trust, we are open to faith. We trust our teachers to teach truth; we have faith – trust – in those who we depend on to take care of our plumbing, electricity, etc. All of this makes it easier to have faith in God. To believe in the words of the Bible, and believe that all that Jesus taught us is true. Faith helps us get through every day of our lives, in the small things and in the major events of our lives. I really don't ...
Morning Prayer
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Inspiration
All thine heart. . . soul. . . might. Have you given ALL of your heart, soul, and might to something before? What about just one of those 3 things? Imagine how powerful and good your effort and achievement would be with just one of those things. Combine the efforts of all 3 and it is a recipe for everlasting life.
Prayer
Lord, I want to love you with all my heart, soul, and might. I must love you with all my heart, soul, and might. When my faith wavers my God, strengthen my love and will to know you. I will leave everything else to you, my strength and my redeemer. In your name I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
Inspiration
Social media is often a platform for boasting, and we must be mindful to guard our hearts by asking God for peace and guidance. Bitterness erupts as we observe the corrupt becoming successful. Often, we unintentionally compare our lives and begin to think more highly of ourselves or completely lose confidence. The Devil enjoys testing our feelings in this manner. Boasting occurs in any setting such as work, school, church, or even the grocery store. We cling to God as we find ourselves in these settings and ask for guidance and protection, and we will not fall prey to jealousy or unnecessary condemnation from others.
Prayer
Dear God, help us to overlook the boasts of others and protect our hearts from the Devil as he attempts to ignite bitterness and jealousy within our hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.
