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
Let us Bless The Lord
Frances Taylor
This is one of the psalms attributed to David. He is thanking God for rescuing him and promising to bless God at all times. He asks us to join him in his praises. He says his soul shall boast in the Lord. St. Paul tells us that we, too, should only boast in the Lord because it is he who always saves us. So, today, make a list. Make a list of everything that you are thankful for. Make a list of every success you have had and every failure you have survived. Make a list of every person who has helped you grow as a person and as a Christian. Now, look at it. Each of the items, events or persons on these lists are blessings from God. Either now, or before the day is over, bless and thank God for each of them. Ask God, also, to bless each of the people you have listed that you might be a blessing for them. If some of them are now with God, they would still like to hear you say thank you. God is so good to us all the time, and as one of my favorite ...
Morning Prayer
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Inspiration
Jesus tried to minister to the people in his town, but they rejected that he was the son of God. They only saw him as the son of a carpenter. There are many other Jews, who were referred to as God's own, who rejected Jesus Christ as the son of God, too. This is how Jesus ended up being crucified. But this did not deter Christ from His mission. He held nothing against anyone who rejected them. He forgave them and prayed that they would be saved.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, who loved us so much, he did not hold it against any man when they wronged Him. Lord, I pray that I can exemplify this kind of love in my life too. I cannot do that without your help, Lord. May you help me to follow the example your son set for me, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
