Devotion
What would you like to be known for?
David Jacobs
What qualities would you use to describe yourself in three words? Think about it for a minute. The first word on your three-word list is probably the quality that you value the most in yourself. The first word that comes to my mind is "funny." I have traveled and lived in many places, and I have found humor to be one of the most effective ways to break language and culture barriers. It is also something that has gotten me out of (and into) trouble. Most of all, it is a characteristic that I value highly and think that is unique about me. I know it is not the most Christian answer, but we are all gifted in our own ways.
The name Solomon is synonymous with wise, even today. Think of how wise he must have been for his name to still be related to wisdom! The book of 1 Kings is filled with examples of his wisdom, patience, and measured approach to difficult situations. He is a stark contrast to his father, King David, who was an emotional and brash leader. Both kings had their strengths and weaknesses, and I would say that their strengths were required given the times that they led.
Solomon was wise, David was devout. David made sure to teach Solomon about the importance of a strong relationship with God.
Prayer
Whatever your strengths, be it wisdom, passion, or humor, God wants us to share it with the world. He also wants us to share it with Him, and through our relationship with Him, as was the case with Kings David and Solomon, our best attributes will be enunciated. God will help us understand how He plans to use us, but we must first go to Him, ask, and listen. What gifts can you share?
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 ...
