Devotion
The only true word
David Jacobs
In modern times, more people are losing their faith in religion, which is and was the backbone of civilization for thousands of years. Many people claim that religion is not real and that science is the path to truth. Are science and religion opponents? Science has advanced us to heights that we could have hardly imagined. Science has attempted to answer questions about existence, make our lives better, and increase our chance of survival. However, science cannot answer all questions and it does not provide a moral path to walk on. Christianity does. Science and Christianity are not opponents. They are teammates.
Many have claimed to be prophets and many of these prophets have been correct about many things. Some have been correct about most things, accurately forecasting things that seem almost impossible to predict. In these verses, a prophet comes to King Jeroboam, refuses to eat with him citing his wicked ways, and predicts that the altar shall break in half, which it does. The prophet was blessed by God early in this chapter, but makes the mistake of listening to another prophet later in the chapter. After listening to the false prophet and going against God's commands, the prophet is killed by a lion after leaving.
Think back to the state of our current world: as more people leave religion and listen to other "prophets." Has the world improved? People are more lost than ever before, turning to temptation and sin where they used to turn to God. Do not make the same mistake as the prophet in these verses!
Prayer
Continue to walk the righteous path, the path laid out by Christ, a moral path to God' Heavenly Kingdom. It is the way, the truth, and life. Thanks be to God!
Devotion
Forgiveness
Frances Taylor
Joseph is a lot more forgiving than I'm afraid I would be. Joseph not only forgives his brothers but sees God's hand in allowing their sin to bring good out of evil. How do we look at sins committed against us? Can we find any good that has come from them? I can remember losing a job because of the lies of a co-worker. It was devastating at the time, and yet it led to my being able to live out one of my childhood dreams and then to some of the happiest years of my life. The co-worker lost her job soon after. There are so many times when if we look back we can see how God is working. We also can see how a lack of forgiveness can cause damage to families, communities and beyond. I've seen this with divorce where one or both parents try to turn their child against the other parent. This can damage the child but also the parents themselves and their families. Forgiveness might not be easy, but ongoing hostility and anger can cause physical as well as ...
Morning Prayer
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Inspiration
I honestly believe that the world is in a state of crisis right now. There are more and more people turning away from God, and because of this, the hero that has sustained peace and love for thousands of years does not have the same reach that he once did. There is a hero vacuum, and people are looking for other places to live vicariously, wishing that they could be more like a superhero or a celebrity. We should all already have our superhero. He lived and died for our sins; he bore a cross in shame; he sits at the right hand of his Father, God in heaven. Do not look for other heroes when the mightiest of all already exists!
Prayer
Jesus, my hero and savior, why have I ever looked at other sources for motivation? Forgive me for this transgression. I am weak and did ...
Night Prayer
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Inspiration
We do not like to be wrong, and our egos become bruised when we stand corrected. The Bible provides details as to how we should conduct our lives so that we align with the will of God. We read the Word of God and gain wisdom regarding sins we need to remove from our lives. People who enjoy their sinful lifestyles don't want to hear they are wrong; they deflect from the truth and do what they want to do instead of what God asks of them. We will continue to study the Word and understand truth from false prophecy.
Prayer
Dear God, please guide us as we read Scripture. We desire wisdom regarding the truth to remain in line with Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
