Devotion
What doest thou here?
David Jacobs
In my teenage years I was in love with a beautiful girl. We dated for many years after that, growing to be best friends. Eventually, we realized that we wanted to go our separate ways. We spent so much of our time together that it was difficult to adapt to being alone. I became insecure that her family and our mutual friends no longer liked me and that I was alone. It took me a long time to understand that we were simply not meant to be together and the friendship that we had was still strong.
Elijah is fleeing from Jezebel in these verses, fearing for his life, thinking that he is alone. In his moment of terror, God approaches him, asking him what he is doing. Elijah tells God that he has been devoted to God and that he is the only believer left in Israel. Similar to how I felt at my low point post-breakup, it can feel that way sometimes. Also similar to my situation, Elijah was not abandoned. He was scared and felt alone and helpless. God reassured him that he was not alone, because God was there and also told him that there were still 7000 true believers in Israel.
If you feel alone, like I have, like Elijah did, do not despair. Turn to the Lord and he will reassure you. In your moment of fear, listen to God asking you what you are doing. Answer Him with prayer and you will be comforted. He is our shepherd and will lead you where you need to go.
Prayer
O Lord my shepherd, I shall not want. Strengthen my heart in my times of despair, reminding me to go to you when I feel alone. I forget, my God, that you have never abandoned me and never will. I pray that you also comfort others that feel that they are alone, granting me the wisdom to notice and comfort them, as you have noticed and comforted me. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, I pray. 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.
