Devotion
Protecting the culture
David Jacobs
I am Caucasian. My wife is Asian. Nobody in my entire family has ever married a non-Caucasian person, so when I brought my then girlfriend home to meet my family, I was met with some scrutiny. "Why can't you marry a white person?" I remember my family asking. My family is very tolerant and open compared to most, and I can assure you my wife's family had more suspicion towards me than my family did. Both families feared that part of their culture and heritage would be lost.
The people of Israel were exiled from their homeland for generations. In the book of Ezra, they were allowed by Cyrus the Great to return. In these verses, Ezra makes a decree: the men that have taken "strange wives" have badly transgressed against Israel and against God. They must repent and get rid of these non-Jewish wives in order to satisfy their Lord. Not too different from what my and my wife's families said!
Ezra and the leaders of Israel feared to lose their culture and their identity. If they mixed their bloodlines with people of other nations, they would be unable to preserve the culture that they were proud of. More importantly, they were worried that they would lose their people to other gods.
Prayer
I am sensitive towards these verses because of my situation. While I can understand the position of Ezra and the leaders of Israel at the time, the notion that God will abandon the people of Israel because some people have married wives during the period of exile seems wrong. Nowadays, basically everyone has taken "strange" husbands or wives. What do you think: has God abandoned us for this? I know my answer. What is yours?
Devotion
Lord, Teach Us To Pray
Frances Taylor
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. We know the prayer, but was that the only thing Jesus was trying to teach them? Jesus is also teaching them how to pray, praise for God came first, the desire to God's will is next, then we can ask for what we need as well as asking forgiveness for the times we have not lived as God wants us to do. After asking for forgiveness, we ask God to help us avoid the sins we just confessed. The only thing missing in the prayer is that of thanksgiving, which Jesus has told us is important. Knowing prayers is important especially when we pray together as a community, but it is also important to know that Jesus didn't suggest that only formal prayers is enough. In fact he tells us not to babble on as the pagans do! When we listen to Jesus' prayer at the grave of Lazarus or in the garden, or when he offers a prayer of blessing, he is not using a formalized prayer but is speaking to God as his Father. He is...
Morning Prayer
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
Inspiration
Has there been a time when you have felt dry or empty? When we go through difficult times, we may feel like we have nothing left. As Christians, we can rest in the assurance that this feeling will not last because we can call on the Holy Spirit to pour into us and revive us. Much like how God can change a famine into a time of overabundance, our spiritual lives can be turned from dry to overflowing.
Prayer
Dear God, I am tired and I feel so empty. After these struggles, I need to be replenished. I want to serve you and tell others about you, but these difficulties are making me feel like I do not have anything to give. Please send your Holy Spirit to pour into me so that I may serve you. O Lord, may I live my life in a way that shows others my blessings come from above. In Jesus' name, amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Inspiration
During Jesus' time, tombs were caves or rock piles scattered across the countryside. They were beautifully painted or washed with lime to appear white and clean. The tombs were lovely on the outside, but we know what rested within. Jesus calls the Isreal leaders hypocrites, stating they go above and beyond to appear flawless on the outside when darkness lived inside their hearts. They were not genuine in their worship and teachings to the people. We do not want to be hypocritical when witnessing for the Lord. We will continue to seek instruction as we mature in our faith and rid our hearts of sin.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we do not want to appear hypocritical as we witness in Your name. Please strengthen our faith and guide us to maturity as we continue our walk with You. In ...
