Devotion
From every mountain sing
David Jacobs
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on earth. It is also one of the most dangerous. Many people have gone to Everest, seeking to climb the tallest peak and claim to have conquered it. Many have not lived to reach the top or the bottom again. Some of the bodies of those that did not make were left on the peak as a warning and also because getting the bodies down in their frozen state is far too difficult. The higher that you venture up, the more difficult and deadly your journey has become.
God will live forever, but the time that man can spend on earth is limited. No matter how high your achievements, how important you think you are, you will die. For those of us that can claim to be true believers of Christ, there is a way to live like God; follow His ways, love each other as Christ has loved us, and we can be redeemed. For those of us that choose to refuse God's welcoming embrace: the world is filled with their wasted bodies, a warning for any others that choose to go that path.
Prayer
Lord of life, creator of heaven and earth, hallowed be your name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Help us all to remember those words, so that we can work together to build a kingdom on earth that is in the image of your heavenly kingdom. Our time on earth is fleeting, but you have given us a chance of life eternal. I am so grateful, O Lord, and shall waste no breath on doing anything but praising your name. Amen.
Devotion
The Successor
Frances Taylor
Moses has died and has appointed Joshua as his successor. God has guided Moses in his choice of successor and has guided Joshua to respond. The people accept Joshua as their leader because Moses had laid hands on him, blessing him and charging him with this responsibility. Joshua would be followed by many others, some leaders better than others, until the Israelites demand a king. These would soon be joined by prophets who would remind the kings to keep the commandments and trust God. John the Baptist was the last of the prophets preparing the way for the promised Messiah. Jesus brought the message of salvation and left the job of spreading that message to the Apostles, who have passes it on to us. We are in many ways the successors to both Moses and Jesus. It is our job to remind others of the need to keep the commandments, to trust God and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Just as Joshua was blessed by Moses in the laying on of hands, we have been ...
Morning Prayer
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Inspiration
How is it that no man can call Jesus "Lord" except by the Holy Spirit? No man can call Jesus accursed by the Spirit since the Spirit would never lead one to do that, despite the claims of unbelieving Jews or others who might claim to follow God but hate Jesus Christ. But any man can mouth the words "Jesus is Lord. " Yet, no one can say it believing it and loving Jesus and submitting to his Lordship willingly and joyfully, except by God's Spirit.
Prayer
Let my lips and heart unite, O Lord, in acknowledging the Lordship of your Son. He is Lord above all other lords, King over all kings, God enthroned in the Heavens. May his blessed Kingdom come and his will be done on earth as in Heaven. Let every knee bow to him and declare he is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
