Devotion
When did you start to believe?
David Jacobs
When my brother was younger, he refused to listen to the word of God. He did not want to hear anything about God, Christianity, or church. For some reason, he had a block in his mind and was unable to even consider any of the good things that the Lord had done for him. Even if he wanted to believe that God was not real, he certainly had to see the positive impact that being Christian had had on our family. We were blessed to have wonderful parents that were devout and loving in ways that few families are. It was only until he met his future wife that he was pulled back to the church and then his heart was eventually made ready to accept the Lord again.
God is always searching for those of us who are ready to listen to his message. In the hustle and bustle of our lives it can be difficult to focus on the things that are not important for our immediate survival. If we "believe" in God but do nothing to show it, are we any different from my stubborn brother? Is it better to believe but never rejoice in the name of our Lord or to not believe at all? This psalm speaks powerfully about the people that refuse to let God enter their hearts. They are corrupted, broken, and let wanting. They hunger for knowledge, but no matter how much they eat, they will not be satisfied. God will provide for you, but you must let Him in. He is patient, but we should do all that we can to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls to accept Him.
Prayer
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Blessed are those that come in the name of the Lord, and corrupted are those that do not. Help me on this day, as all days, to heal those corrupted souls. As you have been my shepherd, guiding me to green pastures, let me direct these lost sheep to your flock. I know you will not abandon me, and they will know the same. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Devotion
Allowing The Scriptures
To bring Joy To My Life
Frances Taylor
The beginning of Luke's Gospel has always been one of my favorite readings. It makes me feel confident that I can believe what I have been taught. It also gives me peace because I know that God's promise has been fulfilled. We have been set free from fear. Of course, we will know fear of the unknown in this unpredictable world, but not fear of death because we can be sure that death is not the end, only the beginning of a new life. Otherwise, how could we continue to experience happiness and joy in the face of suffering? This freedom of fear, this belief in the good news – this Gospel message – is what made the early Christians so willing to face suffering in the name of Jesus. It is what motivated them to spread the good news to anyone who would listen. Is our world any less in need of the Gospel than theirs? I doubt it. Considering how we work so hard to be happy! How hard we work to avoid pain or suffering! So ...
Morning Prayer
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
Inspiration
Many wish to go to a multitude of other sources to find direction in life, especially in times of trouble. In Isaiah's day, many turned to wizards and those involved in the occult, and many still do today. But God's people should reject these methods and turn "to the Law and to the testimony. " (verse 20)
Prayer
We dare not trust the world of darkness, but we put our trust in you alone, O Lord, as our source of wisdom for life. We know that Satan himself appears like an angel of light to better deceive many, and that false religions are full of doctrines of devils and sacrifices to devils, though the participants mostly are unaware of it. Only in your Word do we find the true light that will guide us through even the most trying of times. Amen.
