Devotion
A letter from prison
David Jacobs
Some improvements need to be made in the prison system in America. The recidivism rate is dreadful, meaning that once you go to prison it is very likely that you will go back to prison upon your original release. The prisoners are not given much opportunity to gain any useful skills, and are basically used for slave labor. It can be a depressing and lonely place, sapping the will to live from many that have entered.
Luckily for us, Paul the Apostle, along with the other Apostles, had made a pact with Christ. He vowed to spread the good news of the gospel to every creature on earth (Mark 16:15). Unluckily for Paul, his doing so landed him in a jail cell. Due to his pact with Christ, the iron bars that kept him caged inside did not stop him from doing all that he could to spread the teachings of Christ. In verse 20, he speaks of being in bondage, able to speak boldly. I am always fascinated by how the authors of books of the Bible conclude their writings. In the book of Ephesians, Paul wishes peace to his brethren, love with faith, and grace to all that love Christ. He does this from a prison cell! He stays faithful and happy, working to spread the love of Christ around the world.
Prayer
Reading this is inspiring but also makes me feel a bit guilty: if Paul can do all of this from the cold confines of a cell, what more can I be doing? Ask yourself the same question. Meditate on it, pray to God, and perhaps you will get an answer to what more you can be doing.
Devotion
A Young Witness
Frances Taylor
Paul is giving Timothy both encouragement and instruction. Timothy is obviously young, but he has been chosen to preach. He is told, however, to be a good example of Christianity. Paul knows that the people will be watching him. He is also told to study as well as to encourage and to teach. We have been called to be disciples because of our Baptism. We too must be good examples of the Christianity we proclaim. It doesn't matter if we are young or old, we are expected to imitate Christ in our way of life, in how we show love to one another and by our moral choices. We are also expected to grow in our knowledge of the faith by reading the Scriptures, and to encourage others to be faithful and to teach others by word and example. We should never stop learning! I'm constantly amazed by how much I have forgotten of what I have read. And I am also surprised that a passage I have read many times before now has a different meaning to me. That's because ...
Morning Prayer
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Inspiration
Pride is one of the so called 'seven deadly sins', and with good reason. Arrogance in ones own importance over others is vain, and angers God. There is nothing that may rival Gods heights and power, and yet, he shows no arrogance. No nation, no group, no person is 'number one'. With true faith and love in ones heart, all are equal in the eyes of our Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love for all of us. I know you have made me in your image, so allow me not to choose falsely and fall into arrogance or vanity, but rather seek humility in all I do and may accomplish with your guidance. For all I have and all I will ever do, I know is so only because it is granted by you. O Heavenly Father, hallowed by your name. Amen.
Night Prayer
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Inspiration
Often, we speak before we have to opportunity to think about our words. In the heat of the moment, we immediately express negative feelings without analyzing the situation first. We jump to conclusions when directing meetings and speak in haste with our children before evaluating all sides. As leaders in any setting, we must be tactful and make decisions by weighing all details. Instead of expressing emotions with our authority, we must seek to mediate justly and reflect the mercy of God with our decision-making.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Please forgive us when we jump to conclusions and fail to lead with mercy and grace. Guide us to reflect Your character when You place us in a position of authority. In Jesus' name, Amen.
