Devotion
Strive together in prayer
David Jacobs
How often do you pray? I don't mean a quick prayer at dinner. I mean really, really pray. For most Christians, I think it is safe to say that the answer is "not enough." I would put myself in that category.
There has been a recent explosion in mindfulness and meditation. My phone app store is filled with new meditation apps, trying to teach you how to be mindful and to meditate. I think that this is a great movement, although I also feel that Christians are not taught how to be similarly mindful. Paul sat in a jail cell for long periods of time, writing letters that became books of the Bible. He certainly spent a lot of time praying, but I am certain that it is not in the same manner that we pray in church or at home. I imagine that it was for a much longer period of time, like these mindfulness apps try to teach, and that you entered the meditative prayer session with a clear question in mind. At the end of the prayer, which could take a while, you may have gotten closer to an answer.
The importance of prayer cannot be overstated. In Christ's last moments before crucifixion, he was found in the garden with his disciples where he most liked to meditate in prayer (John 18:1-32. The art of prayer is being lost, and you can see how much Paul values even the prayers of other people, for he knows the value that it has had for him. What value has it had for you?
Prayer
Instead of a prayer, I would like you to sit down, quietly, with a question, idea, or praise to give to God. Relax and meditate on it for 15 minutes. How do you feel?
Night Prayer
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Inspiration
God appoints leaders and allows them authority for a time. We do not always agree with our leaders' decisions or lifestyles, yet, we must respect their position and trust God's wisdom. His thoughts are higher than ours; He sees much farther into the future than we do, and we will never be able to understand His plan. We rely on our faith while enduring a leader who has conflicting beliefs. God is our shelter and ruler of all things.
Prayer
Dear God, We come to You in prayer for our leaders. Please guide them in decision-making; so their actions align with Your plan. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
All Have Sinned
Frances Taylor
We might try to deny it, but we have all sinned. And as Paul says, we fall short of the glory of God. There is nothing we can do to earn eternal life in heaven. Even to think that it is in our power to do so, is considered presumption. Only someone divine can redeem us, and only someone who is human and has free will and can choose to do so. In other words, only Jesus who is both human and divine is able to do so. Our responsibility is to accept this gift with gratitude and humility. We show our gratitude by following Jesus and living lives based on love. We show our humility by recognizing that all we have is gift. We are expected to use our gifts for the good of others, to develop them to the best of our ability and to say thank you. No one deserves God's love or forgiveness more than another. No one deserves his or her giftedness more than another. In fact, Jesus tells us that we must care for the poor and the vulnerable. So if you or I have more...
Morning Prayer
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Inspiration
Thanks to Jesus Christ, we are no longer strangers or foreigners to the word of God. We have been accepted into God's family, being identified as His children. The Bible even takes it further to define us as "Born of God". That is how deep our identity in Christ runs – we are coheirs with Him. We no longer live in isolation, being subject to the wiles of the enemy. We are safe in the Father's arms, for the rest of the days of our lives and beyond.
Prayer
Dear God, I am thankful because I am a part of your family, now. Lord, I am grateful that the enemy can never do anything that will pluck me out of your hands. This salvation is eternal and always here to stay. Father, thank you for loving me so much, when I should have been ...
