Devotion
Bless the Lord, oh my soul
David Jacobs
I am sometimes stricken with anxiety and insecurity, expecting the worst-case scenario to occur even before it has happened. It can be crippling at times, because I anticipate trouble even though it may never happen. This anticipation, however, affects my mood, and I can assure you, it does not affect it in a positive way. In these moments, it is so easy for me to forget about all the things that I am thankful for: the best family I could possibly ask for, beautiful children, parents that one could only dream of, a good job, food, health, happiness. In my moments of anxiety, nothing else matters.
This is where the Bible has helped me the most. When I am feeling anxiety or insecurity, I can read a few pages and be inspired. I can read about the hardships of the Old Testament prophets, the kingdom of Israel, or Christ and the disciples and feel a little bit better about my own situation. I can also be inspired by their faith: no matter the odds against them, God was with them and they were with God. They never forgot who gave them everything. Life is never going to be perfect; we will always have our moments of anxiety and doubt. With a strong faith in God, we will bounce back faster, stronger, and more determined, and we will be less able to forget all that God has given us.
Prayer
Christ in heaven, my redeemer, I owe you a debt of my life. Forgive me heavenly Father, for I have forgotten and lost faith at my lowest and even highest moments. Keep me balanced, O Lord, so that I may never forget where all the good in the world and in heaven comes from: from your lovingkindness, which you share with all man. I beg for your mercy Lord, knowing full well that I do not deserve it, and also knowing that you will grant it to me as long as I ask. In your name I pray, Amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
