Devotion
Beauty In simplicity
David Jacobs
Have you ever had to call a customer service line for one reason or another? I was on a flight when the plane had to make an emergency landing due to inclement weather. People were understandably panicked, but when we got to the airport, we realized that this landing was only the beginning of our problems. Every flight at the biggest airport in the world had been cancelled, so now everyone was waiting in line and on the phone trying to make other arrangements. Needless to say, it took ages, and every time I called customer service, they seemed to have no interest in listening to another angry customer.
This is not the same as it is with God. God works around the clock, waiting on the other end for us to call. If we knock, the door will be opened, if we ask, He will answer. If we seek His counsel, He will listen, and it is up to us to listen swiftly and speak softly, considering the words and questions that we come to Him and others with deliberately. If we call upon God, He will save us. As David says, evening, morning, noon, God answers whenever we ask for Him. If only the airline had that kind of service!
Prayer
God in Heaven, maker of heaven and earth, I am so comforted knowing that I can call on you at any moment. My faith in you is strengthened knowing that whenever I pray, you listen. I will place all my cares into you, O Lord, as you have placed all of your cares into us. You are the only thing that matters to me; you and your son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. 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.
