Devotion
Find your inspiration
David Jacobs
I worked abroad at a school for a while. In the 4-years teaching in the city, I became very disillusioned about the academic practices. I felt that schools did not value academia and study but only cared about earning as much money as possible with as little investment and risk. Teachers were preferred to be pretty than qualified and students happy rather than educated.
I moved to a new school soon after, and this new job felt different, however. It wasn't just because I was designing curricula for schools instead of teaching, but because of a manager that surprised me in the most inspiring way.
Michael was an American gentleman that had also become frustrated with the flaws of the education system, and whilst those higher up the chain had low expectations of our department, he didn't. He expected himself, and us, to be the best we could.
I was inspired by Michael; I wanted to imitate his excellence and attitude. And so I did. Even though my employers didn't expect much from me, I began to work harder and harder to create fantastic curricula, teaching materials, lesson plans and training seminars. The teachers who received these praised our department. They hadn't expected so much support from us, especially when it wasn't needed. That school has one of the best reputations in the city, and I believe it was due to Michael's inspiration on those he leads.
And yet The Lord, who is infinitely more inspiring and dedicated a leader asks less from us than long hours in front of a computer; he asks that we come into his house, repent and live good lives. That's it!
Who in your life have you imitated in some way? Parents? Siblings? Teachers? Maybe even a fictional character? How many of us can say we have really tried to imitate Jesus?
Prayer
It seems so obvious but so difficult in reality. Jesus gave his life so that we had the choice of how to live our lives: imitate him or pursue selfish desires. This verse simply explains who we should look at as an example. The rest is up to us.
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.
