Devotion
You can do it!
David Jacobs
The American inventor Henry Ford once said 'Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right'. This sentiment is reflected in a quote from Yoda in the movie Star Wars; "Do or do not. There is no try." But what can we learn from Jesus Christ about this attitude?
We are asked to use our own will, our mind to set hopes on grace being brought to us when Jesus returns. At first glance, it may seem like a threat 'you better pray he's nice to you'. But that's a superficial understanding. What we're being asked to do is to focus our minds and intentions towards receiving the Lord's grace when he returns. Only when we set our alert and sober thoughts towards earning Jesus' blessings can we prepare ourselves to live a life of good action that enables us to open up and receive them. When we think we can, we are right. We don't try, we just do.
How quickly do we expect things these days? With so much information quickly at our fingertips, it is easy to forget that eternity awaits us.
Prayer
We must not waste our time on Earth. Study, stay sharp and stay focused on what is important: living a life in the name of Jesus.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
