Devotion
Ask and You Shall Receive
David Jacobs
When we are first initiated into the church as self-aware people, the carrot that is dangled in front of us is often the things that the Lord will provide for us; eternal paradise, deliverance from evil and unconditional love. Very rarely do new comers reflect on what is expected of us in return, and how simple it can be to fulfill those requirements.
The irony, of course, is that if each of us acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly, we would have eternal paradise, deliverance from evil and unconditional love for one another. Yet why is that reserved for the afterlife and not now?
We have free will so that these skills may be learned. That we can be sculpted by life's lessons and the opportunities we are given to do good for one another, especially those that can do no good and need saving.
Does God ask too much of us? At times, it may seem impossible to live the way that He wants us to. But it is during those times it is the most important to live that way. It is then that we truly learn the patience, humility, and charity that we will take with us when we are in Heaven.
Is it really so difficult to love our neighbors? To act justly? To be humble? It isn't hard to be a good person if that is your one goal
Prayer
It becomes easy to avoid distraction and temptation when you realize that these things hinder your one true goal.
Stop and think about which one is actually more difficult: living as God intends, with faith, mercy and love, or living a life without.
Devotion
True Prophecy
Frances Taylor
Peter is warning the people against false teachers and false prophets. There were false prophets among the Israelites and there would be again. Men, then, and men and women today who would lead people away from the will of God in order that they might exert influence over the leaders of the times to achieve their own ends. In ancient times, the prophets worked to bring the people back to living as God wanted them to live. The false prophets wanted to keep their jobs as the favorites of the kings and kept telling them not to listen.
Today we have many false teachers as Peter predicted who try to turn the words of Scripture to their own agendas. These people have often called for hate instead of the love which Jesus asked for. They have called for vengeance instead of forgiveness or mercy. They bring about division instead of unity. The true teacher will be attentive to the word of God and do his or her best to make Jesus law of love more visible in ...
Morning Prayer
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Inspiration
I constantly compare myself to Jesus Christ. Although I think that it is a good thing to contemplate how you live and compare it to Christ, it can also be very difficult. Jesus is the Son of God. It would be impossible for us to ever be as good as him because he was created without flaws. God sent him to earth as a mortal man, as a sinner, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5: 21) It is an impossible standard to reach, but is there any other person that you would rather be more similar to?
Prayer
Divine God, powerful creator of both Heaven and earth, I pray that these words convey my sincere gratitude to you for sending Jesus to us. Forgive me, Father, for I am selfish and weak, acting directly against your heavenly mandate. I know that Jesus Christ has shown light on a darkened ...
