Devotion
Just Mercy
David Jacobs
I recently read a book called Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson that touched me deeply. In the book, Mr. Stevenson, a lawyer, sets up a non-profit organization in the southern states of America with the aim of protecting people that have no means of protecting themselves. The stories of some of his legal teams' cases are shocking: many of the inmates given the death sentence were given horribly unfair trials. Some of them were clearly innocent, some of the cases involved the police tampering with evidence and threatening witnesses, and some of the convicted criminals had severe mental and physical disabilities and would never be able to healthily survive in the American legal system. I truly believe that Mr. Stevenson is doing admirable work and his efforts have improved the American legal system. There is still so much work to be done.
In the first verses of Habakkuk, we read the pleas of a desperate man, crying out to God, wondering why God is not listening. I have certainly felt like my prayers were falling on deaf ears at times. Christ himself even wondered in the gospel of John why his Father had forsaken him. We all have our doubts, especially when faced with immoral, unjust, and evil people. Habbakuk cannot believe that God would stand idly by as the wicked rule his nation. As is the case in many countries and Mr. Stevenson's book illustrates, if the people responsible for "justice" are unjust, the law is broken. If bad people are the ones passing judgment on the good, wrong judgment and evil prevails.
The final verse speaks of work, and that is the responsibility of all Christians.
Prayer
We have been given God's moral compass in His word; we have received the teachings of Christ and the disciples; we have no excuse not to stand up to the injustices that prevail in many of our nations. If we work as one, we cannot fail: God is on our side. He will hear our prayers.
Devotion
Manna In The Desert
Frances Taylor
We are so like the Israelites. Just when we get what we want, we decide that we want more. The Israelites have been saved from slavery and then God brought them through the sea, and now they're complaining again. God again provided what they need, but they do have to follow some rules. They were only to gather what they needed for the day and on the sixth day they collected enough for the Sabbath. What they gathered was measured so that each had what they needed and no one had more. They were instructed not to save some for the next day and, of course, there were those who didn't follow instructions and what they saved became foul. On the sixth day, they could prepare enough for the next day so that the Sabbath could be a holy day dedicated to Yahweh. Fifty years ago, there was little work done on the Sabbath, now it seems like just another day.
My mother used to talk about my grandmother who would prepare all the vegetables on Saturday for the ...
Morning Prayer
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
Inspiration
There are many ways one may think of prayer and worship, and one should feel encouraged in revamping them a little if it means one may serve better ones daily practices or routines. Singing God's praises isn't just for in Church time, it is wherever, whenever. It can be your own song or one you've committed to heart, it doesn't particularly matter; God doesn't think of it as a singing competition. What is important is ones intent, ones heart, ones willingness to rejoice! If singing is really not your thing, the definition could be widened; write a poem of praise or do a dance, whatever it is, it's the joy in celebrating our Lord that counts.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I wish to sing your praises, to rejoice in the name of the Lord and his only begotten Son. For you are the object of our affection, the source of all our light, and ...
Night Prayer
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Inspiration
We love our brothers and sisters in Christ and miss one another when separated. Paul was eager to see the church of Rome and anticipated blessing them with a spiritual gift. He saught to deliver encouragement by joining them in person to worship and fellowship. When we fellowship together, the unity strengthens our character, and we discover unique qualities amongst our brethren that aid in the church's ministry. We are all eager to unite in the name of God and develop and strengthen our gift of evangelism.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we love our church family and desire to make our time of fellowship a priority this day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
