Devotion
How much more will God give you?
David Jacobs
I never wanted anything when I was a child. My parents were generous but did not spoil my siblings and me, and we were lucky to live a comfortable life. My parents made sacrifices that still amaze me, giving up much of their youth that many people cling to like a life preserver in the sea. However, my parents don't view it as a sacrifice at all; instead, they see it as a fulfillment of their dream, being able to raise great children in a happy family.
My parents have a great attitude about it, and it is one that I am sure many people wish their parents also had. I was fortunate, but we all are. For our Father in heaven, hallowed be His name, will give more than my parents could ever dream of. No matter our plight in life, God is waiting patiently for us to ask Him for something.
Prayer
What we ask for is up to us. If you asked me for some food and I gave you a chair, it wouldn't make any sense. God does not fool us; He does not want to give us something different from what we ask. The most important thing that all Christians must remember: we will get what we ask for...but; first, we must ask!
Devotion
Misrepresenting God
Frances Taylor
This passage is one I try very hard to take to heart. For over forty years, I have worked to bring the gospel message to children and adults alike. That is what I'm doing as I write this. It is so important that we don't misrepresent God to others. When someone tells me they don't believe in God, I wonder whose image of God they have been taught. When I was a child, it was common to hear that God was some policeman in the sky that was going to punish me for everything I did wrong. The idea of a loving, forgiving God was not taught as the norm. Ministers and other teachers of religion often spoke more of hellfire and damnation. It's no wonder that there are those who claim that God doesn't exist. On the other hand, there are those who taught that God was like Santa Claus, keeping track of our good deeds and rewarding us accordingly, or tracking our misdeeds and punishing us accordingly. Neither of these images of God are accurate. God is loving ...
Morning Prayer
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
Inspiration
Those in ancient Israel, as today and in all lands, who prey upon the poor and vulnerable, who pervert justice against them and deny them their rights, sin against God. His eyes see, his eyelids try the children of men, and nothing is done in secret where he does not know.
Prayer
Give me a heart of compassion, O Lord, for the weak and helpless, for the poverty stricken, for widows and orphans. And give me a righteous indignation against those who oppress them, pervert their justice, or deny their rights. Amen.
