Devotion
I hate …..words Jesus never said
David Jacobs
One of my earliest memories is a sad one. I do not remember all of the details, but I must have been about 4 years old at the time. I got into an argument with my mother, and for some reason, I snapped. My mother is the best woman I have ever met in my life. A better mom doesn't exist. In my moment of childish rage, I told her that I hated her, and went up to my room to cry.
Even today, I look back on this event and feel sad. I asked my mother about it and she didn't remember so it wasn't as important to her I suppose. Even as a 4-year old, I was spewing and spreading hate. If I at such a young age can do it, think about how much it happens on earth.
If you claim to hate anyone and love God, you are a hypocrite. Christ does not tolerate those that hate, teaching about how we should treat even our worst enemies. You can look to the Old Testament, of course, and find examples of God showing favor to some people and hating others, but that all changed when his son, Christ, was born. With Christ's birth we were all something new, including God.
Prayer
There are no instances of Christ spreading hate, and we should try to follow his lead. If we all do this, the word will disappear, and a new world will appear.
Devotion
The Barrier is Removed
Frances Taylor
Moses had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and now they were wondering if they were any better off! They had reached the Red Sea, and couldn't see any way around this barrier that had been placed before them. But God knew what he was doing and Moses followed his instructions and the sea parted so that the Israelites could pass through on dry ground. A question sometimes asked at a job interview is, "What do you do when you face an obstacle?" How would you answer? Would you try to go around it, through it, or perhaps over it? Moses could not go around his obstacle and knew that without help, he could never bring all the people, animals and supplies through it. So, he asked God for help. Was that the first thing you thought of? There is a saying, "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it." The key here is to ask God to bring us through it.
We often face challenges in our lives, especially when we are trying to live as Jesus wants...
Morning Prayer
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Inspiration
What is grace? It is the free and unmerited favor of God, his gifts to us. One such example was the salvation brought to us by Christ. It is state of being favored and of being the chosen people. One such further example would be the Israelites, who God led to their promised land. We today, have inherited this grace. We today, are simultaneously unworthy of him, yet we are his chosen. Rejoice, rejoice in his grace.
Prayer
To my Lord God almighty, who art in Heaven, I thank you for your divine light and grace, given to me every day. I may not be worthy, I may not be pure and perfect, but I beg you to be merciful. For in your grace, in your faith, I may go on to improve each day. In your grace, I will strive to be a better servant, here as in Heaven. Amen.
