Devotion
New Wine
Frances Taylor
Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, are we hanging on to our old ways – old wineskins – while trying to fit Jesus into it? If so, it just doesn't work. Just as the new wine would ferment and eventually split the wineskins, we need to decide whether to work with our new beliefs and spiritual path or go back to our former way of life. A person with an addiction – alcohol, gambling, drugs, etc. – cannot continue to visit those places where temptation can be overwhelming – bars, casinos, etc. – or to keep company with the same friends who don't understand why their friend has changed. Now, I'm not saying that it is necessary to give up our old friends, what I am saying is that we can't expect to do the same things we did before. Did you enjoy x-rated movies? Is foul language a staple in your vocabulary? Do you have a whole collection of your favorite "dirty" or offensive jokes? Do you think this is what Jesus wants of you? Somehow these things don't really fit with following Christ. If Jesus is my Savior and I have turned my life over to him, I have to rethink how I live. May all of us work to place this new wine into new wineskins and so have our lives give testimony to our new awareness of the glory of God.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I want to follow you. Give me the grace I need to be a true witness of my love for you. Amen.
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
