Devotion
I Am The Lord Your God
Frances Taylor
When you consider the commandments, which do you think are the easiest to keep? I wouldn't be surprised if you name to first two. However, I think they can be the most difficult. Let's look at the first commandment. Do we put God first? I don't know where it is elsewhere, but in the United States .ministers of every denomination complain that families are not going to church on Sunday because of sports. The children play sports on Sunday mornings because the adults who coach them want to watch sports on television in the afternoon. Sports has become a god. What about companies that require their workers to sacrifice time with their families if they intend to move up in the ranks? Ambition has become a god. With the media telling us that anything that feels good must be good, whether doing so breaks another commandment or not, pleasure has become a god. I could go on, but you get the picture. Have you made anything or anyone a god in your life? On to the second one. Where can you go where you do NOT hear the name of the Lord taken in vain? Where can you go and not hear cursing? Music, movies, television, the man or woman in the supermarket, children in school, all seem to have no problem with any of these. Do you use "hell, damn" or the Lord's name in your conversation? We complain about foul language, but that's only offensive, not forbidden by the commandments but called sinful by Paul. Let's think again about how we live these two important commandments and promise to do a better job.
Prayer
Lord, may we truly put you first in our lives, not just in our words but also in our action. May we think before we take your name in vain and eliminate curse words from our speech. Amen.
Devotion
The Rejected Stone
Frances Taylor
Once I was working with a group of teenagers and had given them a project where they needed to make a picture to illustrate one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and they needed to work on it in teams. One of the teams had a young man who never wanted to get involved, didn't contribute to the class and was not particularly liked by the other kids. This day, however, his artistic ability made him the hero of the team! The team came up with such a wonderful poster that the both his attitude and that of the class towards him changed for the rest of the year. It's easy to miss something of value that's right in front of our eyes. Peter is talking to the chief priests and scribes about their ignorance of Jesus' true nature and mission. We may also overlook someone who could be a leader if we looked more closely at the individual and didn't judge on appearance. I've become a fan of applying for jobs online as long as they don't ask for a picture. Of ...
Morning Prayer
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Inspiration
Creation is currently in a fallen state, as a result of what happened at the beginning of time. It's evident in the world around us. Nature is falling apart. Human beings are crying out to be saved. All creation awaits the day Christ will return and the sons of God will be revealed – all who believed in Christ. Creation will be restored on this day, too; set free from the consequences of man's actions.
Prayer
Dear God, I truly do rejoice when I think of what is to come. I do not fear the return of your son, Jesus Christ, but I eagerly look forward to the day because I know of what a glorious time this will be. The sons of God will be revealed and all creation will be restored. What a glorious day it will be. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Inspiration
God’s word is a precious resource for us- but only if we use it. Scripture is a firm foundation for all areas of life- family, work, and community. When we try to build these things up without the wisdom of God’s word, we are vulnerable to the shifting sands and shaky ground of human thinking and feeling. Only God’s word provides a sure foundation for our lives.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of Your word. I pray that as I read and study, You would give me wisdom to not only understand Your word but to apply it. Show me how I can use Your instructions and insights in all areas of my life so that when storms arise around me, I may remain firm in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
