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.
Night Prayer
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Inspiration
Do you ever feel like nobody understands you? Perhaps you wrestle with conflicting feelings or stumble over thoughts that can be put into words. It’s comforting to know that our God, our Maker, knows us fully and completely. There is no corner of our hearts or minds that He cannot find. And He not only knows our thoughts, but He understands them and is ready to care for whatever needs we have.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is a comfort to know that You know me so well. Thank You for remaining close to me. All of my thoughts and feelings are known to You, even the ones that confuse me. You know me better than I know myself. Please meet my needs, according to Your love, power, and knowledge. In Jesus’ name, amen.