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
Give Good Example
Frances Taylor
If we ever needed a reminder of how important it is to practice what we preach, this is it. Not only are we encouraged to help others, but we are also warned about giving bad example or leading others, particularly children, away from the Lord.
I have spoken to many people who say that they became a Christian because of the example of people in their family, friends or strangers whose joy is so great they want a part of it. I also know people who have turned away from the faith they once had because they consider those who proclaim themselves to be Christian are hypocrites. Most people don't start out wanting to be Christians because of doctrine. They are influenced one way or another by people. Are you someone whose life exhibits the joy of knowing Jesus and his saving power? Am I? Do your actions give testimony to your beliefs? A person can go to church each week, Bible classes during the week and give every impression of being a devout follower of ...
Morning Prayer
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Inspiration
There is nothing at all – nothing on the earth and nothing in the spiritual realms – that can separate us from the love of Christ. No matter what any person or principality tries to do in our lives, they will never be able to quash the love Christ has for us. The love God has for us is eternal – it is here to stay for good.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for the love that you have for me. Thank you, Lord, that this love will never leave me and it will never forsake me. No matter what anyone tries, or whatever may come my way, Lord, I thank you that your love will always be with me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
