Morning Prayer
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Inspiration
What are your thoughts focusing on today? Stress at work, a relationship, maybe a friend? Try to set your mind on the grace that God will give you when you meet Him in Heaven. We should eagerly await getting to see Jesus face to face. How might your actions and focus in a day change if you are focusing on honoring God before you die and see Him in heaven – or before He comes in the clouds? Focus on things above, not on things of this earth, and you will see a difference in your days.
Prayer
Father God, help me to focus on Jesus' coming and on meeting Him instead of on my earthly troubles. Set my mind on You instead of the silly things I focus on. Help me to think of You every day and to pray all the time. I want to honor You with my days and live each day as though it were my last. Focus my thoughts on You and help me to not get distracted. I don't want You to be an afterthought; You are worthy of focusing on. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Devotion
The Gift of Faith
Frances Taylor
This passage points out that faith is a gift. "No one can come to me unless the Father draw him." Faith comes from God. It is not something we do for ourselves. God plants the seed, Jesus provides all we need to let that seed develop and grow, what we need to do is use the nutrients that Jesus has provided and nurture the seed within us until it becomes a full grown plant and flowers. You see that there are two parts here. It is not enough that we have heard from the Father, it is necessary to have learned from him as well and have then turned to Jesus. Jesus is speaking here to a group of people who are having problems accepting him, and in some ways are excusing those who cannot believe. He has even asked them if his teaching had shaken their faith. Sometimes, our faith can be shaken, and like the disciples we must decide. Once the decision is made, we have further responsibilities because Jesus expects this faith that has flowered within us to ...
Morning Prayer
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Inspiration
How much has been written about the meaning of love? Paul explains what love is in this passage: not just a word, not just a feeling, an ACTION. All of the good deeds and actions that he explains are nothing without love behind them. If your actions are done out of selfishness rather than with love, you will gain nothing. Think about this the next time you do something really good for someone: was there truly love behind it?
Prayer
My heart overflows with love for you, perfect and wondrous God. I feel blessed ...
