Night Prayer
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Inspiration
It’s much easier to sleep in the dark than in the light. But the light of Christ does so much more than just wake us from our slumber. He wakes us from the spiritual slumber of death. In the light of Jesus, we are led to consciousness, alertness, and life. So let us live for him by embracing the light, that we might remain alert in the glow of his light.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for calling me from my slumber. Thank You not only for awakening me to Your truth but by raising me to life in You. Lord, shine on me so that I might be fully alive and fully alert for Your sake. And shine through me so that others may be called to new life in You, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Devotion
The First Fruits
Frances Taylor
In addition to the commandments, the Lord gave the people rules to live by that included dietary laws, laws concerning the various feasts that would offer blessings to God and ways of treating people that probably sound pretty strange to us today. But let's consider this one. Why do you think God is asking for the first fruits of the first harvest in the new land? To me, this is asking for a sign of gratitude for all that the Lord had done for them. He brought them out of slavery in Egypt, guided them through the desert, fed them during their journey, made sure they had water to drink and now is bringing them to a new land so that they can live in freedom. Think back to the story of Cain and Abel and their offerings. Abel offered the best of his harvest; Cain doesn't seem to have done the same. Offering sacrifice was a long-standing tradition at that time, in that culture. It would seem to be the natural thing to do. What are we asked to sacrifice ...
Morning Prayer
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Inspiration
The scribes could only teach in the synagogue saying, "the Scripture says this or that" or "the rabbis say such and such, " but Jesus taught as one having personal authority. He was not a mere scribe, nor even only a prophet, but the very Son of God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are the authoritative Son of God, and your Word is Law. You bring us the Words of the Father and you are the Word of the Father. We know that you have the Words of Life, and that salvation is to be found in no other. Help us to pay careful attention to your Words and teachings, knowing from whom they come. Amen.
