Devotion
Encountering Jesus In The Unexpected
Frances Taylor
When was the last time you encountered Jesus? No, I'm not talking about having visions – although I'm not ruling that out! Just as we often have the opportunity to be "Jesus" for others, we should expect others to be him for us – and often in the most unlikely people or places. Many years ago, I had an old station wagon that I had just used to haul more kids than I probably should have been hauling, and needed all the space I could find. That move included not bringing my jack – although I did have enough sense to hang on to my spare tire. I had dropped them off at the camp, but just off of the Maine turnpike I blew a tire. Tow trucks sailed by me. The State police did the same. Finally, two young men, driving a truck that looked worse than mine, stopped and changed my tire. These men were not well dressed, probably the type that I might ordinarily have held my breath while walking past them on the street. I offered to pay them, but they said that they just hoped that someone would do the same for their mother if she were stuck on the highway. I thanked God for sending me "Jesus" when I needed him. This is not the only time that my prayers have been answered in unexpected ways. Another time, I was working with a group of people who had gathered for scripture reflection. One woman suffered from both physical and mental issues, yet her reflections were so insightful I thanked God for putting her in our group. She taught me much. In this gospel passage, Jesus was rejected by his neighbors because they thought that they knew him. It is just as easy for us to overlook the gifts of those we think we know best. Jesus shows up in the most unlikely of places, but we still have to be open to seeing him. And so I repeat the first question, when was the last time YOU encountered Jesus?
Prayer
Jesus, give me the grace to look for you today and find you in all the places and faces I see. Amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
