Morning Prayer
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Inspiration
Here we are told that a Christian, one truly "in Christ, " is a new creature or new "creation" of God. The old life is gone; the new life in Christ has come. And even as God needed no help from us in creating the physical world, he alone brings into being that new state of grace called being in Christ.
Prayer
Lord, help us to live ever more like the new creatures we are in your Son, Jesus Christ. Being in Christ, we draw our spiritual life from him, but the old nature still causes us to stumble. Prospectively, the old things are as good as gone, but practically, remnants of the old remain, though they are passing away. Sanctify us today with your truth and bring your new creations that much closer to completion. Amen.
Devotion
Allowing The Scriptures
To bring Joy To My Life
Frances Taylor
The beginning of Luke's Gospel has always been one of my favorite readings. It makes me feel confident that I can believe what I have been taught. It also gives me peace because I know that God's promise has been fulfilled. We have been set free from fear. Of course, we will know fear of the unknown in this unpredictable world, but not fear of death because we can be sure that death is not the end, only the beginning of a new life. Otherwise, how could we continue to experience happiness and joy in the face of suffering? This freedom of fear, this belief in the good news – this Gospel message – is what made the early Christians so willing to face suffering in the name of Jesus. It is what motivated them to spread the good news to anyone who would listen. Is our world any less in need of the Gospel than theirs? I doubt it. Considering how we work so hard to be happy! How hard we work to avoid pain or suffering! So ...
Morning Prayer
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
Inspiration
Many wish to go to a multitude of other sources to find direction in life, especially in times of trouble. In Isaiah's day, many turned to wizards and those involved in the occult, and many still do today. But God's people should reject these methods and turn "to the Law and to the testimony. " (verse 20)
Prayer
We dare not trust the world of darkness, but we put our trust in you alone, O Lord, as our source of wisdom for life. We know that Satan himself appears like an angel of light to better deceive many, and that false religions are full of doctrines of devils and sacrifices to devils, though the participants mostly are unaware of it. Only in your Word do we find the true light that will guide us through even the most trying of times. Amen.
