Devotion
Ephphatha
Frances Taylor
Be opened! This word – ephphatha – is a part of the Baptismal rite. In it, we pray that the ears of the child will be open to the word of God. How can all of this be achieved if our ears are not open to listen? To whom and what do we listen? Do we listen to the Gospel so that we can follow Jesus? Do we listen to our children so that we know what is going on in their worlds? Do we listen to the voices of the poor, the unemployed, the vulnerable, so that we can find ways to help them? Or do we listen to the voice that tells us that our needs are the most important, that we know best how to live our lives, that we survived our childhoods, so our children will just have to make the best of theirs? Just as we need eyes that are open to the world around us, we need ears that are open as well. It must be difficult for people who were either born deaf, or whose hearing was lost from accident, illness or age, but it is said that when one sense fails, another becomes more acute. The man in today's Gospel was brought to Jesus by his friends who knew that Jesus was the answer. Once his ears were opened and his tongue freed from its impediment, he and his friends could not be stopped from praising God.
Prayer
Dear Lord, may we who are blessed to have eyes to see and ears to hear also open our lips in praise to our God. Amen.
Night Prayer
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Inspiration
When multiple flocks of sheep become blended, there is no need to worry. The good shepherd will call out to his sheep, and they come directly to him because they know his voice and will not confuse it with others. As God's people, we often become mixed up in things of the world. Sin is tempting as we surround ourselves with the wrong crowd; God is always watching and calls us back to the fold. We find Him when we are lost because we know the sound of His voice; it's the only one we've chosen to follow, and we do not confuse it with others.
Prayer
Dear God, when we are lost, we listen for You. Your voice is precious and will guide us back to the fold where we belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
The Word of God
Frances Taylor
If there's one thing I know about Christians and the Bible, is that there is an ongoing debate about whether it is the word of God or the word of men, and what that means. We all agree that the Bible is the living revealed word of God, but! There are wide differences in how that is interpreted. There are some who believe that every word of the Bible was dictated to someone who wrote it down. For others it is purely men's thoughts. For others, men were inspired by God to write their experience of God. I don't know where you find yourself on this continuum.
For most people who believe that the Bible is inspired either word for word or as guided by God, the Bible tells God's truth. Unfortunately for those of us who speak English, we have to rely the sources we have had over the years as guides to how the Scriptures should be interpreted. I have had many people ask me which translation is correct, but there's no clear answer.
The Bible has been translated ...
Morning Prayer
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Inspiration
Suffering will be a part of our lives as Christians. The New Testament is filled with warnings about the suffering Christians will incur because of their decision to follow Christ and not the ways of the world. Millions of Christians across the world are subjected to torture, isolation, and mockery just because they have chosen to follow Christ. But Christ has also assured us that we will not endure this suffering alone, and a reward lies ahead for all of those who suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that in times of persecution and great tribulations, may you strengthen me and encourage me to keep going on. I also pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who endure great pain and torture for choosing to follow you. May you comfort them in these trying times, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
