Morning Prayer
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Inspiration
The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, after everything He endured, is the same Spirit that resides in us, Christians. It was the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, that gave Jesus Christ's body the power to rise from death after the mighty battle He endured. Think of the power that dwells in you! You have no reason fear any hint of death or destruction because the Spirit of the Living God dwells in you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of the fact that your Spirit, the Holy Spirit, has counted my body worthy to dwell in. Father, I will never stop thanking you because my body has been quickened. In times of illness, I am healed. When my heart aches, I am relieved. When I require strength, I am empowered. It is all because of you, God. It is all because of you, and for this I truly am grateful. Amen.
Devotion
A Young Witness
Frances Taylor
Paul is giving Timothy both encouragement and instruction. Timothy is obviously young, but he has been chosen to preach. He is told, however, to be a good example of Christianity. Paul knows that the people will be watching him. He is also told to study as well as to encourage and to teach. We have been called to be disciples because of our Baptism. We too must be good examples of the Christianity we proclaim. It doesn't matter if we are young or old, we are expected to imitate Christ in our way of life, in how we show love to one another and by our moral choices. We are also expected to grow in our knowledge of the faith by reading the Scriptures, and to encourage others to be faithful and to teach others by word and example. We should never stop learning! I'm constantly amazed by how much I have forgotten of what I have read. And I am also surprised that a passage I have read many times before now has a different meaning to me. That's because ...
Morning Prayer
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Inspiration
Pride is one of the so called 'seven deadly sins', and with good reason. Arrogance in ones own importance over others is vain, and angers God. There is nothing that may rival Gods heights and power, and yet, he shows no arrogance. No nation, no group, no person is 'number one'. With true faith and love in ones heart, all are equal in the eyes of our Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your love for all of us. I know you have made me in your image, so allow me not to choose falsely and fall into arrogance or vanity, but rather seek humility in all I do and may accomplish with your guidance. For all I have and all I will ever do, I know is so only because it is granted by you. O Heavenly Father, hallowed by your name. Amen.
