Devotion
Showing Love As A Disciple
Frances Taylor
There are so many ways in which we show love to others every day. Doing something nice for a friend or family member – or even a stranger – is showing love. Praying for others is love. For me, one of the most powerful way we show love as a disciple of Jesus is forgiveness. In 1970, a movie came out called "Love Story." In it, there was an often quoted line: "Love is never having to say you're sorry." I believe that "Love" is just the opposite. I have a feeling that Jesus would agree with me. Jesus told Peter that we must forgive "seventy times seven." We are told in The Lord's Prayer that we will be forgiven as we forgive, and the most powerful sign of love and forgiveness is when he forgave the soldiers who were nailing him to the cross. Family, friends, co-workers, even the person who cuts you off in traffic, or takes the parking space you were waiting for give us an opportunity to show love through forgiveness every day. And, because we are human and often offend others, we need to seek forgiveness from those we may have hurt. Each one of us will have a different opinion as to how we show love as a disciple, but I hope each of us has forgiveness near the top of the list.
Prayer
O Lord, it is so hard to forgive sometimes. Even the people we love can hurt us, our spouses, our children, our friends, and yet forgiveness is one of the greatest signs that we love. Help us to let go of wrongs and open our hearts to the fullness of love. Amen.
Night Prayer
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
Inspiration
God only wants the best for us. On days we feel defeated and lost, we continue to have hope in God. He delivers us from our darkest moments, and with Him, we will always find peace. Our Lord is mighty and dependable. We surrender our lives and find happiness living according to His will, and we rest peacefully in His loving arms.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we submit our lives to You. You are trustworthy and good. We praise Your name for the unconditional love You bestow upon us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion Loss or GainFrances Taylor Paul is telling us and the Philippians that whatever he has suffered, whatever he has lost, it is nothing compared to what he has gained in Christ. Whenever we make changes in our lives, we lose as well as gain. When we move on from high school to the work force or to college, we will gain friends and lose friends. If we change jobs, we may even lose the ability to see our families as often as we had been able to do. If we change our religion or our religious habits, we also may lose friends or even connections with our family members. Christianity requires changes in our lifestyle if we are to be faithful to God's will. Doing the right thing becomes more important than hanging out with friends who can lead you in a different direction. Attitudes can change and your behavior with them. You're no longer the fun person who likes the dirty jokes who doesn't complain about foul language, who won't go to the x-rated movies, or engage in other activities...
Morning Prayer
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Inspiration
Good things generally happen to good people. If you commit good deeds, think good thoughts, and surround yourself with good people, in time you will be rewarded with a good harvest. However, it doesn't take many rotten apples to ruin a harvest, so think carefully with, how you spend your energy, how you spend your time, and who you spend it with.
Prayer
Everyday we are surrounded with the beautiful reminders of your creation God: flowers, trees, animals, people. I pray that you make me work, to use me as a vessel to blossom and spread my gifts to the world, spreading your joy to all that encounter me, just as you did with Jesus Christ. His eternal harvest is one that keeps on giving, and I pray that you help me give all that I ...
