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.
Devotion
The Lost Coin
Frances Taylor
We all know the story of the lost sheep and the prodigal or lost, son, but do we remember the story of the lost coin which is sandwiched between the two in Luke's Gospel? The ten drachma were most likely the woman's dowry and very important to her. She rejoices with her friends just as Jesus tells us the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner repenting. I hope the angels rejoice several times a day! These three parables tell us how important it is to repent, to turn our lives around and get back on the right track. I once taught in a juvenile facility where a young man told me he was bad and could never be better than he already was. He was sixteen years old! He had already given up hope. He couldn't see any way out of the life he had been leading. I tried to tell him he wasn't a bad person but had made bad choices. He couldn't believe me. I wondered how many times in his young life he had been called "bad?" I still am bothered when I hear a parent,...
Morning Prayer
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Inspiration
Though the shepherds were startled and afraid by the angel, they could hardly be blamed perhaps for not recognizing the absolute significance of the events that were coming to faithfully unfold in front of their eyes that very night. Little did it perhaps yet dawn on them what miraculous event was coming to pass. However, can we even now dare to fully comprehend the magnitude of Christ's teaching and salvation? Have you truly considered its implications for your life? Be not like the shepherds, for one has already heard their ...
