Devotion
Faith
Frances Taylor
This passage gives us the connection between faith and hope. When I turn on a lamp, it is with faith. When my son turns on a lamp it is with the knowledge of an electrician. Faith is based on the unknown, once we have knowledge we no longer need faith. We were not there when the world was created, we have no knowledge of how it was done. But we believe, we have hope, that God is the author of creation. We were not there to walk with Jesus and listen to his preaching about the kingdom, but we have faith based on the word of God we find in Scripture. We trust the writings of the apostles. We have hope in his message.
Faith is an interesting virtue. What gives us the ability to have faith? Actually it begins in our infancy. We learn faith from our parents. Parents who tend to their child's needs teach that child that there is someone who can be depended on. This gives them courage to believe. If you have ever known a child whose parents were not present or neglectful, you know that this child has a problem depending on anyone but himself. This inability to trust, to have faith, in anyone can last into adulthood, bringing many problems into his life. When you think about it, parents are the gods in a child's life. The first prayer most of us learn is the Lord's Prayer. How does it begin? Our Father, who art in heaven. If our parents have taught us to be fearful or them or to be unable to depend on them, what must they think of God? Faith must also be nurtured. By sharing with others the ways in which God has worked in our lives, we are nurturing the faith of others. When we listen to the faith stories of others, our faith is nurtured. May we always give witness to the faith and hope that lives in our hearts.
Prayer
Gracious God, you come to us each day with reasons to keep believing in you. Help us to be nurturers of faith for others so that they too may have hope in experiencing the your goodness. Amen.
Devotion
Paul, Jesus’ Servant
Frances Taylor
We recognize that Paul was an apostle, the Apostle to the Gentiles. We also know that he never knew Jesus in the flesh. He did have an experience of Jesus in a vision and then spent time learning about him so that he could preach the Gospel in confidence to the Gentile world after the Jewish world rejected him because of his previous behavior against them. Paul considered himself an apostle and the servant of Jesus.
We are called to be disciples, teaching others about Jesus and spreading the Gospel message of salvation, of God's unconditional love for his children. We did not live in the time of Jesus and never knew or heard him in the flesh. But if we examine our lives, we will find experiences of Jesus in our lives.
As I sit here this evening, I am thinking about the dilemma I faced this weekend. I was committed to go to a family party yesterday, and planned to visit a good friend in a nursing home today. The party yesterday was cancelled ...
Morning Prayer
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Inspiration
We should not seek that honor which comes from men but the honor that comes only from God. Men often honor one another, but that honor is nothing if it be not in conformity to God's truth. Christians should honor God by obeying him and count as their highest honor a word from him saying, "Well done you good and faithful servant. "
Prayer
May I honor you, Lord, with all of my words and actions, from the heart, at all times and in all places. Keep me from pursuing men's applause and approval, but let me look to you alone for approval. To you, my true Master, I stand or fall. Amen.
Night Prayer
And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
Inspiration
God assigned Moses an extensive job to complete, and Moses questioned his ability to follow through. He did not feel he was a good fit and told the Lord he had doubts. As we read through Scripture, we see countless moments when someone who seemed unlikely is called upon to do something incredible. They feel humbled, overwhelmed, and they fear disappointment. We often have concerns about the work God calls us to complete; we doubt we heard Him correctly or misunderstood the details. We must remember that God's plan always works out for good; we will remain humble as we undertake a task that seems impossible.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Forgive us when we doubt ourselves or the plan You have established for us. We will accept any task and complete all works as You will. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
