Devotion
Send Me
Frances Taylor
Is the feeling of unworthiness the reason you don't think you can be a disciple? Isaiah didn't think he was worthy to be a prophet. We are sometimes people of unclean lips and we certainly do live in the midst of people of unclean lips. What made the difference so that Isaiah responded to God's call? He confessed his sin and received forgiveness. The first step is always to recognize our fault and sins, the second is to take responsibility for them and then to accept God's forgiveness. They are all difficult, but the third is sometimes the hardest. Have you ever hurt someone, asked their forgiveness and then been forgiven but you're still beating yourself up over it? It can be difficult to accept forgiveness because we still haven't forgiven ourselves. Isaiah was open to receive God's forgiveness and so was able to accept his assignment to deliver God's message. Once we can accept the fact that God has chosen us in our unworthiness and has made us worthy though his forgiving love, we will be ready to say, yes, to whatever mission God has in store for us.
Prayer
Compassionate Lord, I know I am not worthy to be your disciple, but through your forgiving love, you have chosen me for your purpose. Give me the courage to say, Lord, I am here, send me. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
