Devotion
Jonah and Me
Frances Taylor
We are all acquainted with the story of Jonah. He didn't like the path the Lord planned for him, so he ran – sailed – in the opposite direction. We know the end of the story as well. Jonah finally did what the Lord wanted him to do. Jonah didn't want the people of Nineveh to be saved from the Lord's wrath, so he didn't want to help save them. I have always loved the story of Jonah because it reminds me of myself and my often unwillingness to go where the Lord calls me to go. When I was in college I avoided all classes that would lead me to teach. My father finally convinced me that I needed to be practical if I wanted to get a job! Many years later, I recognized his wisdom and became what I had fought against – I taught! Life provided me with opportunities to bring the gospel to areas of the world I never thought I would see. In Tanzania, I had the opportunity to be a part of bringing God's love to Christian and Muslim alike. I am often in wonder of the graces God bestowed on me once I realized the plans he had for me and followed his call. God challenges each of us, just as he challenged Jonah to go in a direction not of our choosing. We can run in the opposite direction, but sooner or later, God points us in the right direction and our lives are better for it, and his mission for us, is accomplished.
Prayer
O Lord, I know I can be stubborn just as Jonah was, but I truly desire to do your will. Help me to be more open to your plan for me. Amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
