Devotion
Pick Up Your Cross
Frances Taylor
Jesus never said it would be easy to follow him. We all have crosses to bear. No one escapes. We may think that riches will buy happiness, but even the wealthiest get sick, lose people they love and eventually die. What about power? There are people who spend their whole life climbing over other people to get to the top whether in business, politics, or wealth, only to discover that they are not happy and have no one left except those who want to pull them down. Fame can bring more problems than it solves. What is Jesus trying to tell us, then?
I believe that he reminds us of what is important, that our priorities need to be to love the people we love, to be kind to strangers, to put God first in our lives. Neither money nor power nor fame will soothe the pain of illness, or the death of a loved one. Jesus tells us that he will help us carry our cross; all we need to do is ask for help. There's a tendency to think that whatever cross we bear must be easier than the crosses of others. A story is told about a man who complained to God about the difficulty of carrying his cross. God invites him to a hall where the crosses of other men and women are lined up and he is told that he can exchange his cross for one of the other crosses lined up against the walls. The man takes his time as he circles the room and experiences the difficulties involved in these other crosses. When he completes the circle, he chooses to pick up his own cross. Let us carry our crosses and not desire to be any other than we are; knowing that Jesus is with us all the time.
Prayer
Dear Lord, the cross you bore carried the pain of all people of all time. When I complain to you, remind me of your sacrifice so that I might live with you for all eternity. Amen.
Devotion
Lot’s Rescue
Frances Taylor
When I read about Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, I tend to think about Lot's wife and her turning back just when salvation was in her grasp. The angels had brought the whole family to safety; all they had to do was follow God's instruction not to turn back. It sounds so easy. I wonder what was so important to Lot's wife that she turned back? I'm sure that Lot was grateful to God and to the angels for rescuing him and his family and also saddened by the loss of his wife. We, too, have been rescued. We have been rescued from the fear of death, from the effects of our sinfulness and from eternal damnation. We have chosen to follow our deliverer, our Savior, Jesus Christ. What is there in our lives that is so important to us that we risk losing it all? Because we do turn back, just as Lot's wife. We often return to old habits, old companions that lead us into sinful situations, old temptations that we think won't entrap us. We choose to...
Morning Prayer
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Inspiration
When it comes to judging situations, we should never be partial in our reasoning. If we try to favor one party, instead of being just, we are doing a great injustice to the wronged person, and we are also doing a great disservice to ourselves as children of God. Be fair in every situation and strive to do the right thing. There is no honor in partiality.
Prayer
Dear God, I ask for your wisdom when I am asked to mediate situations. Lord, may I never be swayed by money, or anything else that could cause me to be partial. May my reasoning be just and pleasing before you, and may it be the truth I speak and nothing else, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
Inspiration
We cry out to the Lord when we are troubled. We ask for guidance, help, and protection because we know He is always listening. God comforts our anxious spirits and calms the brewing storm within our hearts; We can always count on our Heavenly Father to be present and prepared to help us fight any battle we encounter. God has been our refuge since the beginning; He will remain our rock of salvation until the end.
Prayer
Dear God, we are thankful for Your presence in our lives. We know we can always call out to You in times of trouble. You are always present and prepared to help us when we need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
