Devotion
Blessed is He
Frances Taylor
Blessed is often a synonym for "happy." If happy is what we want to be, then the psalmist gives us some ideas as to how to achieve it. The main thing he tells us is what not to do and who to avoid. Understand whose advice we listen to comes first. It can be difficult to know who is wicked, who is trying to lead us away from God. As we know, Satan will never come to us offering us something unpleasant; everything Satan offer us looks good. What's in it for me, is a question that isn't asked by the person putting God first! But it is often the way the "wicked" entice us to make our decisions. Scoffers, the nay-sayers in our company are the ones who often question the very existence of God. Religion is considered bunk and people who believe, fools. Get what you can now, how do you know there's an afterlife? Do these people in our lives make us happy? Not me!
I find my happiness with positive people who believe as I do in a loving, compassionate and forgiving God. To be happy, we need to get our counsel from Scripture. Most people read the Ten Commandments and think they know them. But read a little further and the commandments are broken down into some very specific rules to live by. Jesus goes further with the Beatitudes, another list that promises happiness and is an important part of his Sermon on the Mount. If we meditate on these guidelines and from them take counsel, our life may not be free of pain or trouble, but we will be happy.
Prayer
Lord, may I love your laws. Amen.
Night Prayer
Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Inspiration
We humble ourselves before the Lord when we come to Him with earthly burdens. We understand we do not have the power to control or fix our problems alone, so we lay our egos down and align our lives with the will of God. We are proud to be His servants and accept His help throughout our struggles. His love is unconditional, and His wisdom parallels none other.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we humble ourselves before You, seeking Your wisdom and guidance all the days of our lives. Thank You for Your presence and unfailing love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
You are a Temple of The Holy Spirit
Frances Taylor
This is a hard saying in today's world. Sexual immorality is so rampant and public that few people believe it to be immoral! People no longer think of sexual behavior outside of marriage as wrong and, in fact, have no problem with going from one person to another quite publicly, broadcasting their behavior on social media and if you're famous enough, on twitter, on TV, in magazines, etc. What happened to "Thou shalt not commit adultery?" I guess I'm old fashioned. I'm not about to condemn anyone who truly loves another and is faithful to them regardless of marriage, but I don't understand and cannot condone random sexual encounters that are not based on love but lust, have no desire for permanency but are literally just to satisfy a sexual itch.
Sorry if I offend anyone, but if we believe that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit to be kept holy, how can we treat them as what – toys, prizes? I'm aware that women have often ...
Morning Prayer
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Inspiration
Think of a grudge that you held on for a long time. Did you feel better from holding this grudge? Now think about this deeper: what if God held a grudge against us? Wow, how blessed we are that he forgives our sins! He leads by example, forgiving those of us that do exactly what he asks us not to do. We all should all be more forgiving, like God is to us.
Prayer
You sent your only son to the world to die so that we may be forgiven, merciful God. Forgive me, once again, for being too selfish and proud to not forgive those that trespass against me. I wish that I can sin less and ask for forgiveness and guidance when I need it. I thank you for sending your son to us, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
