Night Prayer
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Inspiration
Every race has a finish line. And in the race that we call life, we all reach the finish line at our appointed time. How will you cross? Will you cross with confidence, knowing that Jesus has secured your victory? Will you cross with humility, knowing that faith has brought you to the finish? What should we be doing now to prepare ourselves for our final victory?
Prayer
Father God, You have won victory for me over sin and death. As I run the race of life, I look to the finish line and I see Your glory beyond. Empower me to live each day in that victory, to run with the confidence of knowing that I will reach the finish. Help me to keep my eyes focused on You, so that all who witness my life may see You guiding me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Night Prayer
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
Inspiration
God gives us endurance because He is patient with us. God grants us encouragement through His kindness and conciliation. And just as He bears patiently with us through our growth, our shortcomings, and our doubts, He invites us to show that same patient conciliation to others. When we do, growth and love abound, not only in others but in us as well.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your patience in dealing with me. You have forgiven me over and over again. And You continue to guide me through my doubts, my confusion, and my excuses. By Your Spirit, grant me the patience and compassion to endure with my brothers and sisters so that through me they might also experience the fullness of Your kindness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Devotion
Who Do We Believe
Frances Taylor
The people of Jesus' time were looking for a Messiah, but a Messiah of their own design. We forget sometimes, that the Jewish people of every generation were waiting for the promised Messiah. Jesus even mentions in this passage that he is aware of the attention paid to the Scriptures to try and figure out who the Messiah might be. Jesus also tells them that a reading of the Scriptures leads to him. Unfortunately, they wanted someone who would be a military leader and Jesus wasn't it. What are we looking for when we think about Jesus? You and I both know that people show up every once in a while proclaiming that they are the Messiah. They will lead us to God if only we listen to them and follow them without question. Often these people have caused damage to the lives of their followers, and some of their followers have lost their lives. There is only one Messiah, Jesus. If we believe that he is sent by the Father in order that we might be saved ...
Morning Prayer
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Inspiration
When we walk in obedience to God, there is a special peace of God that accompanies us. No believer can be undisturbed while walking in disobedience to God. Only when we "trust and obey" can we be truly happy in Jesus Christ.
Prayer
O Giver of true peace, the world seeks peace in their false religions, in the pleasures of this life, in the gratifying of their every desire, however sinful. We know the source of real peace. It comes from you. Help us to walk in your paths, and show us that they are indeed paths of peace. Amen.
