Devotion
Put On the Armor of God
Frances Taylor
St. Paul warns us that there will be evils to fight in the day to day of our lives, and so tells us to put on the armor of God. We're in a battle even if we don't know it. Satan has been doing battle for the souls of men and women from the beginning, starting in Eden and won't end until the end of time. We aren't much better at recognizing him now than Adam and Eve. How do we protect and defend ourselves? Paul, gives us the answer but we don't always listen to him. We get up in the morning and prepare for our day: washing, eating, dressing, etc. but what about praying. Do we ask God each day to bless us in our comings and goings, to bless our work and our play, to be with us each moment of the day? This is putting on the armor of Christ. Asking Jesus to walk with us! I fail in this many times as well. Usually I remember to say thanks for another day, and I ask God to protect my loved ones, but I don't always remember to ask God to be with me. This is the final week before Holy Week, and Satan will be working overtime to lead us away from our Redeemer. Let us be ever vigilant.
Prayer
Lord, it is so easy to go on our way, forgetting that Satan is active in our lives as well as in our world. Make us ever more aware of your presence during these days. 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.
