Devotion
And the Truth Shall Set You Free
Frances Taylor
Today there are so many voices claiming to tell us the truth. We have various radio and television stations reporting, each one with its own version of the truth, quoting people who are supposedly telling the truth. But what truth is it? And whose truth? Most of what we hear is contradicted in the next hour and sometimes by the very person or persons that were quoted the hour before! Much of what we hear is taken out of context and is actually not representative of the truth. So how do we know who or what to believe? Jesus tells us how to know what the truth is. If we abide in HIS word, and are truly his disciples, we will know the truth. Jesus gives us a yardstick by which to judge the truth of what we hear. The Gospels give us the teachings of Jesus so if we want to be set free, this is where we need to go to verify what we hear is true. It is our responsibility to check it out. We can't just take for granted that the media is telling us the truth. We have seen in history how easy it is for people to be brainwashed by media. It happened in Germany in the 1930's and 1940's; it happened in advertising when movie theaters used to project images of candy or popcorn subliminally during movies just to increase the profits at the concession stand! We need to protect ourselves from falsehoods, listen to Jesus' advice, and we will be free.
Prayer
Dear Lord, it is not always easy to tell truth from falsehoods. Give us the wisdom to pay attention to the words of your Son Jesus. Amen.
Devotion
The Weeds
Frances Taylor
This parable is packed with images. It was very difficult to choose just one, but after reading it over several times, I looked again at just what – or who – the weeds represent. Reading further in Matthew we see this line, "The Son of Man will send his angels and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." Those who cause others to sin! We talk a lot about peer pressure when we are talking about our youth. We warn them to stay away from friends who might get them into trouble. But what about us? Have you ever thought that you, or I, might cause others to sin? We would all like to think of ourselves as the wheat – after all, aren't we here? But what about when we're not in church? Do we laugh at dirty jokes, or tell them? Help our teens get into movies that are restricted or give into pressure and download them to watch at home? Do we overlook it when there ...
Morning Prayer
Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Inspiration
Jesus knew what was to be in store for him after Judas sold out his name with a kiss. Yet, instead of resigning himself to desperation and doom, he instead saw the glory that would come, the glory within which his name would live on. Think; in the face of ones own defeat or impending trouble, do you cower in fear, or do you find courage in your Heavenly Father?
Prayer
Lord Almighty, grant me the strength to carry on in the face of darkness and difficulties. Grant me to courage in the face of challenges that seem insurmountable. For I know in you Lord, all things may be possible. In Jesus' name I pray and ask for grace, 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.
