Devotion
The Secret of Happiness
Frances Taylor
Have you ever played a team sport? When the team plays as one, they are more apt to win. But even if they don't win, they still share in the knowledge that they did the best they could. Jesus prayed that his disciples and those who followed them would be one. That they would be one just as the Father and he are one. What would it be like if we all acted as one in Christ? How would our families be different, our communities, our church, our world? What we need to remember, is that this is a unity based on love. God is love and we are told that as long as we remain in love, God remains in us. In John's Gospel, we are told the secret to joy is love! It is so easy in our world today to create division. The politicians don't even bother to listen to one another since they might find a good idea in what their opponent says. The media follows every instance of wrongdoing and hypes those circumstances that will create conflict and chaos. This is not to say that there have not been, nor will most likely be instances of real wrongs, but the way it is presented by the media often creates more problems than it solves. That they may be one! Hate and fear divide; love unifies. Let us work at looking for the things that unite us and also work at those that divide and see if we can help bring about the unity for which Jesus prayed.
Prayer
Dear God, we all want happiness and joy in our lives and we look for things to make it happen. You have given us the answer! Teach us to love. 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.
