Devotion
He Meets Us Along The Way
Frances Taylor
Have you ever wondered where God was when you needed him? I'm sure that the two disciples on the road to Emmaus were wondering the same thing. But Jesus was right there walking with them and they didn't even know it. Jesus walks with us every day and we often don't recognize him. The main reason is that we're not even looking! Do you invite Jesus into your life each morning and thank him for being there each night? We all need to feel the presence of God in our lives. But we also need to notice him. When you're in a hurry and all the lights are green, do you say thank you? When the alarm doesn't work but you wake up in time anyway, do you say thank you? When your mind wanders as you walk or drive but come to just in time to avoid a disaster, or you need a hug and someone is right there offering one, does God come to mind? Jesus walks with us every day. He is there in the ordinary circumstances of our lives as well as in all the people we meet. Sometimes, we are the ones called to be Jesus for others. Are we open for that? Each time we pray, Jesus gives us the strength to become more like him as well as to make us more open to coming to recognize him in others.
We must remember, however, that Jesus didn't just walk with the disciples, he taught them. He opened up the Scriptures to them so that they would know him better. We are also called to get to know him better and one way of doing that is to open the Scriptures at home each day so that we will know him better and so be able to bring others to know him better as well.
Prayer
O Lord, sometimes the busyness of the world keeps me from spending time with you. I say that I love you but don't make more opportunities to get to know you better through your Word. Slow me down, Lord, so that I have more time for you. Amen.
Night Prayer
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Inspiration
As we listen to sermons and lessons, and as we read devotionals and articles, we are wise to test any teaching that purports to come from God. When we just take a speaker at their word, we risk being led astray. So God Has given us His word so that we may search it and hold on to what is true while rejecting what is false.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your word, and thank You for the teachers and leaders that You have placed in my life. Please work through them so that they may be grounded in Your truth and speak only the things that are of You. Grow my knowledge of Your word and give me the wisdom to discern any unsound teaching, so that not be led astray. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Devotion
To Be Born Again
Frances Taylor
Baptism is an interesting sacrament among Christians, the only one that all Christian denominations accept as necessary if one is to be called a Christian. But there are questions about how and at what age, by whom, and under what circumstances should Baptism be administered. There are denominations that practice infant Baptism and those that require a person make a commitment of acceptance of Christ before it can be administered. For some, pouring water over the head is sufficient, for others, sprinkling water over the person, and still others claim that only baptism by immersion is valid. I'm not getting into a debate about this. What I consider more important is the question of how baptism makes a difference in a person's life. If we line up a group of adults containing those who have been baptized and those who have not, and watch them for a week or so, would the baptized stand out from the rest because of the quality of their lives? Would they...
Morning Prayer
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Inspiration
God's plan was always for us to be a part of Him from the very beginning. When He created man that was what He had in mind. When the fall of man occurred, that did not deter God from His plan. He came up with another plan to ensure that we become a part of Him. That is how deep His love was and still is for us.
Prayer
Dear God, our Heavenly Father, I just want to thank you for your endless love for me. You have been there for me far before I knew of you or even thought of coming to you. I will forever thank you for that precious act of love, where you gave up your Son so that I could be a part of you again. Thank you for this beautiful life I now have in you, O Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
