Devotion
Some Rules to Live By
Frances Taylor
How does Christianity call us to live? Paul had some very specific ideas about this and outlines them in this letter to the community in Rome. I like especially the first: let love be without hypocrisy. Love of neighbor is the second of the great commandments given us in the Old Testament. This is confirmed by Jesus in the New Testament and he goes even further by telling us that our love must be like his. That's a tough job to live up to, but Paul gives us some concrete ways to proceed. Abhor what is evil. First we need to look around and see what is evil. Sometimes evil looks good. It can be tempting to cut corners at work, either by using sub-standard materials or not putting in the time you claim for your pay. Cheating has been a problem in school at every level because a person wants a higher grade, but doesn't want to put in the time to study. Be diligent, not slothful – would that the workforce in every situation would adhere to this! We should be steadfast in prayer and patient. Patience can be one of my faults in many situations! We also are told to be hospitable and this is not limited to those we like. I'm sure there are many examples you can give that are even stronger than mine. Knowing what to do is easy, doing it is hard.
Prayer
Loving God, you have called us to be your witnesses to the world and given us the best example of how to accomplish this – reflect the love of your Son, Jesus. Give us the graces we need to hold firm to what we know to be right and to act upon it. Amen.
Morning Prayer
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Inspiration
Yes, we can take comfort in knowing that God will forever be with us, His children. God's promises to be with us through everything we face, will never run out; His promises will never expire. God has always proven His faithfulness and because of this we can be fully confident in and encouraged by Him. If you are going through any trials or tribulations, take heart, for God is with you.
Prayer
Dear God, I take courage in knowing that you are always with me and you are for me. Lord, in times where people may try to oppose me, may you help me to stay focused on you and nothing else. For as long as you are with me, I know that I can never be shaken. In Jesus' name, I pray. 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...
