Devotion
Salvation for All
Frances Taylor
We tend to think of Paul always on the move, but here we see that Paul is staying in Rome for two years teaching and preaching to all who come to him. At this time, the Jews were still unconvinced that salvation was for any group other than themselves. Even those who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah weren't sure about the Gentiles. It was Paul's task in Rome to convince then that God wanted all to be saved. We can be just as hard to convince that salvation is for everyone. In some cities, men and women go out to bars or to the streets to bring the message of the kingdom to the people there. Some people are offended by this type of outreach. But where do they think Jesus went when he was on earth? Of course, he preached in the synagogues and taught in the temple, but he also connected with the outcasts, the sinners, the tax collectors. The leaders of the time, the Pharisees, were always complaining about the people Jesus associated himself with. We, too, can become self-righteous and attempt to limit those who would go into today's highways and byways. One of the most powerful ministries is that to prisoners, especially those who are in for life. Perhaps our objection is the fact that they just might accept Jesus and desire to learn more about him and his promises. Maybe, we don't want them to be forgiven.
Prayer
Lord, we ask you to free us from judging your children. We forget that you don't want to lose any of your children and we are not to get in your way. Amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
