Devotion
We Are Reconciled
Frances Taylor
From the beginning of human sinfulness, humanity needed to be reconciled with God. But what human was perfect enough to take away the guilt of so many? Only a human being who was also divine could accomplish this. God promised a Savior, but no one expected that the Savior would be the Son of God who took on our flesh, become one of us so that we might be redeemed. We certainly don't deserve this gift as each one of us has sinned. We continually go against God's law and then get into a cycle of repentance, being forgiven, promising to change – which we do for a little while – and then start the cycle all over again. If God has reconciled all people to himself, what right do we have to refuse to reconcile with others who have offended us? Forgiveness is not always easy especially when we are hurt by those who are closest to us, family members or close friends. We all are aware of families torn apart, neighborhoods in turmoil and even nations that are divided. Some of these problems are beyond our ability to change. But what about family or friends? Is it so hard to take the high road and either ask forgiveness or offer it? Neighborhoods can be divided when there is a problem between two neighbors and people take sides. Reconciliation is something, as Paul says, a ministry to which we have been called. If God has forgiven us, we need to forgive others.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for not treating us as we should be treated but to forgive us. As you have reconciled us to yourself, may we reach out and reconcile others to ourselves. 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.
