Devotion
I Have Hope
Frances Taylor
We don't often think about reading the Book of Lamentations. This passage, however, is one that we can all relate to at one time or another. My son died fourteen years ago and his burial plot is a very old one that had been in the family for over 80 years. He is buried in the front row of the cemetery and I drive by it almost every day and often several times a day. It's easy for me to remember the misery, the wormwood and the gall. I miss him and always will, but I have hope as does the writer of Lamentations because of God's loving kindness, and my faith in the promises of Christ that we will be reunited with Christ in eternity. My pain is mine and yours is yours, but there is no escaping suffering in life; and for some, hope is lost. There are those who will turn away from God for a time or permanently because they can't get past the anger, the pain or the hopelessness. The writer or writers of Lamentations knew pain. They had witnessed the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the murder or exile of so many of their countrymen and women. With all of that, they remembered the promises of God; the many times God had forgiven them and brought them back to their land. They had hope. When we are in pain, we, too, need to remember the times when God had been there in the past and believe that he will always be at our side to see us through the pain and bring us to hope.
Prayer
Lord, we will always have suffering in our lives. You didn't even spare your Son from the pain of a terrible death. Help us to remember that you will always be with us with your love and compassion. Amen.
Devotion
The Important Things
Frances Taylor
What is important to you? This proverb tells us what is necessary if finding knowledge of God is what we are searching for. When this is compared to the search for silver or hidden treasures, we see how diligently the search should be. What we need to do first is to listen to God's word and to keep the commandments. If we look for wisdom with an understanding heart, we are on our way to finding God. But it seems as if not all roads will lead to this knowledge because we need discernment, we need to judge whether we are following the right path and with this comes understanding If we look carefully at this passage what we find is basically the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The only things missing are fortitude or courage, and reverence or piety. We know today that these gifts are there for us if we choose to ask the Spirit for them. They are there for us from the moment of our baptism. These gifts are there for more than just the knowledge of God, ...
Morning Prayer
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Inspiration
Wickedness and anxiety can be crippling for any person, and fear is the primary cause of it: fear of meeting others, failure, not living up to expectations, saying the wrong thing, and death. God loves us. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. " (2 Timothy 1:7) With God ever behind us, our anxieties can melt away. Our fear shall be changed to love. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. " (1 John 4:18) Believe in God, for all things are possible through him!
Prayer
Deliver me from evil my Lord! I will praise thy name! I aim to know thee and know that you will know my heart and thoughts. Lead me away from temptation merciful God, and lead me towards the path of the way everlasting. I submit myself to you, in any way that you see fit to use...
Night Prayer
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Inspiration
We must remain prepared to teach nonbelievers about Christ whether we feel it is convenient or not. We will face difficulty and resistance when we share the Truth, yet we will continue. We will connect with those who misunderstand or confuse the Word of God with myths. In sharing the Truth, we yearn to correct and discipline our brothers and sisters in Christ lovingly, as to reflect the grace of God with our actions.
Prayer
Dear God, we seek Your wisdom in teaching others about Your Word. Please help us use mercy and grace when disciplining one another as we continue to reflect Your unconditional love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
