Devotion
Don’t Be a Show-off
Frances Taylor
Many people do good things. The question here is, why? One summer I worked in the office of a major university where I recorded the donations that came in on cards with the name of the donor on them. I came across many names of prominent people who were quite familiar to me, but there was a notation on the top of many of those cards that said "anonymous." Many of these people actually had two cards, one for the public and the other not. The public one was for far less money. They wanted to support the college, but didn't want credit for their generosity. Obviously, people will be rewarded here for a generosity of spirit, they will be known for performing acts of heroism. We know the names of people who have worked to spread the gospel message and those who work tirelessly for justice. This does not take away from their sacrifice. But, there also are people who want to be known for their good acts and it is these that Jesus warns about. It is one thing for people to come to know the goodness of others; it is another for that person to call attention to what they are doing for their own glory. Do we act because as followers of Christ we are called to do what we do? Or, do we want attention?
Prayer
Lord, may I always do the right thing for the right reasons. Loving your people and working for justice should not be done for the glory of anyone except you. Amen.
Night Prayer
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Inspiration
Paul warns Timothy of false teachers and how quickly they can twist Scripture to say what people desire instead of what is true. We face the same danger in the world today. Some become bored with the Gospel and add to it what they want. Others take the Word and bend it to the desires of the people they teach. Either way, we must keep our eyes and ears open for false prophesy, cling to Scripture, and speak out when we observe imposters leading believers astray.
Prayer
Dear God, please teach us to remain alert to false prophets and their desire to stray from your Word. We will continue to study and gain wisdom to correct their actions. In Jesus' Name, 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, ...
