Morning Prayer
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Inspiration
The Bible is filled with numerous moments of assurance for our lives. God loved us so much, and desired our salvation so much, that he gave up his Son so that we could be saved. This one act is enough to convince us that nothing can ever stand against us. We can do all things through Christ – so long as it is to the glory of God. We can face all kinds of rulers of darkness and principalities, boldly, because God is always with us and that will never change.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you that I find my confidence in you. Lord, time and time again you have given us every reason to trust in you and never doubt you. No dark power or force can ever prosper against us because we are backed you, the Almighty God. Father, I pray that if there is ever a time when challenges try to overwhelm me, may I be reminded of this truth: that you are always with me and that will never change. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Devotion
The Last Will be First, and the First Will be Last
Frances Taylor
Jesus is speaking to his disciples who have given up a lot to follow him. Peter and Andrew, James and John have left both their families and their work as fishermen, Matthew was a tax collector. All have given up their homes, jobs and families to follow Jesus. This message of Jesus must have been a consolation to them. It should be a consolation to us as well. Although many of us have not had to give up that much in order to be Christians, some have.
I know a nurse who had to make a choice to keep her job at a clinic that began doing abortions which was against her conscience. Another woman became a whistleblower when she discovered illegal actions at her place of work. At other times, we may have to give up friendships because they are toxic. The last phrase is interesting to us, but for Jesus it referred to the Jewish people who were called first to know the only true God and the promise of a Messiah, and yet so ...
Morning Prayer
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Inspiration
Jesus replaced the multitude of Laws and commandments we'd received in the beginning with the two mentioned in the verse. But if you pay attention closely, you will realize all the commandments are summed up in these two commandments. The Christian life is about loving God in our actions, our thoughts, and our words. It is also about treating every person we encounter with love, free of prejudice and resentment.
Prayer
Dear God, I ask that you help me abide by the commandments, applying your word in my life so that my love for you will be evident to everyone around me, in truth and sincerity. I also ask that you help me love every person around me, Lord. In Jesus' name, I...
