Devotion
They Don’t Listen
Frances Taylor
Time and time again, prophets were sent to the leaders of Israel trying to bring them back to God, away from their idols, but they didn't listen. The time described above is not different and the result is not different. The leaders wanted the king to rule in their favor, they wanted power, and whatever else they could get. What they got, however, was the Syrian army that came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the princes of the people that had gone against God and sent the spoils to Damascus. What did they gain by worshiping idols? What do we gain by ignoring the teachings of Jesus and making idols of money, power, fame, and even ourselves? People with too much money often live in fear that someone will come and steal it. Notice that the fences and walls of the rich are usually higher than those of the poor. Fame is fleeting and those who have it spend a lot of time worrying about their safety. Power? There's always someone who wants to take their place and are willing to do almost anything to get it. There's no point in talking about those who put themselves up as some kind of god as they may achieve all of the above – fame, power, and money – but their lifestyles usually are missing something very important, happiness. The people of Judah didn't find happiness by ignoring God, and neither will we.
Prayer
Gracious God, may we have ears open to hear your message of love and your rules for achieving true happiness and the will to follow you. 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.
