Devotion
Turn to Me
Frances Taylor
Again we have a prophet spreading God's message of love, begging the people to admit their wrongdoing, and sincerely repent and turn back to him. When you read the Old Testament, you start to wonder if they will ever learn. I wonder what historians one hundred years from now will say about us and our behavior. Will they read the New Testament and find remnants of Christian groups and compare their behavior with the Bible, and find us worthy of the name? I'm not so sure. Not only is there a lot of what I consider very un-Christian behavior by individuals but also by Christian groups towards one another. Perhaps we should reread Joel and the messages given by some of the other prophets and take these messages to heart. God wants us to turn to him. He wants us to take responsibility for our actions, and ask forgiveness so that he can forgive and renew us. God isn't looking for grandiose exhibitions of repentance, but a sincerity of heart. It's how much we are willing to change our behavior. It's how welcoming we will be to the stranger, how much we are willing to help others to grow in their faith as well as how willing we are to grow in our own.
Prayer
Forgiving God, you are so patient with us. We repeat our sinful behaviors again and again. We turn to you today and ask for your forgiveness and the desire to change. Amen.
Morning Prayer
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Inspiration
The armor of God isn't a literal, iron-made armor that we have to wear every day. No. The "armor of God" refers to the characteristics, virtues and traits God has equipped us with to defeat the enemy's attempts to bring us down. The enemy is on a mission to discourage and waylay as many of God's children as possible; by "putting one the armor of God" we keep our minds and hearts ready for any trap or weapon we may come across.
Prayer
Dear God, I am aware that the enemy tries, day in and day out, to get me to doubt you and to fear him. Thank you, Lord, for your armor which comes in the form of salvation, righteousness, truth, the word of God, the gospel of peace, and faith. I know that I am able to withstand any attack of the enemy because you have prepared me accordingly. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Inspiration
Leadership and teaching are high callings. There is more to both than just imparting knowledge or giving instruction to others. We must have the conviction to live what we teach and lead by example. When we do so, we demonstrate not only the integrity and reliability of our words but the credence of the gospel itself as others see the effect that it has on our lives.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for calling me to be a leader. Whether I have many or few in my care, I ask that Your Spirit would fill me and empower me to live according to Your goodness and grace. Test my actions so that they may always be in step with Your truth. And test words so that they may always lead others in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Devotion
By Their Fruits
Frances Taylor
We need to be on the lookout for those who would lead people away from God by pretending that they are leading them to God. We have seen this happen several times in very public and tragic ways, but it can happen in less public ways as well. The world was horrified when they learned of the mass murder/suicide of over 900 people, one third of them minors in Guyana in 1978, and again of the destruction of the compound in Waco, Texas where over 70 people died. Both of these tragedies occurred because the leaders of the cult claimed to either be a god or be God's messenger or Messiah. There have been many other cults operating with less destructive results. Preying on loners or immigrants, the leaders promise security here and eternal life if only you follow them. They don't say that you are following God, but you are following them because they are the only ones who know the way! By their fruits you will know them. These people ask blind obedience, ...
