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.
Night Prayer
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Inspiration
The earth is corrupt and full of temptation. The desire for riches, fame, and an extravagant lifestyle is common for most people. Christians see something more important than earthly things as our focus is on the Lord; He is our treasure, safe refuge, and precious friend. Nothing compares to His steadfast love and the peace we have in His presence. We will make it a priority to share the Gospel with everyone so they too can see the value of life with God.
Prayer
Dear Lord, You are more precious than silver and gold. Show us opportunities to guide others to You; we want them to experience salvation along with us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
I Have Heard Their Cry
Frances Taylor
God hears us. He hears the cries of his people when they are being oppressed. In this case, the people of Israel were being oppressed by the Egyptians and God had placed Moses in a position to help them be free. God hears his people cry today. There is oppression in some countries of Christians and also of the Jews. God never abandoned his chosen people, and he doesn't abandon those who have chosen to follow his Son, Jesus. Sometimes oppression occurs in the workplace or neighborhoods as well. Men and women can be oppressed because of religious beliefs, for race, for language, for country of origin, for economic status, or for gender. While I was still in college a friend got a job teaching in an inner city school. Because the children were mostly from poor families and minorities, the budget for supplies was not the same as that for schools in better neighborhoods. People got together and demanded equality. It took time, but God guided them ...
