Devotion
Let us Bless The Lord
Frances Taylor
This is one of the psalms attributed to David. He is thanking God for rescuing him and promising to bless God at all times. He asks us to join him in his praises. He says his soul shall boast in the Lord. St. Paul tells us that we, too, should only boast in the Lord because it is he who always saves us. So, today, make a list. Make a list of everything that you are thankful for. Make a list of every success you have had and every failure you have survived. Make a list of every person who has helped you grow as a person and as a Christian. Now, look at it. Each of the items, events or persons on these lists are blessings from God. Either now, or before the day is over, bless and thank God for each of them. Ask God, also, to bless each of the people you have listed that you might be a blessing for them. If some of them are now with God, they would still like to hear you say thank you. God is so good to us all the time, and as one of my favorite people once answered, and all the time God is good.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all the times you have been there for us even when we were unaware of your presence. We thank you for the people you have sent to us to help us grow and we ask you to bless them in turn. Amen.
Night Prayer
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Inspiration
We love our brothers and sisters in Christ and miss one another when separated. Paul was eager to see the church of Rome and anticipated blessing them with a spiritual gift. He saught to deliver encouragement by joining them in person to worship and fellowship. When we fellowship together, the unity strengthens our character, and we discover unique qualities amongst our brethren that aid in the church's ministry. We are all eager to unite in the name of God and develop and strengthen our gift of evangelism.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we love our church family and desire to make our time of fellowship a priority this day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Yahweh Has Triumphed
Frances Taylor
I understand that sometimes people think I'm nuts, but when I'm in a hurry and the lights turn green as I get to them, I thank God. When I find a parking spot right when I need it, I thank God. I even thank God each time I finish a reflection on his word. It's a habit I developed in my youth and continue. Gratitude is a habit. The Israelites were ecstatic after walking through the sea and also very pleased that the Egyptians were prevented from following them. And so they sang in praise of God's goodness. Now, green lights and parking places are not great triumphs, but as I said, gratitude is a habit. It's easy enough to develop; all we need is the will. It begins by realizing that all is gift, all we have is from God. Even the dark times give us reason to give thanks to God because it is through God's grace that we survive the dark times. When we begin to examine the events of the day we realize where God has been, where we've recognized him...
