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.
Devotion
Rejoice in Your Youth
Frances Taylor
Ecclesiastes is an interesting book to read. The theme seems to be that all is vanity. In this passage the young are advised to remember that God watches over us all and all our actions are subject to his judgment. If you continue reading in chapter 12, you will find that the youth is being warned that he will someday be old with all the infirmities that this will bring. We need to rejoice in every day we are given and not waste them. Don't take your youth for granted and spend them doing evil. How often have you heard someone excuse the young by saying that he is just sowing his wild oats. There really is no such thing. There is no excusing bad behavior because someone is young.
Our moral compass has become skewed in recent years and it seems that there are no moral boundaries. Adultery, hooking-up, pornography, sexual harassment and abuse are normal and even celebrated! Both men and women are looked at as sexual objects to be used instead of ...
Morning Prayer
As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Inspiration
Solomon compares a woman who has physical beauty but no wisdom to a gold ring stuck in a pig's nose. It is a most unfitting sight. It is an irony to see outer beauty where there is no inner beauty of soul. Far too many focus on only outward adornment but neglect to walk in the beauty of holiness with the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, let us seek after that inner beauty of holiness and not after the vanity of external beauty, which is of no spiritual value and quickly fades away. Let our focus be on the heart and not on that which is seen by men. Amen.
Night Prayer
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Inspiration
Lillies in a field seem unimportant compared to the turmoil and strife erupting in the world today, which makes Christ's statement ever more precious. God provides nourishment to the lilies and adorns them with beauty. They are as carefree in an open field as we are, resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father. He promises to love and protect us, shield us from evil, and bless us unconditionally. His promise brings us hope and encouragement as we walk along the road toward salvation.
Prayer
Dear Father, we know we are safe in Your arms as You nourish our souls and adorn us with unconditional love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
