Devotion
The Wicked or the Righteous
Frances Taylor
Which would you be? Which would I be? We all would like to think we would be among the righteous, but can we really be sure? You see, we're not the ones doing the judging! That's both a good thing and not so good. It's a good thing because we would probably throw away a lot of good people just because we didn't like them, were envious of their success, thought in a different way, or we considered them part of some enemy group. It's also a good thing because people who don't like us or are afraid of us can't throw us away. It's a bad thing because God knows everything including our thoughts and the opportunities to do good that we ignored. He knows our prejudices, our lack of forgiveness, the times we lied or failed to tell the truth when someone else took the blame for something we did. God knows the real us that lives beneath the surface. Our private face as well as our public face. The reality is that we don't need to wait for the end of the world for judgment. We will be judged at the end of our world, when we die. I'm pretty sure that all of us reading this will be waiting for the end of the world from the other side. Actually, I hope so. I'm not sure I want to live through the chaos and turbulence of the end of the world as described in Scripture. Let us make sure that our private face is as righteous as we try to make our public face so that we may enjoy eternity with all the saints.
Prayer
Loving and merciful God, you keep reminding us that you have shown us the way to happiness in this world and the next. Please give us the graces we need to stay on the path to righteousness. Amen.
Night Prayer
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Inspiration
Spiritual leaders must possess specific characteristics as they complete works in the name of the Lord. He calls upon them to lead a lifestyle that reflects His nature. They must be an example to us regarding how we spiritually align our lives with the will of God and remove sin from our hearts. We will be on the lookout for these characteristics in people we choose as leaders or look up to as role models.
Prayer
Dear Lord, You have told us what to expect from a true spiritual leader. Help us remain alert to imposters as we look to them for guidance. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Morning Prayer
I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Inspiration
God is a jealous god. He does not want us to give our affection to anything of the world. As the creator of the universe, He knows all things as He created all things. Therefore, he deserves all our praise. He knows what has passed and what is yet to come.
Prayer
Dear God, forgive me for the times when I have turned away from you and idolized the things of this world. You are the only one who deserves my worship. Forgive me. Thank you for extending your mercy. Thank you for continuing to do new things, O Lord. I place my trust in you. In Jesus' name, amen.
