Devotion
Ingratitude
Frances Taylor
Every once in a while, I read a piece of Scripture that I'm sure I never read before, and yet I know I have. In this case, I know I have read the book of Numbers, in fact all of the Torah, completely, even the boring sections. But when I read this today, I realized that I had forgotten why the Israelites spent the forty years wandering in the desert. They had reached the land of Canaan in much less time than that and Moses sent out scouts to investigate the land. They spent forty days and came back with a glowing report of the land itself and evidence of the produce they found. However, some of the group brought back a report of savage people who would destroy them. They forgot all about God's goodness and power in bringing them out of Egypt and tried to find a new leader to bring them back to Egypt. For their rebellion, the forty days became the forty years and a new generation would claim the Promised Land. It made me think about the times I have rebelled and complained that I couldn't do what God wanted me to do, not trusting that he would be there for me just as he has been with me in the past. It made me wonder if my behavior has delayed God's plans from being achieved. I promise to do a better job of trusting in the power of God to be with me when the going gets tough.
Prayer
Loving and forgiving God, thank you for being with me through the storms of my life and reminding me of the times that I have forgotten this, and giving me renewed courage for the storms to come. Amen.
Night Prayer
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Inspiration
When multiple flocks of sheep become blended, there is no need to worry. The good shepherd will call out to his sheep, and they come directly to him because they know his voice and will not confuse it with others. As God's people, we often become mixed up in things of the world. Sin is tempting as we surround ourselves with the wrong crowd; God is always watching and calls us back to the fold. We find Him when we are lost because we know the sound of His voice; it's the only one we've chosen to follow, and we do not confuse it with others.
Prayer
Dear God, when we are lost, we listen for You. Your voice is precious and will guide us back to the fold where we belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
The Word of God
Frances Taylor
If there's one thing I know about Christians and the Bible, is that there is an ongoing debate about whether it is the word of God or the word of men, and what that means. We all agree that the Bible is the living revealed word of God, but! There are wide differences in how that is interpreted. There are some who believe that every word of the Bible was dictated to someone who wrote it down. For others it is purely men's thoughts. For others, men were inspired by God to write their experience of God. I don't know where you find yourself on this continuum.
For most people who believe that the Bible is inspired either word for word or as guided by God, the Bible tells God's truth. Unfortunately for those of us who speak English, we have to rely the sources we have had over the years as guides to how the Scriptures should be interpreted. I have had many people ask me which translation is correct, but there's no clear answer.
The Bible has been translated ...
Morning Prayer
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Inspiration
Suffering will be a part of our lives as Christians. The New Testament is filled with warnings about the suffering Christians will incur because of their decision to follow Christ and not the ways of the world. Millions of Christians across the world are subjected to torture, isolation, and mockery just because they have chosen to follow Christ. But Christ has also assured us that we will not endure this suffering alone, and a reward lies ahead for all of those who suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that in times of persecution and great tribulations, may you strengthen me and encourage me to keep going on. I also pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who endure great pain and torture for choosing to follow you. May you comfort them in these trying times, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
