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.
Devotion
Misrepresenting God
Frances Taylor
This passage is one I try very hard to take to heart. For over forty years, I have worked to bring the gospel message to children and adults alike. That is what I'm doing as I write this. It is so important that we don't misrepresent God to others. When someone tells me they don't believe in God, I wonder whose image of God they have been taught. When I was a child, it was common to hear that God was some policeman in the sky that was going to punish me for everything I did wrong. The idea of a loving, forgiving God was not taught as the norm. Ministers and other teachers of religion often spoke more of hellfire and damnation. It's no wonder that there are those who claim that God doesn't exist. On the other hand, there are those who taught that God was like Santa Claus, keeping track of our good deeds and rewarding us accordingly, or tracking our misdeeds and punishing us accordingly. Neither of these images of God are accurate. God is loving ...
Morning Prayer
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
Inspiration
Those in ancient Israel, as today and in all lands, who prey upon the poor and vulnerable, who pervert justice against them and deny them their rights, sin against God. His eyes see, his eyelids try the children of men, and nothing is done in secret where he does not know.
Prayer
Give me a heart of compassion, O Lord, for the weak and helpless, for the poverty stricken, for widows and orphans. And give me a righteous indignation against those who oppress them, pervert their justice, or deny their rights. Amen.
Night Prayer
For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Inspiration
The earth is perishable and deteriorates over time; God's love is everlasting, and so is our relationship with Him. We continue to grow each day as we study and become well-versed in the Word. We see blessings, assist in miracles, and continually feel His presence in our lives. We do not deserve love like God's, yet He gives it to us freely and unconditionally. We humble ourselves before Him with thanksgiving for His mercy on our souls.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sins, and guide our steps so we may grow closer to You. Your love is the greatest gift, and we will devote our lives to Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
