Devotion
Teach Your Children
Frances Taylor
God, through Moses, tells us that it is our responsibility to pass on our faith to our children. It's not the job of others although others certainly will help you and can add to what you have taught them. But, the primary job is ours. We do this in words and by our actions. We talk to them about God, we tell of the glory of creation that the Father has given us, we talk about the salvation earned for us by the Son, Jesus, and we talk about the fact that the Holy Spirit dwells within us and all who believe. We let them know that we are all God's children and we have a responsibility to love others as Jesus loved us, that we have a responsibility to care for all of God's creation and that includes not being wasteful or destroying the land. It's telling them that God comes first and that sports or money or pleasure are not gods to be worshipped. And this message goes beyond just the telling, these words are to be written on our hearts, carried with us when we're home or away, at work or at play. God should be first in our thoughts in the morning and the last thing we think about before going to sleep. In order to teach our children, we need to learn this for ourselves.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are first in our lives, in our minds and in our hearts. May we always keep you there and share the wonder of you with others. Amen.
Devotion
False Teaching
Frances Taylor
Unfortunately, Christianity is fractured today. It does not have the oneness that Jesus called for at the Last Supper. However, I don't believe that the leaders who are responsible for the different branches of Christianity did it for unholy reasons. But we have all seen those who misuse Scripture and quote it to support their own agenda. There have been those who abused their influence for money or fame and who promote division instead of unity. Today, there are ecumenical groups in practically every city or town that plan combined services both religious and those that promote social justice. It is not in God's plan that we continue to fight over which is the "right" or "only" way to God. It is in God's plan that we work together to find common ground. Unity does not mean uniformity. If we look around the world, all Christian denominations celebrate their faith in different ways. I have been to Lutheran services in the U.S. and also in Tanzania and...
Morning Prayer
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Inspiration
In the context of this passage, the leaders under consideration may also be our ministers, pastors, priests; all those men and women who serve God at the head of our churches, chapels and charities. God wishes us not only to be obedient to him, but also to those within his fellowship who have dedicated their lives to following his words and wisdom. For in order to be truly wise, we ought to also know that knowledge does not spring from oneself alone, but in knowing when to listen, especially to leaders who know the word of Christ inside out, who have spent their lives and careers devoted to understanding his salvation.
Prayer
God on High, my Lord and my Savior. Let me serve you Lord, and all those who do your bidding in your name. Show me wisdom in ...
