Devotion 

The Successor

Frances Taylor 

Moses has died and has appointed Joshua as his successor. God has guided Moses in his choice of successor and has guided Joshua to respond. The people accept Joshua as their leader because Moses had laid hands on him, blessing him and charging him with this responsibility. Joshua would be followed by many others, some leaders better than others, until the Israelites demand a king. These would soon be joined by prophets who would remind the kings to keep the commandments and trust God. John the Baptist was the last of the prophets preparing the way for the promised Messiah. Jesus brought the message of salvation and left the job of spreading that message to the Apostles, who have passes it on to us. We are in many ways the successors to both Moses and Jesus. It is our job to remind others of the need to keep the commandments, to trust God and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Just as Joshua was blessed by Moses in the laying on of hands, we have been ...

Morning Prayer 

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Inspiration 

How is it that no man can call Jesus "Lord" except by the Holy Spirit? No man can call Jesus accursed by the Spirit since the Spirit would never lead one to do that, despite the claims of unbelieving Jews or others who might claim to follow God but hate Jesus Christ. But any man can mouth the words "Jesus is Lord. " Yet, no one can say it believing it and loving Jesus and submitting to his Lordship willingly and joyfully, except by God's Spirit.

Prayer 

Let my lips and heart unite, O Lord, in acknowledging the Lordship of your Son. He is Lord above all other lords, King over all kings, God enthroned in the Heavens. May his blessed Kingdom come and his will be done on earth as in Heaven. Let every knee bow to him and declare he is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Amen.