Devotion
They Turned Away
Frances Taylor
Once Joshua died, it didn't take long for the Israelites to turn away and worship Baal. It only took one generation. The latest Pew Report on religious affiliation shows rapid decline in those who declare themselves to be Christian as well as those who attend church on a regular basis. This decline has been going on for several generations and who knows where it will end? Forty years ago, most states had laws preventing businesses being open on Sunday. Today, people get offended if a business closes on Sunday. It's not that long ago that sports for youth could not take place until the afternoon so that families could attend church. But then greed took over and stores are now open as if it's just another day. When Sunday openings first happened, workers had a choice whether or not they were willing to work; now they have no option. Sunday mornings are now for youth sports because their parents want to stay home on Sunday afternoon and watch sports on television. It doesn't take long to find false gods. If families don't go to church, how do they learn about their faith? If the parents aren't there, how can they teach their children? If the children aren't there, who will teach them? It's no surprise that so many people don't identify as Christian, it's a wonder so many still do. I wonder how many of those who do, know what being a Christian means. If we don't know what it means, how can we explain it to others? If we can't explain it, how can we evangelize those around us? Let us be one of those who continues to learn and grow in faith.
Prayer
Lord, we will never be able to remove false gods from our world; however, please give us the courage to stand firm in our faith and trust in you. Amen.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
