Devotion
Do As I Say, Not As I Do
Frances Taylor
How often have we heard these words! We know what to do, we can even teach others what is right, but do we follow through and listen to ourselves? I believe that is why we get so upset when a teacher, minister, judge or policeman gets into trouble for doing the wrong thing. After all they are the ones who either teach or enforce the rules for others. As Christians we are expected to be examples, role models for Christian behavior. We are called to be loving and forgiving, and therefore called to a higher moral standard than non-believers I once heard an interesting question given during a sermon: "If the Christians were being persecuted today, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Would they find kindness, would they see a life dedicated to serving others? If they followed you, or me, for a week, could they tell that you are the Christian in the group? I can only judge myself and know that there have been times when I would have been embarrassed by my behavior. I know that I was not always patient with my children, or kind to co-workers, or friends. There certainly have been times when I could have been less judgmental and more willing to go the extra mile for a friend. I only ask that God gives me the grace to be a better example going forward.
Prayer
Lord, you expect more from me than I have been willing to give. Help me to be a better teacher by my actions than I have been in the past. 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.
