Night Prayer
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
Inspiration
Our lives overflow with struggles and hardships. It often feels we are stuck with no way to escape. We are overwhelmed with bills, busy schedules, and broken relationships, yet, we maintain hopeful hearts. We know that struggles develop character, and our faith grows stronger when we lean upon the Lord for comfort and guidance. We will not allow our challenges to cause anxiety because we know the Lord is always present in our time of need.
Prayer
Dear Lord, We feel overwhelmed with the busyness of our lives. We have hope in Your plan for our lives and continue to trust Your will. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
God is With You
Frances Taylor
I needed to think about this passage for a while. I checked out a different translation and "Yahweh of Armies" was translated "Lord of Hosts." I think that gives me a different take on this section of Zechariah. It places God at the head of those who trust him to save them from those who would overcome them and enslave them. The Israelites had been ruled at different times by different enemies – usually after they had been unfaithful to Yahweh. This passage made me think of Jesus and the woman with the hemorrhage who held on to the hem of his garment and was healed, because she believed that God was with him. It made me wonder if we who say that we believe that God is with us, are good enough examples of this belief to have people want to hold the hem of our garments in search of the God who is with us. The world is always in flux and people of every nation are threatened in one way or another. For some, it is the materialistic, anti-God culture, ...
Morning Prayer
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Inspiration
Every believer has the Spirit of God, whom Christ sent, dwelling in him. And wherever the Spirit so dwells, he sanctifies. Despite the struggle in us between the old nature and the new, believers will not simply live out their entire lives "in the flesh. " They will show evidence of being "in the Spirit. "
Prayer
Help me, O Lord, to walk in the Spirit, that I fulfill not the lusts of the flesh. Let me be led of your Spirit who dwells in me, led into holiness of heart and life. Test my thoughts, examine my words, shed the light of your Word on each step I take. I am not skilled to walk alone, Lord, but must constantly rely on you for guidance and strength for the journey. Amen.
Devotion
Dealing With Hurt
Frances Taylor
What do you do when someone "sins" against you? No one goes through life without being hurt by someone. Most of the time, the person causing the pain doesn't even realize it. Sometimes the person truly intends the pain. But, what do we do about it? In this gospel passage, Jesus tells his disciples to first go to the person and keep it between the two of them. In this way, the person who has offended the other can explain his/her intent, apologize for any pain caused, and the relationship can be maintained. But what happens when the first thing someone does is go and tell all his/her friends and family members about it? There can be resentment against the guilty party that could be unfounded. I have known of women who have complained and complained about the treatment they have received from spouses or children, bosses or coworkers, and never confronted the person directly. I'm not talking about abuse or abusive situations, but normal slights and ...
