Morning Devotional
Micah 7:18-20 (KJV)
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
God Pardons Us
Frances Taylor
We all know that forgiveness can be difficult. Maybe we wonder if God feels the same. We know Jesus told Peter, and therefore us, to forgive seventy times seven times, meaning forever, but did he really mean it? This passage from Micah tells us that God really does pardon our sins and buries them in the depth of the sea, in other words, out of memory. What we have trouble with is not only forgiving the sin, but forgiving the person who sinned against us. What do I mean by that? God wipes the slate clean and lets us start over, but we want the person who sinned against us to prove himself worthy of our trust.
Now, Iβm not talking about sins that have caused severe damage to a person or their reputation, these sins may be forgiven but we donβt put ourselves into a situation where the damage may happen again. Forgive and forget might sound nice, but some situations should not be forgotten. However, forgiveness is important. Lack of forgiveness can hold us bound in ways that can destroy us physically or spiritually. Holding on to grudges and anger can cause physical damage such as high blood pressure or ulcers, it can keep us from enjoying life because we refuse to be in the presence of the person who sinned against us, or we can become hardened and be unwilling to trust anyone. Let us make time this Lent to see if we are holding a grudge against anyone in the past who might have hurt us. God forgives us, and calls us to forgive others.
Prayer
Compassionate and forgiving God, help us to let go of hurts of the past and be there with us giving us the strength we need to forgive when it is hard. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
From: John 1:17 (KJV)
Inspiration
Weβre all familiar with the idea of laws. We know the Ten Commandments, and we understand all of the rules that have been built on top of them. But now that we have received grace from Jesus, are we done with the law? Not at all. Rather, we see how the law has pointed to Jesus all along, revealing His character, and helping us see our need for His grace, by which he empowers us to live for Him.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for the ancient law and for Your word, which have led the way to You. Though I could never keep the law on my own, You have given me Your grace, which covers my sins. Remain in me, Lord, and live through me, so that I might dwell in Your truth, and Your grace may flow through me to others. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
From: Romans 5:5 (KJV)
Inspiration
Hope is often used in modern English to mean a possible but uncertain desire, as in the phrase "I hope so. " But in the Bible, it is used very differently. It is used in KJV, at least, in the older English meaning of a "an eager expectation of some longed for future event. " Our Christian experience strengthens our hope, for Godβs love is still in us working powerfully through all that we go through as Christians.
Prayer
O Giver of true hope and Comforter of our souls, we have a sure and blessed future that awaits us. We know that your promises will not and cannot fail because He who promised is faithful. Your love is shed abroad in our hearts, and we love you because you first loved us. Let the hope you have given us encourage us, we pray, in the midst of even the most difficult circumstances. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Exodus 20:1-2 (KJV)
And God spake all these words, saying,
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Godβs Law Is Universal
Frances Taylor
No one likes to be insulted, to be lied to, to have their possessions stolen or defaced. I could go on, but you already get the idea. We know in our hearts what is right and what is wrong. Godβs law is imprinted there. It was further defined by the Ten Commandments and even more so by Jesusβ law of love.
I always tell those unsure about right and wrong to ask themselves first, if they wouldnβt like it done to them, and second, if they need to justify their actions, itβs probably wrong. We really donβt need to ask if original sin is an outdated idea since we all have a tendency to put ourselves first and God and everyone else in a sometimes distant second or third place. St. Teresa of Calcutta used to say that Baptism is a verb, not a noun. It is not something we get, but something we do. What difference does it make in your life that you are a baptized Christian? Does it affect the choices you make? Do you consider some of the commandments mere suggestions?
Moses told the people not to add or subtract from the law. Jesus told the Pharisees and scribes that they were hypocrites because they cared more for human precepts than Godβs law. James warned in his letter that we are not to be stained by the world. I seldom go to the movies and watch mostly reruns on TV because I am offended by the lack of morality presented. I worry about the example parents give when they use obscene and vulgar language in front of their children. The world seems to operate on the lowest level of morality β if it gives me pleasure, itβs good; if it makes me uncomfortable or gives me pain, itβs bad. Godβs law operates on the highest level β making choices based on the universal good. We are called to strive to be Christ-like. Maybe itβs time to take a really good look at the choices we make.
Prayer
Lord, we know that your laws are not difficult, but we donβt like to be told what to do We act like unruly children and do what we know we shouldnβt. Help us to do a better job of being your children. Give us the graces we need to follow your commands. Amen
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
From: Deuteronomy 15:11 (KJV)
Inspiration
The poor will always be with us. Does that mean that we should give up on solving poverty? Quite the opposite- it means that we will always have a duty to help our neighbors in need. As children of our generous Heavenly Father, we too ought to be generous and prepared to help where our help is needed. In doing so, we fulfill the law and honor the love of God that is within us.
Prayer
Father, thank You for blessing my life in so many ways. Please help me to be a faithful steward of the resources that You have given me. Open my eyes to the needy around me so that I may share with them out of the portion that You have given me. Use me to share Your love, for the sake of Your kingdom and the glory of Your name. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
From: 1 John 4:10 (KJV)
Inspiration
Propitiation is a seldom used and little understood term but still conveys a very important Biblical concept. When Christ βpropitiatedβ our sins on the cross, he make full satisfaction to the righteous demands of Godβs justice. He satisfied the wrath of God in our place and bore in his body the pain of a Roman cross. That is love.
Prayer
O Lover of my soul, when you revealed to me that love with which you loved me from all eternity, it was then that I knew what love really was. You taught me what it is to love on the cross of Calvary. Teach me to love you and others the way that you have loved me. Show me wherein I have failed to truly love, and help me to follow the example of your steps of love and holiness. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Luke 1:30-33 (KJV)
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
The Annunciation
Frances Taylor
The first thing I think of on this date is that 9 months from today it will be Christmas! But this is not what we should be reflecting upon. Imagine what it must have been like for Mary. Here she was, a simple girl in a small town, betrothed and getting ready to be married and now she is told that she has been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. What must have gone through her mind! What will Joseph say? Will he still want to marry her? What does it mean to be a mother to a Savior? Joseph will answer the first two questions, but the rest she will have to learn, as most mothers do, day by day.
God has a plan for each of us as well. His plans are not made known in quite the same kind of grand announcement, but he does tell us. What do you enjoy doing? What gifts do you see in yourself? God doesnβt ask us to do or be anything other than what he has prepared us to do. He doesnβt ask one who gets F in science to be a doctor, for example. And since Jesus tells us that he has come to bring us joy, heβs not going to lead us to a vocation that will make us miserable. But the one vocation all the baptized have is to bring the message of Jesus to others. We do this by example as well as by word. He has planted the seed of faith in our hearts; all we have to do is live it.
Prayer
Lord, you prepared Mary to be the mother of your Son, you have prepared us by our baptism to spread the word of his saving acts to others. Help us to recognize this call and say yes, just as Mary did. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
From: 1 Corinthians 15:45 (KJV)
Inspiration
Adam was formed from the earth, and his body was given life. So we too have life in our bodies. But in Jesus, we are promised life beyond our bodies, as His resurrection has secured for us the spiritual bodies of eternity, no longer subject to pain, death, and decay.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of life. And thank You for giving Jesus victory over death, and for calling me to new life. You have given me hope, through the resurrection. And I take comfort in knowing that when my body is gone, I too will share in Your victory for all eternity. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
From: 1 John 4:18 (KJV)
Inspiration
There is in the Bible a βfear of Godβ that is holy reverance and a desire to avoid offending him or suffering his judgment or discipline. That kind of fear is compatible with love and helps us depart from iniquity. But faithless fear, of man, of life events, or of God based on false ideas, is incompatible with love of God.
Prayer
O giver of true love in our hearts, it is your purpose to cast out all ungodly fear that our love for you may be made perfect. When we love you perfectly, we will also serve you perfectly. And that service will not be a burden but a joy. Extinguish false fears in us, Lord, we pray, and strengthen a true love for you in our hearts. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Psalms 25:4-5 (KJV)
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Teach Me, Guide Me
Frances Taylor
Who teaches you? Who do you allow to guide you? One of the passages we reflected on once before concerned βblind guides.β Sometimes itβs hard to know who we should be listening to. The psalms tell us that our teacher and guide is the Lord. Paying attention to Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, reading them, studying them, reflecting upon them provides the guidance we need. But we need to reach out to them, because if we donβt we will allow blind guides to teach us. The media is more than happy to teach and guide us. Do whatever you want, regardless of the consequences; climb over others to get to the top; lie if you can so you can avoid being blamed for something; money is more important than family; lust and greed are just ways to get what you want. This is the teaching of the world. The commandments have a different idea of what is right and wrong. The Beatitudes lead us in another direction as well. Working for peace and justice is the way of God. Sacrifice is the way of the cross. Love and forgiveness, compassion and kindness are the ways of Jesus.
We are all children of the one God, created in his image and for the purpose of taking care of the created world. When we care for one another, we are following Godβs guidance. When we welcome the stranger, reach out to the poor and the vulnerable, we are allowing God to guide us. Let us return to the Scriptures again and again to teach and guide us through this life so that we may enjoy their fulfillment in the next.
Prayer
Lord, you are the way to truth, may we look to you always to lead us. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
From: Acts 16:7 (KJV)
Inspiration
God has a plan for us. And sometimes, His plans are different from ours. Even the good things that we want to do may interfere with doing the better things that He has in mind for us. We must keep watching and listening for His instruction. And when we encounter obstacles, we must seek Him in prayer for further direction.
Prayer
God, thank You for giving me a place in Your church, and for using me to share Your good news with others. Help me to understand where You are leading me, so that my plans may align with Your plans. If I should seek a different course, please gently direct me to where You want me to go. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
From: 1 John 4:21 (KJV)
Inspiration
Jesus summed up the whole Law of God in the command to love God and to love oneβs neighbor. Here, John the Apostle tells us that he who commands us to love God commands us to love our brothers in Christ as well. The two are inseparable. We cannot keep or break the one command without keeping or breaking the other.
Prayer
Lord, let us examine ourselves to see if we are walking in love for our brothers in Christ and in love for you. We cannot love the Father without loving His children also. We cannot love God and hate our brother. Lead us in the paths of love, which are the paths of holiness and of keeping your Word. For love is the fulfilling of the Law. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 (KJV)
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Keeping the Commandments
Frances Taylor
Moses is giving the Israelites his final teaching and advice before they enter the Promised Land. He is reminding them of all the blessings the Lord has bestowed on them from the time he rescued them from Egypt. Moses knows he will not be entering the Promised Land with them because he has displeased God. He also knows that it is important for them to remember these blessings so that they might remain faithful to the commandments. We know from reading Scripture that the Israelites did forget, did disobey, did not remain faithful to the commandments. Jesus commented that the Pharisees of his day obeyed the human laws more than Godβs laws. What of us today? Do we keep the commandments? I have mentioned before, that many of us consider the commandments βsuggestionsβ or commandments for only the time in which they were given. But think of the discord caused by dishonesty, greed and abuse of authority. Mosesβ advice to the Israelites is just as true today as it was millennia ago. Following Godβs law is just as important now as it was then. As we proceed through Lent, let us read again Mosesβ address to the people in Deuteronomy.
Prayer
Lord, you have given us a map to follow so that we might live in peace and harmony. Give us the grace we need to follow it. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
From: Psalm 37:1 (KJV)
Inspiration
Often it is too easy to want what others have. Particularly when we see others who have built up wealth, comfort, and prestige through dishonest actions that have hurt others. God warns us to set aside such envy. When we covet the things that are attained by evil means, we open ourselves up to the temptation to follow their ways.
Prayer
Father God, protect my heart from all envy and jealousy. Teach me to not dwell on the riches and comforts of evil men. Turn my attention to the riches of Your kingdom so that I may dwell on heavenly things. Help me to remember how richly blessed I am because of knowing You. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
From: Ezekiel 36:23 (KJV)
Inspiration
God is holy, His name is great, and He is good. At times, He is profaned by those who claim to follow Him but do not act in His will. They do evil and say it is His will when it is not. God will not let His name remain profaned. He will make unbelievers know that He is God and that He is good. Maybe you know someone who drags Godβs name through the mud. That can be frustrating and even infuriating to watch. Take heart. God is mightier than them. He will make Himself known.
Prayer
LORD, You are mighty and good. You will make Your character known. Show Your might to the nations. Make unbelievers tremble at the knowledge of You. Show them You are God. You have the power to do anything. Let Your will be done. Let men bow before You and know that You are God. I have heard of Your mighty works, and I have seen some of Your mighty works firsthand. Act mightily in Your creation. In Jesusβ name. Amen.
Morning Devotional
Luke 11:17-20 (KJV)
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
A House Divided
Today, Christianity is divided. Iβm not necessarily speaking about denominational differences because as long as a denomination is accurately presenting Jesusβ message of the Good News, there is no problem. The problem comes when people who call themselves βChristianβ preach and teach a false gospel. Just as there were Jewish leaders who tried to challenge Jesus in his own time because they didnβt like what he was teaching, there are people today who donβt want to follow the totality of his message. We learn from Paul that there is βOne Lord, One Faith and One Baptism, One Lord of All.β If this is true, then why do we consider one baptism more valid than another? If the Lord is Lord of all, then why do some claim to belong more to the Lord than others?
Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, chastises them for their divisions saying, βI am of Paul and I am of Apollos,β etc. Paul reminds them that if they were baptized into Christ, that should be the end of it. It doesnβt matter who led you to Christ, itβs more important that we came to him. Let us work together to help end a spirit of division among all of us who are blessed to be baptized into Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Prayer
Prayer
Lord, just as you are one and Jesus prayed that we all should be one, help us to work together to end division among your people. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
From: Matthew 6:22 (KJV)
Inspiration
What we see has such a great impact on our inner being. And what we choose to look at, even more so. When our eyes feed our lust and greed, the darkness of envy grows within us. But when we look with wonder at Godβs handiwork, or with compassion on Godβs children, His light fills us and radiates from us.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of sight. I marvel each day at the beauty and grandeur of Your creation. Protect my eyes from the sights that would distract me, from the allure of treasures or the lusts of the flesh. Help me to keep my eyes pure so that Your light may remain in me. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Bible Verse of the Day
Morning Prayer
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
From: Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)
Inspiration
Friendships are important, but it does not matter how many friends you have. It matters more what type of friends you have. Some people seem to stockpile friends, but if they do not have any friends who are loyal or dependable, then what good are they? Instead, you should try to develop friendships of the heart like David and Jonathan. These men cared deeply for one another and offered protection and love. They did stick closer than a brother. Fortunately, as Christians, we have our Savior as our closest friend.
Prayer
Dear God, help me to develop relationships that matter. Give me discernment to choose friends that are loyal and draw me closer to you. Remind me that popularity fades, but true friendships last. When I feel alone, remind me that you are always near and always faithful. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and laying your life down for me. Draw me closer to you, O Lord. May I honor my relationship with you by serving you with all my heart, soul, and mind. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Morning Devotional
Hosea 6:4-6 (KJV)
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Our Obedience Can Be Fleeting
Frances Taylor
We have a very small attention span at times. When we want or need something from God, our prayers are fervent, we promise to change and do a better job of following him. But then things get better, we might or might not remember to say thank you, and things go back to normal. And then what? God gets put on the back burner and we go along our merry way, things get out of hand again and we canβt figure out why. And then we start praying again, promising this or that β please help me and Iβll never do that again, Iβll go to church every Sunday, Iβll pay more attention to my family, etc. We read the Bible and wonder why the Israelites just couldnβt stay faithful to God. Well, letβs look at ourselves! Are we really that much different than the Israelites? I donβt think so. I see myself in this, perhaps you do as well. Itβs Lent. Weβre almost at the half-way point. Are you still as fervent as you were on Ash Wednesday? Is it time to get back on track? Let us thank God for his patience with us.
Prayer
Gracious God, you are more patient with us than we deserve. We keep running to you when we are in trouble and you are always there. Thank you for your goodness. Amen.
Night Bible Verse of the Day
Night Prayer
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
From: 1 John 5:5 (KJV)
Inspiration
Overcoming the world sounds like an impossible feat. How do we defeat the forces of greed, strife, and pride that define the ways of the world? Only through Jesus, who leads us in a life of humble sacrifice. In Jesus, we find the peace of a secure eternity, no matter what we face in this world, freeing us to pursue His kingdom instead of worldly gains.
Prayer
Lord God, thank You for calling me to be a child of Your kingdom. Youβve called me to resist the ways of the world as I live for You, but I cannot do it alone. Thank You for sending Jesus to live that I may have an example to follow. And thank You for His death and resurrection, by which I receive the power to follow You. In Jesusβ name, amen.
