Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. From:1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
Inspiration
Since we know of the great victory we have in Christ, and the glorious future that is ahead of us, we are to remain encouraged and fixed in the things of God. When we serve God, we are to do so wholeheartedly because our work is not just for ourselves, it is to bring glory to Godβs name.
Prayer
Dear God, I choose to abide in you because I know that there is no one else I can turn to. No one else can compare to you, God. I thank you that my hope is not for nothing, because of all you have promised. May I always give my best in the work I do for you, Father. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Staying on the Right Path
Frances Taylor
Okay, we have just celebrated Christmas and are still in the Christmas season. Are the decorations down? Are the good feelings still there? It is just so once we have accepted Christ into our lives. It can be difficult to maintain the joy and peace of being a follower of Christ. Sometimes we want to pick and choose the commandments we take seriously, the people we choose to love and treat kindly. Just as the Israelites in the dessert turned on Moses and complained against the God who saved him, we can decide that the road to salvation is too difficult. What does Jesus mean when he asks us to love our enemies or forgive those who have hurt us? Do we really have to do that? What about telling the truth or not gossiping and ruining someoneβs reputation? This quote from Hebrews includes a quote from Psalm 95. The Israelites tested the Lord who saved them. We can think that just saying we believe in Jesus, being Baptized, going to church, saying our prayers is enough. But we, too, often harden our hearts and test God with holding on to grudges, failing to forgive, acting out in anger or jealousy, closing our minds or hearts to people who disagree with us. Just as we try to hold on the those feelings of Christmas we need to hold onto our love of Christ and his commandment to love others as he has loved us β especially in those situations and with those people who are the most difficult.
Prayer
Lord, help us to follow your path of love. Keep us from hardening our hearts and straying from your laws. We do not want to be those who stubbornly test the Lordβs patience with our refusal to bend our will to yours. Help us to remain faithful to your way. Amen.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! From:Psalm 133:1 (KJV)
Inspiration
God made us for community, and for unity. In a world marked by selfish ambition, power struggles, and conflict, the unity of Christians is a refreshing and joyous contrast. In order to build, we must each rely on Godβs grace to work out the selfishness and pride of our hearts, so that He can fill us with His Spirit which binds us in Him.
Prayer
God, help me to set aside my agenda, my pride, and my desire for power and prestige. I confess that holding on to these things has damaged my relationships and hurt those around me. Grant me the grace to forgive others who have wronged me, and the humility to seek forgiveness where I have caused strife. Grow the bonds of love that You have given us, so that our unity may testify to Your power and goodness. In Jesusβ name, amen.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. From:Acts 1:14 (KJV)
Inspiration
Prayer was the bond that kept the apostles and the believers of the Early Church together. They spent much time praying in one anotherβs houses β praying for strength and encouragement to remain steadfast in their faith in Christ. Prayer is the same bond that will keep families, marriages, and churches together. We cannot afford to take prayer for granted in our communal lives as believers.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you that we can access you in prayer at all times. Father I pray that I will never neglect the importance of prayer in my life. We know that it is through prayer we remain strengthened and we are able to refresh our union in you. May it remain this way, O Lord. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Try Not To Judge
Frances Taylor
Would you choose to go to a doctor that you were friends with in High School? Or you had as a student if you were a teacher? Sometimes we question the abilities of people we know too well. I remember when one of my students joined the police force and I thought about all the trouble he caused! I know a priest whose friends couldnβt believe he was βholyβ enough. Well, today we read about the call of Levi, Matthew, the tax collector. Although Levi immediately answered the call to follow Jesus, there were a lot of raised eyebrows! Does Jesus know who heβs eating with? Doesnβt he know these people are sinners? Have you ever caught yourself judging the worthiness of others? I know I sometimes fail in that. But Jesus answers them by stating that he came to call sinners. Do we think that the churches should be filled with saints? Is that what we think we are? Lots of questions in this reflection but sometimes we need a wake-up call and the beginning of the year is always a good time to do this. Jesus tells us not to judge but we canβt seem to help ourselves. There is a Native American saying that tells us not to judge anyone until we have walked a mile in his moccasins. Itβs a new year, and Iβm trying for a new attitude.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for choosing to call us while we are still sinners, for choosing to save us in spite of our unworthiness. Give us the courage to follow you and the willingness to change. Amen.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. From:James 2:18 (KJV)
Inspiration
If we say we believe God, but still choose our own way, does our belief mean anything? If we say we trust God but still keep Him out of our decisions, do we really trust Him? If we profess to love God but fail to love our neighbor, is our love for God genuine? Our works will never earn our salvation, but genuine saving faith will compel good works, proving our salvation as the living Spirit works through us.
Prayer
Lord, I love You, believe You, and trust You. Thank You for calling me to faith and imparting me with salvation and righteousness. Empower me to live in Your righteousness so that my works may testify to Your saving power as my faith carries me past all doubt, fear, and failure. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. From:Matthew 5:14 (KJV)
Inspiration
What does light do? It eliminates all forms of darkness. As Christians, we carry light β Christ β and that light will help eliminate darkness from the lives of many. When we are in Christ, we cannot be stopped. The light cannot be put out. Shine your light; the world needs it!
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a pointer to you in every situation I find myself in. May this light that you have placed in me shine brightly and may it help more and more people come to you. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The Great High Priest
Frances Taylor
Have you ever wondered about facing judgment at the time of your death? It can be difficult to even think about death, let alone being judged. Is there any one of us who wants to think about an alternative to being welcomed into heaven? If so, this passage from the letter to the Hebrews can give us hope. Jesus came to win salvation for us but gave us so much more. First, he gave us an example of what it is to live a fully human life, a life of love, forgiveness and compassion, a life of obedience and fidelity. He also gave us the gift of freedom from fear of God and a new image of a God who wants to be thought of as βDaddy.β Jesus, our great high priest, will be the one who can understand what it means to be human with all the struggles, the fears, the challenges and the weaknesses present in our lives. Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is like a two-edged sword that divides us, opening us up and exposing our goodness as well as those less savory aspects of our lives. We are so grateful that Jesus understands us. Going back to the first question in this reflection, I like to think that I am doing Godβs will, that my good deeds will outweigh the not so good. But I know I canβt be sure. And I feel blessed that Jesus knows me so well and can testify on my behalf when the time comes.
Prayer
Compassionate and forgiving God, I ask you to keep me on the right path and when I fail, to forgive my weakness and lead me home. Amen.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: From:1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Inspiration
Have you noticed that predators hunt by surprising their pray? The alert animal might get a head start, bounding away from the threat, while the distracted animal becomes the hunterβs next meal. Satan, too, does his most destructive work when we are distracted by worldly cares or our own selfish desires. We must be alert in the Spirit at all times, ready to flee and defend against Satanβs threats.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your untiring faithfulness. Please help me to free my mind from distractions, and open my eyes to your truth, so that I may see with all wisdom. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may remain vigilant in prayer, and watchful in my walk, so that the enemy may not surprise me in a moment of distraction. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. From:Jude 1:25 (KJV)
Inspiration
It is only God who can keep us from stumbling and making mistakes. His guidance ensures that we always come out right β and never disadvantaged. We begin to encounter errors when we try to do things in our own power.
Prayer
Dear God, I simply ask that I do not wander away from the path that you have set for my life. May I always pay attention to your instructions, and may I carry them out well. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
All Are Welcome
Frances Taylor
But are they? One of the gifts of the Feast of the Epiphany is the realization that Jesus came for ALL people. When we see representations of the Magi coming to worship the new King, we notice that they are of mixed races. We are aware that they are not Jews, but they seem to know that the star they noticed βat its risingβ is a sign that the promised one has been born. At this moment in time, seem to be having difficulty seeing that we are all images of the one God, brothers and sisters regardless of race, nationality or religion. We have some choices to make in this New Year. We can follow the example of Jesus who welcomes all, or we can follow the example of Herod who wishes to destroy. The road to peace is a bumpy one and requires effort. It is a road of acceptance, compassion, forgiveness and taking responsibility for our actions. We can choose to fuel the fires of division and hatred, or we can choose love. As we count down the last few days of this Christmas season, let us decide how we want the world to look. What is the legacy of all our prayers during Advent and Christmas? Let us open our arms to receive one another in peace and love so that all may feel welcome in our churches, our neighborhoods and our community.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to recognize you in the faces of all your children and make them welcome. Amen.
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord. From:Proverbs 19:3 (KJV)
Inspiration
Strange as it may seem, it takes a little wisdom to see our need for wisdom. Sometimes, we are so blinded by our own foolishness that we canβt even see it, instead blaming God for our failures and shortcomings. But when we recognize our folly, our eyes open to the truth that God is our solution, not our problem.
Prayer
Lord, I come before You knowing that I have made mistakes. My short-sighted and selfish choices have brought me strife, yet in my foolishness, Iβve blamed You. Give me eyes to see my error, and give me a measure of Your wisdom so that I may not only overcome my own foolishness but so that I can see You more clearly too. In Jesusβ name, amen.
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. From:Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)
Inspiration
The best way to make sure that your plans work out, is when they are approved by God. When you come up with ideas, check to see that they are in line with Godβs word. When you pray, talk to him about the plans. You will know that God has approved your plans when you sense peace about them.
Prayer
Dear God, I commit all my plans into your hands. Father, may you show me the plans that are not of you and may you guide me in the direction of the plans that you do approve. I know that operating in your approval will ensure success in my plans. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
New Wine
Frances Taylor
Once we have accepted Christ as our Savior, are we hanging on to our old ways β old wineskins β while trying to fit Jesus into it? If so, it just doesnβt work. Just as the new wine would ferment and eventually split the wineskins, we need to decide whether to work with our new beliefs and spiritual path or go back to our former way of life. A person with an addiction β alcohol, gambling, drugs, etc. β cannot continue to visit those places where temptation can be overwhelming β bars, casinos, etc. β or to keep company with the same friends who donβt understand why their friend has changed. Now, Iβm not saying that it is necessary to give up our old friends, what I am saying is that we canβt expect to do the same things we did before. Did you enjoy x-rated movies? Is foul language a staple in your vocabulary? Do you have a whole collection of your favorite βdirtyβ or offensive jokes? Do you think this is what Jesus wants of you? Somehow these things donβt really fit with following Christ. If Jesus is my Savior and I have turned my life over to him, I have to rethink how I live. May all of us work to place this new wine into new wineskins and so have our lives give testimony to our new awareness of the glory of God.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I want to follow you. Give me the grace I need to be a true witness of my love for you. Amen.
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. From:Luke 13:24 (KJV)
Inspiration
When driving, we tend to use the main highways as much as possible. Those roads are big, theyβre designed to accommodate a lot of traffic, and they lead to popular destinations. But our spiritual journeys are different. It is the narrow gate, Jesus himself, that leads to eternal rest. No other road, no matter how well-traveled, will get us there. The ways and ideas of this world may be popular, but they donβt lead to a good destination.
Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Jesus to not only show me the way to You, but to be the way. Help me to listen to his leading so that I may follow him, staying on the narrow path that leads to salvation. Even if the people around me donβt understand, and choose to go another way, guide me so that I may not stray from You. In Jesusβ name, amen.
I think the morning devotional from today (January 7, 2025) is especially relevant to how our mindset should be with our addiction. Very good, Brother!
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. From:Romans 6:13 (KJV)
Inspiration
Every single part of us should be dedicated to godliness and righteousness. We should never let any of our thoughts, gifts, or talents profit the enemy and his kingdom of darkness. From the job that you work in to the workouts you do, make sure that they give glory to God.
Prayer
Dear God, I commit all my thoughts, gifts, talents, and activities into your hands. Lord, may you show me the ones that do not bring glory to your name and may you help me only do the ones that reflect you in your true light. In Jesusβ name, I pray. Amen.
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
I Am The Lord Your God
Frances Taylor
When you consider the commandments, which do you think are the easiest to keep? I wouldnβt be surprised if you name to first two. However, I think they can be the most difficult. Letβs look at the first commandment. Do we put God first? I donβt know where it is elsewhere, but in the United States .ministers of every denomination complain that families are not going to church on Sunday because of sports. The children play sports on Sunday mornings because the adults who coach them want to watch sports on television in the afternoon. Sports has become a god. What about companies that require their workers to sacrifice time with their families if they intend to move up in the ranks? Ambition has become a god. With the media telling us that anything that feels good must be good, whether doing so breaks another commandment or not, pleasure has become a god. I could go on, but you get the picture. Have you made anything or anyone a god in your life? On to the second one. Where can you go where you do NOT hear the name of the Lord taken in vain? Where can you go and not hear cursing? Music, movies, television, the man or woman in the supermarket, children in school, all seem to have no problem with any of these. Do you use βhell, damnβ or the Lordβs name in your conversation? We complain about foul language, but thatβs only offensive, not forbidden by the commandments but called sinful by Paul. Letβs think again about how we live these two important commandments and promise to do a better job.
Prayer
Lord, may we truly put you first in our lives, not just in our words but also in our action. May we think before we take your name in vain and eliminate curse words from our speech. Amen.
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. From:Psalm 139:1 (KJV)
Inspiration
Do you ever feel like nobody understands you? Perhaps you wrestle with conflicting feelings or stumble over thoughts that can be put into words. Itβs comforting to know that our God, our Maker, knows us fully and completely. There is no corner of our hearts or minds that He cannot find. And He not only knows our thoughts, but He understands them and is ready to care for whatever needs we have.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, it is a comfort to know that You know me so well. Thank You for remaining close to me. All of my thoughts and feelings are known to You, even the ones that confuse me. You know me better than I know myself. Please meet my needs, according to Your love, power, and knowledge. In Jesusβ name, amen.
