21st. April. 2022. Daily Devotion.

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29

All too often we let differences divide us. We tend to be afraid of other people or new situations, and we don’t take the time to see each other as children of God who are created in his image.

The apostle Paul wanted his readers to know that their differences didn’t matter either. What really matters is Christ Jesus. As we believe in him, we are all one, no matter our ethnic background or our gender or our economic or social status. We belong to him as God’s children. That’s an important thing to remember in a world that seeks to divide and frighten us. We find our unity in Christ Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. B. Lamsma.

Father, help us to remember all that unites us, and help us to seek unity as we broaden our community in you. Amen.

Still within us now, O Lord, any voice but yours, lest we hear but do not receive, lest we listen but do not act, lest we know but do not love, and let your Holy Spirit turn our hearts and lives to your truth. Amen Liturgy of the French Reformed Church

To Find God’s Beauty in Nature

It is the Holy Spirit who makes us find joy in each flower, the exquisite scent, the delicate colour, the beauty of the Most High in the tiniest of things. Glory and honour to the Spirit, the Giver of Life, who covers the fields with their carpet of flowers, crowns the harvest with gold, and gives to us the joy of gazing at it with our eyes. O be joyful and sing to Him: Alleluia! Amen.

For Refugees

Almighty and merciful God, whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own; look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief; inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord God, your Son Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In his resurrection he restores life and peace in all creation. Comfort, we pray, all victims of intolerance and those oppressed by their fellow humans.
Remember in your kingdom those who have died. Lead the oppressors towards compassion and give hope to the suffering. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.