Daily Devotional for December 3

 

December 3                                                     Luke 21:5-19

            "Take heed that you are not led astray...."

Jesus does not encourage us, in today's Gospel, to expect that
the world will always affirm us in our experience of and belief
in Christ. In fact, Jesus tells us that we can expect persecu-
tion, and history confirms Jesus' prediction.

Those of us who are gay Christians have had to face perse-
cution, just as Jesus warns. Many in the world despise us for
being religious, organized religion having been "the enemy"
for so long. And as if that weren't enough, we are at times
persecuted by the very church family we seek to belong to.

Some would say that we are victims of false prophets, that
we have been led astray, that the Gospel of love is not for all
people, or even that we should deny that our sexuality is a
good gift from God. With so many conflicting messages, how
do we know God's will in our lives? How do we ferret out
the truth?

Each Christian begins to find the truth by listening to the
whisper of the Spirit in the heart. God still speaks to each of
us, and if we are quiet and open, God's truth will be revealed
to us.

In order to test what we believe God has laid upon our hearts,
we then look at the results of our beliefs, for God's truth will
not result in confusion and pain, but rather in peace and joy.
The fruit of the Spirit in our lives - love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - will
help us know the truth and will set us free.

       Dear God of Truth, help me to discern the truth
  in my life. Help me to separate my imperfect will from
         your perfect will. Help me see the fruit of the
                          Spirit of truth. Amen.

​

From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C