PAUSE to PRAY

 

Over the last year I participated in a group called "HEARTS EXCHANGED." It was a study of the relationship between Indigenous People and Non Indigenous People and the "road to reconciliation."

I learned much!! As a pastor I was drawn to the rich spirituality of Indigenous People and in particular those who are "Christ followers." Today I would like to share some prayers that have been part of my daily prayers, for the last several months. Prayers that I have learned from Indigenous Sisters and Brothers. 

I invite you to read them slowly and reflectively and let God's spirit speak into your hearts today on this "ORANGE SHIRT DAY." 

Pastor Darrell



A Prayer for Bravery

Creator Father, help me to understand that because you are as close to me as my breath, I may be brave. May your Spirit give me the courage to face challenges and circumstances with the confidence that your power for me is greater than death and all evil. Meegwetch*. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Meegwetch is Algonquin for "Thank You."

A Prayer For Humility

Creator Father, give me the true humility that understands you made me as part of your sacred creation. Fill my heart with the joy of being your child. Help me humbly affirm myself as your child through my words and actions with all my fellow creatures. Meegwetch. In Christ’s name. Amen.

A Prayer for Wisdom

Creator Father, protect me from ignorance and foolishness. Bless me with the desire to learn the truth at all times. Increase my knowledge of your creation and your teachings. Fill my heart with love for wisdom so that I may share the light of your teachings. Meegwetch. In Christ’s name. Amen.

A Prayer for Truth

Creator Father, give me love that I may have peace. Help me to respect and honour all creatures. Encourage me so that I may bravely speak honestly and live with integrity. Grant me the humility to know that I am your child so that I will cherish your teachings. Meegwetch. In Christ’s name. Amen.

A Prayer for Honesty

Creator Father, purify my heart so that my tongue may speak the truth with love. May your Spirit lead me so that the honesty of my words and the integrity of my actions will bring praise to you, bless others, nurture creation and affirm myself as your child. Meegwetch. In Christ’s name. Amen.

A Prayer For Love

Creator Father, help me to love you with all of my spirit, mind, heart and strength. Help me to love all creatures as I love myself. May your Spirit purify and strengthen my love so that I may have peace with you, my family, other creatures and all creation. Meegwetch. In Christ’s name. Amen.

 

LISTENING TO OUR STORIES

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

Orange Shirt Day grew out of Phyllis Webstad’s memory of her first day of school at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in British Columbia.

When six-year-old Phyllis excitedly arrived wearing a shiny orange shirt from her grandmother, the teachers took it away. Says Phyllis, “The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”

Phyllis went on to earn diplomas in Business Administration and Accounting. In 2017, she was awarded Thompson River University’s Distinguished Alumni Award for her unprecedented impact on local, provincial, national and international communities through the sharing of her orange shirt story.

Recently, in our worship time together during a meditation I asked the question of all of us When you look out at our world, what breaks your heart? What makes you sad? Do you remember? My answer to this question is the story of the Indigenous Community and their experiences of Residential Schools and the impact of this trauma on them.

Tomorrow is “ORANGE SHIRT DAY” in our Canada, September 30 is a day for communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well being, to hear stories of residential schools survivors and to imagine a better future.

I want to invite you to engage with some of the following links that help us understand the story of the experience of Indigenous People and residential schools for our devotion today.

Here are some links for you. I need to warn you though that while informative you may find yourself, as we say, "triggered" emotionally by some accounts.  I certainly was, yet we do need to hear these hard truths. If you do not feel able our safe for this material skip down on the blog and you will find two prayers, One for Survivors of the Schools and a prayer for ourselves.

https://network.crcna.org/biblical-justice/reflection-national-truth-and-reconciliation-day

     

https://network.crcna.org/ministry-canada/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-trc-calls-action

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWlfZoKj-U-o-T1GruFp4qg      Click under Videos

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Prayer of Lament

http://albertasynod.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Prayer-of-Lament.pdf

Prayer for Ourselves

God of love,

We open our ears, hearts and minds to the stories of residential school survivors. We give thanks for the courage of survivors to tell hard truths. Help us to learn from our past as we commit to walking in new ways 

towards reconciliation.

Amen

God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:19-20

 

HAVE YOU UNDERSTOOD ALL THIS?

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

Matthew 13:44-51

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all this?”

 

In today’s reading Jesus uses a sequence of images to show how astonishing and surprising God’s kingdom is. The story of the pearl says the kingdom is hidden but very precious. The comparison to yeast suggests that, although it is invisible, it is effective. Anyone who’s been fishing knows how unpredictable that activity can be, and the kingdom of heaven is like that. And although the mustard seed is so tiny, it can produce a plant over 3.5 metres high.

The kingdom of heaven, God’s rulership, and reign is always surprising. Even though it often appears that evil triumphs and injustice goes unchallenged, Jesus assures us that God’s will is going to be done. And he assures those doubting him that he really is bringing the influential activity of God into the world, even if that does look highly improbable in certain seasons. 

Do you sometimes think the world, or your own life, is out of control? Today we are reminded that no matter how serious things look, you can rest confidently in the assurance that our God reigns. 

PRAISE HIM IN ADVANCE

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

Psalm 30:11,12

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

Psalm 30 provides a beautiful picture of the God who spared the author of the psalm from falling into a pit and healed and restored them. It is an honest picture of the ups and downs of life and a relationship that survives both the positives and negatives. The Psalm writer recognizes God’s actions in bringing them out of the difficulties of life.

In our culture,  the ‘self-made person’ is revered and individualism is prized, Psalm 30 offers us a refreshing picture of life in relationship with our loving creator. (You may want to read all of Psalm 30) May you be blessed with the vision to recognize God’s hand in your circumstances and give praise and thanks to the One whose "anger lasts only a moment but whose favor lasts a lifetime." Remember, “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

I recently, discovered a song called Praise Him in Advance. I believe it fits with the spirit of Psalm 30. If you have the time, give it a listen.

 Let Us Pray

Dear Lord, when things are good, help me praise and acknowledge you. When things are difficult, help me be honest and turn to you with confidence that you will be with me. I place myself in your hands. Amen.

OH, GIVE IT A REST

 SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, my burden’s light.



“Give it a rest”, has anyone ever said that to you? Have you spoken that into a person's life? This expression is an informal way of saying, “Stop talking about it.” Ok, it basically means "Shut Up". The expression reveals an attitude that communicates I just can’t be bothered with you right now. So, "give it a rest!"

I wonder how many of us approach God, expecting that same rejection, That God is going to respond with "give it a rest." I sometimes have these thoughts because my prayers can be repetitive, praying the same petitions and intercessions day after day. Do you fear asking the Lord for anything because you feel like you are asking the same things in prayer, or do you believe that you are unworthy, not "perfect" enough, and therefore God just can’t be bothered with you?


Jesus counters this fear in Matthew 11:28, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He doesn’t say, “Give it a rest. I can’t be bothered with you.” You see God urges you to come and receive His undivided attention. Our God is gentle and humble, God provides his people with comfort. As God responds to our prayers and longings, we learn from and about Him. God offers grace and mercy to us. The world says, “Give it a rest”; but our loving God says, “I’ll give you rest.” Please hear this: God will never reject you, and He’s never too busy to hear your prayers, and your deepest longings, even if there are little changes in them daily. God continues to say "Come to Me"!! Today let us remember this and enter into God's rest; He’s waiting.

 SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

John 4:46-53

46 Then he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. 51 As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, “Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.” 53 The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he himself believed, along with his whole household.

‘Go,’ Jesus replied, ‘your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 

John 4:50

There is one small sentence we would all do well to cling on to as we read this Gospel Story. ‘The man took Jesus at his word and departed’ (verse 50b). For many of us, taking someone at their word has not always been that easy, especially when they have let us down before. Dealing with people, we all too quickly discover that trusting people can leave us disappointed because some people do not always deliver on their promises.

This will never be true with Jesus! He can be trusted as a promise keeper. When Jesus says, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life’ (John 14:6), we can be assured that his word will be fulfilled. Jesus is God, full of grace and truth from whom we have all received one blessing after another. John 14:14–17.

The result of Jesus’ intervention in the man’s life by curing his son had a profound and eternal effect. ‘So, he and his whole household believed’ verse 53. What an outcome of faithfully “taking Jesus at his word”!

When we experience an answer to our prayers, such as God’s blessing when a healing occurs, a relationship is restored, or circumstances unfold that are not by chance, but obviously by the hand of God, we have a story to tell that honors God and encourages others. Always remember, God does want what is best for us. So, “let us take Jesus at his word, and depart” into life with confidence.

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As we conclude our week of devotions, I invite you to Meditate on these promises of God listed below over the weekend, maybe memorize a couple.

Promises of God

1. God promises to strengthen you.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” (Ephesians 3:14-16 )

2. God promises to give you rest.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” (Matthew 11:28-30)

3. God promises to take care of all your needs.

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

4. God promises to answer your prayers.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

5. God promises to work everything out for your good.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

6. God promises to be with you

“I will not fail you or abandon you. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:5, 9)

7. God promises to protect you.

“This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” (Psalm 91:2)

8. God promises freedom from sin.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

9. God promises that nothing can separate you from Him.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)



There are over 3,000 promises in scripture. I encourage to take hold unto of the promises listed above, but also, continue to search the Word of God – meditating, memorizing and praying all the promises of God that are available to us as Christ followers. As you do, I really believe you will watch God respond to your faith by fulfilling his promises in your life.



“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” 

2 Corinthians 1: 20

ALL THINGS TO ALL

 SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel.
                  (1 Corinthians 9:22b,23a)

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the people of Corinth, he was deeply aware of how many different groups of people with competing beliefs existed in the busy seaport of Corinth. This included people from different cultures, people who held different religious views, people who were free and people who were slaves, people who were transient and those who were permanent inhabitants of the city. So, we need to understand that when Paul talks about becoming all things to all people, he is talking about the necessity to be able to communicate with widely differing groups with one key aim: to share the gospel so that they may be know the love of God personally.

So, another way of putting it is that Paul knew his audience. Whether they were Jew or Gentile, under the law or outside the law, strong or weak, knew the gospel or were unaware, Paul’s desire to share the good news of Jesus led him to do his best to understand the city and meet people where they were. To be sure, He was not always successful in this, but he never failed in preaching the gospel to all people under all circumstances.

I believe this is the calling of our community of Jesus to know our city and county and understand our fellow citizens, and encounter people right where they are. I have said it before, let us not be known as Christ followers, for what we oppose, but rather let us be known for what we are for. We are for all people under all kinds of varying circumstances, to know the gift of abundant life through God’s love.

May we, like the Apostle Paul declare,

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:22b,23a.

Let Us Pray

God, we thank you for your love and for showing us how much we matter to you. Help us share your love with others so they too may know how much you care for all people. Amen.

WORTH EVERYTHING

 SEPTEMBER 21, 2022

Matthew 13:44-46

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.



What does it mean to you to know you have a God who loves you unreservedly, and who promises his presence to be with you always. What does it mean to you to know God’s forgiveness and that he offers each of us a fresh start again and again. What does it mean for you to experience the welcome of God’s open arms that say come to me? What worth do you put on that knowledge and experience compared to the many other things you might have in your life that are of significance?

If your heart is set on something, then nothing will get in the way of you achieving it. You will make sacrifices, do without things, and persevere and endure because you have put value on that thing, and it’s worth everything.

The man in Jesus’ parable who finds a treasure is so overwhelmed and so thrilled at his discovery that he freely, with great joy, sells everything to gain it. The treasure for this man and the exquisite pearl for the second man in Jesus’ parable is worth everything.

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like this. Where Christ rules, there is a change in outlook and our way of thinking. All the things in life we enjoy, all the things that are precious to us, all the things we consider to be of great value, all those things we hold loosely. They have great value, but when we are living and experiencing the rule of Jesus, that reality means more to us than anything. Yes, it is true, many things bring us joy, but there is no greater joy than “kingdom Joy.”

Do you know what I believe to be so awesome? That the treasure is already in the field, and the pearl is already there. Neither individual in the parable created the treasure, or earned the treasure. But on finding it, both recognized the value. It was worth everything.

Let us Pray

Thank you, God, for giving me the greatest gift of all and for the joy it brings. Amen.

 

USE WHAT YOU HAVE WISELY

 SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Luke 16:1-13

16 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly, for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If, then, you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”



I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9)



If you are like me, when you encounter this parable, it sounds like Jesus is promoting unethical business practices. Do you relate? However, this parable, like the wisdom literature of the Old Testament and is used to demonstrate a particular point that Jesus is making.

Some writers have suggested that the shrewd manager removes the interest charged on each invoice – or reduces the invoice to a fair price – as Israel had been commanded to not charge each other interest and be fair in their business practices. Thus, the master would not be able to be too severe with the manager as that would disclose too much about his own business methods. I don’t know if this is the case, but it is the shrewdness that Jesus wants us to consider.

We can easily fall into the trap of worshipping (or at least paying too much attention to) money and all the ‘stuff’ it can buy. Jesus is challenging us on this. We cannot serve both God and our ‘stuff’. Jesus suggested a solution, it is for us to be smart or wise and find ways we can use our money and our stuff to help others. Not so that we earn our way into God’s kingdom, but because we are already God’s children we will act in ways of compassion and care toward others.

I believe this story is meant to challenge us to ask ourselves some questions. Are there ways in which we could better use our treasure? How could what you and I have be used to help others and as an outcome or a result gain friends for the gospel?

This is a parable about using what we have wisely.

God, thank you for the many blessings you have given me. Help me, through your Holy Spirit, to be wise and generous with it all. Amen.

 

Public Faith

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 

“To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn,” she asked, “than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?”

Queen Elizabeth II

I am not a “Royal Watcher, however, Queen Elizabeth II is the Monarch I have grown up with. Singing at the start of Each Elementary school day our National Anthem and "God Save our Queen."  Today, will be her funeral and the world will pay tribute to her, and celebrate her life. Whatever our views happen to be about Monarchy, I have found it interesting and have been deeply moved by the evidence of Queen Elizabeth II’s faith. One of her titles is “Defender of the Faith,” and she did not simply carry this title in name, she was a Christian and she at many times during her reign revealed this spiritual depth, and through it, she was used to give too many the strength and comfort needed at just the proper time.

In her 2016 address, she explained, “Billions of people now follow Christ’s teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value in doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.”

Today I thought I would post some quotes that Queen Elizabeth II included in speeches over her reign. I think these are a glimpse into her soul and spirit.


“I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me that day–to pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.” 

 —Six months before her Coronation

“Today we need a special kind of courage. Not the kind needed in battle, but a kind which makes us stand up for everything that we know is right, everything that is true and honest. We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics, so that we can show the world that we are not afraid of the future.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 1957

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 1991

“For me the teachings of Christ and my own person accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 2000

“Grief is the price we pay for love.” 

 — Condolence message at service of remembrance after 9/11

“At the heart of our faith stand not a preoccupation with our own welfare and comfort but the concepts of service and of sacrifice.” 

 —General Synod Inauguration address, 2010

“For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace…is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, He stretched out His hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.” 

 —Annual Christmas broadcast, 2014

"We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again." —Televised address on April 5, 2020, after outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic

In 2002 the Queen endured a painful year of personal losses with the deaths of her sister, Princess Margaret, and the Queen Mother. In her annual Christmas address that year, she spoke of how her faith had sustained her.

“I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad,” she said. “Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.”

Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

FRIDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

We End our week with Praise. 

Here is a song that we must learn to sing. 

Let's go celebrating, dancing,

and praising God in this Day! 

I really hope this tune swirls in your mind all day. 

Here is a Psalm that we can pray today.

Let Us Pray.

Psalm 148:1-2, 11-14

Alleluia!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise the Lord in the heights
Praise the Lord, all his angels;
Praise the Lord, all his hosts.

Rulers of the earth and all peoples,
Sovereigns and all judges of the earth,
Young men and maidens as well,
The old and the young together.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,

For God’s name alone is exalted,
Whose splendor rises above heaven and earth.
The Lord exalts the strength of the people,
And is the praise of all the faithful
The praise of the children of Israel,
Of the people to whom our God is close.

Alleluia! AMEN

THURSDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Here is a promise

for our day 

from our Creator God.

Malachi 4:2

“But for you who worship my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his rays. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

What an awesome image for this new day. What a promise that is given to us. God's presence sends us out into a new day like a calf let out to pasture and released from the stall. Have you every witnessed that? 

You may not feel "free, leaping with Joy" at this moment. That is why I include this prayer for us.

Let Us Pray.

God, I don't know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower. You are my guide, lead me today by your still waters. Help me to anchor myself to You today.

Teach me how to stand strong in You and choose only Your way today.

Help me walk by Your truth and not my feelings.

Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You at work and as an opportunity to point others to You.

Thank You for you love and the promise that nothing can ever take that love away from me! Even if today I fall short, You whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. That truly amazes me, Lord. Every Morning!! A Fresh Start. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

WEDNESDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Today let us pray the words of what I suggest is a very personal prayer between us and God. This Psalm has a closeness and intimacy about it that reveals a deep spiritual connection with the Creator. Today make them your prayer. Once again I invite you to read the words slowly and let the petitions of Psalm 63 sink into your heart and mind.

Let Us Pray.

Psalm 63:1-8


You, God, are my God,

I earnestly seek you;

I thirst for you,

My whole being longs for you,

In a dry and parched land

Where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary

And beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life,

My lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,

And in your name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied with the richest of foods;

With singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed, I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I cling to you;

Your right hand upholds me.

TUESDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

For today's prayer I want to invite us to pray for your neighborhood. The prayers below are samples but use your own words to pray for the area where you live. I have said this before, and I believe this wholeheartedly, God has a purpose for placing you where you live, so let's pray for our neighborhoods today.

Let Us Pray.


1. Pray for Families. 

Heavenly Father, we ask for your presence in families in our neighborhood. We pray for strength and understanding between the marriages in our neighborhood. We ask for loving, strong bonds between the children, teenagers, adults, and grandparents. We pray that each branch of the family would demonstrate love for one another.

2. Pray for Relationships between neighbors. 

God, we ask for healthy, thriving relationships between neighbors. We pray different cultures will be able to understand and care for one another in our neighborhood. We pray that the diversity of your people will be celebrated by all neighbors, just as you affirm and love each one of us.

3. Pray for Schools. 

Father, we pray for the teachers and local principals who devote their days to shepherding our students.  We ask for guidance and patience for the volunteers as they serve our neighborhood schools. We pray that our schools will be a safe, positive community for our students.

4. Pray for local Churches. 

God, we pray for guidance for our local pastors as they nurture Your congregation and seek to serve those around them. We pray congregations would welcome neighbors with open arms. We hope for residents to find a place to experience community with the body of Christ as they grow spiritually.

5. Pray for Safety and Peace. 

God, you are our Prince of Peace, we ask for your presence in the streets and homes of our community. We pray for local law enforcement, for their safety and wisdom and compassion in all circumstances. We pray your comfort for those who have experienced violence, and we ask your protection for all our neighbors.

MONDAY PRAYER

 SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

Praying Together

This week in our Daily Devotions we are going to post some prayers that we can pray together as a follower of Jesus and as a Community of Jesus.

I want to invite us to pray the words slowly, don't rush through, and see if there is a phrase or request that you really take notice of, that leaps off the screen at you. 

Take a few moments to reflect on why these particular words caught your attention. 

 
Let's Pray

Dear God, at the start of this day and week, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you're at work through our lives. 

Give us wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. 

Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we're up against. 

We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

PRIESTS EVERYWHERE

 SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

1 Peter 2:4-10

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”

8 and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Leviticus 9:1-7

9 On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. 2 He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf for your sin offering and a ram for your burnt offering, both without defect, and present them before the Lord. 3 Then say to the Israelites: ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without defect—for a burnt offering, 4 and an ox and a ram for a fellowship offering to sacrifice before the Lord, together with a grain offering mixed with olive oil. For today the Lord will appear to you.’”

5 They took the things Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the Lord. 6 Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”

7 Moses said to Aaron, “Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.”

Leviticus 9:22-24

22 Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.

23 Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

1 Kings 8:1-11

8 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. 2 All the Israelites came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.

3 When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, 4 and they brought up the ark of the Lord and the tent of meeting and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites carried them up, 5 and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.

6 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles. 8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.

10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple.

1 Peter 2:9, says that we are a royal priesthood. Have you embraced the truth that you, we as Jesus followers are priests! Together, we are a kingdom of priests!!

What does it mean to be a kingdom of priests? God’s plan for His people and the institution of the priesthood helps us understand this better.
Here is what we know about the role of a priest from Leviticus:

A Priest:

1. Puts God on display
2. Helps people navigate their life according to God’s promises
3. Intercedes on behalf of others
4. Distributes resources to those in need

That is beautiful don’t you think? I want to invite us all today to see ourselves as women and men and children who are carrying out these tasks! You are called, you are chosen, you are a royal priesthood!

· Put God on display today in your life, in your home, and at work.
· Point people to Jesus, by your loving care and compassion toward them.
· Pray for one another, bearing each others’ burdens.
· Show hospitality and kindness through generosity to those in need.

Ours is an overwhelming and great calling. It is a privilege to reflect the life and love of Jesus to our neighbors and our world.

How will we live out your priestly position today?

How will you put God on display?

 

FOLLOW, I Will Follow You

 SEPTEMBER 8, 2022

Numbers 9:15-23

15 On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

Matthew 4:19

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


Isn’t this reading from the book of Numbers a powerful and gripping passage? In the wilderness, God was teaching His people to follow. To follow Him. We find this invitation to follow our Creator as a foundational stone to our relationship with God. When we consider our purpose as God’s people, one of our first responses is to say “yes” to following Him. I have come to understand and firmly believe that it is in following God obediently that we can truly live out our God designed and intended purpose.

Listen to Numbers 9:22-23, “22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.”

This Numbers passage reminds me of the teaching in our Matthew’s Gospel readings today. Matthew 4:19 says, “And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” . Follow Me. Follow Me, learn from Me and I will give you rest for your souls.

When you review the Bible’s story it is not difficult to see that from the very beginning, God was preparing and teaching, the New Testament word would is discipling, His people how to belong to Him and to be led by Him. Follow me and I will train you. I will train you to love Me, to love others, to serve Me, to serve others, to hear Me, and to know Me. This invitation to follow is for us individually, and as a community of faith in our villages, towns and cities, and as part of the universal worshippers of God in all places in our world.

How are we doing at listening for the Lord’s leading in our lives?

What is God’s training for you in this season?

Please hear this, that wherever God is leading you, it is for you to grow and develop so that you and me, will reflect more of His image in our character and live out of a more established sense of our purpose in God’s great plan.

PRAYER

God, I choose to follow You today. Help me not to miss the move of Your Spirit so I may follow well and carry out Your purpose in my life. Amen

THE ONE ANOTHERS

 SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

John 13:34-35

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 
1 Peter 2:17

17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

 
Acts 2:42-47

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We need one another. In fact, the phrase “one another” is used 412 times in the New International Version of the bible. Listen to some of the “one anothers” from Scripture:

love one another,

encourage one another,

forgive one another,

serve one another,

confess to one another,

bless one another,

honor one another . . .

you get the point I am guessing.

One of realities of the Bible story is that early community of Jesus understood the strength of one another. This new faith family that had been empowered by the Holy Spirit, lived and acted as a new community, and the Lord blessed them. They gathered together daily, ate meals together, worshipped together, and cared for the practical needs of one another. This is what Jesus intended for His Faith Communities.

Would you agree that quite often the flurry of activity in our lives makes it difficult to connect with our “one anothers”? Let us acknowledge that the teaching of the Bible insists that we were never meant to do life alone, rather we were created to be in community. 

PRAYER

Jesus, who are my “one anothers”? Help me find connection and community where You have planted me. Help me to develop deep roots so that I can bear much fruit that brings Praise and honor to you. Amen

A WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

 SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

Psalm 68:6

6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Deuteronomy 14:27-29

27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 24:18-22

18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.

19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.



“God sets the lonely in families . . . “(Psalm 68:6)

Isn’t that a beautiful promise?

To the one today who is lonely or who feels abandoned and neglected, to the one who is widowed or feels isolated and overlooked, God has not forgotten you. The Bible tells us that God sees you, God loves you, God hears you and God has already made provision for your care. How? Through His people. Throughout the Scripture story, a recurring command is to care for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. As we read in Deuteronomy above, God was very clear about how to care for these and that doing so would result in great blessing. On the flip side, to not care for these would be a transgression.

It is to be noted that the culture of the Bible was a “we” culture, they were communal and valued hospitality. Admittedly, this is not necessarily what we see reflected in our own culture. We are an “I” culture; we prize independence and personal freedoms. Quite often our families are separated by geography, and we as we have said many times over the last little while, we can easily live in neighborhoods and never know our neighbors, or perhaps even see them!

Our readings today raise the question, how can we live out the command to care for “the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow,” etc. ? I suggest with intention and invitation. For example, Is there someone you know who could use an invitation to your table? Our Table? Who do you know today that needs to be “included” or cared for? However, you answer these questions, it will require intentionality on your part to move toward them.

Today I invite you to remember that God sets the lonely in families and He wants to use us to be that family.

PRAYER

Father, enlarge my heart’s capacity to love others. Help me today to see who needs Your care through me. Help me to be a family to . . . (who did you think about above?)

 

Heigh-Ho! Heigh-Ho! ......

SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

 

Genesis 1:1-2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 2:15

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it"

Exodus 20:9

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.


Happy Labor Day!!


For many, Labor Day signals the end of summer. But what evolved into just another long weekend began as a massive working class demonstration in the streets of Toronto for better working conditions for laborers. The push by the Printers Union for shorter workdays, 9 hours instead of the 12 hours they worked, became a driving force that awakened Governments to the need to recognize the contribution of Canadian laborers. So, in Parliament on July 23, 1894, Labor Day became a National holiday. It was a big victory and was a great day to recognize workers.

Today, labor Day signals the end of summer, the last long weekend before the September returns to “normal”. Loading up the BBQ as family and friends gather has become what Labor Day is all about. Of course, Windsor does still have the Labor Day Parade on this day which has its roots way back in history.

I believe Labor Day is a good day to pause, even if you do not get Labor Day off, and reflect that through our work God brings into the world food and drink, products and services, knowledge and beauty, organizations and communities, growth and health, and praise and glory to himself. Our work is meant to serve God’s purposes. It is largely in and through our work that we make a contribution to the common good, find meaning in our daily lives, as well as leave a footprint of influence in the world. I call us back to a few months ago, when we talked about saying a little prayer that I think seems appropriate to start our workday “Surely God is in this place. Help me Notice.”

"We are created in the image of God, and he modeled for us a way of life that makes sense for how we are created. Here's how to experience God’s rhythm of life he said: work, be creative, use your imagination, throw yourself into it, whether you are washing dishes, reading to your kids and running a household, or trading stocks, reading corporate reports, and running a business. …At the end of each day, stop. Take a rest, eat a good meal, get enough sleep, and refresh yourself. Take time to think about your day, to notice where God was in it and where you were blessed, and to say, "It's good." Then go back at it the next day. 

And take a Sabbath every week. And say, "It's really good." Spend a whole day just pausing, just reflecting on how really good the Creator is, and the value of our partnership with God in our work.

You see, work isn't something added on to the biblical story. It comes right at the start. In the beginning, God worked.


PRAYER

Thank you, God, for graciously revealing yourself to us in Scripture. The first thing you show us about yourself is that you are the God who created all things. You are a God who worked, and who is working still. May you work in and through my life today. Help me to see all of my work this day, and every day, as an imitation of your creativity. Amen.