BE EASY ON PEOPLE

 

August 12, 2024

Lord, I do not know what to ask of you; only you know what I need. I simply present myself to you; I open my heart to you. My only desire this day, is to accomplish your will. Amen

Luke 6:37-38  (The Message)

“Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity”.

I know the verses above sound a little different to us. Luke 6:37-38 usually reads like this, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (NIV)

The point of this text from Luke is that among the very best gifts God ever gives is the gift of oneanother, the gift of the people that are around us.

Let that sink in. The people in your life—your family, friends, colleagues, even your casual acquaintances—are among the best gifts God has given you. And Scripture is clear about how we’re to treat every one of them. “A new commandment I give to you,” implored Jesus, “that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

Jesus often spoke to His followers about self-identification. He taught that it wouldn't be our professed beliefs or the good deeds we planned for the future that defined us. Rather, He said our identity would be evident through our love for others. It's easy to assume there's more to it, but there really isn't.

It appears that the significance of our actions, as disciples of Jesus, lies in how we treat those around us. This, in essence, governs the joy we experience in life.

To consider the needs of a spouse or a friend or a mother-in-law—and act in love. 

To notice the needs of a peer or client at work or a next-door neighbor—and act in love. 

The message we receive is that the Holy Spirit will guide our hearts to show compassion and love towards those who serve us daily, whether it is the one who passes us our morning coffee at the drive thru, the cashier at the grocery store, the Bus, Taxi or Uber driver that get us to our destinations, customer service representative that helps us find the answers we are looking for, or the garbage and recycle collector in our neighborhoods.

God's word tells us that often Jesus was moved with compassion for the people with whom he came into contact. I know that our high tech, fast-paced society forces us to pass many people each day without ever asking ourselves, much less asking God, if they could use a caring and compassionate touch, a voice of encouragement, a place at someone's table.

So back to the challenge of todays reading, “Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity” (Luke 6:37-38 MSG).

So, let's notice the people that come into close proximity to us this week—say, within two or three meters?

And then, will you imagine a large table with seats for each of them?

And will you do what you’d do with anyone sitting at a table in your home? Will you learn their names? Will you treat them with care and listen to what they say?

With the Holy Spirit in your heart, will you try to discern what they need most, connection, belonging, kindness, mercy, understanding, encouragement? And will you prayfully consider how you might be a small part of meeting those needs?

Just see how doing this impacts on your Joy!

Let's Pray

Loving God, teach me to love and care for those that need you today. Those who are passed over and do not feel love unless I love them for you. Make Christ love for others be felt through me today in your name and by your power I pray these things. Amen

 

 

Go for God and not for Gold!

 

August 9, 2024

 

Matthew 6:19-21; 33

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also….

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

 

I read the following Instagram post a while ago from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who is a 400 metre hurdles competitor for the US team. I was really struck by her focus in this post. Give it a read,

“Let me start off by saying, what and honor it is to be able to represent not only my country, but also the kingdom of God. What I have in Christ is far greater than what I have or don’t have in life. I pray my journey may be a clear depiction of submission and obedience to God. Even when it doesn’t make sense, even when it doesn’t seem possible. He will make a way out of no way. Not for my own gratification, but for His glory. I have never seen God fail in my life. In anyone’s life for that matter. Just because I may not win every race, or receive every one of my heart’s desires, does not mean God had failed. His will is PERFECT. And He has prepared me for a moment such as this. That I may use the gifts He has given me to point all the attention back to Him.”

What grabbed me was that here is a top world athlete whose focus was on God not Gold. The stories we have shared this week seem to have this common thread, whatever happens in competition, whatever the outcomes in their particular sport, these athletes say they want God to receive the Glory.

What a powerful witness this worldview is, I may finish first or seventh or last, but they seem to all echo Sydney’s words above God’s “will is PERFECT. And He has prepared me for a moment such as this. That I may use the gifts He has given me to point all the attention back to Him.”

These athletes, and the confidence and faith they have in God challenge us to Go for God and not for Gold! Let us live by the call of Jesus to “seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” May we in victory of defeat “point all the attention back to him.”

“Mo Ravi Vei Jisu,”

 

August 8, 2024

Lord, I am yours; I do yield myself up entirely to you, and I believe that you do take me. I leave myself with you. Work in me all the good pleasure of your will, and I will only lie still in your hands and trust you. Amen.

Psalms 9:10

10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 20:7


7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

The Pacific island nation of Fiji, home to fewer than a million inhabitants boasts 33 athletes at the Paris Olympics, 24 of whom are rugby players. Fiji has historically won Olympic medals exclusively in Rugby Sevens. Rugby sevens is a form of  Rugby in which teams are made up of seven players playing seven-minute halves, instead of the usual 15 players playing 40-minute halves.

The Fiji men's Rugby team had maintained an undefeated streak in the Olympics, securing gold in Rio in 2016 when rugby sevens made its debut, and again in Tokyo in 2021. However, after 17 consecutive victories, they were defeated by the host nation, France, in this year's gold medal match.

Not only have the Fiji athletes been noted for their Rugby team, but the other thing they’ve become known for is singing praise to God. The loss to France in the Gold medal match has not stopped the Fijian team from offering honor to God in song.

The Fijian team has captured global attention by singing hymns in beautiful harmony within an Olympic Village courtyard. Australian water polo player Tilly Kearns shared a video, commenting, "Having the best seat in the Village!" (See Video Below)

What are they singing?, you may wonder. A classical music website called Discover Music shared the video and explained that the team was singing “Mo Ravi Vei Jisu,” a Fijian hymn. The words translate as “Put your trust into the Lord and he will guide your way.”

What a witness to their fellow athletes!

Their story made me think of Psalm 20:7. What a great verse this is. What a confidence giving, confidence boosting, encouraging verse. Let's acknowledge that when we look around at the world we see all kinds of things that we might be tempted to put our trust in, like your job, your income, people around you, even good people that you love that you’re tempted to trust in.

The symbols of power, and countries, and armies, and just all kinds of different things in the world that would say to us, “Hey, you can trust in this, you can trust in that.” The Psalmist here says, “I don’t trust in any of those things. I have a much greater more dependable place to put my trust, and that is in the name of the Lord, my God.” Now Psalm 20 is a Psalm, Prayer(?) of King David as they are about to head into a battle, into War. Put yourself there, what might you be praying? For David to pray these words when the circumstances reveal he needed military help in battle, he needs chariots, he needs horses, but he realizes the battle is not ultimately won by chariots or horses. The battle is ultimately won by God.

The message of these athletes from Fiji, is a testimony and also a challenge to remind all of us to not settle for trusting in what will only lead to despair and dissappointment. Trust in the One who has never forsaken those who seek Him!

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Amen.

STRONG and COURAGEOUS

 

^{August 7, 2024}

Father, you alone know what lies before me this day, grant that in every hour of it I may stay close to you. Let me today embark on no undertaking that is not in line with your will for my life, nor shrink from any sacrifice but your will may demand. Suggest, direct, control every moment of my mind; for Jesus sake and your glory. Amen.

 

^{Deuteronomy 31:6-8}

 

⁶ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

⁷ Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. ⁸ It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

 

 

Shafiqua Maloney’s journey is a testament to resilience and faith. “I am a child of God,” reads Shafiqua’s Instagram bio. Yet this child of God battled homelessness as recently as 2023 on her way to the Olympics. She persevered and made it to the Olympics, representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Her story gained attention, leading to support from her nation’s prime minister and an endorsement contract from a Caribbean water company.

Arriving at the Paris Olympics ranked 27th in her event, Maloney defied the odds by setting personal records and making it to the finals. She finished fourth in the 800-meter race, just 0.24 seconds short of a bronze medal. Her faith played a crucial role in her journey, as she believed that God carried her through her struggles and would continue to support her. “I’ve been homeless—not having food to eat and all this stuff,” sportswriter Chris Chavez quoted Maloney as saying after she qualified for the finals. “God carried me through all of that and when I got here, I had to believe that he didn’t bring me this far just to leave me and that he would carry me straight through.”

This story beautifully illustrates the principle and teaching in today’s verses from Deuteronomy 31. As Joshua, is about to takeover leadership from Moses, the promise he is given is “the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” I am sure you noticed that promise was given to Joshua twice in 3 verses. It’s as though God was saying to Joshua, and to us, you may have all kinds of obstacles in front of you, here is what I want you to do “ Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” … and again just in case you missed it, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Shafiqua Maloney took this kind of truth to heart, and persevered with great faith, and I believe we witness in her story that God worked a beautiful outcome even though she didn’t medal, she went from a rank of 27th in the world to 4th at the Olympics. The real story is that her trust in God, as a Child of God, has brought glory to him, and brought to Shafiqua personal success but also her story and faith has and will inspire many others.

Maybe we just needed that today, to be inspired by a fellow Child of God to remind us that no matter what happens in life we can count on this one truth, that “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Amen.

 

LIFT AS YOU CLIMB

 

August 6, 2024

 

Eternal father of my soul, let my first thought today be of you, let my first impulse be to worship you, let my first speech be your name, at my first action be to kneel in prayer. Amen.

John Baillie in A Diary of Private Prayer

 

 Philippians 2:3-4

… in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Hebrews 13:16

do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

 

I am inspired by Olympic stories and testimonies. I especially, take a level of inspiration from the backstory of athletes, the things that led to an Olympic appearance and Medal. One thing that becomes abundantly clear, not one athlete makes it to the podium by themselves. There is a community that has been instrumental in getting them that far in their sport.

Olympian Jordan Chiles’ journey is truly inspiring. Despite facing significant challenges and being overlooked for major assignments due to inconsistency, she persevered and transformed her career. The environment she was in was indeed toxic, and many had written her off.

However, her story took a remarkable turn when in 2019, the decorated gymnast Simone Biles invited Jordan to relocate from Washington to Texas to join the gym that she owns - a safe space with a positive environment. When Jordan arrived, the first thing they worked on was not building her skills but instead building her confidence.

This move proved to be pivotal. Training under coaches Laurent and Cecile Landi, and with the support of Biles, Chiles found a renewed sense of purpose and consistency. Her hard work paid off as she became a key member of the U.S. gymnastics team, winning a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and just a few days ago, a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in team competition and a bronze medal in floor gymnastics.

Our Bible verses today point to the calling, to do good and to value others above ourselves, and when we do, our verses tell us that it is pleasing to God. I was thinking how this Olympic story is repeated over and over in the Community of Jesus where a community member is wounded, grieving and broken, ready to give up, and they find through Jesus love, a people around them, a church, that is a safe place with a positive environment where healing can come.

Jordan Chiles’ story is a perfect example of “lifting as you climb.” Her journey shows that true success isn’t just about personal achievements but also about creating a supportive environment where others can thrive. By moving to train with Simone Biles and finding a positive, encouraging atmosphere, Chiles not only improved her own performance but also contributed to the success of her teammates.

Fostering a culture of mutual support and encouragement can lead to greater community success and fulfillment. It’s about celebrating each other’s victories and helping one another overcome challenges. Trophies and medals are nice but the greatest award, is winning together and creating an environment where others thrive too!

I pray that we are that Church, and that we will continue to be that kind of witness to the world, that demonstrates what can happen when “… in humility (we) value others above yourselves.

THE RESET WE NEED

 

 

August 2, 2024

 

God, forgive me for my preoccupation with visible things. Truth is, the world has been too much with me. You have been here and I didn't know it. I have been blind to your presence. Open my eyes that I may behold you in and around me. In Jesus name. Amen.

  

Romans 12:1-2

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

 

I find that over the course of an average day, I experience moments when my mind needs to refresh. I wonder if you face similar moments in your days as well. It would be really handy if we had a reset button, we could push, wouldn’t it? 

Well, we do have a way to reset. This week we have been looking at some ways to do just that. When too many things clamor to take up space in our head, we need to reset by taking a moment to tune into God’s abiding presence.  Each of the spiritual practices we looked at this week are ways that can help us to renew our minds, to reset, and connect to God.  I  have found that using these practices can bring peace and calm into my unsettled spirit. Over time as we develop these disciplines we are more able to “to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2).

Which practice most helped you tune into God this week?

Was it seeking God through your work?

Breathing and repeating the Jesus prayer?

Stilling your body and mind for tension?

Or being mindful of the world around you?

Whichever practice was most helpful to you this week, make that your practice today.Use one of these practices to deepen your awareness of God’s presence in your life.

Tune into God through work. Try to imagine a task as something that you and God are doing together. Listen for any new insights, ideas, or emotions that come to your mind while working.

Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer. Breath in and repeat the words, “Lord Christ.” Breath out and repeat the words, “Have mercy on me.”

Still your mind and body to “know God.” Do you recall the Hebrew verb “raphah” which means “be still”, or more literally means “to let something drop, to let go, or to abandon something.” Ask God to help you let go, to let something drop, so you can rest in Him.

Mindfulness. Be present to the world around you. Notice your thoughts and surroundings without judgement. Ask God what he’d like you to pay attention to.

 

Let’s Pray

God, renew my mind through your Holy Spirit. May I follow you in my moment-by-moment. Amen.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

 

^{August 1, 2024}

 

Oh God, who is both able and willing to assist me, on what grounds should I not place my entire confidence in You, to surrender myself to Your providence and await the outcomes of Your generosity? You take care of all. Thus, I will entrust myself completely to You, living perpetually in Your presence, and being guided by Your grace and love. Amen.

 

^{Matthew 6:25-34}

25 “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

Ah, Worry, that sense of insecurity, unease, and fear over what negative events may happen – as unrealistic as these concerns may be – is one of the most unpleasant emotions that you can experience as a human being. It is also one of the most common. Studies suggest that our main areas of worry fall into these categories primarily: Money and the future, Job Security, Relationships, and Health. What are your worries today? Do your worries fall into one of these categories above?

From our Bible reading today we are made aware that worry is not a new experience, for even Jesus confronts worry in his teaching. So, it must have been a problem for people in his day just as it is in ours.

Anxiety, anxious thoughts, and insecurity are the byproducts of fear. This experience that we all have is one of the great distractions in our life. It really has to do with what we set our hearts toward, or on. I remember reading in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship the following: “earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety. If our hearts are set on them, our reward is an anxiety whose burden is intolerable.”

Jesus message here in Mathhew 6 is to invite us to practice “mindfulness.” Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to what you’re paying attention to right now. In other words mindfulness invites us to live in the moment, not in the next moment, or next hour or next day. . . . 

You see, focusing on the here and now helps us to have an awareness of God, God is always in action in our present moments. The goal or purpose of spiritual practices in to help us notice where God is at work. It’s hard to notice God’s activity when we are preoccupied with worries about the future. When Jesus taught his followers to let go of their anxiety, he pointed out visible examples in the world they could see all around them. The flowers in the field and the birds flying overhead aren't troubled by worry. When you practice mindfulness, you become more like birds and flowers, present and attuned to God's provision.

Here are some ways to practice mindfulness:

1. Take a moment to still your body and mind. (Remember those breathing exercises from a few days ago?) If thoughts about the future trouble you, and distract you, give yourself permission to put those issues on hold. 

2. Pay attention to what you’re paying attention to right now.

3. Let go of the need to judge it, just give the present moment your full attention.

Can you identify your greatest fear? Could you confess it to God? Offer your fears and anxieties to your loving God in your prayers today.

Don't forget to thank God for sharing this moment with you.

Let’s Pray

God, sustain me in this present moment as you sustain all your creation. Amen

 

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

 JULY 31, 2024

Almighty God, who commands the storm and the calm, the day and the night, life and death; grant me the grace to keep my heart anchored in Your faithfulness, Your constancy, and Your love, so that, come what may, I may gaze upon You with an untroubled eye. Amen

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Our Bible’s open with the following acknowledgement: In the beginning, God created a world of order out of chaos (Genesis 1:1-2). Yet, in Psalm 46, from the Poet’s perspective, God’s order seems to have spiraled into disorder. Look at the description in Psalm 46:2-3, there we see a picture of nature in turmoil, with seas surging beyond their boundaries and mountains quaking and shattering. The imagery of nations and political powers devolving into chaos, as described in Psalm 46:6, resonates deeply with the sense of instability and uncertainty that can pervade our world.  

Now, don't you find that this vivid depiction of chaos is unsettling? I mean this Psalm reflects those times when the stability we rely on seems to be crumbling, the "waves" of disorder threaten to engulf  all order. God’s world and God’s people are under threat. Serious stuff right. 

What stands out to me in this Psalm is that while living in the midst of disorder the psalmist is unshaken in his trust of God. Notice that He hides in God like a fortress. He draws comfort from knowing that God is with him and protecting him (Psalm 46:7, 11). God is his refuge and present help (Psalm 46:1).

In response to such unsettling circumstances, we read that God raises his voice over the noise of natural and political chaos and commands them to be still (Psalm 46:9-10). And both "out of order" nature and nations obey God’s voice. The earth obediently melts into submission, weapons of conflict and violence are broken, and battles are ended. What comfort in turmoil this is!!

Wait!! there is more "Good News". In the place of all this instability and uncertainty, God builds a city by calm and peaceful streams and lives there with his people (Psalm 46:4). While mountains quake, seas rage, and nations war, the city of God does not fall because God is there, his protecting presence is with his people (Psalm 46:5-6).

Today, as you read this I wonder how many of us are in unstable situations where you feel like things are crumbling around you. If that's you today, take this Psalm's message and challenge to heart, and lean in and trust our Good God in all things. 

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God!” The Hebrew verb “raphah” which is translated as “be still” literally means “to let something drop, to let go, or to abandon something.” I wonder what is it that you need to "drop", "let go of", "abandon" so that you may enter God's City of calm and peaceful streams. 

LET'S PRAY

God, still my body, mind, and spirit and let me know you. Amen.

GO AHEAD BREATHE, AGAIN, AGAIN .....

 

JULY 30, 2024

 

We begin today with a prayer from Howard Thurman, in his book, The Growing Edge.

Oh God, my father, I have no words, no words by which I dare express the things that stir within me. I lay bare myself, my world, before you in quietness. Brood over my spirit with your great tenderness and understanding, so that I will find, in some strange way, strength for any weakness, health for my illness, guidance for my journey. This is the stirring of my heart, oh God, my father, Amen.

 

Genesis 2:7

⁷ Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

^{LUKE 18:35-38}

³⁵ Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. ³⁶ And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. ³⁷ So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. ³⁸ And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 

Our breath can be a powerful connection to God. 

Through His breath, God breathed life into the first man. By focusing on your breath, you can connect with God and remember that all good things, life itself included, are gifts from your Creator.

Many ancient Christian meditative practices focus on slowing down and paying attention to your breath. One such prayer, described in “The Way of the Pilgrim” in the 19th century is called “The Jesus prayer” because in this practice with every breath you recognize your need for Jesus as a savior.

The Jesus Prayer uses your natural breath pattern to meditate on the words “, “, have mercy on me.” On each inhale you say the words "Jesus, Son of David” and on each exhale you say, “Have mercy on me.”

This phase comes from Luke 18:38, in which the blind man who calls out to Jesus is healed. 

What I really have found helpful in this spiritual practice is that we can also try the prayer with other phrases that remind us of our reliance on God. For example, we could repeat the words “Father… (as you inhale) I belong to you” (on Exhale) these words are found in Psalm 73:23. Another phrase which that we can use comes from the Old Testament, word spoken by prophets in the Bible, is “Lord… (as we inhale) here I am” (on the exhale)  (Isaiah 6:8, 1 Samuel 3:4).

Practice the Jesus Breath Prayer:

• Breath in and repeat the words, “Jesus, Son of David”
• Breath out and repeat the words, “Have mercy on me.”
• Repeat this prayer 10 times, or until your breathing becomes calm and slow.

 

Let Us Pray

 Lord, every breath I take comes from you. Help me connect with you, the source of my life. Amen.

 

LISTENING TAKES PRACTICE

 

JULY 29, 2024

God, grant me the vision to recognize and the heart to welcome all that this day brings. Prevent me from overlooking its blessings by fixating on a distant tomorrow. Help me embrace the freshness of each moment with mindfulness and thankfulness. I pray in the name of the one who renews everything. Amen.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

Do you find that throughout each day, a multitude of demands constantly compete for your attention?

At work your boss says, “Do this now!” Throughout the day Social media screams, “Look over here!” The people you love issue demands for your time. With all these voices, and many others,  it can be hard to hear the quiet leading of God.

Connecting with God is a spiritual exercise. Like a muscle, it becomes stronger with regular practice. Let's face it there is a lot of noise in life, you and me could use some practices that would help us to turn down the volume of the noise and the voices that surround us, so that we may be able to turn up the volume on God voice. 

I suppose it really comes down to the development of some "listening practices". These practices are spiritual because they help devlop a different kind of hearing. As 1 Corinthians 2 says, God can’t be seen with normal eyes or heard with normal ears. God can only be revealed through the Spirit.

The Good News is that we can practice tuning into God’s Spirit no matter where we are. 

I know I often mention in our devotions Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century monk, who learned to connect with God through his day-to-day labor. I think I am drawn to Brother Lawrence because I so easily distracted in my life. You may remember that Lawerence as he worked in the monastery kitchen, trained himself to view his work as something he was doing with God. While he washed dishes, he thought about how much he loved God and how much God loved him. The outcome of this practice was that it turned his work into an act of prayer. His work, even dishwashing, was something that he and God were doing together. 

Here is a little something to try today as a way to practice tuning into or connecting with God through your work:

1. Think of one manual task you need to do today. It could be washing dishes, pulling weeds, folding laundry, or anything else you need to do.

2. Before you start this task, ask God to be with you in your work.
Try to imagine the task as something that you and God are doing together.

3. Listen for any new insights, ideas, or emotions that come to your mind while working.

Let's Pray 

God, thank you for being with me in my work. May my everyday labor be a place where I can tune into you and feel your presence. Amen

THE LORD BLESS YOU!!

July 26, 2024

Heavenly Father,
In these moments, inspire me to sow seeds of kindness. May my words and actions be vessels of your love, bringing warmth to the hearts of others. As I offer myself to you, let it be with an intention to spread kindness upon the paths of those I encounter. AMEN

Galatians 6:2

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

In our Devotions this week we have been discussing God's Blessings toward us. We have been challenged to lean into them and believe these promised blessings for ourselves. That is a very good exercise for us.

Today I want us to reflect on praying God's promised blessings over others. Someone you know needs to receive some of the very same blessings we have looked at together the last few days.

As we read above in Galatians 6:2 we are called to "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Carrying anothers burdens seems to me to include prayer for those whom God as put in our lives. Not just long time relationships but people who we have recently met, or someone that you know about that needs the movement of God's Spirit in their lives.

Below are some sample prayers for us to consider employing in our prayers for others. Use them over the next few days and watch for God's blessings.

A Prayer Healing and Restoration

Lord, I lift (name of person) to You, who needs healing and restoration.

I pray for Your mighty touch upon their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

You are the Great Physician, and I ask for Your healing power to flow through their body, bringing wholeness and restoration to every area that is broken or wounded.

Heal their physical ailments, mend their emotional pain, and bring restoration to their relationships.

May Your love and mercy bring healing in their life, bringing comfort, strength, and renewal.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.



A Prayer for Provision



Heavenly Father, I bring before You the financial needs of (name of person).

You are the Provider of all things, and I ask for Your abundant provision to overflow in their life.

Open doors of opportunity, grant them wisdom in managing their resources and bless the work of their hands.

Supply all their needs according to Your riches in glory.

Provide them with financial stability and freedom, enabling them to fulfill their obligations and bless others in return.

Teach them to be good stewards of the resources You entrust to them.

May they experience Your supernatural provision and witness Your faithfulness in their financial journey.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.




A Prayer for Wisdom



Heavenly Father, I seek Your wisdom and discernment for (name of person).

Life is filled with decisions and choices, and I pray that You would grant them clarity of mind and insights into Your perfect will.

Illuminate their path, Lord, and guide them in making choices that align with Your purposes and bring glory to Your name.

Grant them discernment to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit and to walk in obedience to Your Word.

May they experience the blessings that come from following Your guidance and may their lives be a reflection of Your wisdom.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen



A Prayer for Emotional Healing


Heavenly Father, I bring before You (name of person) who needs emotional healing and comfort.

Life’s struggles can leave deep wounds in the heart and soul, and I pray that You would bring healing and restoration to their innermost being.

Pour out Your love and compassion upon them, wiping away their tears and replacing their pain with Your peace and joy.

Heal the brokenness within them and bring comfort amid their sorrows.

May they find solace in Your embrace and experience the healing power of Your love.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.





A Prayer for Spiritual Transformation



Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You on behalf (name of person) that is longing for a deep spiritual transformation in their life.

I pray that they may surrender to your will and ask for your guidance and presence.

Open their heart and mind to receive your truth and wisdom.

Help them grow in faith, deepen their understanding of your Word, and ignite a passionate love for you.

Transform them from within, so that they may reflect your light and love to the world.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

THE BLESSING of WAITING

 

July 25, 2024

Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by your Word and Spirit and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, that "Great is your love toward me." Amen

Psalm 62:1-2

"For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken"

Life is a journey of highs and lows. Yet, often the most challenging place to find oneself is in the midst of waiting. Let's reflect today on the blessings that come with patient waiting.

Maybe you're waiting for the doctor to call with test results, or waiting for a procedure, or for God to open a new opportunity. When change doesn't happen as quickly as we think it should, we start to wonder why and then we take matters into our own hand.  We get impatient in the waiting don't we?

When David wrote Psalm 62, he was under attack from his enemies. And as tempting as it might have been to take matters into his own hands, David chose to wait on God. 

"For God alone my soul waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken" Psalm 62:1-2

The safest place to be when we feel like we're under siege is waiting with God. Our God possesses all power and control. We believe that!! By choosing to wait with God instead of facing challenges alone, we can experience His power and presence in unprecedented ways.

I have found that, few life seasons draw us nearer to God than those of waiting. Our ears become more attuned to God's voice in our desperation to hear from Him. Our eyes are swifter to discern God's power and provision when we eagerly await His movement. 

Pouring out our hearts to God and patiently waiting for His guidance, being still and knowing he is God, allows us to witness God's unique works and deepens our trust in Him. As we read near the end of Psalm 62 One thing God has spoken,... : “Power belongs to you, God,  and with you, Lord, is unfailing love.”

Look at it this way. We can put our trust in lots of places — in money, in our own wit or our own abilities. But nowhere is it safer to place our confidence than with the God who made everything, knows everything, and can restore anything. 

Let's Pray

Loving God, I pray that You would teach me how to prayerfully and patiently wait on You, and to come to a true understanding of what it really means to wait on the You. Help me to be still before You, to listen to Your voice through Your Word and to abide in You.

Keep me from fretting and worry, but rather let me learn more of You. Draw me closer to Yourself and keep me from presumptuous thoughts, but rather teach me humility of heart, knowing that Your desire for all Your children is abundant living.

Amen.

THE JOY of PRESENCE

 

JULY 24, 2024

Our Father, we long to dwell in Your presence and experience the fullness of joy and eternal pleasures found only in You. Draw us close to Your heart and fill us with Your peace. Amen

 

Psalm 16:11

“You make known to me the path of life. In your presence, there is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

 

Psalm 16:11 reminds us that God’s plan for our life involves blessing us with fullness of joy in His presence. Please notice the promised blessing of Joy is found “in His Presence.” The Good News is we are always in God’s presence. Think of Psalm 139, where the question is asked “where can I go (flee) from your presence? The answer put simply is nowhere.

God’s plan for our lives involves the blessings of fullness of joy in His presence. The second part of our verses above says that “At your right hand are pleasures forever more.” Just picture it. The Psalm is saying that God’s right hand is full of pleasures, and you take some of those pleasures, and there’s more. Take some of those pleasures, there’s more. Take some of those pleasures, there’s more. There is infinite pleasure to be found in God.

We find healing for our brokenness, strength for our weaknesses, and grace for our failures. In the stillness of His presence, we are reminded that we are deeply loved, fully known, and extravagantly valued by our Heavenly Father.

You see, seeking God’s presence, daily, is not just about feeling happy or being content, or just a religious commitment, but it’s about connecting with our Creator and drawing strength from His love, care, and power. 

"I pray that you be rooted and grounded in the love of God and that His presence will fill you with overflowing joy and eternal pleasures."

Let Us Pray

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a grateful heart, seeking Your blessing of joy and the richness of your everlasting pleasures.

You are the source of all joy, and I long to experience the fullness of Your joy in my life.

Fill me with an overflowing sense of joy that transcends my circumstances.

Help me to find delight in Your presence and in the simple blessings You provide each day.

Release any burdens or heaviness that weigh me down, and replace them with the lightness and joy that only You can give.

Let Your joy be my strength and my guiding light in every season of life.

May my life reflect Your joy to others, drawing them closer to You.

In the name of Jesus, I pray.

Amen.