**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
Many
of us are in times of waiting. Waiting for the next job, waiting for a baby,
waiting for a test result, waiting for a season of trials to be over, waiting
for direction or an answer. Waiting times are full of unknowns and unrest. A
prayer for those waiting:
While you wait, may God give you the
grace to trust. In the midst of unknown may he overwhelm you with peace. When
uncertainty seems to dominate may he give you joy in the present moments.
As you wait may Jesus be enough and may you settle and rest in him. Amen.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Just Be
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
Sometimes you need to just be. No analyzing, no looking for opportunities for growth, no asking yourself how you could have done something better. Just be.
I am always looking for where I can improve, how I can grow, how I can learn and making the most of every opportunity. And sometimes I just need to be. Often God invites me to receive and to be. This is a sweet grace that God gives us.
Do you need this grace today? If so, will you just be?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Sometimes you need to just be. No analyzing, no looking for opportunities for growth, no asking yourself how you could have done something better. Just be.
I am always looking for where I can improve, how I can grow, how I can learn and making the most of every opportunity. And sometimes I just need to be. Often God invites me to receive and to be. This is a sweet grace that God gives us.
Do you need this grace today? If so, will you just be?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Sometimes There's Silence
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
Sometimes God is silent. You pray, nothing. You read about him, nothing. You talk with others, you worship with others and you seek his voice and he is silent.
These times of silence can be so frustrating and even maddening. You want to hear God’s voice and he is quiet. You cannot remember his voice.
Maybe you are here. Maybe you are desperate to hear his voice and he is silent. This is so hard and I am sure that you miss hearing from him. I know I do.
Even though you cannot hear him today you will hear him again. Hold onto this truth and hang in there.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Sometimes God is silent. You pray, nothing. You read about him, nothing. You talk with others, you worship with others and you seek his voice and he is silent.
These times of silence can be so frustrating and even maddening. You want to hear God’s voice and he is quiet. You cannot remember his voice.
Maybe you are here. Maybe you are desperate to hear his voice and he is silent. This is so hard and I am sure that you miss hearing from him. I know I do.
Even though you cannot hear him today you will hear him again. Hold onto this truth and hang in there.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Friday, August 23, 2013
Reminders of Goodness
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
How do you remind yourself of the things God has done? How can these stories be passed down?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
“Let this be recorded
for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the
Lord: that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at
the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were
doomed to die, that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, and in
Jerusalem his praise, when peoples gather together and kingdoms, to worship the
Lord.” Psalm 103:18-22
I need reminders of God’s goodness. Just for my
lifetime I need reminders because there are so many stories in the word where
it seems like God isn’t doing anything. I need reminders in my life and the
future church needs these reminders as well. These reminders serve as opportunities
to praise God, opportunities to worship Him and recall His sovereignty and
goodness.How do you remind yourself of the things God has done? How can these stories be passed down?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Hidden Hurts
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
Why our culture is one that runs to isolation when hurt, I don’t know. I know I run.
We are a culture that puts on a mask and pulls back, pretending we are okay when inside we are deeply wounded. My prayer is that we would become people that share our wounds, our hurts. That we would not be afraid to “go there” wherever “there” is. That we would not be afraid of our own tears, pains and fears and we would not be afraid of another’s.
May God help us to meet others in their hidden hurts. May the Spirit move us to see, hear and love those who hurt in silence and in shadows.
**Sit quietly again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Why our culture is one that runs to isolation when hurt, I don’t know. I know I run.
We are a culture that puts on a mask and pulls back, pretending we are okay when inside we are deeply wounded. My prayer is that we would become people that share our wounds, our hurts. That we would not be afraid to “go there” wherever “there” is. That we would not be afraid of our own tears, pains and fears and we would not be afraid of another’s.
May God help us to meet others in their hidden hurts. May the Spirit move us to see, hear and love those who hurt in silence and in shadows.
**Sit quietly again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Healing and Forgiveness
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
I never realized that feeling hurt would lead me to confession which would in turn lead me to receiving forgiveness from God.
A few months ago I saw someone I knew and instantly felt hurt. I did not know what because I could not think of exactly what he had done so I decided to talk to Jesus about it.
The following day while on a run, I talked to Jesus. In my prayer I asked God to help me figure out why I was hurting – had this person done something or was I playing a victim?
In prayer God revealed my heart – I was blaming this person for an expectation I had of God. I was using him as a scapegoat when in reality I was upset with God. I was upset with God because something didn’t go my way, and God did not do anything to help it go my way. It was all about me – my way!
This led to confession, which led to receiving God’s forgiveness, which led to healing. The hurt was no longer there towards this man or towards God.
Recently, this was part of a prayer of confession at my church. It connected the dots and maybe it will connect some dots for you and God will heal your pain as He forgives your sin.
“Hear the cries of our hearts, O God, and heal our pain as you forgive our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
**Sit quietly again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
I never realized that feeling hurt would lead me to confession which would in turn lead me to receiving forgiveness from God.
A few months ago I saw someone I knew and instantly felt hurt. I did not know what because I could not think of exactly what he had done so I decided to talk to Jesus about it.
The following day while on a run, I talked to Jesus. In my prayer I asked God to help me figure out why I was hurting – had this person done something or was I playing a victim?
In prayer God revealed my heart – I was blaming this person for an expectation I had of God. I was using him as a scapegoat when in reality I was upset with God. I was upset with God because something didn’t go my way, and God did not do anything to help it go my way. It was all about me – my way!
This led to confession, which led to receiving God’s forgiveness, which led to healing. The hurt was no longer there towards this man or towards God.
Recently, this was part of a prayer of confession at my church. It connected the dots and maybe it will connect some dots for you and God will heal your pain as He forgives your sin.
“Hear the cries of our hearts, O God, and heal our pain as you forgive our sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
**Sit quietly again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Anxiety and Comfort
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19
This verse in the Bible stands out to me. It stood out to me on a day that I was not really anxious about much, at least on the surface. So, what struck me was the idea of God’s consolations, His comforts.
I am not always one to receive help easily, I tough it out, can do it myself. Yet, when I allow God to comfort me I find great rest and my soul is lifted.
How has God shown you His consolations? What happens when you receive them?
Tuck this verse away, it can serve as great reminder of God’s goodness and care for you on those anxious days and nights.
**Sit quietly again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19
This verse in the Bible stands out to me. It stood out to me on a day that I was not really anxious about much, at least on the surface. So, what struck me was the idea of God’s consolations, His comforts.
I am not always one to receive help easily, I tough it out, can do it myself. Yet, when I allow God to comfort me I find great rest and my soul is lifted.
How has God shown you His consolations? What happens when you receive them?
Tuck this verse away, it can serve as great reminder of God’s goodness and care for you on those anxious days and nights.
**Sit quietly again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Monday, August 19, 2013
Holding Back
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
Are you afraid of God? Is there something that you are holding back?
Maybe there is an area of sadness, or maybe there is a sin you are not letting Him touch and heal. Sometimes we are afraid of God. We are afraid of being honest with Him. Sometimes the fear comes because we are not ready to be honest with ourselves.
Fearing Him this way we draw back. We draw back from relationship with Him. Fortunately He is consistently seeking us out. He wants relationship with us, He wants to heal us. He pursues relationship with us and invites us in.
If you are holding back, will you consider trusting God? Spend some time talking to God with the greatest honesty possible. He loves you.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Are you afraid of God? Is there something that you are holding back?
Maybe there is an area of sadness, or maybe there is a sin you are not letting Him touch and heal. Sometimes we are afraid of God. We are afraid of being honest with Him. Sometimes the fear comes because we are not ready to be honest with ourselves.
Fearing Him this way we draw back. We draw back from relationship with Him. Fortunately He is consistently seeking us out. He wants relationship with us, He wants to heal us. He pursues relationship with us and invites us in.
If you are holding back, will you consider trusting God? Spend some time talking to God with the greatest honesty possible. He loves you.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Friday, August 16, 2013
Using Beauty
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
We all have our standards of beauty. Whether we admit it or not we have our preferences of what is beautiful. We have different tastes, styles, etc. This is understandable.
As I consider what I perceive as beautiful I recognize that I value things of beauty that work, that function that give me something back that I deem valuable.
For some reason I equate beauty with function, with what it can offer me. I rate beauty according to my needs, my wants and my demands. An ornate plate has lost its beauty because it is broken and cannot be used as a plate. A painting has lost its beauty because of age, scratches and mistreatment. A person has lost his or her beauty because he or she cannot function at the pace and ability of the rest of most of humanity.
With this utilitarian concept of beauty I cannot see the value of a person. I miss how they are created in the image of God and reflect Him. I show favoritism and withhold love from others.
How does your perspective of beauty influence how you love others?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
We all have our standards of beauty. Whether we admit it or not we have our preferences of what is beautiful. We have different tastes, styles, etc. This is understandable.
As I consider what I perceive as beautiful I recognize that I value things of beauty that work, that function that give me something back that I deem valuable.
For some reason I equate beauty with function, with what it can offer me. I rate beauty according to my needs, my wants and my demands. An ornate plate has lost its beauty because it is broken and cannot be used as a plate. A painting has lost its beauty because of age, scratches and mistreatment. A person has lost his or her beauty because he or she cannot function at the pace and ability of the rest of most of humanity.
With this utilitarian concept of beauty I cannot see the value of a person. I miss how they are created in the image of God and reflect Him. I show favoritism and withhold love from others.
How does your perspective of beauty influence how you love others?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Present Grace
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
There is grace for the present. The moment you fail, the moment you behave unloving, the moment you forget about God. There is grace for the past, there is grace for the future and there is grace in the present.
When you are tempted to verbally, emotionally and mentally self-inflict, remember grace. God’s grace is with you now and always will be.
Receive His present grace.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
There is grace for the present. The moment you fail, the moment you behave unloving, the moment you forget about God. There is grace for the past, there is grace for the future and there is grace in the present.
When you are tempted to verbally, emotionally and mentally self-inflict, remember grace. God’s grace is with you now and always will be.
Receive His present grace.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
When God Seems Distant: A Prayer
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
So many times God feels far away, distant, like He does not see, hear or care.
A prayer for these times:
“God, we do not feel your nearness. We cannot see your hands at work. We wonder if you’ve taken a break or whether you care. We cannot feel your love and are overwhelmed by sadness. We cannot recognize the gifts you offer us and it seems as though you have forgotten.
In these times, help us believe. Help us believe your nearness even though we cannot feel or see you; we cannot touch or hear you. Help us to trust you are near. Help us to keep going.
When others sense you distant, may we help them to see your love, your hands and your feet working for their good. When others cannot see, help us to see for them and love them well just as you do. Thank you for your great love for us. Amen.”
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
So many times God feels far away, distant, like He does not see, hear or care.
A prayer for these times:
“God, we do not feel your nearness. We cannot see your hands at work. We wonder if you’ve taken a break or whether you care. We cannot feel your love and are overwhelmed by sadness. We cannot recognize the gifts you offer us and it seems as though you have forgotten.
In these times, help us believe. Help us believe your nearness even though we cannot feel or see you; we cannot touch or hear you. Help us to trust you are near. Help us to keep going.
When others sense you distant, may we help them to see your love, your hands and your feet working for their good. When others cannot see, help us to see for them and love them well just as you do. Thank you for your great love for us. Amen.”
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Interrupted Prayers
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
Often are prayers are interrupted. They are interrupted by another thought, they are interrupted by people, someone needing us and they are even interrupted by sleep (admit it, we’ve all fallen asleep praying!).
In these times it is tempting to abandon our prayers. It is tempting to chalk them up as wasted. It is tempting to beat ourselves up for having a bad though interrupt these holy prayers or for exhaustion to take over. Can we be more disciplined? Yes. Can we find better different ways of prayer? Yes.
No prayer is wasted and I encourage you to see interrupted prayers as opportunities.
As your prayers are interrupted, ask God for the conversation “to be continued”. Life has interruptions, some you can decrease and some you cannot. I encourage you to ask God to remind you of your previous prayers and return to the conversation. He is ready for prayer anytime and your prayers are not wasted.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Often are prayers are interrupted. They are interrupted by another thought, they are interrupted by people, someone needing us and they are even interrupted by sleep (admit it, we’ve all fallen asleep praying!).
In these times it is tempting to abandon our prayers. It is tempting to chalk them up as wasted. It is tempting to beat ourselves up for having a bad though interrupt these holy prayers or for exhaustion to take over. Can we be more disciplined? Yes. Can we find better different ways of prayer? Yes.
No prayer is wasted and I encourage you to see interrupted prayers as opportunities.
As your prayers are interrupted, ask God for the conversation “to be continued”. Life has interruptions, some you can decrease and some you cannot. I encourage you to ask God to remind you of your previous prayers and return to the conversation. He is ready for prayer anytime and your prayers are not wasted.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Monday, August 12, 2013
Sacred Moments
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
There is no measure to sacred moments. These are the moments that time stands still, that you are captured in awe. You can feel these moments deep within and you often do not want them to end. Yet … I find myself cutting them short. I cut short gazing at the mountains. I start to speak when it is too soon to say anything at all. I move when I need to be still.
We love sacred moments yet these moments are also overwhelming. They are overwhelmingly other and we do not know what to do with them.
I would encourage you to fight the temptation to end these moments until the time is right. You’ll know when. Sit in the loveliness, awkwardness and beauty of these sacred moments. They are a sweet gift from God.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
There is no measure to sacred moments. These are the moments that time stands still, that you are captured in awe. You can feel these moments deep within and you often do not want them to end. Yet … I find myself cutting them short. I cut short gazing at the mountains. I start to speak when it is too soon to say anything at all. I move when I need to be still.
We love sacred moments yet these moments are also overwhelming. They are overwhelmingly other and we do not know what to do with them.
I would encourage you to fight the temptation to end these moments until the time is right. You’ll know when. Sit in the loveliness, awkwardness and beauty of these sacred moments. They are a sweet gift from God.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Friday, August 9, 2013
When God Feels Far Away
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
There are times when we feel as if God is far away. We cannot sense Him anywhere, we do not see any good around us and wonder where He has gone.
I love time with people and being with people and when I feel like God is not near I struggle. I struggle to believe He is near, I struggle to believe He sees me and I struggle to trust in His love and goodness.
How about you? When you do not feel God is near, how do you respond? How do you continue to believe in His goodness and love for you when you cannot feel it?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
There are times when we feel as if God is far away. We cannot sense Him anywhere, we do not see any good around us and wonder where He has gone.
I love time with people and being with people and when I feel like God is not near I struggle. I struggle to believe He is near, I struggle to believe He sees me and I struggle to trust in His love and goodness.
How about you? When you do not feel God is near, how do you respond? How do you continue to believe in His goodness and love for you when you cannot feel it?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Your Song of Faithfulness
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
In the Bible, Mary, the mother of Jesus responds with a beautiful song of praise to God. (Luke 1:46-56) As I read her song, I am encouraged. Throughout she remembers God's faithfulness. Mary's song challenges me to consider my own song of praise to God. What stories of faithfulness would I include, what stories would you include?
Spend some time today in praying and asking God to remind you of stories of His faithfulness in your life, in the lives of others and throughout history. If you have time, take it one step further and write out your own "song". May it be a song you return to again and again as God calls you to step out in faith.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
In the Bible, Mary, the mother of Jesus responds with a beautiful song of praise to God. (Luke 1:46-56) As I read her song, I am encouraged. Throughout she remembers God's faithfulness. Mary's song challenges me to consider my own song of praise to God. What stories of faithfulness would I include, what stories would you include?
Spend some time today in praying and asking God to remind you of stories of His faithfulness in your life, in the lives of others and throughout history. If you have time, take it one step further and write out your own "song". May it be a song you return to again and again as God calls you to step out in faith.
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
A Prayer for Peace
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
If you are overwhelmed by conflict, turmoil and unknowns may this prayer encourage you today:
“God give us peace. In our hearts, our minds, our souls and bodies, give us peace. Some of us are dominated by conflict, by turmoil and by never-ending questions. Calm our hearts. Give our minds rest. Give our bodies and souls peace as we rest in your salvation. Lord, give us peace today - peace that can only come from you. May this peace spread to those around us as well. Amen.”
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
If you are overwhelmed by conflict, turmoil and unknowns may this prayer encourage you today:
“God give us peace. In our hearts, our minds, our souls and bodies, give us peace. Some of us are dominated by conflict, by turmoil and by never-ending questions. Calm our hearts. Give our minds rest. Give our bodies and souls peace as we rest in your salvation. Lord, give us peace today - peace that can only come from you. May this peace spread to those around us as well. Amen.”
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Monday, August 5, 2013
Lowered Expectations
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
In fear of being disappointed we lower our expectations of God. We pray yet do not trust. We ask yet do not expect anything in return. Yes, it is good to hold things loosely but that is different than lowering our expectations.
I tend to lower my expectations because I don't want to be disappointed. I do not hope in order that those hopes are not dashed. I expect little from God because I do not believe that how He will answer will be enough.
How about you? Do you approach God with lowered expectations or with great trust, believing He is good and able?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Share Your Stories
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul.” Psalm 66:16
Many of us have stories of healing, redemption, transformation. We carry stories of God’s miraculous work in our lives. He has done great things for our souls and we hesitate to share the stories.
When you share the stories, you offer others a little bit of faith. So many are pummeled by doubt of Who God is and His power. As you tell others the stories of what God has done for your soul you remind them of Who God is and you offer courage.
Stories of transformation are contagious and offer courage. How will you encourage another today by telling them what God has done for you?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul.” Psalm 66:16
Many of us have stories of healing, redemption, transformation. We carry stories of God’s miraculous work in our lives. He has done great things for our souls and we hesitate to share the stories.
When you share the stories, you offer others a little bit of faith. So many are pummeled by doubt of Who God is and His power. As you tell others the stories of what God has done for your soul you remind them of Who God is and you offer courage.
Stories of transformation are contagious and offer courage. How will you encourage another today by telling them what God has done for you?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Friday, August 2, 2013
God's Timing
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
God’s timing is perfect. It is not always known or understood, but it is perfect. Is there something you are waiting for? Something you are trusting God for? How is your wait going?
As you wait, will you trust God? Will you believe He is trustworthy and perfectly timely?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
God’s timing is perfect. It is not always known or understood, but it is perfect. Is there something you are waiting for? Something you are trusting God for? How is your wait going?
As you wait, will you trust God? Will you believe He is trustworthy and perfectly timely?
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Return to Relationship
**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**
God continues to call me into deeper relationship. He calls me into deeper relationship with him and with others. He calls me into deeper relationship with those whom I have hurt and have hurt me.
After forgiveness and reconciliation sometimes (not always) God calls us back into relationship. He calls us back into relationship and is not satisfied with just reconciliation.
Our relationship with God was broken, He provided the forgiveness and forgiver and now we get to be back in relationship with him. God’s story is not just about reconciliation but it is also about relationship.
How will you enter into deeper relationship with God? Is God calling you to return to relationship with another?
(Note: returning to relationship sometimes is not possible and could be dangerous … use wisdom, discernment, prayer and godly counsel)
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
God continues to call me into deeper relationship. He calls me into deeper relationship with him and with others. He calls me into deeper relationship with those whom I have hurt and have hurt me.
After forgiveness and reconciliation sometimes (not always) God calls us back into relationship. He calls us back into relationship and is not satisfied with just reconciliation.
Our relationship with God was broken, He provided the forgiveness and forgiver and now we get to be back in relationship with him. God’s story is not just about reconciliation but it is also about relationship.
How will you enter into deeper relationship with God? Is God calling you to return to relationship with another?
(Note: returning to relationship sometimes is not possible and could be dangerous … use wisdom, discernment, prayer and godly counsel)
**Sit again in silence for as long as is available to you.**
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