Fully Present

April 1

Matthew 6:34

“Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Years ago, Spencer Johnson wrote a popular book called “The Present: The Secret to Enjoying Your Work and Life, Now.” His premise was that, to have a life that is effective, you have to learn how to be “fully present.” Most of us have trouble with that. We are too concerned about yesterday, even though we can’t do anything about it. Or we are too apprehensive about tomorrow. God provided a way for us to be “totally present” in every situation and every relationship. It is the Sabbath Principle. We need to set aside one day in seven in which we shut things down. We don’t look backward; we don’t look forward. We look around at our family – our loved ones – and we look up to God. God provided this for us because we need it. If you want to see the hand, and feel the touch, of Almighty God in your life – Find “your Sabbath.”

Life… into Focus

March 28

John 4:35

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Not only is it easy, it is natural for people to turn their focus inward. We tend to watch out for number 1 – ourselves. In our passage, Jesus directs His disciples toward the window of the world. He shows them the fields where they should focus – fields heavy with hurting people, seeking people, and confused people, who all needed Jesus. We, too, live in a world that desperately needs Jesus. He wants to redirect our focus from inward to outward – to stop looking out for number 1 and to start looking out for those who need the Living Water He freely offers to all people. So take time this very day to ask the Lord to fill your heart with a vision for the needy world, and to allow you to see the world as He sees it.

Sunday Lent Reflection

 

LIVE THE PLAN

Today I reflect on my wounds. Am I living them for Christ or just thinking of them inside of me?

Jesus set an example for us; it is better to feel your wounds deep in your soul than to talk about them. In silence you absorb them into your heart. You can write about them, talk to yourself about them, and try to figure them out and “why.” This will not give you any true healing. You need to let your wounds go down into your innermost heart. Then you can “live through them” and you will see that they will not destroy you.

1 Peter 2:21

If you endure (being beaten) when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered wounds for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

Prayer 

My God of healing. I am afraid of pain, suffering and hurt. Help me to avoid accepting my wounds. I ask that you help me to graciously accept your mercy to help me heal my wounds; your mercy to help me live through the pain, and journey with me as I receive your JOY on the other side.

•AMEN•

 

Lenten Reflection – Seek Your True Home

Jesus spoke to the disciples. “Here is where you belong.” 

“In my Father’s house there are many places to live in….I am going now to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2) became very real. The Risen Jesus who dwells with the Father welcomes me home after a long journey.  

Do i have  a deep desire to be with Jesus? This scripture brings my whole life together and holds me lovingly in the arms of His Love. This is my true homecoming. This scripture is my true return to the womb of my God.

Prayer

My Holy Father….. you know me even before I was formed in my Mother’s womb. You know my thoughts even before I form them. You welcome me home into the warmth of your love, even when I do not know that I am lost. I know myself little and yet you know me so well. I cannot imagine my future. Give me your Grace to accept the present in your heart, which is the place where I belong. Thank you my Father God for my loving home with You. Amen.

A Prayer for the Children of Ukraine

Matthew 18:5-6

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

O My Father God….. may I ask for your holy and divine intercessions for the thousands of children in Ukraine. The suffering and uncertainty, the feelings of hunger, being cold and with no bed to sleep in is weighing heavily on my heart. Children are being separated from their Fathers, and unable to feel any kind of safety or security right now as they must flee their homes and their country. Please be in the hearts of all the children. Wrap your loving  arms around them. Give them strength and courage to follow You and to cry out to you for help. Please bring some Justice to the evildoers of this war in Ukraine. I ask this in your holy and precious name, Jesus Christ…. My Lord and Savior God. AMEN

God Knows ……

March 6

James 1:12

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Andrew Murray, a famous pastor and theologian, said several important things about the tough times in the life of a believer. First, when you find yourself in a tough time, know that you are there by God’s appointment. Second, you are surrounded by God’s love even in the midst of the circumstances. Third, He is teaching you something and is training you. And, finally, you are on His timetable. In other words, tough times come, but God knows it. He will keep you, and surround you with His love. He has you under His training, and you are on His schedule. As a result, you can trust Him – and you can ask Him for the wisdom not to waste what you’re going through.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

 Scripture : The one who sees God will accept his discipline, and those who rise early will find favor, the one who seeks the law will be filled with it, but the hypocrite will stumble at it. (Ecclesiastes) 

Prayer

Holy God…..I will prepare my special place to pray and reflect with You. This will require my daily morning discipline. This means, I will carve out private time just for you and me …My Lord. I will listen quietly for you…. and then I will respond to your words and guidance for my life. You are my teacher Lord,  and I will be very still and reverently listen for your ways. Oh God, give me the reflective time I need to hear you, and “open my heart” to your Holy word. I ask for your Grace to bring out the best in me during these Lenten weeks. 

• Amen •

 

My Friday Devotional (REVISED)

The Holy Spirit is your Helper

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to “you.”

John 16:7

When I think of the Holy Spirit, this is how I think of Him. God with us, helping and giving me the courage to live a full life. A life that follows the example of the goodness of God. I constantly realize that I need His divine and ever present help. My will and my flesh fights for control, and that’s when the Spirit steps in and helps me to be who my God created me to be.

When I are feeling powerless or tired or like i’m failing at life, I can have complete confidence as a believer, that I am not, nor will I ever be alone. I can start each day knowing the Holy Spirit is there to help me.  He is the power that sustains, energizes, and keeps me on a holy path. so I must not wait to call out to Him, and invite Him in. He is the only power that gives me true energy and keeps me on my holy path. Always and forevermore i will invite Him in.

Prayer
O’ Holy Spirit. I need thee, oh I need thee, every hour I need thee. As I am out and about today please be near me, and in me  I crave your divine protection. I am confidant that you are in me, with me and forever present to encourage me. I offer praise and thanksgiving for your spirit and presence in me. You alone fill my soul with your love and I am at total peace in You. Amen 

REVISED – March 1, 11 am, Tuesday

O’ Holy Spirit….. I call out to you now at this moment to help me live a full life.  It is my first desire to be all that you have created me to be.  I give You all that I am….and all that I hope to  be. Thank you for being my helper.  Keep me on my straight path and help me to choose to he only the best I can be and to always follow the goodness of God.  Amen

Dare to be a Daniel

Daniel made up his mind not to do anything that would not please God February 27

Daniel 1:8

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine he drank…

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Bobby Richardson played second base for the New York Yankees during some of the greatest moments in that team’s history. A devoted Christian, Richardson was made fun of by some of his teammates because He would stay in his room and read his Bible or attend a prayer meeting while they went out partying. We live in a society that continues to mock and ridicule Christians. How we need more godly men and women with hearts set on the Lord and committed, like Daniel, to not let the culture defile them. An old gospel song by P. B. Bliss says it best: Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known. Let’s determine to stand as godly men and women of purpose and not be swallowed up by our secular culture. In other words, let’s dare to be a Daniel! Prayer My Lord…. I desire to be a “Daniel….La” in my own sometimes humble, sometimes bold ways as I stand up for what is right and just and good in your name. I share your truth when a window opens for me to do so. I am not afraid to do so, but remind me when these opportunities come, to look up to you and ask for your help with the right and best words. Thank you Jesus for my relationship with you and for bringing me any encounter with a human soul who wants to know more about YOU. I am so honored to declare your blessed name Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior God.  Amen

Deny Self….Walk in Victory

It’s hard, yet it’s easy February 19

Luke 9:23

And He (Jesus) was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Jesus says being a Christian is hard, and yet it is also easy. Is He contradicting Himself? Not at all. Being a Christian is hard in the sense that we have to totally give ourselves to Him. He says that if we want to be His follower, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. But it’s also easy in the sense that when we commit to following Him, He takes over and fills us with His Holy Spirit. As He fills my life, and as He fills your life, He enables us to live and walk in victory. So, the Christian life is hard, but it is also easy. Most of all, the Christian life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is exciting! Have you discovered the secret of living a Spirit-empowered life? Commit to Christ, and He will take it from there! Prayer Dear God, be my strength, that I may walk in victory. Let hope fill my heart so that I will remain steadfast in your promises. May I be clean in all things. Block anything that is keeping me from walking in victory. In Jesus name I offer my prayer now. Amen