Daily Devotional Guide

January 28^th – February 4^th, 2018

Mark 1:21-27

 

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VISIO DIVINA 

is meditative/prayer practice that opens the heart and soul to connect with God through images.

How does this image speak to you about faith, purpose? Reading Mark 1:21-27 what impressions

come to you in relationship to this image. Can you place yourself in this picture?

Does something disturb you about this image? What do you think God is revealing to you?

Prayer

MORNING

Lord of light and wakeful breath. I pray to you as I awaken to this

day of promise, beauty, challenges, and life in grace. Cleanse me

from the darkness of human thoughts, instill within me your word

of love and mercy. Seep within my marrow the grace of Christ’s

life, forgiveness, and purpose. Lead me in response to my gratefulness to

your grace to be the light that changes others to see you and know you.

Amen

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

Use an additional resource like the Upper Room or any devotionals you prefer.

Are You Here to Kill Us?

You are standing among some people listening to a stranger speak.

They are compelling and moving you to new thought. Of course

the natural response is to ask if they are there to kill you. We

read this section of Mark thinking this is a story of Jesus’

power over demonic possession and move on. It certainly couldn’t be

about us who are not possessed. So, we consider the awesome

power of Jesus understanding he is awesome and move on. Another

interpretation is that this man is suffering from epilepsy or another

form of illness not understood in that time. Jesus heals him of his illness.

Again, cool Jesus is awesome. But what if he is there to kill them.

What if this scripture is about us. What if Jesus is there to kill the

confused and erroneous teachings of the Hebrew religious/political

system and introduce new life to everyone? What if Jesus is inviting

everyone to die into a new birth of spirit and truth. What if this

is really about us, and Jesus is here to kill you-

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

You may also like Lectio Divina a focused reading and meditation of scripture. 

Audio Lectio   

One Year Bible

Chronological Bible

Virtues for Prayer Each Day of The Week:

love of God- Sunday                 

love of neighbor -Monday         

humility -Tuesday                     

self-denial -Wednesday and Friday

resignation and meekness -  Thursday

and thanksgiving - Saturday 

 _{Heitzenrater, Richard P. (2013-08-20). Wesley and the People Called Methodists}

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT

           * Find your quiet center, empty your mind, and be present

to hear the voice of God. Color, write in a journal, listen to music,

use prayer beads to help your focus. Concentrate upon what God

 is calling you to understand, change, make, explore…...

Sending Prayer

Lord, kill my stubbornness, selfishness

and hate. Steep me in love, joy, awe, and

beauty. Open my eyes to see others in your

love. Open my heart to move in mercy and

compassion toward all people. Lead me. Amen

    

DAYTIME

Set a reminder to pray throughout the day.

Embrace the breath of prayer, release your burdens,

be thankful. Recall today’s readings, the Visio Divina

and meditate upon them and how they are affecting your day.

PRAYER

Father of time, my day speeds past in work,

and tasks. Obligations cling and claw in demand

of mind and action. Pressure, stress, pursue to

overwhelm me. Lord, in this moment I pray

for peace, light, and to focus in your love. Kill

my ugly humanity and bring alive within me the

beauty of my soul found in your grace. Amen

EVENING

Questions for Day that has Past 

It is important to reflect upon our day and where we may be more present

in our faith and more expressive in sharing what we know of God’s grace with others.

These questions are in response to what God begins within us.

God is the force to which we respond

God is first. We live in response to his love given through Christ.

Did I love God in prayer with thankfulness and openness?

How will I love God more tomorrow?

Did I love others and share the beauty of God?

Was I generous with my time and resources?

Did I grow in faith?

Did I grow in love for God and others today?

Did I extend the forgiveness of Christ that I desire to receive?

Did I take time to appreciate all God has provided?

Did I love God through creative praise?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

Prayer

God of my ending day. My painter of evening light clear

winter skies and stunning stars I pray for forgiveness for

all I have failed to appreciate today. I pray for forgiveness for

my recklessness, my failure to place you as my guide and foundation,

my failure to love. As you continue in creating this night I pray

your peace finds me. Your Spirit sooths me, and Your grace

hold me in deepest sleep that I may awaken in your love

to grow in love for you and others.  Amen