Love Is Not

Devotional Guide

March 4^th-11th

Love Is Not Jealous

 

https://www.barewalls.com/art-print-poster/il-bacio-1947-black-and-white_bw1043823.html

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 love?

Reading 1 Corinthians 13 :4 the description of love moves on to identify

what love is not. It is not jealous, boastful, or arrogant. How does this

image portray what love is not? If the little boy is God what should our

response be to his love? What child do imagine yourself being? What

do you need to examine through prayer to become patient and kind?

Visit this image throughout the week and ponder what message God is

revealing to you about how you need to change your love.

Prayer

MORNING

Morning light now dawning I praise

my God of grace through your beams

of joyful love. I praise the Lord of

creation and new life as the earth warms

and bulbs sprout. Enliven my heart

to grow in greater love and understanding

as I enter this time of prayer and

scripture. Amen

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

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

Grackles and Starlings

It is sometimes odd to discover what attitudes and views have

been embedded into us by others. My dad was a very accepting man.

 He always taught his children to value all people, to be kind, and respectful.

This week’s bird story comes from my dad. He enjoyed watching and teaching

me about birds. But, there were those darn grackles and starlings.

My dad seemed to hate those birds. Grandson Liam loves the grackles.

He finds their shiny black feathers and blue iridescence beautiful.

Recently the starlings showed up too. Dad’s voice echoed into my mind from the past.

“Those darn Starlings”. The binoculars revealed birds with jade colored spots

 in their camouflage mix of brown spots and stripes.

 I realized what ever my father’s hatred of these birds was,

 my experience was different. Liam and I should make our own

decisions about love and not blindly accept the attitudes of others

no matter how much we may love those people.

As we study about love and learn the patient service

and selfless attitude required to love well there is a necessity

 to overcome those embedded attitudes. We need to view the world

as our heavenly father does and not blindly accept the views

of our earthly parents, mentors, teachers, ….. Instead we follow

our brother Jesus and set aside jealousy, bragging, and boasting.

Because love isn’t about us and what we can get.

It is about Christ and how we can give and serve. Ann

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 you are my light and my salvation,

You lead your people on the path of truth

and mercy giving us compassion and your

abiding patience and kindness. Lead me forth

to love you in awe and wonder, to love others

with awe and wonder, and to experience all

that is contained within this day in grace. 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

Lord of abiding love and abundant life,

I pray in this pause of all my doings, work,

and responsibilities. I wait in your presence

beholding the warmth of your Holy Spirit

and surrendering my agenda, my hurts,

my disappointments to your power.

Guide me forward in your love, so that I

may live in bold love to others. 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

Father of the peaceful night, the day closes its eyes

as the night descends upon the earth. Close your eyes

to my failings and the hurt I have caused today. Look away

from my lack of love. Cast your eyes not on what I have

failed to do today but forgive my weakness. Instead seek

the strength and trust I have shown through your Spirit. Praise

the love I have shown in response to your grace and sacrifice. 

ord love me despite that which contains the darkness within me. 

Lord I pray for sleep that strengthens the body and renews my soul.

 Lead me in such strength of your spirit 

that I may prevail in your love tomorrow. Amen