The Magic Word is Now

Devotional Guide 

June 24^th-July 1^st

Morning

Prayer

Lord of the morning, Father of life, creator of time, love, peace, bring to me in this time of prayer into your presence. Guide my listening to your Word, direction, and understanding. Lord, I pray my love and appreciation for my life and all that is held within its moments. Open my inner sight and inner self to grow and become more loving, patient, compassionate, and courageous. Lead me. Amen.

Readings for Reflection 

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

The Magic Word is Now    

My brother George tried to teach my children that the “magic” word was “Now” not “Please”. Certainly not a lesson in polite discourse but an honest sense of a child’s perception of their wants. We can all be impatient at times. And to be honest too much of the time. We forget that our wants are not the only ones that are important. And again, to be honest they are probably not that important anyway.

Our New Testament Scriptures have this pressing Nowness. We seem to be behind, too late, past due. Why this urgency? Because this is a need about life and death, our salvation. This decision is one of faith. The life saved is our soul and our choices that reveal God’s kingdom for us now and eternally. The faith is from God and part of our urgent call is to humility. We do not control the storms. God controls the storms. Our faith is in his power and promise to do so. God’s grace is not a gift of please, but of now. It is a gift of faith that defines our life, our soul, our sight, actions, and our eternity. The magic word is “now”. Accept Jesus Now-please your life depends on it.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/1-life-and-damnation-granger.html

Visio Divina 

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

As you look at this image contemplate how the scripture speaks to you.

Mark 4:35-41         2 Corinthians 6:1-2

What feelings do you encounter viewing this image?

What is God revealing to you?

What are you called to do?

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

 Audio Lectio 

Chronological Bible 

One Year Bible

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…

Virtues to Guide Your Week
Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. How can you love your neighbor? How will you deny yourself? How will you be thankful?

          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

Sending Prayer 
Breath of my soul, I praise you, I thank you, I give myself to you. I welcome and cherish my time with you. As I go beyond this time and into the actions of this day I pray your presence guides me, strengthens, and upholds me in my love for you and all those within this day. Amen

Afternoon 

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 summer sun, beach, pool, bronzing heat, I pause in this moment to pray, remember, and focus. I quiet my mind to the pressures and to-dos of this day. I think of your love and all the blessings you provide. I stop to think about what is of real importance and how to fulfill my vow to serve others. Lord orient my work, my thoughts, my priorities to my neighbors. 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.  We live in response to his love given through Christ.

Did I grow in my disciplines to prayer, scripture, and devotion to God?

Did I in some way put God and others before myself in how I lived today?

Did I live out the virtue of this day?

Did I love better today? What do I regret today?

What will be my goal for tomorrow?

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER

Father of brightening star and waning sun, I give my day and all it contains to review and inspection. Open my understanding to my motivations, actions, and words. I pray forgiveness for my cruelties, and selfishness. I pray your presence encourages me to grow in my love and destroys the negative of my soul. I pray your power of grace brings me peace. Amen.

 

Hot Lava

Devotional Guide 

June 17-24th

Mark 4:26-28    2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Morning Prayer

Lord of the morning, Father of life, creator of time, love, peace,

bring to me in this time of prayer into your presence. Guide my listening to your Word, direction, and understanding. Lord I pray my love and appreciation for my life and all that is held within its moments. Open my inner sight and inner self to grow and become more loving, patient, compassionate, and courageous. Lead me. Amen.

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

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

Hot Lava

My grandchildren Liam and Payton play a game they called “Hot Lava”. 

The game is to jump from pillow to pillow, chair to couch, and back 

without touching the floor, or The Hot Lava.

Our awareness of volcanos and their terrifying power has been renewed with the Kilauea volcanic eruptions. It was reported that over a mile of new land had been created by the lava.

Like Payton and Liam, we don’t want to be destroyed in the hot lava. We tend to stay away from dangerous and death taunting situations. But the reality of our Christianity is that fire, and re-creation is an essential understanding of God’s grace. The Holy Spirit melts the rocks of our soul with the refiner’s fire. Our magma goes on to settle and cool into the reflective shine of lava rock. God is active in re-creating us into his image of love and beauty. We are a new creation every time the hardness of our hearts is melted away and we move closer to being the compassion of Christ in the World.

VISIO DIVINA 

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

As you look at this image contemplate how the scripture speaks to you.

What feelings do you encounter viewing this image?

What is God revealing to you about re-creation.

How are you called to respond?

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-is-acting-up-heres-what-travelers-should-know

Virtues to Guide Your Week

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. 

How can you love your neighbor?
How will you deny yourself? How will you be thankful?

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

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

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

Chronological Bible

Audio Lectio

One Year Bible

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, how has this time come so quickly? Guide me into this day and all it holds for me. Inspire my heart to see all the beauty and unexpected blessings that it contains. And change my perspective and views to be those full of your grace and the love of Christ. 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

DAYTIME PRAYER

Lord of ice cold water, coffee, and settled moments, I pause into your

peace. I focus on your Spirit that connects me with your power. Focus my thoughts upon your grace and realign my energies to be love. 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. We live in response to his love given through Christ.

Did I grow in my disciplines to prayer, scripture, and devotion to God?

Did I in some way put God and others before myself in how I lived today?

Did I live out the virtue of this day?

Did I love better today? What do I regret today?

What will be my goal for tomorrow?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

EVENING PRAYER
Lord, you are the director of life. The circle of light and darkness, sound and silence, anxiety, and calm. The crickets and frogs disturb the velvet pall of evening. The fireflies spark calls of light within the evening silence. Forgive my moments of disruption. Call me to be of light and joy. Lead me away from the fearful darkness of sorrow and struggles. Instead, bring me into your presence of mercy and peace. Create for me dreams of love and beauty. Re-create me into the new day as your child full of light. Amen

Devotional Guide 

June 10^{th -}17^th

Mark 3: 20-35     2 Corinthians 4: 6-5:1

Morning Prayer

Father of beginnings, of new starts, of this awakening day, I come before you in prayer and thanksgiving. I open myself to your Word, your will, your way. Guide me in your grace to learn, to grow, to share, to become love. Amen

READINGS FOR REFLECTION

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

Jeopardy

The game show Jeopardy reminds me of those moments when we are called to resolve problems, act quickly, and figure out what is happening in our lives. All the categories of the game seem strange at times and hard to figure out. When we hear an example we than understand what the question is.

We all have the ability to compartmentalize our thoughts, actions, or opinions depending upon the context we are in. This all works well because we as people are many layered. That is until we hit a conflict, do something, or stray away from whom we really are. Then we are in jeopardy with a moral or internal schism that can tear us apart.

Our scripture speaks of these events on a church, family, and personal level. We learn that those things that attempt to divide us within ourselves and separate us from God are all forgivable.

Denying the power of God is another category. There is only one question here. What will God never forgive?

VISIO DIVINA 

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

As you look at this image contemplate how the scripture speaks to you.

What feelings do you encounter viewing this image?

What is God revealing to you?

What are you called to do?

https://society6.com/product/a-kernel-of-inspiration-amidst-inner-turmoil_stretched-canvas?sku=s6-4630650p16a6v28

Virtues to Guide Your Week

Consider what you can do to live out each virtue this week. 

How can you love your neighbor?
How will you deny yourself? How will you be thankful?

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

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

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

Audio Lectio

Chronological Bible

One Year Bible

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 the guardian of my soul. Watch me, tend, me, and lead me in grace today. Inspire love to be my focus. My love for you, for Christ, for your Spirit, and your people. Mold me in your loving light of 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.

DAYTIME PRAYER

Provider of breath, bread, body, I boldly enter your presence. I separate myself from the demands of work, and family and embrace this experience of your peace. Infuse me and enfold me with your grace that strengthens and comforts my soul. 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 is the force to which we respond.  We live in response to his love given through Christ.

Did I grow in my disciplines to prayer, scripture, and devotion to God?

Did I in some way put God and others before myself in how I lived today?

Did I live out the virtue of this day?

Did I love better today? What do I regret today?

What will be my goal for tomorrow?

ABIDING IN THE SPIRIT*

EVENING PRAYER

Master of life and every moment. I think of this day and all it contained. The beautiful sights and experiences that squeezed my soul with gratitude and splendor. The moments of regret, frustration, and cruelty that shadowed my soul in darkness. I think of the moments of routine that are your gift of movement and ability. I think of the inspirations, ideas, challenges, and thoughts that teach me to love more deeply. I hand the day given back to you Lord. Wipe away the darkness that gathered, forgive me, and strengthen me in your grace to live with beauty and love. I pray for all who struggle, grant them peace. For all who hate, love.

For the bold, humility. The liar, truth. The questioning, answers. The fearful, comfort. The sick, healing. And for the tired, sleep.

All praise, and honor I give you, Lord of life, grace, spirit- Jesus. Amen