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