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.