God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle

Devotional Guide

October 14^th-21^st, 2018

Morning

PRAYER

Father this morning begins with tears of remembrance. A shadow of loss crossing my thoughts. Yet in your grace I know life, love, and hope. I embrace the eternal joy of promise and light of grace. I pray your grace of peace comforts all who begin their day in gloom or sorrow. May your word bring color to my heart and the day ahead. I pray in wonder and awe to the one of life-giving sacrifice, and your power to transform the world. In the love of Christ and Holy Spirit I pray, Amen

Visio Divina

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

   Photo Credit

Are you feeling tested?

Are you guessing at all the answers and feeling lost?

Consider your faith and vulnerability. How can God, Christ, and Holy Spirit help you find the answers?

Readings for Reflection

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

God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle

     We often hear the people quote “God won’t give us anything we can’t handle”. But he absolutely does. We all face devastating events and situations in our lives. Death, starvation, genocide, floods, and droughts surround us and prey upon us.We encounter financial problems, addictions, illness, doubts, oppression, and violence. I would argue that God doesn’t punish and choose us individually to suffer. But in our suffering, in our inadequacies we will come to a point, the darkest bottom, when we cannot handle things. It is here we have no where else to turn. It is in God that we find hope. We find hope knowing that Christ knew and experienced every test. In our inability to handle things we understand humility, need, mercy, and compassion. We become greater than we have been and grow in faith and love. We find in our need that God provides others to help us through the muck and dispair. In the test of life the overwhelming answer is always choosing C and G to overcome with faith, Spirit, and grace.

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

Prayers of Intercession

pray for those who are upon your heart. Lift them up to God and his mercy, compassion, and love.

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 my day, grace of life and soul, I pause to encounter you. I come to remember your presence and power in my life and in the world. Correct my path where it has strayed. Embolden my heart with love and patience, strength, and hope. Amen

Evening

To grow in faith and understanding of God, ourselves, and others it helps to evaluate ourselves, hold ourselves accountable, challenge ourselves. In your personal growth in faith and Christian action evaluate how you lived in love of God, others, and self today.

Abiding in The Spirit*

PRAYER

Fading light and cooling breeze bring rise to the sounds of night. Cricket songs, corn whispers, and the bark of dogs travel upon the air. The light of home and hearth glow in the distance blurred by gossamer cloths of privacy. Lord of the precious night and golden dreams bring rest to my mind and heart. Set within my soul the serenity of your grace and the hope that comes in the dawning. Amen