Proverb 21:2-3 Encounter Meditation.

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:2-3 (NIV)

Find Me Faithful

Do you ever seek your own way?  A satisfying way around barriers accomplishing your own secret desires?

The theme of this meditation from Proverbs 21 is being found faithful.  Living and moving by faith. Allowing the force of God to steer and guide you.

Receive this final benediction and blessing over you.  Accept the truth that you often think your own ways are right.  Superior to God’s way. But never forget the Lord knows what you are thinking. By the grace and gift of faith may you know the love found in Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the forgiveness of God now and forever, Amen.

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Isaiah 41:10 Encounter Meditation.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Lord God, Uphold Me

Have you ever felt too weak to walk?  Too afraid to take another step - moving forward only by being held by someone stronger?

I pray this meditation from Isaiah 41 will guide you towards trusting deeper in the Lord for He is with you.  He is your God. He will strengthen you. Yes, He will help you and carry you with His righteous right hand.

 

Accept this prayer of benediction to remember to fear not, for God is with you.  Do not be dismayed, for He is your God. So may you place your trust in Christ, your hope in the Holy Spirit, and encounter the strong upholding arm of the Holy Father.  Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.

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Restless night so knew God wanted to speak to me

Jean had sent Taw up a guy from helping hands to give Taw a bag of food. She was thinking of him and thought she was doing a good deed.

Which she was but i just knew he wouldn't accept it.  So this started me off with resentments and I was getting irritated.

Why am I still bothered by what Taw does when I don't want to be........

 Then God put on my mind this video.... from about 1:05 mins I reminded this. I may not have it exactly but you'll get the jif.....


"Peacemaking is not about appeasing the other person. If your always giving into the other person ways you are allowing yourself to be manipulated. God certainly dosen't expect you to be a door mat. [Definately ME!!!!!]

When you study the ministry of Jesus you'll learn that he never backed off from controversial issues and He didn't settle them by compromising


Here the truth appeasement always results in resentment. Resentment swallows your feelings and your stomach always keeps score

Next time you need to keep the peace in your life spend time talking to God. He cares about your problems , He'll  give you the wisdom, courage and strength to keep the peace Jesus is right there with you in the Holy Spirit.


He also reminded me of something else I heard that day...."God has taken you out to put you in somewhere else"

And it made me think after listen to the above video. That I'm still holding onto my old ways with Taw. I need to let it go...because these thoughts and feelings are not from God He wants to do a new thing in me, and I dont think God wants Taw to be there and if He does He will be. It won't be up to me.

So like in my other blog I need to be Divinely Directed and not lean on my own understanding....Thank You Lord.

Psalm 56:3 Encounter Meditation.

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  Psalm 56:3 (NASB)

The Lord In Your Midst

Have you ever had a divine distraction?  An awareness of God in your midst?

Our theme for this meditation from Psalm 56 is creating space.  I pray you will find time in your tightly scheduled day for God to be revealed even during distractions.  Allowing for enough margin in your packed life to discover God.

Let me pray now that you encounter the blessing of the peace and presence of God.  Even when enemies oppress you and attackers trample you, trust in God — in whose word you praise. I trust in God; I won’t be afraid. What can mere flesh do to me? Now may the Lord bless you with his being, a smile on you, and be gracious to you. May he show you his favor and give you his peace through Christ.  Amen.

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Proverb 16:3 Encounter Meditation.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.  Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Committing to God

Have you ever had anyone ask you, “you aren’t going to wear that are you?”  

This meditation from Proverbs 16 is a reflection on all of the ways we set goals that seem so right and innocent in our own eyes at the time, but later come to regret something we’ve done.  How the Lord protects us by first weighing and examining us in spite of our own motives. 

 Let me pray this closing benediction over you to remember to commit your activities to the Lord.  Trust in God’s ways for then and only then will your plans be established. Now may the surrendering work of Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and your encounter with the wise ways of God be what brings you most contentment now and always, Amen.

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Deuteronomy 6:5 Encounter Meditation

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. Deuteronomy 6:5 (AMP)

A Reminder To Remember

Do you ever find yourself remembering what’s trivial while forgetting what's important?  Forgetting what’s most important?

This meditation from Deuteronomy 6 is a reminder for you to remember. A meditation to center your mind, body, and soul on not forgetting what matters most.

With your eyes closed, receive this benediction to know that truth that when you are filled with cares, God’s comfort brings you joy.  May you know the comfort of Christ, the direction of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the joy of God now and always, Amen.

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God's Course Correction

DAY 44 Course Correction.

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5

Most of us tend to think that we have a lot of control over our lives. But the reality is that what we truly have control over is a pretty short list. 

Take just a moment to think about it—the only things we can control are our choices and our reactions. In so many ways we are powerless, but we do have the ability to make course corrections in our choices and reactions along the way. 

We need to ask ourselves these probing questions:

• Do I see myself heading down a road that won’t end well for me? Course correction. 

• Am I tempted to do something I know is wrong? Course correction. 

• Have I seen myself react in an inappropriate way? Course correction. 

• Am I aware of certain relationships that aren’t good for me? Course correction. 

• Am I involved in a situation that I know could lead to disaster? Course correction. 

It’s true that we don’t have much control over our lives. It’s better just to acknowledge that. But we do have the power to correct our course and change the situation we’re in. We have the power to call someone for support, pray over the situation, make adjustments when necessary. 

When we hear ourselves say, “I don’t have a choice,” we should think twice. We always have a choice. We may not make the right one or react the right way every time, but we have the ability, with God’s power, to change things in our lives. 

PRAYER Father, help me to make good choices for my life—choices that will keep me headed toward all you have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

29th April 2020

This morning I was listening to a video on you tube called FOCUS ON GOD|Inspiration Start Your Day Right

And at 2:50 in the video I heard "Direct My Path?..I Need Guidance

Also at 3:40 I heard  "God Will Give You GUIDANCE"

What else is so funny I order two books yesterday. One was cause it was like the picture for this post.

Then the other one was because I was looking for a new daily devotional on my bible app. The word reverent came up so I was searching for a devotional about feverent and I  couldnt find one but what came up was Divine Direction

So this is definately a message from God. When I know its from God he always backs it up. I hear it a few times 😇

John 16:33 Encounter Meditation.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)

God's Overcoming Hand

Have you perhaps felt pressure from the world pushing against you?  Have you aimed to find a shelter that would overcome the force of the world?

This meditation from the sixteenth chapter of John will help you remember that Jesus is that shelter.  A simple word from Him conquers the force of the world. His mere presence overcomes all the world has to push against you.

Now welcome this prayer of blessing to so that you may have peace. That even amid tribulation, you can take heart for Christ has overcome the world.  May you know the overcoming work of Christ, the careful guidance of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the sovereign majesty of God now and always.  Amen.

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Celebrate Recovery Devotional

Addressing Fear

One of the things I struggle with on a daily basis is fear. It might be the fear of disappointing someone, the fear of failure, or the fear of making a costly mistake. I’ve found that when I give in to fear, it can cripple me and keep me from moving forward in my recovery as well as in my life.

The tricky thing is that we can’t trust fear. Think about how fear is like the darkness. When we go into a dark room, we can’t see a thing. Even though we might know the room well, once the lights are out, everything seems different. We imagine that things are jumping out to trip us as we shuffle around trying not to run into something and hurt ourselves. In reality, nothing has changed except our perception. The furniture is right where it was; the doors haven’t moved. It’s the same room it was with the light on. It’s just that the darkness distorts things.

Fear does the same thing. It distorts our perceptions, making us lose our sense of reality and focus on “what ifs.” Most of the things we fear aren’t real at all; just figments of our imagination. When the truth comes in, it illuminates our minds, just like turning on the light in a dark room. Truth comes from God’s Word. So why live in fear when we can open our Bibles and turn on the light?

Prayer

Lord God, fill me with your truth as I read your Word. I want to live in the light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

Psalms 107:13 NIV

Acts 2:21 Encounter Meditation.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21 (ESV)

Warning: Contents Under Pressure

How do you respond to product warning labels?  Do you read them? Heed them? Or ignore them?

The theme of this meditation from Acts 2 is to notice and mind warnings.  Warnings on ladders, but more importantly, the spiritual warnings of God.

Receive this prayer of blessing from His word:

Heed the words of the Lord.  Time is short. God’s judgment is coming and will be sure and swift. May you hear his warning that only those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.  May you encounter the salvation of Christ, the alert guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the attending love of God now and forever, Amen.

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Psalm 24:1 Encounter Meditation

This is amaising this was the exact verse Louise chose on Wednesday night on zoom 

The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord. Psalm 24:1 (CSB)

All I Am Is Yours

Have you ever felt everything you had is slipping away? 

This meditation from Psalm 24 is a contemplation on ownership.  Reflecting on how to change any old claims of possession. Surrendering ownership.  Transferring a claim from your hand, into the hands of the Creator.

Receive this prayer of benediction to open your old hands still clinging tight to what you think is yours.  Remember that the earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, including you and all that you are, belong to the Lord.  Now may you surrender to Christ, be guided by the Holy Spirit, and encounter the freedom in releasing back to God now and always.

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Acts 4:12 Encounter Meditation

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.  Acts 4:12 (NASB)

No Other Name

Have you ever been embarrassed when you forgot someone’s name? Maybe the One with the only name given under heaven that can rescue you?

The heart of this meditation from Acts 4 is about remembering, respecting, and understanding names.  Pronouncing them and cherishing one in particular. The most critical name under heaven given among you to be saved.

Accept this prayer of benediction to remember that there is salvation in no one else but Jesus.  There is no other name under heaven given among men for rescue. So may you know the salvation of Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and may you encounter the grace of the Holy Father.  Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.

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Roman's 8:1 Encounter Meditation.

The Holy Spirit Gives Life.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s judgment. Romans 8:1 (NIRV) No More Judgment Have you ever feared the looming threat of isolation or absolute judgment? The essence of this meditation from Romans 8 is about being protected from judgment and guarded against the fear of condemnation.  Relishing in the truth that when you belong to Christ Jesus, you are no longer under God’s judgment. Accept this prayer of benediction to remember that there is now no condemnation for you in Christ Jesus because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.  So may you know the salvation of Christ, the healing power of the Holy Spirit, and may you encounter the tender mercy and care of the Holy Father. Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.

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1 Corinthians 13:6 Encounter Meditation

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wrong. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)

What Is Love?

Is now a time when you could encounter more love than fear in your life?  What is love?

The theme of this guided audio meditation from 1 Corinthians 13 is love. I pray it helps you discover the true love that the Creator of love wants you to know.  Divine love we have in our hearts for each other, for God, and in him for us.

Let me pray now that you know and show a love that is Patient. Kind. Truthful. Hopeful. And Enduring.  That you resist emotions that are Envious. Boastful. Arrogant. Rude. Self-seeking. And Irritable. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace and love through Christ.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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1 Peter 1:3 Encounter Meditation.

Born Again to a Living Hope.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Hope Over The Horizon

Have you ever been to that place lately?  When you had a taste for nothing? No wish.  No love. No desire. No ambition. No hope?

The theme of this meditation from 1 Peter 1 is hope.  Hope over the horizon. A hope like an anchor that latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made.

Let me pray over you that you are blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. That you remember that because of his great mercy he has given you new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.  Hope over the horizon where you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always, Amen

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Isaiah 53:6 Encounter Meditation.

All we like sheep have gone astray;  We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:6 (NKJV)

Sacrifice Of A First-Responder

Has anyone ever sacrificed themselves for you?  Placed themselves in danger to care for your pain?

The essence of this meditation from Isaiah 53 is about sacrifice. Being mindful of the life-threatening chaos around you and your constant need for rescue. You are rescued through the sacrifice of a first responder.

Accept this prayer of benediction to remember that it is our weaknesses Jesus carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.  Yet He took on our sins so we might be rescued.   So may you know the salvation of Christ, the healing power of the Holy Spirit, and may you encounter the tender mercy and care of the Holy Father.  Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.

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Gods Secret Place...Lent Devotional Bible App

Start Your Day with the Best Thing

Weekly Overview:

Why should we spend time alone with God? Why is meeting with God in the secret place so important? Until we gain an understanding of the immense value and availability of encountering God, we will never consistently engage in this foundational, vital practice. As we discover God’s heart to meet with us in order that we might experience the depths of his love, I pray that your life would be marked by a new grace to consistently and powerfully encounter the living God. 

Scripture: “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you.” Psalm 31:19

Devotional:

As Christians we know we are supposed to start our day off with God. If you have been a believer for any length of time, you have likely been encouraged by a pastor, teacher, mentor or friend to spend time every morning in God’s presence. However, many of us have never been told why God wants us to spend time with him in the morning. We’ve never discovered all God longs to do in the first moments of our days. We just carry the weight of knowing we should spend time alone with God. We spent last week in First15 going over how to practically spend time with God. This week we're going to talk about the why. Why should you spend time with God every morning?

God longs for your day to begin with the absolute best thing, and the best thing is his presence. If encountering God’s presence is the best part of your day, then you already know the impact it has made on you. I'm glad you're using the tool of First15 as a part of encountering him, and you are incredibly welcome here. For most of us though, I am going to bet that we’ve yet to fully discover how great spending time with God is. Take a look at your life. How often do you spend time with God? This isn't a report card where the people with the most consistent quiet times get a gold star. Be real with yourself. This is for your benefit. Take a moment and assess how often you actually spend time meeting with God.

You see, we will only ever consistently do that which we want to do, especially with our free time. We might have to go to work. We might feel obligated to people or practices. But with our personal time, our wants will always win out over our obligations. For many years I tried to spend time with God out of obligation. As a result, I hardly ever did it. It wasn’t until I encountered the incredible love and peace inherent in God’s presence that I began to actually  desire to spend time with him. Once I felt the satisfaction only his presence can bring, I began to crave time with him out of a need to satisfy my longings for love, purpose, and relationship. I discovered that my time spent with God was the absolute best part of my day. 

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” And Psalm 84:1-2 says, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” I can attest that consistently receiving a revelation of God's love has been the single most transformative part of my life. The days I don't start with the best thing, being in his presence, are my worst days by far. His presence ignites me with passion, love, purpose, and a sense of belonging that nothing else can give.

Wherever you are in relation to God today, do you want to know him more? Do you want a deeper revelation of his goodness and love? Take time to open your heart to God and allow him to satisfy your eternal need for communion with the Father. Allow him to fill you with his presence that you might experience the reality of his love. And let a true, transformative encounter with the living God fill you with a greater hunger to consistently encounter God in the first moments of each day. 

May your time spent today encountering God in guided prayer be filled with the “fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). 

Guided Prayer:

1. Take some time to receive God's presence. Meditate on the truth of Scripture and allow God to reveal the reality of his nearness. 

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you.” Psalm 31:19

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:1-2

2. Assess your own heart. How consistently do you spend time with God? Do you feel like spending time with him is in any way an obligation rather than a desire? Be honest with God! He longs to pour out his limitless grace over anything that is holding you back from experiencing the fullness of his love.

3. Ask God to reveal his desire to meet with you. Ask him how he feels about you. Ask him to reveal the desires of your heart that he longs to satisfy in spending time alone with him. Journal anything he shows you. 

Before you go to bed tonight take a minute to get in God’s presence. Let his goodness be the last thing you think of before you go to sleep and the first thing you wake up to in the morning. Throughout the day, if you feel down, passionless, or weary, take a minute to reflect on the goodness of God. He longs to spend time with you throughout your day, filling you with joy, passion, and purpose for bringing his kingdom to earth in all you do. May your day be filled with the fullness of God today.

Extended Reading: Psalm 84 

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

Psalms 31:19 NIV

https://psalm.bible/psalm-31-19

Isaiah 25:8 Encounter Meditation

He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.  Isaiah 25:8 (NASB) God's Love Has Spoken Are you afraid?  Do you ever discount the wonder of your tears, longing to have God’s love clear away your tears? I pray this loving reflection on Isaiah 25 will bring you to appreciate how God can comfort your fears.  How your anxious tears can be healing waters and bring streams of joy. Ponder that and accept this prayer of benediction to remember that God will swallow up death for all time.  The Lord God will wipe tears away from your face, and He will remove shame from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.   So may you know the love of Christ, may you be guided to love by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may you encounter the tender mercy and care of the Holy Father.  Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.

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Galatians 5:1 Encounter Meditation

Christ Has Set Us Free. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

Living In The Moment

Does the temporary feel permanent?  Do you need freedom from whats fleeting?

The theme of this meditation from Galatians 5 is freedom.  To appreciate the divine moments.  Freedom to surrender to the truth of the temporary. To resist crafting our immortality to enjoy the fleeting footprints in the sand.

Let me pray a blessing over you that surrender to the truth of the freedom that Christ set you free and has completely liberated you.  May you now keep standing firm in the moment God has given you, and do not subject yourself to the slavery of an imaginary narrative of your design. May you be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God in this very moment.  And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, Amen.

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Galatians 2:20 Encounter Meditation

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

God's Gift Of Faith

In these chaotic times, is there some part of your life you are still fighting to control?  Let me tell you about a gift...

This meditation from Galatians 2 will help you be more mindful of God’s precious gift of faith.  Aware that even the trust you have in Christ is a gift from your Heavenly Father.


Now welcome this prayer to remember you have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you. And the life you now live in the flesh you live by faith.  God’s gift of faith in the Son of God, who loved you and gave himself for you. May you be thankful for your faith in Christ, be aware of the leading of the Holy Spirit, and encounter God by faith at this moment and always. Amen.

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Philippians 1: 9 Encounter Maeditation.

I pray that your love will grow more and more. And let it be based on knowledge and understanding.  Philippians 1:9 (NIRV)

May Your Love Grow

Do you often find our emotions out of season and struggle to show and grow our love?

I pray this peaceful reflection on Philippians 1 will bring you to appreciate the love of God better.  May you explore new paths of growing in your love of God and showing love and unselfish concern for everyone you encounter.


Ponder that and accept this prayer of benediction to believe that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ.  So may you know the love of Christ, may you be guided to love by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may you encounter the tender mercy and care of the Holy Father now and always, Amen.

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John13:34 Encounter Meditation

By this everyone will know that you are My disciples if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”  John 13:35 (AMP)

By This They Will Know

Do others in your life know of your faith?  From your closest friend to the person delivering food or groceries to your house?

I pray this quiet meditation from John 13 will guide you to consider ways you show everyone that you are Christ’s disciples.  News paths of showing love and unselfish concern for everyone you encounter.


Accept this prayer of benediction to remember that Jesus has given you a new commandment: that you love one another. Just as He loves you, so you too are to love one another.  So may you know the love of Christ, may you be guided to love by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may you encounter the tender mercy and care of the Holy Father now and always, Amen.

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Matthew 16:6 Encounter Meditation.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26 (NLT)

Resurrection Sunday!

A week ago, at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus spoke seven words to Martha.  Seven words that would forever change her.  She would need to hear them that day. She would need them again today, a week later.  You may need to hear them now too.

This meditation from John 11 is a contemplation on Easter Sunday morning! We will reflect on the empty tomb and the promise of the life that it brings for us all.

Receive this prayer of benediction to accept the truth that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The promise that who believes in Him will live, even after dying.  Do you believe this? May you know the permanent Lordship of Christ, the lasting guidance of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the God of your eternal salvation today and always.

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Choose Joy Devotional Book by Kay Warren

Choose Joy Devotional by Kay Warren

Witty Fay Warren

                                     Youtube video: Fay Warren : Witty

Psalm 30:5 Encounter Meditation.[Forgiveness brings Joy]

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

Embracing Forgiveness

Have you been hurt by the actions or words of another?  Who hasn't been?

I pray this guided meditation from Psalm 30 will help you embrace forgiveness, let go of grudges, and discover hope, gratitude, and joy.

Accept this benediction to remember that God’s anger is but for a moment; His favor is for life; Your weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. May you know the love of Christ, the direction of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the presence of God now and always. Amen.

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Boy did I need this meditation today . Yesterday I got Declan phone back and I was looking through his texts to see what he was up too. 

And I saw these two texts by his Aunty Louise that made me mad. I was so angry I was going to phone her. But I've been asking God to help me control my anger. 

So I waited , then this mornings meditation was about " If someone has done us an injustice and we are angry and have resentment against them because of it we need to forgive" 

This was God speaking to me in this meditation. Forgiveness is the key. That is one of the hardest thing for me because when someone does a wrong to me I react to it right away. Which is not the right way.

Responding to it is the correct way. When we respond we slow down and God is able to speak to us. God will fight my battles I just need to be still and listen xx

I'm going to finish with this video of Rick Warren which was sent from God...What synchronicity is it to see this video after I had written the above 

Learn how To Recognise God's Voice 

Psalm 22:1-3 Encounter Meditation

“It is finished. Tetelestai. It is accomplished. It is complete"...“Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.”

This meditation from John 19 is a contemplation on Good Friday. The sixth day of Holy Week, falling on the Friday before Easter. Here we will reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.

I hope you will take a minute to enjoy listening to "The End" at the end of the meditation from Liturgical Folk, an ensemble group that beautifully pairs historic church language with modern folk sounds.

Receive this prayer of benediction to remember and accept the words of Christ.  “It is finished. Tetelestai. It is accomplished. It is complete.” May you know the completing work of Christ on the Cross, the tender leading of the Holy Spirit, encounter the forgiving presence of God as now and always

Matthew 26:41 Enncounter Meditation.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19 (KJV)

Maundy Thursday

“Why is tonight different than all other nights.”  Tonight commemorates the exodus of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.  And the moment of the Last Supper.

This meditation from Luke 22 is a contemplation on Maundy Thursday. The fifth day of Holy Week, falling on the Thursday before Easter. Here we will reflect on the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles and His washing of their feet.

I hope you will take a minute to enjoy listening to "Washer Of Feet'" at the end of the meditation from Liturgical Folk, an ensemble group that beautifully pairs historic church language with modern folk sounds.

Accept this prayer of benediction to remember as Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it unto you, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” In this may you know the sacrifice of Christ, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the face of God now and always.

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Luke 22:20 Encounter Meditation

And in the same way, He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant ratified in My blood.”  Luke 22:20 (AMP) What Is The Problem? Are you experiencing disarray and disorder in your life?  It may a matter of misplaced loyalties. I pray this meditation from Luke 22 will help you remember that by His grace, we can find order again. Somewhere deep, somewhere inside of us. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we can take the first steps to address our problems by first reflecting on the chaos. Let me pray this closing benediction over you to remember the cup.  Be reminded of the perfume and reminded of how the temporal points us to the eternal.  Remember how creation points us to the Creator. Now may you know the peace of Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the loving grace of God now and always, Amen.

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SOAP: Scripture.Observation. Application. Prayer

SOAP – Day Four– Luke 22:24-27

Andy Stoddard Andy Stoddard

6 years ago

324904370_640Today is Day Four of our SOAP challenge.  I’ve head so much good feedback about this method, that I may continue doing it this way for a while longer.  I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Let’s start

S – scripture

Slow down.  No matter where you read this at, at work, at home, wherever, take this moment to breathe.  Take this moment to let the worries to this moment, the worries of tomorrow, the regrets of the past leave your mind.  Listen.  Listen to the Word of God.  Listen.

Luke 22:24-27:

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

O – observation

How leadership works in the world

The disciples are fighting about who will be the greatest in the kingdom that is to come.  And Jesus basically handles that question in two ways.  First, he poses the question, how does leadership work in the world?

It’s about power, prestige, and money.  He says, they lord over you. The leaders act better than you, more powerful than you, they use that power to get you to do what they want you to do.  You do what they want you to do, because you don’t have any choice.  You have to.  That’s what the kings of Jesus day did.

How leadership works in the church

Jesus then asked, what about us?  How should it be for us?

Instead of power being the driving force of leadership for His people, greatness for us does not come from power, but from service.  Jesus tells us, that for us to be truly great in God’s kingdom, we must serve.  To truly be great or a leader or respected in God’s kingdom, it’s about how we serve.  How we love.  How we forgive.

That’s what greatness looks like for us.

How Jesus lived

Jesus asks, in their culture, who would be “seen” as greater?  The one “reclining at the table” would basically be the one at the seat of honor.  Jesus says, what do I do?  I serve you.  And yet, who is more honorable that Jesus?  Who is greater than Jesus?  No one.  So, Jesus doesn’t just tell the disciples that they should serve and love, He actually does.

He is the greatest.   And He is the servant.

A – application

Am I using my “status” for my good or God’s?

God has you where He has you for a reason.  Your friends, your job, your connections, everything.  He has you there for a reason.  Are you using the place He has you for His purpose in your life, or for you own?  Are you using your resources for His good and His purpose, or are you using them only for your power, or position, or appearance.

He tells us that that’s what the world does. And He has told us that as Christians, that’s not what we are supposed to do.  How are we using all that God has given us?

Am I serving today as Jesus would have?

Jesus tells us to truly be great for Him, we have to serve.  Today, are we doing that?  Are we serving others?  Are we placing them ahead of ourselves?  Are we placing their needs, their stuff ahead of ours?  That’s were true greatness, true peace, true purpose comes from.  Not from living for ourselves, but for living for God’s purpose.

Jesus modeled that, He lived that, He showed that.

Today, as His followers, do we do the same?

P – prayer

Dear Father, today, help us to use everything that you have given us for your purpose and for your glory.  Help us to be truly great in your kingdom.  Help us to serve each other, as you served us.  Amen.

Philippians 2:7 Encounter Meditation.

Instead, Christ made himself nothing.  He did this by taking on the nature of a servant.  He was made just like human beings. Philippians 2:7 (NIRV) Emptying Yourself Have you recently been feeling satisfied or discontent and empty? The theme of this meditation from Philippians 2 is about satisfaction.  Accepting Christ as our example of emptying and humbling ourselves to be satisfied with what we have and who we are.  By His authority, we have the model of becoming less to become more. Ponder that and accept this prayer of benediction to remember that being found in human form, Jesus humbled himself and was satisfied in becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  May you be happy with Christ, content with the leading of the Holy Spirit, and encounter the delight of God now and always.

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