Afleveringen
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This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. -
Today is July 5.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Judges, chapter 16.
Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.” Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
The Old Testament story of Sampson reads almost like some sort of HBO series. It’s filled with sacrifice, sex, betrayal, slavery, violence, retribution, and death. The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat history, or humanity… Scripture often acts like a window into the worst of the world. It reminds us that there is, indeed, darkness around us. When you think about an area of darkness in your life or in the world that you see, does that bring hope to you, that somehow God is not far away from that darkness?
The Gospel of John reminds us that Jesus came into the world to bring light into the darkness. Listen to this Old Testament story again, and hold it in juxtaposition to what you know of the upside-down way of the new covenant: forgiveness instead of retribution… peace instead of violence… reconciliation instead of animosity…
Christians are realists, we can look at the trouble, without pretending that things are as they should be. And yet – we can hold all of that real inside the knowledge that Jesus calls us forward in faith, hope, and love… toward a new kingdom reality. As we end our time of prayer, would you practice an exchange with God? Offer Him all of the stories you are holding that are filled with pain or trouble. And ask Him to draw near to you with His peace that passes understanding.
Music: Expectation - Vineyard Soul
EXPECTATION | Official Lyric Video | Vineyard Soul feat. Joshua Miller | Vineyard Worship -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Today is July 4.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 26.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
The apostle Paul was consumed by the mission of God because He had experienced something so profound himself, through His revelation of Jesus as Lord. As you begin your time of prayer today, consider the sort of freedom that we are offered through Christ: not a temporal freedom, not a political freedom, not even a personal freedom. We are offered an ‘existential freedom’ - a freedom that defines our very existence. This is why Paul, even when he’s in chains, can say that he wants Agrippa to become like him. Paul has tasted the freedom found in God’s grace, and He knows how good it is. As you come to prayer today, are you mindful of the grace of God that is over your life?
Is there anyone you have been praying for, for a short or maybe even for a long time? Someone you hope one day experiences the grace and freedom of God? Perhaps a good friend, or colleague, or a parent? Hold that person before the Lord as you listen to the passage again.
Have you shared your faith – even in just a small way – with anyone over the past couple of months? Perhaps you offered to pray for a coworker, or you invited someone to Alpha, or you told a neighbor a story of God’s grace in your life. Or maybe not. Maybe you can’t find the words, or you don’t sense a good opportunity. As we end our time of prayer today, would you be willing to ask God for an opportunity this week to share a small word of faith? Be curious as you go about your week... knowing that there are people all around you who are hungry for a gentle word of freedom and grace.
Music: Fall On Me - Vineyard Worship: Fall On Me (feat. Charlotte Naraine) (Live) -
Today is July 3.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of 1st Corinthians, chapter 3.
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
This passage offers us much needed perspective about who does what in the kingdom of God! Paul writes that each of us have a role to play, but that it’s only God who makes things actually grow. Are there places in your faith life where you feel a pressure to MAKE things grow? Perhaps an area of ministry? Perhaps another person’s faith? Can you offer those things back to God?
The passage also reminds us that we get to be co-workers with God. We get the joy of planting and watering... and then patiently watching for things to bloom. So while growth belongs to God, we get to participate, to partner with God. As you listen to the scripture again, can you wonder about your own role? Is there a person or situation in your life where you could plant or water a seed of faith?
Seeds don’t just need planted, they need to be nourished... even before you see any sign of life. As we end our time of prayer today, ask God to remind you of someone in your life who needs spiritual nourishment. Reach out to them today with a reminder of God’s goodness, and with words of encouragement that might feel like rain or sunshine to the seed of faith in their life.
Music: I Lift My Eyes Up - Vineyard Worship: I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121) (feat. Matt Turrigiano) (Live) -
Today is July 2.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 31. And our passage is one that tells a historical story that is filled with chaos and trouble. It tells graphically about the death of Saul, his sons, and his armor bearer. If this feels like too intense of a passage to consider this morning, go ahead and move to the end for a moment of worship.
The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically. Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.
Today’s reading is troubling. It tells about the tragic demise of Saul and his sons at the hands of the Philistines. Saul, facing imminent capture and fearing dishonor, chose to end his own life rather than endure the enemy's brutality. Do you know anyone who might feel at the end of their rope? Anyone who might be experiencing shame? If so, end your time of prayer now, and instead reach out to the person you know who may be feeling vulnerable. Or take a moment now to intercede for those who know who might be facing a desperate situation.
Saul had been the first king of Israel, but then demonstrated a pattern of pride, disobedience, selfishness, and ego. The more he chose against the ways of God, the more he spun out of control… becoming vain, angry, and violent. Over and over, turned his back on God. His is a story of the vector of sin… how our sin, and selfishness, and pride – over time – draw us away from becoming the person God has made us to be. Listen to the story again and ask God to help you understand the story of Saul.
Sometimes these stories in scripture are disorienting. Why, we ask, does the Bible include such heavy, real, painful, texts? Well… I think it’s because they are true to life. The Bible, and Christian faith, describe things as they are. Christian faith is not afraid of or in denial about reality. And reality includes some rough things. This is why the interruption of the world’s reality through Jesus Christ is such good news! He gives us a different vector. A different way. And while our way is real, and often difficult, Christ is with us. No matter the shame or despair. God is with you, and God loves you. As we end our time together, ask God to show you more about who He has made you to be. And if you do happen to find yourself in despair today, or feeling personally vulnerable, please reach out to a friend, a safe person, a pastor. You are loved. You are not alone.
Music: The Gospel - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is July 1.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 86.
I love you, LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.
The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
This psalm expresses a heartfelt expression of trust and reliance on God's strength and protection, even as it communicates the feelings of overwhelm. In times of trouble and danger, we turn to God for refuge, strength and deliverance. Talk to the Lord as we begin, and invite him into any areas of distress you’re experiencing.
Do you see God as your source of strength and refuge? Are you quick to turn to him in times of distress, or do you first try to handle problems on your own? The psalmist write that he calls to God when He is in need of help. He cries out, even. Listen again to the psalm and find a few words or a phrase to hold to in your own times of trouble.
This psalm reminds us that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, God is always ready to hear our cries for help. This is true for you personally, and for us corporately. As we end of our time of prayer today, ask yourself how you might entrust a significant concern to him, and what that would mean for you practically. What might you do differently as you abide in the truth that “from his temple he hears your voice, and your cry comes before him, and into his ears?”
Music: The Name - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. -
Today is June 28.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Daniel, chapter 7.
“As I looked,
“thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow;
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated,
and the books were opened.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
What immediate impressions come to your mind after listening to this vision from the book of Daniel? What do you think it would feel like to participate in a scene like this from heaven?
Scripture is full of prophetic images and visions. This passage in Daniel is reminiscent of the passage in Revelation. People from every nation are gathered around the throne worshipping God. As you listen to this reading again, try to visualize a mental picture of what Daniel is describing.
When we think of God, very often we consider his imminence: how he became human in Christ, and drew near to us. His presence with us. This passage from Daniel brings to mind God’s transcendence: his big-ness. His other-ness. His holiness. His majesty. His power. As you walk through your day today, cultivate a sense of awe for his majesty and power over your life.
Music: Who Can Compare - Vineyard Worship: (YouTube) -
Today is June 27.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 139.
You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
Contemplate for a moment how deeply God knows you. Is that a comfort to you? Does it make you feel exposed in any sense?
You hem me in behind and before… what do you think this means? As you listen to this scripture again, pay attention to what particular phrases or words stand out to you.
The words of this Psalm speak comfort to us. In a world that often chaotic, we hear the purposes of God through the text. In a world that often feels haphazard, we hear the order of God. And in a world where we often feel lost or unseen, we hear the closeness and attentiveness of God. As we end our time of prayer.... do you need to feel the comfort of God in any particular way?
Music: Creator - Vineyard Worship:(YouTube) -
Today is June 26.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of 1st Thessalonians, chapter 4.
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
This passage speaks to death, grief, and the resurrection of all believers. It’s a passage filled with hope, and a heavenward view. How do you feel, thinking about such things?
Holding a mixture of grief and hope is a uniquely Christian experience. As you listen to the passage again, think about which side of that mixture feels most real to you today: the side of grief? Or the side of hope?
Can you recall a time when you experienced a deep sense of hope – a kind of hope that you know is a gift from God, because perhaps your circumstances weren’t that hopeful? As we end our time of prayer, remember that your hope is grounded in the reality of the resurrected Christ, who will come again.
Music: All Things Rise - Vineyard Worship: (YouTube) -
Today is June 25.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Exodus, chapter 9.
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. “The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the LORD, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.”
Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God.”
Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the LORD; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had said through Moses.
"He sinned again”. What a confronting line. Pharoh had hardened his heart. He asked for a sign from God, got a sign from God, and then: ignored it. As we come to prayer today, invite the Lord to search you, and know your heart... to see if there is any hardened way inside of you.
Does it feel difficult to admit that there might be a part of your heart that is hardened toward God? Does that make you defensive? Listen again to the passage and pay attention to what the Lord highlights for you.
Hardened hearts are sometimes found under unforgiveness, an inability to admit fault, pride, ego, or perfectionism. As we end our time of prayer, ask God for the grace to examine your own heart, and invite Him to soften you by His spirit.
Music: Will You Worship - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is June 24.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 27.
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
Welcome to prayer today. Listen again to a few descriptive passages from our text: gentle wind, caught by the storm, driven along, violent battering, gave up all hope... The story begins with a ‘gentle wind’, and ends with all hope lost. Which image feels more resonant to you today: being guided by a gentle wind? Feeling battered and without hope? Talk to the Lord about the state of your soul.
Listen again to the text, and pay attention to one word of phrase that feels instructive or highlighted for you.
In the storm, they let the ship be driven along. That’s a picture of lowering the sail, and allowing the wind and waves to take control. To stop fighting the storm. If you are in a place that feels like a place where ‘neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm continued raging... if you are tempted to give up all hope.... i pray that the God of all power meets you in this moment. I pray you feel His hands holding you together. And I pray for mercy and relief from the storm that you are facing. God’s peace to you in the midst of the wind and waves, in Jesus’ name.
Music: Fix My Eyes - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. -
Today is June 21.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Galatians, chapter 6.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
Have you ever experienced a personal restoration? Maybe in relationship? Or spiritually? How did that feel to you?
Paul tells the Galatians to restore one another gently, and with some caution. He encourages humility, as you listen to the passage again pay attention to what stands out to you
What might it mean for you to carry someone else’s burden, today? Look for a way to practice the carrying, or gentle restoration, as you go about your day?.As we end our time of prayer, ask the Lord to guide you throughout your day.
Music: You're Carrying Me - Vineyard Worship: (YouTube) -
Today is June 20.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the Deuteronomy, chapter 31.
Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
When someone tells me to NOT be afraid or terrified, I usually shift right into fear & terror! I take that as a cue that whatever I’m getting myself into, it’s going to be frightening... going to stir up my anxiety with ‘what if’s’. Is there an area of your life right now that is making you feel afraid?
Imagine being Joshua. Moses summons you in front of all the people. You’re watching Moses – this old, faithful leader who you trust. And you’re listening to the stirring of people whispering: “Joshua? He’s going to lead us now?” Your heart is pounding. Moses is telling you to be strong and courageous, which until this very moment, you thought you were. But now your anxious thoughts are spinning, your body is coursing with adrenaline, and your hands are trembling. Listen again, imagining Joshua’s experience in the scene.
Is God calling you toward something that feels too big? Too difficult? Too impossible? Too complicated? As we end, consider that God always provides for what he invites us into. Perhaps you want to make this your prayer today: he will never leave me, or forsake me....
Music: Breathe In, Sing Out - Vineyard Worship: (YouTube) -
Today is June 19th.
Today, we commemorate Juneteenth. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free from the institution of slavery, almost two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
The first Juneteenth in 1866 was celebrated at church with food, singing, and the reading of spirituals. We celebrate Juneteenth today to recall how far we’ve come, and also to remember how far there’s left to go in the work of freedom and justice for all.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from Psalm 71.
In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
The Psalmist calls out to God for rescue and deliverance. Be my rock of refuge, he writes, to which I can always go. Consider what it might have been like to live in an age with little physical protection from the elements. Consider being pursued by an enemy and not having a place to go, or a lock on the door to your home. The psalmist writes plainly of his sense of vulnerability. Think about how such profound vulnerability, and such a righteous cry for deliverance has been repeated throughout history.
As you listen to the psalmist’s words again, think about how it would have sounded to those in captivity: Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel. Listen to the weight of this cry for deliverance, and for the prophetic hope found in God as refuge.
As we end, consider what it means that God is our rescuer, our liberator, and our deliverer... both personally and through history.... and what those things mean for the work before followers of Jesus today. What does it mean to extend those parts of God’s character in your own life? What might it look like for you to take up the Kingdom work of justice?
Music: The Lord Is My Shepherd - Vineyard Worship: (YouTube) -
Today is June 18.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of Jeremiah, chapter 21.
“Moreover, say to the royal house of Judah, ‘Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says to you, house of David:
“ ‘Administer justice every morning;
rescue from the hand of the oppressor
the one who has been robbed,
or my wrath will break out and burn like fire...”
It’s always so interesting to me to hear God’s passion for justice, for rescue, and for restitution. And on the other hand, to hear about the wrath associated with injustice and oppression. The very frame of justice and mercy and fairness and goodness comes from the character of God Himself. God is offended when His character isn’t expressed in this world. And not just offended, but God’s wrath burns toward injustice. This is why, as Christians, we are called to be kingdom people. Our work is to partner with God as He ushers in the coming kingdom... and to resist the ways of the world like injustice and oppression. Talk to the Lord about His heart for true justice, and take a moment to allow Him to speak to you.
Listen to the text again and consider what it is instructing you to do when it tells us to ‘administer justice every morning’. What space are you in that you might be able to ‘administer justice’? It’s not just judges that do this. Is there any space in your life where you have authority to administer justice towards the vulnerable or oppressed?
Perhaps you feel like you’ve got no way to be an ‘administer of justice’ in your life. Perhaps you do: you're an employer, you manage a team, you work in areas of social policy, your work in housing. As we end our time of prayer, ask God to speak to you about what it is for you to ‘administer justice’ in your normal day-to-day life and work.
Music: Restored - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
Today is June 17.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 14.
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.
Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands.”
So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.”
So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel.”
Welcome to prayer. As you orient yourself to the Lord today, consider Jonathan and his armor bearer. Young, impetuous, full of faith, ready to take a risk and trust in the Lord’s provision. We might even call them: unwise. How is it that you come to prayer today? Are you full of faith? Ready to step out into mission? Talk to the Lord about how you’re feeling right now.
Listen to the story again and pay attention to my favorite line: Jonathan says to his servant: come on, let’s go over to that enemy encampment. ‘perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf’. I love the ‘perhaps’ in this story.
This is a story about courage, risk, and trust in the provision and providence of God. Jonathan has a sense of God’s power that compels him toward the enemy. Compels him toward the place of risk and total dependency on God. Ask God for the gift of courage today as we end our time of prayer.
Music: We Come Alive - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube) -
This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. -
Today is June 14.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23.
There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Taking him down, he wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin.
This text says many things about Joseph of Arimathea: he was a member of the High council. He had a good heart, and good character. He had resisted the plans to kill Jesus. He lived in ‘alert expectation’ for the kingdom of God... and when he saw Jesus, he begain to follow him, perhaps quietly, perhaps in total secrecy. And then: he took responsibility for the proper burial of Jesus. Try to put yourself in his place... how do you feel, taking the body of Jesus down from the cross?
Followership of Jesus can look like a lot of things. As you listen again, think about what Joseph’s followership looked like:
Joseph’s faith in Christ was quiet, but it motivated him to take action in this tender space. After the death of Christ, and before the resurrection... in the quiet, in between space, Joseph demonstrated a tender faithfulness. Contemplate that as today’s time of prayer comes to a close.
Music: Bless Your Name - Vineyard Worship: (YouTube) - Laat meer zien
