Opening Prayer: Speak, O Lord, Your servant is listening...
Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4d Love is not proud
Meditatio: Being boastful and proud go hand in hand. When you are being boastful it is because you are proud. Pride leads to destruction--it leads to the end of all good things. Your relationship with others suffers, but your relationship with God suffers the worst. Pride screams "Look at me, look what I can do!" instead of placing the focus on the one who created you or helped you. It is not concerned with others. Humble your proud hearts that you may open the door to a deeper relationship with God through Christ, and share in the showing of God's kingdom here on earth.
Oratio: God, you know I am a mere human, but you know I harbor pride in my heart. Break my heart from what breaks yours, that I may continue to grow vertically to you, and horizontally towards others.
Contemplatio: In what areas of your life do you show great pride?
Are there ways that you can change your foolish pride to become more humble and open to a relationship with God?
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Love does not Brag
I have decided to write my lectio a bit different this time around. From here on out, I will be writing what I hear from God as I read the scripture. God still has me in 1 Corinthians 13:4; let's begin with prayer.
Opening Prayer: Speak, O Lord, Your servant is listening. Speak to me through your words, that I may understand and learn how to better serve You and Your people.
Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NCV)
Being a braggart hurts the ministry. I have called you too. It must stop for ministry to be effective. My love was humble, it called the "least of these" to come and know me--they had no education--mere fishermen--they didn't brag about their backgrounds, instead they rejoiced that they had come to know the Master and they became fishers of men's souls. Do no brag about your righteousness; instead live it. You have heard it said that it is easier to preach 1000 sermons, than it is to live just one.
Oratio: Father, help me to continue to hear your voice; to become humble like the fishermen you called on the banks of the Sea of Galilee and to remember that love does not boast about the good it has done in the world. May I continue to grow in love. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Contemplatio: Where can you show humility and love today? In what parts of your life do you brag about achievements; how can you change your need to brag about your achievements?
Opening Prayer: Speak, O Lord, Your servant is listening. Speak to me through your words, that I may understand and learn how to better serve You and Your people.
Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NCV)
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous, doesn't brag and love is not proud.Love doesn't brag. How often have you bragged about your education, about all you hav learned and all you think others should know? Not everyone is in the same place. Not everyone has to have an education. Some of my best ministers have been those who study my word and my word alone. This is not to ay that education is not a good thing, but like many other things it can be used wrongly.
Being a braggart hurts the ministry. I have called you too. It must stop for ministry to be effective. My love was humble, it called the "least of these" to come and know me--they had no education--mere fishermen--they didn't brag about their backgrounds, instead they rejoiced that they had come to know the Master and they became fishers of men's souls. Do no brag about your righteousness; instead live it. You have heard it said that it is easier to preach 1000 sermons, than it is to live just one.
Oratio: Father, help me to continue to hear your voice; to become humble like the fishermen you called on the banks of the Sea of Galilee and to remember that love does not boast about the good it has done in the world. May I continue to grow in love. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Contemplatio: Where can you show humility and love today? In what parts of your life do you brag about achievements; how can you change your need to brag about your achievements?
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
St. Patrick's Breastplate
Today I want to share a prayer that is important to me as an American of Irish descent. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and her people, but he is only one of Ireland's beloved Patron saints. I am sharing this prayer...called St. Patrick's Breastplate:
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.
I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.
I arise today, through
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
God's strength to pilot me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.
I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul;
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
Green with Envy
Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
Meditatio: Recently someone sold a house and purchased a house with 5 acres of land. I was envious of their blessings of getting a house. I mean they already had a house, and this was a nicer house than mine and my envy was rooted in the hurt that this person had caused in my life. I mean after all, why would I want God to bless those who had hurt me so fiercely? Especially when I don't feel like I am being blessed. I am going to reference Richard Pratt again today. He states
Contemplatio: Do you envy things that others have? What would your life be like if you realize that those who are receiving blessings today may not be storing up treasures in Heaven?
Meditatio: Recently someone sold a house and purchased a house with 5 acres of land. I was envious of their blessings of getting a house. I mean they already had a house, and this was a nicer house than mine and my envy was rooted in the hurt that this person had caused in my life. I mean after all, why would I want God to bless those who had hurt me so fiercely? Especially when I don't feel like I am being blessed. I am going to reference Richard Pratt again today. He states
One may admire another for something that person is or has, and he may desire many of the same good things for himself. Jealousy and envy begin when admiration and desire turn to resentment of others for what they have. They are the attitudinal roots of many terrible actions in the world. The Bible illustrates this time and again. To envy is not to display the love of Christ, who gave up all for the sake of others (Phil. 2:3–8).Oratio: God, I come to ask that you will help me to give up envy, jealousy, and help me to see these things as what they are: Human weaknesses. Heal my heart so that I may not envy those who have what I think I deserve and help me to realize that the blessings others are experiencing do not compare to the heavenly blessings you will bestow later. In Jesus Name, Amen
Contemplatio: Do you envy things that others have? What would your life be like if you realize that those who are receiving blessings today may not be storing up treasures in Heaven?
Sunday, March 15, 2020
How may I pray for you?
*This lectio was published a day early for March 16th; however, I will have a short lectio published on March 16th.*
One simple question. It's not a question that most people would often ask; matter of fact, many Christians would shy away from asking this question, but it set the tone for my Lectio Divina today. The question is "How may I pray for you?" Not can I pray for you, not would you like prayer? Make a decision to be present and intentional. "How may I pray for you?"
Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant;
Meditatio: Love is kind; But what does that mean? Yesterday I had the opportunity to show that love is kind. I was walking into the local Big Lots. I passed by these two people sitting on the side walk; as I passed by some man (who I later found out was one of the street ministers) walked by and said "Get a job!" I walked on into the Big Lots and made my purchase. When I came out the two were still sitting on the sidewalk. I had two Hamburgers and an order of fries in my car and I walked over to the people and handed them the food and said "How may I pray for you all today?" The man and woman were overcome with happiness and said "we can't pay you back." And the man who had told them to get a job was standing not to far away, and I said "My Bible says that "whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done to me." It also says "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat." The young woman looked at me and said "We don't know why we are physically hungry and what we did to get to this point, but we got God, we just need understanding as to why were are in this place in our lives. Can you pray for that?" I agreed. I spoke about this on Facebook after it happened, I didn't mention the food nor the street preacher. A Christian in my community said "well why didn't you buy them some food?" My cousin who holds to various religious beliefs and believes we are to blame for everything told me that "asking to pray for someone was an imposing stance and he was surprised they [the homeless] didn't offer to pray for me. I think it's imperative that we hear exactly what Paul is saying in this verse: Love is kind. Richard Pratt(1) in his commentary on Corinthians says "Kindness takes many forms. In general, it is soft and gentle."
Oratio: Father, I humbly come before your throne, I come asking that you provide answers to the needs of our country. Today, I got to witness two people searching for answers about their life circumstances. I ask that you provide them with those answers and that those answers lead only to You and where these young people need to be. God, help us to be kind people. Help us to show love and to be the people you need us to be so that your will is fulfilled. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Contemplatio: How are you showing love to people in kind ways? As Richard Pratt says Kindness takes many forms. In general, it is soft and gentle. Occasionally, however, kindness must take the form of a careful rebuke designed to bring about a good result. Paul demonstrated this as he dealt kindly, but firmly, with the Corinthians. Jesus’ own life demonstrated such kindness (Luke 13:15–17). Are you showing people that love can be kind even when you have to rebuke some one over something?
One simple question. It's not a question that most people would often ask; matter of fact, many Christians would shy away from asking this question, but it set the tone for my Lectio Divina today. The question is "How may I pray for you?" Not can I pray for you, not would you like prayer? Make a decision to be present and intentional. "How may I pray for you?"
Lectio: 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant;
Meditatio: Love is kind; But what does that mean? Yesterday I had the opportunity to show that love is kind. I was walking into the local Big Lots. I passed by these two people sitting on the side walk; as I passed by some man (who I later found out was one of the street ministers) walked by and said "Get a job!" I walked on into the Big Lots and made my purchase. When I came out the two were still sitting on the sidewalk. I had two Hamburgers and an order of fries in my car and I walked over to the people and handed them the food and said "How may I pray for you all today?" The man and woman were overcome with happiness and said "we can't pay you back." And the man who had told them to get a job was standing not to far away, and I said "My Bible says that "whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done to me." It also says "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat." The young woman looked at me and said "We don't know why we are physically hungry and what we did to get to this point, but we got God, we just need understanding as to why were are in this place in our lives. Can you pray for that?" I agreed. I spoke about this on Facebook after it happened, I didn't mention the food nor the street preacher. A Christian in my community said "well why didn't you buy them some food?" My cousin who holds to various religious beliefs and believes we are to blame for everything told me that "asking to pray for someone was an imposing stance and he was surprised they [the homeless] didn't offer to pray for me. I think it's imperative that we hear exactly what Paul is saying in this verse: Love is kind. Richard Pratt(1) in his commentary on Corinthians says "Kindness takes many forms. In general, it is soft and gentle."
Oratio: Father, I humbly come before your throne, I come asking that you provide answers to the needs of our country. Today, I got to witness two people searching for answers about their life circumstances. I ask that you provide them with those answers and that those answers lead only to You and where these young people need to be. God, help us to be kind people. Help us to show love and to be the people you need us to be so that your will is fulfilled. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Contemplatio: How are you showing love to people in kind ways? As Richard Pratt says Kindness takes many forms. In general, it is soft and gentle. Occasionally, however, kindness must take the form of a careful rebuke designed to bring about a good result. Paul demonstrated this as he dealt kindly, but firmly, with the Corinthians. Jesus’ own life demonstrated such kindness (Luke 13:15–17). Are you showing people that love can be kind even when you have to rebuke some one over something?
(1) Richard L. Pratt Jr, I & II Corinthians, vol. 7, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 230.
Love is Long-Suffering
Lectio: Love is patient...1 Corinthians 13:4a
Meditatio: I went back to 1 Corinthians because I felt that God wasn't done teaching me from this chapter. I notice that love is patient. Or as Young's Literal Translation puts it, Love is long-suffering. It is willing to go the distance for someone else. When I thought of patience, a story of George Muller was brought to mind.
I have been praying for only 7 years for a friend to forgive me and for God to work out her salvation. A lot of people think that my prayers are futile and that nothing will ever come of the friendship. However, I also want to imitate Christ, who prayed fervently for His friends. I want to follow the example of men such as George Muller, and pray until something happens.
Oratio: Father, Hear our prayers, may they be reflective of your will. Do not allow us to pray anything but your will be done and help us to delight in your will, so that you may give us the desires of our hearts. Amen
Contemplatio: How are you showing patience and love? Are you praying for someone who needs prayer?
Meditatio: I went back to 1 Corinthians because I felt that God wasn't done teaching me from this chapter. I notice that love is patient. Or as Young's Literal Translation puts it, Love is long-suffering. It is willing to go the distance for someone else. When I thought of patience, a story of George Muller was brought to mind.
One day George Muller began praying for five of his friends. After many months, one of them came to the Lord. Ten years later, two others were converted. It took 25 years before the fourth man was saved. Muller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping that he would accept Christ! His faith was rewarded, for soon after Muller's funeral the fifth friend was saved.George Muller knew a lot about the long-suffering, patient love that would cause a person to pray for 52 years for someone to come to know Christ.
I have been praying for only 7 years for a friend to forgive me and for God to work out her salvation. A lot of people think that my prayers are futile and that nothing will ever come of the friendship. However, I also want to imitate Christ, who prayed fervently for His friends. I want to follow the example of men such as George Muller, and pray until something happens.
Oratio: Father, Hear our prayers, may they be reflective of your will. Do not allow us to pray anything but your will be done and help us to delight in your will, so that you may give us the desires of our hearts. Amen
Contemplatio: How are you showing patience and love? Are you praying for someone who needs prayer?
Saturday, March 14, 2020
No where to lay His Head
Lectio: Luke 9:58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Meditatio: Today I had a friend email me from Kenya. He was telling me that he was the only one of is brothers who had never built a house and that his child had been sent home from school because he couldn't afford the fees for school. I could think about was this verse where Jesus tells followers that he doesn't have a home. I don't know if that means that Jesus himself was homeless or poor, but in this instance it doesn't matter. What it is saying that material wealth doesn't show our savior, it doesn't show that God loves you more or has blessed you more. I have went to churches where people are extremely wealthy and they purchase cars for the pastor, while those in the pews that work 2 jobs can barely tithe are treated differently. In this instance I think that I see Jesus in those who work and love without having to purchase the pastor's acceptance.
Oratio: God, while I don't have material wealth, I know that doesn't mean that you aren't seen in me. Thank you for loving me, and relating to me as a human.
Contemplatio: Where do you see Jesus? Do you see Him in material wealth or in the simplistic life of a friend who can't afford much?
*this is the only post where I will say that if you want to provide support to my friends in Kenya with helping their child get schooling they need, you can donate at https://www.paypal.me/rachelanders
Meditatio: Today I had a friend email me from Kenya. He was telling me that he was the only one of is brothers who had never built a house and that his child had been sent home from school because he couldn't afford the fees for school. I could think about was this verse where Jesus tells followers that he doesn't have a home. I don't know if that means that Jesus himself was homeless or poor, but in this instance it doesn't matter. What it is saying that material wealth doesn't show our savior, it doesn't show that God loves you more or has blessed you more. I have went to churches where people are extremely wealthy and they purchase cars for the pastor, while those in the pews that work 2 jobs can barely tithe are treated differently. In this instance I think that I see Jesus in those who work and love without having to purchase the pastor's acceptance.
Oratio: God, while I don't have material wealth, I know that doesn't mean that you aren't seen in me. Thank you for loving me, and relating to me as a human.
Contemplatio: Where do you see Jesus? Do you see Him in material wealth or in the simplistic life of a friend who can't afford much?
*this is the only post where I will say that if you want to provide support to my friends in Kenya with helping their child get schooling they need, you can donate at https://www.paypal.me/rachelanders
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)