Daily Meditations
I don’t think God is as concerned about right doctrine as he is about the shape of people’s lives.-———————-unknown
God’s concern is how we live our lives. Can we be kind to others, love the unlovable, feed the hungry, house the homeless and see the pain in others. This is the bottom line. Other things are trivial compared to this.
Understanding God, you know that we can concentrate on the minor things and let the real issues go. Help us to see the needs of others and respond. AMEN
If God seems far from you who has moved? ————-Suzanne Boyd
God is with us all the time. The problem is that we are not always with God. It is so easy to think that God is not listening to us or doesn’t answer our prayers. We begin to think that maybe God isn’t there at all. In actuality, God has not moved at all. We are the ones who have stepped away.
Patient God, we often stop paying attention and feel distant from you. Remind us that we are the ones who moved. AMEN
There we no functional families in scripture. ———-an insight
We think that there is so much that we have to do or be before we can be of any use to God. Absolutely not true. If you just look at the people God used in scripture you can see that they were not who you would expect. David–an adulterer, Joseph’s family sold him into slavery, Rahab was a prostitute. There are many other examples. God knows we cannot be perfect. He chooses who he wants to do his work.
Quirky God, you seem to pick the most unlikely people to do your work. Help us to see that we don’t have to be perfect but just follow you. AMEN
Praying shapes believing.-—————— Lionel L. Mitchell
Praying not only shapes believing but it also enhances it. The more time we spend in prayer the closer we become with God. Too often we think that prayer time has to be planned and formed. This is so wrong. Prayer can be just a moment where we want to thank God or tell him something….just like speaking to a friend. Rmember God is always there and hears us.
Nurturing God, you hear our every thought and prayer. Help us to tell you our thoughts at any moment. When we pray you hear. AMEN
Jesus is God translated to us as a book is translated into a language that we can read and understand. –————–unknown
In Jesus God is visible. We can see and understand how God would behave…it’s how Jesus behaved. Don’t just read the Bible for the things that Jesus said. Look carefully at the things he did. He taught and loved and healed. He sat down with outcasts and sinners. He lived against the norm. He was God in action. Follow his steps.
Lord God, you sent Jesus to show us the way. Help us to follow in his footsteps. AMEN
I profess to aim at perfection but in practice I like the way of perfection to be mapped out by me and not by God.-——————Pope John XXIII
This is so very true. I want to make my own plans and set my own path. It will be my idea of perfection. God has other plans. He sees the way clearly that we need to go. If only we would follow his path instead of ours.
Infinite God, I am sure you get tired of us wanting to be in charge of everything. Help us to listen for your voice and follow your path. AMEN
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. –——Corrie ten Boom
I think tonight I will just refer us to Matthew about worry.
27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?[a] 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
Worry is a waste of time.
Lord, you care more for us than we can ever imagine. Thank you. Help us to know that you will be with us each moment. AMEN
Storms make trees take deeper roots. —————Dolly Parton
When things happen to rock my world I tend to reach out for God. Each storm moves me further into his arms and brings me closer to him. I am grateful that this is my response. Sometimes bad things can make us turn away from God. We that happens we miss the solace of being held in loving arms.
Loving God, thank you for your care for us and help us to reach for you in all the storms of this life. AMEN
Follow the grain in your own wood. –———-Howard Thurman
I bet you are wondering what in the world this has to do with God? It not only does, it is important. Each of us is god’s creation but each of us is different. I may not have been born to be famous or a movie star but my life has a purpose. God wants each of us to be the best ME we can be. There isn’t another person now, in the past, or to come who is just like you. You don’t have to be famous or a genius. Be you. God wants you to do that. BE YOU!
Creative God, you made each of us to be unique and fill the role that you created for us. Help us to do just that. AMEN
This morning I went to the church I used to work for. The Pastor told this story: (my words) A little girl was saying her prayers. God bless mommy and daddy, keep them safe. God bless me and keep me safe and God bless God because if God gets messed up we are all in trouble.”
How often do we spend time thanking God. Our prayers are frequently a want list. We may pray for others and for good things but we don’t take the time to thank him. He is the author of all good things. We could at least spend some time thanking him for our lives, for the earth, for everything. Do it!
Loving God, you have given us so much. Help us to remember to thank you each and every day. AMEN
Hear God in Other Voices 