Archive for June 2013

Closer, Lord

2013-06-06 Devotional No comments

I have responsibilities.
I have needs and concerns.

But Lord, let me dwell on my concerns
only as much as
faith permits and
love demands.

Instead of allowing them to
distract me from You,
let’s share them, Lord.
Through them,
draw me closer to You, Beautiful God.
Let them become opportunities to
love You and
trust You and
make You real to those around me.

Spirit of Christ,
breathe my every thought.
Fill my mind, my imagination, my dreams
with Your love and
the wonder of Your presence.

You are my Lord forever!

House Churches

2013-06-04 Devotional One comment

Before elaborate organizations or church buildings, early-church Christians used private homes to gather for prayer, mutual encouragement, and a shared meal. Normal human dwellings, used for eating, sleeping, and relaxing, were turned into places of Christian fellowship. They became temples of God’s presence among believers.

According to one source, some of the oldest churches in Rome were built on sites where a house church once stood.

Having believers meet in your home would be a discomfort and a burden at times. But looking back, that discomfort is unimportant. In fact, those homes only gained lasting significance when they were dedicated to God and shared with others. Imagine all the beautiful, eternal good that was done over the years because simple Christians shared what they had.

The river of time washes away so much of what we leave behind. Future generations then receive what remains and apply what they can to their own life needs. Our present comfort or inconvenience will be insignificant to them. Were we well paid or poorly paid? Esteemed or unrecognized? It won’t matter. All that will matter is what we gave, not what we got.

Lord, take what is mine, what I grasp too tightly and fearfully, and make it Yours. What do I have that would be worth more if I shared it with others? I open my grip and release it to You. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.

Mercy

2013-06-02 Devotional with Hymn One comment

Almighty God, I don’t need a major moral failure to experience Your mercy.
I experience Your mercy every time you give me what I don’t deserve.

You are an unbounded Being,
complete in Yourself,
the source of all life and all that is.
My existence is a mercy.

You are infinite in excellence,
perfect in power, wisdom, and love.
You graciously gave me fellowship with You.
I rejected You and chose myself:
a speck of dust,
a breath,
utterly corrupt.
I chose death,
yet You continue to give me life.
Every moment is a mercy.

I am insignificant.
Living in Your presence, sharing existence with You,
I deserve to be completely ignored.
Your attention is a mercy.
Even Your anger, Your judgment, Your condemnation
are mercies.

Holy and just God,
You know all that I have thought and said and done.
Condemned, I deserve whatever punishment can be inflicted
on such a miserable creature as me.
Your total forgiveness is
an unspeakable mercy.

Though I am marvelously forgiven,
my response to You continues to be
lukewarm,
inconsistent, and
ungrateful.
I deserve Your disgust.
Instead, in mercy
You fill me with Yourself and
tenderly grow me toward You.
Day by day,
every breath is a mercy.

This beautiful earth is a mercy.
Every chance to know You better is a mercy.
Your faithful Spirit is such a mercy!
The amazing privilege of prayer is a mercy.
Your unfailing patience with my ignorance, weakness, and selfishness is a mercy.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV)

Almighty God,
my Father,
You are compassion.
You are kindness and goodness.
You are deep and enduring love.
My entire existence, every moment and forever,
is enfolded in Your unending mercy.
Praise to You!
All praise to You,
my Savior and my God!

Listen…and sing if you want:
Hymn: Sea of Mercy
Recording
Printed Music & Lyrics

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