Weekly Spiritual Meditations - June 26

[bluidkiti]

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5

************************************************** *********

Most of us are rich in ways that really matter -- a good relationship with our Lord, a spouse and family that loves us, reasonable health, a good church, etc. The problem is that we tend to take many of our riches for granted. So, whether you are rich in monetary ways or other ways or both, always give God the glory and be sure to thank Him.

God is never early. God is never late.

We will see Christ in unlikely places if we take time to look.

Love is respect. Love is truth with kindness. Love is being willing to forgive and help others. Love is thinking about how our Higher Power wants us to act. We have turned our will and our lives over to love, and our Higher Power. --Keep It Simple

God can use even bad things in our lives to bring about good.

The only real rest comes when you're alone with God. . .

"Friendship is not something you or I have thought up. It is God's plan for us. In John 15, Jesus set high standards for friendship: unselfishness, respect and commitment, mutual comfort, even sacrifice. Are these components of your friendships?" --Mary Manin Morrissey

************************************************** *********

Where Does Our Value Lie? by Katherine Walden
If we place our worth on any other grounds other than the price paid for us upon the cross, then we are deceived. If we measure our value against our abilities, our actions, our thoughts and our good works, then we are in danger of emotional, physical and spiritual burnout. If we believe we are valuable because of our influence over a large network of friends and family, coworkers and congregants then we set ourselves up for a massive disappointment and continual self-doubt.
The price paid for us determines our value. God’s unwavering love ensures we will never devalue in His eyes. Unlike a vehicle Blue Book that lists the value for vehicles based on their age, wear and tear and market value, in God’s eyes, no life circumstance, sin, weakness or advancement in age will cause our net worth to depreciate. Regardless of the sticker price the world tries to place upon us, we will never lose our value; we will always be of infinite worth.
I have reached the age where many of my friends are in the midst of painful journeys as their elderly loved ones become increasingly frail in body and mind. The calloused and the jaded might judge an elderly person lying listlessly in a hospital bed to hold little worth. Perhaps the person lying in that hospital bed feels the same way. They consider themselves of little use and little value to anyone else.
If only they could grasp this wondrous, incredible truth! God’s intense longing for fellowship and intimacy with his creation never fades. God values the frailest of containers because of its potential to hold the greatest treasure of all. God never forgets the enormous price He paid to draw His child to Himself.
Lord, Your death on the cross placed gave us an eternal value that will never change. Help us to never misrepresent that value, no matter what life circumstances we face. In times of plenty and times of want, in times of renown and times of anonymous sacrificial living, remind us of Your truth. Please lead us to those treasures that belong in your treasure house. Help us to find those sparkling jewels who are buried by the darkness of their circumstances.

************************************************** *********

My Plans by Sally I. Kennedy
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 20:24)
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and he delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23)
You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I had the day all planned out. Just enough time to do everything on my list.
Not too far into the morning that got entirely rearranged. I was fussing and fuming about it to myself when all of a sudden I realized that I had given the day to God, as I do most mornings, giving him free reign for whatever would take place that day.
God is never early, and He's never late; He is always right on time. When He orchestrates a day's schedule and plans, He has a reason. We can trust that it is for good, and remember there's always a bigger picture.
As I write this, I am thinking, "I hope I can remember this the next time my plans get bumped and the day's activities get totally shuffled around!", and be thankful.

************************************************** *********

Hidden Author Unknown
Colossians 3:3, 4, “. . . your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”
When Arkansas Senator David Pryor was a teenager, he worked as a Congressional page. He loved the job so much he vowed to return someday as a member of Congress. To reinforce his goal, he hid a dime in a crack behind a statue in the Capitol, with the intention of retrieving it when he succeeded. Fifteen years later, as a newly elected member of the House of Representatives, he retrieved the dime. Pryor said this proves two things: One, that dreams in youth should never be underestimated, and two, that they don’t clean the Capitol very much. As we reflect upon our Scripture lesson today, the purpose to which we have been hidden is poignant. We have been hidden in Christ not only for security but also for retrieval at a point in time in which He deems us to be the mechanism by which His glory is revealed through us. Mordecai told Esther, a Jewish maiden who had become queen, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)” Moses was hidden in an ark of bulrushes, and later hidden on the backside of the desert as a shepherd, until the time of his revelation as deliverer of God’s people from Egyptian slavery. David was hidden as a shepherd before his revelation as king of Israel. John the Baptist was hidden in the Judean wilderness until the time of his revelation as Messiah’s forerunner. Jesus was hidden in the backwater town of Nazareth before His revelation as the Christ at the River of Jordan upon His baptism.
Perhaps today you feel as isolated as a dime hid in a dusty crack in the U. S. Capitol. But be faithful in your present assignment. In His time, the One who placed you there will come to retrieve you. Then, His greater purpose will be revealed and He will be glorified through you, as you fulfill the destiny for which you were preserved, for each new day.

************************************************** *********

The Father Won't Let Go by Johnie Akers
John 10:28 ". . . neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a u-turn to swim to his father.
It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. An incredible tug-of-war between the two began. The alligator was much stronger than the father but the father was much too passionate to let go, and dug his nails into the little boys arms.
A farmer driving by heard the screams of the child, and after retrieving a rifle from his truck, raced to the waters edge and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks in the hospital, the little boy recovered.
The local newspaper reporter interviewing the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The little boy lifted his pant legs and said, "These are the scars from where the alligator tried to pull me under the water." Then, he rolled up his shirt sleeves and said, "Now look at my arms. These are the scars where my father wouldn't let me go."
Each of us is marked. Yes, there are scars we bear in our lives because of poor choices we have made. But if we look closely, there are other marks we have incurred, where a loving sovereign God has refused to let us go. At the time, His grip of grace may seem painful, but it is all for our protection, so that we may be preserved to live, and testify of His tender mercies that He reveals to us with each new day.

************************************************** *********

HOW HEAVY IS YOUR BAG? Author Unknown
One of my teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes. For every person we'd refuse to forgive in our life, we were told to choose a potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of our bags, as you can imagine, were quite heavy.
We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere for one week, putting it beside our bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to our desk at work.
The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear what a weight we were carrying spiritually, and how we had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget, and keep leaving it in embarrassing places.
Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty slime. This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!
Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and while that's true, it clearly is also a gift for ourselves!
So the next time you decide you can't forgive someone, ask yourself...
Isn't MY bag heavy enough?
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. - Mark 11:25

************************************************** *********

Your Will Author Unknown
During the late 50’s and early 60’s, a man by the name of Bobby Richardson played second base for the NY Yankees. Bobby Richardson was nominated as MVP of the American League nine times. He played in seven All-star Games. He won five Gold Glove Awards. And he was the only man in baseball history to ever win the World Series MVP Award while playing for the losing team.
In the later years of Bobby Richardson’s career, he coached the baseball team at Liberty University. The reason such a great player was willing to coach at a Christian university was because Bobby Richardson was himself a committed follower of Jesus Christ.
During a speech at a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bobby Richardson was called upon to pray and here is his prayer - "Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen."
May that be your prayer today. "Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen."

************************************************** *********

Listening To God by Martin Wiles
He was the principal's son, but I wasn't making much headway teaching him history.
I was in my fourth year of teaching at a local private school when the board of directors hired a new headmaster who had a son travelling through the teenage years — a son whose grades needed attention. After a battery of tests, it was determined that his son had Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD. His father decided that medicine was needed to correct his inability to listen. But whereas he didn't listen before because of his challenges, now he couldn't listen because the medicine put him to sleep. Either way, he was unable to listen.
With me … I have the ability to listen. But do I?
Ecclesiastes 5:7 – Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead. (NLT)
Only saying that I listen to God is cheap talk. But when I fear him, I'll pay attention with the intent of learning something. God doesn't want me to be afraid of Him — even though He does possess life-and-death power over me. Rather, He desires that I reverence and love Him to the degree that it motivates me to realize that He knows what's best.
If I'm to listen to God, I also need some downtime. Life is busy — for me and everyone else. If I'm not careful, God will get crowded out — pushed to the "when I have time" corner. I need silence and alone time to properly hear what His Spirit is revealing and rousing me to do.
Without an intimate connection, I can't hear God either. This is more than simply asking Jesus to be my Saviour. It's consistently spending time with Him and executing the things that enhance my spiritual growth — which, in turn, advances my ability to hear.
Are you listening when God speaks to you?
Merciful Father, foster in us a desire to hear and then to do Your will. Amen.

************************************************** *********

Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Beloved, I am calling you to come higher. I speak in terms of seeking Me with a greater sense of purpose in light of eternity. Establish your perspective to see beyond the natural world. That which is temporary must not be viewed as permanent. Your life and time should be invested in the Kingdom to produce long-term and long-lasting benefit, says the Lord. 2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Press! It is not about taking an occasional lunge at walking in the Spirit. I speak of the constant awareness necessary to live in the Spirit. This is about keeping your spiritual life active enough to rule over your flesh (carnal nature). No one is going to do this for you. This is your responsibility, says the Lord. Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Watch and listen, for I will reveal the areas of life where you have gotten stuck. And, I will give wisdom and direction with regard to your freedom. It is time for you to move on with bravery and boldness from the trauma and difficulties you have endured. As you let go of the past, it will let go of you, says the Lord. Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

You have asked for wisdom to know how to deal with difficult problems. But, have you listened? Have you paid attention to My still, small voice urging you to do what you have not considered? It is one thing to ask and another thing to receive. You must silence your frustration and self-criticism and be at peace before you can hear, says the Lord. Proverbs 2:6-8 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.

************************************************** *********

The Trumpet by Bill Burns
"Set the trumpet to your mouth!" Hosea 8:1
You are mine. You belong to Me. I will teach you the things you need to know, and I will show you the way. Will I not bring My kingdom forth and reveal it in your life? I will show you the things I have for you and the things I want for you. I will bring those things that have been promised by way of covenant. Do not forget from this day forward that I am indeed with you and for you, and you will prosper in My kingdom, says the Lord.

************************************************** *********

GOD BLESS THE CHILDREN by Angie Hall
God bless the children who have to run twice as fast
Just to keep up.
Whose bodies or minds limit them
>From even the simplest of tasks
That others can do with ease
And simply take for granted.
God bless the children
Whose dreams sometimes fall by the wayside
Because they`ve never been told they should have any...
Those who are seldom, if ever, recognized
For what they`ve done,
What they believe,
Or who they are.
God bless the children
Whose beauty goes unseen
By those who can`t get past
The person they see on the outside.
God bless the children whose potential is decided
Before they`re given a chance to try--
Those who require more sheer willpower in their guts
To learn,
To compete,
Or just get through the day.
God bless the children whose characters are molded
By those who may not care,
Or have the time,
Or were never molded themselves.
God bless the children
Who can find pity in their hearts
For ones who miss out on the blessings
Of knowing people like them.
And most of all, God bless those children
Who can take their difficulty
And somehow turn it into good,
Who can someday grow up
To open their hearts and their arms
To children just like them.

************************************************** *********

Try Smiling by Rebecca Ann Bowlin
Have you ever noticed,
that when someone gives a smile,
It brightens up the darkest day,
and makes life seem worth while.
In such a world of sorrow,
it may seem hard to do,
try smiling through your dark time,
and God will see you through.
Then others all about you,
will see that there is hope,
and give them strength through sorrow,
helping them to cope.
For helping one another,
is what life's all about.
Filling it with joy,
removing fear and doubt.
Perfect love casts out all fear,
this I've found is true.
So try to smile at someone,
who's standing next to you.

************************************************** *********

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. Psalm 62:1-2, 11-12

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:1, 8-10, 17-21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
Psalm 119:105-112

. . .If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:24-30

But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
Romans 8:10-11

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

************************************************** *********

Grace Dwells in the Good and the Grief Author Unknown
“We can trust in God’s goodness even in our pain, tragedy, and brokenness.”
Life’s journey is not always full of sunshine and daisies. Some*times unexpected storms roll in, leaving us feeling cold, alone, and helpless. It’s in the middle of these torrential down*pours that we are reminded that we can always look up to the heavenly skies and find God. He comforts, lifts us up, and places us back on dry, solid ground.

************************************************** *********

St. Theresa Prayer
May today there be peace within
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be....
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God....
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance,
It is there for each and every one of you....

************************************************** *********

Read Through The Bible
2 Chronicles 28
Ahaz Reigns in Judah
1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord, as his father David had done. 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made molded images for the Baals. 3 He burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 4 And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.
Syria and Israel Defeat Judah
5 Therefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria. They defeated him, and carried away a great multitude of them as captives, and brought them to Damascus. Then he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who defeated him with a great slaughter. 6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed one hundred and twenty thousand in Judah in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. 7 Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, Azrikam the officer over the house, and Elkanah who was second to the king. 8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand women, sons, and daughters; and they also took away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.
Israel Returns the Captives
9 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: “Look, because the Lord God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. 10 And now you propose to force the children of Judah and Jerusalem to be your male and female slaves; but are you not also guilty before the Lord your God? 11 Now hear me, therefore, and return the captives, whom you have taken captive from your brethren, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.” 12 Then some of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war, 13 and said to them, “You shall not bring the captives here, for we already have offended the Lord. You intend to add to our sins and to our guilt; for our guilt is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.” 14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the leaders and all the assembly. 15 Then the men who were designated by name rose up and took the captives, and from the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them, dressed them and gave them sandals, gave them food and drink, and anointed them; and they let all the feeble ones ride on donkeys. So they brought them to their brethren at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.
Assyria Refuses to Help Judah
16 At the same time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to help him. 17 For again the Edomites had come, attacked Judah, and carried away captives. 18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Sochoh with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages; and they dwelt there. 19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord. 20 Also Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him and distressed him, and did not assist him. 21 For Ahaz took part of the treasures from the house of the Lord, from the house of the king, and from the leaders, and he gave it to the king of Assyria; but he did not help him.
Apostasy and Death of Ahaz
22 Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord. This is that King Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. 24 So Ahaz gathered the articles of the house of God, cut in pieces the articles of the house of God, shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 And in every single city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers. 26 Now the rest of his acts and all his ways, from first to last, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 27 So Ahaz rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem; but they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. Then Hezekiah his son reigned in his place.

************************************************** *********

Forgiving God, teach us not to judge others by outward appearances but to see all people as your beautiful creations. Amen.