Be Still: Daily Devotional

Today is October 30 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 gospel of Mark, chapter 10.   13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.    I love what this story tells us about the heart of God. As we begin to enter into prayer today, center yourself on this phrase, spoken by Jesus, to his very followers: “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them….” Imagine you’re in the crowd, watching this situation unfold. How do you respond to Jesus?    I also love what this story shows us about the heart of God. Imagine again, this crowd. Imagine unruly kids running around. Imagine the disciples, trying to get everyone under control. Now imagine Jesus: not just speaking into the situation, speaking welcome to the kids… but then actually leaning down, getting himself low, and lifting up one of the wild kids in his arms. Imagine a huge smile on his face as he holds this child. Imagine hearing his quiet word of blessing spoken over him or her. Listen again, and enter the story…    Receiving the kingdom of God like a little child means receiving the kingdom through grace: not through our own works, but through the work of Jesus. Jesus did all the work necessary for us to come to him, and for us to enjoy the welcome of His kingdom. As we end our time of prayer today, invite God to give you a fresh experience of His Father’s heart – for you, and for the least… the last… and the lost around you…    Music: "As Children" - Vineyard Worship AS CHILDREN [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship feat. Sarah Elmer

Today is October 29.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 9.     32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.    The book of Acts are about the acts of the disciples after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. You could also call it the acts of the Holy Spirit because God continued to act through signs and wonders, including healing like the one in this passage. When you read about stories of healing in the Bible, what is your reaction? Is it belief? Is it faith? Or is it doubt?  Miracles are indeed a spectacular way that one can come to believe but was not necessary for one’s faith and trust in Jesus. In fact, we see that Jesus was sometimes frustrated by people seeking miracles as proof of his authenticity. Yet there were many who were “never healed” yet believed in Jesus. Let’s listen again and consider the purpose of the miracle in this story.      All those who saw turned to the Lord. Miracles like healing were called “signs” because they were pointers to the reality of God. All of us doubt and struggle to believe. Where is it you need a pointer today to the reality of God? To the reality that he loves you? To the reality that he is active in your life? As we close our time, ask God to again show you a sign today that he is with you and that he loves you, so that your heart might be turned toward the Lord again in faith and trust.Music: Now Until Forever - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is October 28.  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 28.           1 To you, LORD, I call;            you are my Rock,            do not turn a deaf ear to me.            For if you remain silent,            I will be like those who go down to the pit.         2 Hear my cry for mercy            as I call to you for help,            as I lift up my hands            toward your Most Holy Place.          3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,            with those who do evil,            who speak cordially with their neighbors            but harbor malice in their hearts.         4 Repay them for their deeds            and for their evil work;            repay them for what their hands have done            and bring back on them what they deserve.          5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD            and what his hands have done,            he will tear them down            and never build them up again.          6 Praise be to the LORD,            for he has heard my cry for mercy.         7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;            my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.            My heart leaps for joy,            and with my song I praise him.          8 The LORD is the strength of his people,            a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.         9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;            be their shepherd and carry them forever.    The text today shows the Psalmist crying out for justice against his enemies. We might ask, didn’t Jesus command those who follow him to not avenge themselves or try to "get even?" Aren’t we told to “love our enemies?” Revenge is simply not an option for us – right? The answer, is yes – and the Psalmist today sheds light then how we might respond to injustice: He calls out to God for mercy and justice.      We see throughout scriptures in the Old and the New Testaments that God has always declared his intention to make things right in the world. To demonstrate true justice. The Psalmist points us to trust God's timing and power to deliver justice as he sees fit. Do you feel the strength, and the challenge, of that call to trust? Listen to the text again and pay attention to the psalmists emotional intensity, as well as the direction of that intensity toward God.     The Psalm ends with a surrender to trust in God and find joy and strength in God. It simply points us to trust that God knows all and will not remain silent toward injustice. Can we trust in such a God today? Who has dishonored you and caused pain unjustly? Where have you felt slighted or offended lately? Can you bring those things to God, as the psalmist teaches us to do? Music: Faithful One - Vineyard Worship - YouTube

Today is October 27May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.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 Mark, chapter 8. 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?How do the words ‘deny yourself’ feel to you? Start your prayer today by thinking about the discipline of self-denial… and do a bit of evaluating regarding yourself, and how well you engage in this particular discipline. If you’re like me, you’re not very good at it! Allow the Lord to search your heart for places where he is inviting you to deny yourself.I often think how funny it is that we followers of Jesus love to read his words as metaphor. Ah, they may be thinking as they listen to him: ‘take up our cross’. Okay… that means we’ll do some difficult stuff. Imagine how they felt a few years later, remembering these words, as they watched Jesus stumble through the streets, beaten and bloody, carrying His cross. Listen again, and try to put yourself in their place. How would that moment of reality shift their metaphorical understanding of this text?“Whoever lives their life for me and for the gospel will save it…” Let’s recall: what is the gospel? How would you summarize it up for yourself? If you can, take time to remind yourself of the gospel. If you have trouble finding the words, then ask yourself, How has the good news of Jesus changed my life and how can I live for him today? Music Credit:"This Is Love" - 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 October 24.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 3.   3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.   Welcome to prayer today. As we begin, take time to consider how you are showing up today... are you showing up like the man who was lame... aware of your own weakness and infirmity? Are you showing up like Peter and John, clearly filled with gifts of faith? OR are you showing up like everyone else... going about their day without a lot of thought...   I love how this text pulls both weakness and faith into the same space. The two meet in this unnamed man, at the gate called Beautiful. Listen again and consider a place in your life that feels weak, or infirm.... and then consider a place where you feel filled with faith.                                  “Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.” Do you notice that this healing doesn’t happen until AFTER Peter & John help the man up? When they reached down to help him up, he was still lame. Can you imagine that moment of faith and trust in the power of God? Can you invite that kind of faith and trust into your life today?   Music: "Invitation Fountain" - Vineyard Worship Vineyard Worship | Invitacion Fountain (ft. Kyle Howard & Alexandria Faison) [Official Live Video]

Today is October 23.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 James, chapter 1.   19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.   Sometimes, even when we try to enter into times of attentiveness, we struggle to actually pay attention! What do you recall from the scripture we just heard? Can you recall the main theme, a phrase, or word? Our minds are often full! And we are so often distracted! Take a moment to get present to what’s on your mind right now. As you get present to that thing, I want you to close your hand around it as if you’re holding on to it.   Now, I want you to open your hands and release that thing, or those things to God. Say, “I give this to you, Lord and ask you for an exchange. What I have for what you have.” As we read the scripture again now, so take a moment and prepare yourself to really pay attention. Ask God to draw your attention to these words from James.    James tells us that it is the ‘word planted in us, that can save us’.  Christ Himself is the word who is planted in us. And scripture, when breathed full of life by the Spirit, is the word which is planted in us. James reminds us that ‘looking intently’ at these things brings freedom. Would you consider a question today: What is a word that he has planted in you? What might it mean for you to take time today to cultivate the word of God that he has planted in you? Carry that word in your heart today.   Music: "I Bless The Lord" - Vineyard Worship (UK) I BLESS THE LORD [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship feat. Jodie Alexander-Frye

Today is October 22.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 Hebrews, chapter 6.     13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.   16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.    In this passage… which is about covenant, keeping promises, and the trustworthiness of God, we heard: ‘we have his hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure’. As you come to prayer this morning, how would you describe the state of your soul? We’ll take a bit more quiet time than usual now… so settle in, maybe close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Ask the Lord to help you be still, and aware of your spiritual condition this morning    The writer of today’s passage is concerned that the persecuted Christians he is writing to are in danger of running out of patience in their race of faith amidst persecution. These Christians might be doing okay for now, but there is a danger they might lose confidence in God’s promises. The writer is reminding them that God is absolutely trustworthy. That we can anchor our hope in Him. Listen again to the text and be attentive to a single word or phrase that stands out to you.  All of us wrestle with spiritual doubt; everyone struggles at times to trust God. God is firm and secure, scripture tells us – so we can hold to him in the midst of our own times of spiritual tenderness, struggle, and doubt. If we ignore those things in our own souls, we are holding a part of ourselves away from God. Instead, we are to bring our full selves to Him, so that He might be our anchor. God tells us the unchanging nature of his purpose: to seek and to save that which is lost. To be our firm foundation in times of trouble. As we end our time of prayer today, bring your full self to God.Music: This Is Love - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is October 21.   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 75.           1 We praise you, God,            we praise you, for your Name is near;            people tell of your wonderful deeds.          2 You say, “I choose the appointed time;            it is I who judge with equity.         3 When the earth and all its people quake,            it is I who hold its pillars firm.         4 To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’            and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.         5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;            do not speak so defiantly.’ ”         6 No one from the east or the west            or from the desert can exalt themselves.         7 It is God who judges:            He brings one down, he exalts another.               9 As for me, I will declare this forever;            I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.     This Psalm describes God as the ultimate judge – a judge who is righteous, fair, holy and most importantly, trustworthy. The Psalmist declares that God is the only one we can trust to always do the right thing without partiality. When you consider the wrongs in the world, or in your own life, how does it make you feel to hear that there is a perfect judge?       This God, contrary to popular understanding, isn’t a spiteful God who wields his power from heaven favorably toward people who does what he says and destroys people who are disobedient and sinful. If that were the case, there would be no one left on earth. Listen to the Psalm again and see if you can hear what the Psalmist is declaring.   The Psalm draws us over and over again to hope. No matter what injustice you have experienced or may be experiencing even now, God is the perfect Judge and he will one day overturn every wrong and make everything right and good again. Think about one thing today that you’d like to be put right again, and as we close our time, can you put your hope in God to make that thing new again, in his time?  Music: Who Can Compare - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is October 20May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 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 Isaiah, chapter 2. 2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. As we open our hearts to the word, take a minute to think about what you just listened to. Imagine this world ruled by absolute righteousness. Imagine a world where people from every country seek the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. People will flock to see, and learn, and know Him, and all will live in accordance with the scripture, trying their hardest to walk the same path Jesus walks. Conflict will still exist, but will be resolved according to the laws of Zion, not the whims of humans. With a peaceful, uniform way to deal with conflict, there will be no more war, or need to defend ourselves from outsiders, because if someone is wronged, there will be true justice. As you listen again, think about the equality and compassion that will exist between every man woman, and child.There are things that can be used for both good and evil. Words can be used as both weapons and tools. So can knowledge or information. As you move through your day, look for times when you can choose to use something as a sword or as a ploughshare, and make a conscious effort to make the Christlike choice, even if you don’t want to. Music Credit: "They Are Yours" - 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 October 17 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 119.           9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?            By living according to your word.         10 I seek you with all my heart;            do not let me stray from your commands.         11 I have hidden your word in my heart            that I might not sin against you.         12 Praise be to you, LORD;            teach me your decrees.         13 With my lips I recount            all the laws that come from your mouth.         14 I rejoice in following your statutes            as one rejoices in great riches.         15 I meditate on your precepts            and consider your ways.         16 I delight in your decrees;            I will not neglect your word.      Can you remember getting your drivers permit? Do you remember the test you had to take, just to be able to get behind the wheel with a parent? If you have your driver’s license you took the test. How hard did you study for that test? Harder than for any other test on your life? You knew you needed the freedom of your license, so maybe you locked those rules into your heart and mind, and you still use them every day, if you still drive. Think for a moment about the word of God, and God’s law? Do you find it easy or hard to study and put into your mind and your heart?   In a way, similar to driving, if you have God’s laws locked away in your heart and your mind, you can learn to just let go and drive. When you really know God’s laws you have the freedom to let go and be yourself, because you know the laws you’ve memorized are there to keep you on the road. As you listen to the passage again, think of the freedoms that come with really knowing God’s laws. Do you find yourself rejoicing in it?  As you go through you day, pay attention to times you can naturally do the right thing at the same time letting go of the pressure to always be right, because you have rules memorized well enough to keep you on the path to Christ.    Music: "All Things Rise" - Vineyard Soul ALL THINGS RISE [Lyric Video] | Vineyard Soul [feat. Tina Colón Williams | Vineyard Worship

Today is October 16 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 1 John, chapter 4.     7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.    As we come to prayer, think about how often you do things with love. How much of your day do you spend filled with the love of the Holy Spirit, spreading it to those around you. Do you show love while you're working, in the Starbucks line, or in traffic? Sometimes it's difficult to be loving. How do you make the love that is flowing through you obvious to others?  It’s easier to love someone when you see the best side of them, but not everyone is always at their best, including you. That’s what God does – he sees us through Jesus. What do you see when you look at people? Listen again.   How can you focus on the positives of everyone you meet today? Can you recognize others through the grace of Christ… Can you show God’s love to all of his creations?     Music: "All The Same" - Vineyard Worship ALL THE SAME | Live from Anchour Studio feat. Joshua Miller | Vineyard Worship

Today is October 15.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 Revelation, chapter 8.1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.This passage from Revelation describes the kind of worship that is happening in heaven. I love how it begins… there was a silence in heaven for about half an hour. In our noise filled world, we usually think of worship as something full of sounds—voices and choirs, instruments and melodies, building into a crescendo. But here worship is silence … for 30 minutes. Let’s take just 30 seconds right now and be silent.What do you notice when you are silent? Maybe you notice the noise around you. Maybe you notice the noise within you. The distractions. The pull to today’s to dos. It takes practice to learn how to worship God through silence. Because we are first learning to quiet the noise within our own soul. After you hear the passage again, I want to again pause for thirty seconds, and this time I want you to pay attention to the noise within your soul, and try to put a name on what that noise is.What did you notice? Could you put a name to it? A lot of times it feels frustrating that there is so much noise in our soul. But instead of being frustrated by it, just quietly bring that noise to God and ask God to quiet that noise with his peace. As you continue through your day, could you take one or two more moments of silence: bring noise of your soul to God, and to ask him to meet you there.Music: All For You Jesus - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Today is October 14.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 Job, chapter 26.Then Job replied…: 7 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. 8 He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. 9 He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. 10 He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness. 11 The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke. 12 By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. 13 By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent. 14 And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?Job is meditating on the transcendence God through the vastness and power of the natural world. Can you recall the times when you gazed out into the immense beauty of a sunset, or looked upon the magnificent face of mountains, or surveyed the endless sea of stars in the sky? Have you looked out into the ocean in a terrifying storm to be reminded of our utter small-ness? Call to mind the last time you sensed or were interrupted by God’s presence through the natural world.Job has experienced immense pain and utter loss. In the midst of his suffering, he stops to consider the vastness of the universe and endless stories of the past in a way that seems to create perspective… but he does not shrink from the reality of His suffering. Instead, he allows himself to experience his real suffering alongside the truth that there is so much he cannot understand about the character and power and way of God. Job allows two things to exist at the same time: the unimaginable power of God, and his own unimaginable suffering. This is a hard thing for me to hold… as you listen again, allow yourself to respond honestly and freely to God…My friend, there are things of God that are so difficult for us to hold, and impossible for us to understand. Scripture tells us that God pursues us with ‘hesed’ – his loving kindness that endures forever… and also that in this world we will have trouble. We know we are to set our eyes to eternity, and to the fulfillment of God’s perfect kingdom come. And yet: There is so much we do not understand. Do you know you can bring that disorientation to God? He is our maker, and we are the made. Talk to the Lord as we end about whatever feelings have come up for you.Music: They Are Yours - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Today is October 13.May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.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 2 Kings, chapter 4. 15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” 17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her. 18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 He said to his father, “My head! My head!” His father told a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out. 22 She called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return.” 28 “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?” 32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Imagine for a moment being in the shoes of the woman in this story. She was childless and her husband was old. She faced an uncertain future. She would receive no social security benefits, and would have nobody to rely on. But Elisha prayed for her and announced to her the unimaginable— she would have a miracle child! “No, my lord, don’t mislead your servant.”Maybe the words, "too good to be true," crossed her mind. And then the unthinkable happened. Her beloved son died. She goes to find Elisha and says, “Didn’t I tell you? Don’t raise my hopes!” As you think about her experience, think about something in your own life of something you’ve hoped for but didn’t see or received and then lost? How did you feel in that moment? Disappointment is an emotion and we do not easily control our emotions. We can't actually control the disappointment we feel when we lose something, but we can choose how to respond in the midst of disappointment. As you listen to the passage again, think of a disappointment in your life right now, and ask what might it look like for you to choose your response? In the Old Testament, ordinary people would have to appeal to God through powerful spiritual mediators—in this passage Elisha was called a Man of God. We know that because Jesus is our mediator, we can go straight to God through him and make our appeal. As you walk through your day today, is there an appeal that you’d like to make to God through your powerful mediator, Jesus? Approach his throne of grace with confidence today. Music Credit:"Expectation" - Vineyard Soul (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 October 10  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 gospel of Matthew, chapter 26.     69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.   70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.   71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”   72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”   73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”   74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”   Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.   Everyone seemed to know who Peter was. Everyone but Peter. Jesus had caused quite a stir among the people, especially the ones of a lower social class. He was so famous that even his entourage got noticed. Peter had no idea what to do, and yet he undoubtedly thought he should be doing something to help Jesus. Have you ever felt completely helpless, alone, and at a loss for what to do? How long did you search for the solution by yourself before asking for help from Jesus?    In this scripture, Peter is fulfilling the prophecy that he would deny Jesus three times before the morning. Immediately, after his third denial of Jesus, he heard a rooster crow, and he realized in that moment, that everything Jesus had ever said was true. Again. Even Peter lost himself for a while here, yet the church is built on him. As you listen again, consider what it means for you that Peter saw miracle after miracle, and stood in the actual presence of Jesus, but he still spent time helpless, cursing and denying that he even knew Him?    Why was it so difficult for any of the twelve to remember all the promise of what was to come. How difficult is it for you to remember? As you go through your day, pay attention to the times you forget that everything Jesus has ever said is true. Notice the times when you are not living that truth, and allow Him to show you how.   Music: "Wear the Crown" - Vineyard Worship WEAR THE CROWN [Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship

Today is October 9 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 2 Chronicles, chapter 20.     2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.    “LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’   12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”    As we enter into prayer today, bring to mind an army that is attacking you. What is uncontrollable and is threatening your peace right now? Maybe it’s that you have too many people relying on you, more work than you can finish, or that you’re being treated poorly by someone?  What do you do to try to fix it, knowing you can't? When do you get frustrated and finally cry out, and let God take over? Jehoshaphat didn’t hesitate to go to God. Are you able to bring the thing that is attacking your peace before the Lord today?   "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” The entire nation cried this out to the Lord. They faced an army so large they knew there was nothing they could do. There was no hope for them but God. It's a lot more difficult to give up when the army is more subtle, and only threatening your mind, not your life. As you listen again, put yourself in this story and imagine how you would like to handle the battle that you are in. “But our eyes are on you.” Today, when the army invades, pause and fix your eyes on the Lord. At the first sign of trouble, before you are overtaken, ask Him for help and see how he moves.    Music: "I Lift My Eyes Up" - Vineyard Worship  I Lift My Eyes Up (Psalm 121)

Today is October 8.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 112.1 Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. 6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. 7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.Good morning, and welcome to prayer. Consider this passage, and all the blessings it speaks over those who delight in the Lord. And what does it look like to delight in the Lord? It’s those who are “gracious and compassionate and righteous; those who are generous and lend freely; those who conduct their affairs with justice.” Does that seem like a tall order? Maybe even impossible? Talk to the Lord about this beautiful, and seemingly impossible, vision he invites us into… and how you feel about your capacity to engage with it this morning.Fortunately for us, these aren’t a list of to-dos for us to attain God’s blessings. In fact, if you’re like me – you know that this list is not often lived up to in our day to day. We find similar refrains over in Matthew in Jesus’ famed sermon of the mount. Blessed are those who… The list is great and overwhelming to perform. How do you understand your sense of blessedness by God? Or do you sense yourself striving, or marked with shame, or overwhelmed... as you try to follow his pathways? Listen to the passage again and try to listen through the lens of it as an invitation toward something, not as an impossible expectation.As we end our time of prayer today, can you hold both the darkness and weightiness in the world around you, and perhaps even in your own heart…. While you also hold the redemption and blessing of God? As the psalmist wrote: Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Today, would you make this your prayer: even in darkness, light dawns…? Is there a person, or situation, you might pray this specifically toward today? This is my prayer for you today. What darkness are you present to right now? Could you hold that before the Lord?Father God, would you accompany my sister or brother now with a light that is not overwhelmed or overcome by the darkness? Would you encourage their spirit by your presence? Would you guide and guard your child today? Amen.Music: Reign in Me - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)