Tag: Devotion

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Minute Meditation – Go and Repair My House

Absence was beginning to be replaced by presence, silence with voices. Or were the voices only in his head? Whatever. They moved him to act, to do positive things with his life, a pattern Francis would follow from then on. Once he knew God’s will, whether from some mystical voice or from listening to the scriptures, he would immediately try to live it out. He was filled with what theologians called, “devotion,” an alacrity in doing God’s will. And that is how Francis began to change. He knew now that Christ is to be found in unexpected places and people. He had experienced the abstract God in the person of Jesus Christ who was the incarnation of the God he thought had abandoned him. And he had experienced this Jesus in the most excluded and feared people of his time, the lepers who, instead of bad things, brought him the greatest good, Jesus Christ. And now he had heard the voice of this Christ. It came from his crucified image in an abandoned church. It was a voice that gave him his life’s task: “Go and repair my house, which, as you see, is falling into ruins.”

— from Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis by Murray Bodo, OFM

//Franciscan Media//

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Daily Devotion – What We Regret

“For even though I did grieve you with my letter, I do not regret [it now], though I did regret it; for I see that that letter did pain you, though only for a little while.” – 2 Corinthians 7:8 AMPC

Looking back, Paul realized that he had caused pain by some things he had written to the Corinthian Christians. He didn’t enjoy hurting them in that way and even regretted some of the things he had written.

Yet he realized that what he wrote had been beneficial. Even though these believers were “pained” for a time, this led them to “repentance” (v. 9). God accomplished His purposes through what Paul had written.

All of us can relate to Paul’s struggle. We all, at times, say or do things that we later regret. Some of these words and deeds may, in fact, be used by God, and accomplish things for His Kingdom.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Spend a few moments thinking about your life. We spew hurtful words and actions all too easily. As you look back over the past, are there things that you regret saying or doing? Do you wish you had said or done things differently?

You don’t need to wallow in guilt, but it is important to learn from the past and act as God leads you. Ask Him to help you do the things that you wish you had done. If you have hurt people with your words, made mistakes, or committed sins, confess them, and ask for His forgiveness.

Don’t look back with regret. Allow God to help you to be faithful going into the future.

Prayer

Father, I don’t want to look back with regret. Give me Your priorities. Help me to stay faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

2 Corinthians 7

//Inspiration Ministeries//

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Daily Devotion – Fragile Clay Jars

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

Paul confirmed this fact: Each of us will face various challenges. Some will be simple. Others will be complex. Some will be easy. Some difficult. We might have physical or financial needs or face stress on the job. We may experience conflicts in our relationships. Problems will continue even after we commit our lives to Jesus.

How do we react to this news? Unable to find solutions, we might feel like quitting or giving up. If we don’t reach our goals, we might feel discouraged or deserted or like failures. Our resources can seem too small. Our adversaries may seem too big.

As Paul told the Christians in Corinth, we should not be surprised by these experiences. We aren’t superhuman or infallible but just earthen vessels, like fragile clay jars. Instead of having all the answers, we might feel perplexed about what to do or feel pressured to do the right thing.

These are moments when we become conscious of our weaknesses and our need for God. In fact, in those moments we should turn to Him, confident we can depend on Him. We need to realize that He has everything we need.

If you experience challenges or go through difficulties, remember that you can depend on God. Don’t be discouraged, afraid, or worried. And don’t feel defeated. Call on God right now. He will not leave you. You can trust in Him!

Prayer

Father, thank You for the victory I have through Jesus. I will not be defeated or discouraged but hope in You. I praise You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

2 Corinthians 4

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Daily Devotion – Emotionally Involved

 “I made up my mind not to make another painful visit … I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.” – 2 Corinthians 2:1, 4 ESV

Paul cared about the believers in Corinth. This was not superficial compassion but a genuine concern. He expressed the depth of his feelings with words filled with emotion. Paul conveyed emotions such as sadness and gladness, pain and joy, suffering and rejoicing, anguish, and abundant love.Paul acknowledged that, during an earlier visit, he had caused the Corinthians pain. As he contemplated a new visit, Paul remembered what he had written previously, when he wrote out of the affliction and anguish of his heart with many tears. This shows the love he had for them. His feelings were intense.Many people go through life thinking about people like statistics. They don’t see souls for whom Christ died, but they focus on numbers instead. Some people may have a measure of concern for others but then forget about them easily. Their interest is shallow with little depth.Our lives change when we are transformed by God’s Spirit and controlled by the love of Christ (Colossians 3:12). Then our hearts will burn with compassion for others. We will see people through the lens of love. We will genuinely care about them. We will have a real concern for each person. Our feelings will be inspired by the Spirit, expressed through the heart.Allow God to give you genuine compassion for others – both friends and foes, saved and unsaved, neighbors, and people in other lands.PrayerFather, here are people I’ve had a hard time loving: _______. I commit them to You. Give me a real love for them and others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading2 Corinthians 2
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Daily Devotion – Burdens and Stress

“We were crushed and overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it … But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT

Paul faced circumstances in which he felt crushed and overwhelmed. He found it difficult to endure pressure this great. Although a mighty man of God, things had gotten so bad that he thought he would “never live through it.”

Through these experiences Paul realized that God was teaching him a valuable lesson: He needed to rely on God and not on himself.

As he realized his own weaknesses, he could learn to depend on God. Paul realized that God can raise the dead. In other words, His power has no limits. He can do what seems impossible. If we trust Him, He can rescue us, provide for us, and turn hopeless situations into victories.

Paul also realized the power of prayer. He was rescued because the Corinthians prayed for him. He knew many people would give thanks “because God has graciously answered so many prayers” (v. 11).

Today, you may face situations in which burdens and pressures seem overwhelming. The Bible urges you to remember that God can use these experiences to help you mature in your faith. In your flesh, you may be weak, but He can give you overcoming strength and everything you need.

Keeping praying. Keep turning these situations over to God. Encourage others to pray for you as you pray for others. Realize that God can “raise the dead.” Remember, with Him, nothing is impossible. Put your trust in Him.

Prayer

Father, I face situations that seem overwhelming. I turn them over to You. Thank You that I can trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

2 Corinthians 1

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Daily Devotion – Wherever I Roam

“You generation, look to the word of the Lord. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will no longer come to You'”? – Jeremiah 2:31 NASB

Growing up in Sweden, Carl Rosenius realized that many of his countrymen did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. This even was true of some church leaders. Many approached their beliefs as a religious obligation, even a political necessity.

Never ordained, Rosenius became a lay preacher, committed to helping people find a personal relationship with Jesus. He also edited a monthly publication that stressed the importance of faith.

He packed many of these principles into the hymns he composed. Born on this day in 1816, he described the friendship believers can have with Jesus in a hymn called “Whereso’er I Roam.”

No matter where he traveled, he knew that Jesus was a Friend ever with him “to cheer me, warning, comforting as none else could.” But more than a friend, Jesus was his Shepherd, ready to guide and provide for him and rescue him if he went astray.

That Friend supplied every need. In his flesh, he might have felt lonely at times, but Rosenius realized that Jesus “is ever near.” He promised, “I am with you always.” Such an amazing Friend!

His prayer was that Jesus would help him through life’s desert and give him the perspective to realize that “this life is fleeting.” He was confident that someday he would see Jesus face-to-face and “cry with joy, ‘My Lord and God!’” Remember that Jesus is with you. He loves you. He is your dearest Friend.

Prayer

Father, thank You that You are with me wherever I go. I trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading

Jeremiah 2

//Inspiration Ministeries//