DANA'S MEDITATION 12/10/2013

Prayer of Confession

Holy God we come before you a broken people in a broken world.
We confess we have often ignored your presence.
We have forged our own paths and charted our own waters.
In the name of independence we have ignored your aid, your comfort, and your peace.
We have called upon you in desperation
rather than recalling your mighty and faithful acts in all times and places.
Forgive us.
Be with us even now. Amen


This prayer speaks volumes to me. I find myself distracted more often than I would like with the things of this Earth and not the things of my God. I find it is so easy to slip away; to undo the discipline I need to stay the path of Jesus. Oh and I do catch myself doing this and feeling neglectful but at the same time feeling that need to challenge my Lord. I am not worthy of Him and yet He continues to love me and lift me up. Sweet Father God, please continue to lead me back to you when I stray. In your loving arms is where I am happiest.

DANA'S MEDITATION

For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.   Hebrews 10:36


I had been looking online for a job fort almost two years and my unemployment insurance was about to run out. I had made arrangements to start my social security early which meant a decreased amount monthly, but I didn't want to be in a situation where I was a burden on family and friends. They had all been so kind and generous but I knew I needed to make every effort to support myself. God stepped right in with an answer to my situation. I was in the lobby of my church's administrative office when a woman came in and asked if the pastor was in. She wasn't but I told her when she would be available. She then handed me a pamphlet about a senior work training project in our county. All I needed to be was over 55! I have been in this program since January, 2013, working at a community agency. It is only part time but it has helped me immensely to make ends meet while I continue to look for work. God's timing is awesome. Ask and you shall receive.
Give your concerns to Him. He will make a way for you if it is in His plan for you. Be patient and have faith. He saves just in the nick of time.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you everyday for the works you do in my life. Help me to pass on your blessings with others so they may know your awesome love. In Jesus' name I pray.

RONNIE'S MEDITATION 

James 1:5

Good News Translation (GNT)

^"But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all."


I have found that if I ask God for wisdom regarding anything that I don't understand or I can't make a  decision about, He is faithful.   He communicates with me through books, friends, sermons, and my internal thoughts and feelings.  I get a sense of rightness about something, and I trust He is guiding me in that direction.  

I'd like to read how you feel about God's guidance.  Leave a message.  It will appear after I read it.

Hugs to you and God's peace

MONDAY NOV. 18TH

DANA'S MEDITATION

The Lord is near.

 Do not worry about anything.

but in everything by prayers and supplication with thanksgiving

let you requests be made known to God.

And the peace that surpasses all understanding 

will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ. 

Phillipians 4:5-7

We are nearing our annual day of Thanksgiving as a nation. We have so much to be thankful for and many of us take it for granted as if we are entitled to have this abundance. Think of other people throughout the world that do not know this assuredness of wealth. In our country as well, there are many who can not live the American dream due to extreme poverty. How are you helping? Please consider praying for the less fortunate; please consider donating to a food pantry or to a charitable organization that can reach out and bless them. We are all God's creation. He loves us all and wants us to love each other as we love ourselves.

May the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones, Amen.

RONNIE'S MEDITATION

Matthew 7:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

I absolutely love how Joyce Meyer paraphrases this passage" "Why try to get the toothpick out of your brother's eye when you have a telephone pole in your own."

My prayer is every time I am tempted to criticize someone that I stop and don't do it.  Instead I need to often look inward to what I can improve on as disciple of Jesus.  Life is too short to spend time judging others.  It is far better to concentrate on helping and loving others.  

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DANA'S MEDITATATION

1Cor 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous, conceited or proud; Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth.Love never gives up; and it's faith, hope, and patience never fail.

Today I want to reflect on these words so that I may better love my fellow man and all beings on this wonderful world given as a gift to us all. God bless you and keep you strong and faithful. He will teach you how to share your love. Open your hearts.