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Spiritual Exercise
Today, we begin with the most important thing in growing in spiritual Life ~ Eternal Life, God-Life, Love-Life: practice. That is right, practice. So, I like us, often, to begin with a spiritual exercise.
Here we go, with some beginning words on Scripture Meditation. I will direct you afterward to a scripture to meditate on:
The point is, the teachings from Scripture are a treasure-house of material on which to meditate. As we "eat the scroll" as the angel admonished John (Revelation 19:18), the Spirit calms and simplifies our spirit, leading to a real sense of God's presence, the source of true happiness.
*"Exercising the Spirit," by Scott Owens. heartlight.org .
Scripture Meditation is a silent "chewing" on a scripture. This is not Lectio Divina. In Scripture Meditation we analyze prayerfully, seeking more to understand the written Word and how it applies to us. We offer our heart-mind for Wisdom to nurture us, the same way we chew, swallow, digest, and absorb nutrients for the functioning of the body and its vital organs.
Our Scripture meditation is I Timothy 6.17c. Ruminate upon it, with open heart-mind .... You will note the scripture pertains to the theme of the writing for today.
God richly gives us everything to enjoy.
Today's Scripture
1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
*Psalm 23, NRSV
Wisdom Story
Have you heard the story about Mr Jones, who dies and goes to heaven? When he arrives, St Peter is waiting at the Pearly Gates and takes Mr Jones on a tour of heaven. Mr Jones is awestruck. The streets are paved with gold, beautiful mansions glisten in the sunshine, choirs of angels sing the most beautiful songs.
Partway through his tour of heaven Mr Jones’ eye is drawn to an odd looking building, an enormous warehouse with no windows and just one door. What an odd structure for heaven! "You don’t really want to see what’s in there" says St Peter.
"But I do, I do" says Mr Jones. He races across the lawn and pushes open the door to discover rows and rows of shelves, floor to ceiling. Stacked on the shelves are thousands of white boxes. The boxes all have names on them.
"Is there one with my name on it?" asks Mr Jones as he rushes to the J aisle. He finds the box with his name on it and opens it up. His mouth drops, his pulse quickens, and finally he says to Peter, "What are all these wonderful things inside my box? Are they the good things in store for me now I’ve reached heaven?".
"No" replies St Peter. "They’re all the blessings God wanted to give you while you were alive on earth, but which you never received."
A sad look came over Mr Jones. He looked into the box, to St Peter and then back to the box. "Why?" he asked St Peter. "Why did I miss out on all these blessings?"
Well, that’s a long story…" replied St Peter
*Adapted from a story in Bruce Wilkerson. The Prayer of Jabez. At OZsermonillustrations.com .
Comments
As a Christian man, I have much enjoyed God's blessings. However, being a Pastor taught me the importance of letting others be the means of God blessing me. I learned that Brian is not prepared as a Pastor to be a means of divine blessing for people he serves, until he allows them to be a way of blessing to him. His ministry has taken on a much more joyful, humble, and rewarding way since learning that lesson. I am both richly blessed by the Divine, and so blessed by the people I serve as Pastor, as well as the other persons in my life: friends, family, wife, Rocio, my step-children, and Rocio and my pets. Amazing Grace!
Reflection
1. Prayerfully reflect on Matthew 7.11: "Even though you are bad, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him!" (NCV) How does it apply to your life? The life of your faith community? To Psalm 23? I Timothy 6.17c?
2. What might be some blessings that you are not receiving and God wills to bless you with?
3. Whom might God have placed in your life to bless you?
4. Have you had a recent experience of feeling especially blessed by God? Explain.
For Brian's on-line audio sermons, go to www.wherethelightshines.org and select Pastor's Corner; on the following page is his weekly sermons given at Christ United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL.
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For replies and biographical information, and submission to "The Light Shines" daily devotionals ~ a ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL, see next page:
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