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Author Archives: John D. Willome

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About John D. Willome

I post a blog of daily devotions that are my prayer journals based on scripture.

Matthew 6:5-6

20 Jun

5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:5-6

Dear God, I admit that when I chose to put these prayer journals up to you on a blog for public consumption, I struggled with verse 5. Should I be doing this so publicly? What are my motives? Am I trying to impress people? But there are some things that have basically made me okay with this. First, for 95% of the people who read this, I am anonymous. They don’t know me. There are only a handful of people who see this who know who I am, and even they aren’t a daily part of my life.

Second, there’s a level of accountability here. The idea that I know people are seeing this helps keep me accountable for coming and doing this. Not that any of them will really notice if I skip a day or two. But in my head, I feel like it’s important for me to be here.

Third, there might be something in what I pray that will be a blessing to others. It’s a way of touching a stranger and sharing our journeys in your Spirit together.

Finally, and this is my main reason, I want to hopefully inspire people to do the same thing themselves. To open up your scripture and learn from you through it. Have the Holy Spirit sit with them as you do with me. And sometimes I hear you incorrectly. Sometimes I get it wrong. But I believe just the act of sitting with you day after day, continuously, cannot help but develop the fruit of your Spirit within me.

Father, I offer this prayer to you. I need you. I need you today. I need you in my life. I need you to teach me through your scripture and through the media and friends I allow into my life. If I am the average of the five people with whom I spend the most time, help me to pick those five people wisely, including those who speak to me through podcasts and videos. I want to me more and more like you every day. That will only happen if you are one of the five–the first among the five. Help me to get there today.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 20, 2024 in Matthew

 

How to know if you’re a Christian trapped in Culture Wars – Rich Villodas

19 Jun

Dear God, I came across this Instagram post yesterday by Rich Villodas. So the temptation when I read this list is to first think about others and judge them. Kind of like being at a marriage conference and thinking, “Man, I hope my wife is listening to this!” instead of wondering which of the words are for me. So I was able to take a beat and this morning I want to think about myself. Pastor Villodas has the word “you” in his title, talking about me in this case, so I want to focus on myself and work through the sin in my heart.

  • God, you are with me but not with them – Well, that is just not true and so arrogant of me to think. Like I’ve cornered the market on truth. Like I’m sinless. Like the known and unknown sins in their lives are worse than the known and unknown sins in my life. Like you love my sister or brother less than you love me. Like I couldn’t be wrong about what I believe. Father, I am sorry for even entertaining the thought that you care about me or are rooting for me more than you care for or root for those who disagree with me. Help me to embrace those who disagree with me and engage with them in a loving way.
  • I don’t see Christians who bear your image as people with whom I should engage, but instead they are threats that I need to eliminate – Yeah, I’ve been there. I’m still there to some extent. The truth is, a lot of the people who disagree with me on some of our cultural issues are truly good people who wake up in the morning wanting to make the world better. They are concerned. They are scared (we’ll get to that later). Just like I am. Father, I am sorry for not wanting to appropriately and compassionately engage with those who concern me. I am sorry for gossiping about others. Help me to know how to engage with others, Christian and non-Christian alike, at any given moment.
  • My hatred is justified because I am fighting for you/truth – Honestly, I don’t know that this one is a problem for me. I’m not really hating people, and if it does start to happen and I realize it I let it go. Basically, have I hated? Yes. But I’ve never felt it was justified and I’ve tried to repent of it when it happens. Father, I am sorry for my hate and even simple judgment of others. Please help me to see everyone–EVERYONE–with your eyes. Help me to love everyone–EVERYONE–with your love.
  • I believe I need political power to make the most of your Gospel – I’m understanding the danger of political power more and more. The Voxology podcast spends a lot of time talking about the difference between “power over” and “power with.” Humans want to exert power over while you want us to tap into you and use your power to live with our neighbors. The Good Samaritan in Jesus’s parable got down into the muck and used your power with his neighbor. When the Samaritans denied Jesus staying with them and John and James wanted to call down fire to destroy them, Jesus rejected their power over approach, respected their decision, and went around. It goes back to the four tools, and four tools only, I heard someone say Jesus used and you gave us to influence our world: Prayer, Service, Persuasion, and Suffering. All power with tools, not power over. Father, I am sorry for the years I spent seeking power and influence. I am sorry for making an idol out of who wins the next local, state, or federal election. I am sorry for wanting to exert power over my neighbors, as if I am the one who can be trusted with power over my neighbor. Help me to not only get down into the muck with my neighbor, but to take your Gospel with me and introduce them to you.
  • I primarily see the world and respond to it through a lens of fear – This made me think of Psalm 27. I just read it again and it might be one of my favorites. It’s one of those rare psalms from David when he is talking about his enemies, but he’s not calling for their destruction. He’s just reminding himself that you are his fortress and he has nothing to fear. One of the most interesting things he did as king was willingly leave Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion and leave whether or not he would continue to be king up to you. You had made him king. You could remove him as king. So as I look at the world around me–and there is so much ugly and horror in the world right now, both domestically and in other countries–whom do I really have to fear? I am concerned about a lot of things. I’m concerned about the environment in which our children are growing up. My heart is moved to help people every day. I am moved to pray for people. So concern, yes. But fear? No. Father, I am sorry for allowing fear to motivate my actions. I’m sorry for letting it drive me to hate, seek power, want to eliminate my enemies, and think for a moment that you love me more than you love them. Please help me to see the world how you see it. As I once heard someone say, “God doesn’t chew his nails.” You are not afraid. You are sad. You are concerned. You are even angry about some things. But you are not afraid. Help me to live out my sadness, concern and even anger in a power with way.

I offer this prayer to you this morning in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 19, 2024 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories, Psalms

 

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1 Kings 21:17-29

18 Jun

17 But the Lord said to Elijah, 18 “Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be at Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel, claiming it for himself. 19 Give him this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!’”

20 “So, my enemy, you have found me!” Ahab exclaimed to Elijah.

“Yes,” Elijah answered, “I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil in the Lord’s sight. 21 So now the Lord says, ‘I will bring disaster on you and consume you. I will destroy every one of your male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel! 22 I am going to destroy your family as I did the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat and the family of Baasha son of Ahijah, for you have made me very angry and have led Israel into sin.’

23 “And regarding Jezebel, the Lord says, ‘Dogs will eat Jezebel’s body at the plot of land in Jezreel.’

24 “The members of Ahab’s family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten by vultures.”

25 (No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. 26 His worst outrage was worshiping idols just as the Amorites had done—the people whom the Lord had driven out from the land ahead of the Israelites.)

27 But when Ahab heard this message, he tore his clothing, dressed in burlap, and fasted. He even slept in burlap and went about in deep mourning.

28 Then another message from the Lord came to Elijah: 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime. It will happen to his sons; I will destroy his dynasty.”

1 Kings 21:17-29

Dear God, this is one of those stories that reminds me of a couple of things. First, don’t read the Bible in too small of chunks because you could miss an important part of the story. In this case, if I had stopped at verse 27, I would have missed your mercy due to Ahab’s repentance in verse 28 and 29.

Second, you are good. You’re just chomping at the bit to love on us. To show us mercy. You love us. It’s amazing how much you love us. Thank you. In this case, you were showing Ahab love and mercy, in our earthly timeline anyway, before Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. You are always there. You have always been there.

I was praying with my wife this morning and I felt compelled to just express my love for you to you. And I do, Father. I love you. I’m so grateful for you. I really do want to learn from you and live the life on earth that you have for me to live. I want to slog with you through the valley of the shadow of death. I want to be faithful in the little things. I want to bring your joy to others around me. I want to be part of your kingdom coming to this earth and touching the less fortunate and the fortunate as well. So give me ears to hear. Give me eyes to see. I’m going to a training for leaders today. Make me the man you need me to be for those who are there.

I give all of this to you as a prayer in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 18, 2024 in 1 Kings

 

Psalm 68:1-4

17 Jun

1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies.
    Let those who hate God run for their lives.
2 Blow them away like smoke.
    Melt them like wax in a fire.
    Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
3 But let the godly rejoice.
    Let them be glad in God’s presence.
    Let them be filled with joy.
4 Sing praises to God and to his name!
    Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
    rejoice in his presence!

Dear God, I wonder if there are any circumstances under which Bible Gateway would have picked verses 1 and 2 as the verse of the day instead of verse 4. I also wonder if there is anyone pre-Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection who had a feel for how you really work. Maybe a prophet like Isaiah or Jeremiah. Maybe Elijah. Maybe even Moses. But even all of these people were kind of forced into a position of seeing everyone as friend or enemy. They all certainly faced enemies. Jonah, I supposed had it explained to him pretty well, but he rejected it. He just couldn’t stand your mercy.

I think the thing that all of us forget are the famous line from John Donne’s poem “For Whom the Bell Tolls”:

Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

What if I am the one who has made myself your enemy? Or the enemy of the righteous. I had a donor at our nonprofit complain to me once that they had not gotten a privilege extended to them they felt they had earned through the size of their donation. I privately thought to myself, “But what if the cut line on the privilege was higher than you think and you were still on the other side of it?” So when I read verses like the first couple in the psalm, they make me uncomfortable because I don’t want to hate that much and there is this sneaking suspicion I have that I might actually be on that side of the line. Letting you down. Sinning. Hating. Lusting. Lying. Coveting. Making idols. Rejecting you.

Father, for the other praise words in this psalm, I agree. Even just verse 3 and 4: But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds–his name is the LORD–and rejoice before him. I rejoice before you. I praise your name. I extol you, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Please forgive me. Please help and guide me. Please heal me. Please use me however you will.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit.

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 17, 2024 in Psalms

 

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“The Living Years” by Mike & the Mechanics

16 Jun

“The Living Years” by Mike & the Mechanics

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I’m a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I’m a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Oh, crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got

You say you just don’t see it
He says it’s perfect sense
You just can’t get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defense

Say it loud (say it loud), say it clear (oh say it clear)
You can listen as well as you hear
It’s too late (it’s too late) when we die (oh when we die)
To admit we don’t see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It’s the bitterness that lasts

So don’t yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don’t give up, and don’t give in
You may just be okay

So say it loud, say it clear (oh say it clear)
You can listen as well as you hear
Because it’s too late, it’s too late (it’s too late)
When we die (oh, when we die)
To admit we don’t see eye to eye

I wasn’t there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn’t get to tell him
All the things I had to say

I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I’m sure I heard his echo
In my baby’s new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear (oh say it clear)
You can listen as well as you hear
It’s too late (it’s too late) when we die (it’s too late when we die)
To admit we don’t see eye to eye

So say it, say it, say it loud (say it loud)
Say it clear (come on say it clear)
Say it loud
(Don’t give up, don’t give in and don’t look away ’til it’s too late)
Say it clear
Say it loud (say it loud, say it loud)

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: B.A. Robertson / Mike Rutherford

Dear God, this seems like a good Father’s Day song. As I said a day or two ago, I think there are probably more of us who struggle with Father’s Day than sink into the joy of it. I think this son by B.A. Robertson and Mike Rutherford explains why.

When I think about it from a macro level, I think the words mercy and forgiveness are what come to mind. It reminds me of the beginning of the poem “This Be The Verse”: The f*** you up, your mom and dad. They don’t mean to but they do. They fill you with the faults they had. Then they add some extra just for you...

What the child never realized until maybe when they are a parent is how much the parent loves them. How much the parent sacrifices for them. I’ve seen a mom I work with fight for her child’s brain development and health. Doctors and therapists were convinced he is autistic, but she knew there was something more and she has put him through amazing amounts of occupational and cognitive development therapy for the first three years of his life. She has sacrificed. She has taken time from work. She has spent tons of money. And now it seems to be paying off to the point that she was told last week by his developmental therapist that she was once convinced the boy was autistic, but now she doesn’t think he is. As she told me this story, I thought about how this boy will one day be a teenager and frustrated with his parents, and he won’t realize how much they’ve done for him or loved him. How can he.

I can’t really understand how much my parents have done for me over the years. I know there was a time when I was a baby that I was very sick and my mother fought for me to see the right doctors when she felt like I wasn’t getting the care I needed. She carried me and walked with me a long distance to get me where I needed to be. And yes, I have been frustrated with her over the years. And yes, I haven’t fully appreciated everything she has done. And yes, I still have some issues. But it’s okay to let mercy and forgiveness rule the day.

So, Father, I offer this prayer to you today–this Father’s Day. The only hope any of us have is if we, to quote Rich Mullins, “let mercy lead.” Help me to lead with mercy today. Mercy for my dad. Mercy for my children. Mercy for everyone around me. Help me to lead with mercy today, see each person with your eyes, and worship you throughout this day.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 16, 2024 in Hymns and Songs

 

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1 Kings 19:18

15 Jun

“…18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

1 Kings 19:18

Dear God, I was reading one of my favorite Old Testament stories this morning about Elijah running, being in the cave and you asking him, “What are you doing here?” I love it. But then as I read on, I saw this one passage in verse 18 that caught my eye. You preserved those in Israel who had never bowed down to Baal or kissed him. Their fealty to you was seemingly credited to them as righteousness. These were not perfect people. They also weren’t necessarily brave people. They were just lovers of you and it counted for something in your eyes.

I wish I could somehow convey to people, whether they be my family, coworkers, or anyone else in my sphere of influence, how amazing it is to get to know you, worship you, and be transformed by you. I wish others could see that the sacrifice of self and the time taken to get to know you and commune with your Holy Spirit is worth it. I wish I was more effective in that.

Father, I’m not a righteous man. I’m not a brave man. I do think, however, I’m earnest. I earnestly love you. I earnestly love my wife, children, and family. I earnestly care about those around me. Please help that count for something and use me how you will in this world so that your kingdom might come and your will might be done on earth as it is in the heavens.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 15, 2024 in 1 Kings

 

“Alive & Breathing” Matt Maher (ft. Elle Limebear)

14 Jun

“Alive & Breathing” Matt Maher (ft. Elle Limebear)

What holds your heart
What stirs your soul
What matters come to mind
The cares you keep
The thoughts you think
It’s not all wasted time
Seek and you will find

Joy still comes in the morning
Hope still walks with the hurting
If you’re still alive and breathing
Praise the Lord
Don’t stop dancing and dreaming
There’s still Good News worth repeating
So lift your head and keep singing
Praise the Lord

Years roll by
We wonder why
We lost our way from home
Our Father finds
The child inside
We had left for growing old
Awake, awake, awake my soul

Joy still comes in the morning
Hope still walks with the hurting
If you’re still alive and breathing
Praise the Lord
Don’t stop dancing and dreaming
There’s still Good News worth repeating
So lift your head and keep singing
Praise the Lord

Let everything, let everything
Let everything praise the Lord
In the working, in the waiting
Praise the Lord
In the blessing, in the breaking
Come on, praise the Lord
In the dying, the rising
Let it praise the Lord
Let it praise the Lord
Praise the Lord

Joy still comes in the morning
Hope still walks with the hurting
If you’re still alive and breathing
Praise the Lord
Don’t stop dancing and dreaming
There’s still Good News worth repeating
So lift your head and keep singing
Praise the Lord

Joy still comes in the morning
Hope still walks with the hurting
If you’re still alive and breathing
Praise the Lord
Don’t stop dancing and dreaming
There’s still Good News worth repeating
So lift your head and keep singing
Praise the Lord

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Elle Limebear / Matt Maher

Dear God, I’m about to have breakfast with a friend. I’m not sure what his emotional state is, but I know he’s facing a challenge in life. I’m not sure why, but I woke up with this song in my head, and it encouraged me. I hope you can use me as an encouragement to him as well.

The first verse of this song reminds me of the prayer I learned to pray several years ago: “Father, make it count.” If there’s going to be pain, make it count. If I’m going to struggle, make it count. If I’m going to sin and repent, at least make the sin count.

Father, right now, as I go to meet with this friend and prepare to talk on the phone with another friend, I ask that you take all of this and make it count. Awake my soul. Worship the Lord. He is God. You are my God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. I am yours today.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 14, 2024 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Luke 11:11-13

13 Jun

11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Luke 11:11-13

Dear God, I assume this verse of the day from Bible Gateway is given today as a preparation for Father’s Day. Is it for those who maybe have father issues and a reminder for them that you are a better father than their earthly fathers? Is that why the person at Bible Gateway chose it?

I was speaking with someone yesterday about how difficult Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be for some people. Some don’t celebrate it at all because of the pain they feel. Maybe they have an estranged relationship with a parent or child. Maybe they had the loss of a parent or child. Whatever the case may be, as I’ve gotten older I’ve started to realize that the number of people who struggle on some of these holidays might be as great or greater than those who sink into the joy of them. For myself, I certainly used to sink into the joy of it, but the last few years only really bring pain. So how do I deal with that pain? It’s a question I’ve asked myself before. The best answer I’ve come up with is to take my eyes off of myself on those days, pray for others who might also be experiencing pain, and worship you.

Father, that’s probably the answer every day. 1.) Take my eyes off of myself. 2.) Pray for others experiencing pain. 3.) Worship you. Not necessarily in that order. So I will start with that this morning. I have some family and friends who are going through different trials this very morning. Please be with them and help them. Heal where healing needs to happen. Comfort where comfort needs to happen. Help them all to draw close to yourself. Love them completely and well. Help everyone who comes into contact with their situations, from family, to friends, to doctors, be touched by you and drawn into closer fellowship and communion with you. I pray for the family of a woman I know who died on Sunday. Such a sweet woman of 92. Help her children to heal. Help her friends to heal. Her loss will be felt by a lot of people. And help me to be exactly who you need me to be today for others. Be glorified, oh Lord. You are amazing, God. You are amazing.

I offer all of this to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2024 in Luke

 

Psalm 19

12 Jun

Psalm 19

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
    It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
    and follows its course to the other end.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.

14 May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Dear God, thinking back to the discussion I heard on the Voxology Podcast several months ago about the Psalms and categorizing them as psalms of orientation, disorientation, and reorientation; this one is my favorite kind of psalm because it’s the easiest for me to deal with theologically: orientation. This is just straight up speaking truth. You are awesome. The world proclaims your glory. I am sinful. Search my heart and cleanse me.

So, here I am to worship. To proclaim your glory! Here’s an interesting phrase in verse 7:

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.

It’s amazing how much there is out there in the world that is just waiting to poison my soul. It wants to bring me down to its level. It wants me to sink into the bitterness it experiences. What is “it?” “It” is Satan, but it uses others it has corrupted to bring down. Oh, Father, help me keep from being something it uses to bring others down. No, please lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.

Father, I’ve been using the close of my prayer journals lately to pray for others. Today, I want to focus on three people I know with some stage of cancer or complications from cancer. I won’t name them specifically for their privacy, but you know who they are. Oh, please, be with each one. Love them. Encourage them. Heal them. Give their caregivers strength. Give their doctors wisdom and insight. Use this pain to do something none of us can see. To draw anyone who touches the situation to you. To heal relationships. To inspire. Make their paths very straight. As I said when I mentioned giving the doctors insight and wisdom, give them a very clear path forward. And send your angels to comfort. Send your angels to be with them on their behalf. To protect them. Their caregivers and loved ones too. Be very present with them, Holy Spirit. Be very present with all of us.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2024 in Psalms

 

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Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3

11 Jun

21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

Acts 11:21-26

13 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

Acts 13:1-3

Dear God, I had a couple of thoughts as I read the New Testament reading for the Catholic church this morning. 1.) As Paul and Barnabas taught that first year in Antioch, what was the focus of their messages? What was their priority to teach them first and make sure they understood? 2.) I never noticed that one of these men, Manaen, was a childhood friend of King Herod Antipas. It reminds me of a woman I knew whose brother was friends with Fidel Castro in Cuba growing up, but he later fell out with him as friends after the Cuban Revolution and Castro took over as dictator. I wonder what it was like for Manaen to know Herod so well and yet not know him now.

But going back to the first part of my musings, what would Paul’s and Barnabas’s priorities have been to get across to the people in Antioch that first year? What would be my priorities if it were me outlining a first year plan?

  • How to nurture a relationship with God.
  • How to pray.
  • How Jesus taught us a whole new way of seeing life.
    • Love your enemies.
    • Love your neighbor as yourself.
    • Forgive all.
    • Love the poor and help them.
  • Avoid sexual immorality (in every list of sins Paul gives in his epistles, it always seems like sexual immorality is the lead-off hitter).
  • Avoid all of the other sinful behaviors that most already knew they should avoid but didn’t.

I’m probably missing a ton of things, but I think that is a pretty good list. It seems like when he gets frustrated with the different churches in his epistles these are usually the areas he focuses on.

Father, let me start by saying I am sorry for my sin. I want to be wholly and “holy” yours. I am sorry for the times when I take over, indulge my insecurities and selfishness and hurt you and others (not to mention myself). I am sorry for the things I do to come between you and me and me and others. I don’t want anything to get in the way of me living out the two great commandments. And I worship you, God of the universe. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are unbelievable. You are amazing. You are beyond words. You are my only hope. I pray that you will do your will on earth through me and through your church. But I know you are not limited to that. I pray that the ungodly will find themselves doing your will as well. I pray that you will hear my prayers for both the needs I have, but also the wants I have for friends who are sick or facing other challenges. Please have mercy and let it be in your will to heal the people who are on my heart right now. Strengthen their caregivers. Guide all of us closer to knowing you and your heart. Forgive me of my sin. I am sorry. Help me to forgive others. Reveal my unforgiveness to me and show me how to address it and let it go. Show me the paths around temptation and give me the courage to take them. This is everything from hate, to lust, to gossip. Make me a source of light in this world.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 11, 2024 in Acts

 
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