Focus

Breathe in clear thoughts of peace and reflection as you prepare to hear God speak to you through the scripture and the writer. Put aside all the things the world says you have to accomplish today and use this time to rest in God’s presence.

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Read

Psalm 95 (NRSV)

O come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.

O that today you would listen to his voice!
Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
when your ancestors tested me,
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
For forty years I loathed that generation
and said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they do not regard my ways.”
Therefore in my anger I swore,
“They shall not enter my rest.”

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Reflect

“Shout to the Lord” a song by Darlene Zschech, came to my mind as I read Psalm 95. When I sing this song or almost any hymn, my heart is soft and full of praise and joy. My emotions sometime spill out in tears as I lift up my heart—thankful for God’s love.

Our hearts can be soft and tender, full of love and grace. Our hearts can also harden with hate, jealousy, envy, and bitterness. Sometimes we don’t work out the soreness that life gives us, resulting in a hardening of our hearts. Hurt happens, but with God’s help we can turn that hurt into triumph. Our sadness can become joy when we commune with our Lord.

It’s hard to sing with a hart heart. Sing to the Lord and let God fill your heart with gladness. Sing to the Lord and discover how your joy will be renewed, rekindled, and refilled. These are troubling times, and division seems to be growing. Let us be voices of love and unity, working to care for those who are vulnerable.

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Pray

Almighty and amazing God, you are the joy of our lives. Your joy is our strength. We come with thanksgiving this day to bow before you. With humble hearts we ask your blessings on us. Fill us with life and joy, laughter and peace. Help us to share your love and joy with others. Hear our songs of prayer and praise. Amen.

Go with God.