Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Matthew 5:1-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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Reflect

I don’t know about you, but in this strange time of quarantine, my emotional and spiritual sense of well-being has been in flux. One moment I’m hopeful and at peace, the next I’m tired and sad. And sometimes I prefer to just be mad. I want to know what to do, who to trust and how to feel. I don’t like feeling helpless! I have asked, where is God in all this? Then I remember, Jesus has lived out our struggles. (And he is with us in them.) In fact, he offered a hopeful devotion to a bunch of meek, sad, helpless feeling folks like us once (See Matthew 5:1-10). So go ahead. Cry out to God with audacious honesty—even if you’re angry. God is big enough and secure enough to hear our deepest cries, even the incoherent ones that come out in groans too deep for words. God honors the honest cries of his children who realize that God is the Source of their strength. Blessed are those who know they need God. God is there for them. Blessed are we who cry out for help. God is here for us

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Pray

Patient, All Knowing God,
Hear us when we cry out to you!

Thank you for hearing and understanding our cries and our needs more fully than we can articulate them. Help us hold on in the hard times. Lead us through the dark valleys and on to real Life that comes only from you. And we will give you thanks forever! We pray this In the Name of the One who brings us from Death to Life,
Jesus our Lord,

Amen

Go with God!