joy

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place. Read Galatians 4:21–5:1 (NRSV) Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one […]

Reflect By the world’s standards, Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus was certainly not an occasion for joy. A poor, teenage girl, under a cloud of suspicion driven away from home by a heartless bureaucracy, in the last days of her pregnancy, forced to endure a hazardous journey to a strange place where there […]

Focus Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today. Read Acts 10:23-33 (NRSV) So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and […]

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. Read Acts 10:9-23 (NRSV) About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry […]

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place. Read Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV) Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was […]

Focus Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time. Read Luke 10:21-24 (NRSV) At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the […]

Focus Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything, but God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word. Read Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do […]

Focus Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.   Read Psalm 126 (NRSV) When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with […]

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.   Read Philippians 1:18-26 (NRSV) What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. […]

Focus Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.   Read Psalm 126 (NRSV) When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; […]