Embrace God’s Presence
September 21st, 2009Monday’s Reflection
O GREAT AND GLORIOUS GOD,
who comes to us
in all the experiences of our lives;
help us to embrace your presence,
fixing it in our hearts and minds
so that we may grow
closer to you and others.
Amen.
- Sally Dyck
The Upper Room Disciplines 2010: A Book of Daily Devotions
From p. 53 of The Upper Room Disciplines 2010: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2009 by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Where are you observing God’s presence today? Share your observations.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
- Psalm 124:8, NIV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for persons with whom we disagree. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Pray Your Type. So, now you know you are a Lover, Mystic, Prophet, or Sage. (If not, take the Spiritual Types Test.) Did you know that each of the spiritual types has a favorite way to pray? Check it out: Praying as We Are.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Matthew (September 21).
- Lectionary Readings:
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September 21st, 2009 at 3:20 am
I am experiencing God’s presence right now in this quiet moment, as I pour out my frustration to Him. Sometimes I worry about this – that there is too much complaining during this time and not enough focus on Him, adoration of Him. And yet – I am sometimes “stuck” here. I try to shift, I confess, yet am unable to get to what I would consider a “worshipful” place. If I will allow it today, seeing beyond frustration, I will experience God in many interactions and situations. Hopefully those moments are more – Ahhh – God, thanks, instead of Ohhh- God – I am need your help with this.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:05 am
I observed God’s presence in the kitchen today when, at 7:55 a.m., I came to my home office to read the Bible rather than finishing getting dressed to go to work; in a good conversation with my family at breakfast; in maintaining a degree of calm despite waking up at 5:00 and not going back to sleep.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:10 am
I am dealing w/ an ungrateful and selfish adult daughter, who I bend over backwards to help raise, cloth and feed her son. Usually when she acts like this I get upset and yell and make her feel bad and guilty (for the moment) but, this morning I let it go, I will let her beat herself up about it. So, yes I feel God’s presence because he helped me let it go and I am having a wonderful morning because of his guidance and loving hand. Thank you Jesus!
September 21st, 2009 at 8:27 am
I am experiencing God’s presence in my everyday life. As a recovering drug addict, 11 months clean, I have reconnected with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For so many years, I was ‘out in the world’, living a sinful life. But, the Lord pulled me back and saved me from myself and my own self destruction. When you hear people say they’ve done a ‘180′, well, in my case, that’s so true. Not a morning goes by that I don’t wake up and Thank God for this ‘new life’.
When I look in the mirror nowadays, I no longer see the shell of a person that I once was, I see God’s presence in my eyes, in my soul.
I may not be exactly where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I was.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:12 am
I experience God’s presence the most when I have a moment to myself. It is hard for me to notice him during my hectic days and I’ve found that when I cannot feel him I am angered, upset, exhausted, etc. When I do feel him I am at peace, I am content, and most of all I am able to be most compassionate. So I must take more moments to myself daily to observe God’s great presence in my life.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am
Even at this time of day,around 10 am the experiences of God’s
hs presence are amazing and I look forward for more before the day is over. At dawn, as I woke up saw the beauty of His marvellous painting on the sky in various colours that no human hand can recreate. Then in the devotions I was reminded of His merciful grace that inspite of my weaknesses and sins I am worthy of His mansions some day. Now as look at the green leaves of various shades, tinged with His choice colours right in front of me I feel His blessing.
September 21st, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I experienced God’s presence through the conversations that I had with friends I hadn’t spoken with in a long time who were encouraging me to keep on going. I’m grateful that He’s allowed me to truly realize that He is everywhere.