I Belong to God
November 20th, 2009Friday’s Reflection
I BELONG TO GOD: We do not project or generate grace. Nor do we initiate the redemptive order or process which, when we let it, sweeps into its course our scarred lives, our prayers, and our concerns for others. The redemptive process is already going on . … God who besieges us with love “will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4), and we can never begin to understand what prayer really is unless we see it as a response to the prior initiative of God, as a response to the siege of our souls by this great redemptive company at whose center and core the yearning heart of God in the caring Christ is to be found. I belong to God.
- Douglas V. Steere
Dimensions of Prayer
From pages 4-5 and 9 of Dimensions of Prayer: Cultivating a Relationship with God, by Douglas V. Steere. Copyright © 1997 by Dorothy Steere. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Advent begins on November 29, 2009. Consider the new book, The Uncluttered Heart by Beth A. Richardson, as a part of your Advent discipline this year. Purchase your copy today. Join Beth for daily conversation at unclutteredheart.org.
Today’s Question
Share your responses to today’s reflection. Visit the comments area and join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be!
- Revelation 1:7, NIV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for the Scriptures and inspirational writings. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Get Ready for Advent. Advent starts on November 29. This important Christian season helps us get our spirits ready for the coming of the Christ child. Prepare your heart — observe Advent.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Gertrude the Great of Helfta (November 16).
- Lectionary Readings:
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November 20th, 2009 at 4:26 am
He knows my name…Father thank You for claiming me, for choosing to redeem me, for loving me. Thank you for the passage from the book this morning – and how it just quieted me…all is still. And I am in Your presence. What a great place to be…I am going to linger here a bit.
November 20th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Wednesday I prayed that my brother would receive hope and that my son would gain insight. It came for both Thursday. A stolen car was found, lifestyle changes began out of a strong desire to improve. Gods response to them strengthened me too as I watched these miracles and shared in their joys. We entered into the redemptive process and were seiged by Grace. Thank you God.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Yes, I belong to God. It’s so good to be able to say that honestly. The thing is, I’ve always believed in God, that’s how I was raised. But, for many, many years, I was out in the ‘world’, leaving God out of my life, and after my mom died, I was angry and could not even pray anymore. I spiraled further into my world of addiction, feeling like He had left me.
But, one morning, when I was at my lowest point, I cried out to Him, asking Him to help me, or to take me out of this life. I checked into a rehab that afternoon. I reconnected with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while in that facility.
I realized that He never left me, it was I who left Him.
It is only by His grace, mercy and love for me that I’m here today. I’m so grateful for this ‘new life’…a life that I can be proud of.
YES….I BELONG TO GOD.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I find joy in knowing I belong to God. Knowing that every day He is transforming me, conforming me to the image of His Son.
November 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Penny, your comments touched my heart this morning. I too, became closer to God during my mother’s struggle with alzheimer’s and death. During those long nights just waiting for the sound of her little feet shuffling down the hall, I often felt so alone. And yes, I have always believed in God because of my mother’s Christian example and church and Sunday school; but, did not always live my life in the most Christlike manner. But during those long lonely nights, I remembered that God was always with me, and he would listen to my hurts and groans. This experience created a thirst in me that I knew only God could satisfy. Many wonderful blessings have come my way since then. I love to call myself a child of God. May God bless you and your journey with the Lord.
November 20th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Because of God giving me such wonderful parents, I grew up to know God thru my life. Even when i was a young adult in my 20s, back-sliding, i knew where my true hurt should be in the long run. And that is with God and serving him and living for him. My heart is so strong now with God, i dont even get pursuaded to back slide, ever again. Thank you God and for having your son, Jesus! Love you both with all my heart…Amen