Christ’s communication with His father and our communication with God is in the process of prayer.
Christ’s activity with His father was based on prayer. Jesus in the Gospels, goes off on his own, on many occasions, to a quiet place, on a mountain, by a lake, in a garden, to pray. To share with His father what had happened, what was about to happen, to seek guidance. It was a communication that strengthened and renewed.
Jesus’ example of a prayer life shows us that prayer is not just about asking but also about sharing, and sharing our true feelings.
The prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus asks if it is “possible to let this cup pass me by”, shows how we too can share our true feelings even though we know we have to go through whatever faces us, but strengthened to do so by our communication, by being in the presence, by experiencing, being held and loved, being close to and at peace in God.
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
m2oDevotionals
Showing posts with label Glenn Lowde. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glenn Lowde. Show all posts
Friday, 20 March 2015
Thursday, 19 March 2015
[Thursday's Devotional] - Standing firm
“By standing firm you will gain life” Luke 21:19 [NIV]
Many around the world experience the devastation of an earthquake.
When their world is shaken to its foundations.
Even more of us, perhaps, also experience our own world being shaken through suffering; whether that is illness, breakdown or loss. Our world is falling apart with little hope.
In the midst of the turmoil of our lives, when our world seems to have collapsed, God, who has been with us, is still there. God who has been faithful in the past remains faithful today.
The times when we feel our faith tested, the times when we feel crushed by events are the times when God is closest to us.
When our world seems to be collapsing, God stands firm. His love, His peace, His joy, His grace are close to us.
Stand firm, don’t lose hope.
God is with us.
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
Many around the world experience the devastation of an earthquake.
When their world is shaken to its foundations.
Even more of us, perhaps, also experience our own world being shaken through suffering; whether that is illness, breakdown or loss. Our world is falling apart with little hope.
In the midst of the turmoil of our lives, when our world seems to have collapsed, God, who has been with us, is still there. God who has been faithful in the past remains faithful today.
The times when we feel our faith tested, the times when we feel crushed by events are the times when God is closest to us.
When our world seems to be collapsing, God stands firm. His love, His peace, His joy, His grace are close to us.
Stand firm, don’t lose hope.
God is with us.
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
[Wednesday's Devotional] - The light of the world
“I am the light of the world” John 8:12
The light came into the world with the birth of Jesus.
Lights are used in many different forms - to light the physical darkness of our world, to shine out to guide our way, to illuminate our homes, our places of work our towns and cities.
Spiritually we also have a light to lighten the darkness of our lives. A light to guide us though life when it seems dark and lonely.
Christ is that light, ready to enter and illuminate our lives if we ask Him.
We give a candle at baptism to represent this light of Christ coming into our lives, a living flame, a symbol of the living Lord entering our lives and illuminating our path as we journey each day through life.
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
The light came into the world with the birth of Jesus.
Lights are used in many different forms - to light the physical darkness of our world, to shine out to guide our way, to illuminate our homes, our places of work our towns and cities.
Spiritually we also have a light to lighten the darkness of our lives. A light to guide us though life when it seems dark and lonely.
Christ is that light, ready to enter and illuminate our lives if we ask Him.
We give a candle at baptism to represent this light of Christ coming into our lives, a living flame, a symbol of the living Lord entering our lives and illuminating our path as we journey each day through life.
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
[Tuesday's Devotional] - Our neighbour
Are we prepared to take a risk in being identified with our neighbour?
Made in the image of God, being the hands, feet, eyes of our Lord as we go about His work?
God is working in us, using us. God within us
What a thought!
If so, then everyone we meet today is also a little encounter, a unique encounter with God.
We are challenged, no commanded, to love our neighbour.
A challenge in which we shall fail.
And in that failure we shall be forgiven, but this is a challenge we are commanded to engage in as we go about our daily lives.
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
Made in the image of God, being the hands, feet, eyes of our Lord as we go about His work?
God is working in us, using us. God within us
What a thought!
If so, then everyone we meet today is also a little encounter, a unique encounter with God.
We are challenged, no commanded, to love our neighbour.
A challenge in which we shall fail.
And in that failure we shall be forgiven, but this is a challenge we are commanded to engage in as we go about our daily lives.
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
Monday, 16 March 2015
[Monday's Devotional] - Do we condemn?
“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” John 8:11b [NKJV]
How do we treat our neighbour, friend, family member? How many times have we held a grudge, given someone the silent treatment or refused to listen?
Yet Jesus said:
"Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.” John 8: 7b-9[TNIV]
Have we condemned our neighbour or friend?
Jesus will not condemn but he does say “go and sin no more”.
We have received forgiveness as a result of repentance, we are accepted, we are not condemned, but we are commanded to go and sin no more.
So in our forgiveness of others how do we respond?
How are we challenged today to forgive but not condemn?
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
How do we treat our neighbour, friend, family member? How many times have we held a grudge, given someone the silent treatment or refused to listen?
Yet Jesus said:
"Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.” John 8: 7b-9[TNIV]
Have we condemned our neighbour or friend?
Jesus will not condemn but he does say “go and sin no more”.
We have received forgiveness as a result of repentance, we are accepted, we are not condemned, but we are commanded to go and sin no more.
So in our forgiveness of others how do we respond?
How are we challenged today to forgive but not condemn?
Glenn Lowde (first published in 2008)
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