Re-Center Around God
This is an easy week to review if you have no enemies or no one persecuting you over your faith in Christ. How hard can it be to love enemies if you don't have any? Of course, you may have no enemies because your faith is hidden and unknown to associates and friends. If that is the case, you have something else to consider as you review and re-center your life around God. But assuming you have enemies, let’s review our week, repent if called for, and once again return to God as necessary.
Review
Ask yourself: Who are my enemies? Who does not seem to like me? Who has it out for me? Would God approve of my attitude toward these people?
Repent if Necessary
Do I harbor resentment or bitterness? Remember: This is not about others’ need to repent, but your behavior, thoughts, and attitudes. God will deal with them also.
Return (as necessary)
How could I treat enemies differently, even better than I do now? What would Jesus do in my shoes? How could I show grace and kindness even when undeserved?
Prayer Prompt
Go to God in prayer. Ask for direction with what arose in your heart and mind. And… ask a godly, trusted friend for their insights too.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 51:7-12
- Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. - Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice. - Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity. - Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me. - Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
The Promise
Ephesians 3:12
In [Christ Jesus our Lord] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Pondering Point
How are you honoring God with your body? What is one specific thing you could do today as an act of worship using your body or strength?