Faith Focus!

Greetings friends,

I ask that as we begin our spiritual journey together we begin to take some time daily (if you are not already) to read the Scripture and pray. I thought it would be beneficial for us to focus on the same passage of Scripture for the week. This week, we will focus on Sunday’s texts (See below) If you were not present in worship on Sunday and have not yet watched it, I encourage you to do so. The Scripture used on Sunday was 1 Corinthians 12:7-27. 1 Corinthians is an epistle, or letter, written by the apostle Paul to the believers at Corinth. The city of Corinth, due to mercantile trading, had a reputation of prosperity. It hosted a wide disparity between the rich and poor. Although this was prevalent in the Roman Empire, it was even more so in Corinth. Mercantile trading also contributed to a strong presence of foreign religions, and along with the Greek culture, is believed to have accelerated a level of sexual promiscuity. Corinth was well known for both prosperity and sexual promiscuity, and the surrounding culture of Corinth had an effect on many theological understandings within the church there. High-status members of the faith community wielded a disproportionate influence on the church, expecting elitist rhetorical styles and preferential treatment. The faith community at Corinth was spiritually immature and divided by factions, and Paul writes to address the many issues.

Format-this is a repeat from every week, and will be consistently present for anyone new and as a reminder for all. It is listed at the bottom for review and for anyone who is new to this exercise. Please remember that it is a suggestion. There is no pressure to do it in the format suggested, to do everything on the days that are listed, or to even to answer all the questions. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. If one question takes up the time because you are moved in your spirit, then stay with it. The idea of this it to spend some intentional time with the Scriptures, in the presence of God, and in prayer and reflection- in whatever way that works for you!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-27 (v. 4-6 have been added)

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it

Other Scriptures referenced:

Acts 20:35  ³⁵ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

1 Corinthians 15:58  ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples is found in John 13:1-17

DAILY QUIET TIME WITH GOD:

Monday: v. 4-6 ^“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” Notice that Paul refers to different gifts, service, and working, but the same Spirit, Lord, God “in all of them and in everyone.” Notice also that Paul used the Trinity- Spirit, Lord Jesus, God the Father. What does this say to you about who God is? What does this say about who we are- you individually, and all of us as a faith community? How does this inform the way we are to consider and treat others who may have different gifts, service, and working? Have you ever been frustrated when you or others have experienced those differences? If so, consider what sparked the frustration. If every spiritual gift has been given from God, how does that impact pride? V. 7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Describe what you believe the “manifestation of the Spirit” is in this context. How do you think someone would be able to identify if there was a manifestation of the Spirit in you or others? “Given for the common good”- we must always remember that the gifts are given, freely to all believers, and yet with an expectation that they be used for the “common good.” How would you define “common good”? Paul is using the context of the Church here, so it would be in regards to the common good of the Church community. How would you be able to discern if how you are using your gifting is for the common good? The original Greek for this term is symphérō, which combines “together with” and “bring/carry” to mean “combine in a way that brings a profit (gain)… that results in benefit or advancement” (biblehub.com).  (notice the original Greek starts with “symph”- like a symphony!) Pray and ask God if there are areas of “common good” that need attention in our church. If God brings something to mind, pray about what God would want done about this. This is not a brainstorming exercise, but an awareness through God’s Spirit- if God brings something to you, continue to ask for guidance, and/or someone with gifts to fill that role. Pray with gratitude and openness.

Tuesday:  v. 8-11 (see Scripture above, or use your own Bible) this is not an absolute list of the spiritual gifts that believers are given, but an example of some of the many. There are other spiritual gifts listed throughout the Scriptures. (we will be doing a study of Spiritual Gifts, probably in the spring/summer) “Message of wisdom”- the term translated as “message” here, logos, is often translated as “word,” referring to divine utterance- so wisdom could be regarded as having a word from God that offers true enlightenment for daily living. There are books of wisdom in the Old Testament (ex. Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes). Wisdom then, becomes not head knowledge, or even just common sense, but wise advice or speech derived from God. Have you ever experienced this- from yourself or others, where a situation or circumstance was met with spoken wisdom from God- as if God spoke right to you from what was said, informing something about your life? If so, describe it, reflect on it- how did it make you feel? Did that word cause any change? “Message of knowledge,” often referred to as a “word of knowledge,” especially in Charismatic circles. A word of knowledge is when God gives special knowledge that would not otherwise be known (Jesus does this- telling people things about themselves that he had not been told). This happens, as with all gifts, for God’s glory- leading people to God, or toward healing. Have you ever experienced this yourself, or from others? If so, what happened as a result? How did it make you feel? “Faith”- we sometimes don’t think of faith as a spiritual gift, but it is! As with all spiritual gifts, the gifts are given by God and we cooperate with those gifts, resulting in the outward manifestation of the gifting. In the book, “Discover Your Spiritual Gifts,” by C. Peter Wagner, the gift of faith is described as the “special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for the future of His work.” Have you ever experienced this gift of faith yourself or with others? If so, what was the circumstance, and how was it used for the “common good”? “Gifts of healing,” is when God especially anoints people to be used as the Spirit’s conduit for healing others. Have you ever experienced the gift of healing? If so, describe it, reflect on it- how did it make you feel? “Miraculous powers”- yes, this is a spiritual gift! Literally dynameis, or “acts of power” (where we get the word dynamite!). In C. Peter Wagner’s book he defines this gift as “the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature.” Have you ever experienced this? If so, what was your experience? Did it change the way you perceive or relate to God? The gift of “Prophecy”- think of the Old Testament prophets that would receive a word from the Lord and be tasked with sharing that message. The gift of “Discerning of Spirits” is the gift of knowing with assurance whether something is from God, or human, or demonic (see Matt. 16:21-23; Acts 5:1-11; 16:16-18; 1 John 4:1-6). “Speaking in tongues”- from C. Peter Wagner, “(1) to speak to God in a language they have never learned and/or (2) to receive and communicate an immediate message from God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance in a language never learned (see Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-12; 10:44-46; 19:1-7; 1 Cor. 12:10, 28; 14:13-19)”’ Most often this is considered a gift of tongues known as “glossolalia,” which many regard as their own prayer language. I pray in tongues, and others in our church do as well. However, unlike other denominations, Methodists do not regard speaking in tongues to be necessary for salvation- it is just one of the many gifts of the Spirit. I also know someone, a pastor friend of mine, who experienced tongues as speaking a foreign language (xenolalia or xenoglossy) that they had never known before! As a time in crisis and need, she began to speak to someone in fluently in Spanish, although she had never known Spanish before! “Interpretation of tongues”- this is exactly as described- if tongues are given aloud as a message to a congregation, someone would have the ability to translate it into the vernacular so that everyone could understand.

Whew! That’s a lot- and there’s many more gifts as well!! Just think, YOU are gifted by the Holy Spirit! Maybe you have one of these gifts, or other entirely different gifts. Give thanks, and grow in your gifting! V.11 “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” It is God who gave the gifts, who determines who should have which gift, and all for God’s greater purpose, God’s plan, the common good of the church. What you do matters. It is significant, and needs to be identified, acknowledged, lived into, and shared. If you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, there are many inventories that you can take. Here is a link to one. (Please bathe this exercise in prayer and take your time. Please also do not allow the results of this inventory to become a self-fulfilling prophecy that boxes God in!):

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/spiritual-gifts-inventory/en

Wednesday: v.12 “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ”- that with and through Christ, there are many “parts”- describing how people with varying gifts, are expected to work together in synergy, that combined would create a greater impact for the church and God’s kingdom. Think about the way you have been operating within the church. Have you tended to work separately, independently, and not in connection with the rest of the Body of Christ- your own church community? Pray about it, and ask God if there are instances or tendencies you may have experienced either way. If God brings something to mind, ask God what the underlying belief was that prompted your decision to operate separately or together. Work through it with God, asking questions, repenting if necessary. Ask God if there are areas of your ministry that God wants you to have more connection, and if so, how and with whom. V.13a “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body”- baptism has caused theological division between denominations. As Methodists, the liturgy for baptism begins with: “Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy Church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.” After the water baptism the pastor says, “The Holy Spirit work within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.” In the Methodist tradition also, beyond water baptism, is the understanding of the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” which is a term coined by Methodists. It varies slightly from the Pentecostal understanding, and if you are interested, here is an article that speaks about the Methodist Baptism of the Holy Spirit: https://www.umc.org/en/content/book-of-resolutions-guidelines-the-umc-and-the-charismatic-movement

This verse says “baptized by,” but it could also be translated baptized with, or in the Holy Spirit. Which translation makes the most sense to you and why? Whether Paul was referring to water baptism or the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or both, the point remains that through the Holy Spirit we, together with other believers, become one. Please take a moment and pray about all the division within the church- between denominations, within our own denomination, and about any divisions you may know of within our own church. Pray for healing and unity.

Thursday:  v.13b “whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free” is the extension of Paul’s remark about believers being one with Christ. Although we may tend to look at it now and think, “well, yeah- of course!” it was actually an enormous cultural shift of understanding at that time. Jews had been raised with an understanding that they were God’s chosen- they alone, exclusively. This brought a mindset of us/them, in/out, “other.” Jesus’ ministry broke those barriers by reaching out to those who would have been regarded as “other”- Gentiles, women, lepers, etc. Take a moment and consider if there are any people, or people groups that you may tend to regard as “other” based on your upbringing, or culture, and how difficult it might be too accept them into equal community when they become believers. It’s often difficult to recognize it within ourselves, but consider- Democrats/Republicans, Conservatives/Progressives, prostitutes, drug addicts, different ethnicities, etc. Take a moment and have prayerful reflection, asking God if there is any growth of acceptance for different people needed within yourself. Consider praying for opportunities to encounter and express that acceptance. “Gentiles”- Gentile believers- those raised in a culture of foreign gods, were considered excluded by the Jews, and even themselves. It was a huge step to understand and live into being included and regarded as equals in the community of believers. Have you ever felt excluded, as if you were out of place or didn’t belong? Has it ever happened in the church? How much of that experience was from what others said and did, and how much was from your own “inner-speaking” that told you didn’t belong? Both can difficult to overcome in order to step into community, but the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome. Consider first, what you can do to help others who may be feeling this way? Ask God if there is someone whom you need to include. Consider also, your own sense of belonging, and any negative messages that you give yourself that fuel this understanding. Ask God if there are any of these messages that you have been living into, and if so, ask for a revelation of truth and for healing. Ask God to empower you to embrace being part of a community of believers, and all that it entails. “Slave or free”- regardless of economic status, all are equal and vital parts of the community of believers. This was an especially important message to the Corinthian church that was regarding those of higher means to have a higher influence and priority. This is something that can be found in our own culture, and we need to be mindful and careful that it does not creep into our church. Have you ever found yourself believing that someone was more important than you because they has a higher “rank” in the world, or had more financial means? Know that Paul’s message reflects that of Jesus, which lets us all know that we all have sacred worth, and are valuable in the eyes of God. This is to be reflected in our faith community. In this same epistle and elsewhere, Paul uses the term doulos, “slave” as an image of our relationship to God and the community of faith, as a way to express complete commitment and an abandonment of autonomy (1 Cor. 7:22, Eph. 6:6, Col 4:12). “And we were all given the one Spirit to drink (to become filled with). Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many”- Consider that Jew, Gentile, Slave, Free- it all points to commitment to Christ and how that commitment transforms our understanding of who we are in Christ and who others are in Christ along with us. Pray about your own commitment and reflect upon your own transformation- in understanding, in acceptance, in community- in everything! Ask God where you still need to grow and commit to doing so by the power of the Holy Spirit and with your church family. Praise God for the community of believers!

Friday: v.15 “Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body”- how often have we considered that someone else’s gifting was superior, or that because we didn’t have what someone else has that we didn’t really belong, were unable to make a difference, etc. So many gifts are out front for people to see and acknowledge, while others that are different, or maybe not easily seen and therefore not as readily acknowledged, can sometimes feel inferior, unimportant, and unnecessary. When people feel this way they can have a tendency to step back from ministry, and even the church community. But Paul’s point is that all gifts are not only necessary, but vital, and that God placed you in a church community because your gifts are needed. Take a moment and thank God for the gifts that you have been given. Thank God for the gifts of others. Take additional time to reflect upon all of the gifts that are being shared behind the scenes. Give thanks for God, our giver, thanks for the people sharing their gifts, and if you feel led by the Spirit, thank someone for their generous giving of their spiritual gifts. Acknowledge the need and value of their gifts and of them being in community with you. Lift someone up today. Paul continues this analogy in v.16-17 with ears, eyes, and sense of smell. V.18 “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be”- Consider that everyone that God brings to our church is brought by God for a purpose to fulfill within our community. How does that understanding affect the way we think about one another, especially those who are new? Imagine if God brought someone to the faith community with a gifting you didn’t either understand, or understand the importance of. The next time this happens, I invite you to pray and ask God to soften your heart and reveal how you can understand and support the gifts they are bringing. Consider any areas in our church community where we need people with certain gifting. Take some time and pray, asking God to bring those people to our church! Over and over I have experienced that God is faithful in doing this. Thank God!

Saturday: v.21 “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”” Paul is commenting that every person carrying every gift is needed. None are dispensable. At the same time, he flips the usual cultural understanding and response in vv. 22-24 “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it” Paul is lifting up gifts that most would regard as “weaker” and noting that they are actually indispensable- absolutely vital! Paul is also emphasizing that the least honored functions of the church become honored when the church community lives in God’s design and call, including protecting and caring for those who are not always acknowledged or regarded. This is a shift away from our culture’s customary exaltation of the “rich and famous.” In the church context, and as people of faith, we watch for and value those behind the scenes, even if they often do not want special outward recognition. V.25-26 “So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it”- words to describe the Body of Christ, the church- no division, but unity; concern and care for one another; unified support against trials, struggles, pain; rejoicing for and with one another, lifting one another up in honor. Take a moment and reflect on yourself, and your own experience within the church. When have you experienced this? Describe it- what was happening and how it felt. Thank God for those experiences! When have been times when you have not experienced this? What were the circumstances? In those cases, harm in some form occurs- whether within you or from you. Pray about any of those times, and as memories arise, pray for what is needed, whether it be healing, forgiveness, repentance, or whatever else the Spirit reveals to you. V.27- “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.” Ask God about your next step in living fully into our community of believers. What is God asking you to do? Thank God for such wonderful possibilities and opportunities!

Other items:

Responsive Reading

L: As disciples of Jesus Christ

P: We seek to serve You, Lord

L: In the church and in the world

P: We are called to serve others

L: To use the gifts You have given to us

P: To step into our God-given purpose

L: To build up the Body of Christ

P: In unity and love

L: For the transformation of the world

P: Being the hands and feet of Jesus,

All: Let us reflect who God is to the world.

Unison Prayer

Compassionate and loving God,

Give us the eyes and heart of Jesus,

Empower us to see and engage people

With kindness and love.

Help us get beyond ourselves and respond

To the invitation of Jesus

To follow him and help others follow him

To do good for all people

To make disciples of Jesus Christ

For the transformation of the world

Amen.

Song Lyrics:

Lord Whose Love through Humble Service #581

1. Lord, whose love through humble service
   Bore the weight of human need,
   Who upon the cross, forsaken,
   offered mercy’s perfect deed:
   We, Your servants, bring the worship
   Not of voice alone, but heart;
   Consecrating to Your purpose
   Every gift that You impart.
2. Still Your children wander homeless;
   Still the hungry cry for bread;
   Still the captives long for freedom;
   Still in grief we mourn our dead.
   As, O Lord, your deep compassion
   Healed the sick and freed the soul,
   Use the love Your Spirit kindles
   Still to save and make us whole.
3. As we worship, grant us vision,
   Till your love’s revealing light
   In its height and depth and greatness
   Dawns upon our quickened sight,
   Making known the needs and burdens
   Your compassion bids us bear,
   Stirring us to tireless striving,
   Your abundant life to share.
4. Called by worship to Your service

Forth in Your dear name we go

To the child, the youth, the aged,

Love in living deeds to show

Hope and health, good will and comfort,

Counsel, aid, and peace we give

That Your servants, Lord in freedom

May Your mercy know and live

We Are All One in Mission TFWS #2243

1 We all are one in mission;
We all are one in call,
our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single, great commission
compels us from above
to plan and work together
that all may know Christ’s love.

2 We all are called for service,
to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are different;
our purpose is the same:
To touch the lives of others
by God’s surprising grace,
so every folk and nation
may feel God’s warm embrace.

3 Now let us be united,
and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel
for God’s redeeming Word.
We all are one in mission;
we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.

Go Light Your World– by Chris Rice (Delta UMC)

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes his home

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
And hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he’s tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she’s been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let’s raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn

Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Send Me Out by Steve Fee (Rome First)

Jesus, Lord of my salvation, Savior of my soul
Send me out to the world to make You known
Jesus, King of every nation, this world’s only hope
Send me out to the world to make you known
Send me out to the world

I wanna be Your hands and feet
I wanna be Your voice every time I speak
I wanna run to the ones in need, in the name of Jesus
I wanna give my life away, all for Your kingdom’s sake
Shine a light in the darkest place, in the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus

Carry to the broken hearted mercy You Have shown
Send me out to the world to make You known
And to the ones in need of rescue, lead me I will go
Send me out to the world to make You known
Send me out to the world

I wanna be Your hands and feet
I wanna be Your voice every time I speak
I wanna run to the ones in need, in the name of Jesus
I wanna give my life away, all for Your kingdom’s sake
Shine a light in the darkest place, in the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus

Here am I, I will go
Send me out to make You known
There is hope for every soul, send me out, send me out
Here am I, I will go
Send me out to make You known
There is hope for every soul, send me out, send me out

I wanna be Your hands and feet
I wanna be Your voice every time I speak
I wanna run to the ones in need, in the name of Jesus
I wanna give my life away, all for Your kingdom’s sake
Shine a light in the darkest place, in the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus

Format (this is a repeat from last week, and will be consistently present for anyone new and as a reminder for all):

Find a quiet place and time to focus on the Word, and to hear from God through it. It doesn’t have to be long, for some it will be longer than others. I encourage you, if possible, to do this practice in the morning. You will then find that God brings it to your mind throughout your day.

For greater impact I encourage you to get some paper and a pen and journal daily what thoughts and impressions God brings to mind. Write out also your own thoughts and your own prayers, making sure to leave space within your time for God’s response. Listen intently, and notice what rises up within you- what you are thinking, feeling, memories that arise and ideas that spring up. It may be something God would want you to address within yourself and/or with others. It may be something God is inspiring you to begin or end. God’s possibilities are infinite! After time, it is often beneficial to go back and read what you have written, and notice how God has been moving in your life (and praise God for it!).

Begin with prayer, quieting yourself within and opening up to hearing what God would like to reveal to you. Praise God for who he is, for loving you, being with you, and more. Then ask God to speak to you; to open your heart and mind to hear his message. (if you are journaling, you could write out the prayer)

Read the Scripture passage over twice; once as a read through, and the second time slowly, meditatively. Notice what God illuminates for you. Notice what words or ideas are “jumping off the page at you,” impacting you from the Scripture. Ask God why that is being highlighted for you. What is God saying to you? What is God asking you to say, do, change, pray about, etc.? What is the application for my life today? **Most importantly- what am I going to do about it? (If you are journaling you could write it all out, which reinforces it in a greater way)

I have put together some daily questions based upon the Scripture. You may use those, but also feel free to deviate away from it if God is leading you there. They are simply offered to prompt contemplation with God. There is much more in this passage, feel free to delve in more!

At the end of your time pray again. I recommend praying throughout, but the ending prayer would include praise, thanking God for revelation, and asking for the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal, bringing to mind God’s will. Ask God for the courage, empowerment, and opportunity to do what you have determined God is asking you to do.