Welcome to Day 4. As your Pastor, I have one goal with these devotions. It is that you would meet Jesus. He is more than you can imagine and better than you think. I am praying that your heart will be open to His voice in the next 10-15 minutes. Here are some helpful tips to best utilize your time.
- Choose an ordinary place to become a sacred-ordinary holy ground. This could be your favorite chair, the back porch steps, or a coffee shop.
- Set aside anything that could distract you for the next 10-15 minutes. If you are using your phone or laptop for these devotionals put it on due not disturb. If you are using a printout, set aside your phone or smartwatch. This time is intentionally meant to be with The King.
- I suggest picking up a journal so that you can jot down some ideas that stick out to you from your time with Jesus. As you continue to meditate on it throughout your day, write it down.
- Pick a consistent time. For you it may be the final moments in your day, early in the morning before anyone wakes up, or your daily office lunch break. When doesn’t matter as much as being consistent.
I pray that during this time of meditation, reflection, and prayer God will reveal himself to us so we can draw near to him. Shall we begin?
August 7 John 1:35-42
Let’s Begin with Prayer. Pick a posture whether kneeling, sitting or sitting up straight with your the palms of your hands faced upward.
- In this season of prayer, write down or lift up with words those who you desire to meet Jesus. Pray for God’s Spirit break through their walls so they may come and enjoy his presence. Start your pray by saying, “May your kingdom come and will be done in (name’s) life.”
- Read John 1:35-42. Write some of your thoughts down. Here are some questions to consider to help navigate your time studying scripture.
- Where did I feel resistance? Where did I feel delight? What portion of scripture did I experience God’s nearness?
Some Thoughts I Like To Share,
Three things really stick out to me in this portion of the text. The first one is Jesus question, “What Do You Seek?” This question reminds me of what someone once said to me. “Your biggest desires are not always your deepest desires.” As John prepared them to meet Jesus their infinite desire is finally met with the one who is infinite. But there is an exploration that needs to take place.
The invitation to explore is given by his statement, “Come and See.” Yes there is a stirring in their hearts that this is the one who can satisfy me. But in order for that stirring to become more concrete, they must abide with him. They must linger. Many throughout the gospels come and hear the message of Jesus. They see him with their eyes and some even get to touch him. But not many decide to linger or abide. So in my life, I want to linger. I am not satisfied with just the stirring sensation but I want something deeper. Deep calls to Deep.
The final thing that warmed my heart was Peter receiving a new name before doing anything. He simply was brought before Jesus and Jesus laid on him a new identity, a new purpose, and He placed on him dignity. This brings me to tears because what love the Father has shown on us that we should be called Children of God. We did nothing to deserve it and yet his mercies are given new everyday.
