Welcome to Day 7. I am not sure how this devotional meets you. If it is in a quiet, busy, hard, painful, or uneasy time. I want to let you know something. As you draw near to Him, you will begin to realize how He has never left you. With every move the King makes, He is trying to close the distance. May your heart 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 10 John 2:13-25
- Let’s Begin with Prayer. Pick a posture whether kneeling, sitting, or sitting up straight with the palms of your hands facing upward.
- In this season of prayer, play a song that you can sing that reminds you of His presence. This is the song that I have been playing all week if you like to join me. “I Trust In God” by Elevation Worship.
- Read John 2:13-25 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,
Passover was a time when the people should be remembering how God lead them out of slavery into freedom. It was a time of celebration and rejoicing. Because God saw a people who were being oppressed and abused by an entire nation and He acted and set them free. It should have been a time when they showed mercy, grace, kindness, and love to one another because God showed them first. Instead, Jesus walks into the temple and He finds the exact opposite. The temple was to be a place where people could meet with the King. Where they could draw near. Instead, it was a place where you could get cheated, shamed, or even ignored if you had no money. No wonder Jesus was so upset. The place God had asked to dwell was replaced with a god of greed and selfishness.
In the other gospels when Jesus goes to the temple it states that as He drove out these individuals the poor and those in need are able to enter in. I think of my body, mind, and heart. As the Holy Spirit is driving out these influences, lies, or ideas out of me. I will receive in their place something far greater. It may not be gold or silver but it will be His abiding presence. For He has called for me to be a temple for him to dwell and bless others.
It is an uncomfortable prayer, one that is causing me pain and brings confusion at times. But I pray for Jesus to make room in my heart for His presence. Despite the suffering it brings I rejoice because I know His heart.
Dwell on verse 24. Meditate on it all day.
- Let’s Begin with Prayer. Pick a posture whether kneeling, sitting, or sitting up straight with the palms of your hands facing upward.
