Daylight Meditations

As we consider the familiar phrases of prayer for God's kingdom to come, let's consider as well, what it means to serve a King. What should our posture toward Him be, and are we truly aligned with His purposes for His kingdom?

We can only imagine what a garment of praise might look like! Is it glowing, does it move with the music, with our hearts of joy? We're told we are clothed with salvation, praise, mercy, and righeousness. Covered with perfection. That's what our Father sees. Do we see each other that way?

In Deuteronomy chapter 6 we read: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD your God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” The Oneness found here is more than just one being; it has to do with a unity of thought, of purpose, and of desire. It is an agreement of thought and action. The Lord invites us to come into agreement with Him, to speak the same thing He speaks, for His desires to become our desires.

We often think of joy being something we need to generate, something we are suppose to ‘be’. The scriptures offer another perspective – it is God’s joy that wraps around us. It is God’s joy in our trust in Him that allows us to ‘be’ in His joy. That our joy may be full. Romans 12:12 urges us to ‘commune with God at all times’. Paul told us to rejoice in all things. There is a connection between trust, worship, thankfulness and remaining in Jesus’ love. It makes God’s joy in this, ours as well.

This prayer echoes our heart. Be there for me; direct me; reveal the way… it’s a common cry from human beings to God. We are wise when we call to God before we face our crossroads – should we take the path to the left or to the right? What does God know that we don’t? Everything! Real wisdom is acknowledging our inability to see the future and choosing to ask the One who does. His love for us is deep and unfailing. He won’t send us where He won’t go with us.

We look at the universe and wonder how was this done?! Was there a plan? How might we see it or even understand it? We explore space and examine the creation and death of stars. In Psalms we read God spoke and worlds were created. His words created and break kingdoms. His power and His love are seen in His words.

The theme for today’s meditation is Always Safe, based on selections from Psalm chapter 91 and John chapter 14. We are God's children. As we finish our time considering our home with Him and what that looks like, He reminds us of the safety we have in His presence. We are not to fear the darkness, the beasts or disease. We are to cling to Him, to call to Him, to trust Him. He is our protector, our father, our keeper. In Him our identity is confirmed.

There are few in our lives that we will trust with our hearts. There are few people in our lives whose word we trust as well. It is important that we realize God can be trusted – with our desires, our concerns, our hopes and our fears. He keeps His word to us – that we are loved far greater than we can imagine, that He will protect us and has good plans for us. He will guide us and surround us with His peace – which is beyond our understanding.

The theme for Today’s meditation is Confession based selections from Jeremiah chapter 14; Psalms chapters 32 and 66; 1 John chapter 1; Proverbs chapter 28; Matthew chapter 12; Hosea chapter 14; and Romans chapter 6. Guilt and confession. There’s a line between them. Pull on one, and you affect the other. In God’s economy of the heart, this is the key: admit the wrong and receive forgiveness. It is a healing of the soul. Burdens are lifted and hope is renewed. Trust God with your heart and your health. Freedom reigns in the lives of those who live honestly with God.

God's thoughts about each of us are more than the sand on the earth. Knowing these thoughts focus on His love for us, we can trust Him to take care of us. We can keep company with Him, be open with Him and know that He will never stop doing good in our lives. We can, indeed, trust Him with all that we have, all that we are, all that we have yet to experience.

The theme for Today’s meditation is Running the Race based selections from Galatians chapter 5; Amos chapter 5; 2 Timothy chapters 2 and 4; Hebrews chapter 12; Romans chapter 5; Proverbs chapter 18; 1 Corinthians chapter 9; Philippians chapters 2 and 3; and Isaiah chapter 40. Throughout Scriptures we are encouraged to run with endurance. Endurance comes from practice, from training and from a commitment to finish what we’ve started. In this case, it is to see our faith to its end. To finish our life here having done all we could do to be faithful to the one who loves us most. We are cheered by those whom God has chosen to walk with us - no, to run with us – along side as we depend on each other for encouragement and support.

Today's meditation is based on selected scriptures from Romans 8. Who are we? Our identity is found in God, as a member of His family, as His child, given the rights of heirs and entrusted with an inheritance. His Spirit in us gives us a sense of belonging.

It has always been God's desire to dwell with us and this desire is fulfilled through our belief that Jesus is our Savior. He has bridged the gulf between heaven and earth, coming to us through His Holy Spirit placed in us and through His resurrection, in which we have already risen with Him, from the perspective of eternity. We are encouraged to trust that Jesus is indeed coming back for us while we trust Him as well to lead and guide us where we are now. It is in His house we want to live, and with Him, always. He is with us and we are with Him, even though we don’t yet see it fully.

God's witnesses lay in His creation. From space and the stars to the sound of a voice, His words are heard and all that exits is because His said so. As you listen to today's meditation, think about the life you have because God has written and spoken life into and about you.

How amazing that God, who reigns in Heaven, a high and holy place, also resides with us, and in turn we with Him. In Christ, we have the privilege of containing the Spirit of God. Father, we are humbled by Your presence with and in us. Would You make us instruments of peace in this world?

Sometimes our perspective clouds the reality of God's nearness. We reach out toward heaven searching for God. Only when we've surrendered what we believe is dear, do we find He was always close by. When I was in deep distress, I reached out for you with hands stretched out to heaven.

The gift of forgiveness is the mark of spiritual maturity in someone whose God is the Lord Jesus and who tolerates weakness and whose heart lives in the peace of God. Ask God to show you how you can grow up in Christ as one who loves like Him today.

We have a chosen destiny. Known by God before we were born, His plans for us are for our good, His gifts are perfect and no need will go unmet. Steep you life in the reality of God and His great ways, higher than ours, way greater than we can imagine. Trust in His love for you.

For many of us, we know 'home' is a place of safety and shelter. God wants us to remember we have a 'home' in Him, where we are hidden from the chaos and trouble, where there is ease and comfort and we can be ourselves. Our Father's place is our place, even now.

This meditation is with the eternal Truth about God's character - He is Good. Love does what is right and good for those it loves. We are the object of His affections, people for whom He wants to be with and to whom He desires to give gifts. Rich in mercy, He see us worth dying for, worth caring for, worth loving deeply.

When Christ was raised from the dead, we were raised with Him. (Col. 3:3) Living from a resurrected pespective means viewing our lives from God's priorities. Love and gentleness supercede pride and personal rights. Let God's Word breathe life into you today and see from a new perspective.

Each sentence of this meditation is advice for staying the course, trusting God will lead us down pleasant paths to pleasant places. He know our future, He knows the best roads to take, He knows what is coming and He knows the experiences we need with Him to be prepared, to be trained and to be in a place where we will turn to Him first, not last when difficulties come. He patiently asks us to trust Him, to go with Him and live expectantly. We can talk with Him and He will listen and instruct. It is with Him and in Him, that we live, and move and have our being.

This meditation reminds us that our great God is one of endurance and encouragement. May He grant you the ability to live in such harmony with one another, that with others you may join in one voice to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For many of us, our home is a place of safety and shelter. For some of us, that is not necessarily so. With God, though, home is always a safe place. And being with God, is a safe place. God wants us to remember we have a 'home' in Him, where we are hidden from the chaos and trouble, where there is ease and comfort and we can be ourselves. Our Father's place is our place – we are with Him here - and now.

The scriptures remind us when we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. God drenches us in His love and gives us the capacity to love others the same way. Living well, is letting go of a temporary role to gain a far greater identity - one who loves like Jesus.

It has always been God's desire to dwell with us. This is fulfilled through our faith in Jesus as our Savior. He has bridged the distance between heaven and earth, by giving us His Holy Spirit for guidance and correction. We trust Him and what He said, as recording in the Scriptures as well as what He says to us every day through His Spirit in us. He is with us and we are with Him, even though we don’t always see it fully – it is still true – because God cannot lie. Because God wants us to be with Him. Because He loves us so very much.

To become who we were born to be, begins when we believe who Jesus is. Our spirit is born and we become new creatures. It then becomes our deepest desire to learn about our identity, our purpose and our destiny. Today's meditation reminds us why we yearn to know more about God, to know God, and therein learn who we really are.

How amazing that our God, who reigns in Heaven, a high and holy place, also resides with us, and in turn we in Him. In Christ, we have the privilege of containing the Spirit of God. Father, we are humbled by Your presence with and in us. Would You make us instruments of peace in this world? Would You open our minds to the truths of who You are, what You are and who You created us to be? Would You change our perspectives on what is important and give us, who are blind, sight – to see You, to see what You are doing? Would You help us to understand the immensity of Your heart for people? What is man and woman that we are in Your thoughts continually? What is our place in all of this?

Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you to accomplish the dreams you have. Seek His best for you, as the passion to do what pleases Him will become your greatest desire. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you. Listen intently. Seek and find the wisdom that comes from our heavenly Father.

There are people we admire. They face the difficult situations in their lives with a sense of purpose, yet are pliable to God’s greater purpose. They have an outlook of hope when we doubt and they show us how to live with God’s faith. Doing the right thing at the right time is wisdom learned, and wisdom applied.

Being honest with ourselves is the first step to being vulnerable with God. It is knowing we need Him that frees us to begin to trust Him with examining our souls. We are fragile, made of earth, easily broken, and not easily fixed. We ask Him to take a look, wondering if this particular break is beyond His care, His abilities. He knows we are small and unsure. Yet our trust opens our hearts to the true nature of God - revealed in every word He speaks. When He breathes on us, the fog of doubt is lifted, and we see ourselves as He sees us.

We don't often think of God in a position of validating us! Yet, that's what He desires to do. God's way of living is one of having a tender heart toward those less fortunate, and compassion for those who are lonely and forgotten. God doesn't ask for rule keepers. Instead, He looks for those who know love restores hope, covers shame and heals broken hearts.

Psalms 19 leads us to consider God from the expanse of the universe He created to the innermost essence of who we are and what we think. This meditation focuses on the first six verses, taking us out into space to view God's greatness from a heavenly perspective.

The signposts of life point to honest living, straight talk and hearts of love. Devoting ourselves to living in the sight of God helps us keep on the path He has chosen for each of us.

The second half of the Beautitudes takes us from understanding our inner world, to gaining a new perspective of our outer world - the ways in which we should also perceive others and what they do or don't do. Each point Jesus makes is to show us a better way to interact, a better way to live, and a better way to see who we are and our real purpose.

Throughout the Scriptures we see reminders of the value of living life well. The sage advice cautions that life is short, yet the perspective is that there is more! God speaks to us through these pages, reminding us as well, that how we live here matters - now. Our purpose, our spirits are eternal and we're made for more than we see in these moments.

As you listen to the first half of the Beatitudes, take time to take in the meaning of each concept Jesus presented. He talked about exasperation, of giving up and accepting who we are. He explained that what you feel or see as loss, was actually the entry point to gain, to recovery, and to peace.

What is our purpose, and once we understand it, how do we stay in the center of what's best for us? Jude said it best, "carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ." Let us pursue our purpose, indeed.

Life defined. It is more than breathing air. It is believing God for who He is - Love - it's essence - the Source of it - the beginning and the end of it. Yet, life never ends. We are invited to enter Love and enter Life and be better people because we have done so. Listen carefully to what the Scriptures say about Life.

Living well seems to be a balance of finding our purpose and enjoying our days. One does not preclude the other, nor is one more important than the other. Living with moderation in all things, gives us balance and perspective. Ask God for His view, His perspective on how to live today as you listen to this meditation.

As a father in a family is a living example of how to respond to life's challenges, so our Father God, demonstrates a life of faithfulness by keeping His promises to us. In turn, we are to mimic, to learn how to be faithful to Him and to those in our life. It is a bond, God's promise of standing with us that expresses the depth of love and honor that we in turn can do the same to those around us.

Although different attributes of our behavior and attitudes, kindness and gentleness are closely related. Both convey a sweet attitude toward others. Kindness is an act as well as an attitude. It reaches out, is sympathetic and soothes the rough edges of life that another person is wrestling with. As you listen today, let kindness become a tangible action in your thoughts and actions by taking in the reality of these living words and letting them be who you are when you are with others.

It is an interesting concept - to clothe ourselves with gentleness. Might that be one of the qualities people see first when they meet us? Might that be what we wear in our homes and in the marketplace? What would change in our world if we walked through our day with the heart of gentleness toward every creature, every person? Father, would you place this quality of character across our shoulders, that we might carry your compassion everywhere we go?

Patience involves understanding timing, an element in this world that is beyond our control. Yet, being patient is within our control. It is a force of our will to restrain from selfish desires, from pushing ahead when we need to stand still and let God be God. The measure of our maturity can be seen in how we handle ourselves with patience.

Once again, the realm of God's kingdom turns our world upside down. Real freedom is being free from self-indulgence. When we control our desires, and seek another's well-being, we are loving deeply and restoring life and freedom in this world. We are equipped by love to move beyond, to see beyond ourselves into another's need and love them in it.

James writes that peace is a seed from the fruit called spiritual maturity. It is 'sown in peace by those who make peace by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals.' We must have the seed to sow it. It is a release of our desires for the deeper healing of Jesus' presence. His peace is ours, giving us the seeds that can be sown in others' hearts.

As with all aspects that define our Lord and God, goodness is a quality of His character. Paul write to the Ephesians, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. Our life in Jesus develops such fruit. The goodness of God, is something He share with us- that we might share this sweet tasting fruit with others.

Of all the expressions of emotions we have, love seems to be the easiest and the hardest to share. The well-known chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 is used to describe the way to live yet we find it unattainable, because we try to do it rather than letting Jesus do it through us. The branch doesn't produce fruit- the the branch bears the fruit produced by the Vine.

The truth about our Father God is that He has freed us from the lies that say we are not worthy of love, that we are not good enough, that we are failures, so don’t try anymore. Regardless of your physical condition, your emotional state of mind, or what you have been told - the absolute truth is - in Jesus, you are free. Choose to believe the truth. God so loved you that He gave His only Son for your freedom. No longer are you a slave to this world. You are free indeed.

Listen to the truths about God and His patience. The enemy of our souls, Satan, would have us believe the lie that God is not kind enough, or patient enought or loving enough. Each of us needs to know, to believe that our heavenly Father will not toss us aside, or tell us we're just no good, or remind us of our failures. That is not His way - the truth will always be - He has all the patience in the world - and so much more.