bible verse

Walking with God

–Begin by taking some deep breaths. As you breath, you begin to clear your mind.-

  • Breathe in: Guide me
  • Breathe out: Oh God

-Continue this breathing exercise until you feel you are ready to continue.-

[Jesus Said] “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy[d] that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14

[Jesus Said] “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy[d] that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

Because of all of the rain lately, parts of my normal path to the beach is covered in water. So as I get ready for my walk, I put on my rain boots, and put Nevada, my dog, on her leash. Nevada does not like water, so she tries to go around the part of the path covered in water. There are times that her going around the puddle involves her being on one side of a tree, with me on the other side of the tree and the leash between us. She does not realize it is easier for both of us to just go through the water.

Last week as I walked Nevada, I thought about how my walk with God is similar. Sometimes there is a person I do not want to talk with because of a conflict or misunderstanding. I will put off talking to this person. This is like when Nevada goes around a tree instead of walking through the water. The longer I put off talking to this person the more damage can be done to that relationship. There is also damage done to my relationship with God. I was reminded it is more important to take the time to talk with someone than to put it off.

  • Do you need to talk with someone?
  • Are you putting off doing something important?

-Please take a moment.-

-Take some deep breaths.-

  • Breathe in: Guide me
  • Breathe out: Oh God

God, I am glad you are there to guide us, and remind us of our call in life. You take us through the path that is best for us. Help each of us to remember that you are the one guiding our path, and help us to hear your voice when you call. Amen.

Seeing God in Nature

–Begin by taking some deep breaths. As you breath, you begin to clear your mind.-

  • Breathe in: Seeing
  • Breathe out: God

-Continue this breathing exercise until you feel you are ready to continue.-

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12
Isaiah 55:12

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy,
    and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
    for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 55:10-13

Seeing God in Nature

When I see a beautiful sunset after a hard day,
I remember God is with me in the hard times as well as the good times.

When I see a rainbow,
I remember of God’s promises.

When I see the ocean,
I am in awe of the majesty of God.

When I see the birds on the beach,
I remember the diversity of God’s creation.

When I see the trees swaying in the wind,
I remember to praise God.

When I see the mountains,
I remember God is in control.

When I see the rain,
I remember my mistakes are washed away.

When I see the snow,
I remember God can cover all sin.

  • What would you add to this list?
  • Where do you see God?
  • What part of nature helps you to understand God?

-Please take a moment.-

  • Breathe in: Seeing
  • Breathe out: God

Creator, thank you for all you have created. When I look at the world around me, I remember your love and care. You have made a beautifully diverse world, and I am privileged to be part of it. Please help me to continue to see your character in all of nature.

Relationships

–Begin by taking some deep breaths. As you breath, you begin to clear your mind.-

  • Breathe in: relation
  • Breathe out: ships

-Continue this breathing exercise until you feel you are ready to continue.-

Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
1 Peter 4:8

The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:7-11

For the next several weeks, I plan to ask myself this question: Where am I seeing God? Lately I have been seeing God in and through my relationships. Relationships are important, and they are what help me to stay in a good frame of mind. As I think about my relationships, there are two examples in the past week where God has shown up. I am sure you will be able to relate to them.

When I think of a person, I try to make contact with them. Lately I have been thinking about an ex-roommate. I texted her, and we had a great conversation. Our short conversation reminded both of us that God is at work in the world. It was great to catch up with her. God brought her to my mind, and I took the next step to contact her. This is one way God is in our relationships.

The other circumstance that comes to mind is the result of an accidental phone call. I was getting ready to leave work. I went to call my husband to tell him I was on my way home, and ask if he needed anything from the store. The person who answered was not my husband. I was shocked! The voice on the other end was that of the husband of a friend. He informed me it was his wife’s birthday, so he gave her the phone. I wished her a happy birthday, and we caught up a little. This beautiful moment would not have happened if not for the mistake of calling the wrong person. God was there helping me to connect even when I was not thinking of connecting.

God is with us in our relationships.
God helps us maintain our relationships.
God reminds us of the importance of relationships.

  • Where are you seeing God?
  • How are your relationships?
  • Who should you connect with today?

-Please take a moment.-

-Take some deep breaths.-

  • Breathe in: relation
  • Breathe out: ships

God of relationship, thank you for reminding us of the importance of relationships. Thank you for being there to help us maintain our relationships. Thank you for being in relationship with us. Amen

Restoration

–Begin by taking some deep breaths. As you breath, you begin to clear your mind.-

  • Breathe in: Restore
  • Breathe out: Me

-Continue this breathing exercise until you feel you are ready to continue.-

through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:20
Colossians 1:20

[God] has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:13-20

As I think about this New Year, I think about my need to be restored. As a result, restoration has become my word for 2021. I know I am not the only one who feels the need for restoration.

As I have thought about my restoration, I remembered that Jesus came to the world to restore humanities relationship with God. As Colossians 1:20 says, “through [Jesus] God was pleased to reconcile to [God’s self] all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” My reconciliation to God comes through Jesus’ blood. Jesus is my restoration.

Jesus came to this earth to be our mediator.
Jesus came to this earth to help us see God.
Jesus came to this earth to show us God.
Jesus came to this earth so we can know God.

  • Where is your restoration?
  • What is your word for the New Year?

-Please take a moment.-

-Take some deep breaths.-

  • Breathe in: Restore
  • Breathe out: Me

God of restoration, thank you for taking the time to reveal yourself to us through your son Jesus Christ. I pray that your restoration will be with us throughout the New Year, and that we can feel a true restoration of all that has been lost. Amen