Thursday January 26, 2023

Today is Thursday, January 26 and we are exploring what it means to yield our lives to Christ.

Jesus, I am yours. In the stillness of the morning, I seek the grace of your divine presence. Come and envelop me with the embrace of your steadfast love. With each breath, I inhale your goodness and steady my mind from worldly distractions.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, hear my prayer. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it. Amen. (The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, part 2)

On my knees I lift my praises to the Lord on High with the words of Psalm 145.

All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. Psalm 145:10-13

Pause and Pray

The fourteenth chapter of John’s gospel contains Jesus’ final words to his disciples. This Farewell Discourse comforts the disciples and instructs them on how to stay connected with him in the times to come. Here lies the secret of abundant life fully obeying Jesus in intention, word and deed. Jesus brings a promise of peace and foretells the coming of the Holy Spirit. He leaves a precious gift with his followers to be enjoyed for all time. The Holy Spirit is an indwelling presence and inner counselor sent to each of us and will consistently remind us of Jesus’ words.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:23-26

The key to understanding life in Christ is found in this passage – love. If I do not love Jesus, I will not obey his teaching. If I love Jesus, I want more than anything to obey his teaching and I earnestly and willingly endeavor to do so. When I love Jesus, the love of God envelopes me and the Holy Spirit dwells within me. The Holy Spirit is my Advocate. He is the Paraclete that comes alongside me, the presence of God that speaks to me throughout my day, the voice that continually teaches me truths of the kingdom and reminds me of all Jesus spoke in scripture. The key to yielding myself to Christ is love.

Ask: In what ways do I demonstrate love for Jesus and others? How can I faithfully live a life of love every day?

Pause and Pray

Jesus, I love you! You are my King, my Lord and my life. I give myself completely to you and ask for a fresh experience of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Come and make your home within me. Shine your light of love upon me. Guide me to perfectly obey your teaching and remind me of all you have spoken. I read the words from John again and listen for the message you have for me.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:23-26

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God is speaking to me through these final words of Jesus to his disciples. I hear these words as if they are directly addressed to me centuries later. I consider how these words apply to my current circumstances. What difference does this teaching make in my life? Perhaps God wants to supply a fresh dose of something I am lacking. Maybe God wants to reveal an answer or a solution to a problem I am encountering. Perhaps God wants to shine a light on my path and reveal a new direction for me. Whatever it is, it begins with love. Love for Jesus. Love for others.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, you are Lord of my life. I yield myself completely to your plans and purposes and endeavor to trust you with all things. I pray that my love for you grows and invites me into a place of perfect obedience to your will. Be my captain and keep every aspect of my life on course. Amen.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to live as a child of the light and serve the world in the name of Jesus.

Amen