Friday February 10, 2023

Today is Friday, February 10 and we are studying what the Bible says about covenant.

Come, abide with me, Lord Jesus. I pause to savor your loving presence and still the restless wanderings of my soul. Open the scriptures to me, speak into my life and teach me the meaning of covenant.

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)

God is my refuge and strength; I praise him with the ancient words of Psalm 73.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Psalm 73:26-28

Pause and Pray

In the book of Ephesians, I am told I am a member of God’s household. Because of Jesus Christ the barriers have been removed and those who were once separated from God are brought near, including me. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord are so near to God, they are called citizens and members of his household. By virtue of my baptism, my heavenly citizenship is sealed on the passport of my soul. It is mine. I am a welcome member of a special household, a new family. I am included in the community of faithful believers and share a covenant with them. God is building me and my faith family together into a holy place for his presence to dwell.

Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:12-13,16-18

I recall the story of my past. My soul was once separated from Christ, excluded from God’s heavenly kingdom and foreign to God’s goodness. I was lost, without hope and without God in a dark, broken world. Like so many others, I was once far away from God but have been brought near by the precious blood of Jesus. I have been forgiven, cleansed and redeemed. I have been given a great gift – access to the Father through the sacrifice of his Son and the power of the Holy Spirit. I have found peace in this body of Christ, reconciled to God and to other believers. I relish my covenant with God and the community of faith, my church. I recommit myself to this covenant with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ask: What does it mean for me to be a “member” of the family of God? What rights and responsibilities does a “citizen” of heaven have?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, how could I forget the poverty of spirit with which I began my journey? I was separated from you, excluded from God, foreign to the promise and devoid of hope. Thank you, Jesus, it is because of you that I have found my place near God. Your blood shed upon the cross for my sorry soul has reconciled me once and for all. I praise you for your love and mercy and I reread the words of Ephesians to listen for the message you have for me.

Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:12-13,16-18

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

I listen closely in this passage of scripture for the voice of God. What might he want to reveal to me today? Perhaps I need a fresh supply of something in order to get me through a particular task. Maybe God wants to reveal a new insight or truth. Perhaps God wants to provide an answer to something I have been seeking or respond to a question. Maybe God wants to guide me to a particular place he wants me to go or an attitude he wants me to adopt. I reflect on what difference the truth revealed in this passage will make in my day’s journey.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I am yours. Point out the places in my heart that cause me to drift away from you and draw me near to your side once again. Restore my hope where it has been lost. Renew my trust where it has failed. Replenish my love where it has fallen short. Refresh my peace in the places I need it most. I give myself, my circumstances, and my life to you. Amen.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20

I leave this time of prayer renewed by the enduring love of Jesus, I go to pour myself out in love for others.

Amen