Monday January 24, 2022

Today is Monday, January 24 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about expansion.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

My Lord and my God, I set aside this time to experience your presence. Come Holy Spirit, show me what you want to increase in my life and how you want to expand my horizons in this new year. Reveal your message for me today in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

I praise God and celebrate his abundant provisions with the words of Psalm 72.

May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Psalm 72:16-17

Pause and Pray

The nature of God is extravagant generosity. God lavishly dispenses grace. God abundantly pours out love. God freely offers forgiveness. God bountifully bestows blessings. God blesses me even when I do not deserve it. In my blessing, God gives me seeds to sow. In this new year I have many opportunities to sow abundant seeds into the lives of others. I have time, money and resources. I have gifts, talents, skills and abilities. I have love, joy, and peace. I have energy and positivity. I have a great deal to give to my church, my community, my family, and my friends. I have a plethora of seeds to sow in the kingdom of God. In this passage from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul teaches me how to sow what I have been given. He provides Christ followers with “sowing” lessons.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11

God is breaking ground in me and preparing me for life in this upcoming year. God takes what is already present in me and enlarges, increases and expands it. God is not constructing a new building from scratch, but continues a lifelong process of improving and broadening me spiritually. The scripture from Second Corinthians reminds me that God provides abundant blessings. I have everything I need and am able to abound in every good work. God will not only supply the seeds he wants me to sow in the world but will increase the amount of seeds I hold in my possession. God will enlarge my store of seeds. God will maximize the harvest – a harvest of righteousness. A growth in holiness. The blessings I receive are so that I will grow in holiness, righteousness and the blessing of others. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I will expand my capacity to love God and love others.

Ask: What seeds can I sow into the lives of others? How might God increase or expand what I have to give?

Pause and Pray

Thank you, most faithful and generous God for lavishing your love and grace upon me. I am grateful for my blessings and I pause to give thanks to you. Help me to remember that I am blessed to be a blessing to others. Supply me with abundant seeds to sow for your kingdom. Increase my store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your kingdom. May all the glory be to you, blessed Lord. I read the words of Paul again and listen for the message you have for me.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11

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

As I carefully read this passage of scripture, I seek God’s fresh word for me today. In the new year I desire to grow deeper in my relationship with God and invite him to expand me spiritually. I consider what the seeds represent for me. What do I hold in my possession that I can sow into the world? I consider how these words of scripture impact me. What emotions do these words evoke – bless, abundant, abound, freely scattered, supply, increase, enlarge, enrich, generous? Where in my life or in my spirit have I done the opposite action? Where do I constrict, confine, reduce, limit, hinder, or prevent? What might I need to let go of in order for God to do an expansion in me? In my life? In my heart? In my mind? Where are the fallow places that need rejuvenated? Where has my vision been too small? Where do I need to trust God more than myself, relying on his provision and multiplication?

Pause and Pray

Generous and holy Lord, I invite you into the feeble poverty of my heart. Show me what it means to expand my thinking, increase my love, maximize my righteousness, multiply my goodness, broaden my reach, and grow my generosity. Remove the confines of my soul and give me a glimpse of your abounding spirit. Amen.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest. Isaiah 9:2-3a

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go generously scattering seeds of love and blessing into the lives of others.

Amen.