Thursday November 5, 2020

Begin this new day by praying this prayer out loud. As you are able, consider kneeling as a physical expression of your commitment to Jesus as Lord of your life and the one you desire to lead you this day. Alternatively, you might consider placing a hand over your heart as you pray this prayer.

God of rescue and restoration, thank You for Your great and beautiful mission in the world. Here I am Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and send me.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Matthew 7:24-27

A good foundation, if laid in good ground, will allow the building to stand strong. In fact, the taller the building, the deeper the foundation. There is just something about the ways in which a building is grounded that determines its capacity to withstand opposing forces. Our spiritual life is much the same way. If our hope is a house, then our foundation is faith which is grounded in Christ. Our ability to withstand storms, which will happen in this life, is found in our capacity to stay grounded in Christ and the Word. There is so much anguish in our world right now. We feel the force of the storm. I encourage you, however, to keep building your hope on eternal things. This storm, like every other, will pass, but if we are going to withstand it, we must stand on God’s promises.

When you are finished with your time of reflection, close out this time with this prayer.

Father, help me to live this day to the full,
being true to You in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others,
being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost,
proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.