Wednesday October 6, 2021

Today is Wednesday, October 6 and this week we are exploring how the Bible encourages us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

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

Pause and Pray

Father God, I long to be in your presence during these first fifteen minutes of my day. Speak to my heart and mind the message you have for me. Come Holy Spirit, show me how I can become a more faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Today I rejoice in God’s goodness and praise him with the words of Psalm 28.

Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:6-8

Pause and Pray

In the gospels, Jesus teaches many things through parables. Parables are simple, relatable stories used to teach valuable spiritual or moral lessons. In Matthew, Jesus tells a parable about separating sheep and goats. Both sheep and goats were valuable farm animals in ancient Palestine. The flocks mingled together during the day but were separated at nightfall by the shepherd. At night goats need to be brought indoors and kept warm but sheep remain outside in the cool night air. Jesus used this image of separation to tell us something very important about how we are to live our lives here on earth. Jesus explains that the Son of Man will come in glory with his angels and judge from the throne of God. All people will be gathered before him and he will separate them like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:34-36

One of the ways I can go deeper in my discipleship and grow in faith is by showing mercy to those in need. As I look around my world today, I see many people who are in need. There are people who are hungry and thirsty. There are strangers who need to be welcomed and people who need to be invited. There are people who need clothing. There are people who are sick and in prison. Every day I can ask God for eyes to see the needs around me, ears to hear the cries of the needy and tangible ways to practice acts of mercy.

Ask: Who do I know today who is in need? I name specific people and their needs before God and ask him to show me what I can do to help and show mercy.

Pause and Pray

Merciful God, thank you for the generous mercy and grace you have poured on me. Open my eyes so I can see the people around me who are in need today. Give me a fresh awareness and open my heart when it becomes hardened and cold. Give me a spirit of compassion and inspire me to practice acts of mercy. I want to become a more faithful disciple of Jesus and live life as he instructed me. I read the passage from Matthew again slowly, paying attention to what you are saying to me today.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:34-36

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

Where do I find myself in today’s scripture? What is the Holy Spirit speaking into my life? I reflect on times when I practiced acts of mercy and how that formed my discipleship. I ask God to provide new opportunities so I can do more. I analyze my heart and examine any resistance in me. I name these places of resistance before God – places of complacency, fatigue, lack of awareness, self-absorption, skepticism, or busyness. What does God need to change in my mind and heart in order for me to find the inspiration and motivation to serve others with compassion? Who do I see that needs mercy? Who is invisible to me? What reservations do I have that prevent me from doing more? What do I need to bring before God for examination and transformation?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, you are a God of mercy and compassion. Forgive me for all the times I have neglected to participate in acts of mercy. Examine my heart and mind for places of resistance. Open my eyes and show me those who are hungry, thirsty and without clothing. Open my hearts to those who are strangers and feel unwelcomed. Connect me with those who are sick, suffering, ill or hospitalized. Show me how I can provide hope to those who are in prison. I want to live my life in a way that better reflects Jesus. Amen.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8</strong>