Opening Prayer: Lord, deliver me from the small loyalties of
habit or tradition that would keep me from larger loyalties of the spirit. Let me so incline myself to you that your
presence in my life determines both what I think and what I do. Through Jesus, who understood the deeper
meaning of freedom. Amen. (A
Devotional Guide to the Gospels by John Killinger)
Scripture: Acts 1:6-11
Journal: What is the relationship between being empowered
and being sent? Shouldn’t the two of
these always go hand-in-hand? What is
your sense of being empowered by God to do his work? What does this look like?
Reflection:
Transformation and intimacy both cry out for
ministry. We are led through the furnace
of God's purity not just for our own sake but also for the sake of others. We are drawn up into the bosom of God's love
not merely to experience acceptance but also so we can give His love to others.
The world writhes under the pain of its
arrogance and self-sufficiency. We can
make a difference, if we will.
In earlier days, we tried to serve out of
our spiritual bankruptcy, and we failed.
We now know that ministry must flow out of abundance.
Bernard of Clairvaux writes, "If then
you are wise, you will show yourself rather as a reservoir than a canal. For a canal spreads abroad water as it
receives it, but a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and
thus communicates, without loss to itself, its superabundant water. In the Church at the present day, we have
many canals, few reservoirs." We
have determined to be reservoirs. (Prayer by Richard J. Foster)
Prayers
Closing Prayer: Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do
with me what you will. Whatever you may
do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all
your creatures. I wish no more than
this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. ~Charles de Foucald
Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. ~Charles de Foucald
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