Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹ Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.³ Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. ⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: The Christian’s faith journey is a race which brings glory to God by the way the runners behave. In the concluding chapter, the author wrote down a variety of duties to God and humanity. Together they reveal an exalted level of personal morality and duty.
2. How do we find contentment when everything in our society shouts at us, luring us to desire more? Just remember that in God you already possess everything.
3. The stock market can fall, and you will lose everything. Thieves can break in and your possessions will disappear. The economy can crash and interest rates rise. In this world there simply is no security in wealth, or the things that money can buy. But when God is with you, and when you have His promise, “I will never leave you”, you enjoy the ultimate security. There is nothing that can threaten you when you walk hand in hand with the Lord.
4. Take several minutes to explore your life in light of this instruction “Keep your life free from love of money”.  How do you relate to material things?  Do you often wish you had more?  Do you feel that nothing can harm you because of what you have?  What fears do you have about God letting you down?  What would it be like to “be content with what I have”?  Talk with Him about this subject.  Attentively listen for his input.
5. Prayer.  “May I keep my life free from the love of money and be content with what I have. You have said, ‘I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you.’”   Pause to notice your internal reaction to what you’re saying.  Ask God to change your reluctance and unwillingness.

 

 

Prayer & Journaling:

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 27:5-8

⁵ Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
⁷ One who is full loathes honey,
    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who strays from his home.