meditations of mercy

DOG DAYS day seven

Power Eph 3:14-21 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  2 cor 13:4 “For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.” 2 Tim 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures. AW Tozer I hope that this week has given you some moments to reorient your hearts and minds towards Christ and his desire for you in this upcoming season. I hope that it has ultimately been refreshing for you to pause, to remember & praise, to peel away, to pour in, gain a perspective of peace, and to prepare. As you plan and prepare, it’s important to remember what the aim of our preparations cannot be self-gain. Our goal is more of Christ, to be a part of His plan, not for Him to mold to ours. When we hear this, we of course agree, but how often do we try to create plans based on our finite thoughts instead of His limitlessness? IF only we would trust that His ways are greater. The plans of God require the power of God. And thankfully, He gives it to us! And with the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, what do we lack?  In giving us His power, it’s apparent that He loves us and does not want us to fail. The power of God is unmeasurable. I mean, let’s just sit there for a second! The resurrection power, the miracle-working power, the redeeming power of the name of Jesus. It’s unmatched. There is no power greater - no other ruler or authority or plan can stand against the power of God. He has and will always ultimately be victorious. Today, as I look to this upcoming season, I invite you in, surrender to your will, and welcome your power to work through me. God in this amazing power would you strengthen and prepare me for the road ahead? I want to see you work in mighty ways. I want to be used by you for your glory, not my own. Some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but whatever is coming, I trust you. I am expectant and excited to see how you move. I confidently walk in your power, God. Thank you. As we take time to be in this moment, let’s breathe. Inhale through your nose and fill your lungs with air, expand your ribcage and relax. Exhale up and out through pursed lips as you draw everything in towards that imaginary center column. Continue this cycle as you meditate on the words of this song.

DOG DAYS day six

Prepare  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.  2 Timothy 1:9 Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,    1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. Proverbs 16:1-3,9 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established… The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. 2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. Do you have something coming up in this next season? We are about to make a big move, and lately I’ve been pretty preoccupied with trying to figure out how to prepare everyone in my family for the change. When I get anxious or doubtful about the upcoming season, I notice myself trying much harder to operate out of my own ambition and expectation. This breeds even more anxiety. BUT, when I welcome the peace and presence of God in, I rest in the fact that He is in control and faithful amidst change + uncertainty. His plans for me are far greater and higher than any plans I could muster up on my own, and His love for me should remind me that His plans for me are not to hurt me. They are for my growth, not my decline! Instead of being exasperated, I can walk into this season with energy and expectation. This foundation of thought transforms the way I prepare. No longer am I focused on what I can gain. I simply want to glorify God in any situation and be used by Him.  His sovereignty does not lead us to inaction, but rather our action is now fueled by the One who makes all things possible.  Today, as I begin to look ahead to this upcoming season, I am overwhelmed at how intimately and lovingly You show up for your people, God. Thank you for being faithful to walk with me in every moment, and for giving me the gift of your presence. Walking in your peace, I prepare for this coming season with expectation and anticipation of what you will do. I know you will be surprised by nothing. I know that you ultimately work all things for good. And I know that I can trust you completely, because you are a good Father. Thank you for the time to pause and remember. Thank you for the peeling away and the pouring in. I needed this time of renewal. Give me clarity and vision for this next season. Move me to action and intention. As we take time to be in this moment, let’s breathe. Inhale through your nose and fill your lungs with air, expand your ribcage and relax. Exhale up and out through pursed lips as you draw everything in towards that imaginary center column. Continue this cycle as you meditate on the words of this song.

DOG DAYS day five

Perspective of Peace Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  John 14:27 “peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  How do you move from a moment of inspiration into actually letting it transform your life? This happens to us all the time - we hear something that is powerful and we just KNOW we are going to not only remember it, but live by it. But then, one hour later, we are fumbling to remember the exact words of what was said. It’s a frustrating cycle! And the question becomes how to we remain? How do we continue to be filled with these feelings of hope and life and fullness?  This exchange of peeling away and then being poured into by God is vulnerable, and one that can be so easily attacked by our fears or anxieties or doubts. But we can stand firm because we have this promise - that He keeps us in perfect peace. He gives us HIS peace. The answer to staying in the fullness of God comes in being continually in the PRESENCE of God. When we draw near to Him through prayer, meditation, reading, communion, etc, we are entering the presence of God. This is not a blind or impulsive surrender, but one made knowing that He is God, and his ways are higher and better and greater than ours. This constant reverence and orientation towards God will change our perspective. Worry is replaced with peace. Doubt is replaced with peace. Uncertainty is replaced with peace. As we keep our mind set on him, He keeps us in an imperishable peace. This promise gives us confidence to continue to move forward. So today, as I’ve taken time to pause, remember + praise, peel away, and pour in, I will now keep a perspective of peace. Right now, draw me in to your presence, Lord. I trust your promises, that you will keep me in perfect peace and fullness of joy. This eternal steadiness gives me hope and assurance today no matter what comes next, knowing that my reward is far greater than anything I can comprehend.  Thank you for being here with me. Your presence is my gain. You are my peace. As we take time to be in this moment, let’s breathe. Inhale through your nose and fill your lungs with air, expand your ribcage and relax. Exhale up and out through pursed lips as you draw everything in towards that imaginary center column. Continue this cycle as you meditate on the words of this song.

DOG DAYS day four

Pour In Verses: Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way  in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” John 5:6-8 “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Ephesians 3:17-19 So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  John 4:14 But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again  In the fast-pace of life, we can fill ourselves to full in the blink of an eye. A small commitment here, a dinner there, minutes turned to an hour on our phone, a new tv series, a new hobby or habit, a new way of thought… and this is on top of our jobs, our family, our health needs, etc… …our plates are full.  There is no shortage of ways to fill our time and our attention. But, once we take the time and courage to pause, to “peel away”, we realize we gain space to be filled back up. We gain room to welcome in whatever God has for us. In order to put our priorities in the right place, it often means getting rid of things that distract us. We’ve done the work of peeling away, here we are with an empty cup. But if we’re being honest, do we really want to be filled? Do we really really believe that the new thing God has for us could be better? Will God really prove to be true in this act of surrender? These are honest and raw questions. Is the peeling away really gain?  Scripture tells us that He is doing a new thing, which is confusing and amazing and nothing short of awe-inspiring. He replaces chaos with a clear way. Void with life. Hesitancy with commitment. Brokenness for healing. Thirst for satisfaction. He is doing this, and He wants to do this for you, he has done this for you. (Read Ephesians 3:17-19 again) To be filled with the fullness of God!  So today, I believe that peeling away gives you space, God, to pour in. I will open my life to be filled. In this moment may I dwell in your presence, may you help me comprehend the love that you have for ME. For me. Today, I want to receive what you have for me. I believe you are doing a new thing and what freedom and energy that brings to my soul. How refreshing to be in your presence today, God. Thank you for filling me with your Spirit. Thank you for filling me with that which satisfies as never runs out. Only you can do this God. I am ready and grateful. As we take time to recognize what we need to peel away, let’s breathe. Inhale through your nose and fill your lungs with air, expand your ribcage and relax. Exhale up and out through pursed lips as you draw everything in towards that imaginary center column. Continue this cycle as you meditate on the words of this song.

DOG DAYS day three

Day three: Peel away  Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 1 Cor. 9:24-27 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable weather, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.  Eph. 4:22-23 Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  Once, a man was asked, “What did you gain by regularly praying to God?” The man replied, “let me tell you what I lost: anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity, and fear.” Sometimes, the answer to our prayers is not gaining but losing, which ultimately is the gain.  In the rush and busyness of life, we often become so distracted from the fact that many of the things we are involved in are actually weighing us down - emotionally, physically, spiritually. There are so many days when I don’t even realize how tense I am until I take a deep breath. The relief I feel after is shocking and telling! When we are talking about “peeling away”,  what I’m referring to is the act of letting go…and not just erratically throwing off every single obligation, but rather through discipline and awareness shedding off that which distracts us from our ultimate goal. This peeling away takes action. It takes awareness. It takes a momentary shift of focus. Sometimes it can be hard…the thing weighing us down can be heavy…more than simply taking a breath. It can feel impossible. That’s why yesterday we talked about remembering…because when we remember WHO has done the work for us…the act of peeling away suddenly becomes doable, because we are not doing it in our own power. But with the power of the one who quite literally defeated death.  Whatever you’re needing to peel away in this season - maybe it’s a lie you’re believing about yourself or your family, maybe it’s a habit, maybe it’s a toxic relationship…maybe it’s social media (LORD HELPUS!)  whatever it is…what steps can you take today to take action? It starts with pausing, then remembering, and then asking Him to help you throw it off. He’s so ready to help you run the race! And the best part? In peeling away, we gain! In peeling away, we ultimately find breakthrough . Today, I will trust Him enough to let go of that thing I think I need to be holding on to. I believe that in the act of peeling away, I gain. My next breakthrough is on the other side of surrendering. In this act of surrender, I realize that freedom is actually supposed to feel weightless. Lord would you break me free? As we take time to recognize what we need to peel away, let’s breathe. Inhale through your nose and fill your lungs with air, expand your ribcage and relax. Exhale up and out through pursed lips as you draw everything in towards that imaginary center column. Continue this cycle as you meditate on the words of this song.