Day 245 | Thursday, 19 November 2020

Day 245 - Audio Version

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Day 245 | Thursday, 19 November 2020
 
 Psalm 138 CEB
 I give thanks to you with all my heart, Lord. I sing your praise before all other gods.
2 I bow toward your holy temple and thank your name for your loyal love and faithfulness because you have made your name and word greater than everything else.
3 On the day I cried out, you answered me. You encouraged me with inner strength.
4 Let all the earth’s rulers give thanks to you, Lord, when they hear what you say.
5 Let them sing about the Lord’s ways because the Lord’s glory is so great!
6 Even though the Lord is high, he can still see the lowly, but God keeps his distance from the arrogant.
7 Whenever I am in deep trouble, you make me live again; you send your power against my enemies’ wrath; you save me with your strong hand.
8 The Lord will do all this for my sake. Your faithful love lasts forever, Lord! Don’t let go of what your hands have made.
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The Message
1 Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
2 I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: "Thank you!" Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word.
3 The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.
4 When they hear what you have to say, God, all earth's kings will say "Thank you."
5 They'll sing of what you've done: "How great the glory of God!"
6 And here's why: God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.
7 When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, With your other hand save me.
8 Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal - don't quit on me now.
 
Wesley Core Term Spiritual Respiration
“Our need for God can be compared to our need for air. We must breathe air in order to live physically, and we must breathe God in order to live spiritually. John Wesley uses this image of spiritual respiration to help us to think about the closeness we ought to have with God- constant and intimate connection. When God fills our lives the way that air fills our lungs, we are refreshed, alert, and energized for God's work. The image also helps us to see what happens when we do not pay attention to that relationship. If we stop breathing God, we will lose the connection that is essential to our spiritual lives. Our relationship with God is not automatic the way our physical breathing is, so we have to concentrate on it through prayer, Bible study, worship, and other practices that help us cultivate our spiritual lives.” Wesley Study Bible, NRSV page 753.
 
Gracious God, we need to breathe deeply of your grace and love.  There are times when we take a deep breath and fill our lungs with fresh air just to expand our chest.  Then we let it all out and feel good.  We need to take a deep breath of your love and grace and fill ourselves with your refreshing Spirit.  We do not want to stop breathing in your love and grace.  Be with those in our world who are having difficulty breathing for themselves because of COVID.  Surround them with your grace and love, give them the freshness of your spirit.  Lord, hear our prayers and fill us with your Spirit.  Amen