Small Groups

“When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there." (Matthew 18:18-20 MSG)

Private devotion can be beneficial in many ways. Yet, there is also power in praying with others. When two or three gather together with the express purpose of focusing on God, His Spirit will be present with them.

Small groups can promote engagement and closeness. They can hold each other accountable and be a source of encouragement. As we share our faith and insights, we can learn from each other. Large groups, on the other hand, allow individuals to be spectators if they choose--to be less involved, to show up, but stay disengaged.

When you are part of a close-knit group, you count on each other. If one member decides not to participate, it affects everyone else. It is important to share our perspectives, experiences, mistakes, and even our pain. Members must be able to trust each other and confide in each other.  It is hard to recognize our own weaknesses. We must be able to call each other out when needed. A small group of faith-filled companions who meet in prayer regularly is invaluable. If you have the opportunity to be a part of such a gathering, do not take it for granted. God is present and at work; join in. 

Lord, you have promised to be present and active whenever two or three gather because of You. May we use every opportunity to partake in your Spirit.  

The Discipline of Solitude

“When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.” (Matthew 6:6 NLT)

Solitary prayer is difficult. We are distracted by a thousand thoughts and worries. It feels like an unproductive waste of time. We get bored or sleepy. In a short while, most of us are ready to give up.  This is why church services or other religious activities are more popular than private prayer. We are more likely to show up and pay attention when there are others watching. However, the temptation to perform is also higher when there is an audience.

Humans are naturally self-absorbed. As a result, our petitions are often centered on our needs and wants. When we are with large groups of other petitioners, our focus remains on earthly concerns. We are also more likely to become more influenced by other worshippers than by God.

Solitude allows God to guide us past our obsessive preoccupations. Once we learn to be alone with God for prolonged intervals, we look forward to this genuine time of devotion and intimacy. We are finally able to experience the presence of God. Our focus shifts. We take off our masks. Our souls stop chattering. We surrender. We are wrapped in wonder. 

Lord, we want to be alone with You.  

Divine Therapy

“You revive my drooping head, my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.” (Psalm 23:5-6 MSG)

Fr. Thomas Keating, a contemporary theologian and philosopher, is known for his teachings on contemplative prayer. According to Keating, we develop a false image of ourselves to cope with vulnerability. Humans have an instinctual need for security, esteem, and control. Whenever we feel a sense of deprivation or fear, these compulsions are magnified. The ‘false self’ is fed or energized by our exaggerated need for security, respect, and control. We spend most of our lives pursuing affirmation and power in an effort to compensate for our insecurities and vulnerabilities.

Keating came up with a method to free ourselves from this false self. He describes contemplative prayer as a form of divine therapy--an inner experience of the divine presence. We no longer have to put up a defensive front, trying to meet our needs on our own. Our underlying goodness is revealed underneath layers and layers  of false images that we have inadvertently created and maintained. As we center our hearts and minds on God, we allow Him to heal our unconscious. Once we acknowledge that God is the only true source of security, affection, and power, he clears out the masks, props, and costumes. He revives our true self. He pursues us in unrelenting love until we are able to experience the divine presence. 

Lord, You are the Divine Therapist. We want to experience Your presence. Heal our unconscious. Restore our true selves.

Source of Forgiveness

“For this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” (Matthew 26:28 NLT)

When we think about forgiveness, we focus more on those who have offended us rather than on our own trespasses. We imagine it must not be that difficult for a merciful God to pardon our sins. We take God’s forgiveness for granted.

I know a young woman who moved to teach at an inner city school as part of a student loan forgiveness program. It was a dangerous and difficult job. What if a friend volunteered to take her place? Or what if a friend were willing to sell his home to pay off your mortgage? Or if debt collectors were hounding you daily, and someone made huge sacrifices to erase your debts? If someone pays what we owe, it is natural to feel grateful and humbled.

Jesus suffered and sacrificed to make things right for us. His body was broken and His blood was poured out so that our sins may be forgiven. This is such a familiar concept to Christians. We hear it so often that its significance is lost on us. Forgiveness is always costly. Let us not ever take it for granted!

Jesus, we shall always be indebted to You for erasing our debts. We are grateful, humbled, and honored by your sacrifice.

Longing for Belonging

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1 NLT)

The desire to belong, to be wanted and needed, is inherent in human souls. God placed this drive in us so that we may pursue Him, just as He pursues us. However, we often attempt to fill this need with  god-substitutes instead of with God.

“We made Jesus into a mere religion instead of a journey toward union with God and everything else. This shift made us into a religion of ‘belonging and believing’ instead of a religion of transformation.” (Richard Rohr)

Our longing to belong can only be satisfied by an intimate relationship with Christ. Yet, we try to fulfill this need by joining churches or socializing with other Christians. We attempt to find groups that fit our existing ideas. We settle for relationships with peers who share our beliefs. We are like teenagers who feel more comfortable on group dates. This immature stage of faith requires less from us. Intimacy demands maturity, attentiveness, and engagement. Those who are mature in their faith cannot compartmentalize their commitment. All aspects of their life will show evidence of their fullness and readiness. We become attentive when we want something desperately. We are finally ready to relinquish our pre-existing ideas. When we long for union with God above all else, our perceptions and attitudes are transformed. Our hearts become molded until we fit His intentions.

Lord, may we lay aside all substitutes as we pursue you wholeheartedly.

Walls of Unforgiveness

"Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22 MSG)

Pain avoidance is a natural instinct. When someone has hurt us, we try to build a protective wall between us and our abuser. Resentment gives us a sense of power and superiority. Thus, unforgiveness is often used as a defense mechanism to give ourselves some space from the source of our pain.

Forgiving someone who has hurt us can make us feel vulnerable. We are uncertain if we will be taken advantage of again. We may have forgiven those who have trespassed against us, but we don’t want them to see it as an invitation to continue trespassing. Jesus asks us to repeatedly forgive our abusers, but He doesn’t ask us to continue to  trust them. He asks us to pardon our debtors, but not to continue to fund their schemes.

Forgiveness often requires a certain amount of processing time. It is also aided by safe distances, different perspectives, and compassionate responses. Yet, we can extend forgiveness only so far under our own power. Even though we may find it difficult to trust others, we can learn to trust God unconditionally. Divine love, infused through us, is essential. Love allows us to pardon the unpardonable, release resentment, and rebuild healthy boundaries. 

Lord, help us to  take down the defensive walls of unforgiveness and replace them  with wholesome safeguards.

Forgiveness

“Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.” (Luke 11:4 MSG)

Forgiveness is defined as a release of resentment against those who have harmed you. Unforgiveness leads to corrosive bitterness which can be even more damaging in the long term than the original offense. Thus, letting go of resentment unbinds our spirits, freeing us to move on to a fuller life.

Forgiving is not the same as forgetting. It doesn’t mean excusing or minimizing the offense.

“While God commands us to forgive others, he never told us to keep trusting those who violated our trust or even to like being around those who hurt us.”  (Rose Sweet, Focus on the Family )

We may choose to reconcile, to replace negative feelings with positive ones, but we don’t have to erase the memory or pretend it never happened. We can remind ourselves what we learned from the experience and how we have grown from it. It is inevitable that the pain will mold our perspectives, but we do not have to let it define us.

God’s love enables us to forgive others who have harmed us. When we remember that God continually forgives our iniquities, we are more willing to extend grace to those who have hurt us. As we learn to release our resentments, we gain peace and a sense of closure. The barriers of unforgiveness and bitterness are removed so that we can move forward and grow closer to God.

Lord, forgive us and help us to forgive others.

Driver's Seat

“Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11:20 MSG)

My friend Sue is a great driver. Sometimes I ride along with her just to keep her company. I’m not really concerned about where we are going or when we get there. I never check to see if she has enough gas in her car, or if she is going the speed limit. Even if the weather is bad, and it is dark, I never lean over and try to take over the steering wheel! I know that Sue is a better driver than I am. I trust her.

“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. ‘Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am.’” (Matthew 16:24 MSG)

Jesus is in the driver’s seat. We are meant to ride along, just to keep Him company. However, we treat Jesus more like an Uber driver than a trusted friend. We want Him to drive us where we want to go. We constantly question Him: How much longer? Are you sure you know where we are going? Do you have enough gas to get us there? Is this the best route?

When we trust Jesus, we can ride along companionably while He drives. He leads, we follow--unquestioningly. He is in charge; He knows what He is doing. He is the greatest.

Lord Jesus, help us to trust You completely and ride along peacefully, knowing that You are capable, care-full, and all-knowing.

Out of My Depth

“I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights!” (Ephesians 3:17-18 MSG)  

I know how to swim, but I am not a strong swimmer. Consequently, I’m reluctant to participate in any water sport where the water is deep. Recently my husband and I had an opportunity to go kayaking in the open ocean. This was too scary for me. I would rather kayak in lagoons or canals, where the water is shallow, the current is predictable, and the shore is close. I do not like going out of my depth.

I cannot experience the depths of Christ’s love, unless I am willing to let go of the familiar shores. I’m tired of the shallow end of earthly concerns. I want to take deep Spirit breaths. I want to lose myself in the brilliant, all-encompassing ocean that is God. 

Lord, may we experience the extravagant depths of Your love. May we be willing to let go of the familiar shores  and drown in You.

The Opposite of Faith

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” (Luke 12:25-26 NLT)

I am a worrier. I have spent a staggering amount of time and energy in useless worry. I wrap anxiety around me like a familiar blanket, but it gives me no comfort. It is an old, scratchy blanket full of holes. I get  tangled up in it. I’m suffocated by its heaviness. It prevents me from doing what I need to do.

“Faith for Jesus is the opposite of anxiety. If you are anxious, if you are trying to control everything, if you are worried about many things, you don’t have faith, according to Jesus. You do not trust that God is good and on your side.” (Richard Rohr)

Many of us operate under the illusion that we are in control of our lives. We make plans and execute them to the best of our ability. We invest time and energy into shaping our circumstances according to our wishes. We use prayer as a method of recruiting God into filling in the gaps that we can’t manage on our own. Anxiety stems from our desire to be in control. However, since we have no real control over anything, worrying is completely unproductive. Faith is the opposite of anxiety. Faith allows us to trust in God completely, to let go of our illusions, and to submit to God’s will. 

Jesus, help me to stop this useless habit of worrying. Enable me to trust You completely. Free me from anxiety so that I may follow you and live according to Your intentions.

Complete Access

Complete Access

“You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 MSG)

These days, most large businesses issue ID cards embedded with microchips to their employees. Depending on their security clearance, these cards allow workers to access certain doorways, non-public areas, and  restricted zones inside the buildings. Only a company-issued ID card will work for this purpose; employees cannot substitute their driver’s licenses, passports, or credit cards in its place.

“He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT)

“From now on everyone is defined by Christ.” (Colossians 3:11 MSG)

Our identity is in Christ. We are defined by Christ. We have been embedded with the Holy Spirit. This gives us complete access to the spiritual realm. We have authority over the tangible and the intangible, the visible and the invisible, the natural and the supernatural. How we use this power is up to us. Many of us never go beyond the earthly realm. We try to substitute our earthly identities in place of our spiritual identities. Our concerns are self-limiting. We are intimidated by what we cannot fully comprehend. So we ignore the Holy Spirit and go about our day focused on temporal things. We choose to forfeit the spiritual power that is within us. We miss out on intimacy with our Lord. 

Jesus, our identity comes from You. You have taken down all barriers, allowing us to sense the spiritual as well as the earthly. We are no longer separated from Your Spirit. Help us to be aware of Your presence as we go about our daily lives. May we fully use the unlimited access and power that You have provided through the Holy Spirit within us.

Christian Uniform

“They act like they're worshiping me, but they don't mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy.” (Matthew 15:9 MSG)

I’ve always liked wearing activewear, even before I started exercising faithfully. Active clothes are stretchy, comfortable, and cute. I figured I would be motivated to move more if I wore them all day. Back in the day, I would put on workout clothes, meet a friend at the gym, and we would both leisurely peddle on stationary bikes for an hour while socializing. I wouldn’t even be sweaty after my workout. Afterwards I would get a smoothie and then go run errands. I felt good that I was going to the gym regularly, but I wondered why my body looked about the same!

Many of us wear the uniform of Christianity as we go about our daily lives. We go to church regularly, attend Bible studies and retreats, do volunteer work, wear crosses around our necks, etc. This uniform is comfortable, presentable, and socially acceptable. We use our faith as a cover and then do whatever suits us. Our outer lives may look respectable, but our inner lives remain unfit and flabby. We are essentially passive Christians who fool ourselves and others into thinking we are active Christians.

Active faith involves exertion, discomfort, and sweat. We will have to put aside our usual routine. Active faith cannot be fit into gaps that may open up in our schedule. It requires commitment, discipline, and dedication. Eventually active faith produces results: our desires evolve, our perspectives change, our characters transform. We are transfigured, shaped  by God’s influence, and molded according to His intentions.

Lord, may we cover ourselves with Your Holy Spirit and operate completely under Your influence.  

Persistent Faith

“Jesus gave in. ‘Oh, woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!’ Right then her daughter became well.” (Matthew 15:28 MSG)

A Canaanite mother asks Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus replies that it wouldn’t be right to deprive his own people to serve others. This response seems uncharacteristically rude. Why would He say such a thing? Was it to demonstrate that persistent faith leads to answered prayer?

“Pray until the thing you pray for has actually been granted, or until you have the assurance in your heart that it will be...for prayer is not only a calling upon God, but also a conflict with Satan...God is using our intercession as a mighty factor of victory in that conflict.” (Streams in the Desert, by Cowman)

Through prayer, we fight alongside God to defeat evil. We may only be able to fight like children alongside our Father. Yet, our persistence and zeal inflame our Father’s passion. Thus, do not give up. Remain persistent. Pray until you sense either a spiritual or visual confirmation. 

Lord, grant us the strength, confidence, and persistence to intercede and fight alongside You until the battle is over and victory is certain.

Run from Evil

“Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.” (Romans 12:9 MSG)

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between Good and Evil.  

Las Vegas is an artificial city in the middle of a desert. It lures tourists from around the world with flashing lights, fake replicas of world wonders, and illusions of riches. Vegas markets itself as a place to have a ‘good’ time and a ‘family friendly’ vacation destination. It is also known as ‘Sin City’--thereby lulling tourists into thinking that sin is good. Beneath the opulent facades, the city is teeming with seediness, desperation, and loss. Most visitors eventually realize that the place is one big sham.

Evil works through deception. It falsifies evidence, distorts truth, and exploits our weaknesses. Like a fly fisherman, Evil creates customized lures to specifically entrap each of us. He baits us with pride, anger, lust, greed, gluttony, apathy, and envy. He hooks us with fear, anxiety, insecurity, addictions, impatience, entitlement, exhaustion, and self-justification.

Most of us sense that there is an ultimate truth based on goodness, although it is beyond our full understanding. Many of us can also sense when something is false, even when the signals are faint. It may be tempting to indulge our dishonorable nature, to ignore the subtle warnings, and to allow ourselves to be ensnared by evil. However, let us choose to run from evil and hold on for dear life to good.  

Lord, safeguard us against everything false. Grant us the discernment to recognize deception and stay away from it. Help us to cling to what is good and true.

Soul Poisoning

“Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.” (Romans 14:16 NIV)

The Apostle Paul warned us against creating barriers that promote disunity. Jesus constantly spoke against the Pharisees, who used religion as a front to further their own agenda. Even now, we who claim to be followers of Christ, often take what is good, compassionate, and charitable and present it as evil. Take for instance the immigration issue. Who among us would argue that Jesus would want to deport refugees, turn away our neighbors who are in need, and build a big wall to keep them out?

"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel." (Pope Francis)

We can either promote the gospel, or we can promote ourselves, but not both. When we wield religion as a weapon of condescension and criticism, we demean our faith. When we attempt to take what is good and twist it to create fear, division, and dissension--our souls are poisoned. 

Lord, help us to build bridges of faith instead of walls of dissension. May we be able to discern between good and evil and always pursue peace and unity with Christ.

Removing Sin

“We must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up.” (Hebrews 12:1 GWT)

Snow removal is a regular chore in the winter. Even though it is uncomfortable to be out in the cold, we take the time and effort to shovel the driveways and sidewalks. Once the snow is cleaned up, it’s easier to get our cars in and out of our garage. Clearing snow from the sidewalks and doorways allows access to our home. It also reduces the amount of snow that gets tracked indoors.

Sin removal is a lot like snow shoveling. It takes intentional discipline and work. Sin clings to us and we track the muck into our souls; thus, it has to be cleared from our pathways as well as our bodies. The more we let sin pile up, the more difficult it becomes to remove. We have to clear it over and over again, or else sin can block access to the Spirit.  

Lord, grant us the patience, faith, and strength to do our part in removing sin from our lives. May your Spirit come like the wind and sun, clearing away what we are unable to do on our own.

Purposeful Suffering

“Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Matthew 11:26 KJV)

When our son was a baby, we used to take him to a clinic to get his vaccines. Since I couldn’t bear to watch the baby suffer, my husband would volunteer to hold our son in his lap while the shots were administered by the nurse. Our son always looked up accusingly at his dad as he cried. Why are you allowing this to happen? Why are you trying to hold me still while I’m going through pain? As parents, we knew that the pain of immunization was a necessary part of immunizing our child against harmful diseases. But we couldn’t explain that to a baby.  

Most of the adversity we experience in this life may appear pointless. We wonder why God, our loving Father, would allow this to happen. We assume He is either uncaring or incapable. Jesus suffered for a purpose, although it may have seemed pointless at the time to observers. Similarly, we may feel that the afflictions we go through are useless, but they may be a necessary part of our growth. 

Lord, what seems like pointless suffering in our eyes has a purpose in your eyes; otherwise you wouldn’t allow it. Grant that we may trust you.

Almighty God

"We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign. (Revelations 11:17 NLT)

What do I do when I am overwhelmed by a situation where the need is more than I can handle?

I walk away.

Jesus feeds over 5000 people with a few fishes and loaves. (Matthew 14:15-21) The disciples were worried about the remote location, the late hour, the scarce resources, and the great need. They felt the most humane thing to do was to let the crowd go and take care of themselves. But Jesus asked them to bring him their limited resources. He blessed what they brought to him. Then, He asked them to distribute the broken pieces. And it was more than enough to satisfy the need.

If I had to feed 5000, and I had enough for 4500, I might pray about the rest--hoping God would make up the difference. Why do I think I have a God who can only be counted for 10%? Why can’t I trust that God can provide 99.9%? I wonder if it has something to do with what I’m willing to give? Perhaps I’m not ready to give up more than a 10% stake in my life?  

My desire for self-sufficiency compels me to depend on my limited capabilities instead of on God’s unlimited power. This is sin. I need to stop listening to my egocentric voice. I need to give of myself completely, trust absolutely, and obey faithfully. God Almighty is in control.

I shall not be anxious or worried, for YOU, Lord, are All-knowing and All-powerful. You are the Author and Finisher, the Beginning and the End. You will finish what You started in each of us. Thank You.

Spiritual Camp Out

“At once the Spirit brought him into the desert.” (Mark 1:12 GWT)

I’ve always wanted to camp out in a tent in some remote location--to retreat from worldly pursuits, get away from all my daily concerns, and spend time in contemplation. But, like most adults, I have responsibilities from which I cannot get away.

Jesus was led into the desert wilderness by the Holy Spirit. During the Lenten season, I imagine myself following Jesus into the desert and camping out with Him. This is my chance to retreat from busywork and worldly distractions so that I may focus on God. Yet, detaching is difficult. I am entrenched in my daily habits. Even slight changes in routine feel disruptive and disabling. The discomfort becomes a distraction. As soon as I attempt to discipline myself, temptations abound. I realize I am vulnerable in the wilderness, powerless against wild beasts, unable to take care of my needs. So I turn to the One who brought me. I ask Him to teach me what to do. I depend on Him. Our relationship grows stronger as I get to know Him and spend time with Him. 

Lord, help us to detach from our  worldly concerns and follow you into the desert wilderness. Teach us how to resist temptations, repent, and turn back to what is truly valuable--our relationship with YOU.

Good Gifts

“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”  (Matt 7:11 NLT)

Most of us parents want what is best for our children...as long as it fits our ideas of what is best. We may think we are selfless in our love, but in reality we prefer that our children make choices that are comfortable-- choices that do not cause us anxiety, trouble, or embarrassment.

The same holds true for all our loved ones. Through prayers and petitions, we ask for blessings for family members, friends, and acquaintances. We want the best outcome for everyone...as long as it does not require us to give up our own aspirations.

God gives good gifts to those who ask; He doesn’t hold back. God wants what is best. His love is pure, unconditional, and sacrificial. His intentions are for each of us to grow up to our full potential--fully developed and mature like Christ.

Lord, we are flawed and self-centered; You are NOT. Your love is pure and unconditional. You want what is best. We ask that you bless our children, our family, our friends, and all those we pray for. We thank you for all the good gifts that you provide. Teach us to remain content in Your care.

After Prayer

“My deliverance arrives on the run, my salvation right on time. I'll bring justice to the peoples. Even faraway islands will look to me and take hope in my saving power.” (Isaiah 51:5 MSG)

Step 1--Pray. Lay your concerns before God. Pour out your emotions, fears, pain. Seek comfort, strength, healing. Remind yourself of how God has worked thus far in your life. Thank Him. Praise Him. Ask for what your heart desires--ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Step 2--Trust. God is capable, dependable, and caring. Once you have handed over custody of your concerns to Him, rely on His strength and goodness. Have confidence in His power and love.

Step 3--Wait. Abide in God’s presence. Remain faithful and devoted, knowing He will come through. His methods and timing may be different from what you expect, but remain in rest and quiet anticipation. Put your hope in God.

Lord, teach us how to pray sincerely, trust confidently, and wait patiently.

Evil Within

“Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” (Romans 7:21 NIV)

Temptations are not always external. Often they are flare-ups of our innate human condition. We are all flawed and weak in one way or another. Trials and tribulations exacerbate the struggle between our yearning to do good and our desire to give in to our natural inclinations.

Excising internal evil is much more complicated than avoiding external evil. It requires precision surgery. We cannot remove this malignancy on our own. Only God can safely cut out this tumor. Ask Him for help. Surrender yourself. Trust in His care. 

Lord, heal me of my malignant nature. I submit to Your care. I trust in Your name, Your reputation. Take out anything that is harmful within me. Fill me with Your essence.