Sep 30, 2018

This is a continuation of episode 38. Feel free to listen to that one first then this one if you want continuity.

Bible verse for meditation:

1 Corinthians 13:3-7

NIV
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.


KJV
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.



What does this scripture mean to you?
Has it had a different effect this reading as compared to times past?
How does this scripture make you feel?

Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.

Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:

1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most profound scriptures on love. In Episode 38 I covered the first three verses. We can’t be what we truly are meant to be if we don’t have love in our hearts. Love is the center of the two greatest commandments: loving God and loving each other.

This scripture points out some important aspects of how to love and things that get in the of our love.

It is easy to see the the connection between kindness and love. If we can learn to be kind with a heart open to love this is an important step in learning to love more deeply.

As we love and attempt to love we inevitably experience difficulties and challenges. If we express patience we can overcome ourselves to draw near to each other and God.

Pride and envy can turn our hearts away from even the desire to love. As we let go of these feelings we are more able to love.

A concept that is falling out of fashion in today’s world is honor. With a Godly focus honor is a powerful aspect of a Christian walk. We can honor each other and those we love by being loyal and faithful to them. A Christian life is an honorable one. We can honor each other as children of God. Even as we feel wronged, we feel anger at real and perceived disrespect. And we don’t keep track of the faults of others.

Above all our hearts rejoice in truth and reject evil.

Rejoices in truth

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.
Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:
I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.

Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:

Sue donated on Patreon and selected the scripture. Thanks Sue!

Final Question: What principles do you hold to on the sabbath?

Final thought - As we spend time with God’s spirit we feel his calm and peace. This is even more possible when we spend time to reflect on His word and dedicate time to Him. In this framework we can see the sabbath as the greatest gift of God. If we dedicate this day to worship and peace, it can help us draw nearer to him. Over the next couple days perhaps you can consider how you can better harness the sabbath in your worship to help you draw nearer to God. Consider things like avoiding unnecessary work, or causing others to work unnecessarily. Ultimately though, God loves us. He created the sabbath for us and not the other way around. We can be thoughtful on how best to benefit from this gift, by drawing nearer to Him. I know that as we do this we can be more sensitive to His spirit.

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