Aug 5, 2018
Bible verse for meditation:
1 Corinthians 15:9-11
KJV9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be
called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10 But by
the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed
upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they
all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.11 Therefore
whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye
believed. NABRE9 For I am the least of the apostles, not
fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of
God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace
to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than
all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God [that is] with
me. 11 Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so
you believed.
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:
This scripture is made more interested considering that the most
prolific human writer for the New Testament was Paul, yet here he
called himself the least of the apostles and not even fit to be
called apostles. This is not because he doesn’t believe in his own
call. When Paul contends with other people who claim to be apostles
without having been called, he declares his call and defends it.
The sentiment he expresses here is something I think we all feel at
times. He is expressing his awareness of his own human failings
while also recognizing the power of God.
As I have mentioned before I am a hospital chaplain. Part of my
work involves visiting people in the hospital during the last
moments of life. This week I visited a woman who was dying and had
no visible consciousness. Her large catholic family was silently
gathered around the bed. Their grieving was complicated by the fact
that this woman was relatively young but she was dying because of
complications from a life of drug abuse. I stood by her bedside
gently stroking her arm and consoling the family regarding God’s
sovereignty and that we can never know the hearts of others
regarding their faith.
As I looked down on her to pray. I saw her shaved head from where
they had attempted life saving surgery that did not work and saw
her face shrouded in the veil of death. This common thought
returned: that could easily have been me in that bed. I haven’t
used drugs but none of us are impenetrable from the effects of sin.
I could have made other choices in my life. By the grace of God I
am what I am. And now I hope that her life blesses you with this
insight and by the grace of God she is what she is.
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:Implement the
kind of change you want to see in your life. Length,
Intensity, Modality, Freshness, Conclusion:2 People who have
dedicated artistic talent to help move the podcast along.
Schedule Christianmeditationpodcast.com/contact
Patreon.com/Christianmeditationpodcast
Final Question: What could you do in your life to search for God
with all your heart.
Final thought -The doors of life swing on small hinges. Not only
have choices in your life brought you to where you are, more
importantly the choices you make today tomorrow and the next day
will greatly influence your tomorrow. As we yield to God through
faith He can make far more of our lives than we can. This day
resolve to allow God to change your life. It may require large
decisions or many small ones but I know that if we follow him and
allow him to Guide us we will see him work miracles in our
lives.
FIND ME
ON:iTunesFacebookChristianMeditationPodcast.comYoutubeTwitterPintrist
