Meditation—by Ivor and Anne-Marie Botha
May 21, 2023
Sermon summary:
Meditation is mentioned 58 times in the Bible. Psalm 19:14 How is your meditation—is it pleasing in the sight of the Lord?
Do you have time for God and make space for him in your life by stopping, listening, and looking for him?
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. Take time from your busy schedule; stop the noise, and focus on God. Get away to a place where it is quiet and still. Set your mind on things above. What is consuming your mind? Focus on the spiritual rather than the negative. Be receptive to God's prompting.
Watch the full service here (the lesson starts at 33 mins)
The Holy Spirit gives guidance and direction in our missionary work. Are we doing the work the Spirit has set aside for each one of us to do? He knows the time, place and person to reach out to. Are we listening and obeying when he nudges us? The Holy Spirit forms Christ in all of us and it's a lifetime journey. Seek to be filled. Listen to his voice. Step out boldly.
Giving is an act of trust. It is also not an obligation but an act of worship. Give from the heart, not as a duty, but as a way to express gratitude. Giving is about unity in the church, it is motivated by grace, not guilt, and a spiritual act of joyful worship. Jesus demonstrated sacrificial giving through his actions, leaving us an example to follow.
To embrace Jesus's mission, I must first clothe myself with Jesus and have his character formed in me. He must become greater, I must become less. Then I"ll be able to do as Jesus did.
God's grace is with me. We need each other. Grace is a gift.