WATCHWORD:
17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. James 1:17-18
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Philippians 4:19-20
Meditation:
Ten Blessed and Random Thoughts
Meditate on these thoughts, adopted from Blessings That Make Us Be by Susan Annette Muto:
- Man is virtuous when he finds happiness in a virtuous life, sinful when he takes pleasure in a sinful life.
- The things we love tell us what we are.
- Humility is a virtue, not a neurosis.
- Humility is the opposite of arrogance.
- To live in meekness, we must try to remember that all we are, have, and can do is the gift.
- A barrier to meekness arises when we claim as our own what is really a gift of God.
- When we only see what is wrong and never affirm the good and right, we run smack into the mountain that blocks us from meekness.
- Without meekness, we miss the spirit of lightheartedness that signifies union with God. Without that union, we are killjoys.
- Without joy we could never experience carefree playing. If we do not know how to play, we may not know how to pray.
- Thomas a’ Kempis, in his book, The imitation of Christ, makes the observation that a man is good when his will takes joy in what is good, and is evil when his will takes joy in what is evil.
Ponder this additional thought: Maybe it is the innocence of childhood that heightens the joy of carefree playtime. In our “maturity” have we traded our joy for a false sense of “acting like an adult”. Where does that leave us with the joy-filled playtime of loving relationships?
God has gifted us with the ability to think and to consider carefully each of these statements. As we dig deeper into each one, we find a timeless truth that applies to each of us. Sometimes the truth is barely noticeable. Sometimes it is seen by those that love us. All of the time the truth is present in each of the Ten, known only to God. Amen.
7 Blessings From God You Might Take For Granted:
His love.
The gift of life.
Forgiveness of sins.
The Holy Spirit.
Spiritual understanding.
Spiritual gifts.
We are called to be Ambassadors of God.
Praying a Blessing Based on Numbers 6:
Heavenly Father, we pray that You would bless us
and protect us.
That You would smile on us
and be gracious to us.
That You would show us Your favor
and give us Your peace.’ Amen.
