14th. January. 2021. Daily Devotion.
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
Growing in faith is, seen from one perspective, a constant movement towards what St Paul outlines here in these verses from Romans 12. We may never be perfect, but it makes God happy when we spend our lives moving closer and closer to him, making the things of this world ever less important in our lives and our relationship with Him more so.
The way to do this is clearly outlined. It begins in our minds as we adjust our thinking from worldly ways to spiritual ways. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:12-49) there is plenty of help and guidance as well as in the letters of Paul, Hebrews James Peter and Jude and other scriptures. What hinders us often is our unwillingness to study and engage with the idea that we are called to offer ourselves to God
Lord, today let me take one step away from belonging to this world, and one step closer to You. Amen.
To Turn My Eyes to Eternity
Gracious God, who has promised us an eternal life of peace and joy within your Kingdom, let me remember, today and always, how fleeting the problems and pleasures of this life are. The earth and its nations will pass away, soon enough. My bank account, my fame and prestige before others, my accomplishments and failures, even this body, will not belong to me one day.
You will wash away my sins. But every small thing I have done and given in love will be counted as if to Christ. What love I show, what sin I avoid or repent, will rest for all time in your heart; for you are pleased when we show your love and obey your will. Help me to lay up my treasure in heaven today and give me all confidence that the judgments of the world are fleeting emptiness while your judgments are eternal. Amen.
To Cast Off the World
Give me thy grace, good Lord:
To set the world at nought;
To set my mind fast upon thee,
And not to hang upon the blast of men’s mouths;
To be content to be solitary,
Not to long for the world’s company;
Little and little to utterly cast off the world,
And rid my mind of all the business thereof. Amen. Thomas More, while awaiting his execution, 1535.
A Prayer for tired and stressed workers in medical services
For Those in Medical Services Merciful God, your healing power is everywhere about us. Strengthen those who work among the sick; give them courage and confidence in everything they do. Encourage them when their efforts seem futile or when death prevails. Increase their trust in your power even to overcome death and pain and crying. Renew their strength and protect their health. May they be thankful for every sign of health you give, and humble before the mystery of your healing grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
