Spiritual Direction nyc

March 12, 2018

Lent Day 27: Becoming Children of the Light

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Find a place and a time to be alone with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of Jesus’ light in your life and to help you listen to the Father’s voice.

READ

John 12:12-50

REFLECT AND PRAY

Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light” (v. 35-6).

1) Where in your life are you experiencing Jesus’ light? What or who is bringing you joy, peace, hope, faith, or love?

2) Where might you be walking in darkness – fear, confusion, sin, doubt? Where do you need Jesus to shine his light on your thoughts, emotions, words, or actions?

OBEY

“I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say” (v. 47-50).

Jesus obeyed by saying whatever the Father told him to say. Ask God if there are any words he would like you to say and to whom you should say them. Perhaps God is calling you to have a conversation with someone close to you, or perhaps he is calling you to tell someone about Jesus. Perhaps they will be easy words to say, or perhaps they will be difficult. Whatever God is asking you to say, pray that he will give you the opportunity to speak and the faith and courage to obey.

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

March 10, 2018

Lent Day 25: The Blessings of the Week

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Today is a day to review your journey with Jesus over the past week. Ask Jesus to be with you as you do so. Let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts, emotions, and memories.

OPTION 1

Look over the week’s devotionals and/or your journal entries (Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24). What stands out to you? How has Jesus been present to you this week? Where do you sense Jesus inviting your attention so that you may go deeper with him?

OPTION 2

If looking over the entire week feels too overwhelming, reflect on one or more of these themes from the week’s devotionals:

1) What does it mean to you that Jesus is your Shepherd? How do you need him to guide and speak to you in this coming week?

2) How have you loved, befriended, and honored Jesus through your thoughts, words, and deeds this week? How do you sense Jesus responding to you?

3) Lazarus’ resurrection helps us look forward to Jesus’ resurrection at Easter and to the new life he gives freely to all. As you look at your own life, the lives of those you love, your faith community, nature, and the wider world, what signs of new life do you see? Spend some time rejoicing in these signs of hope and promise.

OBEY
Take a moment to bask in the gifts that God has brought you this week. Tell Jesus your hopes and dreams for the week to come.

March 9, 2018

Lent Day 24: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus – Three Ways of Loving Jesus

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Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 11:45-John 12:11

REFLECT AND PRAY

At the dinner at Bethany, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus all show different ways of loving and being with Jesus. Lazarus is there as Jesus’ companion, sharing in the meal and conversation. Martha serves the food. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her own hair.

1) Who do you most identify with, Mary, Martha, or Lazarus? Why?

2) What is your unique way of loving and being with Jesus? Are there any specific ways you wish you could deepen your relationship with him?

OBEY

Consider stepping out of your comfort zone this week. If you’re a “Martha” who typically serves by taking care of the practical details, try a “Mary” activity like simply sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39) or showing him your adoration through a bodily expression like kneeling in prayer or through dance, gesture, or song. Or, if you’re comfortable with Mary’s contemplative way of being with Jesus, but you have trouble thinking of Jesus as a friend, imagine yourself sharing conversation and a meal with him, as Lazarus did. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, practice relating to Jesus in a new way.

March 8, 2018

Lent Day 23: “Mourning to Dancing”

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Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 11:1-44

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) Jesus weeps at Lazarus’ tomb but he also experiences deep anger (v. 33, 38). Based on the passage, why do you think he feels such anger? Who or what is his anger directed at? How do the emotions Jesus shows here fit with – or challenge – your image of who Jesus is?

2) What are some things about this world now that make you angry or sorrowful? How does Jesus feel about those things? How does he feel about your anger and sorrow?

OBEY

Now that you have identified something that is troubling you about the world today – something that is not as Jesus intended it to be – how are you called to change it? Ask Jesus to show you one thing you can to do help make things right in the world, to help turn someone’s mourning to dancing, sorrow to joy (Psalm 30:11-12).

March 6, 2018

Lent Day 21: The Sheep of His Pasture

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Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 10:1-21

REFLECT AND PRAY

The Confidence and Assurance of Jesus Christ

Jesus claims to be a good shepherd that stands to protect and provide for his sheep. In this passage, the sheep represent his people (his Church). The relationship between Jesus and his church is represented by the dependence of the sheep on the good shepherd.

1) According to the passage, why is it so important for the sheep to be able to recognize the good shepherd in the field?

2) Why is so important for God’s people be able to recognize Jesus (the Word of God) every day in the world? How has this been important in your own life?

OBEY

In what ways might you strengthen your comprehension and reception of God’s voice every day? Ask God to reveal to you one or two ways you can position yourself to obey God’s voice daily.

Guest Writer: Marcus Samerson

March 3, 2018

Lent Day 18: Review

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Today is a day to review your journey with Jesus over the past week. Ask Jesus to be with you as you do so. Let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts, emotions, and memories.

OPTION 1

Look over the week’s devotionals and/or your journal entries (Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17). What stands out to you? How has Jesus been present to you this week? Where do you sense Jesus inviting your attention so that you may go deeper with him?

OPTION 2

If looking over the entire week feels too overwhelming, reflect on one or more of these themes from the week’s devotionals:

1) Jesus gives abundantly to those he loves. What has been your greatest need or desire this week? How has your conversation with Jesus about this gone?

2) Jesus asks only for our belief. In what ways, big or small, have you given him your belief this week? Is there anything holding you back from offering Jesus the gift of yourself?

3) When Jesus brings his truth, we are set free. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to light some of the lies you have believed about yourself or about God. Ask Jesus to replace those lies with his truth and freedom.

OBEY
Take a moment to bask in the incredible love that Jesus has for you. Ask him to give you the ability to choose him freely and completely in response to his love.

March 1, 2018

Lent Day 16: “Go and Sin No More”

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Find a place where you be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time of prayer so you may hear Jesus’ call.

READ

John 8:1-30

REFLECT AND PRAY

You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one (v. 15).

1) If Jesus had passed judgment on the Pharisees, what would have been the consequence for them? What would it be for you now? In light of this statement, who is Jesus to you?

2) “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (v. 4-5).

Actually, Leviticus 20:10 says, “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife – with the wife of his neighbor – both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” Why do you think only the woman is condemned in this account? What might this reveal about Jesus’ justice versus justice administered by people?

OBEY

Jesus spares the woman from being stoned, then fellows with the words “sin no more.” Jesus tells us the same thing each time we are spared from punishment for our wrongdoing. Is there any area of your life in which you are experiencing Jesus’ mercy and hearing his call to “sin no more?” How can you respond in obedience?

Guest writer: Mimi Otani

February 28, 2018

Lent Day 15: There are No Limits on His Love

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Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand Jesus’ boundless love for you.

READ

John 7

REFLECT AND PRAY

In verse 51, Nicodemus asks, “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?

The Pharisees respond, “Are you from Galilee too? Search the scriptures and see for yourself no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”

The Pharisees have studied the law and are staunch about keeping it. They are no strangers to the supernatural events that fill Jewish history: the flood, the opening of the Red Sea, and the battle where the Sun stood still until the conflict was won. Each event was attributed to a mighty, all-powerful God. The same God raised Prophets to communicate with the Jewish nation, calling them to deliver Gods warning, judgments, and love. And yet here are the Pharisees, believing that raising a prophet from Galilee is something God cannot do.

Through Jesus, we have access to an almighty, all-powerful, compassionate and loving God, one who relentlessly loves and seeks us. How has God acted in your life recently? Do you hold any preconceived ideas about God’s limits that might be limiting his power in your life?

OBEY

Ask God to show you someone you can encourage today. Remind them that God has already given us his son to show us his heart for us. There are no limits on his love.

Guest writer: Mercy Perez

February 27, 2018

Lent Day 14: “Only Believe in the One He has Sent”

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Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you receptive to hearing Jesus’ words for you.

READ

John 6:22-71

REFLECT AND PRAY

Jesus says, “Don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you” (v. 28). What worries do you have right now? What does Jesus say to you about them?

Obey

Jesus repeatedly tells his listeners that the only thing God asks of them is belief in him. Once you give Jesus your trust, everything else you do or say or choose will flow from your relationship with him.

In your own words, tell Jesus that you believe he is the bread of life, come from the Father. Thank him for his gift of eternal life. Ask him to free you from any worries about “perishable things” that so that you can focus on him.

February 26, 2018

Lent Day 13: Called to Greater Things

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Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you receptive to hearing Jesus’ words for you.

READ

John 6:1-21

REFLECT AND PRAY

At the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), Jesus didn’t just turn water into wine – he turned it into the best-tasting wine at the party. When he feeds the 5,000 men (in addition to the women and children), he provides enough food for everyone to eat “as much as they want,” and there are still twelve baskets of food left over. He gives generously, beyond expectations.

1) How have you experienced God’s great generosity? How might God be calling you to show generosity to others?

OBEY

Jesus doesn’t do things halfway. Perhaps he is also inviting you to “go big” – to do or be something greater than you could ask for or imagine. Spend some time asking him what that something greater might be.