Pathways Press.com

MEDITATION:

Written by Jill Briscoe, a contemporary author, editor and speaker.

Our lives should offer relief from the heat and shelter from the storm to those who need it. People should take one look at our ever green lives and make a beeline for us. Our lives should be full of healing, relief, and balm. Are your leaves used for healing? You can be a tree of life for others. If I think about my life in recent days and years, I ask myself, “Have people beaten a path to my door because they know where help can be found?” I want to be a tree Like Jeremiah describes with its roots in the river, its leaves ever green, and fruit that never fails. When I heard about my father’s cancer, I knew the heat was on. Coming from a family with little evangelical background, I knew there would be lots of opportunities to offer my leaves for healing in the days to come. But this was my great test, too! This was my beloved father who was entering the valley of the shadow. I would be struggling with my own huge sense of loss. How could I help others when I needed such a lot of help myself? The answer was the river, the river of life. Life in the Spirit offered a source of life to me in the very face of death. My job would be to keep my roots in the river, my leaves full of sap, and stay ever green. It was a hard, hot, desert experience for me, but the Spirit of God was sufficient to supply all I needed, not only for myself, but also for others. God was indeed a life-giving spring. What can you do to help make a difference in the lives of your families, neighbors, or co-workers? How many times do we walk by someone’s troubles without even giving a thought to rolling up our sleeves and getting involved? When’s the last time you shed real tears for the people around you? We are to live a life of compassion and serve others. Love is a servant. Just look at Jesus!

PRAYER:

Written by Tia McCollors a contemporary Christian author.

Lord, help me to see when the enemy is trying to shroud my thoughts with darkness. Shine your light upon me and keep the flame for You burning in my heart. I’m thankful that Your light inside of me will shine brightly for others to see. Amen.