Tag Archives: gifts

Devotional

Year of our Lord, 2015

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Question for reflection:
To “finish well” implies a conscious decision to use the resources of our lives by offering the very best gifts and talents to glorify God in ministry and service to all people. What can you offer in the New Year that is the very best of who you are for God’s glory? Imagine how your life might add to the “Life-Light” of Christ. If there is a season for everything, what would keep you from sharing your best efforts for achieving Christ’s peace right here and now?


Prayer for the day:
God,
We stand at life’s window, pondering last year’s events. We are grateful for each breath; for each loved one near and far; and for your son, the Savior. We also wonder what else could have been done to bring about different outcomes for people enduring the troubled and violent situations here and around the world. Open our eyes and hearts God. We seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, so that we might be empowered to consistently offer the best our lives have to offer in ministry and service to all humankind and creation.
AMEN

~ Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Sandy Bosserman, a former district executive and an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Sandy’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Prayer in a mixed-up world

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LENT_real_rest_FRONTPAGE
Matthew 11:25-27

Prayer for the day:
Lord of every gift, we often fail to see that what we possess is truly a gift from you, gifts that grow when we loosen our own grip. We are formed by the news and the markets to think our gifts are to be investments and not offered in the same way we received them from you. Help us, O Lord, in this season of Lent, to hold our possessions a bit more loosely, that we might find life and true joy in the sharing of the grace we have been given. May we act differently in this mixed-up world where vice has become virtue. Amen.

Question for reflection:
What is your prayer as you offer gifts from your abundance?

~ Josh Brockway, Director for Spiritual Life and Discipleship

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lenten Devotional written by Duane Grady, pastor of Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Duane’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Authentic worship (2)

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 2:7-11

Prayer for the day:
Accompanying, wise God, prepare me for the journey that the days, weeks, and months ahead will bring. Please use the gifts and talents that You have given me to serve and bless others in the upcoming year.


Question for reflection:
The transition from the old year to the new year is a time for reflection on our life’s journey. Considering 2013, which of your gifts and talents did you offer to God, your community, and the wider world? As you look ahead to 2014 and prepare for a new leg in the journey, what do you want to bring along with you? Are there skills or gifts that you are feeling a need to develop or focus on in the new year?

~ Gimbiya Kettering,  Intercultural Ministries Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Devotional

Authentic worship (1)

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2013 Advent good_news_hi_res  Matthew 2:7-11

Prayer for the day:
Thank you, God, for all we have and all we are. May we be fully attuned to you, responding in faithfulness to your reconciling love. Amen.


Question for reflection:
What gifts have you offered to Jesus in response to his presence in your life?

~ Stan Dueck, Director for Transforming Practices

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Advent Devotional written by Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Tim’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.