Daily Office - Slow to Speak

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)

2) Scripture Reading—James 1:19-27

3) Devotional
Robert Frost once said, “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”  At some point this week you will probably be in situations with people that will make you angry, make you upset and you’ll want to lose your temper, get angry, get loud and get your way.  I know this will happen to me.  Yet when we are able to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, we have the great ability to not “win” arguments, but influence co-workers, family members and friends to move closer toward embracing spiritual direction, healthier habits, and wiser ways.  Imagine what it would look like if you changed the perception of Christians in your work place.

4) Question to Consider
What would it look like for you today to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and even slower to anger?

5) Prayer
LORD, you know what I struggle with when I lose control of my thoughts and my tongue or try to spin the truth in my favor.  Father, transform my ways of relating to others.  May I speak the truth in patience, humility, great love and tenderness.  And may you be honored and glorified in my relationships.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)

Daily Office - Friendship Strengthens Your Hand

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)

2) Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 23:15-18
David was in the Wilderness of Ziph at Horesh when he learned that Saul had come out to seek his life. Saul's son Jonathan set out and came to David at Horesh; there he strengthened his hand through the LORD. He said to him, "Do not be afraid; for the hand of my father Saul shall not find you; you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be second to you; my father Saul also knows that this is so." Then the two of them made a covenant before the LORD; David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. 

3) Devotional
No one succeeds alone- not even the one God called “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22), and “the apple of my eye” (Ps. 17:8). Yes, even David needed his Jonathan.

In the dark days when he scrambled from cave to cave to escape the murderous threats of King Saul, David turned to his friend, Jonathan, for strength and encouragement. At great risk to himself, Jonathan warned David and told him to hide out for a time (I Sam 19:2). Jonathan, hoping to pacify his father and reconcile the king to his friend, spoke well of David. And for a short while Saul relented, promising that David would not die by his hand.

Soon the old animosities reasserted themselves, however, and Jonathan once again risked his life to help his dear friend (20:30-32). Even though he knew that God had chosen David-and not him- to rule Israel, Jonathan remained faithful to his comrade until the very end of his life. One verse in particular describes Jonathan’s invaluable ministry to David: “Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God” (23:16)

4) Questions to Consider
Do you have someone who “strengthens your hand in God”?

I long for every person at Stonecrest to have a good friend or two within the church family, with whom they can loyally and faithfully and consistently strengthen one another’s hand in the things of God.

5) Prayer
Lord God, I realize that life is not a journey I am to walk through alone. Please help me to make the adjustments necessary in my life to make time for deep friendship and also soften my heart to allow others in to my life and my hurts, so that through them I might help them in theirs. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)