Wed 8 March to Wed 15 March
Today's Resources
The First Step
Take five deep breaths. Check-in with how you are feeling – in body, in mind, in spirit. Take five more deep breaths and ask God to abide with you in this moment.
The Second Step
Read this week’s hymn verse.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee
How does it describe what happened yesterday, and today?
Talk to God about this.
The Third Step
Day One
A reading from James 3 — When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire.
Make a (mental) note of five unhelpful things you’ve said recently. These might include times when you didn’t speak up and you could have done …
Day Two
From James 3 — With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
In what ways does the voice you use in your head say the same things as the voice you use to speak to other people?
Day Three
From James 3 — Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
How can you use your voice as a peacemaker today?
Day Four
Psalm 100 — Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Choose a song or hymn that makes you feel joyful and hum it all day today!
The Fourth Step
Read this week’s prayer. What stands out for you today?
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon Lord. And where there is doubt true faith in You. Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is despair in life let me bring hope. Where there is darkness only light. And where there’s sadness ever joy. Oh, Master grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love with all my soul.
The Fifth Step
Read the hymn verse again.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee
How does this describe what’s coming up the rest of today and tomorrow? Talk to God about this.