Monday, November 13, 2017 The Acts of Submission Part 7 – Submission to Our World (the Environment, the Global Community): The Discipline of Submission, Part 11 of 12 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Monday, November 13, 2017

The Acts of Submission Part 7 – Submission to Our World (the Environment, the Global Community): The Discipline of Submission, Part 11 of 12 (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Scripture:

Numbers 35:33-34

You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Proverbs 12:10

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

Revelation 11:18

The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.

Proverbs 27:18

Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.

Psalm 24:1

A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27

That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Devotional:

For the beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the sky….

The old Quaker hymn is one of my favorites since I heard my sister’s high school choir sing it when I was young. Today’s study on the discipline of submission brings us to the reminder that we are stewards of our earth. We are called to love, cherish and preserve God’s beautiful creation. Additionally, we are called to recognize the need to share the resources of this beautiful planet with the entire global community. Our choice to live responsibly and walk gently on this earth as well as be honest about the needs of others is an act of submission that also has the beautiful outcome of creating a deeper space of selflessness.

I know it can be challenging. I am passionate about this amazing creation, but there are times I feel fairly powerless to make any difference. Just let the Lord show you in your real world and real life what you can do to make small changes, if needed, and how perhaps a new level of sharing resources or refraining from consuming too many resources might be your contribution. In our home, for example, we make an effort on a few lines. First, we are conscientious about our recyclable materials, and go above and beyond to ensure we do not throw away anything that might be recycled. An area of growth would be for us to even further decrease the number of disposable plastics we use. An area of strength is that a portion of our budget is allocated to touch others in need across the global community. An area of growth might be for us to find a way to increase our financial giving, and also as our children are growing to take part in getting our hands dirty to serve others in need of resources.

Whatever we do, God loves a cheerful giver. I pray that our hearts would be encouraged to good works today as we praise God for His abundant and beautiful creation!

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:

God, I give You glory for this beautiful earth. This creation is Yours, and is an outworking of Your majesty and splendor. I consider a sunrise, and the glory of Your Presence is matchless compared with the sweeping beauty the sunrise gives. You are awesome, Lord. You are full of wonder.

(Take time to thank God for everything you can think of. God, I thank You that I have breath. I have a home for shelter, and a family to love and care for. I am clothed, and I have clean, running water. I have the privilege of a hot bath or shower each day. I thank You that You have gifted me and made me special and on purpose. I thank You for the food You provide my family. I thank You that my children are not growing up in lack. I thank You for the Body of Christ that You have established for our community. I thank You for my family, and the many members of my extended family that serve You. I thank You for this day. I will rejoice, and be glad in it!)

Confession:

I open my heart to You today and refuse to hold on to anything that might hinder my closeness to You, Lord. Examine me. Remove faults and defects of character. (Take time to confess and release sin, challenges, wrong attitudes. Mine today: I still see that I have certain wrong attitudes toward my husband at times. I get annoyed about things that are selfish and self serving. Change my heart, O God, to be that of a servant so that I can be free and he can know he is precious and loved.)

Supplication:

I thank You that You care about the things that concern me, Lord. I am needy, and I thank You that I can need You without fearing criticism or being told to “toughen up.” (Take time to lift needs to the Lord. Mine today: I have some needs surrounding my small business. I need favor, and I would like some circumstances to change. Please direct me, and help me to use my time well. Open closed doors. Help me to do well.)

Intercession:

I lift my children to You today. You are the Faithful God, and You have given these children to me to raise and to love. I pray that You will cover them today with Your mercy and grace. I thank You that when you look at my children, you do not see a collection of problems, but you see Your own creation. You are proud of what You have made. Help me to see them through Your eyes. Help me to bless them and not to curse them. (Spend time journaling and lifting needs, concerns, progress and victories. Chloe today: Thank You that she is a blessing to all she encounters. Please help her in the areas of listening, focus, gentleness, and impulsivity. For Christian today: Thank You that he made some significant progress this week in bathrooming. Also, thank You that he is not aggressive, but is gentle. I thank You that he is warm and fun and innocent and funny. I pray that he would continue to learn to initiate going to the bathroom and that he would be out of pull-ups soon. I also pray that he will learn to stay in boundaries. I pray against any future aggression. I pray against willful disobedience and break it from him in the name of Jesus. I continue to pray for Your healing touch on his mind and body.)

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

Lord, You are worthy of honor and praise.  I lift my family to Your throne and lay our lives at Your feet. You are worthy of praise. Thank You for spending this time with me today. I am honored to be Your daughter. You are worthy! You are glorious! You are matchless! In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen

Blessing and Benediction:

Eph. 6:23-24 

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace be with all of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.