Spiritual Direction nyc

February 20, 2018

Lent Day 7: “He Must Become Greater”

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PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time.

READ

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) In verses 25-30, John the Baptist deescalates a debate by pointing to Jesus. John recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah and that Jesus must increase and he, John, must decrease. Ask God what areas of your life you still need to give up to Him. In your prayer time today, ask Him how you can become less and He can become greater in your life.

2) In verses 31-36, John the Evangelist reminds us that Jesus is God and was sent by the Father. All we need to do to receive eternal life is to believe in Jesus. Have you truly believed in Him? Give Him thanks because our redemption, other than in our acceptance of His mercy and grace and His perfect sacrifice on the cross, does not depend on us but on Him and His love for us.

OBEY

Rest in Jesus. Let go of control of every aspect of your life: your relationships, your job, your finances, your ministry. Ask Jesus to come into those areas in which you still have to trust Him. Ask Him to increase as you decrease and relinquish control.

Guest Writer: Abraham Aldama

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

February 19, 2018

Lent Day 6: His Light Illuminates the World

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PREPARE

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time.

READ

John 3:1-21

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) In verses 1-15, imagine yourself sitting and observing Jesus speaking to Nicodemus about spirit and being born again. What images or phrases hold your attention? Do you have any questions for Jesus, as Nicodemus did, about what it means to be born again?

2) We often focus solely on John 3:16, learning about eternal life but losing sight of what is said right after in verse 17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” God loves us so much that not only did he give his Son but he did it in a spirit of wanting to save us, not condemn us. Are there any ways in which you feel condemned and would like to trade that for a feeling of being saved?

OBEY

In verses 16-21, Jesus speaks about how his light illuminates the world but many hide from it for fear of being exposed. Prayerfully examine if there are any areas of your life that you would like to invite Jesus to illuminate today.

Guest Writer: Erin Brehm

February 18, 2018

Lent Day 5: Water to Wine

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Each Sunday in Lent will focus on one of Jesus’ miraculous signs in the Gospel of John.

PREPARE

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time. Before you read, meditate on John’s words about his Gospel:

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name – John 20:31.

READ

John 2:1-11

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) By his actions, Jesus reveals himself as abundantly loving, generous, compassionate, humble, and kind. Are there any other characteristics of Jesus that stand out to you from this story? Which do you find the most meaningful and why?

2) In turning water to wine at a wedding party, Jesus foreshadows the magnificent feast that will take place when the church is united with Christ as his bride (Revelation 19:6-9). But Jesus also foreshadows the suffering he will endure on the cross in order to bring about this final, joyous union. In what ways have you experienced a taste of Jesus’ wedding feast and/or miraculous provision? In what ways have you experienced his suffering?

OBEY

As you read and reflect, how do you sense Jesus speaking to you? Are there any ways he invites you to share in his suffering this week? In his joy?

You are also invited to hear a sermon on this passage. It will be streamed on the Vineyard One NYC Facebook page beginning at 10:30 am Eastern Standard Time. (Previous sermon audio files are available at vineyardone.nyc.)

February 17, 2018

Lent Day 4: The Blessings of the Week

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PREPARE

This is a day to review the graces, or gifts and blessings, of the week. Find a place where you can welcome God’s presence, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you think back over the previous week. What relationships, events, or things have you been grateful for? How has Jesus been present to you in your daily life?

REVIEW OPTION 1

Review one or more Bible passages and devotionals from the previous days (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3). Is there anything in particular that stands out to you? What has Jesus been saying to you so far in the Lent Season?

REVIEW OPTION 2

If you need something simpler, you may choose to meditate and pray on one or more of these questions from the week:

How can you “clear the way” for Jesus’ coming? What actions might you take in order to prepare someone know and serve Jesus?
Jesus calls each one of us to “come” and follow, to know him more and to be more deeply in love with him. Where do you sense this invitation in your life?
Are there any specific ways in which Jesus is asking for your obedience?

PRAY

Based on how you have heard Jesus speak to you, respond with a prayer of commitment, repentance, or petition, or however you feel led.

Close with a prayer of gratitude.

February 16, 2018

Lent Day 3: “Do What He Tells You To Do”

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PREPARE

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time. Read the assigned passage, then proceed through the “Reflect and Pray” and “Obey” sections.

READ

John 2

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) Verses 13-16 tell us that the temple is a dwelling place for God. What is the temple used for in this story? What is it supposed to be like?

2) “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days’” (v. 19).

What does “this temple” mean to Jesus and to you? Now that Jesus is risen and has left his Holy Spirit with us, the believer’s body is also a temple. Knowing this, how do you feel about your body? How should you treat it?

OBEY

Mary: They have no more wine.

Jesus: Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come.

Mary (to the servants): Do whatever he tells you to do.

In this dialogue, it seems like Jesus is refusing Mary’s request. His response is not very encouraging. We all have faced circumstances where the outcome seems uncertain. Mary’s response is something to which we all can aspire: obedience and trust in Jesus to handle the situation with his wisdom.

Are you facing a discouraging situation? Ask Jesus how he wants to handle the situation. Do whatever he tells you to do.

Guest Writer: Mimi Otani, crazy4jazz

February 15, 2018

Lent Day 2: Jesus Calls You to “Come”

PREPARE

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time. Read the assigned passage, then proceed through the “Reflect and Pray” and “Obey” sections.

READ

John 1:35-51

REFLECT AND PRAY

The arrival of Jesus stands out to in this passage. He comes on the scene without advertising or fanfare. God, Jesus’ father, gave witness of him by descending the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove to reveal his identity. Two of John’s disciples heard John the Baptist declare, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” Without hesitation, they followed Jesus. They were ready and had been waiting to receive and follow the Messiah. This portion of scripture invites us not to fear or hesitate in continuing to welcome Jesus into our daily life and activities and to follow the leading of the disciples as they heeded the word “Come.”

1) In what ways are you invited to welcome Jesus into your daily life?

2) Jesus also calls you to “Come.” Is there anything in your life he is asking you to leave behind for his sake? (Keep in mind sometimes the things that hold us back can be very good things in and of themselves. John’s disciples left behind John in order to follow Jesus; they left something good and true because something better had been revealed to them. In the same way, Jesus might be inviting you to move away from something good because he has a better, deeper calling in mind. Ask him for wisdom and discernment to hear the specifics of his call.)

OBEY

Give thanks that the Holy Spirit has revealed Jesus to you. Thank Jesus for inviting you to follow, and choose to answer his call to “Come.” Let him bring his life, hope, and healing into your everyday life and activities.

Guest writer: Mercy Perez

February 14, 2018

Lent Day 1: “Clear the Way for His Coming”

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PREPARE

On this Ash Wednesday, welcome God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your devotional time.

READ

John 1: 1-34

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) From verses 1-18, what phrase or image about Jesus stands out to you? Why do you think it speaks to you at this moment of your life?

2) John refers to Jesus as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world . . . the Messiah . . . the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit . . . the Chosen One of God” (v. 29, 33, 34). Which of these names for Jesus means the most to you right now. Why? Tell Jesus who he is to you right now, giving him thanks.

OBEY

John says that he is someone who “clears the way for the Lord’s coming” (v. 23). How do you think you are called to prepare others to know and serve Jesus? Ask Jesus to show you one concrete step you can take that will help “clear the way” for the Lord’s coming.

August 29, 2017

Rescued From Death

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Summer in the Psalms is a sermon and written reflection series based on the weekly Psalm and associated readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Guest Writer: Mimi Otani @ crazy4jazz.com

Read

Exodus 1:8-2:10

Reflect

Women played significant roles in the birth and growth of Moses. Were it not for the courage and compassion of these women, the story of Exodus would not be. First, the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: they feared God and disobeyed Pharaoh’s decree to kill the newborn Israelite boys. The Lord later rewarded them with their own families. Second, Moses’ mother: she also defied Pharaoh’s order. Not only did she save Moses’ life, she also had the consolation of being able to care for him until he was weaned. Third, Moses’ sister, Miriam: she watched over Moses from afar and arranged to have him nursed by his own mother. Last but not least, Pharaoh’s daughter: she, too, defied her own father’s order. She knew Moses was an Israelite baby, but she still saved him and adopted him as her son.

Pharaoh thought he could eliminate his enemies by targeting their sons. But God thwarted his plan through the fidelity, courage, and intelligence of women.

Respond

Psalm 124 is a song about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, but it also refers to Moses. He could have drowned as an infant in the Nile, but instead, he was drawn out of the water as one comes out of baptism. In baptism, we symbolically die to our old selves and are reborn as new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). When Christ rescues us from sin and death, it is as though “we have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!” (Psalm 124:7 ). With each new day, God gives us life and freedom.

Thank God for the new life and freedom you have in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one or two ways you can follow the example of the women in this story. Even though they were under Pharoah’s rule, they lived as though they were free; they chose to follow God and his promptings regardless of what Pharoah did or what risks they faced.

How can you live today in the freedom Christ has given you, regardless of your external circumstances?

August 22, 2017

Love That Goes Beyond Justice

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Summer in the Psalms is a sermon and written reflection series from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Read

Psalm 67

Genesis 45:1-15

Reflect

Psalm 67 tells us that one of God’s central concerns is justice is for the whole earth. In the New Testament, Jesus’ ministry and life demonstrate that love goes further than justice, bringing reconciliation and restoration to those are far from God or in conflict with each other.

In Genesis 45:1-15, Joseph is finally reconciled to the brothers that sold him into slavery. He spent years as a slave, then in prison, before God brought him to a position of power in Egypt and used him to prepare Egypt and the surrounding countries for many years of famine.

When Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, it’s a tense and dramatic scene. Joseph cries copiously on all his brothers. The story doesn’t tell us what his brothers did, but they probably felt a combination of shock, horror, shame, relief that Joseph was alive after all these years, and abject fear at how he might take his revenge.

How does this story illustrate God’s love that goes beyond justice? Joseph, far from punishing his brothers as they deserved, chooses to see God’s hand in what happened. He forgives them and points them towards the larger purpose: God’s plan to save the people of Israel from famine. Joseph shows his brothers love they didn’t expect and certainly didn’t earn.

God also showed love to Joseph in unexpected ways. God had told Joseph in dreams, a long time ago, that he would rule over his brothers and father. But Joseph must have been afraid that his father (who had to be extremely old at this point) had already died; earlier in the story, he asks his brothers repeatedly whether their father is still alive. Joseph also had no clue that he had a younger brother. All of his other brothers were half-brothers – sons of different mothers; Benjamin was the son of both Joseph’s mother and father. God gave Joseph the incredible gift of being able to save his father and his entire family from famine and added the bonus of a brother whose existence he had never suspected.

Respond

Have you broken faith with God or with another person? Ask Jesus to forgive you and bring reconciliation to your relationships.

Remember you are a child of God, greatly loved by Him (1 John 3:1). Ask God to make you newly aware of how much He cares for you, plans for your future, and blesses you in ways you could not have earned or imagined.

August 15, 2017

What Is God’s Dream for You?

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Summer in the Psalms is a sermon and written reflection series from the weekly Psalms and associated readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Guest writer: Mimi Otani, crazy4jazz.com

Read

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Reflect

Jacob favored Joseph the most among his sons, making him the envy of his brothers. Joseph had dreams of ruling over his father and brothers, which only increased his brothers’ hatred. They nearly killed him before selling him into slavery in Egypt.

Joseph’s plight is vividly described in Psalm 105: 18: “His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron.” What would become of his dreams, now that he was a slave, helpless and far from home?

If you read the story to its end, either in Genesis or in Psalm 105, you will notice that Joseph found his vindication not when his dreams came true, when his brothers had to come to him for food to help them survive the famine in Israel. The purpose of his dreams was not for Joseph to gloat over the brothers who sold him into slavery. Rather, Joseph’s true vindication came when he was reconciled to his family, speaking words of forgiveness and understanding of how God had acted to save his people. Had Joseph not attained a position of power in Egypt, his family would have perished in the famine.

Through Joseph’s dreams, the nation of Israel was preserved, including the line of Judah, which produced first King David and ultimately Jesus. Through Jesus, God has included us all in His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph’s dream fulfilled became part of a story of redemption that continues to this day.

Respond

Whether or not you’ve ever had a dream like Joseph’s, chances are that you have dreams for your life. You may have a dream job, a dream spouse, a novel to write, a mountain to scale, a far country to travel.

In your prayer time today, lay those dreams before God. Ask God to show you to His dreams for your life. Ask for the willingness and courage to live out God’s dreams for your life, wherever they may take you. Be blessed with the certainty that God’s dreams are far beyond anything you could ever ask or imagine for yourself.