September 13th - Let's Play!

Theme of the Day
Conversation

Readings of the Day
John 15.1-16.4a-Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
2 Chronicles 23-Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and tore it down...
Psalm 80-Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Psalm 103:1-13-The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

God's Word of the Day
Tear down the evil in your life and turn to Me for I am gracious and loving.

Story of the Day
The wind was coming in gusts. It grew greater and greater. Then you could see it, you could see the storm on the horizon. It was coming our way and we needed to take shelter soon. We knew that the storm was coming from forecasts, but had chosen to ignore the pleas to take shelter. Now the storm was upon us and we were about to "ride it out." So now what. Sure we could pray. But after all, we had ignored the warnings. Prayer just didn't seem right because of our own ignorance. But here we were anyway. So we prayed anyway. We prayed in our own ignorance for help. We prayed that others would be safe. We prayed to open our minds and fill our hearts with the safety and gracious love of our Savior. The storm came and went. There was damage for sure. We missed any injury or damage. But we certainly jumped in to help those who did sustain damage. We reflected the Love we felt in the prayers we made in our ignorance. But we acted and responded to that gracious face of God to those in need. God came to us and God came through us. God came in that storm in so many ways. Not in the destruction and death and pain. But God gloriously came in His presence during and after the storm. The wind was coming in gusts and the Breath of God, the Holy Spirit, blew over the face of the earth in and through the people He loves.

Prayer of the Day
Lord, as You speak to me, as I listen and speak to You; be with us in the troubled times. Rejoice with us in the joyful times, and always, always, breathe Your Spirit into our actions of love, each and every day. May we bear the fruit You wish for us to bear in fervent love towards You and in fervent love towards one another.--- Amen