Step 1: Reflect and Speak to God
With you, there is no time because You are eternal. Yet, I was asked when was “The good old time for you.” My answer was these are the good old times because living in the present and feeling Your presence always, what could be better. I miss my parents, loving colleagues, and all relatives but being present with the current generation is such a blessing from you. Today is the time when we are blessed. I am truly blessed by Your presence in our history and especially in my own history. Reading of Your wonders with the Israelites, seeing your presence in Church history, even in its darkest moments, is indeed helping me to “see,” and feel Your presence today. Knowing that You, our Creator, sustain us and our world, that Jesus has redeemed us and provided everlasting life with You and Your Spirit animates us to be able to Love. Thank You for “These Good Old Days.”
Step 2: Meditate on the Scriptures
Hebrew Scriptures | New Testament |
Psalm 90:1-4;12-17
A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth, from eternity to eternity you are God. 4 2 A thousand years in your eyes are merely a yesterday, 12 Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. 13 Relent, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! 14 Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy. 15 Make us glad as many days as you humbled us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16 Show your deeds to your servants, your glory to their children. 17 May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!
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John 16:16-23
1 Timothy 1:9 He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
Titus 1:1-3 Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God’s chosen ones and the recognition of religious truth,a 2in the hope of eternal life that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,b 3who indeed at the proper time revealed his word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted by the command of God our savior,c
In the fullness of time
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are [in Ephesus]* faithful in Christ Jesus:a 2grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.b The Father’s Plan of Salvation. 3* Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,c who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,* 4as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.d In love 5he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will,e 6for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.f Fulfillment through Christ. 7In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his graceg 8that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight,h 9he has made known to us the mystery* of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in himi 10as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.j Inheritance through the Spirit. 11In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,k 12so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped* in Christ. 13In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed* with the promised holy Spirit,l 14which is the first installment* of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.m
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Step 3: What have you received from the scripture? Tell God about it.